HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST SCHOOL IN DUBAI?

“The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character – that is the goal of true education.”

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

As exciting as life in Dubai is, it comes with its fair share of troubles. The biggest of which most foreigners face is the schooling of their kids. With so many options to choose from, the task is as monumental as it gets; and what makes it so is the lack of guidance and proper channel.

The list of private schools in Dubai is growing exponentially every year. There are differences based on the curriculum being followed in the school. With British and American curriculum schools in Dubai being most popular, there are 14 other options to choose from!

Choosing A Best School in Dubai, UAE

To help you make the best possible decision for your child, we have compiled a complete guide on how to choose the best school in Dubai.

Curriculum

Everything being taught at the school including the coursework, classroom activities, extra-curricular activities, and the subjects, make up a school’s curriculum. It is the essence of the school’s learning and education process.

Dubai offers the broadest range of curriculums, 17 to be exact. American, British, Australian, and International Baccalaureate are some of the most popular options. Different curriculums follow different teaching techniques and educational approaches. 

Your choice of the curriculum should depend on the future goals of the child. Since Dubai is not a permanent residential option for most expats, the decision should be based on the future prospects. This may include a school that offers the curriculum of the home country, or a curriculum that most successfully paves the path towards admission in the desired university or college.

Read More: What are curriculum innovation and its process?

Rankings & Ratings

The best thing about the UAE education system is that the Knowledge and Human Development Authority that oversees the task of licensing and reviewing both private and public schools in Emirates regularly. The ratings provided by the KHDA are the most reliable and easily accessible source of information regarding the performance of a school.

Dubai School Inspections Bureau provides an annual review report of all the schools in Dubai based on a number of important key factors. This report can guide you to further narrow down the list you made.

Timing is the key

Dubai is an international hub that houses individuals from over the world. 80% of the population of Dubai is based on foreigners and expats, most of which have their families with them. Since public schools are not available to most foreigners, a private school is the go to option for most if not all. This puts a strain on the number of seats available in the school.

You might come up with a list of the best school according to the ratings, which fits your child’s curriculum needs perfectly, but what’s the point if there are no seats available in the school on your list? We advise you to start looking into schools as early as possible and make a list of schools that have seats available for enrollment and then shortlist the ones with good ratings and the right curriculum.

Distance & location

Commuting in Dubai is a mundane task on its own; the traffic completely insane. Your search should take this factor into consideration. 

Experts often advise the foreigners to find a good school first and then make the arrangements for accommodation. If you already have your residential address sorted out, make a few test drives to the school in question and back to see how practical the travelling is.

Read More: A complete guide to American curriculum schools in Sharjah

Facilities available

Visit the list of shortlisted schools and observe the campus diligently. Your observation should not just suffice to classrooms and libraries, but expand to gymnasium, playgrounds, labs and any other facilities that the school provides.

Assess the facilities in terms of your child’s individual needs. For example, if your child is an athlete, your decision should tilt towards the school that has best sports facilities out of the shortlisted options. Determine how comfortable and safe your child will feel in the environment. You can even involve your child’s opinion to make the final decision.

Final verdict

Selection of a school is an important decision that should only be made while keeping all the factors in mind. The curriculum of the school you choose should open the future doors of opportunities for your child. For example, opting for an American School in Dubai if the future goal is to get admission to an Ivy League College in the USA. 

The school should be chosen keeping your child’s individual needs in mind. A school might rate higher in the DSIB ranking but might not offer the kind of facilities your child requires for optimal development.