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Best 10 International Schools in Dubai-Sharjah-Ajman

International Education in Dubai-Sharjah-Ajman

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Dubai is, without a doubt, the original expat city. The vast majority of its 3.3 million residents are expatriates - in fact, just 15% of the population claim to be UAE nationals. International trade, global transport, world finance, luxury tourism - it all happens here, in this desert metropolis that really only gained global fame in the past few decades.

As the biggest expat hub in the world, Dubai-Sharjah-Ajman also has one of the highest concentrations of international schools than anywhere else. The fact that the region encompasses three distinct cities - Dubai, Sharjah and Ajman - in one single metropolitan area, means that demand for international schools is so high that new schools spring up everywhere. This has advantages and disadvantages.

More schools means more school places, slightly less competition, and a better chance for your child to get an impeccable standard of education. However some of these new schools are run by for-profit companies, and so are run like a business. This is especially true when it comes to fees.

Dubai-Sharjah-Ajman has never been a cheap destination for international education, but many factors push prices up to sky high heights. Building materials need to be imported, and teachers need to be sourced from abroad and paid accommodation expenses on top of their hefty salaries. However for the sometimes astronomical yearly fees, your child gets world class facilities, stellar extra curricular programs, and some of the best teachers on the planet. So it’s all relative.

If you’re concerned about a chosen school’s academic credentials, the best strategy is to look for international schools that have been established for many years already. Look for schools that have sister campuses in other countries or cities, and that are well-regarded in the education sector both in Dubai-Sharjah-Ajman and internationally.

British, Indian, American, and International Baccalaureate curricula win the day in Dubai-Sharjah-Ajman’s international schools. European curricula can be found, but are not as commonplace. If you really want to however, you can find any curricula under the sun here - such is the variety on offer. English is the most common language of instruction by far, but students also learn Arabic as standard.

Most schools accept applications year-round and have a rolling admissions system. That said, international schools are in huge demand and there are often limited places, especially in the most popular and well-regarded schools. Competition is often the highest for primary school places, and there may be several ‘screening’ rounds before your child is accepted even at primary level.

Despite the wealth of choice and the rolling admissions system, you’ll still need to apply early to give your child the best chance of getting a place. There are long waiting lists in many schools, and some ask for deposits a year in advance to secure a place. It’s also worth noting that international schools in Dubai-Sharjah-Ajman do not usually accept children under 4 years of age.

Dubai-Sharjah-Ajman is an area that has rapidly developed in a short space of time. Believe it or not, many long-term expats can remember there being only a handful of schools to choose from, and being able to get from one end of the city to the other in 20 minutes max.

Sadly, those days are long gone. Traffic is becoming more and more of a problem in the city, and gridlocks are becoming more and more common. Keep this in mind if your chosen school offers bus transportation for your child. It may sound like a helpful service, but the reality - sitting in traffic jams in intense heat, morning and evening - may not be so good for your child’s wellbeing.

Below, we have compiled the top 10 international schools in Dubai-Sharjah-Ajman according to our users. However, there are another 141 schools to choose from in the city. You can find the best international school for your child by personalising your results. Just fill in your search criteria, and we will calculate a personal score for every international school in Dubai-Sharjah-Ajman based on your requirements.

Recommended Schools

Glendale International School

Glendale International School offers high quality British education in a tech-enabled SMART campus centrally located at Oud Metha, Dubai. The school offers a rich culture of care where student well-being forms an essential ingredient for future success.
Curriculum
British
Language of instruction
English
Ages
3 to 11
Yearly fees - 2023/2024
from: Dirham 33,600
to: Dirham 44,160

Nord Anglia International School Dubai

At NAS Dubai, success is more than achieving outstanding exam results. We go beyond traditional education to offer transformative learning experiences to help students develop skills needed to thrive in a changing world.
Curriculum
IB, British
Language of instruction
English
Ages
3 to 18
Yearly fees - 2023/2024
from: Dirham 66,302
to: Dirham 100,264
Reviews
(1 review)

Best 10 International Schools in Dubai-Sharjah-Ajman

Out of a total of 151 International Schools in Dubai-Sharjah-Ajman.

Based on the aggregated preferences of our users in the last 30 days.

Newlands School

Newlands School Dubai enables every child to achieve their potential. Students gain an excellent quality British education in a values-based, internationally-minded environment so that they may understand, contribute to, and succeed in an ever-developing and competitive world.
Our vision is for the school to provide:
-opportunity and challenge
-a commitment to continuous improvement
-a route to university and lifelong learning
Curriculum
British
Language of instruction
English
Ages
3 to 16
Yearly fees - 2023/2024
from: Dirham 20,352
to: Dirham 33,708
Reviews
(1 review)

Oaktree Primary School

Small classes with intimate student teacher relationships, community engagement and happy and engaged students.
Curriculum
British
Language of instruction
English
Ages
3 to 11
Yearly fees - 2023/2024
from: Dirham 17,435
to: Dirham 29,508

American Gulf School

Holistic IB Education
Curriculum
American
Language of instruction
English
Ages
3 to 18
Yearly fees - 2023/2024
from: Dirham 34,940
to: Dirham 74,840
Reviews
(2 reviews)

Collegiate International School

Collegiate International School is a community school providing a warm and caring atmosphere, for happy students and families .we empower our students with a holistic, rigorous and international education for success in an ever changing world.
Curriculum
IB, American
Language of instruction
English
Ages
3 to 18
Yearly fees - 2023/2024
from: Dirham 34,980
to: Dirham 60,000

Crown American Private School

Crown American Private School is an American curriculum school founded in 2005 and is welcoming students from Kindergarten up to Grade 12.
Curriculum
American
Language of instruction
English
Ages
3 to 18
Yearly fees - 2023/2024
from: Dirham 14,100
to: Dirham 31,400

Star International School Al Twar

Star International School Al Twar is a bespoke English Curriculum school in the heart of Al Twar. It is very much a family school, with teachers, SLT, TAs, Admin and site staff all working alongside parents and the wider community to offer its children the best opportunities it possibly can.
Curriculum
British
Language of instruction
English
Ages
3 to 18
Yearly fees - 2023/2024
from: Dirham 20,976
to: Dirham 46,140

Capital School

Capital School is an International school reflecting the diverse nature of students and the context of the UAE as centre of innovation and growth.
Capital School works to international standards based around the National Curriculum of England with a strong programme of Arabic and English language to ensure that all students have good communication skills.
The school boasts excellent facilities in sport, technology and learning support and a programme of English language support that will give all students both the confidence and skill to be able to access the National Curriculum of England successfully and enter higher education and the workforce with confidence.
Curriculum
British
Language of instruction
English
Ages
3 to 16
Yearly fees - 2024/2025
from: Dirham 20,500
to: Dirham 48,000

German International School Sharjah

The school is situated in a lush green compound. As it is a small school the atmosphere is very friendly and people care for each other. The teachers support all students so they can reach their best results.
Curriculum
IB, German
Languages of instruction
English, German
Ages
3 to 18
This school does not make their fees public.

South View School

South View School is an international school offering an exceptional, high-quality, British based education within the Dubai South community.
Our aim is for every South View student to achieve their full potential by equipping them with the life skills they will need to succeed in the 21st century.
The happiness, well-being, and success of all our South View family members is key to how we work with families and children of all ages.
What do we offer:
• UK National Curriculum
• Highly qualified and experienced leadership and academic team
• Average experience of SVS teachers is 8 years
• Engaging, inquiry-based, student-led learning
• Ages 3 to 18 years
• 1200+ students | 77 nationalities
• Excellent Sports, Art, STEAM, Performing Arts and Technology facilities
• Specialist French and Spanish lessons
• Extended school day: early breakfast club & after-school care
• Extensive extra-curricular activities programme
• School squads (football, swimming, netball, basketball, cross country and more)
• Located in the heart of the Remraam community, Dubailand
Curriculum
British
Language of instruction
English
Ages
3 to 17
Yearly fees - 2023/2024
from: Dirham 44,000
to: Dirham 62,000

Next Generation School

Next Generation School has a lifelong commitment to foster the knowledge, life skills, Islamic and cultural identity, and values of all students through critical engagement with the best of US education coupled with the knowledge of Islamic and local traditions, and the incorporation of a life skills program in the context of the contemporary world.
Curriculum
American, Islamic
Language of instruction
English
Ages
3 to 16
Yearly fees - 2023/2024
from: Dirham 24,500
to: Dirham 41,500

Find the Best International School in Dubai-Sharjah-Ajman FOR YOU!

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