The opening of several new schools in Dubai and Sharjah will increase educational capacity and provide more options for families.

As the start of the 2026–2027 academic year approaches, families residing in the UAE will have more options for their children's education. Several new schools with a British educational system and the International Baccalaureate (IB) program are set to begin operations in various areas of Dubai and Sharjah.

This new wave of school openings reflects the continued rapid growth of the private education sector in the UAE. Some of these schools are branches of well-known and established British brands, while others will begin operating as schools seeking official IB accreditation.

Many of these schools are being built in neighborhoods that have recently experienced a rapid increase in family populations. This not only increases educational capacity but can also reduce the daily commute time for students.

However, experts recommend that parents do not solely focus on the name, reputation, or apparent facilities when choosing a school. The alignment of the educational program with the child's needs, the experience of the management team, the distance from the school to the home, tuition fees and additional costs, student support services, and the school's development plan for the coming years are some of the most important factors to consider.

Why is 2026 different for schools in the UAE?

One of the most significant educational events this year is the simultaneous entry of several reputable British names into the Dubai education market.

Harrow International School Dubai, Queen Elizabeth’s School Dubai, and Rugby School Dubai are set to welcome students from the new academic year. The opening of these schools significantly increases options for families seeking high-quality British education in Dubai.

At the same time, the IB school sector is also expanding, with four new schools seeking IB accreditation in Dubai and Sharjah:

•  Ambassador International Academy Mankhool

•  Ash Mount School

•  Dubai International Academy Town Square

•  Raffles World Academy Sharjah

Schools are getting closer to residential areas

Unlike some previous years, most new schools are opening in areas where the family population is rapidly increasing.

Town Square, Mudon, Dubai Sports City, Bur Dubai, and Aljada in Sharjah are among the areas that will have access to new schools in the new academic year.

For many parents, this could mean shorter school routes and easier access to desired educational systems without the need for daily commutes to farther parts of the city.

New schools in Dubai and Sharjah for the 2026–2027 academic year

Harrow International School Dubai

Location: Al Hessa Street, Dubai
Educational system: British
Admission levels at the start of operations: FS1 to Year 6
Annual tuition: approximately 80,000 to over 100,000 AED

The Dubai branch of Harrow aims to bring the educational philosophy of this established institution into the UAE education market. The school's program will focus not only on academic education but also on social life, extracurricular activities, sports, music, and enhancing students' leadership skills.

The institution presents itself as a modern British day school inspired by the values and traditions of the old British boarding schools.

In its initial years, the school will operate at the primary levels and is set to gradually add higher levels to its offerings.

Queen Elizabeth’s School Dubai

Location: Dubai Sports City
Educational system: British
Admission levels: Nursery to Year 8
Announced tuition: approximately 70,000 to 102,000 AED

This school aims to combine academic success with personal growth, a culture of reading, personalized education, and preparing students for the future.

The announced programs include smaller classes at the primary levels, special attention to reading and literature, and the development of skills that students will need in their future academic and professional lives.

The amounts of 70,000 to 102,000 AED relate to the discounted tuition for "founding families" in the school's first year of operation. The KHDA-approved tuition before the discount is stated to be higher, and the school has considered a 25% discount for first-year families. Official tuition details for Queen Elizabeth’s School Dubai.

Rugby School Dubai

Location: Nad Al Sheba
Educational system: British
Admission levels: FS1 to Year 13
Tuition: from 70,000 to 120,000 AED

Rugby School Dubai is another prestigious British educational brand that will enter the UAE in 2026. This school, covering all educational stages from early years to the end of secondary education, will be one of the most comprehensive new schools in Dubai.

The school's approach focuses on academic education, care and support for students, sports, music, performing arts, group activities, and the development of character and leadership skills.

The KHDA-approved tuition fees for the 2026–2027 academic year start from 70,000 AED for FS1 and FS2 and reach 120,000 AED in Year 12 and Year 13. Separate discounts and scholarships are also available for some families and students. Official information Rugby School Dubai⁠

Ambassador International Academy Mankhool

Location: Mankhool, Dubai
Educational System: IB authorization applicant
Admission Stages: Nursery to Grade 8
Announced Tuition: Approximately 45,000 to 65,000 AED

This school will focus on the physical and mental health of students, study, physical activity, and hands-on learning.

Notable features include reducing unnecessary screen time, holding multiple physical education sessions throughout the week, and designing educational spaces aimed at increasing student curiosity and engagement.

The school's program for the first year includes stages from preschool to Grade 8, with plans to add higher grades in the coming years.

Ash Mount School

Location: Mudon, Dubai
Educational System: IB authorization applicant
Admission Stages: Pre-KG to Grade 8
Annual Tuition: Approximately 52,000 to 85,000 AED

Ash Mount School will focus on inquiry-based learning, creativity, and hands-on experiences for students.

The planned facilities include outdoor learning spaces, sports facilities, a Forest School area, and a flexible theater designed for group learning, performances, and collaboration among students.

This school will begin its operations in the 2026–2027 academic year from Pre-KG to Grade 8 and is expected to gradually expand to Grade 12.

Dubai International Academy Town Square

Location: Town Square, Dubai
Educational System: IB authorization applicant
Admission Stages: Pre-KG to Grade 8
Annual Tuition: Approximately 49,000 to 70,500 AED

This school will be established based on the experience of the Dubai International Academy branches in Emirates Hills and Al Barsha, targeting mainly families residing in Town Square and surrounding areas.

Planned facilities for this complex include swimming pools, performing arts spaces, a library, sports infrastructure, and environments suitable for group learning.

The school will emphasize family and community engagement, child-centered education, building confidence, and fostering a lasting interest in learning.

This complex will begin its operations in August 2026 from Pre-KG to Grade 8, with higher grades to be added in subsequent years. Official information DIA Town Square⁠

Raffles World Academy Sharjah

Location: Aljada, Sharjah
Educational System: IB authorization applicant
Admission Stages: Pre-KG to Grade 8
Annual Tuition: Approximately 40,000 to 64,000 AED

This school is the first educational institution of Innoventures Education in Sharjah and aims to provide the IB inquiry-based learning system to families residing in this emirate.

The school administrators emphasize creating a balance between academic education, students' health and well-being, study, sports, creativity, and life skills.

Raffles World Academy Sharjah will open in August 2026 in the Aljada area and will initially accept students from Pre-KG to Grade 8. New grades will also be added in subsequent years. Official information Raffles World Academy Sharjah⁠

Schools and Educational Capacities Added from 2025

In addition to the schools opening for the 2026–2027 academic year, several other schools have begun operations or expanded their capacity and educational programs since 2025.

These changes include the opening of new branches of recognized educational institutions, phased development of existing schools, and the addition of new IB pathways.

Dubai British School Mira

Educational System: British
Opening Time: August 2025
Current Grades: FS1 to Year 6
Development Plan: Gradual expansion to Year 13
Annual Tuition Fee: Approximately 51,443 to 58,836 AED

DBS Mira is the newest member of the Dubai British School family and has started its operations following the experiences of the Emirates Hills and Jumeirah Park branches.

This school is located in one of the developing residential areas of Dubai, and its aim is to provide high-quality British education for families who want their child's school to be closer to their home.

Victory Heights Primary School – City of Arabia

Educational System: British
Opening Time: August 2025
Admission Grades: FS1 to Year 6
Annual Tuition Fee: Approximately 40,000 to 57,000 AED

After the success of Victory Heights Primary School in Dubai Sports City, this group has launched its second branch in City of Arabia.

The new branch provides the primary education model of this group to families residing in the surrounding areas and has increased the capacity of British schools in Dubai.

Arcadia Global School

Educational System: British
Current Grades: FS to Year 9
New Grade in 2026: Year 10
Annual Tuition Fee: Approximately 40,000 to 61,000 AED

Arcadia Global School is still in a phased development and is adding new educational levels to its collection as the first cohort of students progresses.

This school has attracted attention among families looking for a British educational system with a social approach and relatively balanced tuition fees.

Dwight School Dubai

Educational System: IB
Admission Grades: Pre-KG to Grade 12
Annual Tuition Fee: Approximately 65,117 to 110,755 AED

Dwight School Dubai offers the entire IB educational pathway from early years to diploma level.

The programs of this school include:

•  IB Primary Years Programme

• IB Middle Years Programme

•  IB Diploma Programme

•  IB Career-related Programme

Starting from the 2025–2026 academic year, the school has also added the IB Career-related Programme to its educational pathways. This program is designed for students who want to pursue more skill-based and professional paths alongside academic education.

What Should Parents Consider Before Choosing a School?

The increasing number of schools provides families with more options, but it also complicates decision-making. Before enrolling, it is advisable to carefully consider the following:

•  The alignment of the educational system with the child's abilities and future plans

• Experience of the principal, teachers, and school leadership team

•  Distance from school to home and daily commute duration

•  Main tuition fee and all additional costs

•  Costs for transportation, uniforms, books, food, and extracurricular activities

•  Number of students per class

•  Educational and psychological support services

•  Sports, arts, and science facilities

•  Grades offered by the school in the first year

•  School development timeline to higher grades

•  Official status of the educational program accreditation

Important Note About IB Applicant Schools

The title "IB Candidate School" does not mean that the school has received final authorization to operate as an IB World School.

These schools are in the process of evaluation and obtaining authorization, and candidate status does not guarantee final approval. Therefore, families should check which IB programs the school is officially authorized to offer at the time of enrollment. This is also explained on the official website of DIA Town Square and Ambassador International Academy Mankhool.

Important Note About Tuition Fees

The amounts stated are usually only tuition fees and may not include costs such as registration, school transport, uniforms, books, meals, trips, external exams, and extracurricular activities.

Additionally, part of the published figures for newly established schools reflects discounted tuition for founding families. Parents are advised to obtain the official and final tuition schedule for the 2026–2027 academic year directly from the school before enrolling.

Source: Gulf Times
Translation and editing: Gooya Dubai