{"id":860,"date":"2024-04-13T09:13:13","date_gmt":"2024-04-13T09:13:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.getlisteduae.com\/blog\/?p=860"},"modified":"2024-04-13T09:13:16","modified_gmt":"2024-04-13T09:13:16","slug":"choosing-a-school-in-dubai-3-factors-to-consider","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.getlisteduae.com\/blog\/choosing-a-school-in-dubai-3-factors-to-consider\/","title":{"rendered":"Choosing a School in Dubai: 3 Factors to Consider"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Dubai has an excellent educational landscape. A bustling emirate with a significant expatriate population, Dubai is well-positioned to provide your children with a rich environment in which to learn and get accustomed to multicultural diversity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019re also spoiled for choice in Dubai. A report by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) says Dubai has 220 private schools with 17 different curricula options. You\u2019ll find plenty of British, American, Indian, and International Baccalaureate or IB schools in Dubai<\/u><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, all you need to decide is which among your many options is the best school for your children. In line with that, here are three factors you can use to decide on the best school for your children<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. <\/a>Curriculum<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    The curriculum is a school\u2019s guiding blueprint for its students\u2019 educational journey. It\u2019s crucial to how and what your children will learn<\/strong>, so the curriculum is a critical factor when choosing a school.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    While there are 17 different curricula in Dubai, the four most commonly used are the British (80 schools), American (40 schools), Indian (32 schools), and IB (17 schools) curricula.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    <\/a>British Curriculum<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    The British curriculum is a broad, balanced and structured<\/strong> curriculum taught in more than 150 countries worldwide. It covers the arts, sciences and the humanities and emphasises creativity and critical thinking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    British curriculum students take many national tests<\/strong> throughout the course of their study. In Years 10 and 11, students take their subject-based General Certificate of Secondary Education(GCSE<\/strong>) or international GCSE (iGCSE<\/strong>) exams. In Year 12, they can take Advanced Subsidiary level (i.e., AS-level<\/strong>) exams and, in Year 13, sit for Advanced level (i.e., A-level<\/strong>) exams. Universities often use AS and A-levels when making admission decisions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    <\/a>American Curriculum<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    American schools in Dubai typically use the US Common Core State Standards <\/strong>for English and maths instruction and follow the Next Generation Science Standards <\/strong>for science. It is a broad and holistic<\/strong> education that encourages not just academic excellence but also involvement in extracurricular activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Unlike the British curriculum, American schools typically rely on internal assessments<\/strong>. There are also no external subject-based exams<\/strong> like GCSEs that students must take and pass to get a high school diploma.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    However, American school students can take Advanced Placement exams (AP tests<\/strong>) for certain subjects to earn credits towards a bachelor\u2019s degree. American curriculum students usually take the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT<\/strong>) or the American College Test (ACT<\/strong>), typical prerequisites for US university admission.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    <\/a>International Baccalaureate (IB)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    The IB curriculum is renowned for its global perspective<\/strong> and emphasis on inquiry-based learning<\/strong>. It fosters meta-thinking and problem-solving and nurtures open-minded, culturally aware students ready to tackle global challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The IB curriculum allows students to master independent research<\/strong> and prepares them for the rigorous academic work in universities. The IB curriculum is worth considering if you want a robust, well-rounded curriculum that prepares students well for university education. A study<\/u><\/a> finds IB Diploma graduates have a university graduation rate higher than the US national average.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    <\/a>Indian Curriculum<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    The Indian curriculum is known for its focus on foundational knowledge<\/strong> and competitive academic rigour<\/strong>. It’s particularly well-suited for those considering higher education or career opportunities in India.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    There are two variants of the Indian curriculum in Dubai. They are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    1. <\/a>Academic Performance<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

      Academic performance is another consideration. Schools that excel academically are doing something right (and doing it well) to achieve their stellar academic results.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      The following are a few of the academic performance metrics<\/strong> you can look at when evaluating potential schools in Dubai for your children:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      <\/a>Dubai Schools Inspection Bureau (DSIB) Ratings<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

      The KHDA, through the Dubai Schools Inspection Bureau, inspects and rates schools\u2019 educational standards and performance according to set criteria. DSIB ratings can be<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n