Dar Al Marefa Private School

Q: Where is Dar Al Marefa Private School located in Dubai?

Dar Al Marefa Private School is located in Mirdif & Eastern Suburbs , operating in Al Khawaneej First providing IB education to families across Al Khawaneej, Mirdif, Al Mizhar , and the northern Dubai suburbs.

Q: What curriculum does Dar Al Marefa Private School offer?

The school delivers the International Baccalaureate ( IB ) curriculum, offering inquiry-based education with Arabic language and Islamic studies integration.

Q: What age groups and grade levels are available at Dar Al Marefa Private School?

Students enrol from KG1 to Grade 12 , covering the complete IB programme from early years through the Diploma Programme.

Q: What are the tuition fees at Dar Al Marefa Private School?

Annual fees range from AED 81,940 to AED 101,121 , depending on grade level. Additional charges may apply.

Q: Who is Dar Al Marefa Private School best suited for?

Dar Al Marefa Private School is best suited for Arabic -speaking families seeking IB education with strong Arabic and Islamic studies integration. The school attracts residents of Al Khawaneej , Mirdif , and Al Mizhar who value inquiry-based learning with cultural foundations.

3.0

2023-2024Good

Curriculum

Annual Fees

66K - 101K AED

Location

Al Khawaneej

About Dar Al Marefa Private School

Last updated 17 September 2026 · Sources: KHDA inspection reports · methodology

Dar Al Marefa Private School is an IB school that has been operating since 2008 in Al Khawaneej 1. The school offers classes from KG 1 to Grade 12, serving a total of 1,225 boys and girls aged 3 to 18.

The curriculum is based on the IB programme, providing pathways for students to achieve IB qualifications. The school is accredited with IBDP, IBMYP, and IBPYP, ensuring a comprehensive educational framework for all grade levels.

Students prepare for various IB examinations and the school has received a "Good" rating for the 2023-2024 academic year. This recognition reflects the school’s commitment to delivering quality standards.

Annual tuition fees range from AED 65,968 to AED 101,121, making it accessible for families residing in Al Khawaneej 1 and surrounding areas.

Location

Mirdif

Fees & Admissions

The academic year of some recorded fees has not been verified against its source. Confirm current rates with the school before using them.

Grade Level	Annual Fees (recorded)	Est. Monthly
Pre primary2026-2027 (year unverified)	65,968 AED	~5,497 AED
KG 12026-2027 (year unverified)	65,968 AED	~5,497 AED
KG 22026-2027 (year unverified)	65,968 AED	~5,497 AED
GRADE 12026-2027 (year unverified)	79,163 AED	~6,597 AED
GRADE 22026-2027 (year unverified)	79,163 AED	~6,597 AED
GRADE 32026-2027 (year unverified)	79,163 AED	~6,597 AED
GRADE 42026-2027 (year unverified)	79,163 AED	~6,597 AED
GRADE 52026-2027 (year unverified)	79,163 AED	~6,597 AED
GRADE 62026-2027 (year unverified)	81,940 AED	~6,828 AED
GRADE 72026-2027 (year unverified)	81,940 AED	~6,828 AED
GRADE 82026-2027 (year unverified)	81,940 AED	~6,828 AED
GRADE 92026-2027 (year unverified)	81,940 AED	~6,828 AED
GRADE 102026-2027 (year unverified)	81,940 AED	~6,828 AED
GRADE 112026-2027 (year unverified)	101,121 AED	~8,427 AED
GRADE 122026-2027 (year unverified)	101,121 AED	~8,427 AED

Inspection Report

KHDA rated Dar Al Marefa Private School "Good" in its 2023-2024 inspection, its eighth consecutive "Good". The school has been inspected 13 times since 2008-2009.

Latest Rating (2023-2024)

Good

Download Report

What inspectors found in 2023-2024

Strengths noted by inspectors

Islamic values are at the heart of the school's culture
Provision and students' outcomes have improved in the Diploma Programme
Parents show strong support and commitment to the school
Students demonstrate strong personal development

What the school was asked to improve

Improve school self-evaluation so that judgements on performance are accurate and form a reliable base for improvement planning
Improve the quality and consistency of teaching in KG, PYP and MYP
Ensure inconsistencies in provision are identified and addressed
Ensure information provided to governors about school performance is accurate
Broaden alternative curriculum pathways to suit a wider range of students' interests and needs

Source: KHDA inspection report 2023-2024 (PDF, pages 1–21), inspected 15 to 19 January 2024. Restated by BestSchool.ae.

Since the 2022-2023 inspection

Of the 85 performance indicators rated in both reports, 12 improved, 0 declined and 73 kept the same rating.

Students

1,051 → 1,225

+174 (+17%)

Teachers

110 → 110

unchanged

Students of determination

38 → 185

+147 (+387%)

Emirati students

887 → 1,041

+154 (+17%)

Improved

Arabic as a First Language — Progress · DP: Good → Very good
English — Attainment · MYP: Acceptable → Good
English — Progress · DP: Very good → Outstanding
Mathematics — Progress · DP: Good → Very good
Science — Progress · DP: Good → Very good
Learning skills · DP: Good → Very good
Understanding of Islamic values and awareness of Emirati and world cultures · DP: Very good → Outstanding
Social responsibility and innovation skills · DP: Very good → Outstanding

and 4 more

Did Dar Al Marefa Private School act on the 2022-2023 recommendations?

Of the 3 recommendations made in 2022-2023, 2 can be checked against the 2023-2024 ratings: 0 show an improvement, 2 no change yet.

Improve students' achievement throughout the schoolNot measurable from the ratings
Improve the implementation and monitoring of behaviour and attendance policies, especially concerning boys from Grade 6 to Grade 8No change yet
6 related indicators kept their ratings in 2023-2024
The governing body should improve processes for holding leaders to account for their areas of responsibilityNo change yet
3 related indicators kept their ratings in 2023-2024

Performance standards by year (85 indicators, 2 inspections)

Indicator	Phase	2022-2023	2023-2024
Students' achievement
Islamic Education — Attainment	PYP	Good	Good
Islamic Education — Attainment	MYP	Good	Good
Islamic Education — Attainment	DP	Good	Good
Islamic Education — Progress	PYP	Very good	Very good
Islamic Education — Progress	MYP	Good	Good
Islamic Education — Progress	DP	Good	Good
Arabic as a First Language — Attainment	PYP	Good	Good
Arabic as a First Language — Attainment	MYP	Good	Good
Arabic as a First Language — Attainment	DP	Good	Good
Arabic as a First Language — Progress	PYP	Good	Good
Arabic as a First Language — Progress	MYP	Good	Good
Arabic as a First Language — Progress	DP	Good	Very good
Arabic as an Additional Language — Attainment	PYP	Good	Good
Arabic as an Additional Language — Attainment	MYP	Good	Good
Arabic as an Additional Language — Progress	PYP	Good	Good
Arabic as an Additional Language — Progress	MYP	Good	Good
English — Attainment	KG	Good	Good
English — Attainment	PYP	Good	Good
English — Attainment	MYP	Acceptable	Good
English — Attainment	DP	Very good	Very good
English — Progress	KG	Good	Good
English — Progress	PYP	Good	Good
English — Progress	MYP	Good	Good
English — Progress	DP	Very good	Outstanding
Mathematics — Attainment	KG	Very good	Very good
Mathematics — Attainment	PYP	Good	Good
Mathematics — Attainment	MYP	Acceptable	Acceptable
Mathematics — Attainment	DP	Good	Good
Mathematics — Progress	KG	Very good	Very good
Mathematics — Progress	PYP	Good	Good
Mathematics — Progress	MYP	Good	Good
Mathematics — Progress	DP	Good	Very good
Science — Attainment	KG	Good	Good
Science — Attainment	PYP	Good	Good
Science — Attainment	MYP	Good	Good
Science — Attainment	DP	Good	Good
Science — Progress	KG	Good	Good
Science — Progress	PYP	Good	Good
Science — Progress	MYP	Good	Good
Science — Progress	DP	Good	Very good
Learning skills	KG	Good	Good
Learning skills	PYP	Good	Good
Learning skills	MYP	Good	Good
Learning skills	DP	Good	Very good
Students' personal and social development
Personal development	KG	Very good	Very good
Personal development	PYP	Very good	Very good
Personal development	MYP	Very good	Very good
Personal development	DP	Very good	Very good
Understanding of Islamic values and awareness of Emirati and world cultures	KG	Very good	Very good
Understanding of Islamic values and awareness of Emirati and world cultures	PYP	Very good	Very good
Understanding of Islamic values and awareness of Emirati and world cultures	MYP	Very good	Very good
Understanding of Islamic values and awareness of Emirati and world cultures	DP	Very good	Outstanding
Social responsibility and innovation skills	KG	Very good	Very good
Social responsibility and innovation skills	PYP	Very good	Very good
Social responsibility and innovation skills	MYP	Very good	Very good
Social responsibility and innovation skills	DP	Very good	Outstanding
Teaching and assessment
Teaching for effective learning	KG	Good	Good
Teaching for effective learning	PYP	Good	Good
Teaching for effective learning	MYP	Good	Good
Teaching for effective learning	DP	Good	Very good
Assessment	KG	Good	Good
Assessment	PYP	Good	Good
Assessment	MYP	Good	Good
Assessment	DP	Good	Very good
Curriculum
Curriculum design and implementation	KG	Very good	Very good
Curriculum design and implementation	PYP	Very good	Very good
Curriculum design and implementation	MYP	Very good	Very good
Curriculum design and implementation	DP	Very good	Very good
Curriculum adaptation	KG	Very good	Very good
Curriculum adaptation	PYP	Very good	Very good
Curriculum adaptation	MYP	Good	Very good
Curriculum adaptation	DP	Very good	Very good
The protection, care, guidance and support of students
Health and safety, including arrangements for child protection/safeguarding	KG	Very good	Very good
Health and safety, including arrangements for child protection/safeguarding	PYP	Very good	Very good
Health and safety, including arrangements for child protection/safeguarding	MYP	Very good	Very good
Health and safety, including arrangements for child protection/safeguarding	DP	Very good	Very good
Care and support	KG	Very good	Very good
Care and support	PYP	Very good	Very good
Care and support	MYP	Good	Very good
Care and support	DP	Very good	Very good
Leadership and management
The effectiveness of leadership	Whole school	Good	Good
School self-evaluation and improvement planning	Whole school	Good	Good
Parents and the community	Whole school	Very good	Very good
Governance	Whole school	Good	Good
Management, staffing, facilities and resources	Whole school	Very good	Very good

Earlier inspections

2022-2023Good

Dar Al Marefa is a good school with excellent Diploma Programme results and strong bilingual provision in KG and PYP. Teaching, curriculum and care are good overall, but English and mathematics attainment in MYP is only acceptable, and boys' behaviour and attendance in lower MYP grades need improvement.

Strengths noted by inspectors

The bi-lingual nature of the school, especially in KG and PYP
Students' progress in all phases
The achievements of the Diploma Programme students
Students' awareness of Islamic values, Emirati culture, and their understanding of social responsibility
Innovative curriculum mapping linking KG and PYP curriculum to assessment requirements

What the school was asked to improve

Improve students' achievement throughout the school
Improve the implementation and monitoring of behaviour and attendance policies, especially concerning boys from Grade 6 to Grade 8
The governing body should improve processes for holding leaders to account for their areas of responsibility

Source: KHDA inspection report 2022-2023 (PDF, pages 2–20), inspected 30 January to 03 February 2023. Restated by BestSchool.ae.

Rating History

2022-2023Good

2018-2019Good

2017-2018Good

2016-2017Good

Quality Indicators

2023-2024 inspection

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Dar Al Marefa Private School located in Dubai?

Dar Al Marefa Private School is located in Mirdif & Eastern Suburbs, operating in Al Khawaneej First providing IB education to families across Al Khawaneej, Mirdif, Al Mizhar, and the northern Dubai suburbs.

What curriculum does Dar Al Marefa Private School offer?

The school delivers the International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum, offering inquiry-based education with Arabic language and Islamic studies integration.

What age groups and grade levels are available at Dar Al Marefa Private School?

Students enrol from KG1 to Grade 12, covering the complete IB programme from early years through the Diploma Programme.

What are the tuition fees at Dar Al Marefa Private School?

Annual fees range from AED 81,940 to AED 101,121, depending on grade level. Additional charges may apply.

Who is Dar Al Marefa Private School best suited for?

Dar Al Marefa Private School is best suited for Arabic-speaking families seeking IB education with strong Arabic and Islamic studies integration. The school attracts residents of Al Khawaneej, Mirdif, and Al Mizhar who value inquiry-based learning with cultural foundations.

What is Dar Al Marefa Private School's KHDA inspection rating?

KHDA rated Dar Al Marefa Private School "Good" in its 2023-2024 inspection, its eighth consecutive "Good". The school has been inspected 13 times since 2008-2009.

What did KHDA inspectors say about Dar Al Marefa Private School in 2023-2024?

Dar Al Marefa Private School is a good school with strong Islamic values, very good personal development, and improved outcomes in the Diploma Programme. Teaching is good in KG, PYP and MYP, and very good in DP. Leaders' self-evaluation is overgenerous and does not fully identify inconsistencies in provision. Strengths noted by the inspectors in 2023-2024: islamic values are at the heart of the school's culture; provision and students' outcomes have improved in the Diploma Programme; parents show strong support and commitment to the school; students demonstrate strong personal development.

What was Dar Al Marefa Private School asked to improve in its 2023-2024 inspection?

The 2023-2024 KHDA report recommended that the school: improve school self-evaluation so that judgements on performance are accurate and form a reliable base for improvement planning; improve the quality and consistency of teaching in KG, PYP and MYP; ensure inconsistencies in provision are identified and addressed; ensure information provided to governors about school performance is accurate; broaden alternative curriculum pathways to suit a wider range of students' interests and needs.

Has Dar Al Marefa Private School improved since its 2022-2023 inspection?

Between the 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 inspections, 12 of the 85 indicators rated in both reports improved, 0 declined and 73 kept the same rating. Improvements include Arabic as a First Language — Progress (DP) from Good to Very good, English — Attainment (MYP) from Acceptable to Good, English — Progress (DP) from Very good to Outstanding. Enrolment went from 1,051 to 1,225 students (+17%). Of the 3 recommendations made in 2022-2023, 2 can be checked against the 2023-2024 ratings and 0 were followed by a measurable improvement.

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At a Glance

From the 2023-2024 inspection profile

Grades

KG 1 to Grade 12

Age

3 to 18

Students

1,225

Genders

Boys and girls

Curriculum

Language

English, Arabic

School Profile

As reported for 2023-2024

Principal

STEVEN LLEWELLYN GILES

Since 1/1/2020

Opening year

2008

Teachers

110 (+16 assistants)

Counsellors

Largest nationality teachers

British and Irish

Largest nationality students

Emirati

Emirati students

1041

Determination students

185

Accreditation

IBDP, IBMYP & IBPYP

Curriculum examinations

Last inspection: 15 to 19 January 2024

About Dar Al Marefa Private School

Last updated 17 September 2026 · Sources: KHDA inspection reports · methodology

Annual tuition fees range from AED 65,968 to AED 101,121, making it accessible for families residing in Al Khawaneej 1 and surrounding areas.

Grade Level

Annual Fees (recorded)

Est. Monthly

Fact Sheet

Pre primary2026-2027 (year unverified)

65,968 AED

~5,497 AED

KG 12026-2027 (year unverified)

65,968 AED

~5,497 AED

KG 22026-2027 (year unverified)

65,968 AED

~5,497 AED

GRADE 12026-2027 (year unverified)

79,163 AED

~6,597 AED

GRADE 22026-2027 (year unverified)

79,163 AED

~6,597 AED

GRADE 32026-2027 (year unverified)

79,163 AED

~6,597 AED

GRADE 42026-2027 (year unverified)

79,163 AED

~6,597 AED

GRADE 52026-2027 (year unverified)

79,163 AED

~6,597 AED

GRADE 62026-2027 (year unverified)

81,940 AED

~6,828 AED

GRADE 72026-2027 (year unverified)

81,940 AED

~6,828 AED

GRADE 82026-2027 (year unverified)

81,940 AED

~6,828 AED

GRADE 92026-2027 (year unverified)

81,940 AED

~6,828 AED

GRADE 102026-2027 (year unverified)

81,940 AED

~6,828 AED

GRADE 112026-2027 (year unverified)

101,121 AED

~8,427 AED

GRADE 122026-2027 (year unverified)

101,121 AED

~8,427 AED

Inspection Report

KHDA rated Dar Al Marefa Private School "Good" in its 2023-2024 inspection, its eighth consecutive "Good". The school has been inspected 13 times since 2008-2009.

Latest Rating (2023-2024)

Good

Download Report