What is the KHDA rating for Al Mawakeb School Al Barsha?

Al Mawakeb School Al Barsha is rated Good by Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA).

How much are the fees at Al Mawakeb School Al Barsha?

Annual tuition fees at Al Mawakeb School Al Barsha range from AED 14,976 to AED 25,493. Additional costs include registration, transport, and uniforms.

Where is Al Mawakeb School Al Barsha located?

Al Mawakeb School Al Barsha is located in Al Barsha 2, Dubai, UAE.

Who is the principal of Al Mawakeb School Al Barsha?

The current principal of Al Mawakeb School Al Barsha is Moussa Chahbaz.

Al Mawakeb School Al BarshaAmerican School in Al Barsha 2، Dubai

Q: What curriculum does Al Mawakeb School Al Barsha follow?

Al Mawakeb School Al Barsha follows the American curriculum.

Curriculum

American

KHDA

Good

Location

Dubai, Al Barsha 2

Fees

AED 15K - 25K

Al Mawakeb School Al Barsha

The Executive Summary

Al Mawakeb School Al Barsha Dubai is one of the most established American curriculum schools in the city, operating since 1998 under the AMSI (Academia Management Solution International) group and holding a consistent KHDA rating of Good - a rating it has maintained across every inspection since 2015-2016. With 3,329 students drawn from over 60 nationalities, a trilingual program spanning English, Arabic, and French from KG, and NEASC accreditation ensuring its US High School Diploma is internationally recognised, this is a school that offers genuine breadth for Arab and international families seeking an American pathway at a price point well below Dubai's premium tier. Among Al Barsha 2 schools, it stands out for its scale, its community feel, and its decade-long trajectory of steady improvement - culminating in the 2023-2024 DSIB report noting significant improvements in student achievement for the first time. School fees Dubai families will find accessible: total annual costs range from approximately AED 25,100 at KG1 to AED 46,430 at Grade 12 with a laptop bundle, positioning this firmly in the value-to-mid segment of the Dubai private school market. The honest picture is more nuanced than the headline rating suggests. The school excels in personal development - inspectors rated it Outstanding across all phases - and in Kindergarten, where teaching and attainment in English, mathematics, and science are all rated Very Good. However, attainment in Arabic as an additional language remains Acceptable in Middle and High, external benchmark scores lag behind potential, and the governing board lacks full stakeholder representation. For families with Arabic-speaking children who need strong first-language Arabic outcomes, or for those seeking Outstanding-rated academic rigour from KG through Grade 12, there are stronger options nearby. But for Arab families - particularly those with Emirati or Levantine backgrounds - seeking a culturally attuned, trilingual, American-pathway school with genuinely excellent pastoral care and very competitive school fees, Al Mawakeb Al Barsha deserves serious consideration.

NEASC AccreditedKHDA Good - 7 Consecutive YearsTrilingual KG ProgramOutstanding Personal DevelopmentAP & SAT Exam Centre

“The school has a real sense of community. My children feel safe, they know their teachers, and the values they are learning here - respect, honesty, responsibility - are ones we share at home. The fees are reasonable for what we get.”

— Grade 7 Parent(representative)

Academic Framework & Learning Style

Al Mawakeb Al Barsha follows a modified American curriculum grounded in the Massachusetts State Standards - specifically the Massachusetts Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics (CCSSM), and the Common Core State Standards for English (CCSSE). This is not a generic US curriculum: it is a deliberately engineered hybrid that integrates UAE Ministry of Education requirements for Arabic, Islamic Education, Social Studies, and Moral Education directly into the American framework. The result is a curriculum that is genuinely bilingual in its academic content and trilingual in its language provision - a rare combination in Dubai education. From Kindergarten, children are introduced to French as a medium of instruction, with English and Arabic taught alongside. From Grade 1 onwards, English becomes the primary language of instruction, while Arabic and French continue as distinct subjects through to Grade 12. Social Studies and Islamic Education are delivered in both English and Arabic, reinforcing the school's dual-cultural identity. The school's curriculum statement emphasises inquiry-based, student-centred, and outcomes-focused learning, with ICT embedded as a cross-curricular tool rather than treated as a standalone subject. At the secondary level, the academic offering expands significantly. Advanced Placement (AP) courses are available for high school students, and the school operates as a recognised SAT examination centre - both critical for families planning US university applications. The school also runs a dedicated STEM program and a University and Career Guidance Program. Grade 11 and 12 students participate in the N4B (Notebooks for Books) initiative, replacing traditional textbooks with fully loaded notebook computers. The 2023-2024 DSIB inspection found achievement to be at least Good in the core subjects in almost all phases, with Very Good attainment in English, mathematics, and science in Kindergarten and High School. Mathematics attainment reaches Very Good in KG and High, with Very Good progress across KG, Elementary, and High. Science attainment is Very Good in KG and High, with Very Good progress across all phases. Islamic Education attainment is Very Good in Elementary. These are genuine strengths. The weaker areas are Arabic as an additional language - Acceptable attainment in Middle and High - and external benchmark performance, where scores in Grades 4 and 5 lag behind expectations. The school's PIRLS 2021 result was close to but did not meet its target, and reading literacy interventions, while present, are not yet sufficiently individualised. For university destinations, the school has historically published a High School Profile document, though the most current version available on the website relates to the Al Khawaneej campus. The school's curriculum design and NEASC accreditation ensure that the US High School Diploma awarded to graduates is recognised by universities in the USA and internationally. Students with strong AP results are competitive candidates for US, Canadian, and internationally recognised universities. The school offers a wide range of elective courses in high school to allow students to tailor their academic profile.

Very Good

Maths Attainment - KG and High School

DSIB Inspection 2023-2024

Very Good

Science Progress - All Phases

DSIB Inspection 2023-2024

AP + SAT

External Examinations Offered

Accredited AP and SAT exam centre

NEASC

International Accreditation

New England Association of Schools and Colleges

Curriculum Details

Extracurricular Activities (ECAs)

Al Mawakeb Al Barsha offers a genuinely broad extracurricular program that spans performing arts, competitive sport, academic enrichment, and community service. The school's student life page lists more than 20 named clubs and activities, including Scouts, Student Council, Drama, Folklore, Art, Broadcast Station, Piano, Computer Club, Photography Club, Committé de Français, Science Club, Math Club, Astronomy Club, Earth Calling Out (Environment Club), Robotics, and the Business and Humanitarian Clubs. This is a meaningful range for a school at this price point, and the DSIB inspection confirmed that the range of enrichment activities increases students' achievement opportunities. Competitive sport is taken seriously. The school fields varsity teams for both boys and girls in basketball, volleyball, track and field, table tennis, and football. Practice takes place after school hours under direct staff supervision. While the school does not publish competitive results data, the DSIB report notes that students are involved in sports and games on a regular basis and that levels of attendance at these activities are excellent. The Model United Nations (MUN) program is a notable highlight. The school participates in the UAE Model United Nations, giving students the opportunity to research, debate, and present on global political issues - an activity that builds critical thinking, public speaking, and research skills valued by selective universities. The DSIB report specifically noted that MUN participation enables students to discuss global issues including environmental sustainability, and that students return to school and share their learning with the wider community. The Scouts program is another distinctive offering, providing a structured framework for developing self-confidence, community service, and practical skills across age groups. The school also runs an Al Mawakeb Research Centre, where older students initiate and manage projects exploring solutions to real-world problems - an initiative that DSIB inspectors highlighted as evidence of genuine entrepreneurial and innovation skills. Community service and social responsibility are embedded in the school's culture, with students initiating projects that have impact within and beyond the school community.

20+

Named Clubs and ECAs

Across all grade levels, per school website

Varsity Sports Disciplines

Basketball, volleyball, track and field, table tennis, football

UAE Model United NationsScouts ProgramVarsity Sports TeamsAl Mawakeb Research CentreRobotics Club

Pastoral Care & Well-being

Pastoral care is one of Al Mawakeb Al Barsha's most consistent strengths, and the data from the DSIB 2023-2024 inspection makes this clear. Personal development was rated Outstanding across all four phases - KG, Elementary, Middle, and High - a rare distinction that very few Good-rated schools achieve. Students demonstrate a robust sense of personal responsibility, show resilience and self-reliance, and their behaviour is described by inspectors as reflecting mutual respect and excellent relationships. Students are sensitive to the needs of others, show genuine empathy, and demonstrate an exceptional understanding of safe and healthy living. The school's approach to wellbeing is structured and data-driven. Comprehensive wellbeing policies are supported by a well-considered action plan, and data from surveys and reviews is analysed to inform priorities for improvement. Students contribute to the development of wellbeing provision through class representatives, giving them genuine voice in how the school responds to their needs. The school operates as an open culture where the views of students, staff, and parents are all welcomed. Counselling provision is available, with inspectors noting that students have access to high quality counselling services that have a positive impact on students' mental health. However, it is worth noting that the KHDA data records only one guidance counsellor for a school of 3,329 students - a ratio that is stretched by any measure, and one that parents of students with complex needs should factor into their decision. Safeguarding procedures are supported by clear policies and appropriate staff training. Students are effectively supervised both within school and on school transport. The school's Anti-Bullying and Cyber Bullying Policy and Child Protection Policy are published on the school website, demonstrating transparency in its approach to student safety. Health and safety was rated Very Good across all phases in the DSIB inspection. The DSIB report did note that wellbeing training for staff is insufficiently personalised, and that high quality learning environments that enable all students to flourish are not yet fully embedded across all subjects - areas the school is actively working to address.

“The teachers genuinely know my child as an individual. There is a warmth here that you do not always find in larger schools. My child looks forward to coming to school every day, and that says everything.”

— Elementary Stage Parent(representative)

Campus & Facilities

Al Mawakeb Al Barsha is situated on Al Mafraq Road in Al Barsha 2, adjacent to Al Barsha Pond Park and near Emirates NBD Bank - a well-connected location in one of Dubai's most established residential communities. The campus is described in DSIB inspection records as a sprawling site with buildings that are clean and well-maintained, though the inspection noted that some rooms are not well lit - a minor but honest observation that parents should bear in mind when visiting. Core facilities include a library, science laboratories, computer labs, art workshops, and a school clinic. Physical education is central to school life, with dedicated facilities supporting both regular PE classes and after-school varsity sports training. The school does not publish detailed square footage or room counts on its website, and the facilities page returned a 404 error at the time of this review - a transparency gap that the school should address. Technology integration is a genuine strength. The school operates LearnOnline, its own award-winning eLearning platform, which faculty and students use for both in-class and remote learning. The iCampus Mobile app connects parents, students, and staff with a single click, streamlining communication across all school departments. For Grade 11 and 12 students, the N4B (Notebooks for Books) initiative has restructured learning around fully loaded notebook computers, replacing traditional textbooks entirely at the senior level. New students in Grades 9 to 12 can opt into a laptop bundle at enrolment, with the cost included in the fee structure. The school's location in Al Barsha 2 offers excellent accessibility. It is close to major arterial roads including Sheikh Zayed Road and Al Khail Road, and is within easy reach of the Mall of the Emirates metro station. The surrounding residential communities - Al Barsha 1, Al Barsha 2, Al Barsha 3, Jumeirah Village Circle, and Motor City - make this a practical choice for families across a wide catchment area. The school offers a virtual tour of the campus online, allowing prospective families to explore the environment before visiting in person.

3,329

Students on Roll

DSIB 2023-2024 inspection data

KG1 - G12

Full K-12 Campus

All phases on a single Al Barsha 2 campus

LearnOnline eLearning PlatformiCampus Mobile AppN4B Laptop Program (G11-G12)Science and Computer LabsAl Barsha Pond Park AdjacentVirtual Campus Tour Available

Campus Details

Teaching & Learning Quality

The quality of teaching at Al Mawakeb Al Barsha is one of the primary drivers behind the school's improving trajectory. The DSIB 2023-2024 inspection rated Teaching for Effective Learning as Very Good in KG and High School, and Good in Elementary and Middle - a profile that reflects genuine excellence at the bookends of the school, with room for growth in the middle phases. Assessment was rated Very Good across all four phases, which is a significant strength: it means teachers are consistently using data to check understanding and adjust their practice, even where teaching quality itself is still developing. Inspectors observed that most teachers demonstrate strong subject knowledge and create effective opportunities for collaborative learning. Lesson planning is effective with clear learning objectives communicated to students. In the better lessons - most consistently seen in KG and High - teachers engage students through skilled questioning and dialogue, challenging them to explain their reasoning and develop higher-order thinking. The school's curriculum is delivered through a student-centred, inquiry-based approach, with cross-curricular links used to make learning meaningful and relevant to real life. The DSIB report noted that elementary and middle school students are more likely to be dependent on their teachers than to work independently - an area the school has been asked to address. High school students, by contrast, demonstrate stronger research and innovation skills, and their enrolment in rigorous AP language and literature classes has markedly increased, suggesting growing academic ambition at the senior level. The teaching staff of 171 teachers is predominantly Lebanese and Syrian in nationality, and the school requires fluency in English, Arabic, and French - a demanding standard that reflects the school's trilingual mission. With 4 teaching assistants for a school of 3,329 students, classroom support is lean. The teacher-to-student ratio of approximately 1:19 is on the higher end for a Dubai private school at this price point. Teacher turnover is reported at approximately 8%, which is a relatively stable figure and suggests reasonable staff continuity - an important factor in relationship-based pastoral care. Professional development is ongoing, with the Senior Leadership Team actively monitoring curriculum quality and delivery through a research-based evaluation process.

1:19

Teacher-to-Student Ratio

171 teachers for 3,329 students

Teacher Turnover Rate

Relatively stable; supports pastoral continuity

Very Good

Assessment Quality - All Phases

DSIB Inspection 2023-2024

Leadership & Management

Moussa Chahbaz has served as Principal of Al Mawakeb Al Barsha since February 2017 - a tenure of over eight years that provides genuine continuity and institutional knowledge. The DSIB 2023-2024 inspection rated the effectiveness of leadership as Good, with school self-evaluation and improvement planning also rated Good. The inspection noted that effective leadership is having a positive impact on the school's performance, and that monitoring and evaluation procedures provide an accurate view of the school's strengths and areas for development. The school is operated by AMSI (Academia Management Solution International), a private group that manages three Al Mawakeb campuses in Dubai: Al Barsha (1998), Al Garhoud (1979), and Al Khawaneej (2018). AMSI's long history in Dubai education - spanning over 35 years and more than 250,000 students across its network - provides a degree of operational stability and shared resource that smaller independent schools cannot match. The group maintains centralised curriculum oversight through a Senior Leadership Team that monitors quality, delivery, and performance standards across all campuses. Parent engagement is rated Very Good - the strongest leadership sub-rating - reflecting the school's investment in communication. Parents are described by inspectors as fully involved in the life of the school, appreciating the communication channels and feeling well informed about their children's academic and personal progress. The school operates the iCampus portal and mobile app, providing real-time access to academic data, communications, and school updates. The school also runs a Learn-Online platform for parent and student access to learning materials. Governance is rated Good, but with a notable caveat: the DSIB inspection specifically recommended that the school broaden representation on the board of governors to include all stakeholders. This is a structural gap that the school acknowledges and has been asked to address. Management of staffing, facilities, and resources is also rated Good. The overall leadership profile is of a school that is well-run and improving, led by an experienced principal, but with governance structures that have not yet caught up with the school's growing complexity.

Leadership Details

KHDA Inspection Results (Decoded)

The DSIB inspection of November 2023, published as the 2023-2024 report, awarded Al Mawakeb Al Barsha an overall rating of Good - the seventh consecutive Good rating, following a period of Acceptable ratings from 2008-2009 through 2014-2015. The 2023-2024 report is the most significant in the school's recent history: for the first time, inspectors noted significant improvements in student achievement, driven by improvements in teaching quality and curriculum design. This is not a school stuck at Good - it is a school moving within Good, with genuine upward momentum. The headline academic findings are encouraging. Attainment in English, mathematics, and science is Very Good in KG and High School. Islamic Education attainment is Very Good in Elementary. Mathematics and science progress is Very Good across most phases. These are strong results in the subjects that matter most for university preparation. The weaker signals are in Arabic as an additional language (Acceptable attainment in Middle and High), and in external benchmark assessments, where performance in Grades 4 and 5 lags behind potential - a gap the school is working to close through targeted reading literacy interventions. The Wellbeing rating is Good, and the Inclusion rating is Good. Personal and social development is the school's outstanding achievement: rated Outstanding across all phases, it reflects a school community where students feel safe, valued, and genuinely engaged. The DSIB report noted that students demonstrate exceptional understanding of Islamic values, a strong work ethic, and real entrepreneurial initiative through programs like the Al Mawakeb Research Centre. The three DSIB recommendations are clear: raise Arabic as an additional language attainment, improve external benchmark results, and broaden governance representation. These are not minor tweaks - the Arabic and benchmark gaps are structural challenges that will require sustained curriculum and teaching investment to resolve. Parents choosing this school should go in with clear eyes on these areas.

Outstanding Personal Development

Students across all phases - KG through High - were rated Outstanding for personal development. Inspectors noted exceptional personal responsibility, resilience, mutual respect, and a deep understanding of Islamic values and UAE culture. This is the school's clearest differentiator.

Significant Achievement Improvements

The 2023-2024 DSIB report noted significant improvements in student performance for the first time - a milestone after seven years at Good. Attainment in English, maths, and science is Very Good in KG and High School, driven by improved teaching quality and curriculum design.

Very Good Parent Partnerships

Parents and the community received a Very Good rating - the highest sub-rating in the leadership domain. Parents are fully involved in school life, feel well informed about their children's progress, and value the caring, supportive environment the school provides.

Arabic as an Additional Language

Attainment in Arabic as an additional language remains Acceptable in Middle and High School - the school's most persistent academic weakness. Students' writing and free expression skills are underdeveloped, and the school has been asked to provide more opportunities for practice in everyday contexts.

External Benchmark Performance

The school's results in international assessments (PIRLS, and benchmark tests in Grades 4 and 5) fall short of targets. Reading literacy interventions are in place but are not sufficiently individualised. The school must raise reading scores to at least match chronological age, particularly for Emirati students.

Full Inspection Report

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

Acceptable

2013-2014

Acceptable

2012-2013

Acceptable

Fees & Value for Money

Al Mawakeb School Al Barsha follows the American curriculum and offers annual tuition fees ranging from AED 15,726 for KG1 and KG2 up to AED 25,493 for Grade 12. These fees are competitive within Dubai's American curriculum school landscape and reflect the school's consistent Good KHDA rating maintained over multiple inspection cycles. The school serves students from KG1 through Grade 12, providing a broad educational pathway under one roof.

AED 15,726

Annual Fees From

AED 25,493

Annual Fees To

Year / GradeAnnual Fee

KG1

AED 15,726

KG2

AED 15,726

Grade 1

AED 15,982

Grade 2

AED 16,045

Grade 3

AED 16,457

Grade 4

AED 16,805

Grade 5

AED 17,316

Grade 6

AED 17,502

Grade 7

AED 19,406

Grade 8

AED 19,532

Grade 9

AED 21,246

Grade 10

AED 21,436

Grade 11

AED 23,970

Grade 12

AED 25,493

In addition to tuition, families should budget for Books & Curricular Activities and Other School Gears (including VAT), both listed as optional items. For example, total costs for KG1 including all optional items amount to approximately AED 25,100, while Grade 12 total costs can reach up to AED 46,430 for students opting for the laptop bundle. Students in Grades 9–12 who are new to the school may also opt into a laptop bundle, which adds approximately AED 2,205 to the other school gears cost.

A sibling discount of a flat AED 700 is applied to the second and subsequent siblings enrolled at Al Mawakeb Al Garhoud or Al Mawakeb Al Barsha. This discount applies to tuition fees only. The school's fee structure is transparent and published annually, making it straightforward for families to plan their education expenditure across multiple year groups.

Additional Costs

Books & Curricular Activities – KG18,586.50(annual)

Books & Curricular Activities – KG29,586.50(annual)

Books & Curricular Activities – Grade 112,643.00(annual)

Books & Curricular Activities – Grade 212,880.00(annual)

Books & Curricular Activities – Grade 312,968.00(annual)

Books & Curricular Activities – Grade 412,936.25(annual)

Books & Curricular Activities – Grade 513,125.25(annual)

Books & Curricular Activities – Grade 613,739.25(annual)

Books & Curricular Activities – Grade 713,935.25(annual)

Books & Curricular Activities – Grade 815,709.25(annual)

Books & Curricular Activities – Grade 917,311.50(annual)

Books & Curricular Activities – Grade 1017,581.50(annual)

Books & Curricular Activities – Grade 1116,687.50(annual)

Books & Curricular Activities – Grade 1216,002.00(annual)

Other School Gears (incl. VAT) – KG1 & KG2787.50(annual)

Other School Gears (incl. VAT) – Grades 1–51,575.00(annual)

Other School Gears (incl. VAT) – Grades 6–81,758.75(annual)

Other School Gears (incl. VAT) – Grades 9–111,942.50(annual)

Other School Gears (incl. VAT) – Grade 122,730.00(annual)

Laptop Bundle – Grades 9–11 (Other School Gears with Laptop)4,147.50(annual)

Laptop Bundle – Grade 12 (Other School Gears with Laptop)4,935.00(annual)

Discounts & Concessions

Sibling Discount

Full Fee Structure

The Final Verdict: Who Is This School For?

Al Mawakeb Al Barsha is, at its core, a school built for Arab families - particularly those from Emirati, Lebanese, Syrian, and broader Arab backgrounds - who want a culturally attuned, trilingual, American-pathway education at a price point that does not require a premium-school budget. The school's trilingual program (English, Arabic, French from KG), its integration of UAE Ministry of Education requirements into the American curriculum, its NEASC accreditation, and its Outstanding personal development ratings make it a genuinely distinctive proposition in Al Barsha 2 and the wider Dubai education market. The school is also a credible choice for internationally mobile families who need a US curriculum that will be recognised by universities globally, and who value a school community with strong values, excellent pastoral care, and a genuine commitment to student wellbeing. The consistent Good DSIB rating across seven consecutive inspections, combined with the 2023-2024 report's note of significant improvement, suggests a school that is stable, improving, and led with purpose. However, families should be clear-eyed about the limitations. Arabic as an additional language outcomes are weak at Middle and High level - a real concern for non-Arab families hoping their children will develop genuine Arabic proficiency. External benchmark scores in the middle grades lag behind potential. The counsellor-to-student ratio is stretched. And for families seeking Outstanding-rated academic rigour from KG through Grade 12 - the kind of performance that defines Dubai's top-tier schools - Al Mawakeb Al Barsha is not yet in that bracket. It is a Good school on an upward trajectory, not an Outstanding school.

THE “RIGHT FIT”

Arab and internationally mobile families seeking a trilingual, culturally sensitive American curriculum school with strong pastoral care, NEASC accreditation, and accessible fees in the AED 25,100 to AED 46,430 range - particularly those with children in KG through Grade 8 where teaching quality is strongest.

THE “WRONG FIT”

Families prioritising Outstanding DSIB academic ratings, strong Arabic as an additional language outcomes for non-Arab children, or high-performing external benchmark results; also less suited to families who require an extensive dedicated SEN team given the single guidance counsellor on record.

“

We chose Al Mawakeb because our children could grow up speaking English, Arabic, and French in the same school. The American diploma opens doors globally, and the fees are fair. It is not perfect, but it is the right home for our family.

— High School Parent

Strengths

Outstanding personal development rated across all four school phases by DSIB
Trilingual program in English, Arabic, and French from Kindergarten
NEASC accredited US High School Diploma recognised globally
AP courses and SAT examination centre for US university pathways
Seven consecutive KHDA Good ratings with improving trajectory
Accessible fees from AED 25,100 (KG1) to AED 46,430 (Grade 12 with laptop)
Very Good parent engagement and communication rated by DSIB
Broad extracurricular program including MUN, Scouts, Robotics, and varsity sports

Areas for Improvement

Arabic as an additional language attainment is only Acceptable in Middle and High School
External benchmark scores in Grades 4-5 fall below expected levels
Only one guidance counsellor recorded for 3,329 students
Governance board lacks full stakeholder representation per DSIB recommendation
Teaching quality rated Good (not Very Good) in Elementary and Middle phases