Schools play a significant role in determining the cost of living in Dubai, as parents consistently seek to enroll their children in institutions offering high-quality curricula and experienced teaching staff. They also look for schools that provide excellent facilities and services for their children, all within a budget that does not disrupt daily life. For this reason, we at MyBoutique have decided to highlight a selection of affordable schools in Dubai, including contact details and fee ranges.
School fees in Dubai are set by educational councils, regions, and authorities, varying based on several factors such as school type, curriculum followed, facilities and services offered, and other considerations. It should be noted that scholarship applications are not available for schools in Dubai; however, some schools offer discounts, including sibling discounts or academic excellence incentives.
There are numerous schools in Dubai known for offering reasonable tuition fees. However, it is important to mention that the fees listed in this article are based on official school websites and are subject to change. We recommend visiting the school’s official website to confirm the most up-to-date information.
We begin our list of affordable schools in Dubai with Al-Shuroog Private School in Dubai, one of the top institutions following the national curriculum and among the most recommended affordable schools in Dubai. Established in 1986 in Jumeirah 1, it has maintained continuous development through innovative teaching methods and fostering an educational environment that instills strong values and ethics, while keeping pace with modern advancements. The school follows the national curriculum approved by the Ministry of Education and admits students from Kindergarten 1 through Grade 12.
Established in 1983, the Islamic School for Education and Training is one of Dubai’s oldest Islamic institutions and a comprehensive educational and training foundation. It aims to build individuals and communities by shaping effective personalities grounded in Islamic values and principles. This makes it one of the recommended affordable school options in Dubai.
The school in Al-Muhaisanah, Dubai, undergoes academic accreditation assessments such as the International Benchmark Test (IBT), Global Mathematics and Science Study Trends Assessment, Cognitive and Perceptual Abilities Test, and the International Student Assessment Program.
Continuing our list, the Private Charitable School began operations in 1983 under the leadership of the late Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, may he rest in peace. Its founding purpose was to assist low-income families working in the private sector who could not afford private school education. The school was inaugurated by businessman His Excellency Juma Al Majid.
The Private Charitable School in Dubai follows the national curriculum and admits both boys and girls from Grade 1 to Grade 12, in both general and advanced tracks. It stands out as one of the leading government curriculum schools in Dubai due to its excellent learning environment, achieved through hiring highly experienced educators. The school takes pride in the outstanding performance of its students in the annual secondary school top achievers’ lists.
It is worth noting that there are separate schools for boys and girls. The boys' school accepts students from Grade 5 through Grade 12 Advanced, and shares the same tuition fees as the girls' school.
Next on our list of affordable schools in Dubai is Al-Arqam Private School, formerly known as Khalil Nursery and School, which opened during the 1988–1989 academic year. It gained recognition for delivering exceptional education through a dedicated staff committed to using the latest teaching methodologies suitable for various academic levels. The school continues to maintain this high standard today, making it another recommended government curriculum school in Dubai.
The school follows the UAE national curriculum and admits students from pre-kindergarten through Grade 12, emphasizing the cultivation of positive values from early stages of education.
Continuing our list of schools offering affordable fees in Dubai is Al-Rashid Al-Salih Private School, one of the strongest government curriculum schools in Dubai in terms of educational quality. Since its opening in 1971, it has maintained its excellence, earning a place among the top private schools in Dubai according to the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) evaluation, where it received a 'Good' rating.
The school admits students from kindergarten through Grade 12 and employs a seasoned teaching staff capable of supporting students at all academic levels and motivating them to improve their performance.
Founded in 2002 in Al-Sutuwa, Dubai, the Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Islamic Institute—formerly known as the Private Religious Institute—was established under the guidance of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance. It operates under the supervision of Professor Dr. Ahmed bin Sheikh Mohammed Nour Saeed Al-Mehiri, while the office of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai, oversees administrative and financial affairs. The Knowledge and Human Development Authority of Dubai supervises technical aspects.
The institute stands out for providing free education, admitting Emirati citizens without charging any tuition fees.
We conclude our list of affordable schools in Dubai with Dubai Police Protection School for Girls, which opened on September 27, 2018, in both Abu Hail and Al-Karama areas. These schools operate under the supervision of Dubai Police, with direct oversight from the Ministry of Education and the Knowledge and Human Development Authority.
These schools are supervised by the Ministry of Education and the Knowledge and Human Development Authority, follow the UAE national curriculum, and include specialized subjects related to policing. They place great emphasis on creating a safe, healthy, and attractive learning environment through modern teaching methods, focusing on developing students’ skills and shaping their personalities into active and impactful members of society.
It should be noted that the school charges no tuition fees except for specific additional costs: textbook fees ranging between AED 700 and AED 1,300, optional service fees between AED 2,000 and AED 3,000, and a registration fee of AED 500.
Below is a table outlining additional options for those seeking affordable government curriculum schools in Dubai:
School
|
Fee Range
|
---|---|
School
Al-Iman Educational Foundation
|
Fee Range
AED 6,156 – AED 9,171
|
School
Al-Himaya for Education and Training Boys – Diera (Abu Hail)
|
Fee Range
AED 3,200 – AED 4,800
|
School
Dubai Modern Education School – National Curriculum
|
Fee Range
AED 11,681 – AED 18,196
|
School
Rashid Al-Salih School
|
Fee Range
AED 8,783 – AED 18,847
|
Dubai English Private School, formerly known as the Middle English School, is a private school in Dubai following the British curriculum and one of the recommended affordable British curriculum schools in Dubai. Founded in 1978, it offers education from kindergarten through Grade 12. The school boasts a distinctive campus equipped with all necessary resources and facilities to create an effective learning environment, spacious classrooms, fully equipped science labs, and outdoor play areas designed to enhance student fitness.
Westminster School is part of the James School Group and follows the British curriculum. It is considered one of the best British system schools in Dubai due to its commitment to fostering a creative and motivating learning environment. The school admits students from pre-kindergarten through Grade 12 (Year 13). Its tuition fees are considered reasonable relative to the quality of education provided.
The school prepares students for the Cambridge International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE), as well as A-Level and AS-Level courses from Cambridge University and London Universities.
Al-Sadiq Islamic English School in Dubai is among the top choices for parents seeking the best Islamic schools in Dubai. It follows the Cambridge curriculum under the National Curriculum for England (NCFE), focusing on developing students' abilities to handle life challenges and enhancing critical thinking skills.
The school admits students from pre-kindergarten through Grade 10 (Year 11) and prides itself on a teaching staff that implements globally recognized modern educational approaches.
Dubai Modern Education School admits students from kindergarten through Grade 12, offering both the national and American curricula. As mentioned earlier, it is one of the affordable national curriculum schools in Dubai and also one of the recommended American curriculum schools with reasonable fees.
The school has a trained administrative and teaching team focused on providing a suitable learning environment. The campus features two separate sections—one for American curriculum students and another for MOE curriculum students. It is a student-centered institution with a family-oriented culture and strong relationships with parents and families. These qualities make it one of the recommended American curriculum schools in Dubai with affordable fees.
Al-Hilal English School opened in 1984 in Al-Qusais, one of Dubai’s oldest districts. It is an Indian school following the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) curriculum, serving students from kindergarten through Grade 12. The school campus includes diverse facilities that support high-quality education and enhance both academic and extracurricular activities. It is particularly noted for its affordable fees, making it one of the recommended affordable schools in Dubai.
We conclude our list of affordable schools in Dubai with Little Roses English School, established in 1984 as a kindergarten and primary school for residents of villa communities near Al-Ayn Lake. Although primarily a primary school, it provides education from Kindergarten 1 through Grade 6, with a strong focus on delivering high-quality foundational education.
The school follows the CBSE curriculum and caters to students of various nationalities. Its mission is to develop lifelong learners by instilling essential skills to prepare global citizens capable of influence and effectiveness.
School
|
Fee Range
|
---|---|
School
Central School
|
Fee Range
AED 4,081 – AED 7,183
|
School
Al-Mawaqib Al-Qurud School
|
Fee Range
AED 15,365 – AED 24,908
|
School
International American School
|
Fee Range
AED 13,097 – AED 21,233
|
This concludes our article highlighting affordable schools in Dubai with annual tuition fees not exceeding AED 25,000. For more topics relevant to school students, we recommend exploring the Gen Next section on MyBoutique blog. Examples include the differences between the national curriculum and international curricula used in UAE schools, such as British, American, International Baccalaureate, Indian, and SAPIS curricula.
You can also explore affordable kindergartens in Dubai to help you choose the best nursery for your child at a reasonable price. Other topics include the home schooling option in the UAE, ideal for students who have been absent from formal education for more than two years for any reason.
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