The 5 Best Public Schools in Dubai

While 90% of the schools in Dubai belong to the private sector, public schools in the city are still a viable option, mainly because it is free for Emirati citizens.

But which ones are the best, exactly? That’s what we tried to find out as we searched the city for the best public schools in Dubai. 

We explain the different factors we considered in choosing them and answer some FAQs about public schools in Dubai.

How much does going to a public school in Dubai cost?

Public schools are free for all Emirati citizens, but ex-pats have to pay a fee for their children to get enrolled.

To give you a starting point, the price range of fees that need to be paid annually starts from AED3,500 and can go up to AEDAED12,500. Fees can go higher or lower depending on the public school

The Best Public Schools in Dubai

To find the best public schools in Dubai, we used the following criteria:

Facilities – One of the most critical things to consider when choosing a school for your child is the available tools that can be used to further their learning, so we also considered how these facilities aid in their growth and development as students.

Curriculum – Each school has a different approach to how and what they have to teach their students. So we looked into each public school’s curriculum and how it measures up against the other.

Environment – The atmosphere of the school plays a vital role in every student’s ability to focus and foster their character growth, so we also assessed the different aspects that make up the school’s overall environment and how these affect the students.

 1. Rashid School for Boys

Criteria	Ratings
Facilities	★★★★☆ (4/5)
Curriculum	★★★★★ (5/5)
Environment	★★★★☆ (4/5)

For the last 35 years, Rashid School for Boys has been growing generations of Emirati life-long learners.

Taking to heart the wisdom that can be learned from Emirati culture, students are taught at a young age that life is full of opportunities to learn.

Allegra’s son recently graduated high school from here, and she shared with us how dedicated the teachers are to bringing out the best in the boys.

We love that this school also values Emirati culture while also taking the best of the best from around the world and finding ways to integrate it into their curriculum.

Rashid School for Boys has adapted the national curriculum for England and Wales while combining it with UAE Arabic, Islamic Studies, Moral Education, and UAE Social Studies programs.

So it’s all about juxtaposing that global standard within the context of the UAE culture.

To aid the students in their educational endeavors, we love that the school has facilities to engage students with different types of intelligence.

From an art room to a workshop room to courts for sports, Rashid School for Boys ensures that each student has their own space where they can cultivate their skills and talents.

Although, unfortunately, they do lack a theatre or an auditorium that we think should be a necessary part of every school as it can cultivate students’ passion for performing and serve as a big space for school gatherings.

As for its environment, we love how the school takes extra steps to make the space just feel a bit peaceful despite the all-male student body.

From the serene Japanese garden to the decorative fountains, the school wants to integrate a sense of calm that is fleeting because of the high energy that comes with being young and the roughhousing that comes naturally with boys.

All in all, with over 30 years of experience fighting for its spot in a privately-owned dominated educational system, Rashid School for Boys manages to create a cultivating space for men to grow and value the fact that learning continues even after they graduate.

Customer Reviews

Best school!

“Best school in the UAE. Amazing teachers and students. Each student has subgroups that they can relate to. In my opinion, this stops any person from being depressed. Teaching is Five stars amazing teachers to students ratio which doesn’t let the students fall behind in their studies.” —Bin Demaithan, Google Reviews

They left a great first impression

“I was visiting my sister who lives in the UAE and she wanted to apply to her son at this school. We went together and met the manager. He was really respectable and explained to us everything regarding the admission process and provided us with the yearly form of school fees as well.” —Allegra, Dubai Review

2. Islamic School for Training and Education

Criteria	Ratings
Facilities	★★★★★ (5/5)
Curriculum	★★★★☆ (4/5)
Environment	★★★★☆ (4/5)

Islamic School for Training & Education has been utilizing modern educational methods to bring out the students’ love for religion and science.

Ahmed has been sending his two children here and shared with us that as a religious Islamic man, he is so grateful for a school that seamlessly melds the modern world with the values of his religion.

We love that the school’s religion was designed to be in line with the aspirations and vision of the curriculum of the Ministry of Education.

Mixed with that is the dedication of the faculty to keep a special file for each student that details their hobbies and creativity so they can develop appropriate enrichment programs for them to reach.

However, we think that the school adopted the curriculum from the Ministry of Education too closely, and the result is what the students learn is within the context of their country only.

We think it would be better if it also puts into context the cultural significance of education and religion as citizens of the world.

As for its facilities, we were amazed by the fact that it has so many activities lined up for its students — from sports and media to goldsmithing and handicrafts.

It also has the necessary spaces to cultivate these passions such as the fitness center, media department, sewing and goldsmithing workshops, and science and computer laboratories.

As for its environment, Ahmed has shared with us that the school is serene and peaceful whenever he visits.

He also said that because of its special focus on embodying Islamic values, students are taught to uphold the wisdom that comes from the faculty.

We appreciate that the school maintains its quiet atmosphere that is conducive to learning, but we think that it is also its weakness.

The repressive state of silence makes it hard for students to express ideas and opinions, and the pent-up energy the children can’t get out may spill over into their homes after school.

Despite that, Islamic School for Training and Education does what it does best and that is molding students into following the teachings of Islam while becoming great citizens of its country.

By teaching them how to appreciate the culture they grow in, they secure their identity and confidently walk in life knowing who they are.

3. Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Islamic Institute

Criteria	Rating
Facilities	★★★★★ (5/5)
Curriculum	★★★★☆ (4/5)
Environment	★★★★☆ (4/5)

Established under the directives of the late Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance, His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, this school focuses solely on the fundamentals of Sharia and the Arabic language.

Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Islamic Institute is known for raising young people on values and correct Islamic concepts, preserving national identity, developing personal skills, and enabling them to deal with the language of the age and modern technology tools.

Aaliyah graduated from this school and shared how grateful she was for learning about Sharia law at a young age.

She told us how it’s almost a forgotten body of religious law outside of Islam, so when she had the chance to share it at her college, she realized how passionate she was about it.

The weakest point that this Institute has is its lack of facilities that can aid in the cultivation of students’ skills and passions.

However, we can see that it holds workshops, special lectures, and competitions to compensate for the lack of physical space and tools. But it is questionable as to how effective these can be compared to hands-on practical experience that actual physical facilities can give. 

As for the school’s environment, it is designed to embody traditional Arabic architecture to complement its Islamic focus.

We love that the appreciation for its culture and national identity is strong in this school, but we find the lack of greenery, outdoor spaces, and shade to be quite disappointing.

Children should be allowed to spend time outside after school in a safe environment. There should also be spaces for silence and concentration, but that’s also lacking except in the library.

Despite that, Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Islamic Institute’s unique and culturally significant curriculum is a vital part of Dubai’s move to continuously promote Arabis and Islamic culture.

We also love that it is willing to discuss aspects of Islam that are often overlooked even in other Islamic schools, and for that, it remains to be one of the best public schools in Dubai. 

4. Mohammed Bin Rashid School of Government Dubai

Criteria	Rating
Facilities	★★★★☆ (4/5)
Curriculum	★★★★☆ (4/5)
Environment	★★★★★ (5/5)

Mohammed Bin Rashid School of Government (MBRSG) is government-funded research and public policy institute in Dubai. It offers a wide range of post-graduate programs that focus on public service and policy-building.

As a result, the facilities are all dedicated to furthering research works and advanced applied learning.

Conference halls, auditoriums, and a media center comprise most of the institute’s halls. On top of that, training, workshops, and special lectures are held throughout the academic years for all of its students.

Jamal, a current postgraduate student taking up a Master’s in Public Policy, has really been enjoying all the workshops being held on campus.

He shared with us that he appreciates that these are all specifically held for them, and has really offered so many new perspectives on policy-building that he has applied both in his classes and in his research.

Of course, the curriculum is just as specialized as its facilities. The curriculum focuses on good governance aligned with Dubai’s goal of making its city the city of the future.

The school has developed the Future Government Programs to reflect its continuous efforts to support the transformation of Dubai.

We love that this school was made specifically to mold young leaders into the leaders of Dubai’s future, however, we do think the curriculum’s goals are too narrow.

It completely alienates other Emiratis who want to learn effective governance within the context of their hometowns.

Putting every lesson within the context of Dubai limits the students’ learning and publications within the boundaries of the city.

As for its environment, we love that the school is in the middle of a buzzing city where students can see the full effect and significance of governance and policies.

We think that its location serves as a constant reminder of what they are working for and also gives students so much accessibility and convenience — which is important for post-graduates.

All in all, MBRSG may be a post-graduate public school — but it’s of a rare kind. This government-funded Government school has its intentions clear and proves that its education is effective with the number of publications and studies its students have accomplished.

5. Buds Public School

Criteria	Rating
Facilities	★★★★★ (5/5)
Curriculum	★★★★☆ (4/5)
Environment	★★★★★ (5/5)

Buds Public School has been a popular choice mostly because of how inclusive it is in many ways.

Maria, who has her two sons enrolled in this school, appreciates that it has been such a great opportunity for her children to have cultural exchanges with other students who have different backgrounds.

And it’s mostly because they bonded over some activities that the school’s facilities offer.

We love that it has so many spaces for playing and learning. From a 20 thousand square foot playground to dedicated English, science, math, and computer laboratories, Buds Public School covers a whole gamut of students’ interests.

Buds adapted a very well-rounded curriculum approved by the Ministry of Education. What makes it special is it puts a special focus on the importance of sustainability and eco-consciousness as global citizens of the world.

We love that its curriculum teaches students the value of their existence in the Earth’s ecosystem and how critical they are in fighting the climate crisis.

But on the academic side, sadly, there’s nothing here that makes the school special. Its curriculum is just the same as every other public school and doesn’t really have programs that can further a student’s learning.

As for the environment, we love that its facilities play an important part in fostering a sense of togetherness within the school.
Spaces for play and interactions between different students are abundant on campus. We especially love its quadrangle for various outdoor games, tennis court, basketball court, and natural grass lawn for other sports and games.

All in all, while not the most academically sound curriculum, Buds Public School has a wide range of facilities and spaces that nurture friendship and a sense of community in a diverse student body.

Customer Reviews

They bring the best out of my daughter

“Excellent School. My daughter is studying in this school for the past 3 years. Her external examination scores are very good. She is an independent learner, I never used to sit with her. All credits go to teachers and management.” —Jessy Renish, Google Reviews

Grateful for the opportunity to have my children study here

“Please know that my son Felix Babu(KG 1 to Grade 5) and daughter Ferah Babu (KG 1) have had a fantastic and enjoyable learning experience in the school.

Thanks to BUDS PUBLIC SCHOOL for giving my kids the opportunity to be a part of their school, and also Thank you to all the amazing teachers, Thanks to the admin staff who are so friendly and always welcoming. We really feel like a family to BUDS now.” —Midhumol Babu, Google Reviews

FAQs About Public Schools in Dubai

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We hope this helped you find the best public school in Dubai for your children. If you’re looking for other great schools in the metro, then check out these articles:

• The Best Private Schools in Dubai
• The Best Culinary Schools in Dubai
• The Schools with the Best MBA in Dubai

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