Dunes International School, Abu Dhabi

Dunes International School is affiliated to the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), with its curriculum designed and developed by NCERT, New Delhi. This is a structured, content-rich framework that emphasises mastery of core subjects, systematic assessment, and a clear progression from foundational literacy and numeracy through to board-level examinations at Grades 10 and 12. The school uses English as the medium of instruction throughout, and maps its curriculum against international boards and learning programmes to strengthen both academic outcomes and skill development. In practice, the pedagogical approach blends traditional teacher-led instruction with an inquiry-based, collaborative, and problem-solving methodology - a deliberate evolution from the more didactic roots of the CBSE framework. At the Kindergarten level, the focus is on cognitive and motor skill development through play-based and structured activities, with Music, Art, Swimming, Dance, and Sports integrated into the timetable. Primary school (Grades 1 to 5) balances child-led and teacher-led activities, introducing Science and Social Science from Grade 3, French from Grade 5, and a full complement of UAE-mandated subjects including Arabic and Islamic Education. The middle school phase (Grades 6 to 9) deepens subject specialisation, with Science taught through inquiry and research, Mathematics through a problem-solving lens, and Social Sciences oriented toward developing analytical skills rather than rote fact retention. At Secondary level (Grades 10 to 12), students sit the All India Secondary Examination at the end of Grade 10, with Grade 11 and 12 offering Science and Commerce streams. The Science stream includes combinations of Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Biology, and Computer Science, while the Commerce stream covers Economics, Accountancy, Business Studies, and Entrepreneurship - with a minimum aggregate of 70% in Grade 10 required for stream entry. In terms of academic results, the 2024 ADEK Irtiqa inspection provides the most authoritative data available. The school participates in the Ei ASSET standardised assessments for Grades 3 to 9. Over the past three years, ASSET results show an improving trend in Mathematics, with consistent performance in English and Science. In AY2023/24, Phase 2 (Grades 3-5) attainment was outstanding in Science and Mathematics and very good in English. Phase 3 (Grades 6-8) attainment was very good across all three subjects. In the CBSE board examinations for AY2023/24, Grade 10 students achieved outstanding attainment in English and very good attainment in Science, while Grade 12 students achieved outstanding attainment in Biology and Arabic, and very good attainment in Chemistry. The school also participated in the 2022 PISA assessment, with 15-year-olds scoring 415 in English reading, 452 in Mathematics, and 447 in Science - all above the international average. The 2021 PIRLS results placed Grade 4 students at the high international benchmark with a score of 605. On inclusion provision, the school identifies 23 students of determination. The ADEK inspection noted that lower attainers are identified and receive support, but the school does not yet offer formal In-School Support Services (ISSS) for students with additional learning needs - a meaningful gap for families with complex SEN requirements. The identification of Gifted and Talented students exists, but the ADEK report is explicit that curriculum adaptation to challenge high achievers is insufficient and remains an area requiring urgent development. University destinations are not formally published by the school, though a school counsellor provides career and university guidance, and the school hosts career fairs and alumni talks for senior students.