Dubai Festival City is very family-orientated neighbourhood which focuses on the principles of community and convenience. With an enviable lifestyle, fabulous location, and a safe, nurturing environment, it’s the perfect place to bring up a young family.
When it comes to education, it’s also home to two of the top schools in Dubai, and is also just a few minutes’ drive from many more of the city’s best educational establishments. From kindergarten to international schools in Dubai for older children, there is a wealth of high-quality education centres in and around Dubai Festival City.
If you’re relocating to the city and want to know more about the schools in this area, especially as we approach the start of the new school year, we have a run-down on the top schools in Dubai, as well as how Dubai Festival City can make sure you’re ready for the new term.
The top schools in Dubai
Schools in Dubai focus on educational excellence, developing strong personal skills and giving students the best possible start in life. Due to the diverse makeup of Dubai, schools offer a range of national and international curricula, including the American Curriculum, which aligns with New York State standards, as well as IB pathways and British and Indian Curricula. This provides children moving to Dubai from other countries with a sense of continuity and an uninterrupted educational process, ensuring they can fulfil their potential.
One of the most highly respected schools in Dubai is situated right in Dubai Festival City. Deira International School (known as DIS) uses the British and IB curricula and is rated as Outstanding by KHDA. With students from over 80 nationalities, it’s a wonderfully diverse and vibrant school with a truly international reputation.
For American students, the Universal American School is also located in Dubai Festival City and has a Very Good rating from KHDA. For children from the Indian subcontinent, the New Indian Model School is located in Al Garhoud, approximately 2 km away, and offers the CBSE curriculum to its students.
There is also a selection of excellent schools within a short distance of Dubai Festival City, including The Grammar School Dubai (British Curriculum), the Al Mawakeb School Al Garhoud (American Curriculum), and the Gulf Indian High School, also in Al Garhoud.
Some schools in Dubai offer affordable fees starting at AED 5,600. However, premium international schools can exceed AED 60,000–100,000 annually. Schools understand that fees can be a significant part of your budget, so it’s always worth talking to the particular establishment to find out their fee structure and ensure that it works within your budget.
If your child has a particular leaning towards science and technology, the Swiss International Scientific School in Dubai is a highly respected centre of excellence for the next generation of scientists, doctors, engineers, and technicians.
Schools for little ones
Nursery schools in Dubai are a wonderful place for tots to learn their social skills, interact with children their own age, and make new friends. Operated by caring professionals, the nursery and kindergarten schools in Dubai have an outstanding reputation for quality. The Canadian Kids Nursery, located in Business Bay, is a charming place filled with lively energy, where learning is both fun and inspiring.
Fun time
Once the school day is over, there are many family-focused extracurricular activities on offer. From sports to soft play centres, kids’ clubs and gaming, you’ll never hear those dreaded words: “I’m bored!”
Dubai Festival City is a vibrant community that offers a fantastic location for families with children of all ages. With outstanding education on your doorstep and so much more, it’s the perfect place to bring up your children in a safe, inspirational and nurturing environment.
