The new UAE schools coming to Dubai and other emirates: fees, curricula and year groups

Every confirmed opening from Harrow and Rugby School to new IB through-schools with dates, locations, year groups and fees

Planning a school move for 2026–27? You’re not alone, and soon there will be more choices than ever.

Across the UAE, a wave of private schools is set to open in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah, with further launches already in the pipeline.

A standout trend is the rise of super-premium British schools. Several new schools will open as international campuses of long-established UK institutions, bringing hundreds of years of educational heritage to the UAE, alongside new British and IB schools opening in fast-growing neighbourhoods.

This growth aligns with Dubai’s Education 33 (E33) strategy, which anticipates at least 100 new private schools by 2033.

In this guide, we look at opening dates, location, curriculum, year groups, published fees (where available), education partner and leadership, plus a quick “parent lens” on what each school is best known for.

Listed by emirate, alphabetically and in launch order

New schools opening in the UAE

New schools in Dubai

Ambassador International Academy, Mankhool

Bridge Education

Opens: 2026
Location: Mankhool, Bur Dubai
Curriculum: IB
Year groups: Pre-KG to Grade 8 initially (expanding to Grade 12)
Fees per annum: From AED 65,000 (Founding Families Fees from AED 45,000)
Founding Principal: Ruth Burke
Parent lens: A notable addition in central Dubai for families seeking a seamless IB pathway with purpose-built facilities and an experienced IB leadership team. Its 400,000 sq ft campus is designed to support academics, STEAM and creativity.

Ash Mount School

Interstar Advisory Services

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Opens: 2026
Location: Mudon, Dubai
Curriculum: International curriculum drawing on English National Curriculum strengths with UAE requirements.
Year groups: Pre-KG to Grade 8 initially (expanding to Grade 12)
Fees per annum: From AED 52,000 (Founding Families Fees from AED 44,200)
Founding Principal: Abigail Fishbourne
Parent lens: A strong option for families in Mudon and nearby communities seeking an inquiry-based international model with a focus on wellbeing and practical learning spaces tailored to student engagement.

DIA Town Square

Innoventures Education

Opens: August 2026
Location: Nshama Town Square, Dubai
Curriculum: IB
Year groups: Pre-KG to Grade 8 initially (expanding to Grade 12)
Fees per annum: From AED 68,000 (Founding Families Fees from AED 49,000)
Founding Principal: Candice Combrinck
Parent lens: Particularly relevant for Town Square families seeking an IB through-school close to home, backed by the DIA group’s long experience in IB delivery and extensive facilities for arts, science and sport.

Harrow International School Dubai

Taaleem

Opens: 2026
Location: Hessa Street, Dubai
Curriculum: British
Year groups: FS to Year 6 initially (expanding to Year 13)
Fees per annum: From AED 80,000
Principal: Simon O’Connor (Executive Principal of Harrow International Schools UAE).
Parent lens: For parents prioritising a British independent-school ethos, with a blend of academic rigour, values and community tradition, led by an experienced founding head.

Horizon English School Town Square

Cognita

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Opens: Announced for 2027
Location: Town Square
Curriculum: British
Year groups: FS1 to Year 8 initially (expanding to Year 13)
Fees per annum: From AED 49,000 (Founding Families Fees from AED 44,100)
Founding Principal: Nick Hart
Parent lens: Worth watching for families planning ahead in Town Square who want a British all-through pathway linked to an established Dubai primary brand, with phased expansion and integration into the broader community.

Queen Elizabeth’s School, Dubai Sports City

Innoventures Education

Opens: 2026
Location: Dubai Sports City
Curriculum: British
Year groups: Nursery to Year 8 initially (expanding to Year 13)
Fees per annum: From AED 93,500 (Founding Families Fees from AED 70,125)
Founding Principal: Dan Clark
Parent lens: A premium British option where the school emphasises its UK heritage and a full-school journey. For sports-oriented families, Dubai Sports City’s location is a practical appeal, alongside its high-quality academic facilities.

Rugby School Dubai

Aldar Education

Opens: 2026
Location: Nad al Sheba, Dubai
Curriculum: British
Year groups: FS1 to Year 13
Fees per annum: From AED 70,000 (Corporate fees also available)
Founding Executive Principal: Henry Price
Parent lens: Well-suited to families drawn to a holistic, deep-rooted British education that blends academics, sport and creative breadth, under leadership experienced in launching new campuses.

SPGS International School Dubai

Meraki Education

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Opens: Planned for 2028-29
Location: TBC
Curriculum: British
Year groups: FS to Year 13
Fees per annum: TBC
Principal: TBC
Parent lens: A co-educational campus linked to one of the UK’s most academically high-performing independent schools (St Paul’s Girls’ School), bringing strong traditions of scholarship and community to Dubai.

The Scholars School

Scholars International Group

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Opens:  2026
Location: Al Asayel Street, Al Quoz 1 (formerly occupied by Clarion School)
Curriculum: British
Year groups: FS to Year 6 (with a phased expansion planned to higher years)
Fees per annum: From AED 61,000 (Founding Families Fees from AED 42,700)
Founding Principal: Kyle Knott
Parent lens: One to watch for families seeking a British curriculum underpinned by High Performance Learning (HPL). The school also outlines enrichment in STEM, AI, and entrepreneurship and will open on an existing school campus, which may reassure parents cautious of construction-phase launches.

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