Oud Metha and Zabeel are home to 11 schools offering curricula from British and Indian to French and IB, with fees ranging from 4,528 AED to 137,736 AED per year. Dubai English Speaking School and Lycee Francais International Georges Pompidou School Oud Metha lead the area with Outstanding KHDA ratings. Families seeking affordability will find strong value at The Indian High School, rated Very Good with fees under 11,000 AED annually.
Oud Metha and Zabeel form a densely populated residential and commercial corridor between Sheikh Zayed Road and the Creek. The area is positioned close to Downtown Dubai and DIFC. It attracts a diverse mix of expat families and local residents who value proximity to central business districts. Excellent public transport links via metro stations provide easy access, while quick connections to major highways make commuting convenient. Key landmarks include Dubai Healthcare City, Wafi Mall, and Zabeel Park, which create a well-serviced urban environment for families. Commutes to business hubs like DIFC, Business Bay, and Bur Dubai typically take 10 to 15 minutes, making the area a practical choice for working parents who prioritize convenience alongside educational quality.
Al Rashid Al Saleh Private School follows the Ministry of Education curriculum and holds a Good KHDA rating, with fees ranging from 8,989 to 19,290 AED per year. Located in Oud Metha, this school serves families seeking an Arabic-medium education aligned with national standards.
DEWA Academy offers the Ministry of Education and BTEC curricula with a Good KHDA rating in Al Hudaiba. Fee information is not publicly available. The school primarily serves children of DEWA employees and the wider community with a focus on bilingual education.
Dubai English Speaking School is an Outstanding-rated British curriculum school in Umm Hurair, charging 43,084 to 53,320 AED annually. One of the most established and respected schools in the area, it provides a traditional British education. It delivers strong academic results and a wide extracurricular offering.
Dubai Gem Private School follows the British curriculum and holds a Good KHDA rating, with fees from 13,519 to 27,756 AED per year in Oud Metha. This mid-range school appeals to families looking for British education standards without premium pricing.
English Language Private School is an Acceptable-rated British curriculum school in Umm Hurair First. It offers the most affordable British education in the area at 4,528 to 11,888 AED annually, serving budget-conscious families who prioritize English-medium instruction.
Glendale International School is a newly established British curriculum school in Oud Metha with fees ranging from 42,000 to 57,600 AED. It currently holds an Unrated status as it awaits its first full KHDA inspection, targeting families seeking modern facilities and contemporary teaching approaches.
Lycee Francais International Georges Pompidou School Oud Metha is an Outstanding-rated French curriculum school with fees at 31,276 AED per year. Part of the prestigious LFIGP network, it offers a Francophone education pathway leading to the French Baccalaureate. It serves the French-speaking community in central Dubai.
Pakistan Education Academy provides a Pakistani curriculum education with an Acceptable KHDA rating in Umm Hurair, charging 6,519 to 9,138 AED annually. This school caters specifically to Pakistani families who want their children to maintain cultural and academic ties to their home country curriculum.
St. Mary Catholic High School follows the British curriculum and holds a Good KHDA rating, with fees from 7,361 to 15,812 AED per year in Umm Hurair. This faith-based school combines Catholic values with strong academics, attracting families from diverse Christian backgrounds.
Swiss International Scientific School is located in Dubai Healthcare City and offers the International Baccalaureate curriculum with a Very Good KHDA rating. With fees ranging from 68,868 to 137,736 AED, it represents the premium tier in the area. The school is known for multilingual education and science-focused pedagogy.
The Indian High School follows the Indian curriculum and holds a Very Good KHDA rating in Oud Metha, charging 5,525 to 10,465 AED annually. This school delivers exceptional value for Indian families. It combines affordability with strong inspection results and proven CBSE board exam performance.
| Name | Curriculum | Rating | Fees From | Fees To |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Al Rashid Al Saleh Private School | Ministry of Education | Good | 8,989 AED | 19,290 AED |
| DEWA Academy | Ministry of Education/BTEC | Good | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Dubai English Speaking School | UK | Outstanding | 43,084 AED | 53,320 AED |
| Dubai Gem Private School | UK | Good | 13,519 AED | 27,756 AED |
| English Language Private School | UK | Acceptable | 4,528 AED | 11,888 AED |
| Glendale International School | UK | Unrated | 42,000 AED | 57,600 AED |
| Lycee Francais International Georges Pompidou School Oud Metha | French | Outstanding | 31,276 AED | 31,276 AED |
| Pakistan Education Academy | Pakistani | Acceptable | 6,519 AED | 9,138 AED |
| St. Mary Catholic High School | UK | Good | 7,361 AED | 15,812 AED |
| Swiss International Scientific School | International Baccalaureate | Very Good | 68,868 AED | 137,736 AED |
| The Indian High School | Indian | Very Good | 5,525 AED | 10,465 AED |
Families in Oud Metha and Zabeel benefit from unusual curricular diversity for such a compact area. British, Indian, French, IB, and Ministry of Education options all sit within a few kilometers. If your priority is inspection performance and you have flexibility on budget, Dubai English Speaking School and Lycee Francais International Georges Pompidou represent proven Outstanding choices. The Indian High School delivers remarkable value at the Very Good level for under 11,000 AED annually. Location within the district matters less than usual given the small geographic footprint. Families living near Healthcare City may find Swiss International Scientific School especially convenient despite its premium fees.
Consider commute patterns carefully. Morning traffic between Oud Metha and Bur Dubai or Deira can be heavy. This makes schools closest to your residence or metro line particularly valuable. The area's schools reflect its demographic mix. Budget-friendly options like English Language Private School and Pakistan Education Academy serve price-sensitive families, while newer entrants like Glendale International target the mid-premium segment. For families relocating from abroad, the density of British curriculum options provides multiple entry points across price ranges. Waiting lists at Dubai English Speaking School can extend beyond one academic year.
Families considering Oud Metha and Zabeel should also explore Deira Corniche, which offers waterfront schools with strong British and Indian curriculum options. Deira Central provides additional budget-friendly choices with good transport connections across older residential neighborhoods. Qusais and Nahda feature several value-oriented schools popular with South Asian families seeking affordable Indian and Pakistani curricula. Airport and Festival City districts include newer developments with modern school facilities and family-oriented master-planned communities. Mirdif and the Eastern Suburbs offer more spacious villa compounds. They provide a wider range of premium international schools for families prioritizing larger campuses and outdoor space.
What are the best schools in Oud Metha & Zabeel?
Dubai English Speaking School and Lycee Francais International Georges Pompidou School Oud Metha both hold Outstanding KHDA ratings. They represent the highest-performing options in the area. Swiss International Scientific School offers Very Good-rated IB education at the premium end. The Indian High School achieves a Very Good rating at exceptional value for families following the Indian curriculum. Your definition of "best" should balance inspection rating, curriculum match, budget, and commute convenience. Consider your family's specific circumstances.
How much do schools cost in Oud Metha & Zabeel?
School fees in Oud Metha and Zabeel span an unusually wide range from 4,528 AED to 137,736 AED per year. This reflects the area's socioeconomic diversity. Budget options under 12,000 AED include English Language Private School, The Indian High School, Pakistan Education Academy, and Al Rashid Al Saleh Private School. Mid-range British curriculum schools like Dubai Gem Private School and St. Mary Catholic High School charge between 13,000 and 28,000 AED annually. Premium choices including Dubai English Speaking School, Glendale International School, and Swiss International Scientific School exceed 40,000 AED. SISSR reaches nearly 138,000 AED for senior year IB students.
Is Oud Metha & Zabeel a good area for families?
Oud Metha and Zabeel work well for families who prioritize central location and urban convenience. They offer less spacious villas and garden compounds. The area offers excellent access to healthcare facilities in Dubai Healthcare City, major shopping centers, and public transport via metro. This makes daily logistics manageable for working parents. Zabeel Park provides substantial green space for outdoor activities. Individual residential units tend toward apartments rather than standalone houses. The school diversity means families can often find curriculum matches within walking distance or a short drive. This reduces the daily commute burden that affects many Dubai parents.
Which schools in Oud Metha & Zabeel have the best KHDA ratings?
Dubai English Speaking School and Lycee Francais International Georges Pompidou School Oud Metha both achieved Outstanding ratings in their most recent KHDA inspections. This places them in the top tier of Dubai schools. Swiss International Scientific School holds a Very Good rating with strong performance in science education. The Indian High School also earned Very Good status. Several schools including Al Rashid Al Saleh Private School, DEWA Academy, Dubai Gem Private School, and St. Mary Catholic High School hold Good ratings. These represent solid educational quality at more accessible price points.
Are there affordable schools in Oud Metha & Zabeel?
The area includes multiple budget-friendly options serving different community needs. English Language Private School offers British curriculum education starting at just 4,528 AED per year, the lowest fees in the district. The Indian High School combines affordability with a Very Good KHDA rating at 5,525 to 10,465 AED annually. This makes it exceptional value for families following CBSE curriculum. Pakistan Education Academy and St. Mary Catholic High School both charge under 16,000 AED for all year groups. Al Rashid Al Saleh Private School provides Ministry of Education curriculum starting under 9,000 AED.
What curriculum options are available in Oud Metha & Zabeel?
Oud Metha and Zabeel offer remarkable curriculum diversity for a relatively small geographic area. British curriculum schools dominate. They offer five options ranging from Acceptable to Outstanding ratings across all budget levels. The Indian curriculum is represented by The Indian High School with strong performance and value. Families seeking alternative pathways have multiple options. These include French curriculum at Lycee Francais International Georges Pompidou, full IB at Swiss International Scientific School, Ministry of Education curriculum at Al Rashid Al Saleh Private School or DEWA Academy, and Pakistani curriculum at Pakistan Education Academy. This variety means most expat families can find a suitable curriculum match without leaving the immediate area.