Universal American School
- American
- AP
- IB PYP
- IB Diploma
Per yearabout USD 11K–22.3K
AED 40.4K–81.8K · 2026-27 school year · Source: official government data (checked 2026-11-02)
About
Boutique community school in Dubai Festival City offering an American curriculum and the International Baccalaureate, with students from 80+ nationalities.
Key facts
Source: Read from the school's website
Curriculum
American · AP · IB PYP
Ages
Ages 3–18
Students
1,350
Language
English
Type
International school
Fee level
- Nationalities
- 80
- Founded
- 2005
- Ownership
- Foundation
- Scholarships
- Yes
- School bus
- Yes
Fees
Source: Official records
2026-27 school year
Age on the first day of the school year (usually 1 September). Cut-off dates differ by school.
| Grade | Per year |
|---|---|
| Pre Primary | AED 40,377≈ USD 11K |
| KG 1 | AED 43,103≈ USD 11.7K |
| KG 2 | AED 48,960≈ USD 13.3K |
| Grade 1 | AED 65,022≈ USD 17.7K |
| Grade 2 | AED 65,022≈ USD 17.7K |
| Grade 3 | AED 65,022≈ USD 17.7K |
| Grade 4 | AED 65,022≈ USD 17.7K |
| Grade 5 | AED 72,328≈ USD 19.7K |
| Grade 6 | AED 72,328≈ USD 19.7K |
| Grade 7 | AED 72,328≈ USD 19.7K |
| Grade 8 | AED 72,328≈ USD 19.7K |
| Grade 9 | AED 81,834≈ USD 22.3K |
| Grade 10 | AED 81,834≈ USD 22.3K |
| Grade 11 | AED 81,834≈ USD 22.3K |
| Grade 12 | AED 81,834≈ USD 22.3K |
| per year | |
|---|---|
| Pre Primary | AED 40,377 (about USD 11K) |
| KG 1 | AED 43,103 (about USD 11.7K) |
| KG 2 | AED 48,960 (about USD 13.3K) |
| Grade 1 | AED 65,022 (about USD 17.7K) |
| Grade 2 | AED 65,022 (about USD 17.7K) |
| Grade 3 | AED 65,022 (about USD 17.7K) |
| Grade 4 | AED 65,022 (about USD 17.7K) |
| Grade 5 | AED 72,328 (about USD 19.7K) |
| Grade 6 | AED 72,328 (about USD 19.7K) |
| Grade 7 | AED 72,328 (about USD 19.7K) |
| Grade 8 | AED 72,328 (about USD 19.7K) |
| Grade 9 | AED 81,834 (about USD 22.3K) |
| Grade 10 | AED 81,834 (about USD 22.3K) |
| Grade 11 | AED 81,834 (about USD 22.3K) |
| Grade 12 | AED 81,834 (about USD 22.3K) |
Source: school website (web.khda.gov.ae) · checked 2026-11-02 · Reference rate (2026-11-06)
| min | max | |
|---|---|---|
| Universal American School (this school) | AED 40,377 (about USD 11K) | AED 81,834 (about USD 22.3K) |
| Pristine Private School | AED 12,300 (about USD 3.35K) | AED 29,204 (about USD 7.95K) |
| Al Diyafah High School | AED 9,506 (about USD 2.59K) | AED 20,475 (about USD 5.58K) |
| Arcadia British School | AED 67,687 (about USD 18.4K) | AED 96,209 (about USD 26.2K) |
| The Winchester School Jebel Ali | AED 14,950 (about USD 4.07K) | AED 33,352 (about USD 9.08K) |
| Greenwood International School | AED 20,124 (about USD 5.48K) | AED 30,860 (about USD 8.4K) |
Source: school website (web.khda.gov.ae) · checked 2026-11-02 · Reference rate (2026-11-06)
As published by the school. Amounts change with the school year and exchange rates; please confirm with the school before applying. Converted amounts use the reference rate of the date shown. Reference rate (2026-11-06). Source: official government data (checked 2026-11-02)
Curriculum and academics
Source: Read from the school's website
Curricula, explained
The IB's four programmes
Schools often run only some of the four. Highlighted boxes are the ones this school offers.
- IB PYPOffered
Early years to primary · Ages 3–12
The IB's primary programme. Children learn through questions and units of inquiry rather than separate subjects.
- IB MYPNot here
Middle years (ages 11–16) · Ages 11–16
The IB's middle-years programme: eight subject groups taught with links between them, ending with a personal project.
- IB DP (Diploma)Offered
Last 2 years of school · Ages 16–19
The IB's university-entrance qualification — what people usually mean by "the IB". Six subjects plus the Extended Essay, TOK and CAS, scored out of 45.
- IB CP (Career-related)Not here
Last 2 years of school · Ages 16–19
The IB's career-related route for the same ages as the DP: at least two DP courses plus a career-related study chosen by the school.
Last two years: DP or CP
American curriculum
Kindergarten to Grade 12 · Ages 5–18
Grade-by-grade like US schools; students graduate by earning course credits, often with AP courses in high school.
AP
High school, by subject · Ages 15–18
College Board's university-level courses that high-school students choose subject by subject, with exams scored 1–5 each May.
Ages are the usual bands; schools can differ.Curriculum basics guide
Strengths
- Academics
- Sport
- Visual arts
Campus and school life
Source: Read from the school's website
Facilities
- Swimming pool
- Gym
- Theatre
- Sports field
- Library
Sports
- 25m swimming pool
- 400m running track
- Jiu-jitsu mat
- Natural-grass football pitch
Arts
- Recording studio
- Radio station
- Podcast room
- Ceramics room
- Art studios
After-school activities
- Robotics and coding
- Cookery
- Knitting and craft
- Piano and guitar
- Art and design workshops
- Sports activities
Request a school tour
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Sign in to requestAccreditation and memberships
Source: Read from the school's website
- Accreditations
- IB
- Inspection
- KHDA · Very Good
Diving deeper
Source: Read from the school's website
Governance and ownership
Part of the Al-Futtaim Education Foundation, which the school describes as providing governance and long-term stability.
School website · Checked 2026-11-06
Academics
Source: Read from the school's website
Curriculum
Offers an American curriculum alongside IB programmes, including PYP and the Diploma, and Advanced Placement options.
School website · Checked 2026-11-06
Parent experience
Source: Read from the school's website
History
Opened in 2005 in Dubai Festival City. Gained IB Diploma authorisation in 2007 and IB PYP in 2010, and joined the Al-Futtaim Education Foundation in 2018.
School website · Checked 2026-11-06
Community
Community is built through events such as coffee mornings, Spirit Week and International Day, four annual productions, and student groups.
- Parent Coffee Mornings
- Spirit Week
- International Day
- Union Day
- Flag Day
- Fringe Festival
- Model United Nations
- National Honor Society
- Emirati Committee
School website · Checked 2026-11-06
Facilities
Source: Read from the school's website
Facilities overview
A purpose-built campus in Dubai Festival City with labs, libraries, a theatre, a pool, a track and arts studios.
School website · Checked 2026-11-06
Sports facilities
Sports facilities include a 25m pool, a gymnasium, a 400m track, a jiu-jitsu mat and a natural-grass football pitch.
- 25m swimming pool
- Full gymnasium
- 400m running track
- Multi-sport gymnasium
- Jiu-jitsu mat
- Natural-grass football pitch
- Athletic field
School website · Checked 2026-11-06
Academic facilities
Academic spaces include specialist science and ICT labs, language rooms, and separate Elementary and Secondary libraries.
- Science and ICT labs
- Language specialist rooms
- Elementary library
- Secondary library
School website · Checked 2026-11-06
Extra-curricular facilities
Creative spaces include a recording studio, radio station, podcast room, ceramics room and a 546-seat theatre.
- Recording studio
- Radio station
- Podcast room
- Ceramics room
- 546-seat theatre
School website · Checked 2026-11-06
Extra-curricular activities
Source: Read from the school's website
Academic and intellectual
Termly after-school programme includes robotics and coding activities.
- Robotics and coding
School website · Checked 2026-11-06
Arts and creative
Arts activities each term include piano and guitar lessons beyond class time and art and design workshops.
- Piano and guitar
- Art, design and creative workshops
School website · Checked 2026-11-06
Social and hobbies
Hobby activities include cookery and knitting and craft clubs, which also help build friendships across year groups.
- Cookery
- Knitting and craft clubs
School website · Checked 2026-11-06
Reputation
Source: Read from the school's website
Accreditations
Inspected by KHDA under the DSIB framework and currently rated Very Good, with a stated aim of reaching Outstanding.
School website · Checked 2026-11-06
Location
Source: Read from the school's website
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More in this city · DubaiUpdated 2026-11-06
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