Crescent English School, Dubai
Indian School in Al Qusais 1, Dubai
Last updated
Curriculum
Indian
KHDA
Acceptable
Location
Dubai, Al Qusais 1
Fees
AED 3K - 11K
The Executive Summary
Crescent English School Dubai is one of the emirate's longest-standing Indian curriculum institutions, established in 1984 and now serving over 1,550 students from KG1 through Grade 12 in Al Qusais 1. The school follows the Indian curriculum, providing a structured educational framework designed to prepare students for Indian board examinations while fostering academic and personal development - specifically the CBSE (Central Board of Secondary Education) framework - and positions itself as an affordable, community-rooted option for predominantly Indian expatriate families. Its most recent KHDA rating of Acceptable (2023-2024) reflects a school that has stabilised after years of Weak ratings, with genuine strengths in KG provision, student character development, and pastoral wellbeing - but one that still has meaningful ground to cover before it can be considered a strong academic performer. School fees Dubai parents will find among the most accessible in the city, with annual tuition ranging from approximately AED 4,091 at KG level to AED 10,775 at Grade 12, placing CEHS firmly in the value segment of Dubai private schooling. For families primarily seeking CBSE board exam preparation, cultural continuity, and a nurturing community environment at a genuinely affordable price point, Crescent delivers credibly. For families prioritising elite academic outcomes, bilingual depth, or a pathway to Western universities, the evidence does not yet support choosing CEHS over higher-rated alternatives in the Al Qusais 1 schools landscape.
CBSE KG to Grade 12Acceptable KHDA 2023-24Fees from AED 4,091Est. 1984 Al Qusais
“The school has a very caring atmosphere and the teachers genuinely know my child. For the fees we pay, the level of personal attention and the strong values-based environment is something I have not found elsewhere at this price point in Dubai.”
— Grade 5 Parent(representative)Academic Framework & Learning Style
Crescent English School follows the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) New Delhi curriculum from Grade 1 to Grade 12, with an early years programme for KG students that draws on play-based, child-centred principles. The CBSE framework is well understood by the school's predominantly Indian teaching staff and provides a clear, structured pathway toward the all-important Grade 10 (AISSE) and Grade 12 (AISSCE) board examinations - the primary academic credential for students intending to pursue higher education in India or in Indian-affiliated university programmes globally. The curriculum is described by the school as broad and balanced, incorporating core scholastic subjects alongside co-scholastic activities at every phase. At the Primary level (Grades 1-5), students study English, a second language chosen from Hindi, Tamil, Malayalam, or Urdu, Arabic, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies (UAE), Computer Science, and Islamic Education or Moral Education. Art and Craft, Music, Physical Education, Dance, and a range of club activities complement the academic timetable. The Middle School (Grades 5-8) and Secondary School (Grades 9-10) phases broadly maintain this subject mix, with Indigenous Sports, Yoga, and Work Education added in secondary. At the Higher Secondary level (Grades 11-12), students choose between a Science stream (English, Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Computer Science, Islamic Education, Informatics Practices) and a Commerce stream (English, Economics, Business Studies, Mathematics, Accountancy, Computer Science, Islamic Education, Informatics Practices, Physical Education). This binary choice is a meaningful constraint - students with interests outside these two streams have limited flexibility. The DSIB 2023-2024 inspection found that attainment and progress in English are Good across all phases - KG through Secondary - which is a genuine strength. Islamic Education is also rated Good across all phases where applicable. Mathematics attainment is Good in KG and Primary but drops to Acceptable in Middle and Secondary, suggesting the curriculum's structured approach serves younger learners well but loses momentum in upper phases. Arabic as an Additional Language is rated Weak in Primary, Middle, and Secondary - a persistent and significant gap that the school has not yet resolved. Science attainment is Good in KG but Acceptable across Primary, Middle, and Secondary. The school conducts benchmark assessments including GL and CAT4 assessments, as well as TIMSS, PIRLS, and PISA international tests, though detailed results are not published publicly. The DSIB noted the school's PIRLS score of 946 in the New Group Reading Test placed it in the acceptable range. The school's Career Counselling Cell supports students in Grades 11 and 12 with future aspirations, enterprise skills, and university pathway guidance, though specific university destination data is not published. An inclusion department supports 110 students of determination through Individual Educational Plans (IEPs) and Behavioural Modification Plans (BMPs), with the DSIB rating inclusion provision at Acceptable overall.
Good
English Attainment - All Phases
KG through Secondary - DSIB 2023-24
Good
Islamic Education - All Phases
Primary through Secondary - DSIB 2023-24
Weak
Arabic (Additional Language) Attainment
Primary, Middle and Secondary - DSIB 2023-24
110
Students of Determination
Supported by dedicated Inclusion Department
Extracurricular Activities (ECAs)
Crescent English School offers a range of co-curricular and extracurricular activities that extend well beyond the classroom, and this is an area where the school's community spirit is most visibly expressed. The school's After School Enrichment Programme includes Karate, Music, Aerobics and Dance, Basketball, Football, Volleyball, Cricket, and Hifz al Quran - covering physical, artistic, and spiritual dimensions of student development. Club activities running from Grade 1 through Grade 8 include Literary, Innovation, EEG (Environmental Education Group), Mathematics, Art and Culture, Dance, Music, Art and Craft, and Arabic and Islamic clubs - providing students with a genuine breadth of enrichment options within the school day. The school's Crescent Model United Nations (CMUN) is a standout initiative, with Grade 8 and 9 students engaging in structured debates on global issues, demonstrating diplomacy and collaborative thinking. This is the kind of programme that develops genuine leadership and communication skills, and its presence in a value-segment CBSE school is noteworthy. The school has recorded competitive achievements in inter-school quiz competitions, with students winning the GEMS Modern World Quiz 2019 against over 30 teams from UAE and India, and qualifying among 1,800 teams in the GCC-wide Proud to be Indian contest. Individual student achievements include a Grade 6 student winning First Runner-Up and Best Costume at the Face of AFE Dubai Fashion Season 4, and a Grade 8 student being named Best Player in the Under-14 Girls category at the CBSE Interschool Kho-Kho Tournament in Abu Dhabi. A Grade 9 student secured a Top 10 position in the AI Challenge at GITEX 2024 - a particularly impressive result for a value-segment school. The school also holds the International School Award (ISA) exchange programme, reflecting its commitment to global awareness. The DSIB 2023-2024 report noted that students' personal development is Very Good across all phases, and their social responsibility and innovation skills are Very Good in Secondary - a genuine point of distinction. Community service is embedded through charity donations, group Iftar during Ramadan, and student council involvement. The DSIB recommended expanding innovation and enterprise skills across all phases, suggesting there is room to deepen the enrichment offer further.
Very Good
Personal Development - All Phases
DSIB 2023-24 - a consistent strength across KG to Secondary
Crescent Model UN (CMUN)International School AwardGITEX AI Challenge Top 10CBSE Interschool SportsHifz al Quran Programme
Pastoral Care & Well-being
Pastoral care is arguably the most compelling aspect of Crescent English School's offer, and it is here that the school most clearly punches above its KHDA rating. The DSIB 2023-2024 inspection rated the overall quality of wellbeing provision and outcome as Good - a rating above the school's overall Acceptable grade - reflecting genuine institutional commitment to student welfare. Inspectors noted that wellbeing is a priority that underpins the school's ethos, climate, and culture, with leaders and teachers modelling good wellbeing practice. Wellbeing policies are described as comprehensive and effectively applied. A skilled and experienced counsellor leads the wellbeing team, supporting students and adults experiencing welfare issues - a meaningful resource for a school of this fee level. Wellbeing data is gathered through surveys and feedback from teachers and support assistants in classrooms, with provision constantly monitored. Students play an active role in the school's wellbeing culture. Worry boxes in every classroom and a functioning student council provide structured channels for students to raise concerns and contribute to the school's emotional climate. Students organise, stage, and present themed assemblies and events that lead to measurable improvements in wellbeing - this is student agency in practice, not just on paper. The DSIB noted that students and their parents feel a sense of belonging to the school and consider it an extension of their own families, leading to high levels of positivity. Student behaviour across the school is described as exemplary - students are self-disciplined, courteous, and well-mannered, showing genuine empathy towards others. The school's health and safety provision is rated Very Good in KG and Good across all other phases. Safeguarding and child protection arrangements are well-maintained. One area flagged for development is the need to enhance subject and alternative education programme choices for students of determination in secondary education to better support their wellbeing - a specific and actionable recommendation from the DSIB. The school's motto - students join as Crescent and leave as Full Moon - captures a genuine institutional belief in individual growth that appears to be lived out in the pastoral culture, even where academic results remain a work in progress.
“The teachers and counsellor really look after the children here. When my son was going through a difficult time, the school reached out to us before we even had a chance to contact them. That kind of care is rare and it means everything.”
— Grade 7 Parent(representative)Campus & Facilities
Crescent English School occupies a purpose-built campus in Al Qusais 1, one of Dubai's established residential and commercial districts located in the Deira-adjacent zone of the city. The campus is described by the school as modern and well-maintained, providing a secure and functional learning environment. The DSIB inspection confirmed that resources and facilities are well-maintained and provide a secure learning environment - a baseline that is not always guaranteed in the value segment of Dubai private schooling. Key facilities documented by the school include a dedicated KG play area and KG activity room, a library, science laboratories, an ICT lab, art and music rooms, an interactive Mathematics lab, and an Islamic room. A notable facility is the 520-seat auditorium - a substantial performance and assembly space that supports the school's active co-curricular programme including drama, cultural events, and the annual graduation ceremonies. A Student of Determination Centre provides specialist space for inclusion support. Outdoor provision includes a multi-use outdoor hall and a playing field used for football, with the multipurpose hall doubling as a basketball and volleyball court. A canteen serves the student community. Transport facilities are available, providing school bus services for families in the surrounding areas. The campus location in Al Qusais 1 is practical for families living in Al Qusais, Al Nahda, Muhaisnah, and the broader Deira-Sharjah corridor - areas with a high concentration of Indian expatriate families. Commute considerations are favourable for this demographic. The school does not publish detailed campus size data, and the facilities, while adequate for the fee level, do not include a swimming pool or dedicated sixth-form spaces - facilities that parents moving from higher-fee schools may notice. The school's homepage references technology integration with the tagline 'Where Technology Meets Possibility', and ICT labs and smartboard use are referenced in curriculum delivery, though the DSIB noted that technology use for student assessment sometimes limits challenge rather than enhancing it.
520
Seat Auditorium Capacity
Supports cultural events, drama, and graduation ceremonies
Well-maintained
DSIB Facilities Assessment
Confirmed as providing a secure learning environment - DSIB 2023-24
520-Seat AuditoriumInteractive Maths LabKG Dedicated Play AreaStudent of Determination CentreScience & ICT LabsSchool Transport Available
Teaching & Learning Quality
The quality of teaching at Crescent English School is a mixed picture that the DSIB 2023-2024 inspection captured with some precision. Teaching for effective learning is rated Good in KG but drops to Acceptable in Primary, Middle, and Secondary - a pattern that reflects a school where the early years provision is the most pedagogically developed, but where quality becomes less consistent as students move through the phases. Assessment follows the same pattern: Good in KG, Acceptable elsewhere. The DSIB found that most teachers demonstrate secure subject knowledge, with particular strengths in KG, Islamic Education, and English. Teachers plan purposeful lessons and manage resources, including technology, to support learning. However, questioning does not always extend higher-attaining students or clarify misconceptions, and the pace of learning does not always match individual students' needs. A persistent concern flagged by inspectors is that teaching in Middle and Secondary is often too teacher-led, with insufficient open-ended questioning and critical thinking tasks. The use of directed improvement time and success criteria is improving and more frequently observed, but differentiated tasks - while planned - vary in quality of implementation across subjects. The school's teacher-to-student ratio of 1:17 (88 teachers serving 1,555 students, with 6 teaching assistants) is on the higher side for Dubai private schools, which inevitably affects the personalisation of learning. The DSIB noted that assessment data is evaluated efficiently in most cases, allowing teachers to target learning towards benchmark test skills, but that the tracking of individual student progress is inconsistent. The school has invested in professional development, and the DSIB acknowledged that professional training of teachers is improving, leading to stronger student outcomes - particularly visible in the KG and Primary improvements. Teacher turnover has historically been a challenge at approximately 20%, though the current principal has provided continuity since 2019 and the DSIB's most recent report does not quantify turnover specifically. The use of critical thinking corners in Primary is a positive development flagged by inspectors, contributing to improved higher-order thinking in English and Mathematics at that level.
1:17
Teacher-to-Student Ratio
88 teachers, 1,555 students - higher than Dubai average
Good
Teaching Quality in KG
Drops to Acceptable in Primary, Middle and Secondary - DSIB 2023-24
~20%
Historical Teacher Turnover Rate
A historical challenge; current principal has served since April 2019
Leadership & Management
Crescent English School is led by Dr. Sharafudeen Thanikatt, who was appointed as Principal in April 2019 and has provided meaningful continuity at a school that previously struggled with both leadership stability and inspection ratings. His tenure has coincided with the school maintaining its Acceptable rating across four consecutive DSIB inspection cycles, following six consecutive Weak ratings - a stabilisation that should not be underestimated. The school was founded by educationist and social worker Al-Haj N. Jamaludin, who serves as Chairman and whose philosophy - that a school is a place where the Crescent grows into a Full Moon - permeates the institution's culture and branding. The DSIB 2023-2024 inspection rated the effectiveness of leadership as Acceptable, with school self-evaluation and improvement planning also at Acceptable, and governance at Acceptable. Parents and the community received a Good rating, reflecting the school's strongest leadership asset: its relationship with its parent community. The DSIB noted that governors and leaders provide a clear direction for the school's work and are committed to raising standards, and that middle leaders demonstrate a growing capacity to improve the school. However, the inspection also identified that middle leadership effectiveness needs strengthening - specifically in raising attainment in Arabic, ensuring appropriate challenge in all lessons, developing higher-order thinking opportunities, and embedding consistent assessment practices. Management, staffing, facilities, and resources received a Good rating, indicating that the operational running of the school is sound. Parent communication is active, with regular updates about school life and student progress. A pro-active parents council supports the school, with members volunteering in classrooms and supporting technology donations. Secondary students have representation on the governing board - a genuine student voice mechanism. The school publishes a student newsletter called Crescent Talk (now in its fourth edition for 2025-26), reflecting an active communication culture. The school is approved by the Ministry of Education, Dubai, and accredited by CBSE New Delhi.
KHDA Inspection Results (Decoded)
The DSIB inspected Crescent English School in October 2023, publishing its findings as the 2023-2024 inspection report. The school received an overall rating of Acceptable - its fourth consecutive Acceptable rating, following six consecutive Weak ratings from 2012-13 through 2017-18, and a return to Acceptable in 2018-19. This trajectory tells an important story: the school has stabilised and is no longer declining, but it has not yet achieved the Good rating that KHDA sets as its minimum aspiration for Dubai private schools. The Acceptable rating is, in plain terms, the floor - not a ceiling to be celebrated. What the inspection reveals in detail is a school of genuine contrasts. KG is the standout phase: teaching, assessment, curriculum design, health and safety, and student learning skills are all rated Good or Very Good in the early years. Personal development and understanding of Islamic values and Emirati culture are rated Very Good across all four phases - this is the school's most consistent and impressive result. The wellbeing domain received a Good rating overall, above the school's headline grade. The inspection's National Agenda Parameter assessment - covering international benchmark achievement in reading literacy (PIRLS, TIMSS, PISA) - was rated Acceptable, with the school's NGRT score of 946 placing it in the acceptable range. Inspectors noted that interventions to improve reading literacy are not consistently monitored and have not had sufficient impact. The key recommendations from the DSIB focus on middle leadership effectiveness: raising Arabic attainment, ensuring appropriate challenge for all student groups in lessons, providing regular opportunities for higher-order thinking and innovation, and embedding consistent assessment practices across all subjects. These are structural issues that require sustained leadership attention rather than quick fixes.
KG Provision is a Genuine Strength
The Kindergarten phase achieves Good ratings across teaching, assessment, curriculum design, and student learning skills. Children's secure learning and curriculum provision in KG is explicitly listed as a school highlight by DSIB inspectors.
Exemplary Student Character and Values
Personal development and understanding of Islamic values and Emirati and world cultures are rated Very Good across all four phases - KG, Primary, Middle, and Secondary. Student behaviour is described as exemplary, with students demonstrating courtesy, respect, and self-reliance.
Wellbeing Provision Above School Average
The overall wellbeing rating of Good exceeds the school's headline Acceptable grade. DSIB inspectors found wellbeing is a genuine institutional priority, with comprehensive policies, an experienced counsellor, student-led wellbeing monitoring, and strong parent-school belonging.
Arabic Language Performance Remains Weak
Arabic as an Additional Language is rated Weak for attainment in Primary, Middle, and Secondary, and Weak for progress in Middle and Secondary. Inspectors recommend improving the learning environment, providing more opportunities for Arabic use in different contexts, and making systematic use of student notebooks to track progress. This is a persistent multi-year weakness.
Inconsistent Challenge and Assessment in Upper Phases
Teaching in Middle and Secondary is often too teacher-led, with insufficient open-ended questioning and critical thinking tasks. Assessment tracking of individual student progress is inconsistent, and the interpretation of assessment data is not consistently applied within lessons or evident in marking. Middle leadership must drive improvement in these areas.
Inspection History
2023-2024
Acceptable
2022-2023
Acceptable
2019-2020
Acceptable
2018-2019
Acceptable
2017-2018
Weak
2016-2017
Weak
2015-2016
Weak
2014-2015
Weak
2013-2014
Weak
2012-2013
Weak
2011-2012
Acceptable
2010-2011
Acceptable
2009-2010
Acceptable
Fees & Value for Money
Crescent English School offers a competitive fee structure for the 2025–2026 academic year, ranging from AED 3,628 per year for Grade 1 and Grade 2 (inclusive of mandatory fees) up to AED 10,775 per year for Grade 12. The school follows the Indian (CBSE) curriculum and is rated Acceptable by KHDA, positioning it as an affordable option for Indian curriculum education in Dubai's Al Qusais area. Fees are structured as a combination of a tuition fee component and a mandatory fee component, with the total yearly school fee representing the sum of both.
AED 3,628
Annual Fees From
AED 10,775
Annual Fees To
Year / GradeAnnual Fee
KG 1
AED 4,091KG 2
AED 4,091Grade 1
AED 3,628Grade 2
AED 3,628Grade 3
AED 3,795Grade 4
AED 3,795Grade 5
AED 3,961Grade 6
AED 3,961Grade 7
AED 4,173Grade 8
AED 4,173Grade 9
AED 4,523Grade 10
AED 4,923Grade 11
AED 8,085Grade 12
AED 10,775The school collects fees on a term-wise basis across three terms: the 1st Term (April–June), 2nd Term (September–December), and 3rd Term (January–March). Monthly fee equivalents range from AED 363 per month at Grade 1–2 level to AED 1,078 per month at Grade 12. This termly payment structure provides families with manageable installment options rather than requiring full upfront annual payment.
Additional mandatory fees apply for board examinations and CBSE registration for students in Grades 9, 10, 11, and 12, with due dates set for 1st January 2026. Specific amounts for these exam-related fees were not published at the time of extraction. Overall, Crescent English School represents one of the more affordable Indian curriculum schools in Dubai, making it accessible to a broad range of families seeking quality CBSE education.
Additional Costs
Board Exam Fee – Grade 10(per-exam)
Board Exam Fee – Grade 12(per-exam)
CBSE Registration – Grades 9 & 11(one-time)
The Final Verdict: Who Is This School For?
Crescent English School is a school in genuine, if gradual, improvement. The journey from six consecutive Weak ratings to four consecutive Acceptable ratings under the current principal is real progress - and the school's strengths in pastoral care, student character development, and KG provision give it a credible identity. The Best Schools Award at the 10th India Middle East Education Grand Awards 2024 is a recognition worth noting. For the right family, this is a school that delivers meaningful value: a complete CBSE pathway from KG to Grade 12, a caring and culturally familiar community, and school fees that are among the most accessible in Dubai's regulated private school sector. The honest assessment, however, is that CEHS is not yet a school for families prioritising academic excellence or depth of subject choice. Arabic provision is weak, teaching in upper phases is inconsistently challenging, and the binary Science-Commerce choice at Grade 11-12 limits options for students with broader interests. Families comparing schools should understand that the Acceptable rating reflects the minimum standard KHDA expects - not a badge of distinction. The school's trajectory is upward, but the pace of improvement matters for families making a multi-year commitment.
THE “RIGHT FIT”
Families of Indian nationality seeking an affordable, culturally familiar CBSE education in Al Qusais or the broader Deira-Sharjah corridor, particularly those prioritising a nurturing community environment, strong values formation, and CBSE board exam preparation over elite academic outcomes.
THE “WRONG FIT”
Families seeking a Good or Outstanding-rated school, those prioritising strong Arabic language development, students who may benefit from a wider subject choice at senior level, or parents whose primary criterion is verified academic results data and university destination transparency.
“
We chose Crescent because it felt like a community, not just a school. The fees are honest, the teachers know our children, and the values they are learning here - respect, responsibility, resilience - are things we cannot put a price on.
— Grade 10 Parent
Strengths
- Among the most affordable CBSE school fees in Dubai's regulated sector
- Complete KG1 to Grade 12 CBSE pathway on a single campus
- Wellbeing provision rated Good - above the school's overall grade
- Student personal development rated Very Good across all phases
- KG provision is strong with Good ratings across teaching and curriculum
- Established community with active parent council and strong belonging culture
- Winner of Best Schools Award at India Middle East Education Grand Awards 2024
- Stable leadership since 2019 with consistent improvement trajectory
Areas for Improvement
- Overall KHDA rating is Acceptable - the minimum standard, not a mark of distinction
- Arabic as an Additional Language is rated Weak across Primary, Middle, and Secondary
- Teaching in Middle and Secondary phases is often too teacher-led with insufficient challenge
- Limited subject choice at Grade 11-12: only Science or Commerce streams available
- Academic results data and university destination information are not publicly published