• Each year, Kings’ School Al Barsha offers a limited number of scholarships to secondary and sixth form pupils of exceptional merit and potential. Photo: Satish Kumar / The National
    Each year, Kings’ School Al Barsha offers a limited number of scholarships to secondary and sixth form pupils of exceptional merit and potential. Photo: Satish Kumar / The National
  • Dubai American Academy is the only American curriculum school in Dubai to receive the Knowledge and Human Development Authority rating of 'outstanding' since 2011. Photo: Reem Mohammed / The National
    Dubai American Academy is the only American curriculum school in Dubai to receive the Knowledge and Human Development Authority rating of 'outstanding' since 2011. Photo: Reem Mohammed / The National
  • Gems Jumeirah Primary School is one of the most sought-after primary schools in Dubai and has been rated 'outstanding' since 2010 by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority. Photo: Gems Jumeirah Primary School
    Gems Jumeirah Primary School is one of the most sought-after primary schools in Dubai and has been rated 'outstanding' since 2010 by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority. Photo: Gems Jumeirah Primary School
  • Rated 'very good' by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority, Jumeira Baccalaureate School, which falls under the Taaleem Group, awards scholarships to pupils who have displayed extraordinary talent and achievement. Photo: Pawan Singh / The National
    Rated 'very good' by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority, Jumeira Baccalaureate School, which falls under the Taaleem Group, awards scholarships to pupils who have displayed extraordinary talent and achievement. Photo: Pawan Singh / The National
  • Jebel Ali School is a leading British Curriculum school in Dubai for students aged three to 18. Photo: Jeffrey E Biteng / The National
    Jebel Ali School is a leading British Curriculum school in Dubai for students aged three to 18. Photo: Jeffrey E Biteng / The National
  • The Winchester School, Jebel Ali, has more than 4,000 pupils and welcomes children with a range of learning preferences, including pupils with special needs. Photo: The Winchester School
    The Winchester School, Jebel Ali, has more than 4,000 pupils and welcomes children with a range of learning preferences, including pupils with special needs. Photo: The Winchester School
  • Delhi Private School Dubai has been rated 'very good' for five years in a row and has about 3,800 pupils. Photo: Antonie Robertson / The National
    Delhi Private School Dubai has been rated 'very good' for five years in a row and has about 3,800 pupils. Photo: Antonie Robertson / The National
  • Last year, Fairgreen International School won an award for being the 'Most Innovative School in the UAE' at the Top Schools Awards 2021. Photo: Pawan Singh / The National
    Last year, Fairgreen International School won an award for being the 'Most Innovative School in the UAE' at the Top Schools Awards 2021. Photo: Pawan Singh / The National
  • The Aquila School opened in September 2018 and is located in an area of Dubailand that runs between Al Ain road and The Centro/Villa communities. Photo: Pawan Singh / The National
    The Aquila School opened in September 2018 and is located in an area of Dubailand that runs between Al Ain road and The Centro/Villa communities. Photo: Pawan Singh / The National
  • In May, the Knowledge and Human Development Authority published the first inspection report for South View School. The school achieved a 'good' rating, which is the highest rating that any new school can be awarded in their first inspection. Photo: Pawan Singh / The National
    In May, the Knowledge and Human Development Authority published the first inspection report for South View School. The school achieved a 'good' rating, which is the highest rating that any new school can be awarded in their first inspection. Photo: Pawan Singh / The National
  • Victory Heights Primary School received the award for the Best Primary School in the UAE during last year's Top Schools Awards. Photo: Pawan Singh / The National
    Victory Heights Primary School received the award for the Best Primary School in the UAE during last year's Top Schools Awards. Photo: Pawan Singh / The National
  • The JSS International School follows the curriculum laid down by the Council for Indian School Certificate Examinations. Photo: Jeffrey E Biteng / The National
    The JSS International School follows the curriculum laid down by the Council for Indian School Certificate Examinations. Photo: Jeffrey E Biteng / The National
  • Pupils at Lycee Francais International Georges Pompidou have a consistently outstanding performance in mathematics across all ages, DSIB's latest quality indicators report showed. Photo: Pawan Singh / The National
    Pupils at Lycee Francais International Georges Pompidou have a consistently outstanding performance in mathematics across all ages, DSIB's latest quality indicators report showed. Photo: Pawan Singh / The National
  • The Indian High School is one of the most sought after Indian curriculum schools in Dubai. It received a 'very good' rating in its most recent inspection report. Photo: Chris Whiteoak / The National
    The Indian High School is one of the most sought after Indian curriculum schools in Dubai. It received a 'very good' rating in its most recent inspection report. Photo: Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • The Jumeirah English Speaking School at Arabian Ranches. The non-profit school was started in an apartment in Deira in 1975 with only 17 pupils. Photo: Pawan Singh / The National
    The Jumeirah English Speaking School at Arabian Ranches. The non-profit school was started in an apartment in Deira in 1975 with only 17 pupils. Photo: Pawan Singh / The National
  • A fully-inclusive British curriculum school in the heart of the popular Arabian Ranches 2 community. The school has a 'very good' rating. Photo: Pawan Singh / The National
    A fully-inclusive British curriculum school in the heart of the popular Arabian Ranches 2 community. The school has a 'very good' rating. Photo: Pawan Singh / The National

UAE

Education

16 highly rated Dubai private schools by area: a guide

How to strike a balance between finding the right home and living near a good school

Kelly Clarke
Kelly Clarke

July 10, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

Tens of thousands of expatriates move to Dubai every year to embark on a new chapter in their lives.

Finding the right neighbourhood in which to settle down and a suitable school nearby for those with children rank high on the priority list when deciding to relocate.

As a rule of thumb, the further away from the sea, the cheaper the rent. Across the board, both rent and sales prices are on the rise — but an oversupply in recent years means many areas are cheaper than they once were.

With so many districts on offer, it can be hard to choose how to strike the right balance between finding the right home and living somewhere that isn't a million miles away from your child's school.

Here, The National has put together a list of some of the most popular residential areas in Dubai and the best rated schools nearby.

Al Barsha area (including Al Barsha 1 and 2 and Al Barsha south)

The popular Al Barsha area is home to school rated outstanding in education rankings. Photo: RTA
The popular Al Barsha area is home to school rated outstanding in education rankings. Photo: RTA

Name: Kings School Al Barsha

Location: Al Barsha second

Curriculum: UK

Grade/Year: FS 1 to Year 13

Rating: Outstanding

Tuition fees: Dh53,622 to Dh106,404

---------

Name: GEMS Dubai American Academy

Location: Al Barsha South

Curriculum: US

Grade/Year: KG 1 to — Grade 12

Rating: Outstanding

Tuition fees: Dh61,190 — Dh86,260

Jumeirah (including Jumeirah 1, 2 and 3)

A villa in an old compound in Jumeirah 3. Victor Besa / The National
A villa in an old compound in Jumeirah 3. Victor Besa / The National

Name: GEMS Jumeirah Primary School

Location: Jumeirah 3

Curriculum: UK

Grade/Year: FS1 to Year 6

Rating: Outstanding

Tuition fees: Dh40,865 — Dh51,511

---------

Name: Jumeira Baccalaureate School

Location: Jumeirah 1

Curriculum: International Baccalaureate

Grade/Year: Pre-primary to Grade 12

Rating: Very good

Tuition fees: Dh59,356 — Dh89,034

Jebel Ali

Nakheel say the new Jebel Ali Village development will be an upgrade on the old villas. Photo: Nakheel
Nakheel say the new Jebel Ali Village development will be an upgrade on the old villas. Photo: Nakheel

Name: Jebel Ali School

Location: Jebel Ali

Curriculum: UK

Grade/Year: FS 1 to Year 12

Rating: Very good

Tuition fees: Dh45,891 — Dh94,000

---------

Name: The Winchester School

Location: Jebel Ali

Curriculum: UK

Grade/Year: ECC to Year 13

Rating: Very good

Tuition fees: Dh13,822 — Dh30,835

---------

Name: Delhi Private School

Location: Jebel Ali

Curriculum: Indian

Grade/Year: Pre-primary to Grade 12

Rating: Very good

Tuition fees: Dh10,298 — Dh14,416

Dubailand

Miracle Gardens in Dubailand. Pawan Singh / The National
Miracle Gardens in Dubailand. Pawan Singh / The National

Name: Fairgreen International School

Location: Dubailand

Curriculum: International Baccalaureate

Grade/Year: Pre-primary to Grade 12

Rating: Good

Tuition fees: Dh50,000 — Dh88,000

---------

Name: The Aquila School

Location: Dubailand

Curriculum: UK

Grade/Year: FS1 to Year 9

Rating: Good

Tuition fees: Dh45,000 — Dh66,000

---------

Name: South View School LLC

Location: Dubailand

Curriculum: UK

Grade/Year: FS 1 to Year 10

Rating: Good

Tuition fees: Dh43,000 — 61,500

Sports City, Motor City and JVC

JVC has a mix of villas, townhouses and apartments. Antonie Robertson / The National
JVC has a mix of villas, townhouses and apartments. Antonie Robertson / The National

Name: Victory Heights Primary School

Location: Sports City

Curriculum: UK

Grade/Year: Pre-primary to Grade 12

Rating: Very good

Tuition fees: Dh36,576 — Dh49,877

---------

Name: JSS International School

Location: Jumeirah Village Circle

Curriculum: Indian

Grade/Year: Pre-primary to Grade 12

Rating: Very good

Tuition fees: Dh15,483 — 40,401

Oud Metha

Pupils arriving in school buses on the first day of in-person learning at Indian High School in Oud Metha, Dubai. Ruel Pableo / The National
Pupils arriving in school buses on the first day of in-person learning at Indian High School in Oud Metha, Dubai. Ruel Pableo / The National

Name: Lycee Francais International

Location: Oud Metha

Curriculum: French

Grade/Year: Pre-primary to Grade 12

Rating: Very good

Tuition fees: Dh26,922 — Dh56,936

---------

Name: The Indian High School

Location: Oud Metha

Curriculum: Indian

Grade/Year: Grade 5 to Grade 12

Rating: Very Good

Tuition fees: Dh5525 — Dh10,465

Arabian Ranches

Many families who live in Arabian Ranches stay long term. Ruel Pableo / The National
Many families who live in Arabian Ranches stay long term. Ruel Pableo / The National

Name: Jumeirah English Speaking School

Location: Arabian Ranches

Curriculum: International Baccalaureate

Grade/Year: FS 1 to Grade 13

Rating: Outstanding

Tuition fees: Dh41,829 to 94,805

---------

Name: Ranches Primary School

Location: Arabian Ranches

Curriculum: UK

Grade/Year: FS 1 to Year 6

Rating: Very good

Tuition fees: Dh46,630 — Dh56,992

The President's Cake

Director: Hasan Hadi

Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem 

Rating: 4/5

The biog

Name: Mohammed Imtiaz

From: Gujranwala, Pakistan

Arrived in the UAE: 1976

Favourite clothes to make: Suit

Cost of a hand-made suit: From Dh550

 

Why it pays to compare

A comparison of sending Dh20,000 from the UAE using two different routes at the same time - the first direct from a UAE bank to a bank in Germany, and the second from the same UAE bank via an online platform to Germany - found key differences in cost and speed. The transfers were both initiated on January 30.

Route 1: bank transfer

The UAE bank charged Dh152.25 for the Dh20,000 transfer. On top of that, their exchange rate margin added a difference of around Dh415, compared with the mid-market rate.

Total cost: Dh567.25 - around 2.9 per cent of the total amount

Total received: €4,670.30 

Route 2: online platform

The UAE bank’s charge for sending Dh20,000 to a UK dirham-denominated account was Dh2.10. The exchange rate margin cost was Dh60, plus a Dh12 fee.

Total cost: Dh74.10, around 0.4 per cent of the transaction

Total received: €4,756

The UAE bank transfer was far quicker – around two to three working days, while the online platform took around four to five days, but was considerably cheaper. In the online platform transfer, the funds were also exposed to currency risk during the period it took for them to arrive.

The biog

Full name: Aisha Abdulqader Saeed

Age: 34

Emirate: Dubai

Favourite quote: "No one has ever become poor by giving"

U19 World Cup in South Africa

Group A: India, Japan, New Zealand, Sri Lanka

Group B: Australia, England, Nigeria, West Indies

Group C: Bangladesh, Pakistan, Scotland, Zimbabwe

Group D: Afghanistan, Canada, South Africa, UAE

UAE fixtures

Saturday, January 18, v Canada

Wednesday, January 22, v Afghanistan

Saturday, January 25, v South Africa

UAE squad

Aryan Lakra (captain), Vriitya Aravind, Deshan Chethyia, Mohammed Farazuddin, Jonathan Figy, Osama Hassan, Karthik Meiyappan, Rishabh Mukherjee, Ali Naseer, Wasi Shah, Alishan Sharafu, Sanchit Sharma, Kai Smith, Akasha Tahir, Ansh Tandon

Summer special
Updated: July 10, 2022, 3:26 AM
SchoolsEducationDubai

Most popular today