Amity School, Dubai
Indian School in Al Qusais 1, Dubai
Last updated
Curriculum
Indian
KHDA
Good
Location
Dubai, Al Qusais 1
Fees
AED 17K - 33K
The Executive Summary
Amity School Dubai is one of the more compelling mid-range CBSE options among Al Qusais 1 schools, offering an Indian curriculum in Dubai that goes meaningfully beyond the textbook. Established in 2017 and rated Good by KHDA in its 2023-2024 inspection, the school has demonstrated a clear upward trajectory - moving from an Acceptable rating in 2019-2020 to consecutive Good ratings, with several sub-domains touching Very Good. With school fees Dubai parents will find genuinely accessible - ranging from AED 16,696 to AED 33,394 annually - Amity positions itself as a value-driven choice for Indian-diaspora families who want rigorous CBSE preparation combined with meaningful co-curricular breadth. The school's integration of STEAM, AI electives, and technology-infused learning into the CBSE framework is its most distinctive differentiator, and the 2025 FIRST Global Challenge Gold win - achieved by a Grade 12 student representing Team UAE after winning the UAE National Robotics Championship among 190-plus countries - is a concrete proof point of what this culture can produce.
KHDA Good Rated 2023-24CBSE with STEAM IntegrationAI Electives from Grade 6FIRST Global Challenge Gold 2025
“It is an Indian curriculum school with teaching practices drawn from IB and British curricula. The parent engagement is also very strong, and the school communicates regularly through its own app which is very convenient.”
— KG ParentAcademic Framework & Learning Style
Amity School Dubai follows the CBSE (Central Board of Secondary Education) curriculum from KG through to Grade 12, with pre-KG students following an EYFS framework enriched with Reggio Emilia and Montessori principles. The Indian curriculum follows a structured and rigorous approach to education, focusing on academic excellence and holistic development - and at Amity, this is overlaid with a deliberate technology integration strategy that sets it apart from many peer CBSE schools in Dubai. The school describes its approach as mastery-based and personalised learning, with technology infused into core subjects rather than taught in isolation. This is not merely aspirational language: students in Grades 6, 7, and 8 can elect Artificial Intelligence as a standalone skill-based subject, a provision that is uncommon in the CBSE sector in the UAE.
In terms of academic performance, the 2023-2024 DSIB inspection found attainment and progress to be Good across Mathematics in all phases - KG, Primary, Middle and Secondary - with the majority of learners performing above curriculum expectations in external benchmark assessments. English attainment is a standout strength, rated Very Good in KG, Middle and Secondary, with students demonstrating above-curriculum levels in listening, reading and increasingly in analytical writing. Science attainment reaches Very Good in Middle and Secondary, where specialist teachers systematically develop investigative skills through inquiry-based lessons. The school's PIRLS results placed it significantly above the international centre-point, and ASSET benchmark outcomes are rated at or close to Outstanding across phases. Arabic as an Additional Language remains a relative weakness, with attainment rated Acceptable in Middle and Secondary - a pattern common in CBSE schools serving predominantly Indian-national student bodies.
For senior students, the school offers three distinct streams - Commerce, Science, and Humanities - with a broad subject option table that includes Economics, Fine Arts, Computer Science, Informatics Practices, Legal Studies, Entrepreneurship, Music, and Physical Education. The inclusion of a Humanities stream is notable: many CBSE schools in the UAE default to Commerce and Science only. The school's curriculum planning for Grades 11 and 12 reflects genuine breadth of ambition. Inclusion provision is rated Good by DSIB, with 78 students of determination currently supported. The school does not charge additional fees for SEND provision, and operates a push-in and pull-out support model led by a Head of Inclusion. Five students are identified as Gifted and Talented, and eleven receive English Language Learner support.
Very Good
English Attainment - KG, Middle & Secondary
DSIB Inspection 2023-2024
Very Good
Science Attainment - Middle & Secondary
DSIB Inspection 2023-2024
Good
Mathematics - All Phases
Attainment and Progress, DSIB 2023-2024
78
Students of Determination Supported
No additional fees charged for SEND provision
Extracurricular Activities (ECAs)
Amity School Dubai brands itself as a "Change Maker School", and the extracurricular programme is where this identity is most visibly enacted. The school offers a structured Rhythm of the Day (ROD) that deliberately balances scholastic and co-scholastic activities, ensuring that enrichment is not an afterthought bolted onto the school day but a planned component of each student's experience.
On the STEAM and innovation front, the school's achievements are its most compelling selling point. Zayna Khan from Grade 12 represented Team UAE at the FIRST Global Challenge 2025, having first won the UAE National Robotics Championship. Competing against teams from over 190 countries, the UAE team earned Gold - a genuinely remarkable outcome for a mid-range CBSE school and evidence that the school's innovation culture produces real results at the highest competitive level. Students have also participated in workshops on Satellite Remote Sensing at Amity University Dubai, organised by Space Xplore, gaining exposure to space science and emerging technologies.
Beyond STEAM, the school offers outdoor and adventure education through experiences such as the Hatta Trek, in which students from Grades 6-9 and 11 participated in a one-day trek building resilience and teamwork. A Twilight Adventure Camp has also been documented as a school-wide enrichment event. The performing arts dimension is active: Grade 1 students have delivered public assemblies on themes of friendship, teamwork, and digital citizenship, demonstrating performance confidence from the earliest years. Music, Fine Arts, Dance, and Performing Arts are embedded in the Middle School programme as co-scholastic subjects.
Community and leadership opportunities include a student council, prefect system, and wellbeing ambassadors, with students leading house competitions and visits to places of interest. The school's sustainability agenda gives students roles in recycling projects and environmental stewardship. The School Research Workshop - a two-day programme run in partnership with Amity University's Research Committee - offers senior students hands-on experience in data analysis, scientific research writing, and real-world engineering applications, providing a genuine bridge between school and university-level inquiry.
190+
Countries Competed Against - FIRST Global Challenge 2025
UAE team earned Gold; Amity student Zayna Khan represented Team UAE
FIRST Global Challenge Gold 2025Hatta Trek ExpeditionsRobotics & InnovationStudent Council & PrefectsUniversity Research Workshops
Pastoral Care & Well-being
The DSIB inspection rated the quality of wellbeing provision and outcomes as Good in 2023-2024, and the evidence behind that rating is substantive. The school's leadership has embedded wellbeing into its institutional ethos rather than treating it as a compliance requirement. Wellbeing is described in the inspection report as central to all school policies, and the school surveys stakeholders on a regular basis - with a recent parent survey indicating a very high level of satisfaction.
Students' personal development is rated Outstanding across all phases - KG, Primary, Middle and Secondary - which is the highest possible DSIB rating and reflects exemplary behaviour, self-discipline, and mutual respect throughout the school community. Students have very positive attitudes to school, behaviour is described as exemplary in lessons and around the school, and relationships between students and staff are consistently respectful. The inspection notes that students feel safe, valued, and supported - a finding that should carry significant weight for parents making school selection decisions.
The school has one dedicated guidance counsellor serving 1,311 students - a ratio that is common in CBSE schools but is a constraint worth noting for families with children who may need more intensive pastoral support. Students know how to seek help and approach trusted adults, and the counsellor's support is appreciated by students. The school also has a dedicated school nurse reachable via direct contact, and a Health and Safety Officer. Health and safety, including child protection and safeguarding, is rated Outstanding across all phases - the strongest possible DSIB finding in this domain. The school offers additional physical activities before and after school at no extra cost, and students demonstrate responsible online behaviour and adherence to cyber safety protocols. The DSIB's one development recommendation in this area is to increase opportunities for students to propose their own wellbeing initiatives - a minor but meaningful gap in student agency.
“Kindergarten students have activities like swimming, music, and yoga as part of their curriculum. The infrastructure is good and the school communicates and updates via their own app, which is very convenient.”
— KG ParentCampus & Facilities
Amity School Dubai is located in the Al Qusais School Zone - a dedicated educational precinct in Al Qusais 1 that clusters several schools together, making it a familiar and established destination for families in the surrounding residential communities of Al Qusais, Al Nahda, and Muhaisnah. The campus is purpose-built for school use within this zone, and while the school does not publish precise square footage figures, the facility inventory is notably comprehensive for a mid-fee CBSE institution.
Classrooms are designed with bright colour schemes and large windows to maximise natural light, and each classroom is equipped with a smartboard. The Kindergarten foyer features skylights that create a spacious, welcoming environment for the youngest learners. Dedicated specialist spaces include ICT rooms, an Art studio, a Music room, and a STEM lab - the latter supporting the school's explicit technology-integration strategy. Well-equipped science laboratories support the CBSE examination requirements for Middle and Secondary students.
A learner's swimming pool is available for Physical Education, with a swimming coach and lifeguard on duty at all times - a facility that is not universal among CBSE schools at this fee level. Spacious playgrounds provide space for recreational activity and competitive sports. The secondary campus includes a FIFA-size football pitch, a sports hall, and a canteen facility. The school library holds resources in six languages - English, Arabic, Hindi, French, Malayalam, and Tamil - reflecting the linguistic diversity of the student body.
On the technology infrastructure side, the school has invested in Dubai Municipality-installed air quality monitoring equipment within the Al Qusais School Zone, and has implemented an internal energy savings plan focusing on power and air conditioning efficiency. These environmental investments reflect the school's stated sustainability agenda. The campus location in Al Qusais 1 offers reasonable access from Deira, Al Nahda, and parts of Sharjah, though families in more distant communities such as Dubai Marina or Jumeirah should factor commute time into their decision.
6
Languages in School Library
English, Arabic, Hindi, French, Malayalam, Tamil
FIFA-Size
Football Pitch Available to Secondary Students
Plus sports hall and canteen
Smartboards in Every ClassroomSwimming Pool On-SiteFIFA-Size Football PitchSTEM LabLibrary in 6 LanguagesAir Quality Monitoring
Teaching & Learning Quality
The DSIB inspection rated teaching for effective learning as Good across all phases in 2023-2024 - a consistent finding that reflects a stable, competent teaching body but also signals that the school has not yet broken through to Very Good or Outstanding in this domain. The inspection notes that teachers know their subjects well and convey knowledge clearly and confidently. In KG, teachers demonstrate thorough understanding of how young children learn and have created stimulating environments accordingly. In Middle and Secondary, teachers set high expectations and routinely encourage students to question and challenge their own thinking.
The school employs 77 teachers and 30 teaching assistants for 1,311 students. A basic calculation yields a teacher-to-student ratio of approximately 1:17 - reasonable for a CBSE school, though class sizes average 25 in KG and 30 in the remainder of the school. The majority of teachers are Indian nationals, with a diverse support staff including Filipino, Algerian, Cameroonian, Egyptian, Sudanese, Pakistani, Sri Lankan, and Emirati colleagues. Teacher turnover has been a historical concern: the 2022-2023 inspection period followed a phase of significant leadership and staffing change, with turnover previously as high as 45%. The most recent inspection data indicates that this instability has been addressed, with the school now benefiting from a more settled staff body that is producing improved student outcomes.
The inspection identifies areas where teaching quality is not yet fully consistent: not all learning activities are matched to the different abilities of learners in each class, and the level and depth of feedback to students is variable. Students do not always respond to teacher comments, and repeat errors are noted. The school uses learning technologies creatively in the more effective lessons, and assessment systems provide comprehensive data on student progress - though the inspection recommends that full use of this data to inform teaching adaptation is not yet universal. Professional development is supported through partnerships with Amity University, including staff involvement in research workshops and training on NGRT benchmarking assessments for reading literacy.
1:17
Teacher-to-Student Ratio (calculated)
77 teachers, 30 TAs for 1,311 students
30
Teaching Assistants
Supporting 77 qualified teachers across all phases
Good
Teaching for Effective Learning - All Phases
DSIB Inspection 2023-2024
Leadership & Management
The school's principal is Sangita Chima, who has been in post since January 2019 according to KHDA inspection records. The KHDA official profile also references Kapil Chaudhary as principal - and school social media posts reference Principal Kapil in the context of the Amity University Research Workshop collaboration. Parents should confirm current leadership directly with the school, as the DSIB report (the authoritative regulatory source) names Sangita Chima as principal at the time of the October 2023 inspection.
The DSIB inspection rated the effectiveness of leadership as Very Good - one rating above the school's overall Good classification - and rated governance, parents and community engagement, and management of staffing, facilities and resources all at Very Good. This is a meaningful finding: it suggests that the school's leadership quality is outpacing its current overall rating, which is a positive signal for the school's trajectory. The inspection notes that the principal and senior leaders have a clear vision for the future of the school, strongly supported by key stakeholders, and have been successful in building a positive school community with a common sense of purpose.
Amity School Dubai is part of the Amity Education Group, a global education organisation with institutions spanning India, the UK, Singapore, New York, California, Mauritius, China, Romania, and the UAE. In the UAE, the group operates Amity University Dubai, Amity International School Abu Dhabi, the Amity Early Learning Centre in Emirates Hills, and a sister school in Sharjah. This group affiliation provides access to shared resources, research partnerships, and professional development infrastructure that a standalone school of this size could not replicate independently.
Parent communication is conducted via the school's own dedicated app, which parents have noted positively for its convenience and timeliness. The inspection confirms that parents are regularly engaged and receive pertinent information about their children's learning and development. The school's reporting strategies are noted as accurately reflecting student achievements and areas for improvement. The one leadership weakness identified by DSIB is that self-evaluation arrangements are not yet rigorous enough - governors do not exercise sufficient oversight of the self-evaluation process, which means the school's internal picture of its own strengths and weaknesses may not be fully accurate.
KHDA Inspection Results (Decoded)
Amity School Dubai's most recent DSIB inspection took place in October 2023, resulting in an overall Good rating for 2023-2024. This represents the school's second consecutive Good rating, having also achieved Good in 2022-2023 - a significant improvement from the Acceptable rating recorded in the school's first inspection in 2019-2020. The direction of travel is clearly positive, and several sub-domain ratings now sit at Very Good, suggesting that an upgrade to Very Good overall is a realistic medium-term prospect if the school addresses its key recommendations.
Attainment and progress in English stand out as the school's strongest academic domain, rated Very Good in KG, Middle, and Secondary. Science attainment in Middle and Secondary is also Very Good. Mathematics is consistently Good across all phases. Islamic Education has shown notable improvement - now rated at least Good in all phases for progress, having previously been weaker. Arabic as an Additional Language remains the most persistent underperformer, with attainment and progress both rated Acceptable in Middle and Secondary. The inspection attributes this partly to unreliable internal assessment data and traditional, low-expectation teaching in some lessons.
Personal development is Outstanding across all four phases - KG, Primary, Middle, and Secondary - the highest rating in the entire inspection framework. Health and safety, including child protection and safeguarding, is also rated Outstanding across all phases. These two Outstanding ratings are significant: they indicate that the school's pastoral and safeguarding culture is genuinely exceptional, even where academic ratings have room to grow.
The inspection's National Agenda Parameter assessment found overall standards to be Very Good, with PIRLS results placing the school significantly above the international centre-point. ASSET benchmark outcomes are at or close to Outstanding across phases. The school's wellbeing provision is rated Good, with the recommendation to give students more agency in proposing their own wellbeing initiatives.
Outstanding Personal Development
Students demonstrate exemplary behaviour, self-discipline, and mutual respect across all phases. Personal development is rated Outstanding in KG, Primary, Middle, and Secondary - the highest possible DSIB rating.
Outstanding Health, Safety & Safeguarding
Child protection, safeguarding procedures, and health and safety arrangements are rated Outstanding across all phases - a finding that should give parents significant reassurance about the school's duty of care.
Very Good English & Improving Science
English attainment is Very Good in KG, Middle, and Secondary. Science attainment reaches Very Good in Middle and Secondary, with specialist teachers systematically developing investigative skills through inquiry-based learning.
Arabic Language Performance
Attainment and progress in Arabic as an Additional Language remain Acceptable in Middle and Secondary. The inspection identified unreliable internal assessment data, underdeveloped conversational skills, and inconsistent teaching quality as root causes. This is a known sector-wide challenge for CBSE schools but requires targeted intervention.
Self-Evaluation Rigour
Governance oversight of the self-evaluation process is not yet sufficiently rigorous. Full use of assessment data to inform teaching, learning, and curriculum adaptation is not consistently achieved. Leaders need a more accurate internal picture of strengths and improvement areas to accelerate progress to Very Good overall.
Inspection History
2023-2024
Good
2022-2023
Good
2019-2020
Acceptable
Fees & Value for Money
Amity School Dubai offers a CBSE (Indian) curriculum from Pre-KG through Grade 12, with annual tuition fees ranging from AED 16,696 for Pre-KG and KG 1 up to AED 33,394 for Grades 11 and 12. All fees are KHDA-approved, ensuring transparency and regulatory compliance. The school has consistently received a Good overall rating from DSIB, most recently in 2023–2024, reflecting strong value relative to its fee positioning within the Indian curriculum segment in Dubai.
AED 16,696
Annual Fees From
AED 33,394
Annual Fees To
Year / GradeAnnual Fee
Pre-KG
AED 16,696KG 1
AED 16,696KG 2
AED 17,810Grade 1
AED 20,036Grade 2
AED 22,262Grade 3
AED 25,602Grade 4
AED 25,602Grade 5
AED 28,942Grade 6
AED 28,942Grade 7
AED 31,168Grade 8
AED 31,168Grade 9
AED 32,280Grade 10
AED 32,280Grade 11
AED 33,394Grade 12
AED 33,394Fees increase progressively across year groups, with notable steps at Grade 1 (AED 20,036), Grade 3 (AED 25,602), Grade 5 (AED 28,942), Grade 7 (AED 31,168), and Grade 9 onwards (AED 32,280–33,394). A one-time non-refundable application fee of AED 500 is payable upon submission of an application. Parents are encouraged to download individual Fee Fact Sheets for each grade from the school website for a full breakdown of what is included.
Payment can be made via cash, cheque, bank transfer, credit card, or Skiply. The school follows the KHDA Schools Fees Framework for its refund policy, with deductions based on the duration of enrolment. For fee-related queries, parents may contact the Accounts department directly at cashier@amitydubai.ae or by calling +971 4 204 1008.
Additional Costs
Application Fee500(one-time)
The Final Verdict: Who Is This School For?
Amity School Dubai is a school in genuine forward motion. From an Acceptable start in 2019-2020 to consecutive Good ratings with multiple Very Good sub-domains, the school has demonstrated that its leadership changes and curriculum investments are translating into measurable improvements. The FIRST Global Challenge Gold in 2025 is not a marketing claim - it is a concrete outcome of a school that takes innovation seriously. The fee structure is among the most accessible for a KHDA-rated school in Dubai, and the pastoral culture - with Outstanding ratings for personal development and safeguarding - gives parents strong grounds for confidence in the school's duty of care.
The honest caveats are these: Arabic language performance remains a structural weakness, as it does in most CBSE schools serving predominantly Indian-national communities. Teaching consistency across all phases has not yet reached Very Good. The single guidance counsellor for over 1,300 students is a resource constraint. And families expecting the breadth of facilities of a premium British curriculum school will need to calibrate their expectations - this is a well-equipped but not lavishly resourced campus. For the right family, however, Amity School Dubai offers exceptional value and a school culture that is genuinely improving.
THE “RIGHT FIT”
Indian-diaspora families seeking rigorous CBSE preparation with meaningful STEAM and technology integration at accessible fees (AED 16,696-33,394), who value a strong pastoral culture, Outstanding safeguarding, and a school with upward momentum in Al Qusais 1.
THE “WRONG FIT”
Families seeking a British or IB curriculum, premium campus facilities, a broad multilingual Arabic programme, or a school with Very Good or Outstanding overall KHDA ratings; also not ideal for families based in South or West Dubai for whom the Al Qusais location represents a significant daily commute.
“
The school has a strong sense of community and the teachers genuinely know the children. The innovation programme - especially the robotics - is something you would not expect at this fee level.
— Grade 8 Parent
Strengths
- Outstanding DSIB rating for personal development and safeguarding across all phases
- Very Good English attainment in KG, Middle, and Secondary
- FIRST Global Challenge Gold 2025 - evidence of genuine innovation culture
- AI electives available from Grade 6 - uncommon in CBSE sector
- Accessible fees: AED 16,696-33,394 with KHDA approval
- Swimming pool, FIFA-size football pitch, and STEM lab on campus
- Three senior streams: Commerce, Science, and Humanities
- Very Good leadership and governance ratings - school is on an upward trajectory
Areas for Improvement
- Arabic as an Additional Language rated Acceptable in Middle and Secondary - a persistent gap
- Teaching consistency has not yet reached Very Good across all phases
- Only one guidance counsellor for 1,311 students - a resource constraint
- Self-evaluation rigour flagged by DSIB as needing improvement
- Al Qusais 1 location may be inconvenient for families in South or West Dubai