Crescent English School

Indian CBSE curriculum, Al Qusais First, KG1–Grade 12

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. 12 earlier reports, see all years

Wellbeing Dubai focus area

Good

2023–24

Inclusion Dubai focus area

Acceptable

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
Indian CBSE
Year groups
KG1–Grade 12
Gender
Co-educational Source B: Full Inspection Report 2023–24
Report wording: Boys and girls
Languages of instruction
English
Founded
1984

Students and staff

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

Students, 2024–⁠25
1,601 Source A: KHDA school directory 2024–25
Students of determination
110 Source B: Full Inspection Report 2023–24
Largest nationality group
Indian Source B: Full Inspection Report 2023–24
KHDA gives no share. Context only, never used in results.

Leadership

Principal at the 2023–⁠24 inspection
Mr.Sharafudeen Thanikatt Source B: Full Inspection Report 2023–24
Appointed 4 Aug 2020, as the report prints it. The current principal is under Contact.
Principals since 2011–⁠12
3 changes of principal
T. A. Khalifullah, 2011–12 to 2012–13 → Susan Rubin Varghese, 2015–16 → (Acting) Mrs. Nigar Rashed, 2016–17 to 2018–19 → Mr. Sharafudeen Thanikatt, 2019–20 to 2023–24

Contact

Address
Al Qusais First
Phone and email
+971 4 298 8866principal@crescentschooldubai.comPrincipal: Sharafudeen Thanikatt
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 6 reports and Weak in 3 reports.

  2. WellbeingStudents’ personal development and wellbeing

    Good

    First rated in 2023–24

  3. InclusionProvision for students of determination

    Acceptable

    Same as 2022–23 Earlier: Acceptable in 2 reports.

  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.

AreaKGPrimaryMiddleSecondary
TeachingTeaching for effective learningGoodAcceptableAcceptableAcceptable
AssessmentGoodAcceptableAcceptableAcceptable
CurriculumCurriculum design and implementationGoodGoodAcceptableAcceptable
Adapting the curriculumCurriculum adaptationGoodAcceptableAcceptableAcceptable
SafeguardingHealth and safety, including child protectionVery goodGoodGoodGood

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

The achievements of children in Kindergarten (KG) are strong across the curriculum. In the primary and middle phases, attainment and progress are good in Islamic education and English and strong in primary mathematics. Their achievements in other areas are not as strong. Lesson observation and analysis of students work over time confirms assessment data. In the KG and primary phases especially, students possess good learning skills.

Personal and social development

Across the school, students are responsible and self-disciplined; they should courtesy and respect to others, and are self-reliant. Students' attendance is excellent and they have a strong understanding of their own, Emirati and other cultures. They are environmentally conscious and participate in various community activities. Students' social responsibility and innovation skills are good in the first three phases and very good in secondary.

Teaching, curriculum and care

The quality of teaching varies across phases. Kindergarten (KG) sees primarily good teaching, while primary, middle, and secondary phases are considered acceptable. In the primary phase, there's a need for more consistent teacher questioning and critical thinking provision. In upper phases, teaching can be overly teacher-led, with inconsistency in teachers' subject knowledge and understanding of child learning.

Wellbeing

This school places a strong emphasis on the promotion of well-being. Teachers and leaders set a good example and clear policies are in place. A dedicated counsellor helps students and adults with well-being concerns. Well-being information is regularly collected through surveys and teacher feedback, which is used to improve its promotion. Students can easily report their well-being concerns, using tools like worry boxes and through the student council.

Inclusion

School leaders maintain a strong commitment to inclusion, demonstrating ongoing support for students of determination, including investments in bespoke resources. They employ assessments for the identification of these students, enabling early intervention and adherence to KHDA expectations. The school actively engages parents through personalised communication and involvement in their child's support.Modifications to the curriculum and after-school clubs are instrumental in promoting independence and personal development. Some students are also engaged in programme planning to foster success and independence.

Leadership and management

The school's governors and leaders establish a clear direction, emphasising the raising of academic standards. Middle leaders are increasingly effective in supporting school improvements. There are strong partnerships between leaders and parents as well as the local community, although connections with the wider community could benefit from reinforcement. The governing body ensures leadership consistency and high performance. The school operates efficiently, and teacher professional development is on an upward trajectory, contributing to improved 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

6 Apr 2026 to 19 Mar 2027 · 182 school days

Eid al-Adha
26 May 2026 to 29 May 20264 daysexpected, subject to moon sighting
Islamic New Year
16 Jun 2026expected, subject to moon sighting
Summer break includes Prophet’s birthday
6 Jul 2026 to 28 Aug 202654 days
Other school holidays
9 Nov 2026
National Day
2 Dec 2026 to 3 Dec 20262 days
Winter break includes New year’s day
14 Dec 2026 to 2 Jan 202720 days
Other school holidays
26 Jan 2027
Eid al-Fitr
8 Mar 2027 to 11 Mar 20274 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, Crescent English School

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

SubjectFoundation StagePrimarySecondary
Islamic EducationNot in this reportGoodGood
ArabicNot in this reportWeakWeak
EnglishGoodGoodGood
MathematicsGoodGoodAcceptable
ScienceGoodAcceptableAcceptable

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, Crescent English School

Islamic Education, by inspection report

Rated2015–162016–172017–182018–192019–202022–232023–24
Islamic Education attainmentPrimaryAcceptableAcceptableAcceptableAcceptableAcceptableGoodGood
Islamic Education attainmentMiddleAcceptableAcceptableAcceptableAcceptableAcceptableGoodGood
Islamic Education attainmentSecondaryGoodGoodGoodGoodGoodGoodGood
Islamic Education progressPrimaryAcceptableAcceptableAcceptableAcceptableAcceptableGoodGood
Islamic Education progressMiddleAcceptableAcceptableAcceptableAcceptableAcceptableGoodGood
Islamic Education progressSecondaryGoodGoodGoodGoodGoodGoodGood

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 AchievementAcceptableNot applicable
Leadership: International and Emirati AchievementAcceptableNot in this report
Teaching and Learning: Improving reading literacyAcceptableNot applicable
Overall, the school’s standards in the National Agenda ParameterAcceptableNot in this report

Registration requirements: Not applicable

  • The school achieved the targets set in the PIRLS assessments.
  • The school’s score of 946 in the New Group Reading Test (NGRT) placed it in the acceptable range.

Earlier reports

  • 2022–23: Overall, the school’s progression to achieve the UAE National Agenda targets — meets expectations
  • 2019–20: Overall, the school's progress toward achieving its UAE National Agenda targets — is approaching expectations
  • 2018–19: Overall, the schools progression to achieve the UAE National Agenda targets — is approaching expectations
  • 2017–18: Overall, the school's provision for achieving its National Agenda targets — is below expectation
  • 2016–17: Overall, the school’s improvement towards achieving its National Agenda targets — is not secure
  • 2015–16: no verdict read

Recognised by UAE universities?

UAE universities ask for the Ministry of Education’s equivalency of the Grade 12 certificate. For this school’s curriculum, the student needs:

  • Indian: the Grade 12 and Grade 10 board certificates, with Grade 11 transcripts.

Arab students also need Arabic, and Muslim students Islamic Studies, in each of the last three years.
KHDA attests the certificate first. Ask the school which body accredits it.Source Ministry of Education, equivalency service, read 24 September 2026 (opens in a new tab)

  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.

Dance

  • Dance (other) · dance

Art & design

  • Art

Debate & strategy

  • Model United Nations · Crescent Model United Nations (CMUN)

Facilities

  • Playing field
    ·
  • Sports courts
  • Makerspace
  • Music rooms

Mentioned in earlier KHDA reports

  • Robotics

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 · as an additional language for KG2 children with one lesson per week

External examinations

  • CBSE

Support for students of determination and the gifted

  • There are appropriate systems for the identification of students of determination and those who are gifted and talented. p. 19
  • The inclusion leader and teaching staff are committed to early identification and to designing interventions which are appropriately challenging to assist most students’ progress. p. 19
  • Leaders promote inclusivity and cater for the needs of students of determination, with policies and investments such as, interactive boards and Braille technology. p. 20
  • The school employs a variety of assessment tools to identify students of determination. p. 20
  • These procedures ensure the accurate identification and intervention. Barriers to learning are aligned with the Dubai standards, and the individualised plans are regularly checked to assess progress. p. 20
  • Curriculum modifications provide some independence and interventions, including withdrawal sessions, and fostering confidence and resilience. p. 20

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 crescentschooldubai.com, 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

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 14 year groupsNote 1

AED 2,859 to AED 10,374Source A: Fees Fact Sheet 2026–27

KG1 to Grade 12, 2026–27

Year group

Fees for Crescent English School
Compare with

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

Annual tuition by year group, Crescent English 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
KG1AED 2,859AED 2,859
KG2AED 2,859AED 2,859
Primary
Grade 1AED 2,980AED 2,980
Grade 2AED 2,980AED 2,980
Grade 3AED 3,128AED 3,128
Grade 4AED 3,128AED 3,128
Grade 5AED 3,276AED 3,276
Grade 6AED 3,276AED 3,276
Secondary
Grade 7AED 3,500AED 3,500
Grade 8AED 3,500AED 3,500
Grade 9AED 3,722AED 3,722
Grade 10AED 4,096AED 4,096
Post-16
Grade 11AED 7,688AED 7,688
Grade 12AED 10,374AED 10,374

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 14 year groups.

    Checked 16 September 2026.

  3. Back to text, source B

    Fees Fact Sheet 2025–26

    Tuition for 14 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

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

Group by

Checked 16 September 2026.

Early years

Note 1

1 strength

  • StrengthKG

    Children’s secure learning and the curriculum provision in KG

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

Personal development and wellbeing

2 strengths

  • Strength

    Students positive and responsible attitudes to learning, their understanding of Emirati culture and respectful relationships with other students and adults

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

  • Strength

    The supportive arrangements for student wellbeing.

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

Parents and community

1 strength

  • Strength

    The strong partnerships developed with parents and their support for the school

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

Leadership and self-evaluation

1 development point

  • Development required, recurring in 3 of the last 5 reportsNote 2

    Improve the effectiveness of middle leadership by: - raising students` attainment and progress in Arabic; - ensuring that in all lessons learning activities provide an appropriate level of challenge for all groups of students; - providing regular opportunity in lessons for activities that develop students higher order thinking skills, creativity and innovation, and - firmly embedding assessment procedures so that they are consistently applied by teachers in all subjects.

    Full Inspection Report 2023–24, page 5, paragraph 8

Assessment

2 development points

  • Development required, recurring in 2 of the last 5 reports

    Ensure that benchmark assessment results are used consistently to identify gaps in learning and that improvement plans impact positively on students’ progress.

    Full Inspection Report 2023–24, page 9, paragraph 3

  • Development required, recurring in 2 of the last 5 reports

    Review systematically, the impact of planned interventions intended to improve students’ reading literacy skills.

    Full Inspection Report 2023–24, page 9, paragraph 4

Inclusion of students of determination

1 development point

  • Development required, recurring in 3 of the last 5 reportsSecondary education, Students of determination

    Enhance additional subject or alternative education programme choices for students of determination in secondary education to support their wellbeing.

    Full Inspection Report 2023–24, page 10, paragraph 9

Findings from 1 of 9 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 5 reports, 2017–18 to 2023–24. Findings come only from Full Inspection Reports, never from Parent Reports.

KHDA’s return visits

After an Unsatisfactory inspection, KHDA came back to check each recommendation. Its verdict at every visit, as the visit report prints it.

Asked in the 2012–13 inspection

“Met” and “Not met” are KHDA’s words: the school had, or had not, met the requirements of the recommendation to an acceptable level.

History

11 KHDA inspection reports on file, 2009–10 to 2023–24.

History of Crescent English 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. 2022–23AcceptableSame as 2019–20Full Inspection Report 2022–23 (opens in a new tab) PDF
  5. 2020–21 and 2021–22No inspection.
  6. 2019–20AcceptableSame as 2018–19Full Inspection Report 2019–20 (opens in a new tab) PDF
  7. 2018–19AcceptableUp from WeakFull Inspection Report 2018–19 (opens in a new tab) PDF
  8. 2017–18WeakSame as 2016–17Full Inspection Report 2017–18 (opens in a new tab) PDF
  9. 2016–17WeakSame as 2015–16Full Inspection Report 2016–17 (opens in a new tab) PDF
  10. 2015–16WeakNot comparable: four-level scaleFull Inspection Report 2015–16 (opens in a new tab) PDF
  11. Six-level scale starts in 2015–16. Earlier reports used four levels.
  12. 2014–15“Unsatisfactory”Four-level scale, not placedReport not online
  13. 2013–14“Unsatisfactory”Four-level scale, not placedReport not online
  14. 2012–13“Unsatisfactory”Four-level scale, not placedFull Inspection Report 2012–13 (opens in a new tab) PDF
  15. 2011–12AcceptableSame as 2010–11Full Inspection Report 2011–12 (opens in a new tab) PDF
  16. 2010–11AcceptableSame as 2009–10Full Inspection Report 2010–11 (opens in a new tab) PDF
  17. 2009–10AcceptableFirst reportFull Inspection Report 2009–10 (opens in a new tab) PDF

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, Crescent English School

YearStudentsTeachersTeacher turnover
2024–251,601Not availableNot available
2023–241,55088Not available
2022–231,4788220%
2021–221,327Not availableNot available
2020–211,242Not availableNot available
2019–201,3509021%
2018–191,2928124%
2017–181,3388231%
2016–171,3508329%
2015–161,4696562%
2014–151,436Not availableNot available
2013–141,661Not availableNot available
2012–131,445Not availableNot available
2011–121,458Not availableNot available
2010–111,349Not availableNot available

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

Sources

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

Full Inspection Reports · PDF, English

Not online: the reports of 2014–15, 2013–14. The timeline takes those years’ rating from KHDA’s open data.

Follow-through inspection reports · PDF, English

Parent Reports · PDF, English

A shorter summary for parents. Findings and answers use the Full Inspection Report.

Fees Fact Sheets · web page, English

KHDA school directory · web page, English

KHDA school directory 2026–27 (opens in a new tab)KHDA school directory 2024–25 (opens in a new tab)KHDA school directory 2023–24 (opens in a new tab)KHDA school directory 2022–23 (opens in a new tab)KHDA school directory 2021–22 (opens in a new tab)KHDA school directory 2020–21 (opens in a new tab)KHDA school directory 2019–20 (opens in a new tab)KHDA school directory 2018–19 (opens in a new tab)KHDA school directory 2017–18 (opens in a new tab)KHDA school directory 2016–17 (opens in a new tab)KHDA school directory 2015–16 (opens in a new tab)KHDA school directory 2014–15 (opens in a new tab)KHDA school directory 2013–14 (opens in a new tab)KHDA school directory 2012–13 (opens in a new tab)KHDA school directory 2011–12 (opens in a new tab)

School website · web page, English