Best Schools in the UAE

Primary and Secondary Schools in Dubai and Abu Dhabi

Primary and Secondary 

The level of teaching in UAE is usually high with excellent facilities available. The Ministry of Education regularly carries out inspections in order to maintain good standards. Schools offer a mix of international curriculum i.e. iGCSE, A Levels and the IB (International Baccalaureate) among others. It is usually a good idea to think carefully about what type of curriculum you want your child to follow, as we have mentioned previously as this limits your choice of school. The decision should really be based on which country you see your long term residence to be in, for example if you plan to move back to the UK eventually, it might be worth your child studying the British system. Try not to base your decision on where your colleague’s child goes because you’ve heard its good – in the long term it may not be suitable for your situation. Some schools have a combined primary and secondary institution which can be worth looking into if you have more than one child. 

The criteria for some schools may include your child having to take an entrance exam and a family interview. Fees are quoted as yearly, and different schools quote different fees. For most primary schools the cost of schooling for one year in Dubai, say, ranges from Dhs 10,000 to Dhs 35,000 per year and secondary schools from Dhs 15,000 to Dhs 60,000 per year. These fees do not include registration fees, deposits, trips or medical (if any) and are an estimate based on 2008 and 2009. 

Below is a list of some primary and secondary schools in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. These have not been vetted by us so please contact them individually for more information. 
 

Abu Dhabi


Al Nahda National School
Category: Primary and Secondary
Girls School Tel: +971 2 4477600 / 4474550 - Fax (9712)4477894
Boys School Tel: +971 2 4454200 / 4452984 - Fax (9712)4454805 

American International School in Abu Dhabi
Category: Primary and Secondary
Tel: +971 2 444 4333 Fax: +971 2 444 4005

British School Al Khubairat
Category: Primary and Secondary
Tel: +971 2 4462280 / FAX: +971 2 4461915

Cambridge High School
Category: Primary and Secondary
Tel: +971 2 552 1621 Fax: +971 2 552 1622

International School of Choueifat
Category: Primary and Secondary
Tel: +971 2 446 1444 Fax: 971 2 446 1048
 

Dubai


American School of Dubai
Category: Primary and Secondary
Tel: +971 4 344 0824 Fax: +971 4 344 1510


Cambridge High School
Category: Primary and Secondary with foundation stage
Tel: +971 4 282 4646 Fax: +971 4 282 4109

Deira International School
Category: Primary with foundation stage
Tel: +971 4 232 5552 Fax +971 4 232 5151


Dubai American Academy
Category: Primary and Secondary
Tel: +971 4 347 9222 Fax: +9714 347 6070

Dubai British School
Category: Primary and Secondary with foundation stage
Tel: +971 4 361 9361 Fax: +971 4 360 9294


Dubai International Academy
Category: Primary
Tel: +971 4 368 4111 Fax: +971 4 361 9050

Emirates International School
Category: Primary and Secondary
Curriculum followed: International Baccalaureate
Tel: +971 4 362 9009 Fax: +971 4 362 9229


English College
Category: Secondary
Curriculum followed: British
Tel: +971 4 394 3465 Fax: +971 4 394 7242


Horizon English School
Category: Primary
Curriculum followed: British
Tel: +971 4 342 2891 Fax: +971 4 342 9759


International School of Choueifat
Category: Primary and Secondary
Curriculum followed: British and American
Tel: +971 4 399 9444 Fax: +971 4 399 9045


Jebel Ali Primary School
Category: Primary
Curriculum followed: British
Tel: +971 4 884 6485 Fax: +971 4 884 5373


Jumeirah College
Category: Secondary
Curriculum followed: British
Tel: +971 4 395 5524 Fax: +971 4 395 4586


Jumeirah Primary School
Category: Primary and foundation stage
Curriculum followed: British
Tel: +971 4 394 3500 Fax: +971 4 394 3960

Kings Dubai
Category: Primary and foundation stage
Curriculum followed: British
Tel: +971 4 348 3939 Fax: +971 4 348 3223


Regent School
Category: Primary and Secondary with foundation stage
Curriculum followed: British
Tel: +971 4 360 8830 Fax: +971 4 360 8831

GEMS Royal Dubai School
Category: Primary and Secondary with foundation stage 
Curriculum followed: British
Tel: +971 4 288 6499 Fax: +971 4 288 6490


The Sheffield Private School
Category: Primary and foundation stage 
Curriculum followed: British
Tel: +971 4 267 8444 Fax: +971 4 267 8938

St Mary’s Catholic School
Category: Primary and Secondary
Curriculum followed: British
Tel: +971 4 337 0252 Fax: +971 4 336 8119

Star International School
Category: Primary and Secondary 
Curriculum followed: British
Tel: +971 4 263 8999 Fax: +971 4 263 8998

Universal American School in Dubai
Category: Primary and Secondary 
Curriculum followed: American 
Tel: +971 4 232 5222 Fax: +971 4 232 5545

Wellington International School
Category: Primary and Secondary 
Curriculum followed: British
Tel: +971 4 348 4999 Fax: +971 4 348 6595

Westminster School
Category: Primary and Secondary with foundation year
Curriculum followed: British
Tel: +971 4 298 8333 Fax: +971 4 298 8603


Winchester School
Category: Primary with foundation year
Curriculum followed: British
Tel: +971 4 882 0444 Fax: +971 4 882 0440