Citizens School

Citizens School is a private British curriculum school in Al Satwa, Dubai, for boys and girls from FS1 to Year 9. KHDA rated the school Good in its 2024–25 inspection. Tuition for 2026–27 is AED 45,000 to AED 80,000 a year, depending on the year group.

Sources: KHDA inspection report 2024–25, p. 6; KHDA Fees Fact Sheet 2026–27.

rating
GoodKHDA 2024–25, p. 6What Good means
fee
AED 45,000 – 80,000a year, FS1 to Year 9, 2026–27Fees by year group at every school
whole
Which year group?See its fee and the cost to the end of school
students
586 students2024–25, KHDA school directory

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

© OpenStreetMap contributors

Fees at this school, 2026–27

AED 45,000 – 80,000a year, FS1 to Year 9, 2026–27

Year group

Not sure? Work it out from a birth date

Not included: transport, uniform, books, trips, sibling discounts.

See all fees

KHDA Fees Fact Sheet 2026–27.

Overview

Admissions

Places
KHDA does not publish how many places are free at a school or its waiting list. Ask the school directly, and early.
Age on entry
Counted on 31 December of the year of entry, for a child registering in a UAE school for the first time from 2026–27 (31 August before that).Source UAE Ministry of Education, 17 December 2025
Apply
citizens.meaya.alkafory@citizens.meTelephone and e-mail as KHDA's school directory lists them, checked 18 September 2026. What its own website says about admissions → How admission works across Dubai →
Fees on entry
«New Students — Application Fees : AED 500 (Assessment fees included)»«New Students — Enrolment Fees : Up to 10% of the tuition fees non refundable & deductible from the 1st term fees»Source KHDA Fees Fact Sheet 2026–27, FS1
Inspections
This school's latest full inspection report is 2024–25. KHDA’s visits resume in 2026–27. A full inspection brings a new rating; a shorter monitoring visit does not. Ratings and reports →Source KHDA, 3 June 2026

The school

Curriculum
British
Year groups
FS1–Year 9
Gender
Co-educational Source B: Full Inspection Report 2024–25Report wording: Boys and girls
Languages of instruction
English
Founded
2022
External examinations
Not Applicable Source B: Full Inspection Report 2024–25
Principal
David Lees
  1. Back to text, source A

    KHDA school directory 2024–25

    Checked 16 September 2026.

  2. Back to text, source B

KHDA in brief

KHDA’s own one-page summary of its 2024–25 inspection, written for parents, word for word. The full inspection report remains the reference. Source A: Parent Report 2024–25, summary only

Students’ achievement

Attainment across all phases and subjects is acceptable, with students’ literacy challenges playing a key role. In the primary phase, students make good progress in Islamic education, Arabic as an Additional Language, science, and mathematics—a positive outcome for this large phase of the school. Project-based learning (PBL) contributes to this progress. Children in the Foundation Stage also make good progress in science and mathematics.

Personal and social development

Across the school, students consistently demonstrate maturity, respect, and a strong sense of responsibility. They have a strong understanding of the values of Islam and a true appreciation and respect for the UAE's heritage and culture. Students are developing their entrepreneurship supported by the school's progressive curriculum that purposefully and progressively nurtures their skills in enterprise, creativity, and strategic thinking. Through project-based learning, students are enabled to focus on sustainability and explore ecological and environmental issues.

Teaching, curriculum and care

Teachers demonstrate strong subject knowledge and a clear understanding of how students learn. Lessons are carefully planned using assessment data, with learning objectives and success criteria routinely shared. A reliable digital tracking system generates detailed information, enabling timely interventions—especially for students needing literacy support.

Wellbeing

Student and staff well-being is a clear priority, reflected in strong policies and a positive, inclusive learning environment. Most students are confident, happy, and engaged in their learning. Counselling, peer mentoring, and targeted interventions support students’ social-emotional and mental health needs. However, student voice, particularly for students who are new to the school and those with English as an Additional Language requires greater attention to ensure all learners feel genuinely heard and included.

Inclusion

The principal and governing board actively promote an inclusive ethos, supported by a qualified inclusion lead held accountable for high-quality provision. The inclusion team collaborates closely with mainstream staff to embed inclusive practices across the school. Personalised entry assessments identify barriers to learning early, ensuring timely support. An open-door policy encourages parent engagement, while initiatives such as inclusion coffee mornings provide opportunities for families to share experiences and access valuable support throughout their child’s educational journey.

Leadership and management

The owner, governors, leaders, and staff embrace diversity and promote inclusion. Self-evaluation is rigorous and inclusive, with a strong focus on outcomes for all student groups. Planning is transparent, data-driven, and engages parents effectively. Future plans remain inclusive and responsive to student needs. The school’s bold vision, supported by a forward-thinking curriculum and excellent resources, is reflected in mission statements that reassure families in a rapidly changing world.

  1. Back to text, source A

    Parent Report 2024–25

    Summary only

    Page 1

    Checked 16 September 2026.

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

Fees 2026–27

Citizens School tuition for 2026–27 is AED 45,000 (FS1) to AED 80,000 (Year 9) across 11 year groups, as published in the school's KHDA Fees Fact Sheet 2026–27.Note 1Source A: Fees Fact Sheet 2026–27

Year group

Fees for Citizens School
Compare with

Approved tuition is unchanged from 2025–26 in every year group; the discount on the 2026–27 sheet is smaller than on the 2025–26 sheet, so the fee after the discount is higher in all 11 year groups; the school did not raise its approved fee.

Annual tuition by year group, Citizens 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
FS1AED 45,000AED 40,500
FS2AED 55,000AED 49,500
Primary
Year 1AED 65,000AED 61,750
Year 2AED 65,000AED 61,750
Year 3AED 65,000AED 61,750
Year 4AED 65,000AED 61,750
Year 5AED 65,000AED 61,750
Year 6AED 65,000AED 61,750
Secondary
Year 7AED 75,000AED 67,500
Year 8AED 75,000AED 67,500
Year 9AED 80,000AED 72,000

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.

Citizens School fees 2026–27 by year group Also the 2025–26 figures, fees since 2022–23 and other charges.

What a year costs, FS1, 2026–27

Showing FS1. Choose another year group above to see its costs.

Tuition
AED 45,000
KHDA's total for the year
AED 45,000

Required, but not in KHDA's total: uniform, books and the like, bought from the school or elsewhere

Uniform
AED 700 to AED 1,000

A year, before optional servicesAED 45,700 to AED 46,000

Optional services: tick what your child will use

KHDA prints most of these as a range the school may charge up to; the total keeps the whole range.

  • AED 10,000 to AED 13,000
  • AED 4,000 to AED 5,000
  • AED 50 to AED 300
  • AED 4,000 to AED 6,000
  • AED 100 to AED 300
  • AED 100 to AED 200
  • AED 70,000 to AED 100,000
  • AED 50
  • AED 200 to AED 1,000

Joining and re-enrolling

Re-enrollment fees · Existing Students
Up to 5% of the tuition fees or AED 500 (whichever is higher), non-refundable and deductible from the 1st term fees
Application Fees · New Students
AED 500 (Assessment fees included)
Enrolment Fees · New Students
Up to 10% of the tuition fees, non-refundable and deductible from the 1st term fees

Other discounts the school states

Sibling 1
5%
Siblings 2 to 4
10%
School Management Concession
up to 100%
School Employees
up to 100%
Scholarship
up to 30%
Referrals
up to 2.5%
Privilege Cards
up to 5%
Enrollment Fees
100%
Early Payment
up to 2.5%
Corporate
up to 10%
Emirati Students
10%
Founders
up to 10%

The school requested not to increase the tuition fees for the academic year 2026–⁠27. Fees Fact Sheet 2026–27

Ranges are shown as KHDA prints them, never as a single middle figure.

Inspection

2024–25

Wellbeing Dubai focus area

Good

2024–25

Inclusion Dubai focus area

Good

2024–25

Checked 16 September 2026.

KHDA ratings

KHDA ratings in the Full Inspection Report 2024–25. Source A: Full Inspection Report 2024–25

KHDA’s visits resume in 2026–27. A full inspection brings a new rating; a shorter monitoring visit does not.Source KHDA, 3 June 2026 (opens in a new tab)

  1. OverallOverall performance

    Good

    First rated in 2024–25

  2. WellbeingStudents’ personal development and wellbeing

    Good

    First rated in 2024–25

  3. InclusionProvision for students of determination

    Good

    First rated in 2024–25

  4. LeadershipLeadership and management

    Good

    First rated in 2024–25

Checked 16 September 2026.

Ratings by phase, 2024–25KHDA rates these in each phase, with no single rating for the whole school. Phases are named as the report names them.

AreaFoundation StagePrimarySecondary
TeachingTeaching for effective learningGoodGoodAcceptable
AssessmentGoodGoodAcceptable
CurriculumCurriculum design and implementationGoodGoodGood
Adapting the curriculumCurriculum adaptationGoodGoodGood
SafeguardingHealth and safety, including child protectionVery goodVery goodVery good

Source Source A: Full Inspection Report 2024–25

  1. Back to text, source A

What the KHDA scale means

KHDA rates schools on six levels. Good is the level KHDA expects of every school; Acceptable is the minimum level it requires.

Outstanding
«Quality of performance substantially exceeds the expectation of the UAE»23 schools in Dubai hold it now
Very good
«Quality of performance exceeds the expectation of the UAE»47 schools in Dubai hold it now
GoodThis school
«Quality of performance meets the expectation of the UAE»«This is the expected level for every school in the UAE»85 schools in Dubai hold it now
Acceptable
«Quality of performance meets the minimum level of quality required in the UAE»«This is the minimum level for every school in the UAE»52 schools in Dubai hold it now
Weak
«Quality of performance is below the expectation of the UAE»No school in Dubai holds it now
Very weak
«Quality of performance is significantly below the expectation of the UAE»No school in Dubai holds it now

Citizens School was rated Good in 2024–25, one of 85 schools at this level.

Reports before 2015–16 used four levels, not these six. 21 of Dubai's 228 open schools hold no six-level rating yet. Counted the way Market Statistics counts ratings, for the schools open today.

Source UAE School Inspection Framework 2015–16, p. 19 (KHDA)

History

History of Citizens School
Rating

Overall rating by academic year, newest first

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

Checked 16 September 2026.

Findings

10 findings in the last report: 5 strengths, 5 development points.

Group by

Checked 16 September 2026.

Personal development and wellbeing

Note 1

1 strength

  • Strength

    The caring, nurturing and welcoming learning environment.

    Full Inspection Report 2024–25, page 5, paragraph 3

Curriculum and challenge

1 strength

  • Strength

    The innovative curriculum which aims to meet the future needs of ongoing learners.

    Full Inspection Report 2024–25, page 5, paragraph 4

Health, safety and safeguarding

1 strength

  • Strength

    The excellent behaviour and safeguarding of students.

    Full Inspection Report 2024–25, page 5, paragraph 5

Parents and community

1 strength, 1 development point

  • Strength

    The commitment of parents and their strong support for the school.

    Full Inspection Report 2024–25, page 5, paragraph 6

  • Development required

    Ensure that reports to parents include all aspects of their children’s academic and personal development.

    Full Inspection Report 2024–25, page 5, paragraph 13

Leadership and self-evaluation

1 strength, 1 development point

  • Strength

    The respect, support, guidance and inclusion of all by governors, leaders and staff.

    Full Inspection Report 2024–25, page 5, paragraph 7

  • Development required

    Improve the capacity of middle leaders to drive improvement in their areas of responsibility.

    Full Inspection Report 2024–25, page 5, paragraph 12

Reading and literacy

1 development point

  • Development required

    Raise students’ standards of literacy in all subjects and phases.

    Full Inspection Report 2024–25, page 5, paragraph 9

Teaching

2 development points

  • Development required

    Ensure that teachers have access to all relevant data, to inform their lesson planning, and target interventions to improve student outcomes.

    Full Inspection Report 2024–25, page 5, paragraph 10

  • Development required

    Implement integrated technology and differentiation strategies to address the learning needs of all learners.

    Full Inspection Report 2024–25, page 5, paragraph 11

Findings from all 1 reports

  1. Back to text, note 1

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

Leadership

Principal at the 2024–⁠25 inspection
David Lees Source A: Full Inspection Report 2024–25
Appointed 15 Apr 2024, as the report prints it.
Principals since 2024–⁠25
No change of principal Source A: Full Inspection Report 2024–25
David Lees, 2024–25
  1. Back to text, source A

Subjects

Academic outcomes, Citizens School

Attainment by subject and phase, 2024–25KHDA 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 2024–25

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, Citizens School

Islamic Education, by inspection report

Rated2024–25
Islamic Education attainmentPrimaryAcceptable
Islamic Education attainmentSecondaryAcceptable
Islamic Education progressPrimaryGood
Islamic Education progressSecondaryAcceptable

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, 2024–25

AspectWhole schoolEmirati cohort
B. International and Benchmark AchievementAcceptableAcceptable
C. Leadership: International and Emirati AchievementAcceptableNot in this report
D. Teaching and Learning: Improving reading literacyAcceptableAcceptable
Overall school standards in the National Agenda ParameterAcceptableNot in this report

A. Registration Requirements Met Fully

  • The results from external benchmark assessments (GL PTM, PTE, and PTS) show evidence of progress across two assessment cycles in mathematics and science, but not in English.
  • Overall, progress in English remains weak and is only acceptable for Emirati students.
  • In mathematics, overall progression is good, though it is less strong among Emirati students.
  • In science, progression is good for both the whole cohort and Emirati students.
  • Students have completed two sessions of the New Group Reading Test (NGRT) tests in 2024 -2025.
  • The results show improving outcomes.
  1. Back to text, source A

Calendar 2026–27: term dates and holidays

31 Aug 2026 to 2 Jul 2027 · 185 school days

First midterm break
12 Oct 2026 to 16 Oct 20265 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
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

Fridays: every private school in Dubai finishes by 11:30, since 9 January 2026.Source The National, 19 Dec 2025 (opens in a new tab)

During Ramadan, whose dates follow the moon, KHDA caps the school day at five hours; each school confirms its own times.Source Gulf News (opens in a new tab)

How these dates compare with other Dubai schools: holidays 2026–27, break by break

  1. Back to text, source A

    KHDA school directory 2026–27

    Checked 18 September 2026.

Activities

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
  • Rugby

Water sports

  • Swimming · swimming and water confidence lessons · weekly

Facilities

  • Sports hall
  • Swimming pool
  • Playing field
  • Sports courts
  • Makerspace

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 2024–25 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 in FS is delivered by two teachers for three 45-minute sessions per week.

Courses after 16

  • IGCSE subject options

External examinations

  • IGCSE

Facilities

  • School library

Support for students of determination and the gifted

  • The school is inclusive, with comprehensive systems and procedures for the identification of students of determination. p. 4
  • The school modifies the curriculum to meet the different learning needs of most students, for example, through the provision of additional classes to support literacy acquisition. p. 4
  • The school provides counselling, peer mentoring, and tailored interventions, to address students’ social, emotional and mental health needs. p. 9
  • Personalised entry assessment procedures ensure that indicators of barriers to learning are identified. p. 21
  • The inclusion team use a wide range of formative and summative assessment to support this process. p. 21
  • The needs of learners are supported through a variety of methods which include modification, differentiation, intervention, and additional adult support. p. 21

Source Source A: Full Inspection Report 2024–25

  1. Back to text, source A

On the school's website

What the school says about itself on citizens.me, read on 22 September 2026. The school's own words, not checked by KHDA; a figure here is the school's own count. Bus routes and bus fees can change each year, so confirm with the school. The site's name beside a line opens that page.

Admissions

School bus and transport

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.

Students

From KHDA’s 2024–25 inspection report, unless another year is named.

Largest nationality group
Russian Source B: Full Inspection Report 2024–25
KHDA gives no share. Context only, never used in results.
  1. Back to text, source A

    KHDA school directory 2024–25

    Checked 16 September 2026.

  2. Back to text, source B

Snapshots by year

Students and staff by academic year, Citizens School

YearStudentsTeachers
2024–2558656
2023–24536Not available
2022–2366Not available

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

Location

Address
Al Satwa
Phone and email
aya.alkafory@citizens.me
As KHDA's directory listed it on 2026-09-18. Source A: KHDA school directory 2026–27

Around the school

Schools nearby

Within 10 km, by straight-line distance, not a route.

  1. Al Shurooq Private School

    1.2 km · Good 2023–24 · MOE

  2. Jumeira Baccalaureate School

    1.2 km · Very good 2023–24 · IB

  3. Japanese School

    2.3 km · Good 2023–24 · Other, Japanese

  4. JSS Private School

    2.4 km · Very good 2023–24 · Indian CBSE

  5. Horizons English School

    2.7 km · Outstanding 2023–24 · British

The only school in Al SatwaAll British curriculum schools in Dubai

  1. Back to text, source A

    KHDA school directory 2026–27

    Checked 18 September 2026.

Sources

Every document behind this page. Official documents open on the KHDA site in a new tab.

Is something on this page wrong? Tell us what it should say; we reply within 5 working days. Corrections made so far

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