When parents plan to buy a home in Dubai, one of the first things they think about is how close the schools are. After all, having a good school near your residence doesn’t just save time and effort but also gives you comfort of daily convenience.
We discuss some of the best schools in Dubai’s major residential areas. You’ll discover their curriculum, KHDA ratings, fee structures, and key highlights. This way, parents can easily see which schools are nearby and make smarter property investment decisions.
Top 10 Schools Near Residential Areas
Check these best 10 schools which are near to the top residential area.
1. Dubai International Academy (DIA) – Emirates Hills
DIA in Emirates Hills has been rated Outstanding by the KHDA for many years. It’s a full IB means International Baccalaureate World School which offers:
- Primary Years Programme (PYP),
- Middle Years Programme (MYP), and
- Diploma Programme (DP).
This means students from KG1 to Grade 12 follow a globally recognized education system that focuses critical thinking, creativity, and a global perspective.
School Highlights
- DIA is located within Emirates Hills and Meadows.
- DIA has students from over 80 nationalities.
- The school balances academics with STEM, arts, drama, debate, and sports.
- Students perform strongly in the IB Diploma, with average scores higher than the global average, helping them get into top universities like Oxford, Stanford, LSE, and McGill.
- Modern facilities like science labs, performing arts theatres, swimming pools, football fields, and innovation labs to support advanced learning.
Fees for Dubai International Academy
- KG1: AED 44,979 per year
- KG2: AED 50,726 per year
- Year 1 to Year 5: Around AED 57,983 per year
- Year 10 to Year 11: Around AED 72,482 per year
- Year 11 to Year 13: Highest fee is about AED 79,696 per year
2. GEMS Wellington International School — Al Sufouh / Dubai Marina Area
The KHDA rates GEMS Wellington International School in Al Sufouh as Outstanding. The school offers a British curriculum combined with IB: students study GCSE/IGCSE and then pursue the IB Diploma.
Fees Structure (2025-2026)
- FS1 (Kindergarten 1): Around AED 45,259 per year.
- FS2 to Year 6: Around AED 57,000–60,000 per year.
- Year 7 to Year 9: Around AED 78,600 per year.
- Year 10 to Year 11: Around AED 98,400 per year.
- Year 12 to Year 13: Around AED 98,400–103,399 per year, depending on the grade.
Facilities & Highlights
- The school campus covers 8 acres and is located Al Sufouh 1.
- Smart classrooms, interactive whiteboards, advanced IT labs, indoor and outdoor swimming pools.
- Extracurricular activities like sports, clubs, creative arts, and field trips.
3. Dubai College — Al Sufouh Area
Dubai College is a prestigious British curriculum school, focusing on high academic standards, especially for secondary GCSE/A Levels and post-16 education. The school is known for strong academics, excellent exam results, and impressive university placements. It is located close to Al Sufouh and Marina, making commuting easy for families in Dubai Marina, Al Barsha, Jumeirah, and nearby areas.
Fees (2025-2026)
- Year 7 to Year 11: Around AED 97,415 per year.
- Year 12 to Year 13: Around AED 110,305 per year.
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4. JESS – Arabian Ranches
The school offers classes from FS1 to Year 13 in a co-educational setting. The campus is modern with technology-integrated classrooms, science labs, sports facilities, and arts/drama clubs. It offers a wide range of extracurricular activities.
Fees (2025-2026)
- FS1: Around AED 44,340 per year.
- Foundation 2 to Year 6 (Primary): Around AED 54,792 per year.
- Years 7 to Year 11 (Secondary): Around AED 84,996 per year.
- Years 12 to Year 13 (Sixth Form / IB Diploma): Around AED 96,669 per year.
- Registration/Entrance Fees: Registration fee AED 100, Entrance fee AED 500.
5. Nord Anglia International School Dubai — Al Barsha / JVC Area
Nord Anglia offers a mix of IB and British curriculum and is approved by the KHDA. Classes are available from FS1 Kindergarten to Year 13. The school has modern facilities, including smart classrooms, advanced labs, and sports facilities.
Fees (2025-26)
- FS1/FS2: Around AED 68,026 per year.
- Year 1-2: Around AED 79,000–79,363 per year.
- Year 10-11: Around AED 97,503 per year.
- Year 12-13: Around AED 102,871 per year.
- Extra Costs: Optional fees for transport, uniforms, extracurricular activities, and school trips.
6. GEMS Founders School — Al Barsha South
GEMS Founders School follows the British curriculum, offering classes from FS1 to Year 13. The school has a Very Good KHDA rating, upgraded from Good in recent inspections. Offers affordable British education with good quality, making it a cheaper alternative to premium IB schools. It is located in Al Barsha South.
Fees (2024-25 / 2025-26)
- FS1: Around AED 24,181–24,749 per year.
- FS2: Around AED 27,480–28,126 per year.
- Year 1: Around AED 29,678–30,375 per year for 2025-26.
- Year 7-13: Higher fees, but increases are moderate compared to premium IB schools.
7. GEMS Modern Academy — Nad Al Sheba
GEMS Modern Academy offers both the Indian curriculum and IB. It has an Outstanding rating from the KHDA. The school has a large student body and modern facilities like labs and sports areas. Scholarships are available for students who excel in academics, sports, or innovation, offering merit-based discounts.
Fees (2025-2026)
- Pre-KG (FS1): Around AED 30,983 per year.
- KG1 / KG2: Around AED 37,368–38,246 per year, depending on the stage.
- Grades 9-10: Around AED 50,166 per year.
- Grades 11-12 (Senior School, IB stream): Around AED 70,351 per year.
8. Repton School — Nad Al Sheba
Repton School offers the UK curriculum and IB and it has an Outstanding KHDA rating. The campus is in Nad Al Sheba 3. Boarding is available, but it’s an additional cost for parents if their child stays on campus. New students pay a registration deposit usually 10% of the tuition fee. Discounts are offered for siblings or if the full year’s fees are paid upfront.
Fees
- FS1 (Nursery): Around AED 55,865 per year.
- Year 13: Around AED 100,394 per year.
- Other Grades: Fees vary, e.g., Reception around AED 61,578, Years 7-9 around AED 80,000–90,000, depending on the grade.
9. King’s School Dubai — Umm Suqeim / Jumeirah Area
The school is located in Umm Suqeim 3, near Burj Al Arab. King’s School Dubai follows the British curriculum, offering classes from FS1 to Year 6. It has an Outstanding rating from the KHDA and is well-known for its high-quality primary education. Top-class facilities include:
- an Astro football pitch
- two hard courts
- a 50m running track
- a gymnasium
- a 25m swimming pool
- indoor performance auditoriums.
Fees (2025-26 Approx.)
- FS1 & FS2: Around AED 47,179 per year.
- Year 1–4: Around AED 58,125 per year.
- Year 5-6: Around AED 70,152 per year.
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10. Indian International School — Dubai Silicon Oasis
The Indian International School follows the Indian CBSE curriculum. It’s a mixed-gender school offering classes from KG1 to Grade 10. The KHDA rates it Good/Acceptable.
Fees (2024-2025 / Latest Available)
- Pre-KG: Around AED 21,000 per year.
- KG1 & KG2: Around AED 9,679 per year.
- Grades 1-4: Around AED 10,347 per year.
- Grades 5-6: Around AED 11,292 per year.
- Grades 7-10: Fees increase gradually, up to AED 14,290 for Grade 10.
The school has basic but functional facilities. Additional fees apply for exam materials, labs, ID cards, and technology subscriptions. The school’s location in Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO) and near Academic City makes commuting easy for nearby residents, saving parents time.
Find Your Dream Home Near Dubai’s Top Schools with Habico Properties
If you’re planning to settle in Dubai or looking for a home near the best schools, the smart choice is a location that balances education, lifestyle, and investment value.
Habico Properties will guide you to choose the best communities and ideal homes, ensuring your family gets access to top schools and a secure, value-driven lifestyle.
Contact us today to find your perfect home!