Dubai National School, Al Barsha

Founded in 1988, Dubai National School has two campuses in Dubai. Dubai National School Al Barsha is one of the larger branches, catering to 2,835 students. The school is co-educational until Grade 3, after which boys and girls are taught in separate sections from Grade 4 onwards. DNS Al Barsha offers education from Pre-KG to Grade 12 and follows the American curriculum.

The school employs 250 full-time teachers along with 21 teaching assistants, maintaining a favourable teacher to student ratio of 1:11 to support personalised learning. The majority of the student population consists of Emirati nationals. DNS Al Barsha awards a High School Diploma that is recognised by the Ministry of Education and considered equivalent to the National Secondary Certificate, also known as Al Thanaweiah Al-Ameh. Graduates from the school have successfully gained admission to leading universities in the United States and Europe.

Dubai National School Al Barsha has built a strong reputation, having received a ‘Good’ rating for eleven consecutive years. The school focuses on delivering quality American education that aligns with Islamic values while preparing students to become internationally minded future leaders. A strong emphasis is placed on continuous professional development for teachers, which has contributed positively to student performance and academic outcomes.

Parents seeking Islamic schools in Dubai may consider Dubai National School Al Barsha as a well-established option offering a balanced academic and values-based education.

• Location: Al Barsha
• Fees: AED 24,172 - AED 39,665
• Curriculum: US Curriculum
• Co-ed or Segregated: Co-ed till Grade 3
• KHDA Rating: Good
• Grade: Pre-KG to Grade 12

Al Sufouh 1 is the closest neighbour of Dubai National School, Al Barsha. Other residential communities nearby include:

• Al Barsha 2
• Al Sufouh 2
• Dubai Media City
• Umm al Sheif

Al Barsha 2 is a sub-community of Al Barsha. Residential options in Al Barsha 2 include villas and apartments in mid-rise buildings. Al Sufouh 2 is a sub-community offering luxurious villas and townhouses. Dubai Media City, also known as DMC, is Dubai's regional hub for media organisations. Residential options in the district include apartments and villas for rent. Umm Al Sheif is a small residential area with modern villas and townhouses. It is a family-centred neighbourhood with many reputable schools.

Those looking for accommodation near Dubai National School Al Barsha can consider:

• Apartments for rent near Dubai National School
• Apartments for sale near Dubai National School
• Villas for sale near Dubai National School
• Villas for rent near Dubai National School
• Townhouses for rent near Dubai National School
• Townhouses for sale near Dubai National School

Dubai National School has all the necessary facilities for effective learning. The spacious playground, gymnasiums and soccer field in Dubai National School Al Barsha are among the best in UAE. There are well-equipped labs, ICT rooms and five Arts rooms.

Other facilities available at the school include:

Dubai National School is located near Street 44 in Al Barsha 1. Al Khail Road and Sheikh Zayed Road make it easily accessible for families residing in other parts of the city.

Dubai National School offers a quality educational programme based on the American curriculum. The school's educational programme meets the needs of the multi-national community of the UAE. English is used as the medium of instruction at DNS Al Barsha. External assessment tests used include TIMSS, PISA and PBTS.

The High School Diploma of Dubai National School is recognised by the Ministry of Education and is equivalent to the National Secondary Certificate (Al Thanaweiah Al Ameh).

Dubai National School Al Barsha is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) and the Commission on International Education (CIE). The school greatly emphasises Islamic teaching within the context of the American Education Programme.

The mission statement emphasises every student's physical, moral and spiritual development. The objectives of the school include:

• Provide nurturing learning atmosphere and facilities to help students develop their capabilities
• Provide accurate and updated educational programmes to prepare students for their future education
• Help students and care for their physical, mental and social health
• Provide opportunities such as seminars, lectures and workshops to staff
• Provide proper educational materials to support Muslim students in maintaining their Islamic values and practising faithfulness, respect for all, honesty, forgiveness and tolerance

DNS Al Barsha offers classes from KG to Grade 12. Here’s a breakdown of the years offered to give you a good idea:

Dubai National School follows the American curriculum in all grades. In Grades 2 and 3, core subjects are:

According to the new KHDA requirements for American schools in Dubai, DNS Al Barsha has designed the curriculum as per The Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks to meet the diverse learning needs and interests of Grade 9 to 12 students.

The high school curriculum includes core and elective subjects that students can select based on their interests. The school teachers will provide guidance regarding the High School Credit System and elective subjects for a better understanding of options. All high school students must earn at least 25 credit hours as stated in DNS Al Barsha’s Graduation and Equivalency Requirements.

Core subjects in Grade 9 include these:

Subjects taught in Grade 10 are:

• Islamic Studies
• English
• Arabic
• Math Core
• Math Advances
• Physics
• Social Studies
• World History
• Global Perspectives
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Computer Science
• Personal Finance and Career Readiness

Grade 11 students study the following:

In Grade 12, these subjects are offered:

As mentioned earlier, Dubai National School Al Barsha has consistently maintained a ‘Good’ rating for the past 11 years. The school received a ‘Good’ overall rating for the 2023–2024 academic year, reflecting its continued commitment to quality education.

According to the latest KHDA inspection report, students at Dubai National School Al Barsha demonstrate very good achievement in English, Mathematics and Science at high school level. Arabic as an additional language is also a strong area, particularly in the elementary phase. Across the school, students display good learning skills, with excellent attendance and punctuality. Kindergarten students show very good personal and social development, while behaviour, relationships and healthy lifestyle choices are exemplary throughout the school. Students have a strong understanding of Islamic values and demonstrate awareness of Emirati and global cultures, alongside outstanding innovation skills.

Teaching is strongest in high school, where teachers have excellent subject knowledge and create positive, engaging learning environments. The KG and high school curricula are well developed, offering broad learning opportunities, cross-curricular links and scope for creativity and entrepreneurship. Health, safety and safeguarding procedures are very good, and students benefit from strong care, support and guidance. The school is particularly effective in identifying and supporting students of determination, though further improvement is needed in identifying gifted and talented students.

Leadership is a key strength, with a strong principal and management team supported by robust self-evaluation processes and an improvement plan aligned with external recommendations.

KHDA highlights the school’s strengths as strong provision for students of determination, exemplary personal and innovation skills, students’ appreciation of Islamic values and Emirati culture, effective high school teaching and improved leadership and governance. Key recommendations include strengthening inclusive classroom practices, improving assessment systems, ensuring consistent curriculum implementation and allowing leaders sufficient time to evaluate the impact of strategic initiatives.

The academic calendar of Dubai National School Al Barsha has two terms. The school year starts in August and ends in June. The important dates in this year’s calendar are as follows:

Besides, the school remains closed on many national and religious days. For more information, contact the school.

According to the KHDA guidelines, the school welcomes students regardless of religion or nationality. Parents interested in enrolling their child in DNS Al Barsha should complete the application form on the school’s website.

Parents are asked to submit a medical form with all relevant information about their child’s well-being. Students are enrolled in grades according to their age level, previous school records and entrance exam results.

Students applying for admissions in Grades 2 to 12 must appear for an entrance exam and pass three key subjects, including English, Mathematics and Arabic. The entrance exam does not require preparation and is based on familiarity and abilities for each level.
Here’s an overview of the Exam Duration:

• Lower elementary: 30 minutes
• Upper elementary: 90 minutes
• Intermediate: 2 hours
• Secondary stage: 2 to 3 hours

When students successfully clear the entrance exam, they receive an appointment for an interview with the principal, academic principal or their assistants.

Kindergarten teachers schedule a verbal interview to assess the student’s linguistic and motor skills. Grade 1 students are required to take an entrance exam and a spoken interview to check their attainment in English, Mathematics and Arabic.

A one-on-one evaluation may be conducted if required. The final admission decision is made within two working days. If the result does not match the admission criteria, the student might have to pass another entrance exam or be granted conditional acceptance. For admission in Grades 11 and 12, a proficiency test in the scientific subject is required. Please note that the school prioritises the siblings of already enrolled students.

DNS Al Barsha fee structure is mentioned below:

There are two cafeterias with a capacity of over 1,000 students. The cafeteria serves students and staff hot food, snacks and salads daily. The menu includes a variety of salads, croissants, manakeesh, fatayers, sandwiches, paninis, wraps, cakes, hot meals, snacks and beverages.

Dubai National School offers a bus service for students that follows the health and safety protocols outlined by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).

Students can only use their assigned bus. Changing vehicles is prohibited unless there's an emergency; parents must send a written request for the same.

Students must follow these rules:

• Students must respect the driver and the conductor.
• Students must remain seated at all times.
• They should not shout and abuse.
• Students must keep the bus tidy and should not dispose of anything on the bus.
• Students are not allowed to use their mobile phones.

Bus rules violators will be punished and may face temporary or permanent suspension from the school bus.

Dubai National School has exceptional indoor and outdoor sports facilities, including a multi-purpose gymnasium. Students can play soccer on the full-size soccer field. Sports Day is organised every year at DNS Al Barsha.

There are three well-equipped gyms along with three swimming pools. Each section has its pool with changing rooms.

DNS Al Barsha has numerous extracurricular activities for students. Many events and competitions are held during the academic year. Here’s an overview to give you a good idea:

Dubai National Al Barsha School takes students on various educational and fun trips. Students also participate in Scout trips. They have previously visited Safari, HQ – Forensic Department, LegoLand, People of Determination Centre and Dig It.

Parents are sent memos for important announcements. They are also kept updated through grade-specific WhatsApp groups.

• Telephone: +971-4-347-4555
• Email: dns.barsha@dns.sch.ae
• Dubai National School Al Barsha Website

Where is Dubai National School Al Barsha located?

Dubai National School Al Barsha is located in the Al Barsha area of Dubai.

What are the tuition fees at Dubai National School Al Barsha?

The annual fees range from AED 24,172 to AED 39,665, depending on the grade.

Which curriculum does Dubai National School Al Barsha follow?

The school follows the US curriculum from Pre-KG to Grade 12.

Is Dubai National School Al Barsha co-educational?

The school is co-educational until Grade 3, with separate sections for boys and girls from Grade 4 onwards.

What is the KHDA rating of Dubai National School Al Barsha?

Dubai National School Al Barsha holds a ‘Good’ rating from KHDA.