Dubai International Academy, Emirates Hills

Dubai International Academy in Emirates Hills opened in September 2005 and calls itself the longest established IB continuum school in Dubai. It teaches all four IB programmes, with the Primary Years Programme (PYP) for the youngest children, and is the only school in this guide rated Outstanding overall in KHDA's 2023-24 inspection. KHDA's directory shows it Outstanding in 2015-16, 2016-17, 2022-23 and 2023-24, with Very Good in between. The primary phase scores unusually well. KHDA's report rates teaching for effective learning, assessment, personal development and care and support all Outstanding in every phase, PYP included. Inspectors also praised the relationships between everyone in the school and a rigorous use of assessment data. Wellbeing is rated Very Good, not Outstanding, with students' suggestions already producing more seating in the clinic waiting area, an extra afternoon break and new after-school programmes. KHDA's recommendations for the primary years were specific: adapt the KG science curriculum for the age group, strengthen investigation in PYP science and sharpen the inclusion plan for pupils of determination. The school lists 2,757 pupils, 242 teachers and 42 teaching assistants on the 2023-24 report. Its FAQ explains that primary and secondary classes run separately, with different timings and breaks, that every child has two recess periods, and that lunch lasts 40 minutes. The daily start and finish times are not listed publicly, so confirm them on a tour. SchoolsCompared.com gives a parent rating of 87, praises leadership as beyond outstanding and notes the inclusive provision of the IB Career-related Programme. Its caveats are weaker Arabic and facilities that need refreshing. For 2026-27 KHDA's directory lists AED 44,979 for EY1, AED 50,726 for EY2, AED 51,202 for Year 1 and AED 57,983 for Years 2 to 6. That is roughly half the price of the dearest IB primary on this list, which is why it takes first place.