DUBAI SCHOOLS CORPORATION AL KHAWANEEJ
American curriculum, Mirdif, KG1–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
Overall rating
Wellbeing Dubai focus area
Inclusion Dubai focus area
Checked 16 September 2026.
- Back to text, source A
Full Inspection Report 2023–24
Checked 16 September 2026.
- 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.
- Back to text, source C
Fees Fact Sheet 2026–27
Checked 16 September 2026.
Overview
The school
- Curriculum
- American
- Year groups
- KG1–Grade 8
- Languages of instruction
- English
- Founded
- 2021
- Extra-curricular activities
- Football, Swimming and more, 2 confirmed
Students and staff
From KHDA’s 2023–24 inspection report, unless another year is named.
- Students, 2024–25
- 1,300 Source A: KHDA school directory 2024–25
- Teachers
- 59 Source B: Full Inspection Report 2023–24
- Students of determination
- 75 Source B: Full Inspection Report 2023–24
- Emirati students
- 830 Source B: Full Inspection Report 2023–24
- Largest nationality group
- Emirati Source B: Full Inspection Report 2023–24
- KHDA gives no share. Context only, never used in results.
- Guidance counsellors
- 1 Source B: Full Inspection Report 2023–24
Leadership
- Principal at the 2023–24 inspection
- Dr Joseph Kotarski (Acting) Source B: Full Inspection Report 2023–24
- Appointed 2 May 2023, as the report prints it. The current principal is under Contact.
- Principals since 2023–24
- 1 change of principal Source B: Full Inspection Report 2023–24
- Dr Joseph Kotarski (Acting), 2023–24 → John Joseph Garman, in KHDA's directory on 2026-09-18
Contact
- Address
- Mirdif
- Phone and email
- +971 4 372 7000Principal@dubaischools-alkhawaneej.aePrincipal: John Joseph Garman
- 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
- Back to text, source A
KHDA school directory 2024–25
Checked 16 September 2026.
- Back to text, source B
Full Inspection Report 2023–24
Page 3
Checked 16 September 2026.
- 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)
OverallOverall performance
First rated in 2023–24
WellbeingStudents’ personal development and wellbeing
First rated in 2023–24
InclusionProvision for students of determination
First rated in 2023–24
LeadershipLeadership and management
First rated in 2023–24
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.
| Area | KG | Elementary | Middle |
|---|---|---|---|
| TeachingTeaching for effective learning | |||
| Assessment | |||
| CurriculumCurriculum design and implementation | |||
| Adapting the curriculumCurriculum adaptation | |||
| SafeguardingHealth and safety, including child protection |
- Back to text, source A
Full Inspection Report 2023–24
Page 6
Checked 16 September 2026.
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
Attainment is weak in English, science, and maths in the elementary and middle phases, as well as Arabic in the middle phase. Across all subjects, progress is acceptable overall, although inconsistent across phases and better for girls. Students demonstrate positive attitudes to their learning, but opportunities to develop their critical thinking, problemsolving, and independent learning skills are limited and often constrained by their reading and research abilities.
Personal and social development
Most students have positive and responsible attitudes. They appreciate teachers’ feedback to improve their learning. Student-staff relationships are friendly and respectful. Students demonstrate a secure understanding of Islamic values and appreciate Emirati heritage, but their understanding of other world cultures is limited. They have a growing sense of personal responsibility and commitment to the school ethos, and they are aware of environmental issues.
Teaching, curriculum and care
Most teachers show secure subject knowledge with well-structured lesson plans broadly linked to curriculum standards. However, learning objectives and success criteria lack precision. Questioning varies and often fails to encourage deeper thinking. Teachers have a mixed level of expertise in providing support for different groups. Assessment is linked to curriculum standards, and data analysis is centralized. Support for different groups varies. Marking and feedback have improved, but inconsistencies remain.
Wellbeing
Leaders are aware of the need to prioritize the well-being of staff, students, and parents. Professional development varies in impact, and stakeholders have limited awareness of the well-being vision. Communication for students and parents needs improvement. Staff training is sufficient, but well-being support is not personalized. The school promotes student well-being through assemblies, well-being warriors, and the student council. Curriculum initiatives are developing, and students feel safe and supported.
Inclusion
Leaders have a vision of inclusion that is reflected in policies and practices and is evident in the everyday life of the school. The identification of students' needs is mostly accurate and wellinformed, but there is a noticeable absence of assessments to determine literacy starting points. Parents are partners with the school, and some feel well supported. Provision for students of determination is adversely affected by variability in the quality of staffing.
Leadership and management
Leaders set a clear direction but have not yet achieved the school's vision of academic excellence. Defined roles and professional development have improved teaching quality and student learning. Self-evaluation informs improvement plans, and teaching quality is regularly monitored. The governing board holds leaders accountable. Parent engagement and staff turnover issues persist. The school operates smoothly but faces challenges with classroom space and staffing, particularly for English language learners.
- 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 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).
- Back to text, source A
KHDA school directory 2026–27
Checked 16 September 2026.
Academics
Attainment by subject and phase, 2023–24KHDA words for each subject in each phase.
| Subject | Foundation Stage | Primary | Secondary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Islamic Education | Not in this report | ||
| Arabic | Not in this report | ||
| English | |||
| Mathematics | |||
| Science |
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 SCHOOLS CORPORATION AL KHAWANEEJIslamic Education, by inspection report
| Rated | 2023–24 |
|---|---|
| Islamic Education attainmentMiddle | |
| Islamic Education attainmentElementary | |
| Islamic Education progressMiddle | |
| Islamic Education progressElementary |
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
| Aspect | Whole school | Emirati cohort |
|---|---|---|
| International and Benchmark Achievement | Not applicable | |
| Leadership: International and Emirati Achievement | Not in this report | |
| Teaching and Learning: Improving reading literacy | Not applicable | |
| Overall school standards in the National Agenda Parameter | Not in this report |
Registration requirements: Partially Met
- No students took the Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) test in 2021.
- Between the Measure of Academic Progress (MAP) testing in Spring of 2022 and Spring of 2023, students in English, mathematics and science sustained weak judgements.
- In the most recent New Group Reading Test (NGRT), more than two-thirds of the students were identified as weak readers.
- Most students made reading progress in line with expectations from one year’s NGRT testing to the next.
- Back to text, source A
Full Inspection Report 2023–24
Page 6
Checked 16 September 2026.
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 · football pitch · soccer
Water sports
- Swimming · Indoor KG Pool · Learners Pool
Facilities
- Swimming pool
- Theatre or auditorium
- Sports hall
- Sports courts
- Playing field
- 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 to children throughout the Kindergarten (KG) by three qualified specialist teachers in four 45 minute lessons per week.
Facilities
- School buildings
Support for students of determination and the gifted
- The school has developed systems to identify students of determination and plan for their support. p. 18
- Nonetheless, students lack confidence when it comes to forming coherent and precise sentences, whether spoken or written. p. 12
- The identification of students' needs is accurate and well-informed. p. 19
- However, student’s individual education plans (IEPs) do not identify specific literacy goals, and learning targets are not clear enough. p. 19
- Back to text, source A
Full Inspection Report 2023–24
Page 10
Checked 16 September 2026.
On the school's website
What the school says about itself on dubaischools-alkhawaneej.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
- «As per the requirement by the Ministry of Education of the UAE, it is mandatory that we receive a Transfer Certificate (TC) from your child’s current school for us to be able to register your child legally with the KHDA (Knowledge & Human Development Authority – the local education authority).» dubaischools-alkhawaneej.ae on the school's website, opens in a new tab
- «All new enrolled children must provide a Transfer Certificate, regardless of the country and educational curriculum they are coming from.» dubaischools-alkhawaneej.ae on the school's website, opens in a new tab
- «We pride ourselves on inclusion and welcome all students. We provide high-quality education for all children, including gifted children and those requiring more learning support.» dubaischools-alkhawaneej.ae on the school's website, opens in a new tab
- «Admission applications from students with a disability or special educational needs (students of determination) should include as much supporting information/ documents as possible.» dubaischools-alkhawaneej.ae on the school's website, opens in a new tab
School buses
- «Dubai Schools and Taaleem have contracted STS, a highly experienced and established bus transportation company.» dubaischools-alkhawaneej.ae on the school's website, opens in a new tab
- «All vehicles used by STS follow the strictest Road & Transport Authority (RTA) safety standards and guidelines.» dubaischools-alkhawaneej.ae on the school's website, opens in a new tab
- «All bus drivers are highly experienced and authorised and trained by the RTA.» dubaischools-alkhawaneej.ae on the school's website, opens in a new tab
- «A bus guardian also travels with each vehicle and all buses feature a tracking system for the purposes of our student’s safety.» dubaischools-alkhawaneej.ae on the school's website, opens in a new tab
- Back to text, source A
School website, read 22 September 2026
Checked 22 September 2026.
Fees
Tuition across 10 year groupsNote 1
AED 31,398 to AED 51,035Source A: Fees Fact Sheet 2026–27
KG1 to Grade 8, 2026–27
Annual tuition by year group, DUBAI SCHOOLS CORPORATION AL KHAWANEEJ, 2026–27 compared with 2025–26
| Year group | 2026–27Source A: Fees Fact Sheet 2026–27 | 2025–26Source B: Fees Fact Sheet 2025–26 | Change from 2025–26Note 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foundation Stage | |||
| KG1 | AED 31,398 | AED 30,603 | AED 795 more |
| KG2 | AED 34,024 | AED 33,161 | AED 863 more |
| Primary | |||
| Grade 1 | AED 36,439 | AED 35,515 | AED 924 more |
| Grade 2 | AED 36,439 | AED 35,515 | AED 924 more |
| Grade 3 | AED 37,337 | AED 36,391 | AED 946 more |
| Grade 4 | AED 37,967 | AED 37,005 | AED 962 more |
| Grade 5 | AED 41,327 | AED 40,280 | AED 1,047 more |
| Grade 6 | AED 44,735 | AED 42,271 | AED 2,464 more |
| Secondary | |||
| Grade 7 | AED 47,885 | AED 44,829 | AED 3,056 more |
| Grade 8 | AED 51,035 | AED 49,742 | AED 1,293 more |
Checked 16 September 2026.
- 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.
- Back to text, source A
Fees Fact Sheet 2026–27
Tuition for 10 year groups.
Checked 16 September 2026.
- Back to text, source B
Fees Fact Sheet 2025–26
Tuition for 10 year groups.
Checked 16 September 2026.
- 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
7 findings in the last report: 3 strengths, 4 development points.
Personal development and wellbeing
Note 11 strength
Strength
Students’ responsible attitudes, respectful relationships and regular attendance.
Full Inspection Report 2023–24, page 5, paragraph 3
Health, safety and safeguarding
1 strength
Strength
The arrangements to ensure students’ health, safety, security and welfare.
Full Inspection Report 2023–24, page 5, paragraph 4
Leadership and self-evaluation
1 strength
Strength
The day-to-day management of the school and the school’s procedures and routines.
Full Inspection Report 2023–24, page 5, paragraph 5
Attainment and progress
1 development point
Development required
Accelerate progress and raise attainment in all subjects.
Full Inspection Report 2023–24, page 5, paragraph 7
Teaching
2 development points
Development required
Improve the quality and consistency of teaching, learning and assessment.
Full Inspection Report 2023–24, page 5, paragraph 8
Development requiredStudents of determination
Ensure that in all lessons the learning needs of all groups of students, particularly students of determination, are met.
Full Inspection Report 2023–24, page 5, paragraph 9
Staffing, facilities and resources
1 development point
Development requiredStudents learning English as an additional language
Ensure that there are sufficient, appropriately skilled, teachers to meet the needs of early English language learners.
Full Inspection Report 2023–24, page 5, paragraph 10
Findings from all 1 reports
- Back to text, note 1
Topics follow the order of the KHDA inspection framework, not how good or bad a finding is.
History
History of DUBAI SCHOOLS CORPORATION AL KHAWANEEJOverall rating by academic year, newest first
- 2026–27Inspections resume this year. No report yet.
- 2024–25 and 2025–26KHDA paused full inspections. The 2023–24 rating is still the latest. About the pause
- 2023–24First reportFull Inspection Report 2023–24 (opens in a new tab)
- 2021–22 and 2022–23No inspection.
- Opened in 2021–22. No reports before this year.
Checked 16 September 2026.
Snapshots by year
Students and staff by academic year, DUBAI SCHOOLS CORPORATION AL KHAWANEEJ
| Year | Students | Teachers |
|---|---|---|
| 2024–25 | 1,300 | Not available |
| 2023–24 | 879 | 59 |
| 2022–23 | 775 | Not available |
| 2021–22 | 576 | Not 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
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)