Best IB schools in Dubai: fees, KHDA ratings and locations

Choosing an IB school in Dubai often goes hand in hand with choosing where to live. The right location can make the school run much easier, while a longer commute can quickly become part of daily life. Dubai’s leading IB schools are spread across a small number of communities, with differences in fees, KHDA ratings, and academic approach. Some sit at the very top of the rankings, while others offer strong results at a more accessible fee level. The guide below compares each full IB school in Dubai, including fees, KHDA ratings and location, to help you shortlist the right options for your child.

Key takeaways

• Dubai has around 18 full IB continuum schools, with two more opening in August 2026.
• Dubai International Academy Emirates Hills is the only continuum school rated Outstanding by KHDA.
• Ten continuum schools hold a Very Good rating, and the rest hold a Good.
• Annual fees are from about AED 34,000 to AED 140,000
• KHDA froze private school fees for 2026-27, so tuition cannot rise next year.
• Ratings come from the 2023-24 cycle, since KHDA suspended full inspections after that.

Best IB schools in Dubai

Dubai International Academy, Emirates Hills

DIA opened in Emirates Hills in 2005 and was the first IB World School in the UAE. It is the only full continuum school in Dubai to hold a KHDA Outstanding rating, first won in 2015-16, lost for a few years, then reclaimed in 2022-23 and held in 2023-24. The 2024 Diploma cohort averaged around 35 points, well above the global mark of around 32, with a full pass rate. Over 2,700 students from more than 85 nationalities attend. The location suits villa families in the Springs, the Meadows, and the wider Emirates Living area.

• KHDA rating: Outstanding
• Classes: KG1 to Year 13
• Fee range: approximately ranges from AED 44,000 to AED 90,000 per year
• Curriculum: IB (PYP, MYP, DP, CP)
• Location: Emirates Hills

GEMS World Academy

GEMS World Academy in Al Barsha South runs all four IB programmes and has held a Very Good rating since 2017-18. It opened in 2008 and now operates across two campuses. A dedicated senior school for Grades 9 to 12 opened in August 2024. The school reports that more than 60% of graduates head to top 50 QS universities, with named spots at Cambridge, Yale, and Oxford. Fees place the school in the premium range. Its location along Al Khail Road also keeps communities such as The Meadows, The Springs, and Dubai Hills within easy reach.

• KHDA rating: Very Good
• Classes: Nursery to Grade 12
• Fee range: approximately ranges from AED 71,000 to AED 123,000 per year
• Curriculum: IB (PYP, MYP, DP, CP)
• Location: Al Barsha South

Swiss International Scientific School (SISD)

SISD in Al Jaddaf offers a bilingual IB continuum, something only a small number of schools provide. Students learn in English and French, English and German, or English only. KHDA lifted the school to Very Good in 2023-24, up from Good. It opened in 2015 and now runs under the Nord Anglia education system. Regular school hours are available alongside boarding from Grade 6, giving families more flexibility around longer commutes and study schedules. The Dubai Healthcare City location keeps it close to Business Bay, Downtown, and the airport.

• KHDA rating: Very Good
• Classes: Pre-KG to Grade 12 (boarding from Grade 6)
• Fee range: approximately ranges from AED 62,000 to AED 125,000 per year (day)
• Curriculum: IB (PYP, MYP, DP, CP), bilingual
• Location: Al Jaddaf, Dubai Healthcare City Phase 2

Uptown International School

Uptown in Mirdif is a Taaleem school and one of the first IB schools to open in Dubai, back in 2005. It runs the full continuum, including the Career-related Programme, and carries a Very Good rating with several Outstanding features. Inclusion is judged Outstanding, which matters for families who need real learning support. Around 70% of the current Grade 12 group joined in KG1, which tells you how long families stay put. The Mirdif setting brings lower rents than Jumeirah and a strong family feel, so browse properties for rent in Mirdif to gauge the area.

• KHDA rating: Very Good
• Classes: Pre-KG to Grade 12
• Fee range: approximately ranges from AED 49,000 to AED 96,000 per year
• Curriculum: IB (PYP, MYP, DP, CP)
• Location: Mirdif

Jumeira Baccalaureate School

Jumeira Baccalaureate School (JBS) is another Taaleem school, this one in the heart of Jumeirah. It carries a Very Good rating and runs the IB from the Primary Years to the Diploma. The school folds character education into the IB framework and offers a French language stream alongside enhanced Arabic. Diploma results run above the global average. The Jumeirah address puts the beach, the coast road, and central Dubai a short drive away.

• KHDA rating: Very Good
• Classes: Pre-KG to Grade 12
• Fee range: approximately ranges from AED 52,000 to AED 96,000 per year
• Curriculum: IB (PYP, MYP, DP)
• Location: Jumeirah

Raffles World Academy

Raffles World Academy in Umm Suqeim belongs to the Innoventures group, the same family behind DIA. It holds a Very Good rating and teaches the Primary Years, Middle Years, and Diploma, plus the Career-related Programme. Pass rates clear 90%, and a growing share of students post 40-plus points in the Diploma. Scholarship places widen the intake. The Umm Suqeim location keeps families close to the beach and the restaurants and cafés across Jumeirah.

• KHDA rating: Very Good
• Classes: Pre-KG to Grade 12
• Fee range: approximately ranges from AED 34,000 to AED 94,000 per year
• Curriculum: IB (PYP, MYP, DP, CP)
• Location: Umm Suqeim

Greenfield International School

Greenfield in Dubai Investment Park is the value pick of the continuum schools. It runs all four IB programmes and climbed to a Very Good rating in 2022 after years of steady work under new leadership. The 2024 Diploma cohort averaged 33 points, above the global mark. Fees are more affordable than at many full IB schools, attracting families from Green Community, Motor City, JVT, and Al Furjan. The trade-off is the location further south, which can mean a longer commute to central Dubai.

• KHDA rating: Very Good
• Classes: Pre-KG to Grade 12
• Fee range: approximately ranges from AED 34,000 to AED 83,000 per year
• Curriculum: IB (PYP, MYP, DP, CP)
• Location: Dubai Investment Park (near Green Community)

Dubai International Academy, Al Barsha

The Al Barsha campus is the newer sister school to DIA Emirates Hills and is also run by the Innoventures group. It holds a Very Good KHDA rating and offers the full IB continuum. Its central Al Barsha location gives families good metro access and a wide choice of nearby homes, from apartments to villas.

• KHDA rating: Very Good
• Classes: KG1 to Grade 12
• Fee range: approximately ranges from AED 50,000 to AED 83,000 per year
• Curriculum: IB (PYP, MYP, DP)
• Location: Al Barsha

Emirates International School, Meadows

Emirates International School has two Dubai campuses, and the Meadows site opened in 2005. It holds a Very Good rating and runs the full IB continuum. The location near the Meadows, the Lakes, and Dubai Marina makes it convenient for families living in this part of the city.

• KHDA rating: Very Good
• Classes: KG to Grade 12
• Fee range: approximately ranges from AED 44,000 to AED 71,000 per year
• Curriculum: IB (PYP, MYP, DP)
• Location: The Meadows

Emirates International School, Jumeirah

The Jumeirah campus is the original Emirates International School and is owned by the Al Habtoor Group. It holds a Very Good KHDA rating and now follows the full IB curriculum, having moved away from its previous British exam pathway. Students aged 16 and above can choose between the IB Diploma and Career-related Programme, with the latter including a BTEC in Business and work placement opportunities within the Al Habtoor Group. Its Jumeirah location also keeps the school central and close to the coast.

• KHDA rating: Very Good
• Classes: KG to Grade 12
• Fee range: approximately ranges from AED 48,000 to AED 73,000 per year
• Curriculum: IB (PYP, MYP, DP, CP)
• Location: Jumeirah

North London Collegiate School

North London Collegiate School Dubai is the local branch of the well-known UK school. It holds a Very Good KHDA rating and offers the full IB pathway at the premium end of the market. A common misconception is that the school is in Dubai Hills, but it is actually located in Sobha Hartland near Nad Al Sheba. Families living in Dubai Hills can still reach it relatively easily via the E44.

• KHDA rating: Very Good
• Classes: Pre-KG to Grade 12
• Fee range: approximately ranges from AED 95,000 to AED 140,000 per year
• Curriculum: IB (PYP, MYP, DP)
• Location: Dubai Hills

Collegiate International School

Collegiate International School in Umm Suqeim added the full IB continuum in 2021, on top of its US High School Diploma. It holds a Good rating and runs the PYP, MYP, and Diploma. With a teacher-to-student ratio of around 1:6 and students from more than 70 countries, the school offers a diverse and more personalised learning environment. Its Umm Suqeim location is also convenient for families living closer to the coast.

• KHDA rating: Good
• Classes: Pre-KG to Grade 12
• Fee range: approximately ranges from AED 39,000 to AED 71,000 per year
• Curriculum: IB (PYP, MYP, DP) and US High School Diploma
• Location: Umm Suqeim

GEMS International School Al Khail

GEMS International School Al Khail opened in 2013 and is part of the GEMS Education group, alongside GEMS World Academy. It holds a Good KHDA rating and offers all four IB programmes. One of its standout features is the aviation and space centre. Its Al Khail location also makes it convenient for families living in Dubai Hills.

• KHDA rating: Good
• Classes: KG1 to Grade 12
• Fee range: approximately ranges from AED 52,000 to AED 79,000 per year
• Curriculum: IB (PYP, MYP, DP, CP)
• Location: Al Khail (near Dubai Hills)

Dwight School Dubai

Dwight School Dubai in Dubai Sports City opened in September 2018 under the direct management of Dwight School New York. It holds a Good rating and has the full IB continuum. Its Dubai Sports City location is convenient for families living in Motor City, Jumeirah Village Circle, and surrounding communities.

• KHDA rating: Good
• Classes: Pre-KG to Grade 12
• Fee range: approximately ranges from AED 64,000 to AED 108,000 per year
• Curriculum: IB (PYP, MYP, DP, CP)
• Location: Dubai Sports City

Dar Al Marefa

Dar Al Marefa in Al Khawaneej runs a bilingual Arabic and English IB continuum, which few schools offer. It holds a Good rating and teaches the PYP, MYP, and Diploma, with strong cultural grounding. The Al Khawaneej location suits families in Mirdif, Al Warqa, and along the eastern edge of the city.

• KHDA rating: Good
• Classes: Pre-KG to Grade 12
• Fee range: approximately ranges from AED 64,000 to AED 99,000 per year
• Curriculum: IB (PYP, MYP, DP), bilingual Arabic and English
• Location: Al Khawaneej 1

Fairgreen International School

Fairgreen International School in The Sustainable City opened in 2018 and holds a Good KHDA rating. It offers the full IB continuum on a campus designed around sustainability, with renewable energy, urban farming, and food technology built into the learning experience. Its smaller school setting and location within The Sustainable City may appeal to families looking for a more close-knit, environmentally focused community. 

• KHDA rating: Good
• Classes: Pre-KG to Grade 12
• Fee range: approximately ranges from AED 53,000 to AED 90,000 per year
• Curriculum: IB (PYP, MYP, DP, CP)
• Location: The Sustainable City

Ambassador International Academy

Ambassador International Academy in Al Quoz 2 opened in 2019 and holds a Good rating. It runs a genuine IB continuum from early years to the Diploma, blended with the content sequencing of the British National Curriculum, plus a BTEC in Business at sixth form. Its Al Khail Gate location is convenient for families in Al Barsha, Motor City and JVC, while fees are more affordable than at many full IB continuum schools.

• KHDA rating: Good
• Classes: Nursery to Grade 12
• Fee range: approximately ranges from AED 34,000 to AED 75,000 per year
• Curriculum: IB (PYP, MYP, DP, CP) blended with the British National Curriculum
• Location: Al Quoz 2 (Al Khail Gate)

Bloom World Academy

Bloom World Academy in Al Barsha South opened in August 2022 and continues to hold a Good rating from the initial inspections. It runs the IB continuum with a personalised model, where each student follows an individual plan reviewed with parents every month. The school runs long daily hours to suit working families. The Al Barsha South location, between Hessa Street and Umm Suqeim Street, keeps it central.

• KHDA rating: Good
• Classes: Early years to Grade 12
• Fee range: approximately ranges from AED 50,000 to AED 85,000 per year
• Curriculum: IB (PYP, MYP, DP)
• Location: Al Barsha South

Dubai International Academy Town Square

The third DIA campus opens in Town Square in South Dubai in August 2026. It will offer the full IB continuum, following the same model as the Outstanding-rated Emirates Hills campus. The school will open with Pre-K to Grade 8 and add more year groups over time. The school does not yet have a KHDA rating, as it has not opened.

• KHDA rating: Not yet inspected (opens August 2026)
• Classes: Pre-K to Grade 8, expanding to Grade 12
• Fee range: founding fees around AED 49,000 to AED 70,500 per year
• Curriculum: IB (PYP, MYP, DP, CP)
• Location: Town Square

Ambassador International Academy Mankhool

A second Ambassador campus opens in Mankhool, Bur Dubai, in August 2026, subject to KHDA approval. It will bring the full IB continuum into a central, established residential district near Zabeel Park. Starting fees are about AED 45,000 to AED 69,000.

• KHDA rating: Not yet inspected (opens August 2026)
• Classes: Pre-KG to Grade 8, expanding to Grade 12
• Fee range: founding fees around AED 45,000 to AED 69,000 per year
• Curriculum: IB (PYP, MYP, DP, CP)
• Location: Mankhool, Bur Dubai

Compare full IB continuum fees in Dubai

Fees vary by grade and school. KHDA regulates annual increases through the Education Cost Index, which was set at 2.35% for 2025–26. For 2026–27, tuition fees have been frozen, so eligible schools cannot increase fees for the coming academic year. 

The fee ranges below make it easier to compare the 20 schools.

Fee tiers used:

• Budget: under AED 30,000
• Mid: AED 30,000 to 60,000
• High: AED 60,000 to 100,000
• Premium: above AED 100,000

Other IB school costs in Dubai beyond tuition

Tuition is the headline number. Plan for the extras too.

• Application or assessment fee: AED 500 to AED 525 per school
• Registration or seat deposit: often AED 4,000, or 5 to 10% of tuition, usually credited against Term 1
• School transport: AED 4,000 to AED 12,000 a year, charged separately
• Books, uniforms, lunches, and trips: allow another 15 to 25% on top of tuition
• IB Diploma exam fees in the senior years, charged per exam
• English support fee at some schools, where a child needs extra language help
• One-time capital or building fee at a few premium schools

Documents needed to apply to an IB school in Dubai

Most KHDA schools ask for the same paperwork. Get these ready before you apply.

• Child's passport, UAE residence visa, and Emirates ID, originals plus copies
• Parents' passports, visas, and Emirates ID copies
• Birth certificate in English or Arabic
• Recent passport photos
• Updated immunisation records
• Latest school reports for KG2 and above
• Original transfer certificate for Grade 3 upward if moving from another country or emirate
• CAT4 or MAP scores where a school asks for them
• Specialist reports if your child has a learning need

How to choose the right IB school in Dubai

The KHDA rating is a starting point, not the whole answer. A few checks worth doing before you commit.

• Read the inspection report. Head to khda.gov.ae and pull the full report for each school on your list. The detail there tells you far more than the headline grade.
• Ask for the IB results. Request the school's five-year average Diploma score and pass rate, plus where recent graduates went. A steady 33 to 35 average beats a school that swings between 29 and 37.
• Check the continuum. Some schools bolt the IB onto another framework. Ask whether the inquiry approach runs through the early years or only appears at Diploma level.
• Test the drive at rush hour. Try the route at 7:30 am, not at noon. Traffic near Al Barsha and along the Al Ain Road corridor near Mirdif builds fast, and a quiet midday run can double during the school rush. Families closer to the centre can weigh up the best schools near Business Bay, Dubai to cut that drive down.
• Ask about languages and inclusion. Find out how the school handles children who need extra support, and what the Arabic and second-language provision looks like day to day.
• Visit the campus. Walk the classrooms and watch how staff talk to the children. One hour on-site teaches you more than weeks of online reviews.
• Line up the home. School choice and address shape your daily routine more than most families expect. A betterhomes consultant can help match a shortlisted school to a community that keeps the drive short.

Final thoughts

The lesson most Dubai parents learn late is that a school and its neighbourhood are one decision, and the neighbourhood is the part they underrate. The best IB schools can fill up quickly, so it helps to consider the school and home search together. Choosing a home first can sometimes mean a longer commute or another move later. A rating is only a starting point. The Diploma average and pass rate show how children actually do, and a Good school ten minutes away can beat an Outstanding one an hour across the city. Price works the same way, so the fee is worth measuring against real results, not reputation. Good Dubai real estate insights matter most at the final step, when the right school and the right street line up.

Find family homes a short drive from Dubai's leading IB schools with betterhomes. Talk to a betterhomes consultant who can pair each school with the right community.