Dubai’s ‘Very Good’ rated schools show that quality education does not always come at a high cost.
Dubai: For many families in Dubai, finding a school that offers strong academic standards while remaining affordable can be a challenge.
While some of the emirate’s highest-rated private schools charge annual tuition fees ranging from Dh70,000 to more than Dh100,000, several schools rated ‘Very Good’ by Dubai’s education regulator offer fees below Dh45,000. Some provide kindergarten places starting from as little as Dh7,858 per academic year.
These schools give parents an alternative — access to high-quality education without the premium costs associated with some of Dubai’s most expensive private institutions.
For this list, schools were selected based on their highest annual tuition fee remaining below Dh45,000, using approved fee information from the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA). The selection includes schools rated ‘Outstanding’ or ‘Very Good’ in their latest KHDA inspections.
Dubai school fees frozen for 2026-27
Parents in Dubai will benefit from stable tuition costs in the upcoming academic year, as private schools regulated by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) will not be permitted to increase fees for the 2026-27 academic year.
The fee freeze is expected to provide greater cost certainty for families as they plan their education expenses for the new school year.
Dubai’s private school inspections were last conducted during the 2023-24 academic year. Full inspections were then paused for two academic years, covering 2024-25 and 2025-26.
Top-rated Dubai schools charging less than Dh45,000 a year
| School | KHDA rating | Curriculum | Location | Annual tuition fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delhi Private School | Very Good | Indian | Jebel Ali First | Dh11,389 (KG1) to Dh15,842 (Grade 12) |
| The Winchester School | Very Good | British | Jebel Ali First | Dh14,950 (FS1) to Dh33,352 (Year 13) |
| JSS International School | Very Good | Indian | Jumeirah Village Circle | Dh17,214 (KG1) to Dh41,513 (Grade 12) |
| GEMS New Millennium School | Very Good | Indian and British | Al Khail | Indian curriculum: Dh23,143-Dh33,557; British curriculum: Dh32,400-Dh32,580 |
| Credence High School | Very Good | Indian | Al Quoz First | Dh17,673 (KG1) to Dh29,486 (Grade 12) |
| GEMS Our Own Indian School | Very Good | Indian | Al Quoz First | Dh7,389 (KG1) to Dh15,336 (Grade 12) |
| JSS Private School | Very Good | Indian | Al Wasl | Dh12,731 (KG1) to Dh26,375 (Grade 12) |
| GEMS Our Own English High School | Very Good | Indian | Al Warqa First | Dh7,858 (KG1) to Dh16,549 (Grade 12) |
| The Indian High School | Very Good | Indian | Oud Metha | Dh8,625 (Grade 5) to Dh13,815 (Grade 12) |
| GEMS Founders School – Dubai | Very Good | British | Al Barsha Second | Dh24,749 (FS1) to Dh37,124 (Year 13) |
| The Millennium School | Very Good | Indian | Al Qusais First | Dh18,308 (KG1) to Dh26,906 (Grade 12) |
How parents can check Dubai school fees through KHDA
Parents comparing schools in Dubai can access approved tuition fee details through the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) school directory.
To check a school’s fees:
- Visit the KHDA school directory.
- Search for the school by name.
- Review the approved annual tuition fees and other available school information.
The directory provides parents with official fee details to help them compare schools and make informed decisions about their children’s education.
How to check Dubai school fees through KHDA
Parents can access approved tuition fee information through the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) School Directory.
To find a school’s fees:
- Visit the KHDA School Directory.
- Search for the school by name or use filters such as curriculum, location, rating or fee range.
- Select the school profile.
- Open the Fees Fact Sheet to view approved tuition fees and any applicable additional charges.
The School Fees Fact Sheet provides parents with a clearer picture of the overall cost of education, including tuition fees and other charges that may apply during the academic year. Families should also consider additional expenses such as transport, uniforms, books, activities and optional services before making a final decision.
Other costs parents should consider
While tuition fees are typically the largest education expense, families should also budget for additional costs, including:
- Registration and admission fees
- Transport charges
- School uniforms
- Textbooks and learning materials
- School trips and extracurricular activities
For families comparing schools in Dubai, the best value often comes from finding the right balance between academic quality, curriculum suitability and overall affordability.
What parents should keep in mind
While KHDA ratings provide an important measure of school quality, they should be considered alongside other factors when choosing a school. Parents should also evaluate:
- The curriculum and teaching approach
- The school’s location and commute time
- Facilities and extracurricular opportunities
- Support services and student wellbeing
- The school’s learning environment and culture
A school that meets a child’s individual needs and family priorities can often provide greater long-term value than one chosen solely based on fees or inspection ratings.
- Parents should also consider factors such as:
- The curriculum that best aligns with their child’s future education plans
- The school’s location and daily commute requirements
- Class sizes and available student support services
- Extracurricular activities, facilities and enrichment opportunities
- Individual inspection reports, which provide detailed assessments of teaching quality, student wellbeing, leadership and academic outcomes
Several of Dubai’s highest-performing schools have consistently maintained ‘Outstanding’ or ‘Very Good’ KHDA ratings while keeping annual fees significantly lower than many of the emirate’s premium private schools. This gives families a wider choice of high-quality education options at a more accessible cost.
