A month into the start of the new academic year, some Dubai private schools are still open for admission.
That’s definitely a change, considering parents often complain that school hunts in Dubai are often tedious and could take years of prep before the child starts school.
The waiting lists are often long, and schools are sometimes forced to close the list, due to oversubscription.
However, if the current trend is anything to go by, then the situation is about to change… for the better.
Seven schools that opened this academic year (2015-16) are still open for admission.
The Dubai British School Jumeirah Park follows the UK curriculum and has classes from Year 1-6, with fees of Dh65,000 across board.
Talking to Emirates24|7, an admission officer said that seats are still available for the current academic year.
“The annual fees (across board) is Dh75,000 but since this is our first year, we are offering a discount. It will be Dh65,000 locked for the next three years,” the officer added.
The Hartland International School is also open for admission. The school offers UK/IB curriculum, and has classes from FS 1-Year 6. The fees range between Dh49,750 and Dh65,000.
“Yes, we have seats available,” confirmed their staff.
Talking about the admission process, the officer stated that parents are requested to fill out an online application form, following which the school would schedule a tour and assessment.
“For overseas students, we are able to conduct overseas assessment,” she said, adding, “For year 3-6, the assessments are conducted online, making it easier for overseas students.”
Amled School in Al Quoz follows the Indian board – CBSE, with classes from KG1 to Grade 5. The fees range between Dh11,500 and Dh16,000.
The Indian school is still open for admissions in kindergarten2, grade 1 and grade 4 & 5, informed a staff.
“Admissions for students in Dubai will find it easier to find a seat this year, while overseas might have to wait next year,” she added.
Swiss International Scientific School in Dubai also has an online application form that needs to be filled out, following which the school will hold an assessment. “The decision often takes just a day, provided all the documents are submitted on time,” their staff added.
The German International School Dubai in Academic City also has seats available. They have classes from KG 1-Grade12, and the fees range between Dh33,188 and Dh62,699.
“Once the online application form is filled, and a registration fee of Dh500 is paid, the admission process begins. There’s a team that analyses the documents, and the child is called in for an assessment,” informed an official.
St. Mary's Catholic High School in Muhaisnah, which follows the UK curriculum, has seats available in Grade 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6. The fees range between Dh11,000 and Dh14,000.
“There are a few seats still open,” said the officer. The school follows the standard admission process, with parents asked to fill out an online application form.
Once the school checks it, the child will be asked to come in for an assessment. “It’s a 2-hour session, as we don’t want to rush the child. The decision over admission will take a day, or even less,” she added.
List of new schools that opened 2015-16
Amled School
Al Quoz 4
043386756
www.amledschool.com, info@amledschool.com
CBSE
KG 1-grade 5
Fees -Dh11,500-Dh16,000
Seats available = 500
Dubai British School Jumeirah Park
Jumeirah Park
04 5520247
www.dubaibritishschooljp.ae, dda@dubaibritishschooljp.ae
UK
Year 1- Year6
Fees - Dh65,000 (across the board)
Seats available = 1,625
Hartland International School
Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum City-District One
045519276
admissions@
UK/IB
FS 1-Year6
Fees Dh49,750-65,000
Seats available = 2,400
Ranches Primary School
Arabian Ranches 2
045587032
www.rpsdubai.com, info@rpsdubai.com
UK
FS 1-Year6
Fees Dh45,000-55,000
Seats available = 1,000
St. Mary's Catholic High School Dubai
Al Muhaisnah
042614014
www.stmarysmuhaisnah.com, info-smm@smgeducation.org
UK
FS 1-Year6
Fees - Dh11,000-14,000
Seats available = 1,250
Swiss International Scientific School in Dubai
Dubai Healthcare City
043750600
Swiss/International Baccalaureate (IB)
Pre-primary-Grade6
Fees - Dh60,000-Dh95,000
Seats available = 2,442
German International School Dubai
Academic City
043386006
www.germanschool.ae, info@germanschool.ae
German
KG 1-Grade12
Fees Dh33,188-Dh62,699
Seats available = 1,070