Top 11 New Schools in Abu Dhabi and Dubai that Opened in 2017-18
Updated April 2018 – New schools in Abu Dhabi and Dubai that have opened in 2017 – 18
SchoolsCompared.com continually aims to provide parents with the latest information about developments within the ever-changing face of education in the UAE. Our list of the Top 11 new schools in Abu Dhabi and Dubai in 2017 for the current academic year, not only tells you who and where the schools are, and what curriculum and fees are on offer, but also our assessment of their key strengths.
There is no doubt that there has been a slow-down in school openings over the last year, a reduction from 15 in Dubai in 2016, compared with only nine in the current year. New schools in Abu Dhabi and Dubai opening this year are fewer still. However, parents seemingly still want choices based on convenience of location, budget, curriculum and other individual factors. The schools on our Top 11 New Schools that opened in 2017-18 list cover a range of different price-points and curricula, including some new and innovative options.
Once again, the majority of school are UK curriculum with five new schools opening across both cities. Interest in the IB programme continues to grow, with one full IB curriculum and one UK/IB curriculum combination. Indian families will no doubt welcome the addition of two new CBSE curriculum schools, giving them an alternative to UK or UK/IB curriculum schools which have tended to dominate the opening of new schools in Abu Dhabi and Dubai in recent years.
Finally, too, an additional French school will hopefully provide relief for Francophone families still struggling to find places at the limited Dubai options available, and a high-quality, fully accredited US curriculum school opens options for families who prefer their children not to face public examinations until College.
So, now the list of our pick of the new schools in Abu Dhabi and Dubai 2017 – 18 …..
| School Name | Curriculum | Annual fees | Location | Key strengths |
| Amity School Dubai | CBSE | Dh 15,000 – Dh 26,000 | Al Qusais | Amity School Dubai is part of a larger conglomerate with many years of experience operating schools across the globe and educating over 150,000 students. In the UAE, the group operates a university at Dubai Academic City, an Early Learning Centre in Emirates Hills and a UK curriculum school in Abu Dhabi. |
| Aspen Heights British School | UK | Dh 35,000 – Dh 45,000 | Al Bayha, Abu Dhabi | Operated by an experienced and respected group – the International Schools Partnership and under the leadership of an exceptional ex-Aldar Academies Principal. Following the UK curriculum, there will be a focus on STEM education as well as Earth sciences and conservation. Future plans include a Turtle Sanctuary/rescue centre and a hydroponics farm where students will be able to cultivate fruit and vegetables. |
| British Columbia Canadian School | Canadian | Dh 40,000 – Dh 60,000 | Dubai Investment Park | Family ownership with proven delivery of the British Columbia all-through curriculum. The school will have full accreditation, AP parallel stream provision, promise of genuinely inclusive SEND and EAL entry and potentially outstanding core programming curriculum. |
| Dubai Heights Academy | UK | Dh 44,200 – Dh 58,400 | Al Barsha South | Outstanding founding Principal with a reputation for putting children first with powerful commitment to inclusion and SEND from day 1. Technology focus and dedicated Foundation, Primary and Secondary school buildings and facilities to nurture childhood and the specific needs of children at different phases. |
| Global Indian International School Dubai | CBSE | Dh 27,000 – Dh 37,000 | Al Barsha South | Backed by a recognised provider, notably in South East Asia and India with 20 schools, this will be the second GIIS campus in the UAE; the Abu Dhabi school opened in 2017. Its uniqueness will lie in its hybrid curriculum which will enable students to switch at 14 years Grades 8 – 10) from its core CBSE curriculum to British IGCSE and then the International Baccalaureate Diploma (Grades 11 – 12) |
| Lycée Français Jean Mermoz | French National | Dh 36,000 – Dh 46,000 | Al Quoz | Independent ownership and a growing international brand, LFJM’s team is driven by a commitment to education and “firing on all cylinders” to deliver a world class new school over time, with an evolutionary phased opening to ensure children are given a first class education from Day One. Stiff competition from alternative Outstanding French schools in Dubai will set a high benchmark and ensure standards are met. |
| North London Collegiate School | International Baccalaureate | Dh 83,000 – Dh 130,000 | Meydan City | Outstanding founding UK school – and proven experience of launching an international school, plus rigorous controls by the UK parent and one of the most experienced Founding Principal in Dubai. NLCS offer the International Baccalaureate all-through curriculum, but with a whole child focus – and with excellent ECA provision, particularly in Performing Arts. The school offers a hybrid single-sex schooling at Middle phases within an overall co-educational school. |
| Newlands School | UK | Dh 19,200 – Dh 26,400 | Al Warqaa | An established and experienced operator, offering the recognised UK curriculum, and offering smaller class sizes compared with more costly schools. Newlands offers a strong focus on the local culture, a good range of facilities and a strong focus on SEND provision for moderate fees. |
| Repton Junior and Senior School | UK/IB | Dh 65,000 – Dh 75,000 | Reem Island Abu Dhabi | Junior (Upper Primary) and Senior (Secondary) School that has opened on purpose-built 25,000m site on Al Reem island, close to the original Foundation (Primary) school rated Very Good by ADEK. Operated by the owner of Repton and Foremarke Dubai, with close relationship to the UK-based schools. Excellent facilities and the reputation of the Outstanding rated Dubai school should ensure that Repton Abu Dhabi maintains high standards. |
| Rising School | US Common Core | Dh 38,000 – Dh 55,000 | Nad Al Sheba | Purely US curriculum school with strong leadership by an extremely experienced US Principal. The school is starting slowly, open to Grade 5 in its first year with one class per grade to ensure that students have time to settle in. Teachers have been recruited from the US, UK and Jordan with a broad mix of experience – most have between 6 and more than 10 years’ experience. All have teaching degrees and experience of the US curriculum. Staff commit to one-to-one and group tutorial work that is need-driven and not limited to set or given hours, to ensure that the necessary support is delivered. |
| The Alpha School | UK | Dh 22,280 – Dh 28,500 | Al Qusais | Small school intimacy and warmth, with specialist technology and streaming. A STEAM curriculum with coding and robotics integrated into the curriculum, led by an inspirational founding leadership with commitment to, and specialism in, technology integration in Early Years. A scholarship scheme is planned. |
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