Philadelphia Private School

American curriculum, Muhaisnah Fourth, 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. 13 earlier reports, see all years

Wellbeing Dubai focus area

Good

2023–24

Inclusion Dubai focus area

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
American
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
2006
Extra-curricular activities
Debate & public speaking, confirmed

Students and staff

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

Students, 2024–⁠25
1,000 Source A: KHDA school directory 2024–25
Largest nationality group
Arab Source B: Full Inspection Report 2023–24
KHDA gives no share. Context only, never used in results.

Leadership

Principal at the 2023–⁠24 inspection
Nabil Afif Husni Source B: Full Inspection Report 2023–24
Appointed 1 Mar 2022, as the report prints it.
Principals since 2011–⁠12
2 changes of principal
Rose Al Qareh, 2011–12 to 2013–14 → Elizabeth Chouman Sadek, 2014–15 to 2019–20 → Nabil Afif Husni, 2022–23 to 2023–24

Contact

Address
Muhaisnah Fourth
Phone and email
+971 4 264 6202pps.principal@ppsdubai.org
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

    Up from Acceptable Earlier: Good in 1 report and Acceptable in 12 reports.

  2. WellbeingStudents’ personal development and wellbeing

    Good

    First rated in 2023–24

  3. InclusionProvision for students of determination

    Good

    Up from Acceptable Earlier: Acceptable in 2 reports.

  4. LeadershipLeadership and management

    Good

    Up from Acceptable 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.

AreaKGElementaryMiddleHigh
TeachingTeaching for effective learningGoodGoodGoodGood
AssessmentGoodGoodGoodGood
CurriculumCurriculum design and implementationGoodGoodGoodGood
Adapting the curriculumCurriculum adaptationGoodGoodGoodGood
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

Students learn important information and develop skills well in science and mathematics, with good achievement across all phases. Language skills in English and Arabic are just acceptable for older students, although their progress in English is strengthening. In Islamic Education, elementary students show good achievement, but this remains acceptable for older students. Learning skills improved for students across all subjects and phases, and students are building strength in higher order thinking.

Personal and social development

Personal behaviour and social skills are especially good in the Kindergarten and the Middle school, and good in other phases. Students have good relationships with one another and regularly help each other. All students are happy when giving to charity and to community causes. They enjoy sports and healthy living. Most students have some understanding of world cultures. Understanding and appreciation of Islamic values and Emirati culture is strong.

Teaching, curriculum and care

The quality of teaching is most effective in subjects where students exhibit significant progress. Teachers across the school consistently implement instructional strategies tailored to meet the unique needs of each learner, achieving varying degrees of success. The assessment process is diverse and meticulously aligned with curriculum standards, incorporating a blend of assessment methods that include both international and external benchmarks.

Wellbeing

Well-being is central to mission of the school. Students are friendly and respectful, and there is good morale across the school. An experienced well-being team helps students who may need support. Surveys are useful to learn the views of students. Community service opportunities are appreciated by the students and benefit he community.

Inclusion

An Inclusion team promotes inclusion across the school for students of determination. All students are checked to help identify those that need most care. The school makes learning plans for each student which are designed to give the best support. The progress of each student is tracked over time. Teachers support students of determination to learn in the best ways they can.

Leadership and management

The principal and school leaders very successfully guided improvements in the school, including raising student achievement and the quality of provision. The use of assessment data is a regular practice, helping teachers and leaders, as well as students, to identify what is needed to raise student performance. Parents are valued within the school, and communication is good. Governance supports leaders and provides resources for learning.

  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, Philadelphia Private School

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

SubjectFoundation StagePrimarySecondary
Islamic EducationNot in this reportGoodAcceptable
ArabicNot in this reportAcceptableAcceptable
EnglishGoodGoodAcceptable
MathematicsGoodGoodGood
ScienceGoodGoodGood

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, Philadelphia Private School

Islamic Education, by inspection report

Rated2015–162016–172018–192019–202022–232023–24
Islamic Education attainmentMiddleAcceptableAcceptableAcceptableAcceptableAcceptableAcceptable
Islamic Education attainmentElementaryAcceptableAcceptableGoodGoodGoodGood
Islamic Education attainmentHighAcceptableAcceptableAcceptableAcceptableAcceptableAcceptable
Islamic Education progressMiddleAcceptableAcceptableGoodGoodAcceptableAcceptable
Islamic Education progressElementaryAcceptableGoodGoodGoodGoodGood
Islamic Education progressHighAcceptableGoodGoodGoodAcceptableAcceptable

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 AchievementGoodGood
Leadership: International and Emirati AchievementAcceptableNot in this report
Teaching and Learning: Improving reading literacyGoodGood
Overall school standards in the National Agenda ParameterGoodNot in this report

Registration requirements: Met Fully

  • Between 2016 and 2021, students improved their scores in the Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) assessments but did not reach the set targets.
  • Between 2022 and 2023, students' scores in the Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) tests improved in science, mathematics, reading and language usage.
  • The MAP results of the small Emirati cohort showed similar improvements.

Earlier reports

  • 2022–23: Overall, the school’s progress towards achieving the UAE National Agenda targets — is approaching expectations
  • 2019–20: Overall, the school’s progression to achieve the UAE National Agenda targets — meets 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 National Agenda targets — is not secure
  • 2016–17: Overall, the school’s improvements towards achieving its National Agenda targets — meet expectations
  • 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:

  • American: five approved subjects a year in Grades 10 to 12 (D or 60%), an English score (EmSAT 1100, IELTS 5.0 or TOEFL iBT 61) and a maths score (EmSAT 500 or SAT 450). Without the scores, the equivalency is limited.

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.

Debate & strategy

  • Debate & public speaking · public speaking

Facilities

  • Sports hall
  • Sports courts
  • Playing field

Mentioned in earlier KHDA reports

  • Model United Nations
  • Art
  • Robotics
  • Drama

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 and additional language

Courses after 16

  • Advanced Placement · Advanced Placement (AP) courses

External examinations

  • AP

Facilities

  • Science laboratories
  • Smartboards
  • Library

Support for students of determination and the gifted

  • A particular focus is on the identification and support of students of determination, and on provision for the gifted and talented. p. 4
  • There are systems for identifying students of determination and those who are gifted and talented. p. 18
  • The inclusion leaders and teaching staff are committed to early identification and to designing interventions which are appropriately challenging to assist students’ progress. p. 18
  • Students receive targeted support and guidance on subject choices, and on career paths in the high school. p. 18
  • Inclusive provision has been strengthened by the recent assignment of teachers to students who are learning English as an additional language. p. 19
  • All students are assessed using cognitive, reading and other measurements. 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 ppsdubai.org, 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 15 year groupsNote 1

AED 19,517 to AED 35,160Source A: Fees Fact Sheet 2026–27

Pre-KG to Grade 12, 2026–27

Year group

Fees for Philadelphia Private School
Compare with

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

Annual tuition by year group, Philadelphia Private 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 19,517AED 19,517
KG1AED 20,532AED 20,532
KG2AED 20,532AED 20,532
Primary
Grade 1AED 23,206AED 23,206
Grade 2AED 23,206AED 23,206
Grade 3AED 25,667AED 25,667
Grade 4AED 25,667AED 25,667
Grade 5AED 25,667AED 25,667
Grade 6AED 25,667AED 25,667
Secondary
Grade 7AED 28,479AED 28,479
Grade 8AED 28,479AED 28,479
Grade 9AED 35,160AED 35,160
Grade 10AED 35,160AED 35,160
Post-16
Grade 11AED 35,160AED 35,160
Grade 12AED 35,160AED 35,160

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

6 findings in the last report: 4 strengths, 2 development points, 2 recurring across the last 5 reports.

Group by

Checked 16 September 2026.

Health, safety and safeguarding

Note 1

1 strength

  • Strength

    The secure and safe learning environment and policies for safeguarding

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

Parents and community

1 strength

  • Strength

    The close partnerships with parents and with the community

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

Attainment and progress

1 strength

  • StrengthMiddle school

    Students’ performance in the middle school and in external assessments

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

Leadership and self-evaluation

1 strength

  • Strength

    The self-evaluation procedures and improvement planning

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

Islamic Education

1 development point

  • Development required, recurring in 2 of the last 5 reportsNote 2Middle and High

    Raise students’ performance in Islamic Education and Arabic in Middle and High.

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

Teaching

1 development point

  • Development required, recurring in 4 of the last 5 reports

    Improve the consistency of teaching by identifying and sharing the best practices in all phases.

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

Findings from 1 of 10 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.

History

14 KHDA inspection reports on file, 2008–09 to 2023–24.

History of Philadelphia Private 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. 2023–24GoodUp from AcceptableNote 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. 2018–19AcceptableSame as 2017–18Full Inspection Report 2018–19 (opens in a new tab) PDF
  8. 2017–18AcceptableSame as 2016–17Full Inspection Report 2017–18 (opens in a new tab) PDF
  9. 2016–17AcceptableSame as 2015–16Full Inspection Report 2016–17 (opens in a new tab) PDF
  10. 2015–16AcceptableSame as 2014–15Full Inspection Report 2015–16 (opens in a new tab) PDF
  11. Six-level scale starts in 2015–16. Earlier reports used four levels.
  12. 2014–15AcceptableSame as 2013–14Full Inspection Report 2014–15 (opens in a new tab) PDF
  13. 2013–14AcceptableSame as 2012–13Full Inspection Report 2013–14 (opens in a new tab) PDF
  14. 2012–13AcceptableSame as 2011–12Full 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. 2010–11AcceptableDown from GoodFull Inspection Report 2010–11 (opens in a new tab) PDF
  17. 2009–10GoodUp from AcceptableFull Inspection Report 2009–10 (opens in a new tab) PDF
  18. 2008–09AcceptableFirst reportFull Inspection Report 2008–09 (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, Philadelphia Private School

YearStudentsTeachersTeacher turnover
2024–251,000Not availableNot available
2023–2499071Not available
2022–239687117%
2021–221,142Not availableNot available
2020–211,178Not availableNot available
2019–201,3198614%
2018–191,4329812%
2017–181,53198Not available
2016–171,50310021%
2015–161,52610539%
2014–151,4029328%
2013–141,224Not availableNot available
2012–13993Not availableNot available
2011–12803Not availableNot available
2010–11688Not 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

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