DubaiSchoolGuide.com

Independent register · July 2026

Find the right private school in Dubai

KHDA ratings on the regulator's real six-point scale, fee ranges listed per year, and every school website link checked against a live domain.

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212 schools54 areas100% links verifiedFees frozen 2026–27

Fees are frozen for 2026–27. KHDA confirmed in May 2026 that private school fees will not increase for the coming academic year.

All schools (212 listed)

How KHDA ratings work

Dubai's schools regulator inspects every private school and rates it on a six-point scale. Ratings on this site are from the last full DSIB inspection cycle (2023–24); KHDA paused full inspections in 2024–25 and 2025–26 in favour of targeted quality-assurance visits, so always read the most recent report on the official directory.

Outstanding1st of 6

The highest KHDA rating — consistently excellent teaching and outcomes. Expect waiting lists.

22 schools in this guide

Very Good2nd of 6

High quality across the board with minor areas to improve — often better value than Outstanding.

46 schools in this guide

Good3rd of 6

Good standards in most areas. The most common rating among Dubai schools.

79 schools in this guide

Acceptable4th of 6

Meets minimum standards; may be on an improvement plan. Read the full report before enrolling.

51 schools in this guide

Weak5th of 6

Below minimum standards and under KHDA improvement notices.

2 schools in this guide

Not yet ratedUnrated

Newly opened or not yet through a full inspection cycle.

12 schools in this guide

Very Weak6th of 6

The lowest rating on the six-point scale — rare, and met with intensive KHDA intervention.

None in this guide

Three things relocating families learn late

  1. Apply earlier than feels reasonable

    Popular schools open applications in September to October for the following August intake, and Outstanding-rated schools carry waiting lists. Mid-year admissions are common — see the full admissions timeline.

  2. Two calendars run in parallel

    British, IB and American schools run late August to July. Most Indian-curriculum (CBSE) schools run April to March. If you land mid-year, this decides which schools have a natural entry point — check which year group applies.

  3. Budget past the headline fee

    Tuition is the start: registration deposits, uniforms, transport, exam fees and trips typically add 15 to 30 per cent. Plan against the top of a school’s fee range with the true cost calculator, not the bottom.

Schools by area

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Common questions

How many private schools are there in Dubai?

Dubai has roughly 227 KHDA-registered private schools across 17 curricula, serving close to 400,000 students. This register covers 212 of them and publishes exactly which are missing — making it one of the most diverse private school markets in the world.

Are school fees increasing in 2026–27?

No. KHDA confirmed in May 2026 that fees will remain unchanged for 2026–27 following a government directive. A welcome change after a 2.35% increase was permitted in 2025–26.

What are the best British schools in Dubai?

On the current KHDA cycle, Outstanding-rated British schools include Dubai College, Repton School Dubai, Kings School Al Barsha, Kings School Dubai, GEMS Wellington International, Jumeirah College, JESS (both campuses), Nord Anglia and Dubai English Speaking College. Strong Very Good options — often with shorter waiting lists — include Brighton College Dubai, North London Collegiate School and RGS Guildford Dubai. See the full Outstanding and Very Good lists; the best choice still depends on location, year-group availability and budget.

Can my child join a school mid-year?

Yes — relocation churn means most Dubai schools accept mid-year admissions where space exists. You’ll typically need the most recent school report, a transfer certificate, passport and visa copies, and the school then handles KHDA transfer formalities. Timing matters: Indian-curriculum (CBSE) schools run April–March while British, IB and American schools run late August–July — see the admissions timeline and check which year group applies before you apply.

Are KHDA inspections still happening?

Full DSIB inspections were paused in 2024–25 and 2025–26 in favour of targeted quality-assurance visits, so the ratings shown here are from the last full cycle (2023–24). The next full inspection round is expected from the 2026–27 academic year — when new results publish, this register reconciles within 48 hours and every change is logged on the updates page. Always read the most recent report on the official KHDA directory.

Which Dubai schools have the most affordable fees?

Verified from this register: The Indian High School (from about AED 6,000), GEMS Our Own Indian School (from about AED 7,000), GEMS Our Own English High School, Pearl Wisdom School, Buds Public School and Delhi Private School all sit well under AED 20,000 a year, with Good or Very Good ratings among them. Indian-curriculum schools offer the strongest value in Dubai — browse the full affordable schools guide (under AED 20,000).

What is the school admissions age cut-off for 2026?

From 2026–27, the UAE moved the admissions age cut-off from 31 August to 31 December of the admission year: children who turn 3 by 31 December can join FS1, so children born September–December 2023 became eligible to start in August 2026 — a year earlier than before. April-start Indian-calendar schools keep a 31 March cut-off, and the change applies to new admissions only. Full chart: which year group is my child in?

Which areas of Dubai are best for school access?

Jumeirah, Al Barsha, Mirdif and Motor City are traditional school belts with multiple top-rated schools nearby. Dubai Hills, Arabian Ranches and Town Square are also well-served. Business Bay and Downtown are 10–15 minutes from several good options but have no schools on-site.

Do Dubai schools accept children with special educational needs?

Yes — under Dubai’s inclusive education framework, KHDA-licensed private schools are expected to admit and support students of determination, and every school must have an inclusion lead. Provision quality varies widely in practice, so the single best research step is reading the ‘students of determination’ section of a school’s full KHDA inspection report on the official directory. Ask early about individual education plans and whether learning-support staffing carries additional fees. Full guidance: special educational needs in Dubai schools.

What is the average private school fee in Dubai?

Across the 166 schools in this guide with published fees, the median mid-range fee is about AED 37,000 a year. The full spread runs from under AED 10,000 at the most affordable Indian-curriculum schools to over AED 100,000 at premium British and IB schools, and KHDA has frozen fees for 2026-27.

When will KHDA inspections resume?

Full DSIB inspections were paused for 2024-25 and 2025-26, with targeted quality-assurance visits in the meantime. The next full inspection round is expected from the 2026-27 academic year, potentially with an updated inspection framework, so current ratings still reflect the 2023-24 cycle.