Most popular international schools in United Arab Emirates

The Indian International School Dubai Silicon Oasis provides the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) curriculum from Kindergarten 1 through Grade 10. Located within the Dubai Silicon Oasis technology park, the campus features specialized physics, chemistry, and biology laboratories, an indoor auditorium, a dedicated library, and outdoor sports grounds. A unique signature initiative at the school is the "Happy Home" program for early years, which utilizes structured play-based learning spaces specifically designed to ease young learners into the school environment. Students participate in regular co-curricular activities, including performing arts, ICT workshops, and language clubs teaching Arabic, Hindi, French, and Malayalam. The school operates an organized student bus network across Dubai to transport pupils to and from the campus. Classrooms are equipped with interactive digital boards to support daily instruction, creating a technologically integrated learning environment for all enrolled pupils.

Annual fees

AED 9,679 – 21,000

Ages

4 to 18 years

Curriculum

CBSE Curriculum

Annual fees

AED 64,175 – 105,773

Ages

3 to 18 years

Curriculum

British Curriculum

Summit International School in Abu Dhabi delivers the American Curriculum, strictly aligned with California Common Core standards, for students from Kindergarten through Grade 12. The downtown, four-building campus features a regulation football pitch, a multi-use gymnasium, a swimming pool, and a theater. Instruction replaces traditional textbooks with a 1:1 Chromebook learning model and utilizes Exact Path adaptive software to create individualized learning paths based on NWEA MAP assessment data. A unique hallmark of the school is its unified "Climber" identity. Students, parents, and staff are all referred to as Climbers ascending "Mount Summit," and daily interactions frequently incorporate the school’s signature call-and-response motto, "To the Top!" Students begin in co-educational classrooms until Grade 4, transitioning to gender-segregated instruction from Grade 5 onward. The school provides a technology-driven, data-informed environment focusing on individual student growth, robotics, and strong core subject foundations.

Annual fees

AED 23,000 – 38,126

Ages

4 to 18 years

Curriculum

American Curriculum

Al Nahda National Schools is a private English-medium day school in Abu Dhabi with separate Boys' and Girls' campuses for ages 4–18. Established in 1983, ANNS offers British and American Curricula, including Cambridge IGCSE and Pearson Edexcel IGCSE, plus Advanced Placement. The British Program and American Program cover languages, mathematics, sciences, humanities, information technology, Islamic studies, physical education, music, drama and art. The school is licensed by ADEK and the UAE Ministry of Education and accredited by NEASC, CIS, ECIS, Cambridge International Examinations, Pearson-Edexcel, and the SAT Center. Examinations include IGCSEs, GCSEs and A-levels, alongside the BTEC suite. The SAT Center supports university admissions testing. With nearly 5,800 students, the school focuses on high-quality learning and global citizenship, while maintaining its two-campus, gender-segregated model. Extracurriculars feature sports, robotics, and debating, and the school's arts program integrates music, drama and art alongside National Day and Cultural Evenings. National Day celebrations foster cultural awareness.

Annual fees

AED 17,730 – 33,020

Ages

4 to 18 years

Curriculum

British Curriculum, American Curriculum

Annual fees

AED 9,930 – 18,771

Ages

3 to 18 years

Curriculum

British Curriculum

Annual fees

AED 28,776 – 45,962

Ages

3 to 16 years

Curriculum

British Curriculum, American Curriculum

Annual fees

AED 32,950 – 59,900

Ages

4 to 18 years

Curriculum

IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP), American Curriculum

Annual fees

AED 6,993 – 20,131

Ages

3 to 18 years

Curriculum

British Curriculum

Abu Dhabi International School (AIS) operates across two campuses, the Abu Dhabi Campus at 121 Hadfah St, Al Manhal, and the MBZ Campus in Mohamed Bin Zayed City. Catering to students aged 3 to 18, AIS delivers three curricula under one private, coeducational K-12 umbrella: the British Program (IGCSE and A Levels) at the Abu Dhabi Campus; the American Program with Advanced Placement (AP) at the MBZ Campus; and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) also at MBZ for grades 11–12. The American track aligns English and Math with the Common Core, Science with NGSS, and Arabic with UAE Ministry standards. The High School offers Engineering, Medicine & Health Sciences, Economics & Business, and Liberal Arts tracks. Facilities span two campuses with libraries, theatres, laboratories, and sports grounds, plus spaces for co-curricular activities. AIS fosters nationalities (about 60) and a spectrum of clubs in science, arts, sports, service, and sustainability.

Annual fees

AED 26,275 – 50,350

Ages

3 to 18 years

Curriculum

British Curriculum, IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP), American Curriculum

GEMS School of Research and Innovation (SRI) in Dubai Sports City offers the British Curriculum from Foundation Stage through Year 13. The 47,600-square-meter campus features specific zones designed for specialized learning, including artificial intelligence laboratories, a food technology lab equipped with 3D printers, and a dedicated Esports academy. Students also have access to an Olympic-sized swimming pool, a FIFA-standard football pitch, and a 600-seat auditorium for the performing arts. A distinctive feature of SRI is its integration of advanced technology into daily learning, alongside a strong emphasis on sustainability and environmental contribution. Early years classes are capped at 16 students, ensuring highly personalized attention. The school provides a structured progression from early years to Sixth Form, combining standard English National Curriculum subjects with unique offerings like robotics and martial arts to cater to a wide range of student interests and future career paths.

Annual fees

AED 92,800 – 161,000

Ages

3 to 18 years

Curriculum

British Curriculum, EYFS (Early years foundation stage)

Annual fees

AED 19,950 – 27,290

Ages

4 to 14 years

Curriculum

British Curriculum

Annual fees

AED 11,856 – 20,128

Ages

3 to 18 years

Curriculum

British Curriculum

Annual fees

AED 33,490 – 55,466

Ages

2 to 18 years

Curriculum

British Curriculum, French Curriculum

Annual fees

AED 18,800 – 27,500

Ages

3 to 18 years

Curriculum

British Curriculum

Annual fees

AED 23,060 – 40,340

Ages

3 to 18 years

Curriculum

British Curriculum

Annual fees

AED 10,420 – 20,700

Ages

3 to 18 years

Curriculum

Indian Curriculum

Noya British School, located in the Noya Community on Yas Island, offers the English National Curriculum for students from FS1 to Year 9. The campus accommodates up to 3,000 learners, featuring dedicated performing arts spaces and extensive sports grounds. Students follow a thematic learning approach that connects core subjects to real-world global issues. The school is deeply committed to environmental responsibility and operates as a sustainability-focused campus with initiatives tied to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, guided by a dedicated Sustainability coordinator. Families benefit from wrap-around care available from 6:30 am to 5:30 pm and an extra-curricular program delivered with Infinite Sports, featuring robotics, rugby, and ballet. High Performance Learning principles are integrated into daily lessons, developing cognitive characteristics like resilience. Core academics are complemented by specialist instruction in physical education, music, and drama, ensuring varied opportunities for student engagement and personal development.

Annual fees

AED 28,000 – 43,000

Ages

3 to 18 years

Curriculum

British Curriculum

Annual fees

AED 12,200 – 17,200

Ages

3 to 18 years

Curriculum

Indian Curriculum

Annual fees

AED 27,100 – 37,200

Ages

4 to 18 years

Curriculum

British Curriculum, American Curriculum

Annual fees

AED 11,760 – 23,000

Ages

3 to 18 years

Curriculum

Indian Curriculum