Dubai International Academy Al Barsha

Also known as: DIA Al Barsha

Dubai International Academy Al Barsha is a private IB curriculum school in Al Barsha 1, Dubai, for boys and girls from Pre-KG to Grade 12. KHDA rated the school Very good in its 2023–24 inspection. Tuition for 2026–27 is AED 53,111 to AED 96,309 a year, depending on the year group.

Sources: KHDA inspection report 2023–24, p. 6; KHDA Fees Fact Sheet 2026–27.

rating
Very goodKHDA 2023–24, p. 6What Very good means
fee
AED 53,111 – 96,309a year, Pre-KG to Grade 12, 2026–27Fees by year group at every school
whole
Which year group?See its fee and the cost to the end of school
students
1,836 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 53,111 – 96,309a year, Pre-KG to Grade 12, 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
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, Pre-KG
Inspections
This school's latest full inspection report is 2023–24. 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
IB
Year groups
Pre-KG–Grade 12
Gender
Co-educational Source B: Full Inspection Report 2023–24Report wording: Boys and girls
Languages of instruction
English
Founded
2018
Name registered with KHDA
Dubai International Academy Albarsha
Principal
David Robert Charles Hicks
  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 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

Student achievements continue to improve in most subject areas. The school’s delivery of the Primary and Middle Years Programmes (PYP and MYP) is supporting these improvements. Students’ limited ability to speak in Arabic holds them back in the progress they can make in Islamic education and Arabic as a first language. Children in KG make outstanding developmental progress both academically and personal growth. Learning skills are at least very good across the school with improvements in KG and MYP.

Personal and social development

Students in all grades have very positive and responsible attitudes, they are consistently self-disciplined and tolerant of others. This enhances the ethos of caring and well-being in all parts of the school. They have an impressive understanding of safe and healthy lifestyles, Islamic values and UAE culture and society, and frequently participate in activities to promote these. They enjoy coming to school, resulting in the excellent attendance and punctuality.

Teaching, curriculum and care

Teaching across the school is strong, with significant enhancements in the MYP this year. Lesson planning in the PYP is particularly commendable, with some lessons being exceptionally engaging. Teachers stimulate critical thinking through thought-provoking questions. While most students benefit from tailored support, there's an urgent need to more consistently challenge the more able students. Assessment practices adhere to IB standards, though more constructive feedback could further improve learning outcomes.

Wellbeing

The school focuses on making sure students are happy and healthy. They have clear rules, well-thought-out policies, and information is used well to make good decisions. Surveys and PASS data are looked at, and students' opinions help make positive changes, like improved food and more sports events. Multiple teams work together to keep students safe. The staff are also taken care of, with social events and limits on after-hours work emails. The programme covers all ages creating a positive environment for students to learn and develop good values.

Inclusion

The school is committed to being inclusive, with clear policies and proactive efforts by the inclusion lead. Thorough processes, involving both teachers and parents, are used to identify and support students. Parents are happy with the positive changes they see in their children's confidence and skills. Lesson plans are well thought out, allowing for individual needs. Staff training ensures good support for all students of determination, and almost all are making at least very good progress towards meeting their IEP targets.

Leadership and management

The leadership of the school continues to have a positive impact on steadily improving school outcomes. The school's own self-evaluation provides an accurate picture of the school, which is supporting the effective plans for school improvement. The board plays an active role in supporting the school’s development. The parents and the Parent Association (PADIAB) are very active and engaged with the school. The facilities and resources have been enhanced.

  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.

Fees 2026–27

Dubai International Academy Al Barsha tuition for 2026–27 is AED 53,111 (Pre-KG) to AED 96,309 (Grade 11 and Grade 12) across 15 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 Dubai International Academy Al Barsha
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 15 year groups; the school did not raise its approved fee.

Annual tuition by year group, Dubai International Academy Al Barsha, 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 53,111AED 47,807
KG1AED 59,898AED 53,582
KG2AED 60,459AED 56,237
Primary
Grade 1AED 68,466AED 62,163
Grade 2AED 68,466AED 62,163
Grade 3AED 68,466AED 62,608
Grade 4AED 68,466AED 62,608
Grade 5AED 68,466AED 62,608
Grade 6AED 79,221AED 70,635
Secondary
Grade 7AED 79,221AED 70,635
Grade 8AED 79,221AED 70,635
Grade 9AED 87,792AED 78,170
Grade 10AED 87,792AED 78,170
Post-16
Grade 11AED 96,309AED 84,928
Grade 12AED 96,309AED 84,928

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 15 year groups.

    Checked 16 September 2026.

  3. Back to text, source B

    Fees Fact Sheet 2025–26

    Tuition for 15 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.

Dubai International Academy Al Barsha fees 2026–27 by year group Also the 2025–26 figures, fees since 2018–19 and other charges.

Other campuses of Dubai International Academy: Emirates Hills

What a year costs, Pre-KG, 2026–27

Showing Pre-KG. Choose another year group above to see its costs.

Tuition
AED 53,111
KHDA's total for the year
AED 53,111

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

Uniform
AED 800 to AED 3,000
School ID Card ReplacementOnly when needed; not paid every year
AED 100

A year, before optional servicesAED 53,911 to AED 56,111

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 9,000 to AED 11,000
  • AED 100 to AED 15,000
  • AED 50 to AED 22,000
  • AED 1,000 to AED 8,000
  • AED 50 to AED 2,000
  • AED 500 to AED 9,000
  • AED 25 to AED 500
  • AED 1 to AED 60
  • AED 50 to AED 2,000
  • AED 18,000 to AED 48,000
  • AED 25 to AED 500

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

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

2023–24

Earlier reports

  1. 2022–23, Good, Full Inspection Report
  2. 2021–22, Good, Full Inspection Report
  3. 2020–21, Good, KHDA school directory (opens in a new tab)

Wellbeing Dubai focus area

Very good

2023–24

Inclusion Dubai focus area

Very good

2023–24

Checked 16 September 2026.

KHDA ratings

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

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

    Very good

    Up from Good Earlier: Good in 3 reports.

  2. WellbeingStudents’ personal development and wellbeing

    Very good

    First rated in 2023–24

  3. InclusionProvision for students of determination

    Very good

    Up from Good Earlier: Good in 2 reports.

  4. LeadershipLeadership and management

    Very good

    Same as 2022–23 Earlier: Very good in 1 report and Good 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.

AreaKGPYPMYPDP
TeachingTeaching for effective learningVery goodVery goodVery goodVery good
AssessmentVery goodVery goodVery goodVery good
CurriculumCurriculum design and implementationOutstandingOutstandingOutstandingOutstanding
Adapting the curriculumCurriculum adaptationVery goodVery goodVery goodVery good
SafeguardingHealth and safety, including child protectionOutstandingOutstandingOutstandingOutstanding

Source Source A: Full Inspection Report 2023–24

  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 goodThis school
«Quality of performance exceeds the expectation of the UAE»47 schools in Dubai hold it now
Good
«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

Dubai International Academy Al Barsha was rated Very good in 2023–24, one of 47 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

3 KHDA inspection reports on file, 2021–22 to 2023–24.

History of Dubai International Academy Al Barsha
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. 2023–24Very goodUp from GoodNote 1Full Inspection Report 2023–24 (opens in a new tab) PDF
  4. 2022–23GoodSame as 2021–22Full Inspection Report 2022–23 (opens in a new tab) PDF
  5. 2021–22GoodSame as 2020–21Full Inspection Report 2021–22 (opens in a new tab) PDF
  6. 2020–21GoodFirst reportReport not online
  7. 2018–19 and 2019–20No inspection.
  8. Opened in 2018–19. 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.

Findings

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

Group by

Checked 16 September 2026.

Personal development and wellbeing

Note 1

1 strength

  • Strength

    The students’ sense of responsibility, their work ethic, and their well-developed understanding of Islamic values and UAE culture and society.

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

Parents and community

1 strength

  • Strength

    The positive impact of students’ and parents’ views.

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

Curriculum and challenge

1 strength

  • Strength

    The coherent and well-structured curriculum with a widening range of pathways for older students.

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

Early years

1 strength

  • StrengthKG

    The very positive start made by children in KG.

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

Leadership and self-evaluation

1 strength

  • Strength

    The commitment and drive of the leadership team to improve school outcomes.

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

Teaching

2 development points

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

    Improve the quality and consistency of teaching and raise attainment in Islamic Education and Arabic.

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

  • Development required, recurring in 3 of the last 3 reports

    Further improve the consistency of teaching by making more effective use of assessment data to plan learning activities that match the learning needs of all groups of students.

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

Reading and literacy

1 development point

  • Development required

    Enhance current strategies to improve reading outcomes for all students.

    Full Inspection Report 2023–24, page 8, paragraph 15

Emirati students

1 development point

  • Development requiredEmirati students

    Improve Emirati students’ outcomes in external mathematics benchmark assessments.

    Full Inspection Report 2023–24, page 8, paragraph 16

Health, safety and safeguarding

1 development point

  • Development required

    Display signs clearly indicating the locations of for counsellors, medical staff and wellbeing leads across the school.

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

Findings from 1 of 3 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 3 reports, 2021–22 to 2023–24. Findings come only from Full Inspection Reports, never from Parent Reports.

Leadership

Principal at the 2023–⁠24 inspection
Ian Thurston Source A: Full Inspection Report 2023–24
Appointed 5 Jul 2022, as the report prints it. The current principal is under Location.
Principals since 2021–⁠22
2 changes of principal
Rod Boswell, 2021–22 → Ian Thurston, 2022–23 to 2023–24 → David Robert Charles Hicks, in KHDA's directory on 2026-09-18
  1. Back to text, source A

Subjects

Academic outcomes, Dubai International Academy Al Barsha

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

SubjectFoundation StagePrimarySecondaryPost-16
Islamic EducationNot in this reportAcceptableAcceptableAcceptable
ArabicNot in this reportAcceptableAcceptableAcceptable
EnglishVery goodVery goodVery goodVery good
MathematicsVery goodVery goodVery goodVery good
ScienceVery goodOutstandingVery goodGood

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, Dubai International Academy Al Barsha

Islamic Education, by inspection report

Rated2021–222022–232023–24
Islamic Education attainmentDPAcceptableAcceptableAcceptable
Islamic Education attainmentMYPAcceptableAcceptableAcceptable
Islamic Education attainmentPYPAcceptableAcceptableAcceptable
Islamic Education progressDPGoodGoodGood
Islamic Education progressMYPGoodGoodGood
Islamic Education progressPYPGoodGoodGood

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 AchievementOutstandingGood
Leadership: International and Emirati AchievementVery goodNot in this report
Teaching and Learning: Improving reading literacyVery goodVery good
Overall school standards in the National Agenda ParameterVery goodNot in this report

Registration requirements: Met Fully

  • The school's performance in the Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) between 2016 to 2021 showed an improvement, with the school’s latest score of 600 exceeding its target of 547.
  • Whole school progression in standardised benchmark assessments saw English move to very good and mathematics and science to outstanding.

Earlier reports

  • 2022–23: Overall, the school’s progression to achieve the UAE National Agenda targets — is above expectations

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:

  • Vocational only. A BTEC Level 3 Diploma counts as a technical certificate, not the general secondary certificate.
  • IB: the IB Diploma, or six IB subject certificates at grade 3 or above with 21 points, including English, maths and a science.
  • Vocational only. The IB Career-related Programme counts as a technical certificate, not the general secondary certificate.

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

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
  • Basketball
  • Netball
  • Volleyball
  • Cricket
  • Rugby · Tag Rugby

Water sports

  • Swimming

Racket sports

  • Tennis
  • Badminton
  • Table tennis

Individual sports

  • Athletics · Cross Country
  • Gymnastics

Dance

  • Dance (other) · Dance

Music

  • Choir & singing · the school choir · at Expo2020

Science & technology

  • Robotics · robotics competitions

Debate & strategy

  • Model United Nations · MUN
    ·
  • Chess · the chess club

Facilities

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

Also mentioned: Aquathon, Rounders, talent shows, the eco club

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 a first language, progress is acceptable in MYP and good in PYP and DP. Attainment is acceptable in all three phases.

Facilities

  • Library
  • Medical clinics

Courses after 16

  • IB Career-related · Careers-related Programme (CP)
  • Vocationally oriented courses
  • BTEC · Business, Technology Education Council (BTEC) vocational option

Support for students of determination and the gifted

  • Support for students of determination is improving, with very effective identification and appropriate interventions. p. 4
  • The identification of students of determination and those with English as an additional language is robust. p. 18
  • Identification and accuracy in determining the level of need of has improved provision for students of determination. p. 18
  • Teachers have access to students’ individual education plans (IEPs). p. 19
  • Students of determination are well supported by the inclusion team in classrooms and separate sessions. p. 19
  • Support assistants and support teachers are well trained and work in collaboration with classroom teachers. 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 diabarsha.com, 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 2023–24 inspection report, unless another year is named.

Students, 2024–⁠25
1,836 Source A: KHDA school directory 2024–25
Students of determination
148 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.
  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, Dubai International Academy Al Barsha

YearStudentsTeachersTeacher turnover
2024–251,836Not availableNot available
2023–241,631152Not available
2022–231,37313720%
2021–221,15811831%
2020–21838Not availableNot available
2019–20768Not availableNot available
2018–19425Not availableNot available

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

Location

Address
Al Barsha First
Phone and email
Compliance@innoventureseducation.comPrincipal: David Robert Charles Hicks
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. Smart Vision School

    0.8 km · Good 2023–24 · British

  2. Al Mawakeb School Al Barsha

    1.2 km · Good 2023–24 · American

  3. Dubai National School – Al Barsha

    1.7 km · Good 2023–24 · American

  4. Al Arqam Private School

    1.9 km · Acceptable 2023–24 · MOE

  5. Horizon International School

    2.1 km · Very good 2023–24 · British

All 8 schools in Al BarshaAll IB 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.

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