International Schools in Dubai for Secondary Education

Secondary school education in Dubai is for children aged between 11 and 18, and children entering a school at this level for the first time may be required to undertake a short exam so that teachers can determine their abilities.  School fees vary across all establishments, but the older the child gets in Dubai, the higher the fee structure for their education.

As with the nurseries and primary schools we have examined, the best secondary international schools in the emirate also get booked up well in advance – therefore if you’re moving to Dubai in the near future it will be imperative that you enrol your student child as soon as possible and secure their place.

A number of the primary schools we discussed in the earlier article Primary Schools and Education in Dubai also take secondary level students right through to their final exams, so this article is worth looking at as we will not be repeating the same schools’ details in this article.

We have picked a selection of the most well known international schools in Dubai that offer secondary level education to the expatriate child – however, as with our other articles we are not able to recommend these schools based on personal experience.  We just want to provide you, the expat parent, with as handy a guide to a school’s contact details together with a school summary so that you can easily see which establishments perhaps sound suitable.  You are then in a position to do your own research online and through contacting the school yourself.  We do recommend that you visit any school you’re thinking of sending your child to, also ask about pastoral care as well as average educational achievements…

Al-Mizhar American Academy for Girls

Contact details: -
PO Box 78484

Corner Street 11A and 4A

Mizhar 1

Dubai
Tel: +971 4 288 7250 

Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

This school is an all girls’ school following the American educational model.  The school is committed to serving the expatriate female child’s needs through ensuring she has cultural respect and through delivering educational excellence and inspiring personal growth, the school aims to develop intrinsically motivated global citizens who are committed to being leaders in community involvement and environmental awareness.  Children are taken from primary age right through to year 12 and the onsite facilities and amenities are top notch.

Dubai College

Contact details: -
Telephone (+009714) 3999111

Facsmile (+009714) 3999175

Email Address: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

It’s hard not to be put off by the College’s horrendous website, but Dubai College is a secondary school following the British National Curriculum that has been long established in the emirate.  The school is very well located right in the heart of modern Dubai, and its dedicated nineteen acres of land and space make it a fabulous setting for learning in many disciplines.  There is strong emphasis on sport at the College, as well as learning - and students are encourage to develop their intellectual, physical, creative and social skills at Dubai Collage.

Emirates International School

Contact details: -
There are 2 Emirates International Schools, one serving the Meadows, Springs, Lakes and Emirates Hills Emaar communities called EIS Meadows: -
Bana J. Khedro

EIS-Meadows Registrar
P.O.Box 120118

Dubai
Tel: 971 4 362 9009
And one in Jumeirah: -
PO Box 6446,
Dubai,
Tel: +971-4-348 9804

The email address for all initial contact is .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

EIS Meadows - The school is a member of the Council of International Schools (CIS), has received approvals from the UAE Ministry of Education and the International Baccalaureate Organisation (IBO) in Geneva, and is currently pursuing accreditation from the International Primary Curriculum in UK.

Children are taught right the way through from primary to secondary level at this school, with a balanced approach being given to academic studies and extracurricular activities.  Onsite facilities are excellent, and according to the school’s own philosophy: “EIS-Meadows provides a safe yet challenging environment that develops in students an inter-cultural sensitivity and responsibility towards the people and environment of our local and global community.”

EIS Jumeirah - The Emirates International School in Jumeirah has been in existence since 1991 and again, children are taken in at primary level with education continuing right through to secondary level.  Teaching the International Baccalaureate curriculum, the Jumeirah Emirates International School places great emphasis on the educational needs of the expatriate child.  Maximum class sizes are just 25 students, and onsite facilities and amenities are excellent and range from IT suites to science labs, from drama rooms to music rooms, 2 libraries and a fitness suite.

The English College

Contact details: -
P.O. Box: 11812
Dubai
Tel: +971 4 3943465
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Teaching the English National Curriculum, the English College in Dubai has a long history, (in modern Dubai terms) and it takes students from primary right through to secondary stage.  According to the school’s mission statement: “The English College ethos is such that the school is coeducational and caters to a wide ability range. Its admission policy will, therefore, reflect this ethos by maintaining a balance of both gender and ability in those places offered.”  The English College offers a wealth of extra curricular activities as well as a high academic standard of schooling.

International School of Choueifat Dubai

Contact details: -

P.O. Box 21935
Dubai, UAE
Tel : +9714 3999 444

A member of the SABIS School Network, International Schools of Choueifat are located throughout the Middle Eastern region and beyond.  They offer a unique schooling method where intense and rapid academic advancement is key.  Students seemingly learn more in a shorter timeframe and with less critical effort applied through this unique system of education.  Former students go on to reach the highest universities across the world, so there is clearly something to be said for this teaching method!

Jumeirah College

Contact details: -
PO Box 74856,
Dubai
Tel: (+9714) 395 5524

Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

This is a GEMS school and it’s purely a secondary school following the British National Curriculum – there are amazing facilities at this school that leads naturally on to the fact that the range of extra curricular activities on offer are great!  Academically speaking this school is highly rated and places are in demand.  According to the school’s philosophy: “High quality standards of teaching and learning in a caring environment are at the very core of Jumeirah College’s philosophy where significant emphasis is placed on individual student achievement and the celebration of success.  Jumeirah College aims to provide students with a rich educational experience that combines a strong academic focus together with the all round development of each student’s potential.”

Raffles International School

Contact details: -
P O Box 122900,
Dubai
Tel: +971 4 4271200 ; 800 723 3537 ; 800 RAFFLES
Email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

There’s a Raffles Pre and Primary School as well as the High School that covers the IGCSE curriculum and takes children all the way through their A Levels.  The school is owned and operated as part of the Emaar Group, and it has centres of excellence in sports, science, performing arts and fine arts.  The range of co and extra curricular activities is pretty impressive as is the list of facilities that the school has for the benefit of its students.

St. Mary’s Catholic High School

Contact details: -
P.O.Box 52232,
Dubai
Tel:00971-4-3370252

E-mail: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Offering education at Junior, Middle and High School levels, the St Mary’s Catholic School in Dubai follows the British National Curriculum.  The range of subjects offered at IGCSE level is not extensive and it is even more restrictive at A Level, being confined to the sciences and business studies.  This school is suited to those seeking a relatively formal learning centre for their children, with heavy emphasis placed on discipline and conformity.

Universal American School Dubai

Contact details: -
P.O Box 79133,
Dubai
Telephone +9714 2325222

The Universal American School is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, as well as the Council of International Schools.  The school is therefore authorized to offer the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (IB DP), which it offers in Grades 11 and 12, otherwise it follows an American curriculum.  The school’s campus was designed by an American firm specializing in campus design and it features an indoor gymnasium, Olympic size track and soccer field, vocal and instrumental music rooms, art rooms, computer and science laboratories, libraries, and a swimming pool.

Wellington International School of Dubai

Contact details: -
The school is located in the Al Sufouh area of Dubai on Sheikh Zayed Road near Interchange 4.
Tel: +971 4 348 4999
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

This is another GEMS International School and one with some very unique and special features.  It currently follows the English National Curriculum although according to the school’s website it has plans to introduce the International Baccalaureate.  Facilities include a complete Knowledge Centre Library, ICT Laboratories with computers and Internet connections, a Dance studio, Drama studio and Art studios.  Also, a Television studio and Radio station is onsite, a first in UAE schools.  Stage productions are held in the Auditorium which has seating for 470 people.  Students wishing to expand their horizons can visit the school’s observatory for a breathtaking glimpse of the stars.

As with all schools in Dubai, you have to visit to get a feel for the establishment in question.  Also, consider speaking to other parents via forums connecting those living in Dubai with those thinking about moving to the emirate, and get personal and practical advice and tips about different schools and colleges in the region.  One thing’s for sure, there is a massive wealth in terms of choice of school for your secondary school student, but with such choice comes a real burden of responsibility when finding the right school for your international child.

All Four Education in Dubai Articles Can Be Found Here: -

Education, Schools and Colleges in Dubai - Pre-School, Nurseries
Primary Schools and Education in Dubai
International Schools in Dubai for Secondary Education
Internationally Recognised Universities in Dubai