The City School International Private

British curriculum, Nadd Al Hamar, FS1–Year 13

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

Acceptable

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
British
Year groups
FS1–Year 13
Gender
Co-educational Source B: Full Inspection Report 2023–24
Report wording: Boys and girls
Languages of instruction
English
Founded
1989
External examinations
IGCSE,A Level Source B: Full Inspection Report 2023–24

Students and staff

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

Students, 2024–⁠25
1,017 Source A: KHDA school directory 2024–25
Largest nationality group
Pakistani Source B: Full Inspection Report 2023–24
KHDA gives no share. Context only, never used in results.

Leadership

Principal at the 2023–⁠24 inspection
Frank Roman Fernandes Source B: Full Inspection Report 2023–24
Appointed 11 Jan 2020, as the report prints it. The current principal is under Contact.
Principals since 2011–⁠12
5 changes of principal
Gary White, 2011–12 → Sadia Wajid, 2012–13 → Kaneez-e-Ali, 2013–14 to 2016–17 → Craig Shipton, 2017–18 → Frank Roman Fernandes, 2019–20 to 2023–24 → JUMANA A.A SHEHADEH, in KHDA's directory on 2026-09-18

Contact

Address
Nadd Al Hamar
Phone and email
+971 4 289 9722info@tcsidxb.aePrincipal: JUMANA A.A SHEHADEH
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 4 reports and Acceptable in 9 reports.

  2. WellbeingStudents’ personal development and wellbeing

    Acceptable

    First rated in 2023–24

  3. InclusionProvision for students of determination

    Good

    Same as 2022–23 Earlier: Good in 2 reports.

  4. LeadershipLeadership and management

    Good

    Same as 2022–23 Earlier: 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.

AreaFoundation StagePrimarySecondaryPost-16
TeachingTeaching for effective learningGoodGoodGoodGood
AssessmentGoodGoodGoodGood
CurriculumCurriculum design and implementationGoodGoodGoodGood
Adapting the curriculumCurriculum adaptationGoodGoodGoodGood
SafeguardingHealth and safety, including child protectionGoodGoodGoodGood

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

The school maintains mostly high student achievement across the curriculum. In English, students’ attainment in Primary and their progress in both Primary and Secondary have improved to be very good. Children in Foundation stage (FS) continue to achieve well across all subjects. Across the school students are very actively committed towards their own learning journeys.

Personal and social development

Students show very positive attitudes and behaviour. They are caring and sensitive to one another’s needs. They possess a strong knowledge and understanding of the Islamic values’ impact on UAE life and their own life. They are very proud of their own culture and heritage. Their work ethic and awareness of the environment are strong. However, their effective participation in innovation and entrepreneurship initiatives are inconsistent across phases.

Teaching, curriculum and care

Teachers have solid subject knowledge and use diverse strategies, including technology, to facilitate engaging learning. They effectively use resources but need to better utilise assessment data to tailor lessons to individual student needs. The curriculum is broad, fostering knowledge, skills, and understanding, with a range of options for older students. It also instills an appreciation for UAE culture and values. However, there's a focus on enhancing progression across subjects. Safety is paramount, with stringent policies ensuring a secure, hygienic environment. A well-managed clinic and active medical team contribute to this. Students feel supported and safe, thanks to strong community bonds and a commitment from staff and students alike to uphold a nurturing atmosphere. This collective approach allows teachers to understand and support each student effectively.

Wellbeing

The school has a commitment to promoting high levels of student wellbeing and continue to develop their approach to this - including the forthcoming introduction of a bespoke well-being curriculum. The school's approach to fostering stakeholder engagement and influence requires further enhancement. There is a strong commitment, there's room for improvement in establishing two-way communication channels to ensure students' voices are consistently heard. Regarding staff well-being, the school does provide support, exemplified by initiatives like the appreciation board.

Inclusion

The school's commitment to enhancing its vision for inclusion has notably improved the quality of its educational provision, creating a more inclusive and supportive atmosphere for all students. Engaging parents in crafting Individual Education Plans (IEP) has enriched the educational experience, promoting a more collaborative and effective approach. While the school has made strides in several areas, disparities remain in the quality and outcomes of provision, especially across different subjects and educational stages.

Leadership and management

The principal and the strong senior leadership team are faithful to a purposeful learning community and have established a caring environment. Leaders encourage best practice in teaching and supporting positive learning outcomes. Parents are supportive and keen to play a key role in their children learning. Governing board is well representing stakeholders and committed to the school improvements.

  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, The City School International Private

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

SubjectFoundation StagePrimarySecondaryPost-16
Islamic EducationNot in this reportGoodGoodGood
ArabicNot in this reportGoodAcceptableNot in this report
EnglishGoodVery goodVery goodNot in this report
MathematicsGoodVery goodVery goodGood
ScienceGoodVery goodVery goodVery good

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, The City School International Private

Islamic Education, by inspection report

Rated2015–162016–172017–182018–192019–202022–232023–24
Islamic Education attainmentPrimaryAcceptableGoodGoodGoodGoodGoodGood
Islamic Education attainmentSecondaryAcceptableGoodGoodGoodGoodGoodGood
Islamic Education attainmentPost-16Islamic Education attainment, Post-16: not rated from 2015–16 to 2019–20GoodGood
Islamic Education progressPrimaryAcceptableGoodGoodGoodGoodGoodGood
Islamic Education progressSecondaryGoodVery goodGoodGoodGoodGoodGood
Islamic Education progressPost-16Islamic Education progress, Post-16: not rated from 2015–16 to 2019–20GoodGood

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

Registration requirements: Met Fully

  • In the Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS), the school exceeded its target and scored significantly higher than the PIRLS centre point.
  • Although Emirati students missed their targets by 9 points, they are still performing above the PIRLS centre point.

Earlier reports

  • 2022–23: Progress in international assessments — meets expectations
  • 2019–20: The school’s progression in international assessments — is above expectations
  • 2018–19: Overall, the schools progression to achieve the UAE National Agenda targets — meets expectations
  • 2017–18: Overall, the school's provision for achieving National Agenda targets — meets expectations
  • 2016–17: no verdict read
  • 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:

  • British: five IGCSE or GCSE passes (grade E or 3) and one A level or two AS levels (grade E).
  • Vocational only. A BTEC Level 3 Diploma 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

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
  • Basketball

Individual sports

  • Martial arts · Karate
  • Yoga & fitness · yoga

Theatre

  • Drama · theater

Art & design

  • Art · craftwork · drawing

Facilities

  • Playing field
  • Sports courts
    ·
  • Sports hall
    ·
  • Art studio
  • Swimming pool
  • Music rooms

Mentioned in earlier KHDA reports

  • Dance (other)
  • Model United Nations
  • Robotics
  • Debate & public speaking
  • Science & engineering club
  • Swimming

Also mentioned: Roller Skating

Source Source A: School website, read 2026-09-24

  1. Back to text, source A

    School website, read 24 September 2026

    Checked 24 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 · for FS, taught by a qualified teacher

External examinations

  • IGCSE
  • A Level

Support for students of determination and the gifted

  • Improvements in conducting assessments have strengthened provision and have ensured that the needs of students of determination are identified. p. 20
  • Individual education plans (IEPs) are developed, but they are of varying quality and lead to variations in provision. p. 20

Source Source A: Full Inspection Report 2023–24

  1. Back to text, source A

Fees

Tuition across 15 year groupsNote 1

AED 14,781 to AED 35,694Source A: Fees Fact Sheet 2026–27

FS1 to Year 13, 2026–27

Year group

Fees for The City School International Private
Compare with

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

Annual tuition by year group, The City School International Private, 2026–27 compared with 2025–26

Year group2026–27Source A: Fees Fact Sheet 2026–272025–26Source B: Fees Fact Sheet 2025–26
Foundation Stage
FS1AED 14,781AED 14,781
FS2AED 15,087AED 15,087
Primary
Year 1AED 16,460AED 16,460
Year 2AED 16,460AED 16,460
Year 3AED 16,460AED 16,460
Year 4AED 16,460AED 16,460
Year 5AED 17,833AED 17,833
Year 6AED 17,833AED 17,833
Secondary
Year 7AED 17,833AED 17,833
Year 8AED 17,833AED 17,833
Year 9AED 17,833AED 17,833
Year 10AED 22,220AED 22,220
Year 11AED 26,746AED 26,746
Post-16
Year 12AED 35,694AED 35,694
Year 13AED 35,694AED 35,694

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

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

Group by

Checked 16 September 2026.

Personal development and wellbeing

Note 1

1 strength

  • Strength

    Students’ personal and social development.

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

Islamic Education

1 strength

  • Strength

    Students’ understanding of the impact of Islamic values on their lives and on life in the UAE.

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

English

1 strength

  • Strength

    Attainment in English, mathematics and science.

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

Leadership and self-evaluation

1 strength, 1 development point

  • Strength

    The commitment of the principal and senior leaders to the school and its community.

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

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

    Ensure that the school’s action and improvement plans are based on realistic self-evaluation.

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

Teaching

1 development point

  • Development required, recurring in 3 of the last 5 reports

    Improve the quality of teaching and learning across the school.

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

Assessment

1 development point

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

    Develop teachers’ use of data and assessment in lesson planning.

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

Inclusion of students of determination

1 development point

  • Development required, recurring in 2 of the last 5 reportsStudents of determination

    Enhance students’ wellbeing and support for students of determination.

    Full Inspection Report 2023–24, page 5, paragraph 11

Findings from 1 of 11 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 The City School International Private
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. 2022–23GoodSame as 2019–20Full Inspection Report 2022–23 (opens in a new tab) PDF
  5. 2020–21 and 2021–22No inspection.
  6. 2019–20GoodSame as 2018–19Full Inspection Report 2019–20 (opens in a new tab) PDF
  7. 2018–19GoodSame as 2017–18Full Inspection Report 2018–19 (opens in a new tab) PDF
  8. 2017–18GoodUp from AcceptableFull 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. 2010–11AcceptableSame as 2009–10Full Inspection Report 2010–11 (opens in a new tab) PDF
  17. 2009–10AcceptableSame as 2008–09Full 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, The City School International Private

YearStudentsTeachersTeacher turnover
2024–251,017Not availableNot available
2023–241,00670Not available
2022–23901686%
2021–22706Not availableNot available
2020–21625Not availableNot available
2019–206505725%
2018–19658Not availableNot available
2017–1855964Not available
2016–176055615%
2015–166926523%
2014–157536423%
2013–14764Not availableNot available
2012–13486Not availableNot available
2011–12478Not availableNot available
2010–11419Not 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)

School website · web page, English

Other website · web page, English