Guide to educational institutes in your area

1.824728-1971839439 — Appealing to families, Mirdif features various schools catering to the needs of residents. Image Credit: Grace Paras/ANM

Al Qusais

Overview Bordered by communities such as Hor Al Anz, Al Twar and Al Muhaisnah, Al Qusais offers a wide range of residential options. The convenience of malls and schools in the area has made it a popular destination for families to reside in. While most schools are concentrated in Al Qusais, being close to Sharjah means residents from Al Nahda and the neighbouring communities have a wide range of educational institutions to choose from. However, the area does get congested during peak hours due to Sharjah-bound traffic. Some of the schools rated ‘good' by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) in its 2011 report on the grading of schools are The Millennium School, Dubai Scholars and Dubai National School.

Indian curriculum

Central School Dubai (04 267 4433) in Al Nahda
Crescent English High School (04 298 8866) in Al Qusais
The Millennium School (04 298 8567) in Al Qusais

British curriculum

Al Diyafah High School (04 267 1115) in Al Nahda
Dubai Caramel School (04 267 5424) in Al Nahda
Dubai Scholars (04 298 8892) in Al Qusais
European School of Dubai (04 264 6160) in Muhaisnah 4
Pristine Private School (04 267 4299) in Al Nahda
Star International School (04 263 8999) in Al Twar
The Apple International School (04 263 8989) in Al Qusais
The Oxford School (04 254 3666) in Al Qusais
The Westminster School (04 298 8333) in Al Qusais
The Sheffield Private School (04 267 8444) in Al Nahda Dubai

American curriculum

American International School Dubai (04 298 8666) in Al Qusais
Dubai National School (04 298 8555) in Al Twar

Al Garhoud

Overview A popular suburban locality that is close to the airport, Al Garhoud residential area comprises a mix of apartment buildings and villas. Although traffic can be a nightmare in this area, Al Garhoud has a variety of schools catering to various curriculums. A major attraction close to this area is Dubai Festival City (DFC) that features residential, commercial and retail areas. A mixed-use development, DFC also includes two schools within its community that are within easy walking distance from residences. The Kindergarten Starters and The Indian High School next to Welcare Hospital offer the Indian curriculum for younger children. For older pupils you can take your pick from Cambridge International School, Deira International School and the Universal American School in DFC. It may be noted that the Universal American School's grade 10 programme is designed as a preparatory year for the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) of grades 11-12. Some of the schools that have been rated "good" by the KHDA are The Indian High School and the Universal American School.

Indian curriculum

Gulf Indian High School (04 282 4455) in Al Garhoud
New Indian Model School (04 282 4313) in Al Garhoud
The Kindergarten Starters (04 282 4090) in Al Garhoud
The Indian High School — primary campus (04 282 3555) in Al Garhoud

British curriculum

Cambridge International School (04 282 4646) in Al Garhoud
Deira International School (04 232 5552) in Dubai Festival City

American curriculum

Al Khaleej National School (04 282 2707) in Al Garhoud
Al Mawakeb School (04 285 1415) in Al Garhoud
Dubai International School (04 282 3513) in Al Garhoud
Universal American School (04 232 5222) in Dubai Festival City

Emirates Living

Overview This area comprises a number of Emaar communities, namely Emirates Hills, The Meadows, The Springs, The Lakes, The Greens and The Views. These communities offer a wide array of residential options, which include villas and townhouses along tree-lined walkways and lakes, as well as mid-rise buildings featuring apartments. Within the community families can find a number of schools offering the IB and British curriculum but waiting lists can be long. However, the area does have a shortage of schools offering the Indian curriculum. The nearest option is Our Own Indian School in Al Quoz or children may have to travel to Delhi Private School in The Gardens. For the American curriculum, Al Barsha offers a number of choices. Located close to Dubai Marina, the schools in Emirates Living also cater to children in the Marina neighbourhood. Several schools have been rated "good" by the KHDA, including Gems World Academy, Our Own Indian School, Dubai International Academy, Dubai British School, Regent International School and Dubai American Academy.

IB curriculum

Dubai International Academy (04 368 4111) in Emirates Hills
Emirates International School (04 362 9009) in The Meadows
Gems World Academy (04 373 6373) in Al Barsha

Indian curriculum

Our Own Indian School (04 339 1188) in Al Quoz

British curriculum

Dubai British School (04 361 9361) in The Springs
Regent International School (04 360 8830) at The Greens

American curriculum

Al Mawakeb School (04 347 8288) in Al Barsha
Dubai American Academy (04 347 9222) in Al Barsha
Dubai American Scientific School (04 339 2444) in Al Quoz
Dubai National School (04 347 4555) in Al Barsha

Jumeirah District

Overview Set alongside the beach, Jumeirah features low-rise villas bordered by areas such as Al Wasl, Al Manara, Safa and Umm Suqeim. Parents can pick from a number of schools, such as the Horizon School, Jumeirah English Speaking School and Safa School for primary education, while older children can be enrolled in Dubai College or Wellington International School among others. For residents living in Downtown Dubai, Dubai Marina and Palm Jumeirah, the schools in Jumeirah present an easy option as those communities currently lack schools. Notable mentions in the KHDA "outstanding" list include Jumeirah Primary School, Wellington International School, Jumeirah College, Jumeirah English Speaking School and Kings' Dubai.

IB curriculum

Emirates International School (04 348 9804) in Jumeirah
Jumeira Baccalaureate School (04 344 6931)
Raffles International School (04 427 1200) in Umm Suqueim

Indian curriculum

Emirates English Speaking School (04 394 7355) near Safa

British curriculum

Dubai College (04 399 9111 ), Al Sufouh
Jumeirah Primary School (04 394 3500), Safa
Wellington Primary School (04 343 3266), near Al Wasl Road
Wellington International School (04 348 4999), Al Sufouh
Horizon School (04 342 2891), Jumeirah
Gems Jumeirah College (04 395 5524)
Jumeirah English Speaking School (04 394 5515)
Kings' Dubai (04 348 3939), Umm Suqueim
Safa School (04 394 7879) near Al Wasl

American curriculum

Al Ittihad Pvt School (04 394 5111) in Jumeirah

Mirdif, Mizar and Al Warqaa

Overview A rapidly growing residential area, Mirdif includes Uptown Mirdif and nearby villa communities such as Al Mizar, Al Warqaa and Al Khwaneej. Appealing to families, Mirdif features various schools catering to the needs of residents. Affordable residential options in this area are Shorooq Mirdif and Ghoroob Mirdif. Rentals at Ghoroob start from Dh40,500 for a one-bedroom unit to Dh76,000 for a three-bedroom unit. On the other hand, Al Warqaa, although a little remote, has in recent years seen a rise in residential demand with several new schools in the area. The schools to make it into KHDA's "good" category list are: Uptown School, Our Own High School, Royal Dubai School and Rajagiri International School.

IB curriculum

Dar Al Marefa Private School (04 288 5782) in Mirdif
Uptown School (04 288 6270) in Mirdif

Indian curriculum

Gems Our Own School (04 280 0075) in Al Warqaa
Our Own High School (04 280 0077) in Al Warqaa
Rajagiri International School (04 280 0691) in Al Warqaa

British curriculum

Arab Unity School (04 288 6226) in Mirdif
Gems Royal Dubai School (04 288 6499) in Mirdif
Star International School (04 288 4644) in Mirdif

American curriculum

Al Mizhar American Academy for Girls (04 288 7250)
International School of Arts and Sciences (04 280 0459/185) in Al Warqaa
International Academic School (04 280 0993) in Al Warqaa
Mirdif Private School (04 288 3303)
New Arab Unity School (04 288 4844) in Mirdif
Sharjah American International School — Dubai campus (04 280 111) in Al Warqaa

Dubailand and Jebel Ali

Overview Dubailand and Jebel Ali feature a vast mix of residential areas, spanning villa communities and apartment blocks. Located on the Emirates Road corridor, Dubailand offers a broad mix of residential districts, comprising Arabian Ranches, MotorCity, the Layan Community, Al Barari, The Villa, Dubai Sports City and Falconcity. Jebel Ali includes The Gardens, the Green Community in Dubai Investment Park (DIP), Discovery Gardens and Jebel Ali Village among others. If you don't mind your children travelling to Dubai Silicon Oasis, the new Gems Wellington Academy campus opens there in September. Along the Emirates Road, Dubai Modern High School could be an option. For those parents who prefer schools set within communities, Greenfield Community School in the Green Community, Jumeirah English Speaking School (Jess) within Arabian Ranches and Bradenton Prep Academy in Dubai Sports City could cater to their needs. However, take note that the KHDA has rated the following schools in the "good" category: Greenfield Community School, Delhi Private School, Jess, Repton School Dubai and Jebel Ali Primary School.

IB curriculum