International Schools in Dubai

Expat parents looking for an excellent international school in Dubai won't be disappointed. As a global expat hub, Dubai has one of the highest concentrations of international schools in the world. There are top-notch schools offering just about every curriculum imaginable – from the popular International Baccalaureate to the well-respected American and British systems and more.

Because there are so many schools for parents to choose from, international schools in Dubai are competitive. High standards of education can be expected, alongside top-notch facilities and robust extracurricular programmes. Teachers are generally well-qualified and knowledgeable. If at all unsure about a school, parents should consult the Dubai Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) – they do regular inspections of international schools and publish comprehensive reports.

Boarding schools are also available for globally mobile expat families looking to base their children in safe and stable environments. International schools in Dubai are also a fantastic opportunity for children to overcome culture shock as they get the opportunity to learn a familiar curriculum while integrating into their local community. Most of the international schools in Dubai enrol children from the ages of three to 18.

Most areas and suburbs in Dubai are home to outstanding international schools, with some of the top international schools located in the Al Barsha, Jumeirah and Academic City suburbs. Additionally, expats will also have to consider their proximity to their children's schools and their place of work, as they are likely to travel by car and experience traffic on their daily commute.

Most international schools have rolling admissions so that families can apply at any time of year. Space can be limited, particularly in primary schools, so it's well worth applying early to secure a spot at the desired school.

Below is a list of some of the best international schools in Dubai.

International schools in Dubai

American School of Dubai

The American School of Dubai is an independent non-profit school. With a history of more than 50 years, the American School of Dubai was the first in the emirate to offer the US curriculum and has since won the 2021/2022 academic year Best International School in the UAE award. Its purpose-built campus in Al Barsha is home to top-notch modern facilities. Read more

Gender: Co-educational  
Curriculum: American  
Ages: 3 to 18

Cambridge International School – Dubai

Cambridge International School Dubai has a student body of more than 2,300, representing over 65 nationalities. The spacious campus is divided into two: the primary school (Early Years to Year 6) and the secondary school (Years 7 to 13). This UK-curriculum school's combination of excellent facilities and outstanding teaching staff provides students with the resources to excel, making it one of the best international schools in Dubai. Read more

Gender: Co-educational  
Curriculum: British (English National Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE and A-Levels)  
Ages: 3 to 18

Clarion School Dubai

Clarion School offers a challenging, engaging and supportive educational programme enriched by collaboration with parents and strengthened by strong external partnerships. The curriculum is delivered by the highest standard of teachers, all of whom have Master's degrees in education, putting the school's educators among the best in Dubai. Read more

Gender: Co-educational  
Curriculum: American and International Baccalaureate  
Ages: 3 to 18

Deira International School

With pupils of more than 80 nationalities, this is truly an international school. Most teachers are British or Australian, and the curriculum is based on the National Curriculum of England. This international school is well-equipped with all the facilities necessary for high-quality education, resulting in its students consistently achieving academic excellence. Read more

Gender: Co-educational  
Curriculum: British (English National Curriculum and Cambridge IGCSE) and International Baccalaureate  
Ages: 3 to 18

Dubai American Academy

The Dubai American Academy is a GEMS school that opened in Al Barsha in 1997. It has since developed an excellent reputation among expat parents in Dubai and has obtained a KHDA rating of 'outstanding' for several years. The curriculum is American-based and enriched with international elements. Read more

Gender: Co-educational  
Curriculum: American and International Baccalaureate  
Ages: 3 to 18

Dubai British School

Situated in the Springs area of Emirate Hills in Dubai, Dubai British School is a thriving 1,100-student-strong school that opened in 2005 as part of the Taaleem educational group. With well-equipped sports, academic and cultural facilities, the international school aims to foster well-rounded individuals. Holding an 'outstanding' rating from the KHDA since 2017, Dubai British School is truly one of the top international schools in Dubai. Read more

Gender: Co-educational  
Curriculum: British (English National Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE and A-Levels)  
Ages: 3 to 18

Dubai College

Located in the New Dubai district and set on 19 acres of spacious, landscaped grounds, Dubai College has developed a reputation as one of the top international schools in Dubai for parents wanting a British education for their children over the last 30 years. A good range of extracurricular programmes are run alongside the highly praised academic offerings of the school. Read more

Gender: Co-educational  
Curriculum: British (English National Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE and A-Levels)  
Ages: 11 to 18

Emirates International School Jumeirah

Established in 1991 in Dubai, Emirates International School Jumeirah has grown rapidly and now offers an international curriculum that provides education to more than 2,200 children of over 70 nationalities. The school grounds are lush and leafy, providing plenty of space for students to enjoy, while the school building is filled with high-quality facilities. Read more

Gender: Co-educational  
Curriculum: International Baccalaureate  
Ages: 3 to 18

English College Dubai

English College Dubai opened its doors in 1992, with a separate primary school built in 2004. The school has a good reputation with expat parents in Dubai and offers a robust British education. The international school endeavours to provide a well-rounded experience, offering diverse sport- and art-focused extracurricular activities. Read more

Gender: Co-educational  
Curriculum: British (English National Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE and A-Levels)  
Ages: 3 to 18

Hartland International School

Hartland International School is a place of learning and discovery that encourages creative thinking. The academic programme is one of the top programmes in Dubai, as students are encouraged to develop a sound work ethic and an authentic love of learning. Read more

Gender: Co-educational  
Curriculum: British (English National Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, A-Levels and BTEC)  
Ages: 3 to 18

Jumeirah English Speaking School (JESS)

This excellent non-profit international school in Dubai serves over 2,000 students on two campuses in Jumeirah and Arabian Ranches. JESS has been rated 'outstanding' by the KHDA on several occasions. The quality of staff here is high and constantly improving as part of the school's professional development programme. Read more

Gender: Co-educational  
Curriculum: British (English National Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE and BTEC) and International Baccalaureate  
Ages: 3 to 18

Jumeirah College

This respected British-curriculum school is situated in the prestigious suburb of Jumeirah and has been ranked 'outstanding' by Dubai's KHDA for several years in a row. Placed in the top one percent of schools internationally, Jumeirah College boasts exceptional facilities with a diverse student body of 1,000 pupils from more than 60 countries worldwide. Read more

Gender: Co-educational  
Curriculum: British (English National Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE and A-Levels)  
Ages: 11 to 18

The Millennium School

This state-of-the-art school opened its doors in 2000 in the heart of Dubai's Al Qusais suburb. The Millennium School teaches the well-regarded ICSE curriculum, which originated in India. The entirely international student body is a great fit for children of globally mobile families. The Millennium School supplements its excellent academic offerings with a wide range of extracurricular activities, putting it among the top Indian-curriculum international schools in Dubai. Read more

Gender: Co-educational  
Curriculum: Indian (CBSE)
Ages: 5 to 18

Nord Anglia International School Dubai

Nord Anglia International School Dubai opened in central Dubai in 2014, offering the well-respected British curriculum and International Baccalaureate. Class sizes are limited to a maximum of 20 students so that all can receive individualised attention and achieve academic excellence. Read more

Gender: Co-educational  
Curriculum: British (English National Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE and A-Levels) and International Baccalaureate  
Ages: 3 to 18

Raffles International School

A truly diverse and international school, Raffles International School has around 2,000 pupils hailing from more than 90 countries around the world. Located in the Umm Sequim residential district of Dubai, Raffles International School has a splendid English as a Second Language (ESL) programme as well as a robust mother-tongue programme to support the continuing development of home-language French, Spanish, Russian, German and Hindi speakers. Read more

Gender: Co-educational  
Curriculum: British (English National Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, BTEC and A-Levels)  
Ages: 3 to 18

Repton School Dubai