If you’re a parent and an expatriate who’s new to the UAE school system, finding the right primary school in Dubai is not easy. There are a lot of schools catering to expatriates living in the country, so singling out the best school can be intimidating.
You can opt to enroll your child in a private school based on your nationality, or in an international co-ed school. There are many options to choose from. Here are some tips from the experts on how you can choose the right primary school for your child.
Choose Your Preferred Curriculum
According to Peter Davos, a leading US school admission specialist in the Middle East, parents should look at the curriculum offered in the country. You may be looking at American or British systems, but it may not suit your child’s interests and academic needs.
An International Baccalaureate (IB) on the other hand, can be considered. This is because a number of international schools in Dubai have started to offer it. It has a rigorous academic program that your child may find challenging, but rewarding. It can help your child develop research and writing skills needed for college.
Check the School’s Rating
To check the rating of the school you’re eyeing, you can look into Dubai’s Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA). This institution performs reviews and inspections of schools within and around the city. Findings of their inspections are published in an annual report. You can check it out at their website.
Consider the Yearly Cost
While costs vary, depending on the school’s location and curriculum, it does not indicate the quality of education the school provides.
The right way of considering the yearly cost of tuition fees of a school, according to Davos, is by looking at the percentage of students who get high or passing scores in internationally recognized exams. For example, you can check out if a school has a high percentage of students who pass in American AP tests, A levels, IB scores, or Indian boards.
You can always talk to your friends about where they send their children to school. However, nothing beats knowledge. When looking for a primary school in Dubai, you should do more research and don’t forget to check out KHDA reports.
