Sample shortlist
Illustrative format only: names are hidden and figures are made up. Your shortlist uses real schools and real, dated answers.
Brief: Year 5 (born March 2017), British or IB, budget AED 40,000 to 70,000, living in Dubai Marina, school run under 30 minutes, start January 2027.
| # | School | Curriculum | KHDA rating | Year 5 fee (AED) | Morning commute | Seat status (date asked) | Next step |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | School A | British | Very Good | 48,900 | 18 min | Seat available, assessment within 2 weeks | Apply now: online form + AED 500 registration |
| 2 | School B | IB | Outstanding | 71,200 | 24 min | Waiting list, 9 ahead for Year 5 | Register for waitlist; reassess in March |
| 3 | School C | British | Good | 39,500 | 12 min | Seat available | Visit, then form + TC |
| 4 | School D | American | Very Good | 55,000 | 27 min | 1 seat, offer within 1 week of assessment | Book assessment |
| 5 | School E | British | Outstanding | 68,700 | 31 min | Year group full; waiting list closed | Not recommended for this start date |
| 6 | School F | IB | Good | 45,300 | 21 min | Asked Tuesday, awaiting reply | We follow up; update on your page |
Our pick
School A, then School D: both have a seat for January, both rated Very Good, inside budget and commute. School B is stronger academically but the waiting list makes January unlikely; register anyway if you can wait for August.
Documents most of these schools ask for
Passport and visa or Emirates ID copies (child and parents), birth certificate, last two school reports, transfer certificate (attested if from outside the UAE), immunisation record, passport photos.