New private schools are opening across Dubai for the 2025–26 academic year, giving parents more choices and easing pressure on oversubscribed campuses. Here’s a complete guide to what’s launching, where, and how to prepare for admissions.
Dubai’s education landscape is set for a major expansion in the upcoming academic year, with several new private schools opening their doors to students across key residential areas. This move comes in response to increasing demand for high-quality education options, driven by the emirate’s growing population and long-standing preference for international curricula, particularly British and IB programs.
The Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) has confirmed that new campuses will open in Mira, City of Arabia, Dubai Sports City, and Dubai Academic City. These additions aim to ease pressure on already oversubscribed schools and give parents more flexibility in choosing schools close to home.
Dubai currently hosts more than 220 private schools offering over 18 different curricula. The KHDA's broader vision, known as “Education 33,” seeks to add 100 new schools and over 50,000 school seats by 2033. In 2024 alone, the city added 16,000 new school seats — and the 2025–26 academic year will continue this momentum.
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Dubai British School Mira (DBS Mira) – Located in the Reem community (Mira), this school will offer the UK national curriculum with annual tuition fees ranging between AED 51,500 to AED 58,800. Operated by Taaleem, it is the first Dubai British School campus outside Jumeirah Park and Emirates Hills.
Victory Heights Primary School (City of Arabia campus) – Known for its focus on holistic development and strong parent-school collaboration, this British curriculum school will open in City of Arabia. It is an extension of the highly regarded Victory Heights Primary in Sports City.
GEMS School of Research and Innovation – Set to launch in Sports City, this premium British curriculum school will emphasize STEM education, AI integration, and project-based learning. With annual fees starting from AED 116,000, it is targeted at families looking for a future-ready educational experience.
Dubai English Speaking School (Academic City Campus) – One of the oldest non-profit schools in the UAE is opening a new branch in Academic City. Known for academic excellence and strong values-based education, DESS is expanding due to overwhelming demand at its Oud Metha campus.
Over the past decade, Dubai has witnessed an influx of expat families and a rising demand for internationally recognized schooling. British and IB schools are often filled months in advance, leaving many parents struggling to secure places for their children. The upcoming school openings are expected to relieve these pressures by offering more seats, especially at the FS1 and Year 1 entry levels.
The new schools are also introducing modern infrastructure, flexible classroom spaces, AI and robotics labs, and specialized sports facilities, aligning with Dubai’s drive to become a global hub for future-ready education.
Admissions Open Early: Applications are already open for most schools, with limited founding-year discounts being offered in some cases.
Curriculum Continuity: All new campuses are expected to expand to higher grades year by year, eventually offering complete education from foundation to sixth form or equivalent.
Fee Considerations: While tuition fees vary, most new schools are introducing competitive rates to attract founding families.
Dubai's commitment to enhancing its education sector remains a priority as the emirate continues to grow. With more school developments in the pipeline, including IB and bilingual campuses, parents can expect a wider array of options in the coming years.
This expansion not only supports Dubai’s vision for a world-class education system but also reaffirms its status as a family-friendly destination committed to excellence and innovation in learning.
