Here at Dubai School of Modern Studies (Dubai SMS), students typically wear uniforms. This tradition is part of our school culture, reflecting our values of unity and equality. The uniform policy helps create a sense of belonging and fosters a focused learning environment.
But do all American schools in Dubai have uniforms? What other important information do you need to know before enrolling your children in schools in Dubai? We’ll discuss it all here.
About American Schools in Dubai
As an international city, Dubai has many international schools, including several that teach the American curriculum. While predominantly for the children of expatriates, some locals also attend American schools in Dubai to access excellent education and increase their prospects as adults due to the English-speaking environment, comprehensive education and exceptional facilities on offer.
Let’s look into the specifics of American schools in Dubai in more detail.
Curriculum
Most of the American schools in Dubai offer a standard American curriculum, although there are other international schools that offer a British curriculum or the International Baccalaureate, however, each has its merits in terms of further education and job prospects in later life.
American schools often offer programs based on the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) or other American educational frameworks to provide a comprehensive education graded in the standard A to F format with a transcript of results given at the end of each year according to the GPA grades common in the US. This transcript of results is a great help in demonstrating the students’ academic capabilities when applying for colleges and universities across the world, not just in America.
Additionally, while the majority of the education provided in American schools is designed to fit the American curriculum, there are usually other elements involved in the classes and extracurricular activities to cater to the diverse student population in Dubai.
In an American curriculum, students typically take a broad range of classes across various subject areas throughout their academic years. Typically, an American curriculum includes:
- English Language and Literature
- Mathematics
- Sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, possibly also Psychology)
- Social Studies (including History, Geography, Politics, Economics, and sometimes Sociology)
- Foreign Language (Usually Spanish, French, Mandarin, or Arabic)
- Physical Education (PE)
- Visual Arts
- Performing Arts (such as Music, Theater, and Dance)
- Technology (such as Computer Science)
The specific classes offered can vary between schools and grade levels. Additionally, schools may offer specialized programs or extracurricular activities to further enrich students’ educational experiences and allow them to further develop an interest or talent in a specific topic.
School Calendar and Hours
As the parents and families of the children of American schools are from the USA and other countries across the world, they will have family commitments and other events during internationally recognised holidays. So many American schools largely follow the same school calendar as those in America and Europe, but with some additional national holidays relevant to the UAE. For example, most American schools in Dubai will have a winter, spring and summer break, but they may also have a few days off to celebrate Eid al-Fitr, the Muslim celebration to mark the end of Ramadan.
Similarly, due to the work and social commitments of the parents, school hours in Dubai’s international schools follow a similar pattern to those in the US, beginning early in the morning and ending in the early afternoon. Kindergartens typically have shorter hours, while elementary schools have longer hours as children’s need for contact time with teachers increases.
At the School of Modern Skills:
- Kindergarten begins at 7.45 am and ends at 12.40 pm
- Elementary school begins at 7.45 am and ends at 2.40 pm
- Middle school and high school begin at 7.45 am and end at 2.50 pm
- All classes finish at 11.40 am on Fridays
Extracurricular classes are also offered to further develop the children’s learning and encourage social activities. You can learn more about our sports clubs here.
Cost
There are public schools in Dubai that are free for locals, however, American schools and other English-speaking schools include tuition fees to pay for the state-of-the-art equipment, facilities and other services available to the students. The cost of tuition can vary greatly from school to school, but the average cost for one year of education is reportedly 80,680 AED (approximately 21,970 USD). The price of tuition also increases each year as the students’ needs increase.
At the School of Modern Skills, tuition fees are much more reasonable and transparent, with prices ranging from 18,295 AED (approximately 4,982 USD) for KG1 students to 32,714 AED (approximately 8,908 USD) for Grade 12 pupils. This fee includes the necessary books, stationery and uniform as well as the tuition fees.
Do American Schools in Dubai Have Uniforms?
Different schools across the UAE have different uniform policies, so you should check with each school’s policies before enrolling, although it will be made clear to you on any tour or open day of a prospective school – which you’re encouraged to do.
School uniforms help to identify students when they’re in public to generate an identity for the school, as well as foster a community among the students and make things easier by leaving strict dress codes behind. At the School of Modern Skills, we designed our uniform specifically with the comfort and impressive appearance of the students in mind, as well as being respectful of local attitudes.
Benefits of American Schooling in Dubai
Attending an American school in Dubai offers numerous benefits for students – both international and local – which encompass educational and social advantages, including:
- Global Validity
- Proven Social Development
- Flexibility in Education
- Supporting Dubai Industry Needs
- Guaranteed High Standards and Results
The diverse skills and subject matters taught through the American curriculum in such a diverse environment as an international school enable students to access a myriad of opportunities in later life, from further education to the job market. The recognition of the American curriculum on the world stage helps students endlessly, particularly in international cities like Dubai.
As well as the education side of schooling, the American-style education in exceptional facilities also helps develop students’ social skills, with a focus on teamwork and collaboration through their classwork and extracurricular activities, as well as developing empathy and understanding towards others of different cultures and backgrounds. This in turn helps grow tomorrow’s leaders.
Students are also granted the opportunity to tailor their programs to their own interests and abilities, choosing to further their knowledge of some subjects to gain a deeper understanding. This enables children to take ownership of their studies, fostering independence and responsibility.
Dubai is a thriving hub of international business from technology and construction to healthcare and science, so growing industry experts and leaders with crucial skills will grant them numerous advantages in the job market as well as support the growing needs of Dubai’s industries.
American curricula are also results-driven, so students are encouraged to achieve excellent grades throughout their schooling. It’s these grades that will help them to further their careers after their graduation.
Overall, attending an American school in Dubai provides a comprehensive and tailored approach to learning that prepares students for success in whichever field and country they choose to delve into.
Why Choose the School of Modern Skills?
Whether you’re a Dubai local, an international family or an American family who has relocated to Dubai, the American curriculum offered in the contemporary campus of the School of Modern Skills is perfectly suited to equip your children with the skills they will need in life.
Encouraging critical thinking, creativity and understanding of other cultures and communities, each student’s needs are met through personalized education and learning experiences as well as an array of extracurricular activities. Academic and social skills are equally enhanced through an education with us, while each pupil’s personal character is encouraged to shine through our embrace of curiosity and personal growth.
Our mission, which you can read in full here, is to develop a lifelong love of learning in each of our students. If you’re interested in joining our school, read more about us here, or look at specific information regarding:
Ready for a Tour?
If you’re ready to book a tour of our campus to witness first-hand our excellent facilities and experience life in our school, contact us today! Parents can also make enquiries here.
