ST. Mary Catholic High School

Q: What curriculum does ST. Mary Catholic High School - Dubai offer?

The school implements the Indian CBSE curriculum (Central Board of Secondary Education), following India's national board framework with Catholic education values.

Q: What age groups and grade levels are available at ST. Mary Catholic High School - Dubai?

Students enrol from KG1 to Grade 12 , covering ages 4 to 18 through senior secondary board examinations.

Q: What are the tuition fees at ST. Mary Catholic High School - Dubai?

Tuition ranges from AED 9,815 to AED 11,042 per year, based on grade level. Additional fees may apply.

Q: Who is ST. Mary Catholic High School - Dubai best suited for?

ST. Mary Catholic High School - Dubai is best suited for Indian families seeking quality CBSE education. The school attracts residents of Oud Metha, Zabeel, Karama, and Bur Dubai seeking Indian CBSE education with strong CBSE curriculum and academic excellence.

1.6

2023-2024Good

Curriculum

British

Annual Fees

7K - 16K AED

Location

Umm Hurair

About ST. Mary Catholic High School

Last updated 15 September 2026 · Sources: KHDA inspection reports · methodology

ST. Mary Catholic High School is a UK school established in 1968 in Umm Hurair. The school serves a student body of 1,996 boys and girls, offering classes from Year 1 to Year 13 for children aged 5 to 18.

The curriculum follows the UK framework, leading to IGCSE, GCSE, and A-Level qualifications. The school is accredited and has received a "Good" inspection rating for the 2023-2024 academic year.

Annual tuition fees range from AED 7,361 to AED 15,812, depending on the grade level. Families across Umm Hurair benefit from the school's accessible location and quality educational offerings.

Location

Umm Hurair

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
YEAR 12026-2027 (year unverified)	7,361 AED	~613 AED
YEAR 22026-2027 (year unverified)	7,361 AED	~613 AED
YEAR 32026-2027 (year unverified)	8,195 AED	~683 AED
YEAR 42026-2027 (year unverified)	8,195 AED	~683 AED
YEAR 52026-2027 (year unverified)	9,030 AED	~753 AED
YEAR 62026-2027 (year unverified)	9,030 AED	~753 AED
YEAR 72026-2027 (year unverified)	9,815 AED	~818 AED
YEAR 82026-2027 (year unverified)	9,815 AED	~818 AED
YEAR 92026-2027 (year unverified)	11,042 AED	~920 AED
YEAR 102026-2027 (year unverified)	12,679 AED	~1,057 AED
YEAR 112026-2027 (year unverified)	12,679 AED	~1,057 AED
YEAR 122026-2027 (year unverified)	15,812 AED	~1,318 AED
YEAR 132026-2027 (year unverified)	15,812 AED	~1,318 AED
YEAR 12 (Science)2026-2027 (year unverified)	15,812 AED	~1,318 AED
YEAR 12 (Commerce)2026-2027 (year unverified)	15,812 AED	~1,318 AED
YEAR 13 (Science)2026-2027 (year unverified)	15,812 AED	~1,318 AED
YEAR 13 (Commerce)2026-2027 (year unverified)	15,812 AED	~1,318 AED

Inspection Report

KHDA rated ST. Mary Catholic High School "Good" in its 2023-2024 inspection, its tenth consecutive "Good". The school has been inspected 14 times since 2008-2009.

Latest Rating (2023-2024)

Good

Download Report

What inspectors found in 2023-2024

Strengths noted by inspectors

Very positive attitudes, behaviour and relationships across the school
Very positive partnerships between the school, parents and the community
Students' achievements in mathematics in the Secondary phase
Attention to detail given to health and safety procedures
Students' attainment in English and strong emphasis on reading skills in English and Arabic

What the school was asked to improve

Raise students' achievements to at least good in all phases, especially Arabic and mathematics in the Primary phase
Work with parents to improve students' rate of attendance to good or better
Ensure teachers use assessment information consistently to match tasks to students' needs
Ensure senior leaders give the governing body accurate self-evaluation information for planning
Ensure the curriculum meets National Curriculum for England requirements without limiting provision

Source: KHDA inspection report 2023-2024 (PDF, pages 1–25), inspected 20 to 24 November 2023. Restated by BestSchool.ae.

Since the 2022-2023 inspection

Of the 67 performance indicators rated in both reports, 4 improved, 6 declined and 57 kept the same rating.

Students

1,973 → 1,996

+23 (+1%)

Teachers

141 → 145

+4 (+3%)

Students of determination

50 → 54

+4 (+8%)

Emirati students

0 → 0

unchanged

Improved

Arabic as a First Language — Progress · Secondary: Acceptable → Good
English — Attainment · Primary: Good → Very good
English — Attainment · Secondary: Good → Very good
Curriculum adaptation · Primary: Acceptable → Good

Declined

English — Progress · Post-16: Very good → Good
Science — Attainment · Primary: Very good → Good
Personal development · Primary: Very good → Good
Personal development · Secondary: Outstanding → Very good
Understanding of Islamic values and awareness of Emirati and world cultures · Primary: Very good → Good
Curriculum design and implementation · Secondary: Very good → Good

Did ST. Mary Catholic High School act on the 2022-2023 recommendations?

Of the 6 recommendations made in 2022-2023, 6 can be checked against the 2023-2024 ratings: 0 show an improvement, 1 a mixed picture, 5 no change yet.

Raise the level of challenge for students, particularly in Lower Primary classesNo change yet
1 related indicator kept its rating in 2023-2024
Improve teachers' use of assessment information to adapt teaching to student needsNo change yet
6 related indicators kept their ratings in 2023-2024
Increase rigour of monitoring classroom teaching with a focus on student outcomesNo change yet
5 related indicators kept their ratings in 2023-2024
Improve accuracy of self-evaluation and link it to ambitious, time-bound development plansNo change yet
2 related indicators kept their ratings in 2023-2024
Ensure governors are fully informed and hold senior leaders accountable for performanceNo change yet
3 related indicators kept their ratings in 2023-2024
Ensure appropriately qualified staff and resources are provided, especially in Primary reading, mathematics and scienceMixed
English — Attainment (Primary): Good → Very good · Science — Attainment (Primary): Very good → Good

Performance standards by year (71 indicators, 2 inspections)

Indicator	Phase	2022-2023	2023-2024
Students' achievement
Islamic Education — Attainment	Primary	Good	Good
Islamic Education — Attainment	Secondary	Good	Good
Islamic Education — Attainment	Post-16	Good	Good
Islamic Education — Progress	Primary	Good	Good
Islamic Education — Progress	Secondary	Good	Good
Islamic Education — Progress	Post-16	Good	Good
Arabic as a First Language — Attainment	Primary	Good	Good
Arabic as a First Language — Attainment	Secondary	Acceptable	Acceptable
Arabic as a First Language — Attainment	Post-16	N/A	Acceptable
Arabic as a First Language — Progress	Primary	Good	Good
Arabic as a First Language — Progress	Secondary	Acceptable	Good
Arabic as a First Language — Progress	Post-16	N/A	Good
Arabic as an Additional Language — Attainment	Primary	Acceptable	Acceptable
Arabic as an Additional Language — Attainment	Secondary	Acceptable	Acceptable
Arabic as an Additional Language — Attainment	Post-16	N/A	N/A
Arabic as an Additional Language — Progress	Primary	Good	Good
Arabic as an Additional Language — Progress	Secondary	Good	Good
Arabic as an Additional Language — Progress	Post-16	N/A	N/A
English — Attainment	Primary	Good	Very good
English — Attainment	Secondary	Good	Very good
English — Attainment	Post-16	Very good	Very good
English — Progress	Primary	Good	Good
English — Progress	Secondary	Good	Good
English — Progress	Post-16	Very good	Good
Mathematics — Attainment	Primary	Acceptable	Acceptable
Mathematics — Attainment	Secondary	Very good	Very good
Mathematics — Attainment	Post-16	Good	Good
Mathematics — Progress	Primary	Acceptable	Acceptable
Mathematics — Progress	Secondary	Very good	Very good
Mathematics — Progress	Post-16	Good	Good
Science — Attainment	Primary	Very good	Good
Science — Attainment	Secondary	Good	Good
Science — Attainment	Post-16	Good	Good
Science — Progress	Primary	Good	Good
Science — Progress	Secondary	Good	Good
Science — Progress	Post-16	Good	Good
Learning skills	Primary	Good	Good
Learning skills	Secondary	Good	Good
Learning skills	Post-16	Very good	Very good
Students' personal and social development
Personal development	Primary	Very good	Good
Personal development	Secondary	Outstanding	Very good
Personal development	Post-16	Outstanding	Outstanding
Understanding of Islamic values and awareness of Emirati and world cultures	Primary	Very good	Good
Understanding of Islamic values and awareness of Emirati and world cultures	Secondary	Very good	Very good
Understanding of Islamic values and awareness of Emirati and world cultures	Post-16	Very good	Very good
Social responsibility and innovation skills	Primary	Good	Good
Social responsibility and innovation skills	Secondary	Very good	Very good
Social responsibility and innovation skills	Post-16	Outstanding	Outstanding
Teaching and assessment
Teaching for effective learning	Primary	Good	Good
Teaching for effective learning	Secondary	Good	Good
Teaching for effective learning	Post-16	Very good	Very good
Assessment	Primary	Acceptable	Acceptable
Assessment	Secondary	Good	Good
Assessment	Post-16	Good	Good
Curriculum
Curriculum design and implementation	Primary	Good	Good
Curriculum design and implementation	Secondary	Very good	Good
Curriculum design and implementation	Post-16	Good	Good
Curriculum adaptation	Primary	Acceptable	Good
Curriculum adaptation	Secondary	Good	Good
Curriculum adaptation	Post-16	Good	Good
The protection, care, guidance and support of students
Health and safety, including arrangements for child protection/safeguarding	Primary	Very good	Very good
Health and safety, including arrangements for child protection/safeguarding	Secondary	Very good	Very good
Health and safety, including arrangements for child protection/safeguarding	Post-16	Very good	Very good
Care and support	Primary	Good	Good
Care and support	Secondary	Good	Good
Care and support	Post-16	Good	Good
Leadership and management
The effectiveness of leadership	Whole school	Good	Good
School self-evaluation and improvement planning	Whole school	Acceptable	Acceptable
Parents and the community	Whole school	Very good	Very good
Governance	Whole school	Acceptable	Acceptable
Management, staffing, facilities and resources	Whole school	Acceptable	Acceptable

Earlier inspections

2022-2023Good

St Mary's Catholic High School received a good overall rating. Secondary and Post-16 students achieve notably better than Primary students, especially in Lower Primary. Teaching and assessment are weaker in Primary, while self-evaluation, governance, and staffing/resourcing show acceptable but unremarkable quality, limiting overall improvement.

Strengths noted by inspectors

The school environment is safe, caring, and happy for students
Students show growing social responsibility, awareness of Islamic values, and highly developed personal and social skills
High attainment in science in Upper Primary
High attainment in English at Post-16 and in mathematics in Secondary
Leaders maintain very good links and communication with parents

What the school was asked to improve

Raise the level of challenge for students, particularly in Lower Primary classes
Improve teachers' use of assessment information to adapt teaching to student needs
Increase rigour of monitoring classroom teaching with a focus on student outcomes
Improve accuracy of self-evaluation and link it to ambitious, time-bound development plans
Ensure governors are fully informed and hold senior leaders accountable for performance
Ensure appropriately qualified staff and resources are provided, especially in Primary reading, mathematics and science

Source: KHDA inspection report 2022-2023 (PDF, pages 1–20), inspected 21 to 25 November 2022. Restated by BestSchool.ae.

Rating History

2022-2023Good

2019-2020Good

2018-2019Good

2017-2018Good

Quality Indicators

2023-2024 inspection

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is ST. Mary Catholic High School - Dubai located in Dubai?

St Mary Catholic High School is located in Oud Metha & Zabeel, central Dubai. Families in Oud Metha, Zabeel, Karama, Bur Dubai, and Business Bay access the campus via Oud Metha Road.

What curriculum does ST. Mary Catholic High School - Dubai offer?

The school implements the Indian CBSE curriculum (Central Board of Secondary Education), following India's national board framework with Catholic education values.

What age groups and grade levels are available at ST. Mary Catholic High School - Dubai?

Students enrol from KG1 to Grade 12, covering ages 4 to 18 through senior secondary board examinations.

What are the tuition fees at ST. Mary Catholic High School - Dubai?

Tuition ranges from AED 9,815 to AED 11,042 per year, based on grade level. Additional fees may apply.

Who is ST. Mary Catholic High School - Dubai best suited for?

ST. Mary Catholic High School - Dubai is best suited for Indian families seeking quality CBSE education. The school attracts residents of Oud Metha, Zabeel, Karama, and Bur Dubai seeking Indian CBSE education with strong CBSE curriculum and academic excellence.

What is ST. Mary Catholic High School's KHDA inspection rating?

KHDA rated ST. Mary Catholic High School "Good" in its 2023-2024 inspection, its tenth consecutive "Good". The school has been inspected 14 times since 2008-2009.

What did KHDA inspectors say about ST. Mary Catholic High School in 2023-2024?

St. Mary's Catholic High School Dubai provides a good overall quality of education. English attainment is very good, and personal development is strong, particularly in Secondary and Post-16. However, low student attendance, inconsistent Lower Primary teaching, and weaker Arabic and Primary mathematics outcomes remain areas for improvement. Strengths noted by the inspectors in 2023-2024: very positive attitudes, behaviour and relationships across the school; very positive partnerships between the school, parents and the community; students' achievements in mathematics in the Secondary phase; attention to detail given to health and safety procedures; students' attainment in English and strong emphasis on reading skills in English and Arabic.

What was ST. Mary Catholic High School asked to improve in its 2023-2024 inspection?

The 2023-2024 KHDA report recommended that the school: raise students' achievements to at least good in all phases, especially Arabic and mathematics in the Primary phase; work with parents to improve students' rate of attendance to good or better; ensure teachers use assessment information consistently to match tasks to students' needs; ensure senior leaders give the governing body accurate self-evaluation information for planning; ensure the curriculum meets National Curriculum for England requirements without limiting provision.

Has ST. Mary Catholic High School improved since its 2022-2023 inspection?

Between the 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 inspections, 4 of the 67 indicators rated in both reports improved, 6 declined and 57 kept the same rating. Improvements include Arabic as a First Language — Progress (Secondary) from Acceptable to Good, English — Attainment (Primary) from Good to Very good, English — Attainment (Secondary) from Good to Very good. Enrolment went from 1,973 to 1,996 students (+1%). Of the 6 recommendations made in 2022-2023, 6 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

Year 1 to Year 13

Age

5 to 18

Students

1,996

Genders

Boys and girls

Curriculum

Language

English

School Profile

As reported for 2023-2024

Principal

Paul Asir Joseph

Since 3/24/2016

Opening year

1968

Teachers

145 (+8 assistants)

Counsellors

Largest nationality teachers

Indian

Largest nationality students

Indian

Emirati students

Determination students

Accreditation

Curriculum examinations

IGCSE/GCSE/A Levels

Last inspection: 20 to 24 November 2023

About ST. Mary Catholic High School

Last updated 15 September 2026 · Sources: KHDA inspection reports · methodology

Annual tuition fees range from AED 7,361 to AED 15,812, depending on the grade level. Families across Umm Hurair benefit from the school's accessible location and quality educational offerings.

Grade Level

Annual Fees (recorded)

Est. Monthly

Fact Sheet

YEAR 12026-2027 (year unverified)

7,361 AED

~613 AED

YEAR 22026-2027 (year unverified)

7,361 AED

~613 AED

YEAR 32026-2027 (year unverified)

8,195 AED

~683 AED

YEAR 42026-2027 (year unverified)

8,195 AED

~683 AED

YEAR 52026-2027 (year unverified)

9,030 AED

~753 AED

YEAR 62026-2027 (year unverified)

9,030 AED

~753 AED

YEAR 72026-2027 (year unverified)

9,815 AED

~818 AED

YEAR 82026-2027 (year unverified)

9,815 AED

~818 AED

YEAR 92026-2027 (year unverified)

11,042 AED

~920 AED

YEAR 102026-2027 (year unverified)

12,679 AED

~1,057 AED

YEAR 112026-2027 (year unverified)

12,679 AED

~1,057 AED

YEAR 122026-2027 (year unverified)

15,812 AED

~1,318 AED

YEAR 132026-2027 (year unverified)

15,812 AED

~1,318 AED

YEAR 12 (Science)2026-2027 (year unverified)

15,812 AED

~1,318 AED

YEAR 12 (Commerce)2026-2027 (year unverified)

15,812 AED

~1,318 AED

YEAR 13 (Science)2026-2027 (year unverified)

15,812 AED

~1,318 AED

YEAR 13 (Commerce)2026-2027 (year unverified)

15,812 AED

~1,318 AED

Inspection Report

KHDA rated ST. Mary Catholic High School "Good" in its 2023-2024 inspection, its tenth consecutive "Good". The school has been inspected 14 times since 2008-2009.

Latest Rating (2023-2024)

Good

Download Report