Delhi Private School - dubaiIndian School in The Gardens، Dubai
Curriculum
Indian
KHDA
Very Good
Location
Dubai, The Gardens
Fees
AED 11K - 16K
Delhi Private School - dubai
The Executive Summary
Delhi Private School Dubai is one of the most established and highly regarded Indian curriculum schools in Dubai, having served The Gardens community since 2003. Rated Very Good by KHDA in its 2023-2024 inspection - a rating it has held consistently since 2015-2016 - DPS Dubai follows the Indian curriculum (CBSE), offering a comprehensive education system aligned with Indian standards while deliberately layering international pedagogy, STEAM innovation, and a genuinely rich co-scholastic programme on top. With 3,840 students across KG1 to Grade 12, it is one of the largest Indian curriculum schools in Dubai, yet it manages to project a tight-knit community feel that is rare at this scale. For families seeking school fees in Dubai that represent exceptional value - annual fees ranging from AED 11,139 to AED 15,592 - DPS Dubai is arguably the strongest proposition in The Gardens schools catchment and among the most competitively priced CBSE schools in the emirate. The KHDA rating of Very Good, combined with Outstanding sub-ratings in English, Mathematics, Science, personal development, leadership, and wellbeing, signals a school punching well above its price point.
KHDA Very Good RatedAED 11K-15K Fees3,840 StudentsCBSE Outstanding Results20+ Year Principal Tenure
“The school offers the best of Indian education in an international setup. My children have been given equal opportunities in sports, MUN, art, dance, drama and many more platforms. The feedback from teachers shows they know my kids as well as I do.”
— Primary and Secondary Parent(representative)Academic Framework & Learning Style
DPS Dubai follows the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) framework from KG1 through Grade 12, but the school's own curriculum overview makes clear that this is not a vanilla CBSE delivery. The school has developed what it calls a futuristic curriculum that integrates best international teaching and learning practices with the robust CBSE syllabus. In Kindergarten, the curriculum blends CBSE with the EYFS framework, creating a play-based yet structured early years environment. By Middle School, skill-based subjects including Design Thinking, Financial Literacy, AI, Robotics, and Entrepreneurship are woven into the timetable alongside core CBSE subjects, preparing students for a knowledge economy that the standard CBSE syllabus alone does not address.
The KHDA's 2023-2024 DSIB inspection confirmed Outstanding attainment and progress in English across all phases - KG, Primary, Middle, and Secondary - a remarkable consistency. Mathematics is similarly Outstanding across all phases in attainment, with Very Good progress in Primary. Science attainment is Outstanding in KG, Middle, and Secondary, with Very Good in Primary. These are not modest achievements; they represent performance at the top of what the DSIB scale allows. External CBSE Board Examinations at Grade X and Grade XII are the academic summit, and the school's news feed confirms brilliant CBSE results in both Grade X and Grade XII in 2024-2025.
In Senior Secondary (Grades XI-XII), DPS Dubai offers three streams - Science, Commerce, and Humanities - with 29 subjects available, including non-conventional options such as Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Yoga, Home Science, and Commercial Art. This breadth is unusual among CBSE schools in Dubai and gives students genuine choice. The Harkness Table method is deployed in senior year groups to encourage student-led discussion and critical reasoning. Other pedagogical innovations include FIRE (Free Innovative Relevant Exploration), Disruptive Thinking, Flipped Lessons, and RARE (Reasoned, Articulate and Reflective Exposition).
For students of determination, the school holds an inclusive admissions policy and offers the ASDAN curriculum as an alternative pathway. The Inclusion Team comprises three special educators, three counsellors, and 26 support staff. For gifted and talented learners, enrichment programmes run alongside mainstream classes. Arabic as an Additional Language is rated Acceptable across all phases - a known area for development. Reading literacy scores, while generally strong at the 90+ band for older students, showed weaker results in Primary, and the DSIB has recommended systematic interventions. University placement counselling, alumni mentoring, and internship programmes are offered to Grade XI-XII students to support post-school transitions.
Outstanding
English Attainment - All Phases
KHDA DSIB Inspection 2023-2024
Outstanding
Mathematics Attainment - All Phases
KHDA DSIB Inspection 2023-2024
29
Subjects Offered in Grades XI-XII
Science, Commerce and Humanities streams
273
Students of Determination
Supported by ASDAN curriculum and Inclusion Team
Extracurricular Activities (ECAs)
The co-scholastic programme at DPS Dubai is one of its most compelling differentiators at this fee level. The school operates what it calls an Actualization of Talent framework, with a dedicated co-scholastic team that nurtures home-grown talent across sports, arts, and academic disciplines. Students compete and win at local, national, and international competitions - evidence that the ECA programme is not merely participatory but genuinely competitive.
In sports, the school offers basketball, cricket, swimming, football, tennis, track and field, and gymnastics, among others. The U15 Boys Basketball Team finished as Runners-Up in the GLS Basketball Tournament in early 2026. The school competes in CBSE Sports Games and Emirates Cricket Tournaments. Sports facilities include an indoor swimming pool, tennis courts, a large multipurpose hall, and outdoor sports fields.
In performing arts, music, dance (including Bharatanatyam and Kathak), and drama are integral to school life. The school's performing arts tradition is closely tied to Principal Nandkeolyar's personal passion for dance and drama. Productions and performances run throughout the year. Students have participated in the Poetic Heart Forum, with student Diya Dubey (Grade VIII) performing a self-written poem at the 15th Poetic Heart Forum in February 2026.
In academic enrichment, the school runs Model United Nations (MUN) conferences, TEDx events, and the Cultural Fiesta. The robotics programme is particularly strong - the Primary team Robo Relics won the Challenge Solution Award at the UAE National FIRST LEGO League 2025-26 and qualified for the International competition in Houston, USA. A student from Grade V secured Second Runner-Up at Robotica 2G, a national-level robotics competition at VIT University, Chennai. Students participate in the Nationwide Achieve 3000 Reading competition and the Emirates Literary Festival.
The school is also part of the RAHHAL Initiative, a KHDA platform for non-traditional learning that allows students to study part-time or at more than one school while developing skills in areas of personal interest. Community service, environmental projects with the Emirates Environmental Group (EEG), and a student-built kitchen garden further reinforce the school's commitment to social responsibility and global citizenship.
3
Streams with Performing Arts Options
Dance (Bharatanatyam/Kathak) available across Science, Commerce, Humanities
FIRST LEGO League InternationalsMUN ConferencesTEDx PlatformRAHHAL InitiativeRobotics National Winners
Pastoral Care & Well-being
Wellbeing is not a bolt-on at DPS Dubai - it is embedded into the school's operational DNA. The KHDA DSIB inspection awarded the school an Outstanding wellbeing rating in 2023-2024, the highest possible designation. Inspectors noted that the exceptional wellbeing vision has become an integral part of the school, with staff who are well trained, well supported, and feel cared for and valued. This culture of care extends visibly to students: DSIB inspectors observed that students consistently show respect to everyone, are resilient, and confidently participate in a wide range of highly positive school experiences.
The school employs 3 guidance counsellors who support students across all phases. The Inclusion Team - comprising three special educators and 26 support staff - also plays a pastoral role, particularly for students of determination and those with gifts and talents. Monthly Expert-Led Webinars for parents, featuring external specialists on the theme of parenting and child mental health, signal a school that treats family wellbeing as part of its remit, not just student wellbeing.
Anti-bullying and student safety are addressed through the school's published policies, accessible via the CLP parent portal. Regular surveys of staff, students, and parents give all stakeholders - especially students - the opportunity to influence the school. The DSIB inspection noted that the highly responsive leadership team makes appropriate changes happen as a result of these surveys. Students present new ideas to staff with confidence and passion, and can act as agents of change.
The Student Council and buddy programmes provide formal channels for student voice and leadership development. The school's house system and the SEWA (wellbeing-focused) subject in Primary further reinforce the pastoral framework. Personal development was rated Outstanding across all four phases in the DSIB inspection, a finding that reflects both the quality of pastoral structures and the genuine warmth of the school community.
“Engaged and happy children are our greatest accomplishments. We have so much belief in our happy school. What we do comes from the heart. We believe DPS is an excellent school where everyone can shine.”
— Principal Rashmi Nandkeolyar, reflecting the school's community ethosCampus & Facilities
DPS Dubai occupies a 6.83-acre campus in The Gardens, Jebel Ali - a genuinely large footprint for a Dubai school, situated near Ibn Battuta Mall and surrounded by the residential apartments and villas of the Jebel Ali Gardens community. The campus is organised into three main blocks: one for Early Years and Primary, one for Middle School, and one for Senior School. This age-based zoning creates safer, more developmentally appropriate environments while keeping the school physically integrated.
Facilities include specialist science laboratories, STEAM labs, a dedicated STEAM bus (a converted vehicle used for coding and technology classes for Early Years and Primary students, equipped with Bee-Bots and AR apps), an indoor swimming pool, tennis courts, a large multipurpose hall, an auditorium, outdoor sports fields, art studios, music rooms, a yoga studio, and a sports stadium. There are libraries in each school section - Early Years, Primary, Middle, and Secondary - each stocked with fiction, non-fiction, and UAE culture sections. Student lending libraries and reading corners with beanbags are distributed across the campus.
Technology infrastructure is robust for a school at this fee level. Classrooms are equipped with modern tools and robust security measures. A BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) policy applies from Grade 2 upwards, while KG1, KG2, and Grade 1 students are provided with tablets. Virtual Reality headsets are used in older classrooms for immersive geography and science lessons. AR apps are deployed in the STEAM bus. The school has solar panels on the roof that partially power the building - a sustainability feature that students themselves can describe and discuss.
The campus also features a student-built kitchen garden, a small outdoor stage, age-appropriate play areas, and cultural display spaces including a striking mural depicting old and new Dubai created by students using traditional Indian art techniques. Cycle racks at the entrance are packed daily, reflecting the walkable, community-embedded nature of the location. The Gardens is a well-established residential area with good road access and proximity to the Ibn Battuta Gate development, making it convenient for families living in Jebel Ali, Discovery Gardens, Al Furjan, and surrounding communities.
6.83
Campus Size (Acres)
One of the larger Indian curriculum school campuses in Dubai
3
School Blocks by Age Group
Early Years/Primary, Middle, Senior - age-zoned for safety
6.83-Acre CampusIndoor Swimming PoolDedicated STEAM BusVR Headsets in ClassroomsSolar-Powered CampusLibraries in Every Section
Teaching & Learning Quality
The DSIB inspection rated Teaching for Effective Learning as Outstanding in KG and Secondary, and Very Good in Primary and Middle. This is a nuanced finding: the school's strongest teaching is at the two ends of the school journey, with some inconsistency in the middle phases. Inspectors noted that in all phases, teachers plan engaging lessons which meet most students' needs very effectively, breaking learning into achievable steps and giving students the support needed to reach their goals. In Secondary, teachers give students time to think deeply and critically - a hallmark of high-quality pedagogy.
Teacher qualifications are strong. Over 61% of teaching staff have cleared the mandatory UAE pedagogy and specialisation exams, with 27% having already received their UAE teaching licences. The school employs 298 teachers and 22 teaching assistants, giving an overall teacher-to-student ratio of approximately 1:13. The vast majority of staff are of Indian nationality, with 96% Indian teachers, reflecting the school's community and curriculum alignment. Emirati staff are employed specifically to support Arabic as an Additional Language and Islamic Education.
Staff retention is notably high. Most staff members have been teaching at the school since its inception over 20 years ago, which creates deep institutional knowledge and curriculum continuity - a genuine competitive advantage over schools with high turnover. Principal Nandkeolyar's leadership approach centres on continuous professional development: the leadership team travels annually to international destinations including London, Miami, and India for training, then cascades learning through internal workshops via a relay system.
Pedagogically, the school employs a blend of approaches: the Harkness Table for senior discussion-based learning, inquiry-based learning across phases, FIRE (Free Innovative Relevant Exploration), Flipped Lessons, and Design Thinking. Technology is used to include the whole class, with teachers making very good use of digital tools. The DSIB noted that in the best lessons, teachers adapt their teaching when necessary to ensure all students are making the progress of which they are capable. The one consistent area for development is differentiation in Primary and Middle - the implementation of differentiated learning activities does not yet fully support the needs of all students.
1:13
Teacher-to-Student Ratio
298 teachers for 3,840 students
61%+
Teachers Cleared UAE Pedagogy Exams
27% already hold UAE teaching licences
20+
Years Average Staff Tenure
Most staff have been at school since 2003 inception
Leadership & Management
DPS Dubai is led by Principal and Director Rashmi Nandkeolyar, who has held the role since April 2005 - a tenure of over 20 years that is almost without parallel in Dubai's private school sector. Before joining DPS Dubai, she taught English in schools across India, including Calcutta and Delhi, and has a strong personal passion for the performing arts, particularly dance and drama. Her stated ambition is for DPS Dubai to be recognised as the top Indian school in the UAE - a benchmark she measures not only against peer CBSE schools but against all international curriculum schools in Dubai.
The school is owned by Interstar Education and is recognised and approved by the Ministry of Education, Government of UAE, and affiliated to CBSE. The governance structure includes a supportive governing body that the DSIB rated Outstanding in 2023-2024. The commitment of governors in the development of the school's facilities and resources was specifically highlighted as a school highlight in the inspection report.
Leadership was rated Outstanding by the DSIB across all phases in 2023-2024. The school has recently formed a seven-member Additional Leadership Team (ALT), reflecting a move towards distributed leadership and staff empowerment. A Director of Standards and School Improvement provides strategic oversight of self-evaluation and quality assurance. An enhanced Inclusion Team further reinforces the school's commitment to SEND provision.
Parent communication is managed through the CLP (Centralised Learning Platform) parent portal, through which parents can access student records, submit withdrawal forms, and receive school communications. Parent-Teacher Meetings (PTMs) are held termly for each phase, with separate PTM schedules for KG, Grades I-II, Grades III-V, and Senior School. The school publishes an e-magazine, maintains an active social media presence on X (Twitter), and sends SMS and email notifications for key events. The school's vision - to be a happy school where all students are facilitated to be the best version of themselves - is consistently articulated by the principal and reflected in DSIB inspection findings.
KHDA Inspection Results (Decoded)
The most recent DSIB inspection of DPS Dubai, conducted in September 2023 and published as the 2023-2024 report, awarded the school an overall rating of Very Good - a rating it has maintained continuously since 2015-2016, having risen from Good in the preceding years. This is a school in a sustained plateau of strong performance, not a school on a trajectory of decline or rapid improvement. The consistency itself is a signal of institutional stability.
The headline finding is the sheer number of Outstanding sub-ratings. English attainment and progress are Outstanding across all four phases - KG, Primary, Middle, and Secondary. Mathematics attainment is Outstanding across all phases. Science attainment is Outstanding in KG, Middle, and Secondary. Personal development, understanding of Islamic values and world cultures, and social responsibility are all Outstanding across all phases. Leadership effectiveness, governance, management, and wellbeing are all Outstanding. The school's PIRLS 2021 score surpassed the target gain with an increase of 52 points over the 2016 score, surpassing most schools in Dubai - an internationally benchmarked result that underlines the English literacy achievement.
Where the school sits below Outstanding at the overall level is largely due to inconsistencies in Primary and Middle teaching, and the Acceptable ratings for Arabic as an Additional Language across all phases. The DSIB noted that curriculum modifications in Primary and Middle are not yet sufficiently embedded to show significant improvement in outcomes for all groups. Reading literacy scores in Primary are weaker than in older year groups, and the school has been asked to prioritise systematic interventions. Self-evaluation and improvement planning is rated Very Good rather than Outstanding - suggesting that while the school identifies issues, its action plans could be more succinct and targeted.
The Inclusion rating is Very Good, reflecting strong SEND provision but acknowledging room for further development. The wellbeing rating is Outstanding, the highest awarded in this domain.
English, Maths and Science: Consistently Outstanding
Attainment and progress in English are Outstanding across all four phases. Mathematics attainment is Outstanding across all phases. Science is Outstanding in KG, Middle, and Secondary. This is the academic core of the school performing at the highest DSIB level.
Outstanding Wellbeing and Personal Development
The DSIB awarded Outstanding for wellbeing provision and outcomes, and Outstanding for personal development across all phases. Students are described as resilient, respectful, and confident agents of change. This is one of the strongest wellbeing endorsements a Dubai school can receive.
Outstanding Leadership and Governance
Leadership effectiveness, governance, management, and the school's relationship with parents and community are all rated Outstanding. The principal and governing body are cited as key drivers of the school's sustained performance trajectory.
Differentiation in Primary and Middle Phases
The DSIB noted that differentiated learning activities in Primary and Middle do not fully support the needs of all students. Curriculum modifications in these phases are not yet sufficiently embedded to show significant improvement for all groups. This is the most material gap between DPS Dubai's current performance and an Outstanding overall rating.
Arabic as an Additional Language and Reading Literacy
Arabic as an Additional Language is rated Acceptable across all phases - a persistent gap. Reading literacy scores in Primary are below the school's otherwise strong performance benchmarks. The DSIB has recommended systematic interventions and consistent monitoring to address both areas.
Inspection History
2023-2024
Very Good
2022-2023
Very Good
2019-2020
Very Good
2018-2019
Very Good
2017-2018
Very Good
2016-2017
Very Good
2015-2016
Very Good
2014-2015
Good
Fees & Value for Money
Delhi Private School Dubai offers a structured fee schedule for the 2025–2026 academic year, with annual tuition fees ranging from AED 11,139 for KG I–KG II up to AED 15,592 for Grade XI–Grade XII. Fees are divided into three terms, with Term I including the Comprehensive Learning Platform (CLP) charge of AED 250. The school follows the Indian curriculum and has consistently received a Very Good rating from DSIB, making it a strong value proposition within Dubai's Indian curriculum school segment.
AED 11,139
Annual Fees From
AED 15,592
Annual Fees To
Year / GradeAnnual Fee
KG 1
AED 11,139KG 2
AED 11,139Grade 1
AED 12,272Grade 2
AED 12,272Grade 3
AED 12,272Grade 4
AED 12,272Grade 5
AED 13,302Grade 6
AED 13,302Grade 7
AED 13,302Grade 8
AED 13,302Grade 9
AED 14,459Grade 10
AED 14,459Grade 11
AED 15,592Grade 12
AED 15,592Tuition fees are the primary cost, and the school notes that 5% VAT is applicable on services other than tuition fees, books, and related curriculum goods. The CLP (Comprehensive Learning Platform) is an e-facility charged at AED 250 per year and is bundled into the Term I payment. Parents should budget for this additional technology fee when planning annual school costs.
The school offers flexible payment options including cash, cheque, credit card, and bank transfer via Emirates NBD or ADCB. Fees are payable in three instalments across the academic year, with Term I due by 7 April, Term II by 7 September, and Term III by 7 December. Counter payments are accepted Monday to Saturday during school hours, providing convenient access for parents.
Additional Costs
Comprehensive Learning Platform (CLP)250(annual)
The Final Verdict: Who Is This School For?
DPS Dubai is, in plain terms, one of the best-value KHDA Very Good-rated schools in Dubai. Its combination of Outstanding academic results in English, Mathematics, and Science, a 6.83-acre campus, Outstanding wellbeing and personal development, a 20-year principal at the helm, and fees below AED 16,000 per year is a package that no comparable school in the city can easily match. The school's community spirit - evidenced by packed cycle racks, alumni returning as prize day guests of honour, and student artwork transforming corridors into galleries - is not manufactured. It is the product of two decades of consistent leadership and a deeply rooted school culture.
The school is not without limitations. Arabic as an Additional Language remains Acceptable, differentiation in Primary and Middle phases needs embedding, and the overall KHDA rating of Very Good - while strong - has not yet broken through to Outstanding. Families who prioritise British or IB curricula, or who need a school with a proven track record of UK or US university placements, will find better options elsewhere in Dubai. The school's predominantly Indian student body (with students almost exclusively from India, per DSIB data) means the diversity of nationalities is limited compared to international curriculum schools.
For the right family, however, DPS Dubai is an exceptional choice - and at these fees, the value-for-money case is almost unanswerable.
THE “RIGHT FIT”
Indian expatriate families seeking rigorous CBSE Board examination preparation within an internationally enriched, community-driven school environment, at fees that are genuinely accessible without compromising on academic quality or facilities.
THE “WRONG FIT”
Families seeking a British, IB, or American curriculum school; those requiring a highly diverse multinational student body; or those for whom Arabic language development is a priority, given the school's Acceptable rating in Arabic as an Additional Language.
“
The strengths of the school are wide-ranging including excellent academics, sports, very good infrastructure, reasonable cost and extracurricular activities. It gives every child an opportunity to shine in whatever field they have interest.
— Secondary School Student, reflecting parent and student community sentiment
Strengths
- Outstanding KHDA ratings in English, Mathematics, and Science across all phases
- Exceptional value - KHDA Very Good school with fees under AED 16,000
- Outstanding wellbeing rating - one of the strongest pastoral endorsements in Dubai
- 6.83-acre campus with indoor pool, STEAM bus, and VR-equipped classrooms
- 20+ year principal tenure providing rare institutional stability
- ASDAN curriculum available as alternative pathway for diverse learners
- Strong robotics and STEAM programme with international competition results
- Humanities stream with non-conventional subjects including dance and yoga
Areas for Improvement
- Arabic as an Additional Language rated only Acceptable across all phases
- Differentiation in Primary and Middle phases not yet consistently embedded
- Student body is predominantly Indian with limited nationality diversity
- Some co-curricular activities carry additional charges beyond tuition fees