Raffles World AcademyInternational Baccalaureate School in Umm Suqeim 3، Dubai
Curriculum
International Baccalaureate
KHDA
Very Good
Location
Dubai, Umm Suqeim 3
Fees
AED 34K - 88K
Raffles World Academy
The Executive Summary
Raffles World Academy Dubai is one of the most established IB-dedicated schools among the Umm Suqeim 3 schools, and its track record speaks clearly. Holding a KHDA rating of Very Good - maintained consistently since 2017-18 and reconfirmed in the 2023-2024 DSIB inspection - RWA has built a reputation as a genuinely inclusive, internationally-minded community rather than a prestige-driven exam factory. The school follows the International Baccalaureate curriculum across all four programmes (PYP, MYP, DP, and the Career-related Programme with BTEC), offering one of the most complete IB continuum experiences available in Dubai education. With school fees Dubai families will pay ranging from AED 33,544 at Pre-KG to AED 87,990 at Grade 12, RWA sits firmly in the premium segment but prices itself below the very top tier of IB schools in the city. For a family committed to the IB philosophy and seeking a warm, multi-national community over a hyper-selective academic hothouse, this school delivers strong value. The 100% IB Diploma pass rate and an average score of 33 points in 2024 are credible, not exceptional, results that reflect a school doing its job well for a broad range of learners.
Very Good KHDA 2023-24Full IB Continuum KG-Grade 12100% IB DP Pass Rate100+ Nationalities
“The vibes in school are very positive, comfortable and motivating. The school management is very well reachable to guide and resolve issues. We get full support with a positive happy attitude from all teachers and staff. Good blending of activities and academics.”
— MYP Parent(representative)Academic Framework & Learning Style
Raffles World Academy follows the International Baccalaureate curriculum across its full KG-to-Grade-12 span, making it one of a relatively small number of schools in Dubai to offer a true IB continuum without switching frameworks mid-journey. The youngest learners in Pre-KG and KG1 benefit from a blended approach that incorporates elements of the Early Years Foundation Stage alongside the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP), before transitioning fully into PYP from KG2 through Grade 5. Grades 6 to 10 follow the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP), with formal MYP e-Assessments taken in Grades 9 and 10. Grades 11 and 12 offer a choice between the IB Diploma Programme (DP) and the IB Career-related Programme (CP), the latter incorporating BTEC Level 3 qualifications - a genuinely useful alternative pathway that the DSIB inspection noted is well-embedded and achieving at a high standard.
In terms of academic results, the 2024 IB Diploma cohort of 67 students achieved an average score of 33 points with a 100% pass rate. The highest individual score was 44 out of 45. Notably, 76% of entries achieved 30 or more points and 42% achieved 35 or more, which represents a meaningful improvement on the 2023 cohort average of 32 points. The DSIB inspection found attainment in English to be Outstanding in PYP and Very Good across MYP and DP, while mathematics attainment is Outstanding in KG but drops to Good by DP - a gap the school acknowledges and is working to close. Science attainment is Outstanding in PYP and Very Good elsewhere, which is a genuine strength. Arabic and Islamic Education sit at Good across all phases, consistent with the school's international rather than Arabic-medium positioning. The DSIB inspectors noted that inquiry-based learning - the philosophical cornerstone of the IB - is not yet applied with full consistency across MYP, and this is a live area for development. The school's language programme is a genuine differentiator: students may study French or Spanish from Primary, and the Mother Tongue Programme offers Russian, French, Italian, Hindi, and German instruction within the timetable - a rare provision that reflects RWA's genuinely international community. A Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policy applies from Grade 2. The Learning Support team addresses mild-to-moderate learning needs, with approximately 106 students of determination enrolled and a further 400-plus English Language Learners receiving support - numbers that underscore how seriously the school takes inclusion. Gifted and Talented students receive enrichment through an Enrichment Club (Grades 1-5) and a mentorship programme in Secondary. University counselling begins at the end of MYP, supported by two dedicated counsellors, and the school hosts regular university fairs.
33 pts
Average IB DP Score 2024
Global IB average is approximately 30 points
100%
IB Diploma Pass Rate
Consistent across multiple recent years
76%
Students Scoring 30+ Points (2024 DP)
Up from 60% in 2023
106
Students of Determination Enrolled
Plus 400+ English Language Learners supported
Extracurricular Activities (ECAs)
RWA's co-curricular offering is one of its more visible selling points, with the school website citing approximately 50 different CCA options available to students across both teacher-led and externally provided programmes. The range is deliberately broad: academic CCAs such as mathematics, science, and Arabic sit alongside creative options including crocheting, art, and chess, while the sports programme covers swimming, football, tennis, volleyball, basketball, badminton, and Kung Fu (via an external provider). The performing arts are a noted strength - the school identifies its Drama Department as a particular area of excellence, supported by a dedicated theatre, dance studio, and music rooms on campus.
Beyond the campus, students participate in Model UN (MUN) conferences, beach walks at Kite Beach, and overnight desert expeditions as part of the Duke of Edinburgh programme - an internationally recognised enrichment pathway that develops leadership, resilience, and community awareness. The school's Eco Club is actively student-led, with teams maintaining an eco garden, running recycling initiatives, and creating goods from recycled materials - work that the DSIB inspection specifically highlighted as exemplary. STEAM initiatives are also student-driven: Grade 12 students have designed apps to support Grade 11 peers, and students participate in inter-school robotics challenges. Community service and social responsibility are embedded from KG upwards, with students involved in local and international charitable endeavours. The DSIB inspectors rated students' social responsibility and innovation skills as Outstanding across all phases - a rare accolade that reflects genuine programme depth rather than box-ticking.
50+
Co-Curricular Activity Options
Mix of teacher-led and external provider programmes
50+ CCA OptionsDuke of Edinburgh ProgrammeStudent-Led STEAMModel UN ParticipationEco Club & Sustainability
Pastoral Care & Well-being
Pastoral care is genuinely central to RWA's identity - the school's own communications describe it as "the heartbeat of our ethos" - and the DSIB inspection data supports this characterisation rather than merely echoing marketing language. The 2023-24 inspection awarded Outstanding ratings for personal development, care and support, and students' understanding of Islamic values and world cultures across all four phases (KG, PYP, MYP, and DP). This is an unusually strong and consistent set of pastoral ratings for a school of this size and diversity.
The school employs three guidance counsellors who provide academic and personal support, with counselling services forming part of a broader pastoral infrastructure that includes mentorship programmes and student leadership initiatives. The DSIB wellbeing assessment rated the overall quality of wellbeing provision as Very Good, noting the school's systematic collection and use of wellbeing data, strong staff wellbeing initiatives, and the genuine engagement of parents, students, and staff. The school operates a clear anti-bullying framework, with students actively participating in safeguarding campaigns. All staff are rigorously trained in safeguarding and child protection. One area flagged by inspectors for improvement is the rigour of risk assessment policies and procedures, particularly around visitor management and supervision of KG-age children - this is an operational gap that parents should be aware of. The House system and student voice mechanisms contribute to a calm and purposeful school atmosphere that multiple inspection cycles have consistently noted. With students from over 100 nationalities, the school's ability to foster genuine cross-cultural respect and tolerance is a real, evidenced strength rather than a brochure aspiration.
“The school has a very happy and warm environment. The teachers and management have been friendly and kids always look very happy. It's a fantastic school with a holistic approach to child's development.”
— Primary School Parent(representative)Campus & Facilities
Raffles World Academy occupies a 30,000 square metre campus in Umm Suqeim 3, positioned in the block between the Jumeirah Beach Hotel and neighbouring schools - a location that places it within easy reach of the residential communities of Umm Suqeim, Al Barsha, and Jumeirah, with relatively straightforward access from Sheikh Zayed Road. The campus is made up of two adjoining multi-storey buildings set around large covered internal courtyards, a design inherited from the original Raffles brand architecture. The KG section is housed separately at the rear of the main buildings with its own entrance, car park, and outdoor play areas - a sensible arrangement that keeps the youngest children appropriately separated from older students.
Facilities are comprehensive for a school of this size and price point. The campus includes two swimming pools (a shallow training pool for younger students and a larger pool for regular swimming), a 500-seat auditorium/theatre, a sports hall, a dance studio, science laboratories, computer labs, art rooms, music rooms, a product design and technology lab, and courts for basketball, badminton, and tennis. A full-size soccer field and multiple playing areas surround the buildings. The networked library holds over 27,000 volumes across multiple languages including Arabic, French, German, Mandarin, and Spanish, and occupies two floors with dedicated spaces for individual study. Classrooms are equipped with LCD projectors and visualisers. The school operates a full cafeteria with meals provided by an external catering partner, offering a range of international options. 24-hour CCTV and security are in place across the campus. The DSIB inspection rated management, staffing, facilities, and resources as Outstanding - the highest available rating - reflecting the investment that the Innoventures Education group has made in maintaining and upgrading the physical environment, including the addition of a new auditorium noted in the 2023-24 report. A bus service is available through an external transport provider.
30,000 sqm
Campus Size
Umm Suqeim 3, Dubai
27,000+
Library Volumes
Multi-language collection including Arabic, Mandarin, French
30,000 sqm Campus500-Seat AuditoriumTwo Swimming Pools27,000+ Volume Library24-Hour CCTV SecurityFull Science & Tech Labs
Teaching & Learning Quality
The 2023-24 DSIB inspection rated teaching for effective learning as Outstanding in KG and Very Good across PYP, MYP, and DP - a profile that is broadly positive but reveals a meaningful pattern: the quality of teaching is strongest with the youngest learners and becomes more variable as students progress through the school. Inspectors observed that in the best lessons, teachers use strong subject knowledge to inspire students and have established well-understood routines that minimise wasted learning time. Tasks are generally well-matched to differing abilities, and verbal and written feedback to students is described as strong. Self-and-peer assessment are standard practice.
However, the inspection also identified inconsistency in teaching quality across subjects and phases as a persistent challenge, particularly in MYP. The use of the IB's inquiry-action-reflection cycle is not yet embedded consistently, and differentiation for EAL students and lower-ability learners in MYP is described as insufficiently reliable. The school employs 151 teachers and 11 teaching assistants, producing a teacher-to-student ratio of approximately 1:12, which is favourable by Dubai standards. The largest nationality group among teachers is Irish, reflecting the school's Innoventures group heritage, with significant representation from the UK, South Africa, and India. All teachers are required to hold a minimum of two years' teaching experience and familiarity with the IB curriculum. Assessment processes are rated Very Good, with rigorous moderation procedures and effective use of data to track student progress. The school's professional development culture is supported by the Innoventures group infrastructure, though specific CPD metrics are not publicly disclosed. Teacher turnover is a consideration for prospective parents: available data suggests an annual turnover rate in the region of 23%, which is above the Dubai average and warrants monitoring - though it has not visibly destabilised inspection outcomes to date.
1:12
Teacher-to-Student Ratio
151 teachers for 1,831 students
151
Qualified Teachers on Staff
Plus 11 teaching assistants
~23%
Estimated Annual Teacher Turnover
Above Dubai private school average
Leadership & Management
Timothy Craig Roberts has led Raffles World Academy since January 2016 - a tenure of nearly a decade that has coincided with a sustained period of improvement. Under his leadership, the school moved from a Good KHDA rating to Very Good in 2017-18 and has maintained that rating through five consecutive inspection cycles. The DSIB inspection rated the effectiveness of leadership as Very Good, with self-evaluation and improvement planning also rated Very Good. Governance and management of staffing, facilities, and resources were both rated Outstanding - the highest available grade - reflecting the strength of the Innoventures Education Investment LLC board structure and its commitment to capital investment in the school.
RWA is one of five schools within the Innoventures Education group, which also operates Raffles International School, Dubai International Academy Emirates Hills, Dubai International Academy Al Barsha, and Collegiate International School. This group structure provides economies of scale in professional development, governance, and resource procurement, though it also means that RWA's strategic direction is shaped partly by group-level priorities. Parent communication is rated Outstanding by DSIB inspectors, who noted that parents are highly engaged with the school and that communication channels are effective. The school uses digital platforms and maintains an open-door culture that the inspection team specifically commended. The school motto - Towards Excellence - is reflected in a data-driven improvement culture, with action plans built on analyses of student outcome data. One area for development identified by inspectors is ensuring that improvement plans contain sufficiently measurable success criteria focused on student outcomes, suggesting that the school's planning processes are strong in intent but need sharper accountability mechanisms.
KHDA Inspection Results (Decoded)
The 2023-24 DSIB inspection awarded Raffles World Academy an overall rating of Very Good - the school's fifth consecutive Very Good rating, a streak that began in 2017-18 after four years at Good. This is a school that has found a stable performance level and is maintaining it, rather than one in rapid ascent toward Outstanding. The inspection covered students across KG, PYP, MYP, and DP phases, and the picture that emerges is of a school with genuine pockets of excellence - particularly in KG and PYP - and more variable performance in MYP.
The headline findings are instructive. Students' personal and social development is Outstanding across all four phases - a remarkable consistency that few schools in Dubai can match. Curriculum design and implementation is also Outstanding across all phases, reflecting the coherence of the full IB continuum. However, the overall student achievement picture is more mixed: English attainment reaches Outstanding only in PYP, mathematics attainment is Good at DP level, and Arabic and Islamic Education sit at Good throughout. The National Agenda Parameter was rated Good overall, with reading literacy receiving an Acceptable rating - a specific area flagged for improvement. The wellbeing provision was rated Very Good, with the inclusion rating also Very Good. The DSIB's key recommendations centred on three areas: improving consistency in teaching and assessment through the full inquiry-action-reflection cycle; ensuring improvement plans have measurable success criteria; and reviewing and rigorously enforcing risk assessment policies and procedures. These are substantive rather than cosmetic recommendations, and parents should look for evidence of progress on all three in the next inspection cycle.
Outstanding Personal & Social Development
Students' personal development, understanding of Islamic values, Emirati and world cultures, and social responsibility were all rated Outstanding across every phase - KG, PYP, MYP, and DP. This is among the strongest pastoral outcomes in Dubai's private school sector.
Outstanding Curriculum Design Across All Phases
Curriculum design, implementation, and adaptation were rated Outstanding in every phase. The full IB continuum is coherently mapped, with smooth transitions between PYP, MYP, DP, and the Career-related Programme. Alternative pathways through BTEC are well-embedded.
Outstanding Governance & Parent Engagement
Governance was rated Outstanding, as was parent and community engagement. The DSIB inspectors specifically noted that parents are highly engaged with the school and that communication is very effective - a consistent strength across multiple inspection cycles.
Inconsistent Use of IB Inquiry Cycle in MYP
Inspectors found insufficient focus on the IB style of inquiry to support students' conceptual understanding, especially in MYP. Teaching quality is less consistent in this phase than in KG and PYP, and differentiation for EAL and lower-ability learners needs strengthening.
Risk Assessment Policies Require Strengthening
The DSIB identified that risk assessment policies and procedures relating to visitors, parents on-site, and supervision of KG children are not rigorous enough. This is an operational safeguarding gap that the school has been directed to review, update, and monitor.
Inspection History
2023-2024
Very Good
2022-2023
Very Good
2019-2020
Very Good
2018-2019
Very Good
2017-2018
Very Good
2016-2017
Good
2015-2016
Good
2014-2015
Good
2013-2014
Good
2010-2011
Acceptable
2008-2009
Acceptable
Fees & Value for Money
Raffles World Academy in Dubai offers an International Baccalaureate (IB) education across all stages, from Pre-KG through Grade 12. For the 2025–2026 academic year, tuition fees range from AED 33,544 for Pre-KG and KG 1 up to AED 87,990 for Grades 11 and 12 (applicable annual fee). Notably, for some year groups the applicable annual fee is lower than the KHDA-approved maximum, reflecting the school's commitment to accessible world-class education. Fees are structured across three terms, with clear payment deadlines for each instalment.
AED 33,544
Annual Fees From
AED 87,990
Annual Fees To
Year / GradeAnnual Fee
Pre KG
AED 33,544KG 1
AED 33,544KG 2
AED 40,253Grade 1
AED 53,270Grade 2
AED 53,270Grade 3
AED 53,671Grade 4
AED 64,405Grade 5
AED 64,405Grade 6
AED 64,807Grade 7
AED 72,188Grade 8
AED 72,188Grade 9
AED 72,188Grade 10
AED 78,488Grade 11
AED 87,990Grade 12
AED 87,990New students are required to pay a registration fee of 10% of the annual fee (non-refundable but adjustable against Term 1 fees upon confirmed admission), along with a non-refundable assessment test fee of AED 525 (inclusive of 5% VAT). Returning students pay a re-registration fee of 5% of the annual fee, also adjustable against Term 1. Sibling discounts are available, offering 5% off for the second and third child, 10% for the fourth, 15% for the fifth, and 20% for the sixth child onwards, applied to tuition fees.
Additional costs beyond tuition include transportation, meals, school uniforms, stationery, field trips, external examination fees, and textbooks for secondary students. The school accepts multiple payment methods including online payment via the Zenda app, bank transfer, cheque (including post-dated cheques for Terms 2 and 3), credit card, and cash. Rated Very Good by KHDA in 2023–2024, Raffles World Academy represents strong value for families seeking a rigorous IB education in Dubai.
Additional Costs
Assessment Test Fee (New Students)525(one-time)
Registration Fee (New Students)10% of annual fee(one-time)
Re-registration Fee (Existing Students)5% of annual fee(annual)
Textbooks (Secondary Students)varies(annual)
School Uniformsvaries(annual)
Stationeryvaries(annual)
Mealsvaries(annual)
Transportationvaries(annual)
External Examination Feesvaries(per-exam)
Educational and Field Tripsvaries(per-term)
Voluntary Excursions / Sports Tournamentsvaries(per-term)
Replacement Student ID Cardvaries(one-time)
Insurance (Health/Accident/Liability)varies(annual)
Discounts & Concessions
Sibling Discount – 2nd & 3rd Child5%%
Sibling Discount – 4th Child10%%
Sibling Discount – 5th Child15%%
Sibling Discount – 6th Child & Beyond20%%
The Final Verdict: Who Is This School For?
Raffles World Academy is, at its core, a school for families who are genuinely committed to the IB philosophy - not as a brand signal, but as an educational approach. The full continuum from Pre-KG through Grade 12, the consistent Very Good KHDA rating across five inspection cycles, the 100% IB Diploma pass rate, and the Outstanding pastoral outcomes combine to make a compelling case for families who want a warm, inclusive, internationally-minded school with credible academic outcomes. The school is particularly well-suited to families who value breadth - multiple language pathways, a Mother Tongue programme, 50-plus CCAs, the Duke of Edinburgh - over hyper-specialisation. The BTEC/Career-related Programme pathway is a genuine asset for students who may not thrive in the pure academic DP track.
However, parents should enter with clear eyes on the limitations. Teaching quality in MYP is less consistent than in the lower school, and the school has not yet broken through to Outstanding despite a decade of Very Good ratings - which suggests a ceiling that the current leadership has not yet found a way to breach. The teacher turnover rate warrants monitoring. Families seeking a school with Outstanding KHDA credentials, or whose children are aiming for the very top tier of competitive university admissions, may find that RWA's average DP score of 33 points falls short of their aspirations. And the risk assessment gaps flagged by DSIB are an operational concern that should be resolved promptly. For the right family, however, RWA offers a genuinely distinctive and well-run IB education in one of Dubai's most desirable residential locations.
THE “RIGHT FIT”
Families committed to the full IB philosophy who want a warm, inclusive, multi-national community with strong pastoral care, a complete KG-Grade 12 continuum, and credible (if not exceptional) academic results in a premium Umm Suqeim location.
THE “WRONG FIT”
Families seeking an Outstanding-rated school, students targeting very high IB scores for competitive university entry, or parents who prioritise teaching consistency across all phases - RWA's MYP performance gap is a real consideration.
“
My child is happy and excited to go to school every day. The IB curriculum is great and the school has a truly holistic approach to development.
— Grade 5 Parent
Strengths
- Full IB continuum from Pre-KG to Grade 12 - rare in Dubai
- Five consecutive Very Good KHDA ratings since 2017-18
- 100% IB Diploma pass rate with 33-point average in 2024
- Outstanding pastoral care and personal development across all phases
- Mother Tongue programme in 5+ languages within school timetable
- 50+ CCA options including Duke of Edinburgh and Model UN
- Genuinely inclusive with 106 students of determination and 400+ EAL learners
- BTEC/Career-related Programme provides meaningful alternative to full DP
Areas for Improvement
- Teaching quality less consistent in MYP than in KG and PYP
- Teacher turnover estimated at ~23% annually - above Dubai average
- Risk assessment policies flagged by DSIB as insufficiently rigorous
- School has not broken through to Outstanding rating despite decade of Very Good
- Reading literacy rated only Acceptable in National Agenda Parameter