Dwight School

IB curriculum, Dubai Sports City, Pre-KG–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. 2022–23, Good, Full Inspection Report
  2. 2021–22, Acceptable, Full Inspection Report
  3. 2020–21, Acceptable, KHDA school directory (opens in a new tab)

Wellbeing Dubai focus area

Good

2023–24

Inclusion Dubai focus area

Very good

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
IB
Year groups
Pre-KG–Grade 12
Gender
Co-educational Source B: Full Inspection Report 2023–24
Report wording: Boys and girls
Languages of instruction
English
Founded
2018

Students and staff

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

Largest nationality group
American Source B: Full Inspection Report 2023–24
KHDA gives no share. Context only, never used in results.

Leadership

Principal at the 2023–⁠24 inspection
David Hutson Source B: Full Inspection Report 2023–24
Appointed 9 Jan 2020, as the report prints it. The current principal is under Contact.
Principals since 2021–⁠22
No change of principal
David John Hutson, 2021–22 to 2023–24

Contact

Address
Dubai Sports City
Phone and email
800394448Info@dwight.aePrincipal: David John Hutson
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

    Good

    Same as 2022–23 Earlier: Good in 1 report and Acceptable in 2 reports.

  2. WellbeingStudents’ personal development and wellbeing

    Good

    First rated in 2023–24

  3. InclusionProvision for students of determination

    Very good

    Up from Good Earlier: Good in 1 report and Acceptable in 1 report.

  4. LeadershipLeadership and management

    Good

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

AreaKGPYPMYPDP
TeachingTeaching for effective learningGoodGoodGoodGood
AssessmentGoodVery goodGoodGood
CurriculumCurriculum design and implementationGoodVery goodVery goodVery good
Adapting the curriculumCurriculum adaptationGoodVery goodVery goodVery good
SafeguardingHealth and safety, including child protectionVery goodVery goodVery goodVery good

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

In PYP and MYP student learning skills are showing improvement, especially where learning opportunities allow students to fully demonstrate these. There are notable improvements in Kindergarten (KG) where all outcomes are good. In Arabic languages and Islamic Education there are improvements in both attainment and progress. English in the Diploma Programme (DP) is outstanding. In Primary and Middle student learning skills are showing improvement, especially where learning opportunities allow students to fully demonstrate these.

Personal and social development

In all phases, students have positive attitudes, are self-disciplined and show respect and tolerance for others. This is at an outstanding level in DP. There is a strong community spirit in the school. Students understanding of Islamic values and Emirati culture is good. Students regularly volunteer as student leaders, ambassadors, buddies, and mentors, and demonstrate environmental awareness. The student council engage in, and support student initiatives, giving a voice for students in school improvement.

Teaching, curriculum and care

Effective teaching has led to improvements, particularly in KG. However, teaching quality varies across subjects. Efficient time management and skillful questioning techniques foster reasoning, problem-solving, and critical thinking. Opportunities for independent, inquiry-led learning, vary across subjects and phases. The school has effective systems to collate and analyze assessment data. In PYP, teachers adeptly use assessment data to inform planning. Leaders at all levels identify and effectively support at-risk students.

Wellbeing

The school prioritizes well-being, with its promotion visible throughout. Data from student surveys and weekly check-ins inform well-being initiatives. The well-being team collaborates with teachers and parents for timely identification of students’ well-being issues. Parents appreciate the school’s open-door policy, but are not always aware of current well-being initiatives. New teachers value the support from the buddy system and colleagues. The school’s curriculum and extra-curricular activities foster student well-being. Students demonstrate understanding of their own well-being, online safety, and potential dangers of social media.

Inclusion

The school’s fosters an inclusive and supportive environment, led by a well-qualified senior leader and skilled teachers. Understanding of learning barriers facilitates the identification of students of determination, with a range of assessment tools informing individualized education plans (IEPs). Parents contribute to IEP meetings and receive frequent progress reports. Support teachers collaborate to modify learning outcomes and differentiate activities. The comprehensive assessment system tracks progress against individual targets, with most students of determination acquiring skills and knowledge over time, that often exceed expectations.

Leadership and management

There is effective leadership and an ongoing commitment to whole-school improvement. Educational leadership has strengthened, impacting the school and especially KG, positively. The school fosters an open, welcoming environment. Self-evaluation and monitoring of teaching are effective, coherent action plans are supporting improvement in student outcomes. Parent engagement is successful, with links to all Dwight Schools enhancing community involvement. The Board of Governors effectively holds leadership accountable, positively impacting school performance. Day-to-day management utilizes resources effectively, ensuring a conducive learning environment.

  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

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

  1. Back to text, source A

    KHDA school directory 2026–27

    Checked 16 September 2026.

Academics

Academic outcomes, Dwight School

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

SubjectFoundation StagePrimarySecondaryPost-16
Islamic EducationNot in this reportGoodAcceptableAcceptable
ArabicNot in this reportAcceptableAcceptableNot in this report
EnglishGoodGoodGoodOutstanding
MathematicsGoodVery goodGoodGood
ScienceGoodGoodGoodGood

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, Dwight School

Islamic Education, by inspection report

Rated2021–222022–232023–24
Islamic Education attainmentDPWeakAcceptableAcceptable
Islamic Education attainmentMYPWeakAcceptableAcceptable
Islamic Education attainmentPYPAcceptableAcceptableGood
Islamic Education progressDPAcceptableAcceptableGood
Islamic Education progressMYPAcceptableAcceptableGood
Islamic Education progressPYPAcceptableGoodGood

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

Registration requirements: Met Fully

  • In the recent Progress in Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS 2021), the school exceeded its targets by a considerable margin, therefore demonstrating very good progression.
  • In the National Agenda Parameter Tests, across all subjects, the average progression was good, with English Language standing out as a strength.
  • For the small Emirati cohort, overall progression was acceptable.

Earlier reports

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

  • IB: the IB Diploma, or six IB subject certificates at grade 3 or above with 21 points, including English, maths and a science.

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)

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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.

Water sports

  • Swimming · competitive swimming · through our swim squads
  • Water polo

Dance

  • Dance (other) · dance

Theatre

  • Drama · Drama Scene · school productions
  • Musicals · musical theatre · The Wizard of Oz

Music

  • Choir & singing · Music Choirs

Art & design

  • Art · Visual Arts · Arts & Crafts

Science & technology

  • Robotics
  • Coding
  • Science & engineering club · STEAM · Little Scientist

Debate & strategy

  • Debate & public speaking · Debate Club
  • Model United Nations · Model United Nations (MUN)
    ·

Facilities

  • Makerspace
  • Theatre or auditorium
  • Music rooms
  • Art studio
  • Playing field
  • Swimming pool

Also mentioned: Spark Tank, Dwight LIONS Sports Academy Teams, Nutrition, lifeguard training, Aquathon, Holy Qur’an competitions, Eco-Rangers

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 · Children in KG learn Arabic for 90 minutes weekly.

Courses after 16

  • IB Diploma · DP

External examinations

  • MYP eAssessment
  • MAP benchmark assessments

Support for students of determination and the gifted

  • Effective procedures identify student needs, with personalized support from the inclusion team and teachers. p. 4
  • Well-established procedures ensure the early and accurate identification of students of determination, students who are gifted or talented and those for whom English is an additional language. p. 22
  • The inclusion team and teachers plan and implement effective personalized support and interventions. p. 22
  • A range of assessment tools is used to determine individual needs and to inform the interventions outlined in the individual education plans (IEPs). p. 23
  • Support teachers plan lessons with subject teachers to promote curriculum access and to provide meaningful learning experiences. p. 23

Source Source A: Full Inspection Report 2023–24

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On the school's website

What the school says about itself on dwight.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.

Where leavers go

  • «We offer extensive university counselling, providing personalised support throughout the application process, to ensure that students choose courses and institutions that best match their academic strengths, career goals, and personal aspirations.» dwight.ae on the school's website, opens in a new tab
  • «Graduates from across the Dwight School network have gone on to attend the most prestigious universities around the world, including Harvard, Stanford, Princeton, University of Cambridge, New York University, Vassar, Cornell, McGill University, Waseda University, École Hôtelière de Lausanne, the University of Edinburgh, and University of St. Andrews.» dwight.ae on the school's website, opens in a new tab

Class size

Admissions

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 15 year groupsNote 1

AED 65,117 to AED 110,755Source A: Fees Fact Sheet 2026–27

Pre-KG to Grade 12, 2026–27

Year group

Fees for Dwight School
Compare with

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

Annual tuition by year group, Dwight 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
Pre-KGAED 65,117AED 65,117
KG1AED 72,909AED 72,909
KG2AED 84,597AED 84,597
Primary
Grade 1AED 84,597AED 84,597
Grade 2AED 84,597AED 84,597
Grade 3AED 84,597AED 84,597
Grade 4AED 87,936AED 87,936
Grade 5AED 87,936AED 87,936
Grade 6AED 98,511AED 98,511
Secondary
Grade 7AED 98,511AED 98,511
Grade 8AED 98,511AED 98,511
Grade 9AED 102,963AED 102,963
Grade 10AED 102,963AED 102,963
Post-16
Grade 11AED 110,755AED 110,755
Grade 12AED 110,755AED 110,755

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.

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: 5 strengths, 2 development points, 2 recurring across the last 3 reports.

Group by

Checked 16 September 2026.

Leadership and self-evaluation

Note 1

1 strength

  • Strength

    Leaders’ commitment and their vision for school improvement.

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

Parents and community

1 strength

  • Strength

    The involvement of the parents and the Dwight Board in supporting the development of the school.

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

Personal development and wellbeing

1 strength

  • Strength

    The community spirit.

    Full Inspection Report 2023–24, page 6, paragraph 7

Attainment and progress

1 strength

  • StrengthKG and PYP

    Improving achievements in KG and improving progress in PYP.

    Full Inspection Report 2023–24, page 6, paragraph 8

Staffing, facilities and resources

1 strength

  • Strength

    The school facilities and resources.

    Full Inspection Report 2023–24, page 6, paragraph 9

Teaching

1 development point

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

    Implement a shared understanding of effective teaching and inquiry-led learning, underpinned by IB philosophy and practice.

    Full Inspection Report 2023–24, page 6, paragraph 11

Islamic Education

1 development point

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

    Enhance the curriculum provision to develop students’ understanding of Islamic values and UAE culture, and to provide for ‘Service as Action’.

    Full Inspection Report 2023–24, page 6, paragraph 12

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.

History

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

History of Dwight 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. 2023–24GoodSame as 2022–23Note 1Full Inspection Report 2023–24 (opens in a new tab) PDF
  4. 2022–23GoodUp from AcceptableFull Inspection Report 2022–23 (opens in a new tab) PDF
  5. 2021–22AcceptableSame as 2020–21Full Inspection Report 2021–22 (opens in a new tab) PDF
  6. 2020–21AcceptableFirst 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.

Snapshots by year

Students and staff by academic year, Dwight School

YearStudentsTeachersTeacher turnover
2024–25658Not availableNot available
2023–2456371Not available
2022–234626124%
2021–224275645%
2020–21348Not availableNot available
2019–20318Not availableNot available
2018–19177Not 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.