Dunecrest American School, Dubai
KHDA Inspection Report & Ratings
Last updated
Executive Summary
Dunecrest American School provides a Good overall quality of education, offering a US/IB curriculum in Al Barari. The school maintains a safe and secure environment where students develop both academically and personally, supported by very high quality management and facilities.
Academically, children in Kindergarten have shown notable improvement in English and Mathematics. The curriculum design is particularly strong in the high school phase, offering diverse pathways including IBDP and AP programs to effectively meet the career aspirations of older students.
The school benefits from very high levels of protection, care, and support, fostering a positive and welcoming atmosphere. Leadership has successfully improved accountability and improvement planning, while maintaining strong, highly valued partnerships with parents.
Overall School Performance
Outstanding
Very Good
Good
Acceptable
Weak
Very Weak
Dunecrest American School Overall Rating
Good for 3+ consecutive years
Dubai Focus Areas
These three pillars represent the Dubai education authority's priorities: ensuring inclusive practices, prioritizing student wellbeing, and meeting UAE National Agenda targets.
The school demonstrates a strong commitment to inclusive education with accurate identification of students' needs. Most students of determination make good or better progress, supported by a growing inclusion team and effective individual education plans. inclusive educationindividual education plans
Wellbeing is a high priority, supported by an experienced team that monitors students' pastoral and academic needs. A range of extra-curricular activities promotes physical and cultural wellbeing, though data collection could be more systematic. pastoral and academic needsextra-curricular activities
The school exceeded its target in PIRLS assessments, demonstrating very good international and benchmark achievement. School leaders rigorously analyze assessment results to adapt the curriculum and address learning gaps. PIRLS assessmentsbenchmark achievement
Key Highlights
Standout achievements identified by the inspection team that distinguish this school.
Safe Environment
A safe and secure environment in which students develop academically and personally.
Support and Guidance
High quality of support and guidance that positively influences students' behavior and attitudes.
Parent Partnerships
Strong partnerships with parents who are highly involved in the school.
Social Responsibility
Strong development of students' sense of social responsibility and community engagement.
School Management
Very high quality of school management, staffing, resources, and facilities.
Academic Performance Breakdown
Overall achievement is good, with notable improvements in KG English and mathematics, and High school English and Arabic.
Leadership & Management
Effectiveness of school governance, strategic planning, and leadership capacity to drive continuous improvement.
Leadership Approach
Senior leadership is experienced and established, fostering a strong learning culture and high staff morale. Leaders systematically analyze performance data to drive school improvement, supported by highly involved parents and an effective governing board.
Inspection Findings
Students' Outcomes
Children in KG have improved in English and mathematics, while High school students show better progress in Arabic and English. Overall achievement is good, though attainment in mathematics was impacted by recent external assessment results.
Personal Development
Students exhibit a very high level of personal and social development with marked improvements in behavior in Middle and High. They demonstrate a strong understanding of Islamic values and Emirati heritage.
Teaching Quality
Teaching quality is particularly strong in KG, with most teachers demonstrating strong subject knowledge. However, the use of assessment data to differentiate instruction and provide sufficient challenge remains variable.
Protection & Care
The school provides very high levels of protection, care, and support in a welcoming atmosphere. Students' safety, welfare, and wellbeing are prioritized, with effective support for students of determination.
Areas for Development
- •Raise achievement in all subjects, particularly in Islamic Education and Arabic.
- •Improve the quality and consistency of teaching and the use of assessment information to match learning activities to students' needs and abilities.
- •Develop targeted interventions to support the reading literacy of all groups of students.
- •Introduce a systematic programme of data collection to ensure a timely understanding of wellbeing levels.