CBSE schools in Dubai: fees, KHDA ratings and where to find them
Last checked against KHDA on 1 November 2026.
Dubai has 34 Indian-curriculum (CBSE) private schools on our list, and they are the most affordable curriculum in the city, averaging AED 10,836 a year in starting fees. 16 start under AED 10,000. 11 are rated Very Good or Outstanding by KHDA, and five of those start under AED 12,500. Fees are frozen for 2026-27.
CBSE schools at a glance
Our count covers every school we list whose curriculum includes CBSE: 33 Indian (CBSE) schools plus GEMS Modern Academy, which offers CBSE and IB. The average starting fee covers the 33 Indian (CBSE) schools, because our fees index groups GEMS Modern Academy with IB.
| Measure | Figure |
|---|---|
| CBSE schools listed | 34 (33 Indian CBSE, plus GEMS Modern Academy, which offers CBSE and IB) |
| Average starting fee (33 Indian CBSE schools) | AED 10,836 |
| Lowest starting fee | AED 2,859 (Crescent English School, Acceptable) |
| Starting under AED 10,000 | 16 schools |
| Starting under AED 15,000 | 25 schools |
| Starting under AED 20,000 | 31 schools |
| 2026-27 fee increase | None (KHDA, 22 May 2026) |
KHDA ratings of CBSE schools
Most of these ratings are from 2023-24. Dewvale School and Dhruv Global School carry 2025-26 ratings (both Acceptable). KHDA paused inspections for 2025-26 and resumes quality assurance visits in 2026-27, so some ratings may change this year.
| Latest KHDA rating | Schools |
|---|---|
| Outstanding | 1 (GEMS Modern Academy, 2023-24) |
| Very Good | 10 |
| Good | 14 |
| Acceptable | 9 |
Best value: Very Good CBSE schools with the lowest starting fees
The only Outstanding CBSE school, GEMS Modern Academy in Nad Al Sheba, has published fees of AED 30,983 to 73,876. You can compare it with The Indian High School side by side, and our best CBSE schools list ranks them all by KHDA rating.
| School | Area | KHDA rating | Published fees (lowest to highest) |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Indian High School, Dubai | Oud Metha | Very Good (2023-24) | AED 5,525 to 10,465 |
| GEMS Our Own Indian School | Al Quoz | Very Good (2023-24) | AED 7,209 to 14,696 |
| GEMS Our Own English High School | Al Warqa | Very Good (2023-24) | AED 7,828 to 17,257 |
| Delhi Private School | The Gardens | Very Good (2023-24) | AED 11,139 to 15,592 |
| JSS Private School | Al Wasl | Very Good (2023-24) | AED 12,145 to 26,375 |
Where CBSE schools are
CBSE schools cluster in older districts rather than the newer villa communities. On our list, Al Quoz has 5 (GEMS Our Own Indian School, Global Indian International School, Springdales, Credence High School and Dewvale). Al Garhoud has 4 (GEMS Legacy School, Indian High School Al Garhoud, New Indian Model School and Gulf Indian High School). Al Qusais has 4 (The Millennium School, Amity School, Crescent English School and Woodlem Park School). Muhaisnah has 3 (Buds Public School, The Indian Academy and Gulf Model School), and Al Warqa has 3 (GEMS Our Own English High School, Our Own High School and Primus Private School).
If you live in Al Barsha
There is no CBSE school in Al Barsha itself on our list. The only one with an Al Barsha address is Dhruv Global School in Al Barsha South, about 18 minutes' estimated morning drive (Acceptable, 2025-26). The shortest estimated drives, about 12 minutes, are to two schools in Al Quoz. Eight Very Good schools are within about 20 minutes. Drive times are estimates, and afternoon pick-up can take longer: from Al Barsha, The Indian High School is about 19 minutes at drop-off and about 28 minutes at pick-up.
| School | Estimated drive from Al Barsha | Fees |
|---|---|---|
| GEMS Our Own Indian School (Al Quoz) | about 12 min | AED 7,209 to 14,696 |
| JSS International School (JVC) | about 14 min | AED 15,910 to 41,513 |
| Delhi Private School (The Gardens) | about 16 min | AED 11,139 to 15,592 |
| GEMS New Millennium School (Al Khail) | about 16 min | AED 23,143 to 33,557 |
| JSS Private School (Al Wasl) | about 16 min | AED 12,145 to 26,375 |
| Credence High School (Al Quoz) | about 18 min | AED 15,000 to 27,000 |
| The Indian High School, Dubai (Oud Metha) | about 19 min | AED 5,525 to 10,465 |
| Ambassador School (Al Mankhool) | about 20 min | AED 19,225 to 45,750 |
Fees: what to check
Fees rise with each grade: Springdales' CBSE fees run from AED 14,534 in Pre-primary to AED 32,960 in Grade 12, and Ambassador School's from AED 19,225 to 45,750, so check the senior grade fee as well as the starting fee. Published discounts are already applied in our figures: for example, Bright Riders School is AED 12,875 after discount (AED 19,000 on KHDA before discount), so confirm eligibility with the school. Extras such as uniform, books and transport are not in the fact sheet total. You can filter CBSE schools by budget, and compare them with other curricula on the Dubai School Fees Index 2026.
School year
KHDA publishes a separate calendar for April start schools; their 2026-27 year began on 6 April 2026. Ask each school which calendar it follows.
Frequently asked questions
How many CBSE schools are there in Dubai?
DXB Schools lists 34 Indian-curriculum (CBSE) private schools in Dubai, including GEMS Modern Academy, which offers CBSE and IB.
What are CBSE school fees in Dubai?
Indian (CBSE) schools average AED 10,836 a year in starting fees, the lowest of any curriculum in Dubai. 16 start under AED 10,000.
What is the cheapest CBSE school in Dubai?
Crescent English School in Al Qusais has the lowest published starting fee, AED 2,859 a year. It is rated Acceptable by KHDA (2023-24).
Which is the best CBSE school in Dubai by KHDA rating?
GEMS Modern Academy in Nad Al Sheba is the only CBSE school rated Outstanding by KHDA (2023-24). Ten more are rated Very Good.
Which good CBSE schools have low fees?
The Indian High School, Dubai (Very Good, from AED 5,525) and GEMS Our Own Indian School (Very Good, from AED 7,209) have the lowest starting fees among Very Good CBSE schools.
Are there CBSE schools near Al Barsha?
Yes. GEMS Our Own Indian School and Global Indian International School in Al Quoz are about 12 minutes' estimated drive, and eight Very Good CBSE schools are within about 20 minutes.
Are CBSE school fees rising in 2026-27?
No. KHDA confirmed on 22 May 2026 that there will be no increase in private school fees in Dubai for 2026-27.
Where are most CBSE schools in Dubai?
Mostly in Al Quoz, Al Garhoud, Al Qusais, Muhaisnah and Al Warqa.
Related pages
- Indian (CBSE) schools near Al Barsha
- Best CBSE schools in Dubai
- CBSE schools under AED 10,000
- CBSE schools under AED 20,000
- Dubai School Fees Index 2026
- GEMS Modern Academy vs The Indian High School
- Al Barsha area guide
- How KHDA ratings work
- How to read a KHDA fee fact sheet
- Dubai school term dates 2026-27
- How much school costs in Dubai in 2026-27
Sources
- KHDA school directory: each school's fees table and latest rating, checked 1 November 2026
- KHDA fact sheet: GEMS Modern Academy, Grade 11 (Indian/IB), 2026-27, checked 1 November 2026
- KHDA fact sheet: Bright Riders School, KG 1, 2026-27, checked 1 November 2026
- KHDA directory: Springdales School fees, checked 1 November 2026
- KHDA: Dubai freezes private school fees for 2026-27 (22 May 2026), checked 1 November 2026
- KHDA: pause on school inspections for 2025-26 (16 May 2025), checked 1 November 2026
- KHDA: Academic Calendar for Dubai's Private Schools, checked 1 November 2026