Dubai: Exceptional international schools for extraordinary experiences

When you think of Dubai, the famous Burj Khalifa, ultra-luxury hotels, buildings rising up from desert sands and no income tax come to mind. Dubai, however, is more than just home to a diverse, cosmopolitan society with the Middle East’s top-rated quality of life — it is an increasingly popular destination for international education as well.

Dubai is one of the seven emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates, which is famous for their cutting-edge infrastructure and latest technology facilities. Their education standards are equally high, which the Dubai’s Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research and other accrediting agencies ensure and maintain.

Many well-known universities have set up a base here, along with international schools, which makes Dubai ideal for expat families with school-going children. The Knowledge and Human Development Authority oversees these international schools’ quality of education – parents can be rest assured their children’s education will be just as good as it is in their home country.

If you are moving to Dubai for work, and looking for a great education in an international and exciting city for your children, these four schools are excellent choices.

Nord Anglia International School Dubai

Nord Anglia International School Dubai students are well supported to thrive in all aspects of life. Source: Nord Anglia International School Dubai

Nord Anglia International School Dubai stands out from many institutions in various ways. Here, students have access to the best curriculum intertwined with outstanding international opportunities and a tailored Learning Approach that maximises their strengths.

NAS Dubai students are highly encouraged to achieve the best academic outcomes, collaborate together as a globally connected community, and develop resilience and purpose as well. As part of the worldwide Nord Anglia Education Family of 76 schools, students here can participate in inspirational learning activities and experiences through the Global Campus.

Furthermore, NAS Dubai’s close collaborations with Juilliard, MIT, and UNICEF allow everyone to explore what they are capable of learning in terms of creativity. Students interested in performing arts can join Juilliard’s programmes, others who want to explore STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) can take part in MIT offerings, and UNICEF gives opportunities for students who want to make a difference.

At the same time, the English National Curriculum is offered up to the IGCSE examinations followed by the IB Diploma Programme and A Levels. NAS Dubai offers all Sixth Form students a personalised pathway to getting into the world’s top universities – through a combination of an Academic Plan, identified country system to match with their academic interests, a shortlist of good-fit universities and finally preparation for university interviews and application.

With NAS Dubai’s stellar individualised support, their students thrive and become adaptable lifelong learners. Their academic results are consistently excellent year on year too.

Dubai International Academy Emirates Hills

Technology is widely used and encouraged in learning at Dubai International Academy Emirates Hills. Source: Dubai International Academy Emirates Hills, Facebook.

Dubai International Academy Emirates Hills aspires to provide world-class education where students are inspired to dream and be the best they can be. To this end, DIA Emirates Hills has identified three major strategies.

Firstly, recognising the potential of technology to enhance learning, DIA Emirates has included technology as a big part of their personalised curriculum. Students use technology to develop their personal goals, and become responsible digital citizens.

To encourage students to be empowered in their learning, DIA Emirates Hills has initiated the Bring Your Own Device programme. With their own device,  students can use the filtered Internet connection to access curriculum-related applications for innovative learning and research.

Secondly, their faculty from 30 countries have international teaching qualifications; IB teachers are trained to facilitate student-centred classes. For example, differentiated learning plans and teaching strategies are used for students at DIA Emirates Hills.

Finally, it is not all studying and learning at this school. With a 350,000 square feet campus in Emirates Hills, the school is a place where children enjoy a wide range of facilities such as a networked library, specialist rooms, science, computer and design technology labs and climate-controlled multi-purpose halls.

JESS Dubai

Jumeirah English Speaking School students form critical relationships with each other and their teachers, which motivate them to be the best they can be. Source: Jumeirah English Speaking School, Facebook.

As one of the oldest not-for-profit British curriculum schools in Dubai, Jumeirah English Speaking School believes in preparing students to develop critical and creative thinking skills for their future. Every individual is considered brilliant and can act with purpose within a community that makes them feel belonged and respected.

JESS welcomes students with special educational needs and with disabilities as well. In becoming a tolerant and inclusive school, JESS also strives to include good values in their students such as compassion, empathy and humility.

Relationship is the main keyword at JESS – both teachers and students inspire and challenge each other to make a difference; and more than often, students become motivated to have purpose and ambition.

JESS’s Pastoral Care System is second to none – students are positively affirmed. Health care services are offered through trained school nurses, regular health screenings and medical care.

At JESS, students can take advantage of numerous extra-curricular activities to explore their passions. From clubs to sports, the options are plenty.

Little wonder that JESS is one of the best performing schools in meeting the UAE National Agenda targets. JESS is on par with other excellent schools around the world too.

Dubai College

Dubai College puts children at the heart of everything it does. Source: Dubai College, Facebook.

Dubai College has four main pillars that contribute to their excellent reputation: sporting, creative, philanthropic and academics. Case in point: Dubai College won the International School of the Year 2019 for their Foundation which built and founded a remote school in Nepal together with United World Schools.

Dubai College’s curriculum follows the British independent schools where students are moulded into socially articulate and all-rounded individuals able to handle an increasingly globalised world. On top of that, Dubai College prepares them to enter top universities in the UK and beyond.

Many parents who have been long-established within Dubai often pick this not-for-profit school for their children due to Dubai College’s strong philosophy of putting children at the centre of everything. Indeed, Dubai College’s Academic Enrichment Programme has been carefully designed to allow  students of all year levels and subject areas to pursue their passions all year round.

At the same time, Dubai College was among the first few schools to use an evidence-informed approach to learning, teaching and wellbeing – staff and students can access research mentors for their individual research projects. Dubai College will be part of the UAE’s first Research Schools Network as well.

*Some of the institutions featured in this article are commercial partners of Study International