Dubai Schools Al Khawaneej
Also known as: DSK
Dubai Schools Al Khawaneej is a private American curriculum school in Al Khawaneej (Mirdif in KHDA’s records), Dubai, for boys and girls from KG1 to Grade 8. KHDA rated the school Acceptable in its 2023–24 inspection. Tuition for 2026–27 is AED 30,603 to AED 45,853 a year, depending on the year group.
Sources: KHDA inspection report 2023–24, p. 6; KHDA Fees Fact Sheet 2026–27.
- rating
- Acceptable: level 3 of 6 on KHDA’s scale, from Very weak to OutstandingKHDA 2023–24, p. 6What Acceptable means
- fee
- AED 30,603 – 45,853a year, KG1 to Grade 8, 2026–27Fees by year group at every school
- whole
- Which year group?See its fee and the cost to the end of school
- students
- 1,300 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 30,603 – 45,853a year, KG1 to Grade 8, 2026–27
Not included: transport, uniform, books, trips, sibling discounts.
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.
- Year groups
- KG1 to Grade 8Which year group for your child? → September 2027 intake →
- 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
- dubaischools-alkhawaneej.ae+971 4 372 7000Principal@dubaischools-alkhawaneej.aeTelephone 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, KG1
- 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
- American
- Year groups
- KG1–Grade 8
- Gender
- Co-educational Source B: Full Inspection Report 2023–24Report wording: Boys and girls
- Languages of instruction
- English
- Founded
- 2021
- Name registered with KHDA
- DUBAI SCHOOLS CORPORATION AL KHAWANEEJ L.L.C
- Extra-curricular activities
- Football, Swimming and more, 2 confirmed
- Principal
- John Joseph Garman
- Website
- dubaischools-alkhawaneej.ae
- 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.
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.
Fees 2026–27
Dubai Schools Al Khawaneej tuition for 2026–27 is AED 30,603 (KG1) to AED 45,853 (Grade 8) across 10 year groups, as published in the school's KHDA Fees Fact Sheet 2026–27, after the discount the school lists; KHDA's approved tuition is AED 31,398 to AED 51,035. Against 2025–26, tuition rose in every year group compared.Note 1Source A: Fees Fact Sheet 2026–27
Annual tuition by year group, Dubai Schools 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 30,603approved AED 31,398 | AED 30,603 | AED 795 more |
| KG2 | AED 33,161approved AED 34,024 | AED 33,161 | AED 863 more |
| Primary | |||
| Grade 1 | AED 35,515approved AED 36,439 | AED 35,515 | AED 924 more |
| Grade 2 | AED 35,515approved AED 36,439 | AED 35,515 | AED 924 more |
| Grade 3 | AED 36,391approved AED 37,337 | AED 36,391 | AED 946 more |
| Grade 4 | AED 37,005approved AED 37,967 | AED 37,005 | AED 962 more |
| Grade 5 | AED 39,712approved AED 41,327 | AED 39,712 | AED 1,047 more |
| Grade 6 | AED 42,271approved AED 44,735 | AED 42,271 | AED 2,464 more |
| Secondary | |||
| Grade 7 | AED 44,829approved AED 47,885 | AED 44,829 | AED 3,056 more |
| Grade 8 | AED 45,853approved AED 51,035 | AED 45,853 | 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.
Dubai Schools Al Khawaneej fees 2026–27 by year group Also the 2025–26 figures, fees since 2022–23 and other charges.
Tuition as listed on the school's KHDA Fees Fact Sheet, after the discount it lists («Discount on Tuition fees»), with the approved tuition beneath. The sheet is issued for one academic year and lists other discount schemes separately, «as applicable»; confirm the amount with the school.
What a year costs, KG1, 2026–27
Showing KG1. Choose another year group above to see its costs.
- Tuition
- AED 31,398
- Discount on tuition
- −AED 795
- KHDA's total for the year
- AED 30,603
Required, but not in KHDA's total: uniform, books and the like, bought from the school or elsewhere
- Books
- up to AED 200
- Stationery
- up to AED 200
- School ID Card ReplacementOnly when needed; not paid every year
- up to AED 50
A year, before optional servicesAED 30,603 to AED 31,003
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
- Siblings 3 to 8
- 10%
- Corporate
- up to 20%
- School Employees
- up to 100%
- Referrals
- AED 1,000
The sheet's sibling discounts start at «Sibling 3», as it names them.
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
Overall rating
Wellbeing Dubai focus area
Inclusion Dubai focus area
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)
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.
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.
- «Quality of performance substantially exceeds the expectation of the UAE»23 schools in Dubai hold it now
- «Quality of performance exceeds the expectation of the UAE»47 schools in Dubai hold it now
- «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
- «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
- «Quality of performance is below the expectation of the UAE»No school in Dubai holds it now
- «Quality of performance is significantly below the expectation of the UAE»No school in Dubai holds it now
Dubai Schools Al Khawaneej was rated Acceptable in 2023–24, one of 52 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 Dubai Schools 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.
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.
Leadership
- Principal at the 2023–24 inspection
- Dr Joseph Kotarski (Acting) Source A: Full Inspection Report 2023–24
- Appointed 2 May 2023, as the report prints it. The current principal is under Location.
- Principals since 2023–24
- 1 change of principal Source A: Full Inspection Report 2023–24
- Dr Joseph Kotarski (Acting), 2023–24 → John Joseph Garman, in KHDA's directory on 2026-09-18
- Back to text, source A
Full Inspection Report 2023–24
Page 3
Checked 16 September 2026.
Subjects
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 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.
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
- 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 · 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. 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
- «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 bus and transport
- «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.
Students
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
- 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.
Snapshots by year
Students and staff by academic year, Dubai Schools 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.
Location
- 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 A: KHDA school directory 2026–27
Around the school
Schools nearby
Within 10 km, by straight-line distance, not a route.
- Al Basateen Private Nursery
1.2 km · 2023–24 · MOE
- Emirates National Schools
2.0 km · 2023–24 · IB, American
- Dar Al Marefa Private School
4.1 km · 2023–24 · IB
- GEMS Founders School – Al Mizhar
7.0 km · 2023–24 · British
- Pace Springfield International School
7.7 km · No rating yet · British
All 4 schools in Al KhawaneejAll American curriculum schools in Dubai
- 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.
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)
School website · web page, English
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