Every school in Dubai says it’s good. Only some of them have a KHDA report that agrees.
We’re Apple International Community School in Al Karama, so we have an obvious interest here. Instead of asking you to trust us, this guide shows you how to read an inspection report, and uses ours as the example, weaker parts included.
What “Good” means in Dubai
KHDA inspects every private school in the emirate and gives it one of six grades: Outstanding, Very Good, Good, Acceptable, Weak or Very Weak.
Good is the level Dubai expects every school to reach. The school teaches well, children make steady progress, and the people running it know what they’re doing. Plenty of schools don’t get there. Plenty that do charge about a third of what Outstanding schools charge.
If your budget is under AED 30,000 a year per child, you’ll be choosing among Good schools and the newer schools working toward Good. That’s a sensible place to look.
The overall grade hides most of the detail
The overall grade is a summary. The useful information is in the sub-ratings, and many parents never open the full report.
Take our 2023–24 inspection, our first. The overall grade was Acceptable, which is what most new schools receive. The details say more:
- Wellbeing: Good
- Personal development: Good
- Governance: Good
- Progress in Foundation Stage and Secondary: Good
- English, Maths and Science in Secondary: Good
- Primary: mostly Acceptable, apart from Science, which was Good
So the report says our youngest and oldest students were already doing well, and our primary years needed to catch up. Leadership got the same feedback, and Primary has been our main focus since.
What to take from this: read a school’s report looking for a pattern. If a young school is Good in several areas, it’s usually improving. If an older school is Acceptable in progress year after year, it probably isn’t.
Good schools in Dubai with fees families can manage
These are rated Good or better and don’t charge premium fees:
Apple International School, Al Qusais. This is our sister school, run by the same group, LEAMS Education. It has been rated Good at every KHDA inspection since 2016–17. It teaches the British curriculum from FS1 to A Level, with fees from about AED 6,832.
The Indian High School, Oud Metha. CBSE, rated Very Good, with some of the lowest fees in Dubai because it’s not-for-profit. The difficult part is getting a place.
St. Mary’s Catholic High School, Oud Metha. British curriculum to A Level, rated Good and open since 1968. Entry is by assessment.
GEMS Our Own schools. Indian curriculum, rated Very Good, at budget fees.
Where AICS fits
We opened in 2021 and had 1,036 students at our last inspection. We teach a British curriculum from FS1 to Year 10, and IGCSE is next.
The campus behind Karama Centre has a swimming pool, a football field, and courts for tennis, badminton and basketball. It also has art rooms and a library. KHDA-approved fees are AED 19,427 to AED 24,678, and discounted fees start from under AED 16,000.
We’re not rated Good yet. Our sister school in Al Qusais reached Good and has held it since 2016–17. We’re run by the same people, and our report shows where we’re already strong. You can judge for yourself on a visit.
What to look for on a school visit
A school can prepare for a tour, but it’s harder to prepare for the school run. If you can, go at pickup time and watch for ten minutes.
- Do the children chat with staff, or go quiet when an adult walks past?
- Is the work on the walls from this term?
- Ask a teacher what the school is trying to improve. A good school has a specific answer.
- Ask to see the latest KHDA report. If the school hesitates, take note.
Quick comparison
| School | Curriculum | KHDA | Fees from |
|---|---|---|---|
| AICS, Al Karama | British | Acceptable (Good in wellbeing, personal development and governance) | Under AED 16,000 (discounted) |
| Apple International School, Al Qusais | British | Good at every inspection since 2016–17 | About AED 6,832 |
| St. Mary’s, Oud Metha | British | Good | Low to mid |
| Indian High School, Oud Metha | CBSE | Very Good | Low |
| GEMS Our Own | Indian | Very Good | Low |
FAQs
What is a good school in Dubai?
A school rated Good or higher by KHDA. It means the school meets Dubai’s expected standard for teaching, progress and leadership.
Is Acceptable a bad rating?
Not for a new school. Most schools receive Acceptable at their first inspection. Look at the sub-ratings to see where the school is heading.
Are there good British schools near Karama?
AICS is in Al Karama, and St. Mary’s is nearby in Oud Metha. Both teach the British curriculum.
Where can I find a school’s KHDA report?
On the KHDA website and in the KHDA app. Search by school name and open the latest inspection.