What are the KHDA school ratings?

The KHDA rates every Dubai private school on a six-point scale: Outstanding, Very Good, Good, Acceptable, Weak and Very Weak. Good is the minimum benchmark the KHDA expects every school to reach, while Outstanding means performance substantially exceeds expectations.

How often does the KHDA inspect Dubai schools?

KHDA inspections run on an annual cycle, although schools rated Outstanding across consecutive years can move to a lighter-touch review. A published rating reflects the most recent inspection, so always check the current academic year's report.

Which curricula are available in Dubai schools?

British (English National Curriculum through IGCSE and A-Levels) is the largest group, followed by Indian CBSE, American, IB and French. Indian curriculum schools generally sit in the lowest fee bands and IB schools in the highest.

Which Dubai communities have the best schools?

Communities with the highest concentration of Outstanding-rated schools include Jumeirah, Arabian Ranches, Mirdif and Mohammed Bin Rashid City. Each community page shows nearby schools with KHDA ratings and distance.

Does living near a highly rated school affect property value?

Yes. Properties within the catchment of Outstanding-rated schools typically command a 12-18% price premium compared with similar properties in the same area without school proximity.

School Edge Intelligence

KHDA School Ratings 2026 — Every Dubai School Ranked

What each KHDA rating band actually means, and how 32 Dubai schools compare on rating, curriculum and annual fees — with the residential communities in reach of each one.

Q1 2026 Data

Data as of Q2 2026

What the KHDA school ratings actually mean

The Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) is the Dubai government body that inspects every private school in the emirate through its Dubai Schools Inspection Bureau. Inspectors visit each school, observe lessons and review student attainment and progress, then publish a single overall rating on a six-point scale. Ratings are public, and a school must display its current rating to parents.

Outstanding

Quality of performance substantially exceeds expectations. Awarded to a small minority of Dubai private schools each inspection cycle.

Very Good

Quality of performance exceeds expectations. Strong teaching and student outcomes with some areas still developing.

Good

The expected level for every school in Dubai. Teaching, attainment and progress meet the standard the KHDA sets as a minimum benchmark.

Acceptable

Quality of performance meets the minimum level required, but sits below the 'Good' benchmark the KHDA expects schools to reach.

Weak

Quality of performance is below the minimum level required. The school must submit an improvement plan to the KHDA.

Very Weak

Quality of performance is significantly below the minimum level required, triggering close KHDA monitoring and intervention.

How often ratings change: KHDA inspections run on an annual cycle, though schools rated Outstanding for consecutive years can move to a lighter-touch review. A rating therefore reflects the most recent published inspection, not a permanent grade — always check the KHDA inspection report for the current academic year before you commit to a school or sign a tenancy nearby.

Dubai schools by curriculum

Curriculum is usually the first filter parents apply, because it determines the qualification your child leaves with and, in practice, the fee band. Here is how the 32 schools tracked on this page break down.

18British

Follows the English National Curriculum through GCSE/IGCSE and A-Levels. The largest curriculum group in Dubai.

7Indian

Mostly CBSE, with some ICSE schools. Typically the most affordable fee bands in the city.

4IB

International Baccalaureate — PYP, MYP and the IB Diploma. Usually sits in the premium fee bands.

2American

US common-core style programmes leading to a high school diploma, often alongside AP courses.

1Multiple

Schools running more than one curriculum stream on a single campus.

Outstanding Schools

Curricula Tracked

12%–18%

Property Premium

32+

Schools Ranked

+18%

Avg Premium Near Top Schools

Filters:

32 schools

School Edge Rankings — Ranked by KHDA Rating

#	School	Area	Curriculum	KHDA Rating	Score	Annual Fees	Villas 2km	Demand Score
1	North London Collegiate Sobha 3-18 years	Sobha Hartland	British	4.8Outstanding	76/100B	AED 55k – 100k/yr	600	Very High
2	North London Collegiate School Dubai 3-18 years	Damac Hills	British	4.7Outstanding	78/100B	AED 52k – 98k/yr	1,600	Very High
3	King's School Dubai Hills 3-13 years	Dubai Hills Estate	British	4.6Outstanding	77/100B	AED 44k – 70k/yr	1,100	Very High
4	Ranches Primary School 4-11 years	Arabian Ranches	British	4.6Outstanding	80/100A	AED 38k – 55k/yr	1,800	Very High
5	Blossom Dubai Hills Nursery 1-5 years	Dubai Hills Estate	British	4.5Outstanding	75/100B	AED 18k – 28k/yr	980	High
6	GEMS Emirates International School 3-18 years	Dubai Marina	IB	4.5Outstanding	74/100B	AED 50k – 95k/yr	450	Very High
7	Hartland International School 3-18 years	Business Bay	British	4.5Outstanding	75/100B	AED 48k – 88k/yr	90	Very High
8	King's School Al Barsha 3-13 years	Town Square	British	4.5Outstanding	78/100B	AED 42k – 68k/yr	2,000	Very High
9	GEMS World Academy JVC 3-18 years	JVC	IB	4.4Good	68/100B	AED 48k – 92k/yr	2,900	High
10	GEMS Dubai American Academy 4-18 years	Downtown Dubai	American	4.4Good	66/100B	AED 45k – 95k/yr	180	Very High
11	Fairgreen International School 3-18 years	Damac Hills	IB	4.4Good	67/100B	AED 40k – 80k/yr	1,500	High
12	Nord Anglia International School 3-18 years	JVC	British	4.3Good	71/100B	AED 38k – 78k/yr	3,000	Very High
13	GEMS Winchester School 3-18 years	Arabian Ranches	British	4.3Good	66/100B	AED 42k – 82k/yr	2,100	Very High
14	Raffles International School 3-18 years	Sobha Hartland	Multiple	4.3Good	73/100B	AED 35k – 75k/yr	550	High
15	GEMS New Millennium School 3-18 years	Dubai Hills Estate	British	4.2Good	68/100B	AED 32k – 75k/yr	1,240	Very High
16	International Community School 3-18 years	Downtown Dubai	IB	4.2Good	63/100B	AED 42k – 88k/yr	200	High
17	GEMS International School Expo 3-18 years	Dubai South	British	4.2Good	63/100B	AED 30k – 65k/yr	900	High
18	GEMS United School Al Furjan 3-18 years	Al Furjan	British	4.2Good	68/100B	AED 28k – 62k/yr	2,000	High
19	GEMS Modern Academy 4-18 years	Dubai Creek Harbour	Indian	4.2Good	64/100B	AED 15k – 38k/yr	300	High
20	Innovation School Dubai 3-18 years	Arabian Ranches	British	4.1Good	65/100B	AED 30k – 62k/yr	1,900	High
21	Dubai British School Jumeirah Park 3-18 years	Dubai Marina	British	4.1Good	63/100B	AED 35k – 78k/yr	420	High
22	Fairgreen International School Town Square 3-16 years	Town Square	British	4.1Good	66/100B	AED 28k – 58k/yr	2,200	High
23	GEMS Metropole School 3-18 years	Tilal Al Ghaf	British	4.1Good	65/100B	AED 32k – 68k/yr	1,200	High
24	Sunmarke School 3-18 years	JVC	British	4.0Good	70/100B	AED 22k – 58k/yr	3,200	High
25	The Indian High School 4-18 years	Al Barsha	Indian	4.0Good	61/100B	AED 8k – 22k/yr	340	Medium
26	International School of Arts & Sciences 3-18 years	Dubai South	American	4.0Good	60/100B	AED 25k – 55k/yr	750	Emerging
27	GEMS Metropole Motor City 3-18 years	Motor City	British	4.0Good	66/100B	AED 30k – 65k/yr	1,600	High
28	GEMS New Frontier School 4-18 years	Dubai Marina	Indian	3.9Acceptable	54/100C	AED 14k – 35k/yr	380	Medium
29	Delhi Private School 4-18 years	Dubai South	Indian	3.9Acceptable	52/100C	AED 10k – 28k/yr	800	Emerging
30	Bright Riders School Dubai 4-18 years	Al Furjan	Indian	3.9Acceptable	55/100C	AED 11k – 29k/yr	1,800	Medium
31	JSS International School 4-18 years	JVC	Indian	3.8Acceptable	56/100C	AED 12k – 32k/yr	2,800	Medium
32	Dubai Modern High School 4-18 years	Motor City	Indian	3.8Acceptable	53/100C	AED 12k – 28k/yr	1,400	Medium

Dubai School Clusters

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Outstanding

Very Good

Good

School clusters drive 12–18% property premiums in surrounding areas.

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School proximity adds 12–18% to property values. We'll match you with homes in the catchment zone of your chosen school.