New schools opening in Dubai and Sharjah are expected to increase capacity and expand curriculum options for families.
Dubai parents are gaining a clearer view of their schooling options for the 2026-27 academic year, with private school fees frozen and families evaluating whether Outstanding-rated schools justify their costs through education quality, facilities and student opportunities.
The 2026-27 academic year will bring expanded schooling options for UAE families, as new British and IB schools open in developing residential areas across Dubai and Sharjah.
UAE families to see wider school choices in 2026-27 as new British and IB campuses open
Families across the UAE will have access to a broader selection of education options from the 2026-27 academic year, with several new British and International Baccalaureate (IB) schools set to open in rapidly expanding communities, particularly in Dubai and Sharjah.
The latest wave of openings highlights the continued growth of the UAE’s private education sector, bringing internationally recognised school brands and new IB candidate schools closer to residential areas where many families now live.
The expansion is expected to increase school capacity and ease daily travel for students. However, education experts say parents should consider several factors beyond proximity, including curriculum suitability, school leadership, location, fee structures, student support services and future growth plans.
Why 2026 is shaping up to be a key year
One of the biggest developments is the arrival of several well-known British school names in Dubai. Harrow International School Dubai, Queen Elizabeth’s School Dubai and Rugby School Dubai are all expected to welcome students, strengthening the city’s premium British curriculum sector.
Meanwhile, the IB segment is also expanding, with four new candidate schools planned across Dubai and Sharjah: Ambassador International Academy Mankhool, Ash Mount School, Dubai International Academy (DIA) Town Square and Raffles World Academy Sharjah.
New schools moving closer to growing communities
Many of the upcoming campuses are located in neighbourhoods experiencing rapid population growth among young families. Areas including Town Square, Mudon, Dubai Sports City, Bur Dubai and Aljada are set to gain new education options.
For parents, the new locations could mean shorter school journeys and easier access to internationally recognised curricula without the need to travel long distances across the city.
New British and IB schools opening in Dubai and Sharjah
Harrow International School Dubai
Location: Hessa Street, Dubai
Curriculum: British
Admission: FS1 to Year 6
Fees: From Dh80,000-Dh100,000+
The Dubai campus will introduce Harrow’s educational approach to the UAE, combining academic learning with extracurricular activities, sports, music, community engagement and student leadership. The school aims to offer a modern British day-school experience influenced by traditional boarding-school values.
Queen Elizabeth’s School Dubai
Location: Dubai Sports City
Curriculum: British
Admission: Nursery to Year 8
Fees: Dh70,000-Dh102,000
The school plans to focus on academic achievement, character development, reading culture and personalised learning. Its approach includes smaller early-years classes and preparation of students with future-focused skills.
Rugby School Dubai
Location: Nad Al Sheba
Curriculum: British
Admission: FS to Year 13
Fees: To be announced
Rugby School Dubai is among the major British education brands entering the UAE market in 2026, expanding options for families seeking a complete British curriculum pathway.
Ambassador International Academy Mankhool
Location: Bur Dubai
Curriculum: IB Candidate School
Admission: Nursery to Grade 8
Fees: Dh45,000-Dh65,000
The school plans to emphasise wellbeing, reading, physical activity and hands-on learning, with features including reduced screen exposure, regular physical education and interactive learning environments.
Ash Mount School
Location: Mudon
Curriculum: IB Candidate School
Admission: Pre-KG to Grade 8
Fees: Dh52,000-Dh85,000
Ash Mount School is expected to focus on inquiry-based learning, creativity and collaboration, with planned facilities including outdoor learning areas, sports facilities, a Forest School space and a flexible theatre environment.
Dubai International Academy Town Square
Location: Town Square, Dubai
Curriculum: IB Candidate School
Admission: Pre-KG to Grade 8
Fees: Dh49,000-Dh70,500
The new DIA campus aims to serve families in Town Square and nearby communities, offering facilities such as swimming pools, performing arts spaces, libraries, sports areas and collaborative learning zones.
Raffles World Academy Sharjah
Location: Aljada, Sharjah
Curriculum: IB Candidate School
Admission: Pre-KG to Grade 8
Fees: Dh40,000-Dh64,000
The Sharjah campus will bring an inquiry-based IB approach to families in the emirate, with a focus on academics, wellbeing, reading, sports, creativity and life skills.
Additional school expansions and new options
Beyond the schools opening for the 2026-27 academic year, families are also benefiting from additional campuses, phased expansions and enhanced curriculum pathways introduced during 2025 and earlier.
Dubai British School Mira
Curriculum: UK Curriculum
Opened: August 2025
Admission: FS1-Year 6, expanding to Year 13
Fees: Dh51,443-Dh58,836
The latest addition to the Dubai British School network expands Taaleem’s British curriculum offering, providing families in developing residential areas with access to a premium UK education closer to home.
Victory Heights Primary School – City of Arabia
Curriculum: UK Curriculum
Opened: August 2025
Admission: FS1-Year 6
Fees: Dh40,000-Dh57,000
Following the success of its Dubai Sports City campus, the school’s second branch increases British curriculum capacity for families in surrounding communities.
Arcadia Global School
Curriculum: UK Curriculum
Current admission: FS-Year 9
Expansion: Year 10 in 2026
Fees: Dh40,000-Dh61,000
Arcadia Global School continues its phased growth, offering families a British curriculum option with a community-focused approach and a relatively accessible fee range.
Dwight School Dubai
Curriculum: IB Curriculum
Admission: Pre-KG-Grade 12
Fees: Dh65,117-Dh110,755
Dwight School Dubai continues to expand its IB pathway, offering programmes from the Primary Years Programme through the Diploma Programme. The school has also introduced the IB Career-related Programme, providing students with additional post-secondary options.
