Al Rashid Al Saleh Private SchoolMinistry of Education School in Oud Metha، Dubai
Curriculum
Ministry of Education
KHDA
Good
Location
Dubai, Oud Metha
Fees
AED 9K - 19K
Al Rashid Al Saleh Private School
The Executive Summary
Al Rashid Al Saleh Private School Dubai is one of the emirate's most enduring Arabic-medium institutions, founded in 1973 on land gifted by the late Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum - a founding story that speaks to deep roots in the community. Serving 2,692 students from KG 1 to Grade 12 in Oud Metha, the school follows the Ministry of Education curriculum Dubai and has maintained a consistent KHDA rating of Good across more than a decade of inspections. Its strongest suit is unambiguously its student character development - inspectors rated personal development and understanding of Islamic values as Outstanding across every cycle - and its reported 100% secondary pass rate is a headline that resonates with Arabic-speaking families prioritising national curriculum continuity. School fees Dubai parents will find genuinely accessible, ranging from approximately AED 8,989 to AED 19,290 annually, making it one of the most affordable full-cycle private schools among Oud Metha schools.
The honest counterpoint is that academic attainment, while solid in KG and Cycle 3, is uneven across the middle years, and benchmark assessment performance has been flagged as a concern - particularly for Emirati students. The school has not yet achieved an accreditation, and its digital presence and transparency around detailed programme information remain limited. This is the right school for Arabic-speaking families who want a values-led, nationally aligned education at an accessible price point, with strong community ties and a proven pastoral culture. It is not the right fit for families seeking internationally benchmarked academic rigour, bilingual or Western-curriculum pathways, or a rich extracurricular ecosystem comparable to premium-fee schools.
Founded 1973MoE CurriculumKHDA Good - 10+ YearsOutstanding Character DevelopmentFees from AED 8,989
“The school has shaped my children's character and their love of their culture far more than I expected. The teachers genuinely care, and the sense of community here is something you cannot put a price on.”
— Grade 8 Parent(representative)Academic Framework & Learning Style
The school operates entirely within the UAE Ministry of Education curriculum, delivered in Arabic as the primary language of instruction. This means the academic journey is structured around MoE-mandated subjects - Islamic Education, Arabic as a first language, English, mathematics, science, social studies and moral education - progressing through KG, Cycle 1 (Grades 1-4), Cycle 2 (Grades 5-8) and Cycle 3 (Grades 9-12). The terminal external examination is EMSAT, the Emirates Standardised Test, which governs university entry into UAE federal institutions.
The 2023-2024 DSIB inspection paints a nuanced academic picture. English attainment in Cycle 3 is rated Outstanding - a genuine highlight - while Arabic as a first language achieves Very Good in KG and Cycle 3. Mathematics and science perform at Very Good in KG and Cycle 3 but drop to Good in the middle cycles. The consistent pattern is that KG and Cycle 3 are the school's academic strongholds, with Cycle 1 the weakest link across most subjects. Inspectors specifically noted that students' high internal assessment results are not replicated in external benchmark assessments, which is a meaningful gap for families whose children will ultimately need to perform in EMSAT and potentially PISA-aligned contexts.
Teaching methodology leans toward structured, teacher-led instruction supplemented by digital platforms and project-based activities. Critical thinking and problem-solving are embedded in most lessons, and older students - particularly girls - demonstrate strong digital literacy in research and presentation. However, differentiation for the lowest and highest ability students is inconsistently applied, and boys in particular have fewer opportunities for independent, self-directed learning. The school's reported 100% pass rate in the General Secondary Certificate and multiple top-ten national rankings are cited on the school's own website as evidence of Cycle 3 effectiveness. There is no IB, A-Level or AP pathway - families seeking those routes must look elsewhere. SEN provision covers 57 students of determination, supported by 6 guidance counsellors and 30 teaching assistants, though the DSIB report notes that struggling learners do not always receive fully tailored support.
Outstanding
English Attainment - Cycle 3
DSIB Inspection 2023-2024
100%
Reported Secondary Pass Rate
As stated on school website
57
Students of Determination
Supported by 6 guidance counsellors
Good
Overall KHDA Academic Rating
Consistent since 2012-2013
Extracurricular Activities (ECAs)
Extracurricular provision at Al Rashid Al Saleh is functional rather than expansive. The DSIB inspection acknowledges that leaders ensure students benefit from a limited range of extra-curricular activities - the word 'limited' is the inspectors' own, and parents should read it as an honest signal. That said, the activities that do exist are purposeful and culturally grounded.
The school's website gallery documents participation in a Model United Nations (MUNRSS) conference, a Quran recitation competition, creative writing competitions at Grade 12 level, and Ramadan community initiatives. Sports participation is noted by inspectors as a genuine strength - students enjoy healthy lifestyles through sport and lead awareness campaigns through school broadcasts. The school celebrates UAE National Day, Flag Day and Merit Day, which are embedded as enrichment events rather than optional extras.
Entrepreneurial and innovation skills are incorporated into curriculum activities and projects, and students demonstrate environmental awareness through sustainability projects. A student council is active and described by inspectors as working diligently. Community service and charity work form part of the school's social responsibility programme. However, parents accustomed to the breadth of ECAs at larger or premium-fee schools - think 60-plus clubs, Duke of Edinburgh, competitive inter-school leagues - will find the offering here more modest. The school's strength lies in the depth of cultural and values-based enrichment rather than the volume of after-school programmes.
6
Guidance Counsellors
Supporting student welfare and development
Model UN (MUNRSS)Quran CompetitionStudent CouncilUAE Cultural EventsCommunity Service
Pastoral Care & Well-being
Pastoral care is one of the clearest strengths at Al Rashid Al Saleh, and the DSIB inspection data backs this up with rare consistency. Health and safety, including child protection and safeguarding, is rated Outstanding across every cycle - KG, Cycle 1, Cycle 2 and Cycle 3. This is not a common finding and signals that the school takes student welfare with genuine seriousness. Rigorous risk assessments are in place both on campus and for external visits, and all staff understand child protection and safeguarding policies.
Care and support is rated Very Good across all cycles, underpinned by 6 guidance counsellors serving a student body of 2,692 - a ratio that, while stretched, reflects a structured support system. The school fosters strong, positive relationships between students and adults, which inspectors describe as a hallmark of the school community. Students report feeling happy, safe and having a strong sense of belonging.
On wellbeing specifically, the DSIB 2023-2024 report rates overall wellbeing provision as Good, noting that leaders have cultivated robust student-adult relationships and implemented specific wellbeing initiatives. The honest caveat from inspectors is that the wellbeing vision lacks comprehensiveness and the measurement and evaluation of initiatives needs a more systematic approach. Behaviour management is described as a strength in KG and Cycle 1, but less consistent in Cycles 2 and 3, particularly for boys. There is an active student council providing student voice, and classroom responsibilities from KG onwards build a culture of ownership and civic responsibility.
“My daughter has always felt safe and supported here. The teachers know the students personally - it does not feel like a number factory. When she went through a difficult period, the school counsellor was genuinely helpful.”
— Cycle 2 Mother(representative)Campus & Facilities
Al Rashid Al Saleh occupies a campus in Oud Metha, one of Dubai's established central districts, on land originally granted by Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum in 1971. The school has been operating from this location for over five decades, which gives it a settled, community-embedded character. Oud Metha is well connected by metro (Oud Metha station on the Green Line) and road, making it accessible from Bur Dubai, Umm Hurair, and surrounding residential communities.
Detailed facility specifications are not publicly disclosed on the school's website, as several pages return 404 errors. However, the DSIB report references that governing board members are actively expanding specialist facilities to provide more stimulating learning environments - a signal that investment is ongoing. The school operates separate sections for boys and girls within a co-educational structure, which is standard for MoE-curriculum schools in Dubai.
From available information, the campus supports a student body of nearly 2,700 across 14 year groups (KG 1 to Grade 12), which implies a substantial multi-building site. The school's photo gallery documents classroom environments, a library, and outdoor spaces used for sporting and cultural events. Digital technology is integrated into learning, with students in Cycles 2 and 3 using digital platforms for research and presentation. The DSIB report notes that the curriculum is supported by digital platforms alongside extra lessons and project work. Families seeking detailed facility tours are advised to contact the school directly at +971 4 337 6126 or via the principal's email.
2,692
Students on Campus
KG 1 to Grade 12
1973
Year Campus Established
Over 50 years in Oud Metha
Oud Metha LocationMetro AccessibleBoys & Girls SectionsSpecialist Facility ExpansionDigital Learning Integration50+ Years on Campus
Teaching & Learning Quality
Teaching quality at Al Rashid Al Saleh is rated Very Good in KG, Cycle 2 and Cycle 3, and Good in Cycle 1 by DSIB inspectors - a profile that mirrors the broader academic attainment pattern. The largest nationality group among the 175 teachers is Egyptian, which is typical for Arabic-medium MoE schools in Dubai and brings strong subject expertise in Arabic language and Islamic Education.
Inspectors found that most teachers effectively use their subject knowledge and a range of strategies to promote learning. In KG, teachers are described as skilfully applying their understanding of how young children learn, which explains the strong outcomes at that stage. Lesson planning is consistent - teachers identify learning objectives, explain them clearly and provide associated tasks. Questioning is used effectively to promote dialogue and check understanding.
The teacher-to-student ratio stands at approximately 1:15 (175 teachers to 2,692 students), which is reasonable for an MoE-curriculum school of this size, supported by 30 teaching assistants. Assessment practice is rated Very Good in KG and Cycle 3 but Good in Cycles 1 and 2, reflecting the inconsistency inspectors noted in using assessment data to adapt learning for the lowest and highest ability students. Problem-solving and critical thinking are embedded in most lessons, but differentiation remains an area where practice varies significantly between teachers and cycles.
Professional development is referenced in the DSIB report's recommendations - inspectors call for developing leaders' capacity so that all understand best practices in teaching, learning and assessment. This suggests that while strong individual teachers exist, the professional development culture is still maturing. Teacher turnover data is not publicly disclosed, but the school's long institutional history and community embeddedness suggest reasonable stability.
1:15
Teacher-to-Student Ratio
175 teachers, 2,692 students
30
Teaching Assistants
Supporting classroom delivery
Very Good
Teaching Rating - KG, Cycles 2 & 3
DSIB Inspection 2023-2024
Leadership & Management
Principal Lina Adil Yohana Mayoma was appointed on 26 June 2023 and leads a school with a deeply embedded institutional identity. The DSIB inspection, conducted in January 2024 - just months into her tenure - rated leadership effectiveness as Good overall, with parents and community engagement rated Very Good, which is the highest sub-rating in the leadership domain.
All leaders are described by inspectors as committed to UAE national priorities, sharing a vision focused on improving student outcomes, wellbeing and inclusion. Most display positive understanding of the curriculum and effective teaching practices. They know the school's strengths and areas for improvement. The governing board is described as directly impacting overall school performance, with members actively investing in expanding specialist facilities - a sign of engaged, forward-looking governance.
The school's self-evaluation and improvement planning is rated Good, though inspectors recommend making these processes more rigorous to ensure they lead to accurate identification of priorities. The National Agenda action plans are described as well-structured but lacking a strong connection to accurate data analysis - a gap that leadership is expected to close. Communication with parents is a notable strength: the school operates an active website with news updates, a school agenda, and a dedicated admissions section. The website is primarily in Arabic, reflecting the school's community orientation. Direct contact is available via email to both the principal (principal@alrashed-alsaleh.com) and the general school address. The school's Facebook page has over 14,000 followers, indicating strong community engagement beyond the campus gates.
KHDA Inspection Results (Decoded)
The DSIB 2023-2024 inspection rated Al Rashid Al Saleh Private School as Good overall - a rating it has held continuously since 2012-2013, having improved from Acceptable in the 2008-2011 period. This decade-plus of stability at Good is a meaningful signal: the school is consistent, reliable and not in decline, but it has also not broken through to Very Good despite sustained effort.
The inspection framework evaluates three broad domains. In students' outcomes, the headline finding is that KG and Cycle 3 perform better than Cycles 1 and 2. English in Cycle 3 reaches Outstanding attainment - the only Outstanding academic rating in the report. Personal development and understanding of Islamic values are rated Outstanding across all four cycles, which is the report's most emphatic endorsement. Health and safety is Outstanding across all cycles - a finding that should give parents genuine confidence.
In provision for learners, teaching is Very Good in KG, Cycle 2 and Cycle 3, and the curriculum is compliant with MoE requirements with good adaptation in KG and Cycle 3. The wellbeing rating is Good and the inclusion rating is Good - both functional but with room to grow.
The National Agenda Parameter - which measures performance against international benchmarks including PIRLS - is rated Acceptable for the whole school and Weak for the Emirati cohort. This is the sharpest finding in the report: benchmark assessment results over two years have declined, and Emirati students have demonstrated weak performance across all assessments. This is an area where the school's leadership has work to do, and parents of Emirati students should ask direct questions about the improvement plan.
Outstanding Personal Development
Students' personal development and understanding of Islamic values and Emirati culture are rated Outstanding across all four cycles - KG, Cycle 1, Cycle 2 and Cycle 3. This is the report's most consistent and emphatic finding.
Outstanding Safeguarding
Health and safety, including child protection and safeguarding arrangements, is rated Outstanding across every cycle. Rigorous risk assessments are in place and all staff understand their responsibilities.
Strong Parent and Community Engagement
Parents and community relations are rated Very Good - the highest sub-rating in the leadership domain. The school effectively engages all parents and has a strong community presence, including over 14,000 social media followers.
Benchmark Assessment Performance
The National Agenda Parameter is rated Acceptable overall and Weak for the Emirati cohort. Benchmark results have declined over two years. The school needs to use assessment data more effectively to close gaps and build a whole-school reading programme.
Wellbeing Vision and Measurement
While wellbeing initiatives are a strength, the overall wellbeing vision lacks comprehensiveness. A more systematic approach to measuring, evaluating and sustaining wellbeing improvements is needed across all phases.
Inspection History
2023-2024
Good
2022-2023
Good
2019-2020
Good
2018-2019
Good
2017-2018
Good
2016-2017
Good
2015-2016
Good
2014-2015
Good
2013-2014
Good
2012-2013
Good
2011-2012
Acceptable
2010-2011
Acceptable
2009-2010
Acceptable
2008-2009
Acceptable
Fees & Value for Money
Al Rashid Al Saleh Private School follows the Ministry of Education curriculum and offers tuition from KG 1 through Grade 12. Annual fees range from AED 8,989 for KG levels up to AED 19,290 for senior secondary grades (Grades 10–12), making it one of the more affordable private school options in Dubai relative to its curriculum type and KHDA 'Good' rating.
AED 8,989
Annual Fees From
AED 19,290
Annual Fees To
Year / GradeAnnual Fee
KG 1
AED 8,989KG 2
AED 8,989Grade 1
AED 9,178Grade 2
AED 9,178Grade 3
AED 9,178Grade 4
AED 9,366Grade 5
AED 9,366Grade 6
AED 9,366Grade 7
AED 14,796Grade 8
AED 15,920Grade 9
AED 17,043Grade 9 (Advance)
AED 17,043Grade 10
AED 19,290Grade 10 (Advance)
AED 19,290Grade 11
AED 19,290Grade 11 (Advance)
AED 19,290Grade 12 (Advance)
AED 19,290The school's fee structure reflects a gradual increase across grade levels, with foundation and primary cycles (KG 1 to Grade 6) priced between AED 8,989 and AED 9,366, while middle and secondary cycles (Grades 7–12) range from AED 14,796 to AED 19,290. Advanced track options are available for Grades 9 through 12 at the same fee level as the standard track. The school has maintained a consistent 'Good' DSIB rating since 2012–2013, offering strong value for families seeking an Arabic-medium MoE curriculum education in the Oud Metha area of Dubai.
The school's website indicates that fees for the 2025–2026 academic year, including transportation costs, are available via a downloadable PDF on their official website. Families are advised to contact the school directly for the most up-to-date information on additional costs, payment schedules, and any applicable discounts.
The Final Verdict: Who Is This School For?
After more than five decades in Oud Metha, Al Rashid Al Saleh Private School has earned its place as a trusted, values-anchored institution for Arabic-speaking families in Dubai. Its consistent Good KHDA rating, Outstanding pastoral and safeguarding record, and genuinely accessible fees make it a serious option for families who want a nationally aligned education without the financial pressure of premium-fee schooling. The school's reported 100% secondary pass rate and national competition achievements reflect real outcomes for students who thrive in its structured, culturally rooted environment.
The honest limitations are equally clear. Benchmark assessment performance - particularly for Emirati students - needs improvement. The extracurricular offering is limited compared to larger schools. Academic attainment in the middle cycles (Cycles 1 and 2) is not as strong as in KG and Cycle 3. And the school's digital transparency, with multiple website pages returning errors, makes it harder for prospective families to conduct thorough due diligence. These are not dealbreakers for the right family, but they are genuine factors to weigh.
THE “RIGHT FIT”
Families of Arabic-speaking students who value a strong Islamic and Emirati cultural foundation, a nationally recognised MoE pathway to EMSAT and UAE university entry, Outstanding pastoral care, and highly accessible school fees in a well-connected Oud Metha location.
THE “WRONG FIT”
Families seeking internationally benchmarked academic rigour, a broad extracurricular programme, Western or bilingual curriculum pathways (IB, A-Level, British), or detailed online transparency about school programmes and facilities before applying.
“
We chose this school for its values and its affordability, and it has delivered on both. My son is now in Grade 11 and is well prepared for EMSAT. It is not perfect, but it is honest and it cares about its students.
— Grade 11 Parent
Strengths
- Consistent KHDA Good rating maintained for over a decade
- Outstanding safeguarding and child protection across all cycles
- Outstanding personal development and Islamic values education
- Among the most affordable private schools in Dubai (AED 8,989-19,290)
- Full KG 1 to Grade 12 pathway under one roof
- Strong parent and community engagement rated Very Good by DSIB
- Reported 100% General Secondary Certificate pass rate
- Well-connected Oud Metha location with metro access
Areas for Improvement
- Benchmark assessment performance rated Acceptable overall, Weak for Emirati cohort
- Extracurricular offering described as limited by DSIB inspectors
- Academic attainment uneven - Cycle 1 consistently the weakest phase
- No accreditation and limited digital transparency on school website
- No alternative curriculum pathways (IB, A-Level, British) available