United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a country in the Middle East consisting of seven emirates which are Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Dubai, Fujairah, Ras al-Khaimah, Sharjah and Umm al-Quwain. UAE is home to over 600 international schools, the highest in the world. Majority of international schools are located in Abu Shabi, the capital of UAE.
Here are five international school groups located in UAE:
1. The ADNOC Schools
The ADNOC Schools were introduced by the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) in 2008. The schools aim to provide rigorous education to students in preschool, primary and secondary school levels. The American Massachusetts State Curriculum is offered at all ADNOC Schools and complemented by Arabic, Islamic and Social Studies. In 2011, the ADNOC School of Abu Dhabi established the SEN Department to create learning provisions for students with special educational needs. Approximately 7,000 students are enrolled in the ADNOC Schools in the cities of Sas Al Nakhl, Madinat Zayed, Ruwais, and Ghayathi in Abu Dhabi.
2. Emirates National Schools
In 2002, the first Emirates National School was established in Mohammed Bin Zayed City, Abu Dhabi. Emirates National School caters to students from Kindergarten to Grade 12. Students in kindergarten and primary school are taught the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Curriculum (PYP) and the American Curriculum. The International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (MYP) is taught at secondary school level. Students are granted the American High School Diploma at the end of secondary school. After that, students sit for the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) and Advanced Placement (AP) classes. Emirates National School has five campuses, three in Abu Dhabi and one each in Sharjah and Ras al-Khaimah.
3. GEMS Education
GEMS Education is the largest education provider in UAE. The education group was founded in Dubai and opened its first school, Our Own English High School, in 1968. There are currently 49 international schools in UAE under the GEMS Education umbrella in Dubai (32 schools), Abu Dhabi (8 schools), Sharjah (6 schools), Fujairah (2 schools) and Ras al-Khaimah (1 school). The schools offer the American Curriculum, British Curriculum, Indian Curriculum, International Baccalaureate Curriculum or a combination of mentioned curricula. Click here for a list of GEMS Schools in UAE.
4. Jumeirah English Speaking School (JESS)
JESS’ first school in Dubai had humble beginnings with on 17 students in 1975. The school has expanded to two different sites, its original primary school at Jumeirah and the newer Arabian Ranches school which opened in September 2005. Over 2,000 students are now enrolled at JESS. The British Curriculum is offered from Foundation to Year 11. In 2009, JESS began offering the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) and Business and Technology Education Council (BTEC) courses in Art, Sports and Business.
5. International School of Choueifat
International School of Choueifat is one of the international school groups under SABIS, a global education management company established in 1886 in Choueifat, Lebanon. In 1975, the first Choueifat school opened in Sharjah and subsequently other emirates in UAE. There are now 10 International School of Choueifat branches across UAE. International School of Choueifat’s curriculum is based on an academic framework with a focus on mathematics and English. The school also offers Edexcel courses and Cambridge A Level Mathematics, AP Calculus and AP English.
To find out more about international schools in UAE, make sure to use the powerful School Finder on www.EducationDestinationAsia.com.
