Greenfield International School
Curriculum
International Baccalaureate
KHDA
Very Good
Location
Dubai, Dubai Investment Park 1
Fees
AED 34K - 83K
Greenfield International School
The Executive Summary
Greenfield International School Dubai occupies a distinctive position in the Dubai Investment Park 1 schools landscape as one of the UAE's most established full IB continuum schools, authorised to deliver all four International Baccalaureate programmes - PYP, MYP, DP and the career-related CP - to students aged 2 to 18. Holding a KHDA rating of Very Good (2023-2024), confirmed across two consecutive inspection cycles, GIS has undergone a tangible transformation under its current leadership, moving from a school that once lagged within its operator group to one that inspectors now highlight for outstanding pastoral care, facilities management, and parental engagement. School fees Dubai-wide place GIS in the premium IB bracket, ranging from AED 34,470 for Green Shoots to AED 82,865 for Grades 11 and 12, which represents fair value given the breadth of the IB offering and the quality of the campus. For families committed to the IB philosophy and seeking a genuinely inclusive, multi-national community in the Dubai Investment Park 1 area, GIS is a strong and credible choice.
The school is best suited to families who genuinely embrace inquiry-based, internationally-minded education and who value community warmth over hyper-competitive academic pressure. Its 92-nationality student body, robust inclusion provision for 176 students of determination, and the rare availability of the IB Career-related Programme make it particularly well-matched to globally mobile families and those seeking flexible post-16 pathways. It is not the right fit for parents who prioritise traditional exam structures such as IGCSEs, or who expect the academic intensity of Dubai's most selective IB schools. The key weakness to acknowledge is inconsistent differentiation in lessons - inspectors flagged this in 2023-24 - and Arabic and Islamic Education results remain at an acceptable level across most phases, which matters for Arabic-speaking families with high expectations in these subjects.
Full IB Continuum SchoolKHDA Very Good 202492 NationalitiesOutstanding Pastoral CareTaaleem-Owned
“The community spirit at the school, the cooperation between parents and teachers, the inclusion department, the staff happiness and the positive school environment - honestly, we don't have any negative thing to say about the school.”
— Grade 4 Parent(representative)Academic Framework & Learning Style
Greenfield International School follows the International Baccalaureate curriculum, designed to provide students with a globally recognised and inquiry-based educational framework that fosters critical thinking and personal development. As a full IB continuum school, GIS delivers the Primary Years Programme (PYP) from Green Shoots through Grade 5, the Middle Years Programme (MYP) across Grades 6 to 10, and offers both the Diploma Programme (DP) and the Career-related Programme (CP) for Grades 11 and 12. The CP - which GIS was the first school in the UAE to offer - combines IB Diploma subjects with BTEC Level 3 qualifications in Sport and Business, providing a genuine vocational pathway that very few Dubai IB schools can match.
The DSIB inspection report for 2023-24 provides clear evidence of academic strength where it matters most. English attainment and progress are rated Outstanding in both MYP and DP, with very good performance in KG and PYP. Mathematics and science are rated Very Good across all four phases - KG, PYP, MYP and DP - for both attainment and progress. These are consistent, solid results. The picture is less flattering in Arabic and Islamic Education, where attainment sits at Acceptable across most phases, though progress in Arabic as a first language is rated Good in PYP and MYP, suggesting the school is moving students forward even if absolute levels remain modest. For families where Arabic proficiency is a priority, this is a material consideration.
In terms of IB Diploma results, the school's 2023 cohort of 32 students achieved an average score of 35.03 points - well above the global average of 30.24 and the UAE average of 31.97. The highest individual score was a perfect 45 points. In 2024, 41 DP students achieved a 98% pass rate, with an average score of 33 points and over 70% of results above 30 points. The CP cohort achieved a 100% pass rate. These are creditable results for a school in the premium-but-not-elite tier of Dubai IB schools. A significant development from 2025 is the introduction of the e-MYP external assessment for English, Mathematics and Science at Grade 10 - directly addressing the long-standing parental concern about the absence of external examinations before the DP.
Pedagogically, the IB's inquiry-based approach is embedded throughout, with cross-curricular links rated as relatively strong by inspectors. The school's learning skills - encompassing enterprise, enquiry, research, critical thinking and problem-solving - are rated Very Good across all phases, though inspectors noted these skills are not yet consistently embedded in all subjects. Curriculum design is rated Outstanding in DP, reflecting the particular strength of the post-16 offer. Academic support includes a dedicated Inclusion team for the 176 students of determination, with individual education plans (IEPs) in place and most students exceeding their personal progress targets according to internal assessments. The school also runs an extensive Mother Tongue Programme, coordinating with external tutors to offer lessons in French, German, Turkish, Mandarin, Spanish, Italian, Hindi, Urdu, Russian, Swedish, Dutch and Portuguese for Grades 1 to 5.
35.03
Average IB Diploma Points (2023 cohort)
vs. global average of 30.24 and UAE average of 31.97
98%
IB Diploma Pass Rate (2024)
41 students; top score of 43 points
100%
IB Career-related Programme Pass Rate (2024)
Approximately one-third of the post-16 cohort
Outstanding
English Attainment & Progress in MYP and DP
DSIB Inspection 2023-24
Extracurricular Activities (ECAs)
Greenfield International School brands its after-school programme as ACE (After-school Curriculum Enhancement), described by the school as extensive, exciting and curriculum-complementing. The programme offers students a wide variety of options to develop existing interests and explore new ones, with teacher-led ECAs included within tuition fees and additional specialist ECAs provided by external companies at an extra charge.
The performing arts provision is a particular strength at GIS, with dedicated dance and drama studios in the secondary building, music rooms with private practice rooms in both primary and secondary sections, and a performing arts studio in the Upper Primary building. Drama, music and visual arts are embedded as both curriculum subjects and ECA options. The school's secondary building houses a 350-seat auditorium with a full performance stage, AV and lighting systems - a facility that enables genuinely professional-standard productions.
Sports provision is extensive. The school fields teams in a wide range of competitive sports, and students have represented Dubai at elite level - two Grade 11 students were selected for the U18 DASSA Select Football Team in 2025 through a highly competitive trial process. Sports ECAs include tennis, football, karate, swimming, gymnastics and basketball. The school also participates in community initiatives such as the Dubai 20,000 Trees Planting Initiative in collaboration with Dubai Municipality, reflecting a strong environmental and sustainability strand within student life.
Enrichment opportunities extend to Model United Nations (MUN), STEAM club, Environmental Club, Choir, Creative Writing, Poetry Club, Qur'an recitation, and Maths and Physics workshops. International educational trips include a diving expedition to the Philippines, a skiing trip to Georgia, and CAS-related trips to Tanzania, Zanzibar and India for post-16 students. The whole-school House System - a student-led initiative introduced in response to student feedback about belonging - adds a further layer of community and competition across year groups, with house points and assemblies celebrating achievement. Community service is embedded through the IB CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service) requirement, with students organising charity car washes, thank-you meals for auxiliary staff, and tree-planting in the school grounds.
350
Seat Auditorium with Full AV & Lighting
Secondary building performance venue
350-Seat AuditoriumACE After-School ProgrammeModel United NationsInternational Educational TripsStudent-Led House SystemDASSA Select Football
Pastoral Care & Well-being
Pastoral care is arguably the most consistently impressive dimension of the GIS offer, and the DSIB inspection findings confirm this emphatically. Health and safety, and care and support, are both rated Outstanding across all four phases - KG, PYP, MYP and DP - in the 2023-24 inspection. This is the highest possible rating and reflects a school where student welfare is not an afterthought but a structural priority.
The school's wellbeing provision is rated Very Good overall by KHDA, with wellbeing embedded at the core of the school's vision. The wellbeing framework operates through multiple channels: a 'School Box' management system, newsletters, WhatsApp communication, coffee mornings, a wellbeing calendar, and a parental committee. Class representatives report on monthly meetings. A drop-box system allows students to raise concerns anonymously. The school employs two guidance counsellors who work alongside the pastoral team and teaching staff to support students' mental health and emotional development. A 'Safe Hands' survey monitors staffing wellbeing needs, and tailored professional training is provided accordingly.
Safeguarding procedures are described by inspectors as rigorous, with training that protects students from all forms of abuse and highly effective supervision. Bullying is described as rare in the inspection report, with any difficulties resolved in a mature way - a reflection of the exemplary personal development outcomes rated Outstanding across all phases. Students demonstrate self-discipline, maintain excellent relationships with teachers and peers, and actively support one another.
The House System - introduced as a direct response to students' expressed desire for a stronger sense of belonging - provides a community structure that connects students across year groups and phases. Wellbeing is also embedded in the curriculum, with separate wellbeing lessons taught in secondary sections and specialist teachers sharing expertise on a rotation system. Students learn breathing techniques, relaxation strategies for anxiety, and participate in anti-bullying presentations. The school's parental involvement is rated Outstanding by DSIB, with inspectors highlighting excellent parental engagement as one of the school's defining strengths.
“My child joined GIS right from early age on Pre-K grade. He is now Grade 4 and we never even thought to change school. The teachers and atmosphere of the school gives us a feeling that we are all one big family. Every teacher at GIS gives his 100% to each child.”
— Primary School Parent(representative)Campus & Facilities
The GIS campus in Dubai Investment Park 1 is a multi-building site that has undergone significant investment in recent years, most notably with the opening of a new Upper Primary building in the 2024-25 academic year. This three-storey facility houses students from Grades 3 to 5 and contains 18 classrooms, a music room, performing arts spaces, an Innovation Hub, a sports hall, a fitness suite, a rooftop netball and tennis court, a rooftop football pitch, and a spacious lobby designed for assemblies and collaborative learning. The facility is a material upgrade to the primary school experience and signals the operator's continued investment in the campus.
The primary school spans two dedicated buildings. The Lower Primary building accommodates students from Green Shoots to Grade 2, housing the primary school library and dedicated music rooms. The Upper Primary building - now in its second year of operation - serves Grades 3 to 5 with the additional Innovation Room, Performing Arts studio, Sports Hall and Fitness Studio described above. Outdoor playgrounds are designed separately for Kindergarten students and Grades 1-5, with a specially designed outdoor play area for Green Shoots and Pre-K.
The Secondary School building serves Grades 6 through 12 and is comprehensively equipped: ICT rooms, a design technology workshop, art and design studios, science laboratories, a food technology lab, a music room with private practice rooms, a dedicated dance and drama studio, and modern spacious classrooms with large break-out spaces. An outdoor amphitheatre facilitates collaborative group work. The Nexus - the secondary school library - is designed to be both stimulating and engaging. The recently renovated Mark Bishop Lounge provides senior students with a dedicated space to eat, study and relax. A 350-seat Auditorium with performance stage, AV and lighting systems serves the whole school community for productions and events.
Sports facilities are a genuine highlight of the campus. The school operates two multi-purpose Sports Halls, a gym, a dedicated Fitness Studio, a netball court, a long jump pit, a large AstroTurf and mini-AstroTurf sports field, a rooftop tennis court, and a mini football pitch. The aquatic provision is particularly strong: a six-lane shaded competitive swimming pool alongside a separate shaded learning pool ensures that swimmers of all abilities are catered for. DSIB inspectors rated management, staffing, facilities and resources as Outstanding - the highest possible rating - confirming that the campus quality is a genuine differentiator for GIS within the Dubai Investment Park 1 schools market. The school is accessible from Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road, the Emirates Road and the Jebel Ali-Lehbab Road, making it reachable from a wide catchment including Dubai South, Jumeirah Village, and the Green Community.
2
Multi-purpose Sports Halls on Campus
Plus gym, fitness studio, and outdoor courts
6-Lane
Shaded Competitive Swimming Pool
Plus a separate shaded learning pool for beginners
New Upper Primary Building6-Lane Competitive Pool350-Seat AuditoriumInnovation HubTwo AstroTurf PitchesOutstanding DSIB Facilities Rating
Teaching & Learning Quality
The DSIB inspection rates teaching for effective learning as Very Good across all four phases - KG, PYP, MYP and DP - in 2023-24, as is assessment. This is a solid and consistent finding, though it falls short of Outstanding and the inspection report is candid about where improvement is needed. Inspectors note that teachers are knowledgeable, build positive relationships with students, and that questioning and the development of critical thinking are strongest in the DP phase. Students are described as increasingly motivated and engaged learners who collaborate and communicate well when challenged.
The most significant teaching quality concern identified by DSIB is the inconsistency of differentiated activities across the school. While the best teaching in the school is strong, not all teachers consistently use assessment information to deliver lessons that meet the needs of all ability groups - including students of determination. This is the primary growth area flagged by inspectors and is the factor most likely to limit the school's path to an Outstanding overall rating. The school's own self-evaluation and improvement planning are rated Very Good, suggesting leadership is aware of and working on this gap.
The teacher-to-student ratio is 1:14, based on 112 teachers serving 1,555 students - a healthy ratio for a school of this size and type. An additional 43 teaching assistants provide further classroom support, particularly in the early years and for students of determination. The largest nationality group of teachers is British, with the teaching body drawn from a diverse international pool. All teachers hold a minimum of a Bachelor Degree in Education or a subject-specific Bachelor Degree plus a PGCE Diploma. The school is part of the Taaleem group, which provides specialist IB training and professional development opportunities, and the DSIB report confirms that professional development culture is embedded and morale among staff is high. The 'Safe Hands' survey mechanism for monitoring staff wellbeing is a noteworthy practice. Teacher turnover, while not published by the school, is a factor parents in this area of Dubai have noted - the school's location in Dubai Investment Park means it draws from a specific pool of Dubai-based international educators.
1:14
Teacher-to-Student Ratio
112 teachers, 1,555 students (DSIB 2023-24)
43
Teaching Assistants
Supporting early years and students of determination
Very Good
Teaching for Effective Learning - All Phases
DSIB Inspection 2023-24
Leadership & Management
Greenfield International School is led by Executive Principal Leigh Robin Kelly-Girven, who joined the school in June 2021. A New Zealander holding a BSc in Human Nutrition and a post-graduate teaching qualification from the University of Otago, Ms. Kelly-Girven is a biologist by background who built her leadership career within the GEMS group in Riyadh and subsequently as Primary Principal at GEMS International School Al Khail before taking the top role at GIS. Her appointment is widely credited with catalysing the school's uplift from Good to Very Good in its KHDA rating - a breakthrough achieved in the 2022-23 inspection cycle and retained in 2023-24. The DSIB report notes that senior leaders pursue academic excellence, wellbeing and inclusive learning with clear direction, and that governance is rated Very Good.
The school is owned and operated by Taaleem, one of Dubai's most established education groups, which became a publicly listed company on the Dubai Stock Exchange in November 2022. Taaleem's portfolio includes KHDA Outstanding-rated schools and provides GIS with access to specialist IB training, group-level governance structures, and operational resources that smaller independent operators cannot match. The school's mission - as a global community connected by commitment to the IB, inspiring students to be happy and balanced individuals - is visibly embedded in school culture and confirmed by the Outstanding ratings for students' personal development across all phases.
Communication with parents is managed through the School Box management system, supplemented by newsletters, WhatsApp updates, coffee mornings, a wellbeing calendar, and a parental committee. Class representatives report on monthly meetings, and the school's parental involvement is rated Outstanding by DSIB - a rare accolade that reflects the genuine two-way relationship the school has built with its community. The school's self-evaluation and improvement planning are rated Very Good, with stakeholder contributions sought and incorporated. The DSIB report does flag that the varying skills of middle leaders are affecting the school's capacity to innovate and improve, and that monitoring of improvements is not yet thorough enough - an honest assessment that the school's leadership team will need to address to sustain its upward trajectory. The Head of Admissions is Mrs. Dina Hamdan, reachable at +971 (0)4 885 6600, ext. 214.
KHDA Inspection Results (Decoded)
The most recent DSIB inspection of Greenfield International School, conducted in November 2023 and published as the 2023-24 report, awarded an overall rating of Very Good - the second consecutive Very Good rating following the school's uplift from Good in 2022-23. This represents a genuine and sustained improvement from a school that spent the better part of a decade rated Good, and reflects the impact of refreshed leadership and significant capital investment in facilities.
The headline finding is strong: the school is Very Good overall, with multiple areas rated Outstanding. Students' personal and social development is Outstanding across all four phases - KG, PYP, MYP and DP - encompassing personal responsibility, understanding of Islamic values and cultural awareness, and community and environmental responsibility. This is a remarkable clean sweep and speaks to the school's genuine success in developing well-rounded, values-driven young people. Health and safety, and the quality of student support, are also rated Outstanding across all phases. Management, staffing, facilities and resources - and parental engagement - are both Outstanding, confirming that the operational and community dimensions of the school are firing on all cylinders.
Academically, English is the standout subject, with Outstanding attainment and progress in MYP and DP. Mathematics and science are Very Good across all phases. The weaker areas are Islamic Education and Arabic as a first language, where attainment sits at Acceptable across most phases - a persistent challenge that inspectors have flagged and which the school's key recommendations specifically address. The DSIB's three key recommendations for the school are: implement effective teaching practices mirroring the best in the school so that all students achieve well, particularly in Islamic Education and Arabic; ensure all teachers use assessment information to deliver challenging lessons that meet the needs of all ability groups including students of determination; and enhance the capacity of middle leaders to monitor and improve teaching and ensure better student outcomes in lessons. These are focused, actionable recommendations that point to a school with a clear path to Outstanding - if middle leadership development and differentiation consistency can be resolved.
Outstanding Personal Development
Students' personal and social development is rated Outstanding across all four phases - KG, PYP, MYP and DP. Behaviour is exemplary, relationships are respectful, and students demonstrate mature commitment to community and environmental responsibility.
Outstanding Pastoral Care & Safety
Health and safety, child protection, and the quality of student support are all rated Outstanding across every phase. Inspectors highlight rigorous safeguarding training, highly effective supervision, and comprehensive pastoral care as defining strengths.
Outstanding Facilities, Parental Engagement & Management
Management, staffing, facilities and resources are rated Outstanding, as is parental and community engagement. The school's operational excellence and the quality of its parent-school relationship are among the strongest in the Dubai Investment Park 1 schools cohort.
Inconsistent Differentiation in Lessons
Inspectors found that the quality of differentiated activities is inconsistent across the school, meaning that not all ability groups - including students of determination - are consistently challenged and supported. This is the primary barrier to an Outstanding overall rating.
Arabic and Islamic Education Attainment
Attainment in Arabic as a first language and Islamic Education remains at Acceptable across most phases. While progress is Good in some phases, the absolute attainment levels are a concern for Arabic-speaking families and for the school's overall academic profile.
Inspection History
2023-2024
Very Good
2022-2023
Very Good
2019-2020
Good
2018-2019
Good
2017-2018
Good
2016-2017
Good
2015-2016
Good
2012-2013
Acceptable
Fees & Value for Money
Greenfield International School offers an International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum from Pre-K through Grade 12, with tuition fees for the 2025/2026 academic year ranging from AED 34,470 for Pre-K up to AED 82,865 for Grades 11 and 12. Fees are structured across three terms, with Term 1 accounting for approximately 40% of the annual fee and Terms 2 and 3 each covering around 30%. The school has consistently received Very Good ratings from DSIB, reflecting strong academic outcomes particularly in mathematics, science, and English, which supports the value proposition of its fee structure.
AED 34,470
Annual Fees From
AED 82,865
Annual Fees To
Year / GradeAnnual Fee
Pre-K
AED 34,470KG 1
AED 39,905KG 2
AED 42,065Grade 1
AED 53,980Grade 2
AED 53,980Grade 3
AED 53,980Grade 4
AED 53,980Grade 5
AED 53,980Grade 6
AED 58,115Grade 7
AED 67,785Grade 8
AED 67,785Grade 9
AED 67,785Grade 10
AED 67,785Grade 11
AED 82,865Grade 12
AED 82,865The school charges a non-refundable application fee of AED 525 (inclusive of 5% VAT) for new students, along with a registration fee that varies by grade level. A re-registration fee applies to returning students. External examination fees may also apply and are communicated in advance. Families benefit from a 10% sibling discount on tuition fees for the third (youngest) and subsequent child attending any Taaleem school in Dubai. Emirates employees receive additional benefits, and credit card holders can convert school payments into 0% instalment plans.
Compared to other IB schools in Dubai, Greenfield's fees are competitive, particularly at the early years and primary levels. The school is part of the Taaleem group, which provides additional corporate benefits and payment flexibility. All fees are payable in AED and the school accepts cash, credit card, and cheque payments, with post-dated cheques required for subsequent terms.
Additional Costs
Application Fee (new students only)525(one-time)
Registration Fee (Pre-K and Green Shoots)3447(one-time)
Registration Fee (KG 1)3990(one-time)
Registration Fee (KG 2 and above)4000(one-time)
Re-registration Fee (Pre-K)1684(annual)
Re-registration Fee (KG 1)1950(annual)
Re-registration Fee (KG 2 to Grade 12)2000(annual)
External Examination Fees(per-exam)
Discounts & Concessions
Sibling Discount10%%
Scholarships & Bursaries
Greenfield International School offers a scholarship programme. Details are available on the school's dedicated scholarship page at gischool.ae/scholarship.
The Final Verdict: Who Is This School For?
Greenfield International School is a genuinely well-rounded, community-centred IB school that has earned its Very Good KHDA rating through sustained improvement and real investment in people and facilities. It is not Dubai's most academically selective IB school, but it is one of the most inclusive, most internationally diverse, and most pastorally attentive. The combination of a full IB continuum - including the rare Career-related Programme - with Outstanding pastoral care, a strong new campus, and a genuinely warm community culture makes it a compelling choice for the right family.
The school's weaknesses are real but not disqualifying: inconsistent differentiation in lessons, Arabic and Islamic Education attainment that remains at Acceptable, and middle leadership that inspectors believe needs strengthening. These are the honest limitations that parents should weigh against the school's considerable strengths. For families who value the IB philosophy deeply, who want their children to develop as globally minded, values-driven individuals within a diverse and caring community, and who are not primarily driven by league-table positioning, GIS delivers meaningfully on its promise. The location in Dubai Investment Park 1 is a practical consideration - it suits families living in the Green Community, Dubai South, Jumeirah Village Circle and surrounding areas, but involves a commute for those based in central Dubai.
THE “RIGHT FIT”
Globally mobile families committed to the IB philosophy who value inclusion, community warmth, and flexible post-16 pathways - including the IB Career-related Programme - and who live in or near Dubai Investment Park, Dubai South, or the Green Community.
THE “WRONG FIT”
Families seeking traditional external exam structures such as IGCSEs, or those prioritising Arabic language attainment and Islamic Education outcomes at the highest levels; also less suited to families based in central or northern Dubai for whom the DIP location creates a significant daily commute.
“
The IB curriculum is excellent and the school has real heart. What we value most is how accepted and supported every child feels - whether they are high achievers or need extra help. GIS genuinely lives its values.
— Secondary School Parent
Strengths
- Only UAE school to offer all four IB programmes including the rare Career-related Programme
- Outstanding DSIB ratings for pastoral care, personal development, and facilities
- 92 nationalities create a genuinely international community environment
- Strong IB Diploma results: 35.03 average points in 2023, well above global average
- New Upper Primary building with Innovation Hub, rooftop courts, and performing arts spaces
- Six-lane competitive swimming pool plus separate learning pool on campus
- Teacher-led ECAs included in tuition fees
- Outstanding parental engagement rated by DSIB inspectors
Areas for Improvement
- Inconsistent differentiation in lessons flagged by DSIB as primary barrier to Outstanding rating
- Arabic and Islamic Education attainment remains Acceptable across most phases
- Middle leadership development identified as a gap requiring attention
- Dubai Investment Park 1 location is inconvenient for families in central or northern Dubai