Dubai Schools Al Khawaneej Review (2024)

At a glance

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Dubai Schools Al Khawaneej (formerly Mirdif) is one of two schools offering the US curriculum that opened in August 2021. The schools are operated by Taaleem in partnership with the Dubai Government.

The story so far...

Dubai Schools Al Khawaneej started life as Dubai Schools Mirdif, one of two relatively new schools, that opened in Dubai in August 2021. The second school is located in Al Barsha. A third school opened in August 2022 in the Nad Al Sheba area. The schools are a joint venture in the form of a public-private partnership between the Dubai Government and Taaleem Education – owners of Outstanding-rated Dubai British School Emirates Hills and its sister school in Jumeirah Park.

Originally housed in the former Primary school occupied by Taaleem's Uptown Primary School, the growth of Dubai Schools Mirdif to offer Middle school grades (with High school grades to follow) has resulted in the relocation and renaming of the Mirdif school to reflect its new location.

Initially, the school opened from KG to Grade 6 with a capacity of 800 students and has added Grade 7 for the 2024-25 academic year. |At the time of the school's first DSIB inspection in May 2024, over 870 students (of whom 830 were Emirati), already attended the school.

An additional grade will be added each year until the school is fully open to Grade 12, subject to KHDA approval.

The Dubai Schools' Mission is “To be a Beacon of Academic Quality. Combining an inquisitive teaching approach and future-focused skillset delivery, we work hand-in-hand with the community to nurture students to become independent and empathetic learners. We offer an American education that will be guided by Arabic principles and Islamic values which will foster future-ready graduates, driven by pride and tolerance”
The schools’ values are “Future-ready, Trust & Empathy, Collaboration & Inclusion, Cultural Preservation, Academic excellence.”

The Al Khawaneej school is led by Mr. John Garman as the new Principal at Dubai Schools Al Khawaneej, who will begin his role with the relocation of the school. Mr. Garman has a Masters' degree in Educational leadership from University of North Florida, a Bachelors' degree in Elementary Education and a UK QTS qualification.

Mr. Garman is a long time resident of the UAE who started his UAE career in Abu Dhabi under ADEK in 2014, before joining Taaleem in 2021, rising to the position of Principal at one of the Abu Dhabi Government/Taaleem Charter Schools. Mr. Garman brings over 20 years of extensive knowledge and experience to the Al Khawaneej school. His leadership and commitment to promoting Arabic and Islamic values are expected to enrich the school community as it continues to grow.

He will be supported, as Elementary Principal, by Mr. Jamie Efford, who joins Dubai Schools Al Khawaneej from Kings Education, whose Al Barsha and Umm Suqeim schools are both rated Outstanding by the KHDA.

At the time of the school's first KHDA inspection in May 2024, close to 60 teachers had been recruited, both internationally and locally, to ensure that staff have the right blend of enthusiasm, knowledge, and experience in the region, to help students achieve their best. The largest nationality group was South African. A further 38 teaching assistants and one counsellor supported students in addition.

What about the curriculum?

Dubai Schools Al Khawaneej offers an American Curriculum based on the New York State Education Department – NYSED - leading to an American High School Diploma. We expect that in common with all Dubai-based US curriculum schools, Dubai Schools Al Khawaneej will seek accreditation from the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC), thus ensuring that the Diploma is recognised and accepted by colleges and universities in the USA and internationally.

The curriculum aims to develop well-rounded learners by teaching global perspectives and context to enable students to successfully develop the critical thinking skills and acumen to contribute positively to a rapidly changing world.

The school will teach and embrace global citizenship, but will educate and guide students to be well developed and led by Arabic and Islamic principles and values. There will also be a strong focus on entrepreneurship and innovation, sustainability, tolerance, and many other key aspirations of the U.A.E. national agenda for education.

At the KG1 and KG2 levels, the curriculum has been designed as an experiential, play-based, and developmentally appropriate curriculum based on NYSED standards. The curriculum also includes additional features including Approaches to Learning, Physical Development and Health, Social and Emotional Learning, and Approaches to Communication. These additional areas of learning are also provided by the State of New York and are based on recommendations from the (US) National Association for the Education of Young Children.

The Elementary school curriculum focuses on developing strong foundational skills in English Language Arts, Mathematics, UAE and US Social Studies, Arabic Language, Islamic Education, Moral Education, Science, Information Technology, Physical Education, Art, and Music. Following on from the Kindergarten curriculum, the Elementary curriculum is developed to ensure that all children succeed, including those who develop at different rates. The curriculum aims to encourage children’s natural curiosity and desire to explore the world around them.

The curriculum is organized around themes and topics that connect the various subjects – encouraging an inquiry-based approach to learning and enabling students to participate in learning through doing (experiential learning) both in the school and within the wider community. This approach will build real-world connections to students' learning, as well as teaching them about the Emirati culture.

The Middle school curriculum has been developed with early adolescent learners in mind supporting the need for relevance, belonging, competence, relationships, and fun. The school uses, as its starting point for curriculum development, the Engage New York curriculum including English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Physical Education, Arabic, Islamic Studies, UAE Social Studies, Social Studies, Moral Education and Physical Education. In addition, students will make two elective choices between Arts subjects (Music, Theater, Band or Visual Arts) or Model United Nations (MUN) or Computer Studies & Digital Fluency.

Students in Middle school are required to enroll in standard elective classes that encourage them to pursue interests and passions beyond the core curriculum and prepares them for the High School elective program. Middle school standard elective classes include Physical Education, Visual Arts, Computer Technology, and Music.

Students in High school will be offered Advanced Placement pre-university/college entry classes in addition to the core curriculum.

A variety of extra-curricular activities are also available to students; details are published at the start of each academic year.

What about support for students of Determination and those with Gifts and Talents?

Dubai Schools Al Khawaneej says that it prides itself on being inclusive and welcomes all students. The school promises the delivery of high-quality education for all children, including gifted children and those requiring more learning support. The school has its own dedicated Inclusion Support Team led by an Inclusion Champion and monitored by a Governor for Inclusion.

The Taaleem Group of schools has played a leading role in the development of inclusion policies in Dubai and Abu Dhabi and is highly regarded for the support it is able to offer. Personalized learning programs are developed for students with specific needs on a case-by-case basis, and these programs include access to appropriate resources and support and curricular options.

The first DSIB school inspection report shows that 75 children had been identified with additional learning requirements. The care and support of students of all abilities (including those with additional needs and those with gifts and talents) and the provision and outcomes for students of Determination were rated Acceptable.

The inspection team found that "The head of inclusion and senior leaders have a vision of inclusion that is reflected in school policies and practices, and the everyday life of the school. The identification of students' needs is accurate and well-informed." Further development is needed, in particular in respect of classroom resource, to ensure that students individually receive the support they need.

What about the Facilities?

The new school campus hosts an extensive range of facilities including 149 classrooms, 71 laboratories and specialist rooms, a library extending over two floors with a total space of 11,800 square feet, and four indoor gymnasia (one each dedicated to KG and Elementary students).

Further sports facilities include three indoor swimming pools, including a half Olympic-size swimming pool, three Multi-purpose outdoor courts and a full size 11-a-Side Football pitch.

What the inspectors say

Dubai Schools Al Khawaneej (under its Mirdif name) was inspected by the Dubai Schools Inspection Bureau on behalf of the KDHA in May 2024. The school was awarded an Acceptable rating, the minimum rating expected by the KHDA.

The inspection team found the strengths of the school to be:

• Students’ responsible attitudes, respectful relationships and regular attendance.
• The arrangements to ensure students’ health, safety, security and welfare.
• The day-to-day management of the school and the school’s procedures and routines.

Key recommendations made by the inspection team included the need to:

• Accelerate progress and raise attainment in all subjects.
• Improve the quality and consistency of teaching, learning and assessment.
• Ensure that in all lessons the learning needs of all groups of students, particularly students of determination, are met.
• Ensure that there are sufficient, appropriately skilled, teachers to meet the needs of early English language learners.

In a recent initiative, introduced by the KHDA in 2022-23, the DSIB inspectors were also asked to evaluate wellbeing provision and outcomes.

According to the regulator, "KHDA has placed wellbeing at the centre of our school communities. Through focusing upon the inspection of three core wellbeing domains; leading and pursuing wellbeing, engaging and enabling stakeholders and student's wellbeing agency and experiences an evaluation of wellbeing provision and outcomes is provided." The evaluation of Dubai Schools Al Khawaneej resulted in an Acceptable rating.

The inspectors commented that:

• Leaders are aware of the need to prioritize the wellbeing of staff, students, and parents. The recently appointed wellbeing governor understands the need to actively promote students’ wellbeing. Staff surveys are conducted, and the information gathered is considered when planning for the wellbeing of members of staff. Staff training programs are in place, but the impact of these is variable.
• Stakeholders have some awareness of the wellbeing vision and engage in termly meetings. Students and parents have a basic means of communication with regard to wellbeing issues but have limited ways to influence the school’s wellbeing vision. Members of staff receive sufficient training, but wellbeing support is limited to general issues and not sufficiently personalized for individuals.
• The school provides opportunities for students to develop an understanding of wellbeing through assemblies and wellbeing champions as well as the student council. Some curriculum initiatives are beginning to be developed. Leaders are working to meet the challenge of students adopting healthier lifestyles and this is having some impact. Students feel safe and supported, which contributes to their own feeling of wellbeing.

If you would like to read the inspection report - and we strongly recommend that you do so in order to understand the reasons behind the ratings and recommendations - you will find it here.

The Buzz

The Taaleem group has long had a very strong reputation in terms of its schools' academic performance and is highly regarded in both Dubai and Abu Dhabi. It already operates a US curriculum school in Dubai - the only All Girls school in fact - which has also been attractive to Emirati families.

The specific USPs of the Dubai Schools, according to Taaleem, are:

• The American curriculum with focus on Arabic and Islamic studies
• All Inclusive tuition fees (an important factor in parents' school choice)
• The state of the art facilities at the new Al Khawaneej campus.

It seems that the Mirdif school has had a somewhat unsettled start, with significant numbers of students attending the school, but without necessarily the skilled staff needed to support their needs. The appointment of new leadership, both with significant UAE experience, and the relocation to the new campus presents an opportunity for significant change as the new Dubai Schools Al Khawaneej evolves.

We have no doubt that for Emirati families, placing their children in Dubai Schools Al Khawaneej expect to place their children in 'a safe pair of hands' which will ensure that they receive a high standard of education meeting the authorities' ambition for a KHDA rating of Good or higher as the school develops.

For families of other nationalities who are seeking a school offering the US curriculum in an environment where their children will be immersed in the Emirati culture, Dubai Schools Al Khawaneej should offer an attractive option.

If you are a parent or teacher at Dubai Schools Al Khawaneej, please share your opinions and experience with other potential members of your community andcomplete our Survey.

What about the fees?

Fees are definitely moderately priced with KG 1 fees starting at AED 29,900, KG2 at AED 32,400, Grade 1 - AED 34,700, Grade 2 - AED 34,700, Grade 3 - AED 35,555, Grade 4 - AED 36,155, Grade 5 at AED 38,800, Grade 6 at AED 46,800 and Grade 7 at AED 43,800. Additional grades will open annually until the school reaches full capacity at Grade 12. Fees already released for later grades rise to AED 46,800 for Grade 12.

If you are the owner or the principal of the school and note any inaccuracies, or would like to update data, you can now open an account with us. You will also be able to add admissions availability per year group, and advertise current job vacancies. This is a free service. Please help us keep prospective parents up to date with your latest information.

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