The 5 Best High Schools in Dubai
Parents want what’s best for their children. For this reason, one of their top priorities is to create an academic path that will fit the learning requirements and preferences of their kids.
However, choosing the right school can be a tedious process. To help you make an informed decision, we reviewed some of the best high schools in Dubai.
Cost of High School Fees in Dubai
The education system in Dubai includes public and private schools. Primary and secondary education in public schools is generally free for Emiratis.
However, that’s not the case for expats and students attending private schools. Bear in mind that 90% of the schools in Dubai are private or international schools, so understanding the cost of high school fees is essential.
We created a table below that shows the usual price ranges of schools depending on the curriculum they offer.
Note that the fees are still subject to change and some of these schools offer support programs and financial aid for deserving students.
Top High Schools Dubai
For this listicle, we evaluated each high school based on these key factors:
1. King’s School (Al Barsha)
| CURRICULUM | ★★★★★ |
| TUITION FEES | ★★★★☆ |
| FEATURES | ★★★★★ |
| FACILITIES | ★★★★★ |
| EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES | ★★★★★ |
| CLIENT FEEDBACK | ★★★★☆ |
| CLIENT RATING | ★★★★☆ |
| PARENT SUPPORT | ★★★★☆ |
King’s School Al Barsha is one of the three flagship schools of King’s Education, established in 2014. It’s a British Curriculum school that covers Foundation through to Sixth Form.
The school is currently composed of approximately 1,950 students, 700 of whom are in secondary. Most of the students are British, but it’s also home to Emiratis and students from over 60 nationalities.
Aside from that, the school also offers inclusion support for more than 120 students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities, which we find pretty impressive.
One of the biggest achievements of this school is that it’s rated Outstanding by the KHDA in the 2018-2019 inspection. This award just means that it exceeds the qualifications of the KHDA when it comes to curriculum and teaching resources.
We really like that their teaching team is composed of 192 teachers and 72 teaching assistants. The 1:10 staff-to-student ratio is ideal, especially if you’re looking for a school that can offer your child the focus and attention they need.
Secondary students are focused on GSCE and A-Level qualifications, which we think is a very good advantage for students because well-known universities highly regard these qualifications.
Should this not be enough, high school students also work to achieve the Gold Level Duke of Edinburgh International Award. This award is also an excellent ticket to big universities because it encompasses an array of community, action, and service elements.
Given the curriculum offerings and opportunities presented to students, you can expect the fees of this school to be on the high side, however. The annual tuition fee in this school ranges from 53,622 AED to 97,798.
This can be pretty steep for some, so we suggest you look into the scholarship offers for secondary and sixth form students.
However, we’d just like to note that the scholarships only cover up to 25% of the annual fee, so if you’re searching for a more affordable option, King’s School Al Barsha might not be the one for you.
Pros
- Features A-Level and AS-Level curriculum
- Offers inclusion support for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities
- Received Outstanding rating from KHDA
- Provides students opportunity to achieve Gold Level Duke of Edinburgh International Award
Cons
- Expensive annual fees
- Limited scholarship offers
Customer Reviews
Students are given individual attention
“Best school in Dubai not only in terms of Curriculum but also in terms of extra activities. They have huge list when it comes to extra curricular activities. All the students are given individual attention and made sure each student gives in best of his/ her ability.” – Pallavi Handa
One of the best British Education School in Dubai
“One of the best British Education School in Dubai, Advanced technology they are using for present education system, Good play Ground, Nice Stadium, Mac Suits etc..” – Jackson Dsilva
2. Repton School Dubai
| CURRICULUM | ★★★★★ |
| TUITION FEES | ★★★☆☆ |
| FEATURES | ★★★★★ |
| FACILITIES | ★★★★★ |
| EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES | ★★★★★ |
| CLIENT FEEDBACK | ★★★★☆ |
| CLIENT RATING | ★★★★☆ |
| PARENT SUPPORT | ★★★★☆ |
Another learning institution we can recommend is Repton School Dubai. This school is part of the Repton International Schools and was founded in 2007.
We like that this school received the Outstanding rating from the KHDA five times in a row. This just speaks of how excellent their curriculum offerings and teaching and learning strategies are.
We also like Repton because it’s not as strict as other schools in implementing a set curriculum for its students. When students reach years 12 and 13, the students will be given the option to stick to the same curriculum or pursue an IB Diploma and IB Careers-related programs.
In our opinion, this can be a great feature for students who are still unsure of what they want to pursue. The school also offers over 120 free extracurricular activities for its students. Here are some of them:
- Community projects
- Holiday camps
- Arts and design
- Drama
- Rugby
- Bowling
- Debates
- Netball
- Computer coding
Since it’s a co-ed school offering both day and boarding school, you can have options. If you’re looking for a less pricey choice, opting for day school is better.
Alternatively, Repton School also offers full-time weekly and flexible boarding facilities for students in Year 7 to Year 13. This is also a good choice because the residential boarding of the school features study areas, high-speed Internet, and bedrooms with attached bathrooms.
We’d just like to note that the boarding fees can range from around 42,500 AED to 66,000 AED per annum. On top of that, the annual tuition fees for high school are around 75,000 AED to 95,000 AED.
If you want to cut costs even just a tiny bit, we suggest that you pay everything in full to get a 5% discount.
Among other things, it’s best to know that the scholarship offered in this school only covers 10% of the tuition fee. Moreover, it’s only available for Year 5 to Year 8 and Year 12 students taking IB programs.
Pros
- Offers day and boarding school
- Students have the option to take IB programs
- Received an Outstanding rating five times
- Features free 120+ extracurricular activities
Cons
- Boarding fees and tuition fees are on the high side
- Limite scholarship offer and coverage
Customer Reviews
Open-minded international teachers
Amazing education with open-minded international teachers, the school holds courses such as IB, IBCP and IGCSE it hold year groups from KG1 to IB2 and ages 3-19.” – Abdul Rahman Al Muhairi
So many opportunities
We have been in Dubai for 4 years and my children are thriving in Senior school. There are so many opportunities. Highly recommend a visit to the school.” – Kila Barber
3. GEMS Wellington International School
| CURRICULUM | ★★★★★ |
| TUITION FEES | ★★★★☆ |
| FEATURES | ★★★★★ |
| FACILITIES | ★★★★★ |
| EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES | ★★★★★ |
| CLIENT FEEDBACK | ★★★★☆ |
| CLIENT RATING | ★★★★☆ |
| PARENT SUPPORT | ★★★★☆ |
GEMS Wellington International School (WIS) is also one of the most sought-after schools in Dubai.
Well, this is not much of a surprise for us because this school has been rated Outstanding for eleven consecutive years. This just shows the school’s excellent level of consistency in providing high-quality education to all its students.
We also like the school’s goal to improve the entire concept of classrooms. WIS has smart classrooms furnished with interactive whiteboards, audio-visual and multimedia projectors, and WiFi connectivity.
Since they aim to take on the holistic approach to education, we also notice that they feature a range of extracurricular activities, including nature trips, sports, arts and crafts, and exploratory excursions.
We think this is a good approach because these activities help extend the students’ learning experiences beyond the classroom.
The academy also offers the IBDP curriculum for high school students. We’d just like to note the main medium of instruction in WIS is English.
It’s also mandatory to learn Arabic. If you’re a non-native speaker, the student can choose to take the basic version of the subject as a second language.
On the other hand, Emirati students are encouraged to take the Arabic A syllabus, which is more intensive.
Like any international school, the annual tuition fee in WIS is also pretty exorbitant. If your child is attending high school (Year 10 to Year 13), you have to prepare an amount of 85,870 AED to 95,597 AED.
Pros
- Rated Outstanding by KHDA for 11 consecutive years
- Offers a good range of extracurricular activities
- Features flexible payment terms
- Has well-equipped classrooms
Cons
- Scholarship is only for Year 6 and Year 7 students
- Does not offer boarding for students
Customer Review
Best school I’ve ever been to
“Amazing school, used to go there.great teachers, staff, students. Truly amazing. Prepared me for my life in the 5 years I went there. I proudly say, it is the best school I’ve ever been to.” – Mohsen Sarrafan Chaharsoughi
Supportive teachers
Amazing IB team…Very friendly and supportive teachers…Whenever we need any help there is always someone who you can talk to.” – Reshmi Nair
4. Jumeirah English Speaking School
| CURRICULUM | ★★★★★ |
| TUITION FEES | ★★★☆☆ |
| FEATURES | ★★★★★ |
| FACILITIES | ★★★★★ |
| EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES | ★★★★★ |
| CLIENT FEEDBACK | ★★★★☆ |
| CLIENT RATING | ★★★★☆ |
| PARENT SUPPORT | ★★★★☆ |
Jumeirah English Speaking School (JESS) is not as famous and big as the other academies on this list. When it opened its first branch, it only had 17 students.
However, it doesn’t mean that this school can’t offer the performance and curriculum offerings you’re looking for. To start, this school has been rated Outstanding for five years.
This is a commendable achievement that reflects how well-established and effective they are as an educational institution.
Since it’s situated in one of the most popular villa communities in Dubai, Arabian Ranches, it has become a popular school for expats. Over half of its student population are from the United Kingdom, while the other half is composed of students from over 60 nationalities.
There are also a few Emiratis in this school.
Although the student population continuously grows, the school is said to maintain 22 students per class. We think this is an ideal class size for teachers to assist students’ learning requirements.
Another feature that sets JESS apart from the other entries on this list is its music center. It is equipped with dance and drama studios, digital recording studios, a lecture theater, a tennis court, and an auditorium.
These facilities can help nurture and improve the students’ talents, especially if optimally used.
On the other hand, the tuition fee for secondary students starts at 82,521 AED for Year 7 to Year 11 and 93,852 AED for Year 12 to 13. Well, these fees are in the usual range for international schools.
However, we think the overall costs can be heavy for some. There is still a registration fee of 100 AED and an entrance fee, which costs 500 AED.
You’ll also have to pay at least 10,000 AED to secure your child’s place once he/she passes the entrance examination.
In general, the feedback from parents and former students is good. We’d just like to note that there are a few comments regarding the lack of A-Level programs for students.
For this reason, if your child wants to pursue a degree that requires specific A-Level qualifications, this might not be the best school for you.
Pros
- Rated Outstanding for five years
- Ideal teacher to student ratio
- Features a range of facilities
- Offers inclusion support for students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities
Cons
- Expensive tuition fee and entrance fee
- Doesn’t have A-Level programs
Customer Reviews
True definition of a community school
“I heard a lot of mixed reviews about the school before admitting my children. I honestly had to go through the experience myself to understand it. Yes – I am an Arab and it is multinational / foreign community but there are other Arabs from different nationalities and some locals too. I am a Muslim , and Although some people said that will be an issue , I can not say it ever was. Never seen discrimination in the school due to race , religion or gender . Not a single time . My kids were celebrated when there was a reason to celebrate and all also punished equally. So no complain. Atmosphere : very friendly family atmosphere a true definition of a community school. Often I run into teachers and staff at the community center by the school and they are always kind and respectful greeting. Although due to Covid we miss seeing them in the community as much. My favorite thing about the school is that they try to find something special about the kids and push it forward. They are concerned about academics trying to achieve their best.” – Samah Diab
World-class school
“Stepping through the doors of JESS Dubai is like entering an oasis. Students can learn alfresco while sitting under the share of the numerous palm trees. It’s a world-class school offering GCSE, IB and BTEC and it shows in the quality of the staff and the attitude of the students to their learning. Go and visit – you will be impressed.” – Claire Griffiths
5. GEMS Dubai American Academy
| CURRICULUM | ★★★★★ |
| TUITION FEES | ★★★★☆ |
| FEATURES | ★★★★★ |
| FACILITIES | ★★★★★ |
| EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES | ★★★★★ |
| CLIENT FEEDBACK | ★★★★☆ |
| CLIENT RATING | ★★★★☆ |
| PARENT SUPPORT | ★★★★☆ |
Dubai American Academy (DAA) is a flagship school of GEMS Education. However, it’s not like any other school because DAA is the only American curriculum school in Dubai that received the Outstanding rating.
Since 2011, DAA has retained the highest KHDA inspection rating. This reflects how consistent the school is in providing quality education to all its students.
We can recommend this school to students seeking entry to US universities. It’s now offering IB diploma programs that can serve as an entry qualification for universities.
In fact, the school has collaborated with Arizona State University (ASU) so students can earn university credits when they reach senior high school.
We think this is an excellent approach, especially now that DAA is offering ASU’s first-year Universal Learner Courses online. Through this, students can have a flexible learning experience and save more time if they plan to get an undergraduate degree at ASU.
Furthermore, one of the school’s missions is to offer all-around development and learning to their students. DAA features a range of extracurricular activities such as East Sports Management, Delta Learning, and Music Hub to back this up.
All told, this school has various strengths to offer to its students. However, just like any international school, there are some negative reviews about the school fees.
Compared to other schools in this listicle, we can say that the tuition for high school in DAA is significantly lower. You see, the annual flat fee for Year 1 to Year 12 is 86,260 AED.
This already includes the cost of books, iPad (for elementary students), and after-school activities. Besides that, DAA also offers a 25% discount if you enroll your fourth child in the same school and a 50% discount for the fifth child.
Pros
- Features the American curriculum
- Offers IB diploma programs
- Provides a range of extracurricular activities
- Offers university units for ASU
Cons
- Fees are a bit expensive
- Some complaints about the school’s accessibility
Customer Reviews
I would definitely go back there
“Out of the 5+ schools I have attended this was by far the best one. Excellent facilities, delicious meals, good teaching and kind people. They also inspire you to read more, and they make sure you can get resourceful when studying. We also learned some robotics and coding, as well as using technology when learning. I was in the school in 2017/2018 in grade 5LD and I loved it. If I could I would definitely go back there!” – Mohannad Abdulaal
Better than my old school
“The school is amazing, I just moved here and I love it. its ten times better than my old school. the teachers are enthusiastic and have many ways of including students in their work actively.” – Jada Adams
FAQs About High Schools in Dubai
If you think other high schools deserve a spot in our listicle, please reach out to our team so we can review them too!
On the other hand, if you need professional help to enhance your kid’s learning experience, you can check out the best tutoring services in Dubai. You can also consider looking into the top private schools to improve your child’s potential.