10 Best English Schools in Dubai 2026-27 — Fees, Admission & KHDA Reviews

GEMS Wellington International School is a KHDA Outstanding-rated, co-educational British and IB curriculum school in Al Sufouh, operated by GEMS Education, serving FS1 to Year 13 with annual fees of AED 47,527 (FS1) to AED 103,399 (Years 12–13) for 2025–2026 — one of only two English schools in Dubai to offer the IB Diploma Programme as the exclusive post-16 pathway alongside A-Levels in Years 12–13, with Outstanding KHDA ratings in every inspection since 2009–2010.

What You Need to Know

• GEMS Wellington International School has held a KHDA Outstanding rating in every inspection since 2009–2010 — now fifteen consecutive Outstanding ratings — achieving Outstanding Mathematics, Science, English, Curriculum, Teaching, Personal Development, and Leadership across all four phases (Foundation Stage, Primary, Secondary, Post-16) in 2023–2024.
• GEMS Wellington International School offers the IB Diploma Programme in Years 12–13 as one of two post-16 routes — a dual-track Sixth Form that gives students a genuine choice between the internationally recognised IB qualification and the UK A-Level pathway, depending on their university targets and learning preferences.
• GEMS Wellington International School's 2023–2024 inspection awarded Outstanding across every single assessment criterion in every phase, including both Wellbeing and Inclusion at Outstanding — a comprehensive result placing it firmly among Dubai's highest-performing all-through English curriculum schools.
• GEMS Wellington International School is located in Al Sufouh 1, close to Sheikh Zayed Road, making it highly accessible for families living in the Marina, JBR, JLT, Al Barsha, and Jumeirah areas — one of the most commuter-friendly locations of any Outstanding school in Dubai.

GEMS Wellington International School, School Performance

Source: DSIB Inspection 2023–2024

Summary Report | Full Inspection Report

GEMS Wellington International School, Annual Fees 2025–2026

Fees confirmed directly from the KHDA profile page for GEMS Wellington International School (CenterID=122). Contact the school at www.wellingtoninternationalschool.com for the confirmed 2025–2026 schedule. Application fee AED 525 (VAT inclusive). Registration deposit 10% of annual tuition.

GEMS Wellington International School, Admission Process

1. Apply → Submit an online application via the GEMS Education admissions portal at www.wellingtoninternationalschool.com; pay the application fee of AED 525
2. Documents → Passport, Emirates ID, previous school reports (last two years), transfer certificate, and vaccination records
3. Assessment → Age-appropriate academic assessment arranged for all year groups; FS assessment is observational; secondary assessments include English, Mathematics, and Science
4. Decision → Offer letter issued following assessment and review; demand is high across all year groups
5. Enrol → Pay the 10% registration deposit and complete KHDA enrolment documentation; term fees payable in September, January, and April

Nord Anglia International School Dubai (NAS Dubai) is a KHDA Outstanding-rated, co-educational British and IB curriculum school in Al Barsha South, operated by Nord Anglia Education, serving FS1 to Year 13 with annual fees of AED 69,625 (FS1–FS2) to AED 105,288 (Years 12–13) for 2025–2026 — the only school in Dubai to receive Outstanding in every single DSIB assessment criterion across every phase in the 2023–2024 inspection round.

What You Need to Know

• Nord Anglia International School Dubai is the only school in Dubai to achieve Outstanding across every single DSIB quality indicator in every phase in 2023–2024 — a result that covers English, Mathematics, Science, Curriculum, Teaching, Health & Safety, Personal Development, Learning Skills, and Leadership, with zero exceptions across Foundation Stage, Primary, Secondary, and Post-16.
• Nord Anglia International School Dubai belongs to the global Nord Anglia Education network of 80+ schools, which provides students with exclusive learning partnerships with MIT (STEM curriculum enrichment) and Juilliard School (performing arts), offering educational opportunities that no standalone school in Dubai can replicate.
• Nord Anglia International School Dubai has improved consistently from Good (2016–17) through Very Good (2017–20) to Outstanding (2022–23 and 2023–24), demonstrating that its quality is not a one-cycle result but a sustained, evidence-backed trajectory of institutional development.
• Nord Anglia International School Dubai's student body includes 860 students of determination — one of the largest inclusion communities of any school on this list — confirming that the school's Outstanding Inclusion rating reflects genuinely broad and well-resourced provision, not just a strong mainstream programme.

Nord Anglia International School Dubai, School Performance

Source: DSIB Inspection 2023–2024

Summary Report | Full Inspection Report

Nord Anglia International School Dubai ,Annual Fees 2025–2026

Fees confirmed directly from the KHDA profile page for NAS Dubai (CenterID=2222). Contact NAS Dubai at www.nasdubai.ae for the confirmed 2025–2026 schedule and detailed fee fact sheets.

Nord Anglia International School Dubai, Admission Process

1. Enquire → Submit an online enquiry at www.nasdubai.ae; the admissions team will contact you to arrange a consultation and campus visit
2. Apply → Complete the online application with required documents: passport, Emirates ID, school reports, transfer certificate, vaccination records; pay the application fee of AED 525
3. Assessment → Age-appropriate assessment for all year groups; FS is observational; secondary includes academic testing in English, Mathematics, and Science
4. Decision → Offer issued following assessment; NAS Dubai is consistently oversubscribed — apply early, especially for FS and primary year groups
5. Enrol → Pay the 10% registration deposit (non-refundable); term fees payable September, January, April

Jumeirah English Speaking School (JESS) Arabian Ranches is a KHDA Outstanding-rated, co-educational school in Arabian Ranches, managed on a not-for-profit basis by the Al Futtaim Education Foundation, serving FS1 to Year 11 with the British curriculum then transitioning to the IB Diploma Programme exclusively in Grades 12–13, with annual fees of AED 54,130 (FS1) to AED 105,607 (IB Grades 12–13) for 2025–2026.

What You Need to Know

• Jumeirah English Speaking School Arabian Ranches has held a KHDA Outstanding rating in the majority of its inspections since 2013–2014, with the most recent back-to-back Outstanding cycles in 2022–23 and 2023–24, confirming a sustained quality record across its full FS1 to IB Diploma programme.
• Jumeirah English Speaking School Arabian Ranches transitions exclusively to the IB Diploma Programme in Grades 12–13 — there is no A-Level option at this campus — meaning families must commit to the IB pathway for the Sixth Form, which prepares students for a broad range of international universities but requires planning for six subjects across two years.
• Jumeirah English Speaking School Arabian Ranches is managed by the Al Futtaim Education Foundation on a not-for-profit basis, a governance structure that ensures educational surpluses are reinvested in the school rather than distributed to shareholders — an important consideration for families evaluating long-term fee stability.
• Jumeirah English Speaking School Arabian Ranches achieved Outstanding Mathematics and Science attainment and progress across all four phases in 2023–2024, with Outstanding Curriculum, Outstanding Health & Safety, and Outstanding Leadership across all phases — a school-wide result, not limited to one phase or subject.

Jumeirah English Speaking School, School Performance

Source: DSIB Inspection 2023–2024

Summary Report | Full Inspection Report

Jumeirah English Speaking School, Annual Fees 2025–2026

Fees confirmed directly from the KHDA profile page for JESS Arabian Ranches (CenterID=131). Note the significant step-up from Year 6 (AED 65,100) to Year 7 (AED 92,857) — plan ahead for secondary budgets. Contact JESS at www.jess.sch.ae for the confirmed 2025–2026 schedule.

Jumeirah English Speaking School, Admission Process

1. Enquire → Visit www.jess.sch.ae and submit an enquiry; JESS operates waiting lists across most year groups, particularly Foundation Stage — early contact is essential
2. Apply → Complete the application form with required documents; contact the admissions team for guidance on current availability by year group
3. Assessment → Age-appropriate academic assessment for all year groups; FS1 involves a developmental observation; secondary entry includes academic testing
4. Decision → Offer issued subject to assessment results and seat availability; the waiting list is actioned as places arise
5. Enrol → Pay the registration deposit and complete KHDA documentation; note that Grades 12–13 switch exclusively to the IB Diploma — there is no A-Level option at this campus

Dubai English Speaking School (DESS) is a KHDA Outstanding-rated, co-educational British primary school in Oud Metha, one of Dubai's oldest not-for-profit English curriculum schools, serving FS1 to Year 6 only, with annual fees of AED 43,084 (FS1) to AED 53,320 (Years 1–6) for 2025–2026 — the most affordable Outstanding English school on this list, offering exceptional primary education with Outstanding ratings in every inspection since 2018–2019.

What You Need to Know

• Dubai English Speaking School is a primary school only (FS1–Year 6) and does not offer secondary education — families planning an uninterrupted school journey will need to arrange Year 7 secondary entry separately, typically to Dubai English Speaking College (also Outstanding, Academic City) or another Outstanding secondary school in Dubai.
• Dubai English Speaking School has delivered a remarkable quality trajectory — rated Good from 2008–2018, then Very Good in 2016–18, then Outstanding from 2018–19 onwards — with the most recent DSIB inspection in 2023–2024 awarding Outstanding across every single criterion in both Foundation Stage and Primary phases.
• Dubai English Speaking School is among the most affordable Outstanding schools in all of Dubai, with fees starting at AED 43,084 for FS1 — lower than any other Outstanding English curriculum school on this list — making it an especially important option for families seeking world-class primary education at a more accessible price point.
• Dubai English Speaking School was founded in 1973 — making it one of Dubai's original English-medium community schools — and operates on a not-for-profit basis, meaning fee income supports the school's educational provision rather than commercial returns, an ethos that has helped maintain its community character over five decades.

Dubai English Speaking School, School Performance

Source: DSIB Inspection 2023–2024

Summary Report | Full Inspection Report

Dubai English Speaking School, Annual Fees 2025–2026

Fees confirmed directly from the KHDA profile page for Dubai English Speaking School (CenterID=50). Contact DESS at www.dessc.sch.ae for the confirmed 2025–2026 schedule and any additional fees. Note: secondary education is not available at this campus — families should plan Year 7 secondary placement in advance.

Dubai English Speaking School, Admission Process

1. Enquire → Visit www.dessc.sch.ae and register your interest; DESS is consistently oversubscribed for FS1 and Year 1 entry — early application is strongly recommended
2. Apply → Complete the application form with required documents: passport, Emirates ID, birth certificate, vaccination records, and previous school reports (where applicable)
3. Assessment → Age-appropriate assessment or developmental observation arranged by the admissions team
4. Decision → Offer communicated subject to assessment and seat availability; siblings of current students are given priority
5. Enrol → Complete KHDA documentation and pay required fees before the September start; fees payable in three terms (September, January, April)

Kings' School Dubai is a KHDA Outstanding-rated, co-educational British primary school in Umm Suqeim 3, serving FS1 to Year 6 only, with annual fees of AED 47,179 (FS1–FS2) to AED 71,801 (Years 5–6) for 2025–2026 — an Outstanding-rated primary school holding the longest uninterrupted streak of Outstanding KHDA ratings of any school on this list, and the natural feeder school for the Outstanding-rated Kings' School Al Barsha secondary campus.

What You Need to Know

• Kings' School Dubai has held a KHDA Outstanding rating in every inspection since 2008–2009 — now fifteen consecutive Outstanding ratings — the longest unbroken Outstanding record of any school on this list, representing fifteen years of continuous excellence in primary education.
• Kings' School Dubai is a primary school only (FS1–Year 6) with no secondary section at this campus; the natural progression route is Kings' School Al Barsha (also KHDA Outstanding, FS1–Year 13 with IGCSE and A-Levels), though admission to the secondary campus is a separate application process and is not automatic.
• Kings' School Dubai achieved Outstanding in every single DSIB quality indicator across both Foundation Stage and Primary phases in 2023–2024 — English, Mathematics, Science, Curriculum, Teaching, Health & Safety, Personal Development, Learning Skills, and Leadership — a comprehensive result consistent with its long-standing quality record.
• Kings' School Dubai's location in Umm Suqeim 3, close to Jumeirah Beach Road and convenient to Jumeirah, Umm Suqeim, and Al Barsha communities, makes it one of the most accessible Outstanding primary schools for families living in Dubai's most established and popular residential corridors.

Kings' School Dubai, School Performance

Source: DSIB Inspection 2023–2024

Summary Report | Full Inspection Report

Kings' School Dubai, Annual Fees 2025–2026

Fees confirmed directly from the KHDA profile page for Kings' School Dubai (CenterID=115). Contact Kings' School Dubai at kings-edu.com/dubai/ for the confirmed 2025–2026 schedule. Sibling discounts may be available; contact the admissions team for details.

Kings' School Dubai Admission Process

1. Apply → Contact the admissions team at kings-edu.com/dubai/; Kings' School Dubai is consistently oversubscribed — FS1 places fill early in the calendar year; apply for September 2026 entry no later than January 2026
2. Assessment → Age-appropriate placement assessment; FS1 involves a developmental observation
3. Decision → Offer communicated subject to assessment and seat availability; siblings are given priority consideration
4. Enrol → Complete KHDA documentation and pay required fees before the September academic year start
5. Secondary Planning → At Year 6 exit, families should plan separately for Year 7 secondary — Kings' School Al Barsha is the natural progression, but entry requires a separate assessment and is not guaranteed

Jumeirah College is a KHDA Outstanding-rated, co-educational British secondary school in Al Safa 1, operated by GEMS Education, serving Year 7 to Year 13 only, with annual fees of AED 78,946 (Years 7–9) to AED 98,681 (Years 12–13) for 2025–2026 — one of the most consistently Outstanding secondary schools in Dubai's history, holding Outstanding KHDA ratings in every single inspection since 2010–2011.

What You Need to Know

• Jumeirah College has held a KHDA Outstanding rating in every inspection since 2010–2011 — now fourteen consecutive Outstanding ratings — a sustained record of secondary excellence that places it among the most consistently rated schools in Dubai, regardless of curriculum.
• Jumeirah College is a secondary-only school, serving Year 7 to Year 13, with no primary provision at this campus — families with younger children will need a separate primary arrangement; many families use Kings' School Dubai or GEMS primary schools as a feeder route before transitioning to Jumeirah College at Year 7.
• Jumeirah College achieved Outstanding Mathematics and Science attainment and progress in both Secondary and Post-16 phases, Outstanding English across both phases, and Outstanding Curriculum, Teaching, Personal Development, and Leadership in 2023–2024 — a comprehensive result with no material weaknesses identified.
• Jumeirah College's A-Level Sixth Form is one of the most academically demanding on this list — students work toward UK A-Level qualifications, with results consistently placing the school's students among the strongest achievers in the UAE for entry to UK universities, including Russell Group and Oxbridge institutions.

Jumeirah College, School Performance

Source: DSIB Inspection 2023–2024

Summary Report | Full Inspection Report

Jumeirah College, Annual Fees 2025–2026

Fees confirmed directly from the KHDA profile page for Jumeirah College (CenterID=71). Contact Jumeirah College at www.gemsjc.com for the confirmed 2025–2026 schedule. GEMS Education application fee AED 525 (VAT inclusive).

Jumeirah College,Admission Process

1. Apply → Submit an online application via GEMS Education at www.gemsjc.com; Year 7 entry is the primary intake point — applications for September 2026 should be submitted by January 2026
2. Assessment → Competitive academic assessment in English, Mathematics, and Science; Year 7 entry is highly selective with demand significantly outpacing available places
3. Sixth Form Entry → External applicants to Year 12 must meet specific GCSE/IGCSE grade requirements for their chosen A-Level subjects (typically grade 6 or above in relevant subjects) and attend an interview
4. Decision → Offer communicated following assessment; Year 7 cohort composition is typically determined each February–March
5. Enrol → Complete KHDA documentation and pay the registration deposit; fees payable in three terms

Dubai College is a KHDA Outstanding-rated, co-educational British secondary school in Al Sufouh 1, operating as a not-for-profit institution, serving Year 7 to Year 13 only, with annual fees of AED 97,415 (Years 7–11) to AED 110,305 (Years 12–13) for 2025–2026 — Dubai's oldest continuously-operating international secondary school (founded 1978) and one of the most consistently Outstanding and academically selective English schools in the UAE.

What You Need to Know

• Dubai College is a not-for-profit school — the only not-for-profit secondary school on this list — governed by a structure in which fee income is reinvested directly into the school's provision, with a refundable debenture of AED 30,000 payable by new students on admission and returned in full when the student leaves.
• Dubai College has held a KHDA Outstanding rating in every inspection since 2010–2011 — fourteen consecutive Outstanding ratings — with Outstanding scores in every curriculum subject, teaching, curriculum quality, personal development, and leadership in 2023–2024; the only non-Outstanding measure in the 2023–24 report was Governance, rated Very Good.
• Dubai College is the most expensive school on this list, with Years 12–13 at AED 110,305 per year — the highest Sixth Form fee of any English curriculum school in Dubai — reflecting its position as one of the most selective and prestigious A-Level institutions in the UAE, with alumni consistently winning places at Russell Group and Oxbridge universities.
• Dubai College was founded in 1978, making it the oldest continuously-operating international secondary school in Dubai, and its small, intimate campus environment — 1,294 students across seven year groups — ensures a student-to-teacher ratio that supports genuinely personalised academic guidance through IGCSE and A-Levels.

Dubai College, School Performance

Source: DSIB Inspection 2023–2024

Summary Report | Full Inspection Report

Dubai College, Annual Fees 2025–2026

Fees confirmed directly from the KHDA profile page for Dubai College (CenterID=70). Note: a refundable debenture of AED 30,000 is payable by new students on admission (returned in full on departure). Contact Dubai College at www.dubaicollege.org for the confirmed 2025–2026 schedule and debenture terms.

Dubai College, Admission Process

1. Register → Contact Dubai College at www.dubaicollege.org; Year 7 applications for September 2026 should be submitted by December 2025 — the school is highly selective and processes applications well in advance of the intake date
2. Assessment → Competitive academic assessment in English, Mathematics, and Science; entry is one of the most selective of any English curriculum school in Dubai
3. Debenture → New students pay a AED 30,000 refundable debenture (non-interest bearing) upon acceptance of a place; this is returned in full when the student leaves
4. Sixth Form Entry → External Year 12 applicants must demonstrate strong GCSE/IGCSE results (typically grade 6 or above) and attend an interview with relevant subject teachers
5. Enrol → Complete KHDA enrolment documentation; fees payable in three terms; the AED 30,000 debenture is separate from and in addition to the annual tuition

Repton School Dubai is a KHDA Outstanding-rated, co-educational boarding and day school in Nad Al Sheba 3, part of the Cognita group and sister school to historic Repton UK (founded 1557), serving FS1 to Year 13 with annual fees of AED 52,863 (FS1) to AED 95,000 (Year 13) for 2025–2026 — one of only two schools in the UAE to offer full boarding facilities, and the most affordable Outstanding all-through English curriculum school on this list at Foundation Stage entry level.

What You Need to Know

• Repton School Dubai is one of only two schools in the UAE to offer full boarding facilities, with separate boarding houses for boys and girls providing full-time and weekly boarding options from Year 7 — making it the natural choice for families who require a boarding environment, or for students from other emirates or countries who want to study in Dubai.
• Repton School Dubai has maintained a KHDA Outstanding rating across every inspection since 2014–2015 — seven consecutive Outstanding cycles — with Outstanding scores in English, Mathematics, Science, Curriculum, Personal Development, and Leadership in 2023–2024, and only teaching rated slightly lower at Very Good in some phases.
• Repton School Dubai offers three distinct post-16 pathways — IB Diploma, A-Level, and BTEC — a breadth of qualification options rare even among Dubai's most premium schools, allowing students to select the route best suited to their academic profile and intended university destination.
• Repton School Dubai has the largest Emirati student community of any English school on this list with 458 Emirati students (approximately 19% of enrolment), a proportion that reflects the school's standing within Dubai's national community and its culturally respectful environment, repeatedly highlighted by DSIB inspectors.

Repton School Dubai, School Performance

Source: DSIB Inspection 2023–2024

Full Inspection Report

Repton School Dubai, Annual Fees 2025–2026

Fee range confirmed as AED 52,863–95,000 from published sources. Contact Repton School Dubai at www.reptondubai.org or 800 REPTON (737866) for the confirmed 2025–2026 per-grade schedule. A 5% advance payment discount is available; 5% sibling discount from the third child. Boarding fees are charged separately.

Repton School Dubai, Admission Process

1. Enquire → Submit an online enquiry at www.reptondubai.org or call 800 REPTON (737866); the school will arrange a campus visit
2. Apply → Submit application documents: passport, Emirates ID, previous school reports, transfer certificate, vaccination records; pay the application fee
3. Assessment → Age-appropriate academic assessment; the school contacts parents within three business days of assessment
4. Decision → Offer issued subject to assessment and availability; 10% registration deposit due from new students; 5% from current students
5. Boarding → Families interested in boarding should discuss availability and requirements with the admissions team; boarding is available from Year 7 in separate boys' and girls' houses

Dubai British School Emirates Hills (DBS Emirates Hills) is a KHDA Outstanding-rated, co-educational British curriculum school in The Springs, Emirates Hills, managed by Taaleem, serving FS1 to Year 13 with annual fees of AED 53,027 (FS1) to AED 79,541 (Year 13) for 2025–2026 — one of Dubai's most community-rooted English schools, now operating across two campuses following the opening of its Islands Campus for early years and lower primary in 2025.

What You Need to Know

• Dubai British School Emirates Hills has held a KHDA Outstanding rating for five consecutive inspection cycles since 2017–2018, and received BSO Outstanding accreditation in both 2015 and 2021 — a dual-accreditation track record from two independent inspecting bodies that confirms the school's quality is sustained and not inspection-specific.
• Dubai British School Emirates Hills is a deliberately small-scale school, operating on a three-form entry model that keeps the community intimate — every teacher knows every student, siblings across year groups can interact daily, and the school's community feel is consistently cited by parents as one of its defining strengths; this is not a large-throughput institution.
• Dubai British School Emirates Hills students have achieved individual examination results recognised by Pearson Edexcel as "Best in the World" (GCSE Business, A-Level Spanish, A-Level Biology B) and "Best in the Middle East" (GCSE Italian, GCSE French, A-Level Maths, A-Level Russian) — outstanding individual achievement outcomes that reflect the quality of A-Level teaching at this school.
• Dubai British School Emirates Hills opened its new Islands Campus in Jumeirah Islands in September 2025 — repurposing the former Amity Early Learning Centre — creating dedicated space for Rising 3s to Year 2 students, freeing capacity at the main campus and ensuring that the school's community ethos is not diluted as demand for places grows.

Dubai British School Emirates Hills, School Performance

Source: DSIB Inspection 2023–2024

Full Inspection Report

Dubai British School Emirates Hills, Annual Fees 2025–2026

Fee range confirmed as AED 53,027–79,541 from Khaleej Times and published sources. Contact DBS Emirates Hills at www.dubaibritishschool.ae for the confirmed 2025–2026 per-grade schedule. Registration fee AED 4,000 (adjusted against first term fees). Sibling discounts: 10% from the third sibling. Academic scholarships of up to 100% available; corporate discounts (Emirates, Flydubai, Marriott) available.

Dubai British School Emirates Hills, Admission Process

1. Enquire → Visit www.dubaibritishschool.ae and register your interest; FS1 is heavily oversubscribed every year — early application is essential for Foundation Stage entry
2. Apply → Complete the online application with required documents: passport, Emirates ID, school reports, transfer certificate, vaccination records; pay the AED 4,000 registration fee on acceptance (adjusted against first term fees)
3. Assessment → Age-appropriate placement assessment for all year groups; FS1 involves a developmental observation
4. Decision → Offer communicated subject to assessment and availability; the school's community character means places are in very high demand from families already living in the Emirates Hills and Springs communities
5. Enrol → Complete KHDA documentation; term fees payable September, January, March; note DBS EH now operates two campuses — check which campus applies for your child's year group

Safa Community School (SCS) is a KHDA Outstanding-rated, co-educational British and IB curriculum school in Al Barsha South 3, sister school to Safa British School, serving FS1 to Year 13 with annual fees of AED 54,437 (FS1–FS2) to AED 89,440 (Year 13) for 2025–2026 — a school that achieved Outstanding from both KHDA and BSO in the same inspection cycle, and the winner of the Happiest School in the UAE award at the 2023–2024 Top Schools Awards.

What You Need to Know

• Safa Community School is the only English school on this list to hold both KHDA Outstanding and BSO Outstanding ratings simultaneously — two independent inspection frameworks both awarding the highest possible rating in the same school year — confirming that Safa Community School's quality is genuinely systemic across every dimension of its provision.
• Safa Community School won the Happiest School in the UAE award at the 2023–2024 Top Schools Awards, reflecting a PIRLS reading score of 610 (exceeding its DSIB benchmark of 567 by 43 points) and consistently exceptional student and parent satisfaction — a school where academic achievement and student happiness are not presented as a trade-off.
• Safa Community School is the only school on this list to offer a 50% tuition fee scholarship for students progressing from Year 11 to Year 12 who maintain grades of 8 or above — a meaningful financial support mechanism at the Sixth Form entry point, accessible to internally progressing students.
• Safa Community School is heavily oversubscribed in almost every year group, with waiting lists across Foundation Stage and primary in particular — families should apply at the earliest possible opportunity; the school's combination of Outstanding quality, broad post-16 pathways, and lower fees than several comparable schools on this list makes it one of the most in-demand English schools in Dubai.

Safa Community School, School Performance

Source: DSIB Inspection 2023–2024

Full Inspection Report

Safa Community School, Annual Fees 2025–2026

Fee range confirmed as AED 54,437–89,440 from Khaleej Times and published sources. Contact Safa Community School at www.safacommunityschool.com for the confirmed 2025–2026 per-grade schedule. Year 11–12 scholarship: 50% fee waiver for students with grade 8 or above who progress internally. Payments by cash, cheque, or bank transfer.

Safa Community School, Admission Process

1. Enquire → Visit www.safacommunityschool.com and submit an enquiry as early as possible; Safa Community School is heavily oversubscribed across all year groups and particularly in Foundation Stage
2. Apply → Complete the online application with required documents; include any SEND or EAL documentation relevant to your child's needs — the school has strong specialist support
3. Assessment → Age-appropriate academic assessment arranged by the admissions team
4. Decision → Offer communicated following assessment; waiting list families are contacted as places arise throughout the year
5. Enrol → Pay the required deposit and complete KHDA documentation; Year 11–12 scholarship applications submit by the deadline published annually on the school's website

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes these 10 schools the best English schools in Dubai? All 10 schools on this list hold a KHDA Outstanding rating — the highest possible classification awarded by Dubai's Knowledge and Human Development Authority — based on their most recent DSIB inspection. KHDA Outstanding schools represent fewer than 12% of Dubai's 209 inspected private schools and are assessed across students' achievement, teaching quality, curriculum, leadership, personal development, health and safety, and wellbeing. Eight of the ten schools achieved Outstanding across every single DSIB criterion, with only Dubai College (Wellbeing: Very Good), JESS Arabian Ranches (Wellbeing: Very Good), Kings' School Dubai (Wellbeing: Very Good), and Repton Dubai (Teaching: Very Good in some phases) recording any non-Outstanding scores in their most recent inspections.

Which English schools in Dubai offer the IB Diploma Programme? Four schools on this list offer the IB Diploma Programme as a post-16 pathway: GEMS Wellington International School (IB or UK pathway in Years 12–13), NAS Dubai (IB or A-Level in Years 12–13), JESS Arabian Ranches (IB Diploma exclusively in Grades 12–13), and Safa Community School (IB, A-Level, and BTEC in Years 12–13). Repton School Dubai also offers IB alongside A-Level and BTEC. Jumeirah College and Dubai College offer A-Level only (no IB). DBS Emirates Hills offers GCSE, BTEC, and A-Level with no IB Diploma Programme.

What is the most affordable Outstanding English school in Dubai? Dubai English Speaking School (DESS) has the lowest FS1 fee of any Outstanding English curriculum school on this list at AED 43,084 per year — though it is a primary school only (FS1–Year 6) with no secondary provision. Among all-through schools serving FS1 to Year 13, Repton School Dubai (from AED 52,863 FS1) and DBS Emirates Hills (from AED 53,027 FS1) are the most affordable Outstanding options. DBS Emirates Hills is also the most affordable through to Year 13 at AED 79,541, significantly below the equivalent fee at Safa Community School (AED 89,440), JESS Arabian Ranches (AED 105,607), or Dubai College (AED 110,305).

Which English schools in Dubai have boarding facilities? Only one school on this list offers full boarding: Repton School Dubai, which provides separate full-time and weekly boarding houses for boys and girls from Year 7 onwards. Repton Dubai is one of only two schools in the entire UAE to offer boarding (the other being the Swiss International Scientific School in Dubai). All other English schools on this list are day schools only — families requiring boarding should contact Repton Dubai directly.

When should I apply for English schools in Dubai for September 2026 entry? All 10 schools follow a September–June academic year. For September 2026 intake, applications should ideally be submitted between October 2025 and March 2026. The most competitive deadlines are: Dubai College (Year 7 only — applications by December 2025); Jumeirah College (Year 7 only — applications by January 2026); JESS Arabian Ranches, DESS, and Safa Community School (oversubscribed across most year groups — apply immediately); NAS Dubai and Kings' School Dubai (highly competitive for FS1 and Year 1 — apply no later than January 2026). DBS Emirates Hills and Repton Dubai typically have more mid-year flexibility, but FS1 and Year 7 places still fill early.

Conclusion

All 10 English schools on this list are KHDA Outstanding — a distinction earned by fewer than 12% of Dubai's private schools. Fees range from AED 43,084 (Dubai English Speaking School, FS1) to AED 110,305 (Dubai College, Year 12–13), giving families genuine choice across price points without compromising on inspection quality. For the most affordable all-through Outstanding option with post-16 breadth, DBS Emirates Hills (to AED 79,541) and Safa Community School (to AED 89,440) stand out. For boarding, Repton Dubai is the only choice. Apply early — the most in-demand schools on this list fill their FS1 cohorts before February each year.