Dubai offers one of the world's most diverse education markets with 17+ curricula. Here's what parents need to know:
British Curriculum (GCSE/A-Level)
The most popular choice with 60+ schools. Students follow the UK National Curriculum, taking GCSEs at 16 and A-Levels at 18. Top performers include Dubai College (74% A*-A at A-Level) and Dubai British School.
32+ schools offer the IB Diploma. UAE students averaged 32.63 points in 2025 vs 30.58 globally. Top schools include JESS (37.2 avg), NLCS Dubai (37 avg), and Nord Anglia (36.2 avg).
40+ schools follow the US system with AP courses and SAT preparation. Popular with families planning US university applications. Includes GEMS Dubai American Academy (Outstanding rated).
50+ schools serve the large Indian expat community. Often the most affordable option with fees starting from AED 8,000. Top schools include GEMS Modern Academy and Indian High School.
The Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) inspects all Dubai private schools. Here's what each rating means:
Outstanding
The highest rating. Only 23 schools achieve this. These schools demonstrate exceptional teaching, student outcomes, and leadership.
Very Good
High-quality education with many outstanding features. 46 schools hold this rating, often on the cusp of Outstanding.
Good
Solid performance meeting expectations. The largest category with 75+ schools. Many offer excellent value for money.
Acceptable
Meets minimum standards with areas for improvement. Parents should review inspection reports carefully.
Note: KHDA paused full inspections for 2024-25 and 2025-26. Current ratings are from 2023-24. KHDA also rates schools separately for Wellbeing and Inclusion — we display these on every school profile.
Dubai School Exam Results 2025
Dubai schools consistently outperform global averages. Here are the highlights: