8 minutes read

Written by
Rawan Haddad
When it comes to your child's education, it's important to choose a curriculum that best suits their future goals. One of the increasingly popular curriculums is the International Baccalaureate (IB) program, which is designed for students aged 3 to 19. If you are looking for the best IB schools in Dubai, here's a list of top choices with details regarding campus facilities, fees, location, and KHDA ratings.
The International Baccalaureate (IB) is a comprehensive education system that is divided into four programs:
The goal of the IB is to inculcate critical and independent thinking amongst students, encouraging them to learn through inquiry and self-discovery. The IB curriculum is internationally recognized and is particularly preferred by those targeting Ivy League universities.
Dubai is home to many top schools, but the International Baccalaureate system has gained popularity in the emirate in the last decade. Below are some of the best IB schools in Dubai that offer the International Baccalaureate program.
Dubai International Academy Emirates Hills is one of the oldest IB schools in Dubai, offering a rich language program and three IB programs: Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP), and Diploma Programme (DP).
The school focuses on student development through mentoring, counseling, and teacher training. Through these functions, DIA encourages students to develop 21st-century skills such as problem-solving and critical thinking, which are necessary to operate and thrive in today's world. Prospective parents can book a tour of the school`s facilities online via the official Dubai International Academy website or by calling the school.
Jumeira Baccalaureate School is part of the Taaleem schools in Dubai and is a great choice for those residing in Jumeirah. The school boasts an extensive campus with state-of-the-art facilities, such as two rooftop tennis courts, padel courts, a FIFA-sized grass pitch, a rugby pitch, cricket nets, ICT labs, music studios, rehearsal rooms, and cafeterias.
The school focuses on the well-rounded development of students through extra-curricular activities across various disciplines, including academics, languages, performances, and art. JBS graduates have received offers from top universities in the US, UK, and Europe.
GEMS World Academy was established over a decade ago and has served as one of Dubai`s premier International Baccalaureate curriculum schools. The school has over 2,000 students from 90 nationalities enrolled from Pre-KG to Grade 12.
It focuses on the development of 21st-century skills and offers GWA Nursery (Early Learners Centre), Primary Years Programme, Middle Years Programme, IB Diploma, and Career-related Programme to prepare students for real-world challenges. Students can participate in various enrichment activities related to sports, performing and expressive arts, innovation, entrepreneurship, trips, events, and social impact.
Established in 2008, Raffles World Academy helps students discover their potential. It offers impressive extracurricular activities on its 30,000 sq.m. campus, which includes several sports facilities, laboratories, art rooms, dance, and music studios.
The school follows a parent-centric academic decision-making system, and students can take advantage of sports scholarships. RWA is a good choice for those looking for relatively affordable IB schools in Dubai.
Uptown International School is a great option for Mirdif residents who are looking for an IB school close to home. It caters to students from KG to Grade 12 and encourages them to participate in various sports, art, and live performances through its enrichment program that runs across three terms. Examples include TEDxYouth, Model United Nations, French DELF, gymnastics, martial arts, football, Lego robotics, Arabic poetry, coding, and more.
GEMS International School in Al Khail (GIS) is an accredited IB educational institute in Dubai. The school focuses on developing children into lifelong learners and contributors to society and offers the Primary Years Programme, Middle Years Programme, the IB Diploma Programme, and Career-related Programme.
Swiss International Scientific School (SISD) is a prestigious International Baccalaureate (IB) board school located in Dubai. Established with the goal of enabling students to reach their maximum potential, the school currently has students from 68 different nationalities.
The eco-friendly campus offers a wide range of sporting facilities and a carefully planned curriculum that encourages cognitive development. The staff is trained to provide research-backed exercises for students of all ages, as well as regular health awareness campaigns.
Dar Al Marefa School is another well-regarded IB school in Dubai. Located in Al Khawaneej, it offers bilingual programs in English and Arabic from KG to Grade 12. The courses focus on developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills. The school has swimming pools, sports facilities, science labs, libraries, PE studios, and a cafeteria.
Emirates International School Jumeirah is one of the top IB schools in Dubai, offering all four IB programs: Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP), Diploma Programme (DP), and Career-related Programme (CP). The school puts emphasis on academic and physical well-being, as well as knowledge acquisition and active learning.
The large campus also boasts a range of green spaces, and students can take part in after-school activities such as football, basketball, athletics, tennis, netball, journalism, performing arts, language club, and World Scholars Competition.
Greenfield International School is an affordable IB school in Dubai, offering the Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP), Diploma Programme (DP), and Career-related Programme (CP). The curriculum is designed to foster global citizenship.
Students have the chance to learn Arabic, French, and German, and participate in a variety of co-curricular activities such as cricket, football, swimming, martial arts, rugby, table tennis, volleyball, music, computer club, dance, and public speaking.
School | KHDA rating | Fees | Location |
Dubai International Academy | Very Good | AED 40.9k to AED 72.6k | Emirates Hills |
Jumeira Baccalaureate School | Very Good | AED 39.7k to AED 84.1k | Jumeirah 1 |
GEMS World Academy | Very Good | AED 40k to AED 114k | Al Barsha South |
Raffles World Academy | Very Good | AED 31k to AED 89k | Umm Suqeim 3 |
Uptown International School | Very Good | AED 40k to AED 73k | Umm Suqeim 3 |
GEMS International School in Al Khail (GIS) | Good | AED 46.4k to AED 73.4k | Al Khail Road (E44) |
Swiss International Scientific School | Good | AED 53k to AED 99k | Dubai Healthcare City, Phase 2, Al Jaddaf |
Dar Al Marefa School | Good | AED 36k to AED 75k | Al Khawaneej 1 |
Emirates International School Jumeirah | Good | AED 35k to AED 74k | Umm Al Suqeim |
Greenfield International School | Good | AED 31.7k to AED 76.3k | Dubai Investments Park |
For parents in the UAE looking for the best educational environment for their children, the options can be overwhelming. With the introduction of the International Baccalaureate (IB) system of education in the last decade, many schools in Dubai have adopted the curriculum. As a result, parents can find a variety of schools offering IB curriculums in the Emirate.
The list of IB schools in Dubai includes some of the most reputable international schools such as GEMS World Academy and Jumeirah International. However, some schools offer the IB curriculum in combination with other systems such as the British and American curriculums. For example, British expats may want to consider schools like GEMS Wellington International School and Repton School, both of which offer both British and IB curriculums.
Similarly, parents looking for an American-based curriculum combined with the IB system can check out schools like Collegiate American School, GEMS Dubai American Academy, and Universal American School. In addition, Innoventures Education offers courses tailored toward preparing students for the future. The list of Innoventures schools in Dubai includes Raffles International School (RIS), Collegiate American School, and Raffles World Academy.
Apart from the schools mentioned above, parents can also explore other options such as Mirdif American School, Greenwood International School, and other American schools in Dubai. With such a wide array of options, parents can find the perfect educational environment for their children.
To know more about the best Indian schools and nurseries in the UAE, stay tuned to Driven Properties.
There are many factors to consider when choosing an IB school. These include accreditation, curriculum alignment, faculty qualifications, extracurricular offerings, and student support services. By aligning these factors with your vision for your children’s education, you will choose the right school for them.
IB schools in Dubai are ideal for expatriate students as many of them offer mother tongue enrichment classes. Additionally, these schools are known for their diversity which makes expat students feel more at ease and helps them learn about other cultures.3. What are the average tuition fees for IB schools in Dubai?
Currently, the cost of an IB school in Dubai averages AED 52,800 for kindergarten and AED 65,000 for primary school. The average tuition fee of a UK (English National Curriculum) school is AED 37,000 and AED 29,500 for an American (K12) school.
IB schools in Dubai offer an IB Diploma Program, a worldwide recognized program, known for its academic rigor and comprehensive curriculum. This program provides students with the skillsets they need to apply and get accepted to the university of their choice.
To evaluate the quality of an IB school in Dubai, you can rely on their IB Diploma score, which should give you a fairly good idea on the education level of the school. You can also check their KHDA rating, to have a clearer idea on how they compare with other schools in the UAE.