• Cranleigh Abu Dhabi's campus on Saadiyat Island. The school was ranked among the best in the region. Photo: Cranleigh Abu Dhabi
    Cranleigh Abu Dhabi's campus on Saadiyat Island. The school was ranked among the best in the region. Photo: Cranleigh Abu Dhabi
  • Brighton College Abu Dhabi has ranked among the best schools in the Middle East. Ravindranath K / The National
    Brighton College Abu Dhabi has ranked among the best schools in the Middle East. Ravindranath K / The National
  • The British School Al Khubairat in Abu Dhabi has long been considered one of the best in the country. Victor Besa / The National
    The British School Al Khubairat in Abu Dhabi has long been considered one of the best in the country. Victor Besa / The National
  • Dubai College is one of the oldest schools in the city. Chris Whiteoak/ The National
    Dubai College is one of the oldest schools in the city. Chris Whiteoak/ The National
  • Repton School in Dubai has been ranked as one of the best in the Middle East. Photo: Repton Dubai
    Repton School in Dubai has been ranked as one of the best in the Middle East. Photo: Repton Dubai
  • North London Collegiate School Dubai is an IB curriculum school. Photo: Antonie Robertson/The National
    North London Collegiate School Dubai is an IB curriculum school. Photo: Antonie Robertson/The National
  • Jumeirah College is a British-curriculum school in Al Safa 1. Photo: Jumeirah College
    Jumeirah College is a British-curriculum school in Al Safa 1. Photo: Jumeirah College
  • Swiss International Scientific School Dubai in Dubai is a bilingual international baccalaureate school that opened in 2015. Pawan Singh / The National
    Swiss International Scientific School Dubai in Dubai is a bilingual international baccalaureate school that opened in 2015. Pawan Singh / The National
  • The Nord Anglia International School Dubai is a British-curriculum school that focuses on personalised education. Photo: Nord Anglia International School Dubai
    The Nord Anglia International School Dubai is a British-curriculum school that focuses on personalised education. Photo: Nord Anglia International School Dubai
  • Pupils walking between classes at the Jumeirah English Speaking School at Arabian Ranches, Dubai.
    Pupils walking between classes at the Jumeirah English Speaking School at Arabian Ranches, Dubai.

10 UAE private schools named among Middle East's top 15


Anam Rizvi
  • English
  • Arabic

Ten private schools in the UAE were named among the best 15 in the Middle East, for a second year in a row.

The schools were also featured among the 125 top private schools in the world in Carfax Education’s school index 2023.

Most of the schools that were featured on the list follow the UK curriculum while others offer the International Baccalaureate diploma.

Other schools that ranked among the best in the region included British International School Riyadh, British School Muscat, King’s Academy in Jordan, St Christopher’s School Bahrain, and Doha College.

Schools were selected on the basis of academic results, preparation for university entry, unique ethos, local, and international reputation, and how they prepare students for life beyond academics.

Fiona McKenzie, head of education at Carfax Education, said: "The good news story is that schools in the Middle East are booming.

"We're certainly getting inquiries all the time from schools around the world thinking should they set up here because it's such a vibrant education landscape in the Middle East.

"We're guided by a kind of series of metrics and criteria that we use, which include not exclusively exam results, university destination data and preparedness for the outside world."

Scott Carnochan, head master of Brighton College Abu Dhabi, said the strength of community at the school alongside academic achievements, as well as quality of teaching and care, had played a significant role in it being ranked among the best schools worldwide.

"I am incredibly proud of what our school achieves each day, and this recognition simply reinforces the excellence being demonstrated by our school community - teachers, pupils and parents," said Mr Carnochan.

'Immensely proud'

Tracy Crowder-Cloe, principal at Cranleigh Abu Dhabi, was also delighted that her school featured so highly in the rankings.

"We are immensely proud to be listed in the Carfax Education Schools Index as one of the top private schools in the world again this year," she said.

"The ranking reflects not only our commitment to academic excellence but also the dedication and hard work of our exceptional pupils, talented teaching team, and supportive community."

Carfax Education published its fourth annual schools index on Wednesday. Until last year, the same school index was published by luxury lifestyle magazine Spear’s in collaboration with Carfax Education.

The index provided information on the world’s best private schools and divided the list geographically with schools from the UK, Switzerland, Europe, USA, Middle East, China, and Southeast Asia named on the list.

Eton College, Harrow School, and Cheltenham Ladies’ College featured on the list of the top UK senior schools in 2023 while Trinity School and The Spence School were on the list of best schools in the United States.

Cottesmore School, Dragon School and Falkner House Girls are counted among the best prep schools in the UK.

New entries this year include UK prep school, Port Regis, as well as Amadeus International School in Vienna, The British School in Delhi and The Dalton School, USA.

BIG SPENDERS

Premier League clubs spent £230 million (Dh1.15 billion) on January transfers, the second-highest total for the mid-season window, the Sports Business Group at Deloitte said in a report.

RESULTS

5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,400m, Winner SS Lamea, Saif Al Balushi (jockey), Ibrahim Al Hadhrami (trainer).

5.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 1,400m, Winner AF Makerah, Sean Kirrane, Ernst Oertel

6pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 1,600m, Winner Maaly Al Reef, Brett Doyle, Abdallah Al Hammadi

6.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh90,000 1,600m, Winner AF Momtaz, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi

7pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 2,200m, Winner Morjanah Al Reef, Brett Doyle, Abdallah Al Hammadi

7.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh100,000 2,200m, Winner Mudarrab, Jim Crowley, Erwan Charpy

Living in...

This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.

Know your camel milk:
Flavour: Similar to goat’s milk, although less pungent. Vaguely sweet with a subtle, salty aftertaste.
Texture: Smooth and creamy, with a slightly thinner consistency than cow’s milk.
Use it: In your morning coffee, to add flavour to homemade ice cream and milk-heavy desserts, smoothies, spiced camel-milk hot chocolate.
Goes well with: chocolate and caramel, saffron, cardamom and cloves. Also works well with honey and dates.

Traits of Chinese zodiac animals

Tiger:independent, successful, volatile
Rat:witty, creative, charming
Ox:diligent, perseverent, conservative
Rabbit:gracious, considerate, sensitive
Dragon:prosperous, brave, rash
Snake:calm, thoughtful, stubborn
Horse:faithful, energetic, carefree
Sheep:easy-going, peacemaker, curious
Monkey:family-orientated, clever, playful
Rooster:honest, confident, pompous
Dog:loyal, kind, perfectionist
Boar:loving, tolerant, indulgent   

ABU DHABI ORDER OF PLAY

Starting at 10am:

Daria Kasatkina v Qiang Wang

Veronika Kudermetova v Annet Kontaveit (10)

Maria Sakkari (9) v Anastasia Potapova

Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova v Ons Jabeur (15)

Donna Vekic (16) v Bernarda Pera 

Ekaterina Alexandrova v Zarina Diyas

Updated: September 28, 2023, 11:09 AM