Schools in Al Qusais 2026 -- Complete Guide to Fees, Ratings and Curricula

Al Qusais and Nahda have 27 schools covering British, American, Indian, Pakistani and Philippine curricula. Annual fees range from about 2,859 AED to over 71,000 AED depending on school and grade level. The Millenium School is the district's only Very Good rated school, teaching the Indian curriculum. For families wanting a British education, Al Salam Community School, Cambridge International School and Star International School - Mirdif are the top Good-rated picks. Budget-conscious parents should start with The Central School, Crescent English School and Al Sadiq Islamic English School, all under 11,000 AED at entry level.

This guide breaks down every school in the district by fee, rating and curriculum. It also explains how to shortlist schools based on your budget and priorities.

Qusais & Nahda District Overview

Qusais and Nahda form one of Dubai's most established residential belts. The area is popular with long-term expat families and Emirati households alike. It mixes low-rise apartment buildings with villa communities. This gives it a settled, community feel rather than a transient one.

Landmarks like Qusais Industrial Area, Nahda Park and the Dubai Metro Red and Green Line interchange at Union Station make commuting straightforward. Families here value the dense concentration of affordable and mid-range schools. This means children often have options within a short drive of home.

The district sits close to the Sharjah border. This makes it attractive for parents who work in Dubai but want lower rent. It also suits those who commute between the two emirates daily. Nahda in particular has grown quickly over the past decade, with new school campuses opening to serve rising demand. Because the area is so established, most schools here have long track records. Parents can review years of inspection history rather than relying on a single report.

All Schools in Qusais & Nahda 2026

Below is every school in the district, grouped loosely by fee tier. Each entry lists curriculum, rating and the full annual fee range so you can compare quickly.

Al Diyafah High School follows the UK curriculum and holds a Good rating. Fees run between 9,506 and 20,475 AED annually. It is a long-standing choice for families seeking a budget-friendly British education.

Al Ittihad Private School - Jumeirah offers the American curriculum with a Good rating. Fees run from 18,635 to 42,434 AED, positioning it toward the higher end of the district.

Al Maaref American School delivers the American curriculum and holds an Acceptable rating. Fees span 12,906 to 37,134 AED, making it a mid-tier option for American curriculum seekers.

Al Sadiq Islamic English School follows the UK curriculum with an Acceptable rating. At 4,687 to 9,499 AED, it is among the most affordable schools in the area.

Al Salam Community School is a Good-rated UK curriculum school. Fees sit between 23,795 and 41,102 AED, appealing to families wanting a premium British experience.

Al Salam Private School offers both UK and UK-based curricula, rated Good. Fees range from 14,276 to 33,642 AED.

American International School provides the American curriculum, rated Good, with fees ranging from 13,405 to 21,732 AED.

Amity School follows the Indian curriculum and holds a Good rating. Fees span 16,696 to 33,394 AED.

Apple International School is a UK curriculum school rated Good. It has a wide fee range from 6,993 to 27,960 AED. This is useful for families who want room to move between grades.

Cambridge International School offers the UK curriculum, rated Good, with fees between 23,795 and 36,775 AED.

Capital School is a UK curriculum institution rated Good. It sits at the premium end, with fees from roughly 40,000 to 66,600 AED.

Crescent English School follows the Indian curriculum and holds an Acceptable rating. Fees are among the lowest in the district, at 2,859 to 10,374 AED.

Deira Private School offers the UK curriculum, rated Acceptable, with fees from 22,867 to 41,147 AED.

Dubai Carmel School is a UK curriculum school rated Acceptable. Fees run between 9,121 and 15,479 AED.

Dubai National School Al Twar follows the American curriculum, rated Good, with fees from 19,872 to 38,836 AED.

Dubai Scholars Private School offers the UK curriculum, rated Good, with fees spanning 15,833 to 32,568 AED.

H.H.Shaikh Rashid Al Maktoum Pakistani School follows the Pakistani curriculum and is rated Acceptable. It has some of the most affordable fees in the district, at 5,200 to 9,000 AED.

M S B Private School is a UK curriculum school rated Good, with fees from 11,816 to 27,681 AED.

Pristine Private School offers a British and UK-based curriculum, rated Good. Fees fall between 12,300 and 29,204 AED.

Star International School - Mirdif follows the UK curriculum and holds a Good rating. Fees range widely from 22,027 to 71,409 AED. This reflects its position among the district's premium options.

The Central School is an Indian curriculum school rated Acceptable. Fees run from 4,177 to 7,352 AED, among the most budget-friendly in the area.

The Millenium School stands out with a Very Good rating on the Indian curriculum. It is the only school in the district to hold this rating. Fees run from 18,278 to 26,876 AED.

The Philippine School follows the Philippine curriculum, rated Acceptable, with fees between 6,443 and 16,294 AED.

The School of Research Science US High School offers the American curriculum and is rated Acceptable. It charges premium fees from 60,168 to 70,039 AED.

The Sheffield Private School is a UK curriculum school rated Good, with fees between 23,631 and 44,563 AED.

The Westminster School follows the UK curriculum, rated Good, with fees from 9,362 to 18,203 AED. This makes it a strong value option for British curriculum seekers.

Woodlem Park School offers the Indian curriculum and holds an Acceptable rating, with fees between 12,601 and 24,598 AED.

Qusais & Nahda Schools Comparison Table

Name	Curriculum	Rating	Fees From	Fees To
Al Diyafah High School	UK*	Good	9,506 AED	20,475 AED
Al Ittihad Private School - Jumeirah	American	Good	18,635 AED	42,434 AED
Al Maaref American School	American	Acceptable	12,906 AED	37,134 AED
Al Sadiq Islamic English School	UK*	Acceptable	4,687 AED	9,499 AED
Al Salam Community School	UK*	Good	23,795 AED	41,102 AED
Al Salam Private School	UK/UK*	Good	14,276 AED	33,642 AED
American International School	American	Good	13,405 AED	21,732 AED
Amity School	Indian	Good	16,696 AED	33,394 AED
Apple International School	UK*	Good	6,993 AED	27,960 AED
Cambridge International School	UK*	Good	23,795 AED	36,775 AED
Capital School	UK*	Good	40,000 AED	66,600 AED
Crescent English School	Indian	Acceptable	2,859 AED	10,374 AED
Deira Private School	UK*	Acceptable	22,867 AED	41,147 AED
Dubai Carmel School	UK*	Acceptable	9,121 AED	15,479 AED
Dubai National School Al Twar	American	Good	19,872 AED	38,836 AED
Dubai Scholars Private School	UK*	Good	15,833 AED	32,568 AED
H.H.Shaikh Rashid Al Maktoum Pakistani School	Pakistani	Acceptable	5,200 AED	9,000 AED
M S B Private School	UK*	Good	11,816 AED	27,681 AED
Pristine Private School	British/UK*	Good	12,300 AED	29,204 AED
Star International School - Mirdif	UK*	Good	22,027 AED	71,409 AED
The Central School	Indian	Acceptable	4,177 AED	7,352 AED
The Millenium School	Indian	Very Good	18,278 AED	26,876 AED
The Philippine School	Philippine	Acceptable	6,443 AED	16,294 AED
The School of Research Science US High School	American	Acceptable	60,168 AED	70,039 AED
The Sheffield Private School	UK*	Good	23,631 AED	44,563 AED
The Westminster School	UK*	Good	9,362 AED	18,203 AED
Woodlem Park School	Indian	Acceptable	12,601 AED	24,598 AED

How to Choose a School in Qusais & Nahda

Start by narrowing down your curriculum preference. The district offers British, American, Indian, Pakistani and Philippine options side by side. Families on tighter budgets will find strong value in schools like The Central School, Al Sadiq Islamic English School and Crescent English School. All three charge under 11,000 AED at the entry level. Those prioritizing academic performance should look closely at The Millenium School, currently the only Very Good rated institution in the area.

Ratings matter, but they are only one part of the decision. A Good or Very Good rating reflects a school's most recent inspection. It does not guarantee that every subject or grade level performs equally well. Ask each shortlisted school for its full inspection report rather than relying on the headline rating alone.

Commute time matters too, even within a compact district. Check exact locations relative to your home. Nahda and Qusais both stretch across several sub-areas near the Dubai-Sharjah border. A school that looks close on a map can still mean a 30-minute drive during peak traffic. Visit during school run hours if possible, not just during an open day.

Budget planning should go beyond the headline tuition figure. Always ask about registration fees, refundable deposits, transport costs, uniforms and books. These extras can add several thousand dirhams to the total annual cost. Many schools also charge a one-time admission or registration fee that is separate from tuition.

Finally, always shortlist two or three schools before deciding. Book tours at each one and prepare a short list of questions in advance. Useful questions include class sizes, waiting list length, and how the school supports children who join mid-year. Compare your notes across all shortlisted schools before making a final decision, rather than deciding after the first visit.

Nearby Districts

Deira Corniche offers a waterfront setting with its own mix of curricula and fee ranges. It sits a short drive from Qusais and suits families who want a slightly different residential feel. Deira Central provides another dense cluster of schools closer to the historic heart of Dubai, with a similarly wide spread of fees.

Airport & Festival City suits families near Dubai International Airport who want proximity to work hubs. This area works well for parents with frequent travel schedules or airport-based jobs. Mirdif & Eastern Suburbs is a villa-heavy community with several premium schooling options nearby, including some shared catchment with Qusais families.

Bur Dubai & Mankhool offers a more central location with a long-established expat school network. It is worth considering if you want a shorter commute into central Dubai while keeping access to similar curriculum choices found in Qusais and Nahda.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best schools in Qusais & Nahda?

The Millenium School holds the district's only Very Good rating, making it a top academic choice on the Indian curriculum. Several Good-rated schools also stand out, including Al Salam Community School, Cambridge International School and Star International School - Mirdif. The right choice depends on curriculum preference and budget. Ratings alone do not capture fit for every family. Parents should visit shortlisted schools and review recent inspection reports before deciding.

How much do schools cost in Qusais & Nahda?

Fees in the district range from about 2,859 AED at the lowest end to over 71,000 AED at the top. Budget-friendly options like The Central School and Al Sadiq Islamic English School charge under 10,000 AED annually. Premium schools such as Capital School and Star International School - Mirdif charge well above 40,000 AED for senior grades. Most families will find a suitable option in the 15,000 to 30,000 AED range.

Is Qusais & Nahda a good area for families?

Yes, Qusais and Nahda are well established, family-friendly districts with a strong residential character. The area combines affordable housing with a dense network of schools across multiple curricula. Metro access and proximity to Sharjah make it convenient for commuting parents. Parks, community centers and retail options add to its appeal for long-term family living.

Which curriculum options are available in Qusais & Nahda?

The district offers British (UK), American, Indian, Pakistani and Philippine curricula, giving families broad choice. British curriculum schools dominate in number, ranging from budget to premium fee tiers. Indian curriculum schools, including the Very Good rated Millenium School, are also well represented. Families seeking Pakistani or Philippine curricula have at least one dedicated option each in the area.

Are there affordable schools in Qusais & Nahda?

Yes, several schools in the district charge under 10,000 AED annually at the entry level. The Central School, Crescent English School and Al Sadiq Islamic English School are among the most budget-friendly. H.H.Shaikh Rashid Al Maktoum Pakistani School and The Philippine School also offer accessible fee structures. These schools make Qusais and Nahda a practical choice for cost-conscious families.

How do I choose between British and American curriculum schools here?

Consider your child's long-term education plans first. The British curriculum often leads to GCSEs and A-Levels, while the American curriculum leads to a high school diploma. Both are well represented in Qusais and Nahda, with multiple Good-rated options in each. Think about university destination preferences, since this can influence curriculum choice significantly. Visiting schools and speaking with current parents will help clarify which system suits your family best.

Which school in Qusais and Nahda has the highest rating?

The Millenium School is currently the only school in the district rated Very Good. It follows the Indian curriculum, with annual fees between 18,278 and 26,876 AED. All other schools in the area hold either Good or Acceptable ratings. Parents prioritizing top academic performance should shortlist this school first, then compare it against their budget and commute preferences.

What is the average school fee in Qusais and Nahda?

Fees vary hugely by curriculum and grade level, so there is no single typical figure. Entry-level fees at budget schools start around 2,859 AED annually. Senior grade fees at premium schools can exceed 70,000 AED annually. Most mid-range schools in the district charge between 15,000 and 30,000 AED per year, which represents the bulk of available options.

Do any schools in Qusais and Nahda offer Pakistani or Philippine curricula?

Yes, H.H.Shaikh Rashid Al Maktoum Pakistani School offers the Pakistani curriculum, rated Acceptable, with fees from 5,200 to 9,000 AED. The Philippine School offers the Philippine curriculum, also rated Acceptable, with fees between 6,443 and 16,294 AED. Both are among the more affordable options in the district, making them accessible entry points for their respective communities.

How do I apply to a school in Qusais or Nahda?

Most schools in the district require an online inquiry or in-person registration, followed by an assessment or interview for the child. Availability varies significantly by school and grade level, so early inquiry is recommended. Ask each school directly about waiting list length and required documents. Popular Good and Very Good rated schools tend to fill seats faster than Acceptable-rated ones.