Aralia Empowers Students from the UAE
Criteria for Selection
An important evaluation criterion we look at when evaluating top 10 best international schools in Dubai is the Government of Dubai’s Education Directory. Every year, staff members visit schools and observe and inspect different aspects of them for a week. In the end, the schools receive a rating from KHDA. The rating can be anywhere from “Outstanding” to “Weak”. In this article, we will only cover schools with the rating “Outstanding,” meaning that the schools provide exceptional, high-quality education and teaching practice. The inspectors look at academic rigor, faculty, extracurricular activities, curriculum, student outcomes, and many more criteria. Read the full guidelines on how KHDA rates schools.
Curricula in Dubai
There are different types of schools in Dubai with various curricula that students can choose from, such as American, Australian, IB, British, French, Swiss, and Indian. The reason behind the diversity of curriculum is that International private schools can follow the curricula of their homeland but operate under the license and supervision of the Ministry of Education and the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA). We will cover the schools that carry more popular curricula in Dubai: the UK and American curricula.
Please note that in this article, the schools are arranged alphabetically rather than by rank.
Nord Anglia International School Dubai is one of the 80+ schools within the Nord Anglia Education organization, spanning 33 countries across the Americas, Southeast Asia, Europe, India, China, and the Middle East. The school prides itself on its partnerships with world-leading institutions such as Juilliard, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, UNICEF, and IMG Academy. Nord Anglia International School Dubai attracts students from 91 nationalities, creating an immersive international and multicultural environment for its students.
The schools provide education for students from ages 3 to 18. For secondary students (ages 11 to 15), Nord Anglia International School Dubai offers education based on the National Curriculum of England, leading to IGCSE qualifications in Year 11. Students can choose between the International Baccalaureate DP and A-Levels for Sixth Form (ages 16 to 18).
In addition to the curriculum, Nord Anglia International School focuses on providing small class sizes of 20-22 to 1 teacher. Students can learn five languages: Arabic, French, German, Mandarin, and Spanish.
Regarding student achievement, such as IB scores, Nord Anglia Education Schools, including NAS Dubai, achieved an average diploma score of 33.4 points for the 2022-2023 academic year, exceeding the overall global score of 30.24 points.
Repton School is an international school located in the heart of Dubai, implementing the academic rigor of the British curriculum. The school attracts outstanding students from 80+ nationalities to create a diverse and multicultural learning environment. Students who graduate from Repton School often attend prestigious universities, including the University of Oxford, the University of Cambridge, Stanford University, UCLA, UC Berkeley, Johns Hopkins University, and others.
The school has an education system for students aged 3 to 18. Students follow an academic program based on the British National Curriculum and have access to diverse pathways, including International GCSEs, A-Levels, and the International Baccalaureate programs.
For the IB Results, students attain a record average score of 36.2 points in the IBDP program alongside a 100% pass rate in the IBCP and IB Courses programs.
Jumeirah English Speaking School is a top British international School based in Dubai for students from ages 3 to 18. For students aged 11 to 18, the school incorporates the National Curriculum of England and the IB Diploma Programme.
In 2023, JESS Dubai students’ IB results achieved an average of 37.2 points (compared to the world average of 30.3 points). Most JESS students are enrolled in top universities in the UK, Europe, and the United States, including the University of Oxford, Ivy League institutions, other Russell Group universities, medical schools, and many other high-ranking institutions worldwide.
Founded 60 years ago, Dubai English Speaking Schools is a not-for-profit private school for students aged 3 to 18. The DESS school has been rated ‘Outstanding’ by the KHDA for many years, and they are recognized as a world leader in international education.
This school follows the British National Curriculum. It has achieved remarkable results for the International Baccalaureate and BTEC Extended Diplomas in Art, Business, and Sport. Overall, 54.4% of all GCSE grades were between 7-9. For the past couple of years, 96% of Year 11 students have attained five or more GCSE C grades, including English and Maths.
Dubai College is a selective British school in Dubai, catering to students in Years 7 to 13 with a focus on British GCSE and A-Level examinations. With a 19-acre campus, the school provides resources and opportunities for students to participate in many extracurricular activities such as tennis, art studios, swimming, etc.
The school has been growing exponentially, attracting top talent from around the country. For the GCSE, the school achieved the highest % of 9-7 GCSE exam grades ever in the school’s history (91%).
Earning the KHDA Outstanding rating in 2017 and 2023, Dubai British School is one of the leading British schools in the region for students aged three to eighteen. Known for its high academic standards and multicultural environment, DBS provides modern facilities, a wide range of extracurricular activities, including football, swimming, rugby, cricket, yoga, arts & crafts, drama, tennis. The school also offers comprehensive support services to ensure the holistic development and success of its students.
The students have access to a broad and balanced curriculum and enrichment opportunities to aid their development into responsible adult community members. Some of the outstanding programs include Duke of Edinburgh, EPQ / IPQMOOC Courses, LAMDA Qualification, Sports Leaders Awards, MUNTedX talks, Prefect Programme, Peer Mentor Programme, etc.
GEMS Wellington International School is an Outstanding British Curriculum and IB School in Dubai. GEMS Wellington International School has been rated Outstanding by the DSIB for the 14th consecutive year.
The school, spanning an area of eight acres, the school follows both the British National Curriculum and the International Baccalaureate (IB). The school is part of the GEMS (Global Education Management Systems) group of schools, an international education company that is one of the largest private school operators.
GEM students receive an average score of 35 points in the IB Diploma Programme (2023), well above the global average of ~30. GEMS students are accepted by some of the world’s most prestigious universities, such as Cambridge, UCL, LSE, Princeton University, Stanford, JHU, BU, and UC Berkeley, to name a few.
GEMS Dubai American Academy is GEMS Education’s flagship American school, which is the only school providing an American curriculum in Dubai. The school offers students an enriched American Curriculum and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) for students from pre‑K through Grade 12.
DAA has received the KHDA rating of Outstanding since 2011.
DAA offers a diverse range of extra-curricular, athletic, and leadership opportunities to enrich the holistic development of each student. IB performance: The Class of 2024 averaged 34 points, more than the global average (≈30.3), with 96 % passing, and 16 students scoring 40+.
Managed by GEMS Education, GEMS World Academy (Dubai) is an international private school. Founded in 2007, the institution follows the International Baccalaureate continuum (PYP, MYP, DP, CP) and provides education to students from Pre-K (Grade R) to Grade 12.
The students who participated in the International Baccalaureate obtained an average of 32 points. Through the support of the Mother Tongue Programme, 100% of students achieve above grade-level expectations in their home languages, including Korean, Russian, Serbian, Mandarin, Danish, Dutch, German, Italian, and Swedish.
Established in September 2014, Kings’ School Al Barsha is an outstanding British Primary and Secondary school for global and local families. The school follows the customized National Curriculum of England to make sure the curriculum is relevant to children growing up in Dubai, but is designed with academic rigor and excellence to make sure students are prepared for the future.
Kings’ School Al Barsha boasts outstanding facilities, featuring state-of-the-art technology throughout the school and classrooms, as well as purpose-built science laboratories, design, technology, and art suites. Students are also encouraged to engage in performing arts activities via the auditorium, black box theatre, and music recording studios.
11. Aralia's Diverse Programs
Where Ambition Meets Achievement
Aralia Education is a premier online education platform for ambitious middle and high school students worldwide. Join small groups and personalized 1-on-1 classes led by renowned high school teachers and university professors from prestigious American institutions. Through Aralia Education, students will build a strong foundation in traditional academic courses, stand out as accomplished and ambitious individuals in college applications, and be well-equipped to excel in any standardized tests.
Our teachers actively engage and guide students in exploring personal interests beyond their school curriculum. With this holistic approach, Aralia ensures its students are well-prepared for college and equipped for success in their future careers.
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