Bright Learners Private School

American curriculum, Al Rashidiya, Pre-KG–Grade 8

Latest documents: Full Inspection Report 2023–24Source A: Full Inspection Report 2023–24, Parent Report 2023–24Source B: Parent Report 2023–24, summary only, Fees Fact Sheet 2026–27Source C: Fees Fact Sheet 2026–27

2023–24

Earlier reports

  1. 2022–23, Acceptable, Full Inspection Report

Wellbeing Dubai focus area

Good

2023–24

Inclusion Dubai focus area

Good

2023–24

Checked 16 September 2026.

  1. Back to text, source A

    Full Inspection Report 2023–24

    Checked 16 September 2026.

  2. Back to text, source B

    Parent Report 2023–24

    Summary only

    Checked 16 September 2026.

    Found only in the summary for parents. Answers do not use it as evidence.

  3. Back to text, source C

    Fees Fact Sheet 2026–27

    Checked 16 September 2026.

Overview

The school

Curriculum
American
Year groups
Pre-KG–Grade 8
Gender
Co-educational Source B: Full Inspection Report 2023–24
Report wording: Boys and girls
Languages of instruction
English
Founded
2020

Students and staff

From KHDA’s 2023–24 inspection report, unless another year is named.

Largest nationality group
Arab Source B: Full Inspection Report 2023–24
KHDA gives no share. Context only, never used in results.

Leadership

Principal at the 2023–⁠24 inspection
Sulaiman Z Akbar Source B: Full Inspection Report 2023–24
Appointed 8 Jan 2021, as the report prints it. The current principal is under Contact.
Principals since 2022–⁠23
1 change of principal
Sulaiman Z Akbar, 2022–23 to 2023–24 → Gary Neil Williams, in KHDA's directory on 2026-09-18

Contact

Address
Al Rashidiya
Phone and email
+971 4 335 3203arabic.secretary@brightlearners.aePrincipal: Gary Neil Williams
As KHDA's directory listed it on 2026-09-18. Source C: KHDA school directory 2026–27

Around the school

The map shows the streets and places around the school. The same places are counted in «Within 1 km» below.

© OpenStreetMap contributors

  1. Back to text, source A

    KHDA school directory 2024–25

    Checked 16 September 2026.

  2. Back to text, source B
  3. Back to text, source C

    KHDA school directory 2026–27

    Checked 16 September 2026.

Quality

KHDA ratings in the Full Inspection Report 2023–24. Source A: Full Inspection Report 2023–24

KHDA visits schools again from 2026–27. A full inspection gives a new rating; a shorter monitoring visit does not.Source KHDA, 3 June 2026 (opens in a new tab)

  1. OverallOverall performance

    Acceptable

    Same as 2022–23 Earlier: Acceptable in 1 report.

  2. WellbeingStudents’ personal development and wellbeing

    Good

    First rated in 2023–24

  3. InclusionProvision for students of determination

    Good

    Up from Acceptable Earlier: Acceptable in 1 report.

  4. LeadershipLeadership and management

    Acceptable

    Same as 2022–23 Earlier: Acceptable in 1 report.

Checked 16 September 2026.

Ratings by phase, 2023–24KHDA rates these in each phase, with no single rating for the whole school. Phases are named as the report names them.

AreaKGElementaryMiddle
TeachingTeaching for effective learningAcceptableAcceptableAcceptable
AssessmentAcceptableAcceptableAcceptable
CurriculumCurriculum design and implementationAcceptableAcceptableAcceptable
Adapting the curriculumCurriculum adaptationAcceptableGoodAcceptable
SafeguardingHealth and safety, including child protectionGoodGoodGood

Source Source A: Full Inspection Report 2023–24

  1. Back to text, source A

KHDA in brief

KHDA’s own one-page summary of its 2023–24 inspection, written for parents, word for word. The full inspection report remains the reference. Source A: Parent Report 2023–24, summary only

Students’ achievement

Elementary school students have good progress in Arabic as a first language, English, mathematics and science and are demonstrating improved learning skills. In the Kindergarten and the one middle school grade, improvements to student progress are slower. Across the school, students' attainment of grade level knowledge and skills is still developing, although they show improved understanding in some some classes and in their independent online work in English, mathematics and science.

Personal and social development

Students show very positive and responsible attitudes. They have friendly and supportive relationships with each other and with the school staff. Students have leadership roles within the school, including in the Student Council. Kindergarten children gradually build self-reliance. Attendance in the Kindergarten needs to be improved. Across the school, students understand environmental sustainability and show this commitment in creative ways. They show a sense of personal responsibility for the environment.

Teaching, curriculum and care

The quality of teaching is variable across different subjects and phases, with instances of dynamic, stimulating instruction contrasted by those not fully embracing best practices that engage and uplift all students. In English, mathematics, and science, the use of an online platform facilitates effective assessment for learning, guiding both teachers and students towards constructive next steps. However, assessment approaches in Kindergarten and Arabic subjects require further development to achieve similar robustness.

Wellbeing

Governors provide resources to enhance students' personal and social development. Leaders and teachers show a strong commitment to wellbeing, which is led by an experienced team Well-being is woven into most aspects of this caring and increasingly inclusive school. Regular surveys allow for feedback. School well-being ambassadors provide student voice, and parents are close partners of the school. Students enjoy a range of extracurricular academic, cultural and sporting activities.

Inclusion

Governors and school leaders are committed to providing good provision and access for students of determination. The experienced inclusion manager ably leads a growing team of dedicated learning support assistants and teachers. Parents are very positive about the support their children receive and they help review and set student goals. Individual education plans improved, although some teacher planning does not sufficiently include modifications. Some lesson planning needs to better address the needs of the school's highest attainers.

Leadership and management

New and capable senior and middle leadership teams are working well with the established principal to improve the school. In a relatively short time, their actions are strengthening the educational structure of the school with positive impact evident across many areas, including student progress in the Elementary school. Communication is frequent and professional relationships across the school are secure as all work to embed new practices and improve student outcomes.

  1. Back to text, source A

    Parent Report 2023–24

    Summary only

    Page 1

    Checked 16 September 2026.

    Found only in the summary for parents. Answers do not use it as evidence.

School year

31 Aug 2026 to 2 Jul 2027 · 185 school days

First midterm break
12 Oct 2026 to 14 Oct 20263 days
National Day
2 Dec 2026 to 3 Dec 20262 days
Winter break includes New year’s day
14 Dec 2026 to 1 Jan 202719 days
Second midterm break
8 Feb 2027 to 9 Feb 20272 days
Eid al-Fitr
8 Mar 2027 to 11 Mar 20274 daysexpected, subject to moon sighting
Spring break
5 Apr 2027 to 9 Apr 20275 days
Eid al-Adha
17 May 2027 to 18 May 20272 daysexpected, subject to moon sighting

Public holidays are tentative and subject to official government announcements (KHDA).

Source Source A: KHDA school directory 2026–27

  1. Back to text, source A

    KHDA school directory 2026–27

    Checked 16 September 2026.

Academics

Academic outcomes, Bright Learners Private School

Attainment by subject and phase, 2023–24KHDA words for each subject in each phase.

SubjectFoundation StagePrimarySecondary
Islamic EducationNot in this reportAcceptableAcceptable
ArabicNot in this reportAcceptableAcceptable
EnglishAcceptableAcceptableAcceptable
MathematicsAcceptableAcceptableAcceptable
ScienceAcceptableAcceptableAcceptable

Source Source A: Full Inspection Report 2023–24

Arabic at every school in Dubai: at least 4 lessons a week from Year 2 to Year 10 for a child of non-Arab nationality. Arab children have 4 to 6 lessons to Year 13; Muslim children also study Islamic Education.Source KHDA, Guidelines on National Mandatory Subjects, page 14 (opens in a new tab)

Subjects over the years

KHDA's words in every Full Inspection Report since 2015–16, each row and phase as the reports print them.

Subjects over the years, Bright Learners Private School

Islamic Education, by inspection report

Rated2022–232023–24
Islamic Education attainmentMiddleAcceptableAcceptable
Islamic Education attainmentElementaryAcceptableAcceptable
Islamic Education progressMiddleAcceptableAcceptable
Islamic Education progressElementaryAcceptableAcceptable

International and benchmark tests

The National Agenda section of each Full Inspection Report since 2015–16: the school's results in PISA, TIMSS, PIRLS and benchmark tests against KHDA's targets. The only results in the reports that are not an inspector's judgement.

KHDA's verdicts, 2023–24

AspectWhole schoolEmirati cohort
International and Benchmark AchievementWeakWeak
Leadership: International and Emirati AchievementAcceptableNot in this report
Teaching and Learning: Improving reading literacyGoodGood
Overall school standards in the National Agenda ParameterAcceptableNot in this report

Registration requirements: Met Fully

  • Students were not participants in the Progress in Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) 2021.
  • Progression in Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) scores over the past two years is below expectations in English and mathematics, and in line with expectations in science.

Earlier reports

  • 2022–23: Overall, the school’s progression to achieve the UAE National Agenda targets — is approaching expectations
  1. Back to text, source A

School life

Sports and activities

What the school lists on its own website and what KHDA’s inspectors mention in their reports. An activity missing here may still be offered.

Ball sports

  • Football
  • Basketball

Water sports

  • Swimming

Individual sports

  • Yoga & fitness · Aerobics

Dance

  • Dance (other) · Dance

Theatre

  • Drama

Music

  • Choir & singing · Choir

Art & design

  • Art · Arts & crafts

Science & technology

  • Robotics · Robotics/Virtual Reality
  • Coding
  • Science & engineering club · Science club

Debate & strategy

  • Chess

Facilities

  • Art studio
  • Theatre or auditorium
  • Music rooms
  • Sports hall
    ·
  • Sports courts
  • Playing field
  • Swimming pool
  • Makerspace

Also mentioned: Arabic calligraphy, Creative writing

Source Source A: School website, read 2026-09-23

  1. Back to text, source A

    School website, read 23 September 2026

    Checked 23 September 2026.

What the school offers

As the 2023–24 inspection report mentions them. Inspectors name these in passing, so this is not the school's full list: something not named here may still be offered. A line's page opens the report's sentence.

Languages besides English

  • Arabic · Arabic is taught in KG2 and Grade 1 for two lessons of 45 minute per week. Lessons are taught by one teacher, who is an early year’s specialist. All Arab and non-Arab children learn together.
  • French · in Grades 4 to 6

Facilities

  • Laboratories
  • Library
  • Science laboratory
  • Elevator
  • Sports hall

Support for students of determination and the gifted

  • The experienced inclusion manager ably leads a growing team of dedicated learning support assistants and teachers. p. 19
  • Individual education plans (IEPs) have improved since the previous inspection report. p. 19

Source Source A: Full Inspection Report 2023–24

  1. Back to text, source A

On the school's website

What the school says about itself on brightlearners.ae, read on 22 September 2026. The school's own words, not checked by KHDA; a figure here is the school's own count. The site's name beside a line opens that page.

Admissions

School buses

  • «Our transportation partner Busco can help you offer transportation services to the areas they are operating.. For more details, contact Busco on 055-5225842 or email at info@busco.ae to check if there is a space available for the area reachable by the buses.» brightlearners.ae on the school's website, opens in a new tab

Source Source A: School website, read 2026-09-22

  1. Back to text, source A

    School website, read 22 September 2026

    Checked 22 September 2026.

Fees

Tuition across 11 year groupsNote 1

AED 24,606 to AED 32,719Source A: Fees Fact Sheet 2026–27

Pre-KG to Grade 8, 2026–27

Year group

Fees for Bright Learners Private School
Compare with

Tuition is the same as in 2025–26 for every year group.

Annual tuition by year group, Bright Learners Private School, 2026–27 compared with 2025–26

Year group2026–27Source A: Fees Fact Sheet 2026–272025–26Source B: Fees Fact Sheet 2025–26
Foundation Stage
Pre-KGAED 24,606AED 24,606
KG1AED 25,688AED 25,688
KG2AED 27,851AED 27,851
Primary
Grade 1AED 30,014AED 30,014
Grade 2AED 30,014AED 30,014
Grade 3AED 30,014AED 30,014
Grade 4AED 30,014AED 30,014
Grade 5AED 30,014AED 30,014
Grade 6AED 32,719AED 32,719
Secondary
Grade 7AED 32,719AED 32,719
Grade 8AED 32,719AED 32,719

Checked 16 September 2026.

  1. Back to text, note 1

    The range names the lowest and highest tuition on one Fees Fact Sheet. Fees are never averaged across year groups.

  2. Back to text, source A

    Fees Fact Sheet 2026–27

    Tuition for 11 year groups.

    Checked 16 September 2026.

  3. Back to text, source B

    Fees Fact Sheet 2025–26

    Tuition for 11 year groups.

    Checked 16 September 2026.

  4. Back to text, note 2

    Change compares the same year group in the two fact sheets. Fees are never averaged across year groups.

What a year costs, 2026–27

Choose a year group above to see KHDA's total for it, what the school requires you to buy, and the services you can add.

Findings

9 findings in the last report: 5 strengths, 4 development points, 3 recurring across the last 2 reports.

Group by

Checked 16 September 2026.

English

Note 1

1 strength

  • StrengthElementary

    The good progress of elementary students in English, mathematics and science.

    Full Inspection Report 2023–24, page 5, paragraph 3

Personal development and wellbeing

1 strength

  • StrengthElementary and Middle

    The strong personal development of students in Elementary and Middle, and the good understanding of Islamic values and sense of social responsibility in all phases.

    Full Inspection Report 2023–24, page 5, paragraph 4

Health, safety and safeguarding

1 strength

  • Strength

    The improved health and safety procedures and the care and support provided for students.

    Full Inspection Report 2023–24, page 5, paragraph 5

Inclusion of students of determination

1 strength

  • Strength

    The inclusive ethos of the school and the well-developed partnerships with parents.

    Full Inspection Report 2023–24, page 5, paragraph 6

Governance

1 strength

  • Strength

    Governors’ strengthening of school leadership, staffing and resources to support school improvement.

    Full Inspection Report 2023–24, page 5, paragraph 7

Teaching

1 development point

  • Development required, recurring in 2 of the last 2 reportsNote 2

    Improve the quality and consistency of teaching in all phases.

    Full Inspection Report 2023–24, page 5, paragraph 9

Reading and literacy

1 development point

  • Development required

    Ensure that reading literacy is developed as a cross-curricular theme in all subjects.

    Full Inspection Report 2023–24, page 5, paragraph 10

Attainment and progress

1 development point

  • Development required, recurring in 2 of the last 2 reports

    Improve students’ progress and raise attainment in all subjects and phases.

    Full Inspection Report 2023–24, page 5, paragraph 11

Leadership and self-evaluation

1 development point

  • Development required, recurring in 2 of the last 2 reports

    Ensure that school self-evaluation judgements are accurately aligned with the descriptors in the KHDA Inspection Framework and form a reliable base for improvement planning.

    Full Inspection Report 2023–24, page 5, paragraph 12

Findings from 1 of 2 reports

  1. Back to text, note 1

    Topics follow the order of the KHDA inspection framework, not how good or bad a finding is.

  2. Back to text, note 2

    Recurring counts the school’s last 2 reports, 2022–23 to 2023–24. Findings come only from Full Inspection Reports, never from Parent Reports.

History

2 KHDA inspection reports on file, 2022–23 to 2023–24.

History of Bright Learners Private School
Rating

Overall rating by academic year, newest first

  1. 2026–27Inspections resume this year. No report yet.
  2. 2024–25 and 2025–26KHDA paused full inspections. The 2023–24 rating is still the latest. About the pause
  3. 2023–24AcceptableSame as 2022–23Note 1Full Inspection Report 2023–24 (opens in a new tab) PDF
  4. 2022–23AcceptableFirst reportFull Inspection Report 2022–23 (opens in a new tab) PDF
  5. 2020–21 and 2021–22No inspection.
  6. Opened in 2020–21. No reports before this year.

Checked 16 September 2026.

  1. Back to text, note 1

    Change compares each report with the school’s previous report. Years with no inspection are skipped, never counted as a change.

Snapshots by year

Students and staff by academic year, Bright Learners Private School

YearStudentsTeachersTeacher turnover
2024–25317Not availableNot available
2023–2422127Not available
2022–231592230%
2021–22112Not availableNot available
2020–2124Not availableNot available

Not available: KHDA did not publish that figure for the year.