Choosing a school in Dubai: a practical overview

Dubai has more than 200 private schools spanning British, IB, American, Indian, Filipino, French, German, and other curricula. Choosing well is one of the highest-stakes decisions you'll make as a parent here.

Where to start

• KHDA inspection ratings are public — check the most recent one for any school you're considering.
• Fees vary widely, from ~AED 15,000/year to AED 100,000+/year depending on curriculum and location.
• Distance and traffic matter more than parents expect. A 30-minute commute each way is exhausting over a school year.

Questions worth asking

• Class size by year group (averages can hide outliers).
• Staff turnover — high turnover is a leading indicator of cultural problems.
• Wait-list policies and sibling priority.
• What happens at curriculum transitions (e.g., IGCSE to IB).

Visit in person where you can. Brochures and virtual tours don't show the things that matter.

Source: KHDA inspections, school comparison sites.