8 Best IB Schools in Dubai 2025–2026 — Fees, Admission & Reviews

Swiss International Scientific School Dubai (SISD) is a KHDA Very Good-rated, bilingual day-and-boarding IB World School in Dubai Healthcare City (Al Jaddaf), offering the full IB continuum from Pre-Primary to Grade 12 in English-French and English-German streams, with annual fees ranging from AED 68,868 to AED 137,736 for the 2024–2025 academic year.

What You Need to Know

• Swiss International Scientific School Dubai is ranked among the top 100 private schools in the world (Spears Schools Index) and is one of only approximately 50 all-through IB World Schools globally, making it a standout choice in the UAE.
• Swiss International Scientific School Dubai offers Dubai's first truly multilingual private school programme, with instruction available in English, French, and German — delivered by native-speaking teachers — giving your child a genuine trilingual foundation.
• Swiss International Scientific School Dubai achieved a 100% IB Diploma pass rate in 2024, with graduates earning an average score of 34 points — significantly above the global average — and over 60% earning a bilingual or advanced bilingual diploma.
• Swiss International Scientific School Dubai operates a full boarding programme for students from Grade 6 onwards, housing around 200 international boarders in a close-knit residential community on its award-winning sustainable campus.

Swiss International Scientific School Dubai, School Performance

Source: DSIB Inspection 2023–2024

Summary Report | Full Inspection Report

Swiss International Scientific School Dubai, Annual Fees 2024–2025

Note: Bilingual pathway fees are the same as standard pathway at each grade level. Boarding fees are additional — contact SISD directly for residential pricing.

Swiss International Scientific School Dubai, Admission Process

1. Enquire → Book a personalised campus tour via the SISD website (virtual tours also available)
2. Apply → Complete the online application form and upload required documents (passport, previous school reports, immunisation records)
3. Assessment → Pay non-refundable application fee of AED 525; child sits an age-appropriate academic assessment; older students may also attend an interview
4. Offer → Formal offer letter issued within five working days of the assessment/interview
5. Enrol → Sign and return the offer letter and pay the registration fee within five working days to secure the place

Jumeira Baccalaureate School (JBS) is a KHDA Very Good-rated IB World Continuum School operated by Taaleem in the heart of Jumeirah 1, Dubai, serving Pre-KG to Grade 12 students across all four IB programmes, with annual fees ranging from AED 43,325 to AED 94,089 for the 2024–2025 academic year.

What You Need to Know

• Jumeira Baccalaureate School is one of only a small number of schools in Dubai to offer all four IB programmes under one roof, giving your child an uninterrupted IB journey from age 3 all the way through to Grade 12.
• Jumeira Baccalaureate School introduced a dedicated Character Education programme in 2018 and became the first school outside the UK to receive the Quality Mark Award from the Association of Character Education in 2020 — an unusual distinction that reflects the school's commitment to values-based development.
• Jumeira Baccalaureate School holds a KHDA Outstanding rating for its provision and outcomes for students of determination, with 162 registered students receiving tailored inclusion support at the time of the most recent inspection.
• Jumeira Baccalaureate School sits on approximately eight acres of prime land in Jumeirah 1, with facilities that include a 25-metre shaded swimming pool, paddle and tennis courts, football fields, a hydroponic school farm, and a spacious library.

Jumeira Baccalaureate School, School Performance

Source: DSIB Inspection 2023–2024

Summary Report | Full Inspection Report

Jumeira Baccalaureate School, Annual Fees 2024–2025

Fee bands are indicative based on KHDA-published data and third-party sources. Contact Jumeira Baccalaureate School directly for the confirmed 2025–2026 fee schedule. A one-time non-refundable application fee of AED 525 applies for new students.

Admission Process

1. Apply → Submit an online application form via www.jbschool.ae; a one-time non-refundable application fee of AED 525 is required
2. Documents → Provide scanned copies of passport, immunisation records, and previous school reports (can be submitted by email to admissions@jbschool.ae)
3. Assessment → The JBS admissions team arranges a placement assessment appropriate to the year group
4. Decision → Admission is confirmed subject to assessment clearance, previous school reports, and (where applicable) an interview
5. Enrol → Pay a non-refundable new student deposit of AED 4,000 to reserve the seat; this is deducted against Term 1 tuition

Sunmarke School is a KHDA Very Good-rated IB and UK curriculum school operated by Fortes Education in Al Khail, Dubai, offering FS1 to Year 13 across the full IB continuum alongside a UK pathway, with annual fees ranging from AED 61,643 (FS1) to AED 106,475 (Years 12–13) for the 2024–2025 academic year.

What You Need to Know

• Sunmarke School offers something genuinely distinctive in Dubai's IB landscape: the option to follow either a full IB continuum or a UK-aligned 13-year pathway, giving families the flexibility to choose the academic route that best suits their child's future plans.
• Sunmarke School achieved Outstanding ratings across Personal & Social Development in all school phases in its 2023–2024 DSIB inspection, reflecting a strong commitment to character and community that runs through the entire school.
• Sunmarke School earned Outstanding scores for Teaching & Assessment in the Foundation Stage and Outstanding for Health, Safety & Care school-wide — demonstrating exceptional standards in the early years that provide a strong start for younger children.
• Sunmarke School is part of Fortes Education, a respected UAE education group; the school's campus in Al Khail is well connected to Jumeirah Park, Dubai Hills, and Arabian Ranches, making it a convenient choice for families across the southern and western communities of Dubai.

Sunmarke School, School Performance

Source: DSIB Inspection 2023–2024

Summary Report | Full Inspection Report

Sunmarke School, Annual Fees 2024–2025

IB pathway Years 12–13 fees are the same as the UK pathway at AED 106,475/year.

Sunmarke School, Admission Process

1. Enquire → Contact the Sunmarke School admissions team via www.sunmarkedubai.com or visit the campus
2. Apply → Submit the online application form with required documentation including passport copies, academic reports, and immunisation records
3. Assessment → Children are assessed at an age-appropriate level; Foundation Stage applicants typically complete an observational play assessment
4. Decision → The admissions team reviews assessment results and previous school records and communicates the outcome to parents
5. Enrol → Pay the registration deposit to secure the place; Term 1 fees are due before the start of the academic year

Greenfield International School (GIS) is a KHDA Very Good-rated IB World Continuum School operated by Taaleem in Dubai Investment Park, offering all four IB programmes from Pre-KG to Grade 12, with annual fees ranging from AED 33,680 to AED 88,960 for the 2024–2025 academic year — making it one of the most competitively priced full-IB schools in Dubai.

What You Need to Know

• Greenfield International School was one of the first schools globally to trial the IB Career-related Programme on behalf of the International Baccalaureate Organisation, and remains the first school in the UAE to offer the IBCP — a distinction that reflects an exceptionally deep IB heritage.
• Greenfield International School is dual-accredited by both the Council of International Schools (CIS) and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC), providing parents with strong independent quality assurance beyond the KHDA rating.
• Greenfield International School opened a brand-new three-storey Upper Primary building in 2024–2025, adding 18 classrooms, a music room, an innovation hub, sports hall, and a rooftop football pitch — a significant investment in the physical and learning environment.
• Greenfield International School achieved IB Diploma average scores of 33–35 across the 2023–2025 examination cycles with a 98–100% pass rate — results that consistently exceed the global IB average and support strong university placements worldwide.

Greenfield International School, School Performance

Source: DSIB Inspection 2023–2024

Summary Report | Full Inspection Report

Greenfield International School, Annual Fees 2024–2025

Fee bands are indicative. Contact Greenfield International School directly at www.gischool.ae for the confirmed 2025–2026 fee schedule. A one-time non-refundable application fee of AED 525 (incl. 5% VAT) applies for new students.

Greenfield International School, Admission Process

1. Apply → Submit an online application form at www.gischool.ae; pay the non-refundable application fee of AED 525 (new students only)
2. Documents → Upload passport copies, academic reports from previous school, and immunisation records — incomplete applications cannot be registered with KHDA
3. Assessment → Age-appropriate placement assessment arranged by the admissions team; younger children may complete an observational play session
4. Decision → Placement decision communicated to parents; acceptance is not guaranteed by application alone
5. Enrol → Pay the registration/tuition deposit (AED 3,447–AED 4,000 depending on grade) to secure the place; credited against Term 1 fees

Raffles World Academy (RWA) is a KHDA Very Good-rated, co-educational IB World School operated by Innoventures Education in Umm Suqeim 3, Dubai, offering all four IB programmes from Pre-Primary to Grade 12, with annual fees ranging from AED 33,544 to AED 93,922 — making it the most affordable of the five KHDA Very Good-rated IB schools in this guide.

What You Need to Know

• Raffles World Academy is the most affordable KHDA Very Good-rated full-IB school in this guide, with Pre-Primary fees starting at AED 33,544 per year — a meaningful advantage for families seeking rigorous IB education without the premium price point of competitor schools.
• Raffles World Academy achieved Outstanding scores across its Personal & Social Development indicators in the 2023–2024 DSIB inspection across all school phases — KG through to the DP — reflecting a consistently strong pastoral culture from early childhood to graduation.
• Raffles World Academy has maintained a 100% IB Diploma pass rate and offers a Mother Tongue programme in five languages (Russian, French, Italian, Hindi, and German), making it particularly well-suited to families coming from European and South Asian backgrounds.
• Raffles World Academy's campus in Umm Suqeim 3 features a 500-seat auditorium, swimming pools, a full sports hall, science and computer labs, dance studio, music rooms, and basketball and badminton courts — facilities that support a well-rounded education at every stage.

Raffles World Academy, School Performance

Source: DSIB Inspection 2023–2024

Summary Report | Full Inspection Report

Raffles World Academy, Annual Fees 2024–2025

Raffles World Academy, Admission Process

1. Enquire → Contact the Raffles World Academy admissions office at rwaadmissions@rwadubai.com or visit the campus (open Mon–Thu 7:30am–3:30pm; Fri 7:30am–1:00pm)
2. Apply → Submit the online application form at www.rwadubai.com with supporting documents
3. Assessment → Grade-appropriate academic assessment arranged by the admissions team; learning support needs are reviewed at this stage
4. Decision → Admission offered subject to assessment outcome and availability of places; RWA admits students throughout the year on a rolling basis
5. Enrol → Confirm enrolment and pay the required fees before the start of term; main intake is September but mid-year entry is available

Dubai International Academy is a KHDA Outstanding-rated IB World School in Emirates Hills, Dubai, delivering the full IB continuum (PYP, MYP, and DP) for students from KG1 to Grade 12, with annual fees ranging from AED 44,979 (KG1) to AED 79,696 (Grade 12) for the 2025–2026 academic year.

What You Need to Know

• Dubai International Academy achieved a PIRLS score of 653 in 2022 — 78 points above its set target — placing it at the advanced international benchmark for reading literacy.
• Dubai International Academy's 2023–2024 DSIB inspection rated Teaching & Assessment as Outstanding in all phases (KG, PYP, MYP, and DP), reflecting the strength of its IB-trained teaching staff.
• Dubai International Academy offers an extensive co-curricular programme spanning sports, the arts, and community service, which the DSIB inspection specifically highlighted as a school strength.
• Dubai International Academy students in the IB Diploma Programme achieve scores significantly above world averages in English, mathematics, and science, supporting strong university placement outcomes.

Dubai International Academy, School Performance

Source: DSIB Inspection 2023–2024

Summary Report | Full Inspection Report

Dubai International Academy, Annual Fees 2025–2026

Contact Dubai International Academy directly to confirm the latest per-grade fee structure for 2025–2026.

Dubai International Academy, Admission Process

1. Apply → Online application via diadubai.com; submit supporting documents including most recent school reports
2. Assessment → Age-appropriate academic assessment and cognitive testing for most year groups
3. Review → Admissions team reviews application alongside assessment results and prior attainment
4. Offer → Decision communicated within 2–3 weeks; places are offered in order of eligibility
5. Enrol → Enrolment deposit and required documentation to be submitted to confirm the place

GEMS Dubai American Academy is a KHDA Outstanding-rated American/IB school in Al Barsha, Dubai, educating students from KG1 to Grade 12 through a US curriculum, AP courses, and the IB Diploma Programme, with annual fees from AED 66,185 (KG1–KG2) to AED 93,300 (Grades 1–12) for the 2025–2026 academic year.

What You Need to Know

• GEMS Dubai American Academy is the only Outstanding-rated American curriculum school on this list, making it the top choice for families seeking a US educational framework with AP and IB Diploma options in Grades 11–12.
• GEMS Dubai American Academy's 2023–2024 DSIB inspection rated outstanding outcomes in English, mathematics, and science in almost all phases, with students achieving above world averages in international benchmark assessments.
• GEMS Dubai American Academy's US High School Diploma programme includes 34 electives — a remarkable breadth — alongside a full college-preparatory track and Advanced Placement courses, preparing students for university admissions worldwide.
• GEMS Dubai American Academy has 12 guidance counsellors for 3,088 students — among the highest counsellor-to-student ratios in Dubai — supporting students' wellbeing, university preparation, and personal development throughout their school journey.

GEMS Dubai American Academy, School Performance

Source: DSIB Inspection 2023–2024

Summary Report | Full Inspection Report

GEMS Dubai American Academy, Annual Fees 2025–2026

Contact GEMS Dubai American Academy to confirm the latest KHDA-approved fee fact sheet for 2025–2026.

GEMS Dubai American Academy, Admission Process

1. Apply → Online via gemsaa-dubai.com; applications accepted year-round for mid-year and September intake
2. Assessment → Age-appropriate academic assessment; cognitive ability testing for secondary grades
3. Review → Admissions team reviews application alongside school reports and references
4. Offer → Decision communicated by the admissions team; registration deposit required to accept
5. Enrol → Enrolment deposit and standard documentation required to secure the place

JESS Arabian Ranches is a KHDA Outstanding-rated British and IB curriculum school in the Arabian Ranches community, Dubai, offering GCSE, IGCSE, and IB Diploma programmes for FS1–Year 13, with annual fees of AED 54,129–104,544 for the 2025–2026 academic year.

What You Need to Know

• JESS Arabian Ranches is a not-for-profit school with a long-standing community at the heart of its governance, meaning decisions about development and investment are made with the interests of students and families — not shareholders — in mind.
• JESS Arabian Ranches operates a debenture-based admissions system: most primary year groups require access to a corporate debenture held by your employer; secondary places (Year 7 and above) are more accessible but remain highly oversubscribed, with Year 12 currently closed to new applications for 2025–26.
• JESS Arabian Ranches achieved Outstanding ratings in six of the seven DSIB criteria, with a strong academic track record at GCSE, IGCSE, and the IB Diploma, with students progressing to leading universities across the UK, USA, Australia, and beyond.
• JESS Arabian Ranches offers a fee structure grouped by school stage rather than individual year group, with secondary fees at AED 91,923 per year and sixth form at AED 104,544 — making it straightforward for families to plan ahead across phases.

JESS Arabian Ranches, School Performance

Source: KHDA Inspection 2023–2024

KHDA Profile | Full Inspection Report

JESS Arabian Ranches, Annual Fees 2025–2026

JESS publishes fees by school stage. All students within the same stage pay the same annual fee.

Application fee: AED 500 (non-refundable).

JESS Arabian Ranches, Admission Process

1. Check Eligibility → Confirm whether you have access to a corporate debenture (for most primary year groups) or whether the year group you need is open for general applications at jess.sch.ae/admissions-at-jess
2. Apply → Submit an online application and pay the non-refundable application fee of AED 500; for FS1 and Year 7, watch for announcement of personal debenture application windows (next opening for FS1 and Year 7 2028 entry: September 2026)
3. Assessment → Age-appropriate academic and entry assessment for secondary applicants; younger year group applicants are assessed for school readiness
4. Offer → Offer issued based on assessment, debenture status, and year group availability; documentation and KHDA registration required
5. Enrol → Pay term fees (three equal instalments), submit Transfer Certificate and required KHDA documentation

Frequently Asked Questions

Which IB school in Dubai has the lowest fees for a KHDA Very Good rating? Raffles World Academy has the lowest starting fees among the five schools in this guide, with Pre-Primary and KG1 places available from AED 33,544 per year. Greenfield International School is close behind, starting from AED 33,680 for its Nursery section. Both schools offer full IB continuum programmes across all four IB authorisations and hold KHDA Very Good ratings.

What is the most expensive IB school in Dubai on this list, and what do you get for the fees? Swiss International Scientific School Dubai (SISD) has the highest fees in this guide, reaching AED 137,736 per year for Grades 11–12. In return, your child receives instruction through a bilingual or trilingual programme (English-French or English-German) delivered by native-speaking teachers, access to an award-winning sustainable campus with boarding facilities, and a track record of 100% IB Diploma pass rates with an average score of 34 — significantly above the global IB average.

Which school is best for families who want the IB Diploma Programme (IBDP) specifically? All five schools are fully authorised to deliver the IB Diploma Programme. For IBDP outcomes specifically, Swiss International Scientific School Dubai achieved an average of 34 points with a 100% pass rate in 2024, and Greenfield International School recorded averages of 33–35 across three consecutive years (2023–2025). Raffles World Academy also reports a consistent 100% IBDP pass rate. You should contact each school directly for the most recent examination results before making a decision.

When should I apply for the 2025–2026 academic year? All five schools in this guide accept rolling applications throughout the year, with the main September intake being the most competitive entry point. For popular year groups — particularly KG1, Grade 1, Grade 6, and Grade 11 — you should aim to submit your application by January or February at the latest. SISD, which also has boarding places to fill, tends to open its September intake even earlier. Contact each school directly to check current availability.

Can I transfer to an IB school mid-year in Dubai? Yes. All five schools in this guide have an ongoing admissions policy and can admit students outside the September window, subject to places being available. Raffles World Academy explicitly states it welcomes mid-year entry. Jumeira Baccalaureate School and Greenfield International School, both operated by Taaleem, also facilitate mid-year transfers, including between Taaleem schools with no KHDA transfer fee.

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Conclusion

Dubai's IB school landscape is one of the strongest in the Middle East, and all five schools in this guide — Swiss International Scientific School Dubai, Jumeira Baccalaureate School, Sunmarke School, Greenfield International School, and Raffles World Academy — hold KHDA Very Good ratings and full IB World School authorisation. Fee ranges span from AED 33,544 to AED 137,736 per year, giving families genuine choice across different budgets. Schedule school tours by April 2026 to explore the right fit for your child, as September places in key year groups fill quickly.