Dubai schools: All 23 ‘Outstanding’ KHDA schools revealed

Dubai has confirmed 23 private schools as “Outstanding” for the 2023-2024 inspection cycle, the highest rating awarded by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA).

The results reflect strong performance across quality of teaching, leadership, student wellbeing and overall educational outcomes, offering parents a clear benchmark of the emirate’s top institutions.

Fees across Dubai’s private schools vary significantly depending on curriculum, facilities and year group, with annual tuition at Outstanding schools typically ranging from the low AED30,000s for early grades to more than AED110,000 for senior year levels.

The rating cycle coincides with continued growth in Dubai’s education sector, with private school enrolment rising and the number of schools diversifying to meet demand from both expatriate and Emirati families.

In the 2024-25 academic year, enrolment increased by 6 per cent, bringing the total number of students to 387,441 across 227 private schools.

Ten new private schools opened during the period, part of the broader growth strategy under the emirate’s long-term education plan. The student body spans around 17 different curricula, reflecting Dubai’s diversity of nationalities and educational preferences.

Below is a list of Dubai’s Outstanding schools along with curriculum type and indicative annual tuition ranges:

These schools represent a cross section of the most sought-after curricula, including British, American, IB, Indian and French programmes. KHDA’s findings show that Dubai’s private school landscape continues to mature, with strong competition among top tier institutions and rising standards across the sector.

The KHDA notes that the continued expansion of educational provision is giving families more choice than ever, contributing to Dubai’s position as one of the most dynamic international school markets in the world.

Find the full list of schools and their ratings on the KHDA website.