With a multicultural expatriate community, Dubai has established itself as one of the leading business, tourism, and education centers in the world. The city has a plethora of educational options, making it a top choice for families wanting to provide their children with quality education. If you are moving to, or have already settled in Dubai, knowing about the educational resources available in the city is essential for making the right choice regarding your child’s schooling.
In this blog post, we plan to discuss school types in Dubai, their distinguishing features, and list the best schools in Dubai.
Types of Schools in Dubai
Dubai has many different types of schools that meet the needs of the residents. Here are some of the most common types of schools in Dubai:
- Public Schools
Overview: These are state operated institutions which has no cost for Emirati pupils. They receive government funding and follow the UAE national curriculum.
Curriculum: These schools have a National Curriculum of the UAE that includes Islamic studies, Arabic, social and other subjects.
- Private Schools
Overview: They are not owned or operated by the government. Most of the expats the Dubai charge International fees to use the services of the school.
Curriculum: Dubai private schools offer a sizeable range of curriculums such as:
British Curriculum (IGCSE and A-Levels): Used by families with British expats or others wanting to have UK-based education.
American Curriculum: Provided by several international schools which work on an American base system (usually ends with a High School Diploma).
Indian Curriculum (CBSE/ICSE): High in demand among Indian expat families with a focus on Indian educational standards.
International Baccalaureate (IB): Known for its well acclaimed IB Diploma Program which fosters critical thinking and a global attitude.
French Curriculum: Known and followed by French expats and other interested in obtaining French education, leading to French Baccalaureate.
German: available at a handful of German-residing schools that usually lead to the Abitur (German secondary education qualification).
Other National: there are also schools which adopt other Canadian or Australian systems.
- British Schools
Middle Summary: these schools offer GCSEs and A-Levels and follow the UK curriculum. They are very popular because of the vast British community at Dubai.
Curriculum: The British is often associated with Key Stages 1-4 (for ages 5-16) leading to IGCSEs and A-Levels.
- American Schools
Middle Summary: these schools operate under the American system and are frequented by American residents.
Curriculum: American schools offer courses towards a High School Diploma, and usually include some AP for students intending to go to college in the US and other countries.
- International Baccalaureate (IB) Schools
Middle Summary: Dubai IB schools offer the most sought and recognized post-secondary qualification by the global universities.
- Montessori Schools
Overview: Montessori schools in Dubai offer teaching methods developed by Maria Montessori. They use specialized individualized instruction for self-initiated work and class play.
Curriculum: The curriculum is holistic and includes practical life activities, math, language, and culture tailored to every child’s pace and interest.
- Special Needs Schools
Overview: These schools target special educational needs children and give them additional support for different physical, cognitive, and emotional difficulties.
Curriculum: These schools have non-standard curriculums that fit the students’ needs, usually including therapeutic services, customized instruction, and attention to everyday life skills.
- Language-Specific Schools
Overview: Some of the schools focus on certain language groups and teach them Arabic, French, or German as well as other practical subjects.
Curriculum: Most of these schools base their teaching on the curriculum of their country and use immersion programs for training pupils to be bilinguals or multilinguals.
- Religious Schools
Overview: These schools provide religious teaching, and some of them have a more focused approach on Islam, while others are for Christianity and other religions.
Curriculum: Religious schools usually follow national curriculums with additional religious instructions or particular faith-based curriculums.
- Corporate Schools
Overview: The bigger companies based in Dubai have set up particular schools for their staff’s children. Such schools usually follow a global curriculum.
Curriculum: The curriculum is different for different schools, most case of these schools offer the American or British systems and sometimes the IB as well.
Irrespective of whether you are looking for a traditional, international, or specialized school, chances are that Dubai has something suitable for every child. This is because the Emirate is home to a wide range of multinational companies, and as such, Dubai’s education sector is extremely varied.
Tips when selecting a school in Dubai
Picking a school for your child is one of the most important choices you could ever make. Therefore, you must factor in certain things before settling on a decision. Here are some pointers to remember:
- Curriculum and Accreditation
One of the most critical things to factor in is the school curriculum. Think about what your child’s career and education goals are for the future and determine where you would like to send thems for further education. Also, make sure that the school has accreditation from a reputable body because that will guarantee the quality of education provided.
- Location
Traffic is a prevalent problem in Dubai, and its massive sprawl only makes the commuting situation worse. It is wise to select a school that is in close proximity to your house or place of employment. Many schools offer several campuses situated across the city, so picking one should not be hard.
- Extracurricular Activities
Education in Dubai is not limited to just academics, as almost every school has a curriculum that includes extracurricular activities like sports, music, fine arts, drama, and even volunteering. These activities equip children with skills that are necessary in real life and can greatly boost their education.
- School Facilities
Contemporary institutions in Dubai possess well equipped modern facilities including recently built science laboratories, large sports fields, swimming pools, and comprehensive libraries. Parents should check the schools themselves to see if the facilities available would cater to their child’s interests and requirements.
- School Reputation and Reviews
Checking a school’s reputation and their reviews from verified sites along with feedback from current and former students and parents is recommended before selection. Recommendations from acquaintances often shed light into the school’s culture, quality of teaching, and overall experience offered.
Top Schools in Dubai
A Dubai located schools are considered world class as they provide incredible education alongside numerous extracurricular activities. Given below are a few schools that have excelled in other areas of education and are considered Dubai’s best schools.
- Jumeirah College
This school is regarded as one of the best in Dubai due to its exceptional British curriculum and Jumeirah’s emphasis on academic achievement. The school provides students with several extra curricular and is well renowned in preparing students for top universities across the globe. - American School of Dubai
American School of Dubai focuses on both academic and personal development with top tier education that prepares students for outstanding performance in both colleges and in the job market. The school has modern buildings and a good variety of extracurricular activities.
- Dubai International Academy
One of the leading IB schools in Dubai, this school has superb reputation for high academic performance and global citizenship. The school is known for its student centric pedagogy and also offers the IB curriculum.
- The Indian High School
The Indian High School is one of the oldest and most elite schools in Dubai with a long reputation for exceptional academic achievements. The school follows the CBSE curriculum which makes it well known for providing a comprehensive education coupled with diverse sporting and artistic activities.
- Lycée Francais International Georges Pompidou
This school offers a French curriculum and is ideal for parents wishing their children to learn both English and French as a second language. The school follows the national French curriculum and gets students ready for the Baccalaureate French exams.
Conclusion
In Dubai, schools from differing and reputable educational institutions are able to accept families from all parts of the world. American, IB, British, and Indian curriculums are all available in Dubai, meaning that no family is turn away for any reason. Families striving to receive a Dubai education for their loved ones are ensured world-class facilities, cultural diversity, and an environment with a focus on academic excellence.
While selecting a school for children in Dubai, parents must factor in the curriculum offered, extracurricular activities provided, location, and school ranking. Dubai’s education system is thriving, and children from any school in Dubai stand to gain from the opportunities available in a globalized world.