Education · Relocate2UAE Editorial Team
Named schools, fees and inspection ratings for Sharjah, RAK, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain and Fujairah in 2026/27, plus regulators, curricula, best areas, commutes and admissions for relocating families.
Outside Dubai and Abu Dhabi, Sharjah has by far the most school choice: around 135 licensed private schools in 2026/27, published inspection ratings from the Sharjah Private Education Authority (SPEA), and curricula from British and American to IB, Indian, French, German and Australian. Ras Al Khaimah has 34 private schools with independent 2026 inspection reports published by the RAK Department of Knowledge (RAKDOK). In Ajman, Umm Al Quwain and Fujairah, private schools are regulated by the federal Ministry of Education, which does not routinely publish school-by-school ratings, so families do more of the checking themselves. Fees are generally lower than in Dubai: Indian curriculum schools in these emirates start at about AED 3,000 to 8,000 a year, while British, American and IB schools typically run from about AED 8,500 to 75,000. Choose the curriculum first, confirm a place, then choose where to live.
| Question | Short answer |
|---|---|
| Who regulates private schools in Sharjah? | The Sharjah Private Education Authority (SPEA), which inspects schools under its Itqan programme and publishes the reports. |
| Who regulates private schools in Ras Al Khaimah? | The Ras Al Khaimah Department of Knowledge (RAKDOK), which took over from the Ministry of Education in a transfer agreed in 2024. |
| Who regulates private schools in Ajman, Umm Al Quwain and Fujairah? | The UAE Ministry of Education. Ajman also has a local Office of Private Education Affairs that works alongside the Ministry. |
| How many private schools does Sharjah have? | About 135 licensed for 2026/27, with more than 204,000 pupils expected. 127 schools hold an Itqan rating. |
| How many private schools does Ras Al Khaimah have? | 34, teaching more than 35,000 pupils across nine curricula. |
| Are there Outstanding schools outside Dubai and Abu Dhabi? | Yes, two: GEMS Millennium Private School in Sharjah (Indian CBSE) and RAK Academy Al Hamra in Ras Al Khaimah (British). |
| Can I read inspection reports? | In Sharjah (spea.shj.ae) and Ras Al Khaimah (dok.rak.ae), yes. In Ajman, Umm Al Quwain and Fujairah, generally no. |
| Are schools cheaper than in Dubai? | Generally yes. Indian and Pakistani curriculum schools are among the most affordable in the country, and British and American schools usually cost less than Dubai equivalents. |
| What is the school starting age for 2026/27? | Children must reach the required age by 31 December of the admission year (31 March for April-start schools). Grade 1 or Year 2 entry is age 6. |
| Do all schools follow the same calendar? | No. Sharjah private schools follow SPEA's own calendar, and Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi curriculum schools follow an April to March year. |
| Is Arabic compulsory? | Yes. Every private school must teach Arabic, plus Islamic Education for Muslim pupils and Moral Education and UAE Social Studies. |
| Is the Dubai fee freeze in force here? | No. The 2026/27 freeze applies to Dubai only. Sharjah links fee increases to inspection ratings, and RAK has its own fee policy. |
The full 2026/27 guide as a branded PDF: every named school with its curriculum, rating and fees, the regulator-by-emirate breakdown, the best areas for families, admissions documents and attestation, and the commute tables. Built to be read on a school tour, not at a desk.
Download the PDF FreeNo sign-up. Opens in a new tab.
Schools in the Rest of the UAE
2026/27 Edition
Short answer: It depends on the emirate. Sharjah has its own regulator (SPEA) and so does Ras Al Khaimah (RAKDOK). Ajman, Umm Al Quwain and Fujairah come under the federal Ministry of Education. The regulator decides what you can read before you visit, how fees are controlled, which calendar applies and where you complain if something goes wrong.
| Emirate | Private school regulator | Published school ratings? | Where to look |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharjah | Sharjah Private Education Authority (SPEA) | Yes, Itqan inspection reports | spea.shj.ae |
| Ras Al Khaimah | Ras Al Khaimah Department of Knowledge (RAKDOK) | Yes, 2026 quality evaluation reports | dok.rak.ae/schools |
| Ajman | UAE Ministry of Education, with Ajman's Office of Private Education Affairs | Not routinely published | Ask the school for its latest Ministry inspection outcome |
| Umm Al Quwain | UAE Ministry of Education | Not routinely published | Ask the school directly |
| Fujairah | UAE Ministry of Education | Not routinely published | Ask the school directly |
| For comparison: Dubai | KHDA | Yes | See our Dubai schools guide |
| For comparison: Abu Dhabi | ADEK | Yes | See our Abu Dhabi schools guide |
Ajman set up an Office of Private Education Affairs in 2022 to coordinate with the Ministry of Education and monitor private school performance. It issues circulars to Ajman schools, for example on student protection, and in August 2026 signed a quality improvement programme covering around 50 private schools. It works alongside the Ministry rather than replacing it, so the Ministry remains the regulator for licensing and fees.
Short answer: Four things change. In three emirates you cannot read an inspection report. Sharjah runs its own school calendar. The school markets are much smaller, so your curriculum may only exist in one or two schools. And specialist learning support is thinner. None of these makes the northern emirates a worse choice, but each changes how you research.
The Ministry of Education inspects private schools in these emirates but does not routinely publish school-by-school reports the way KHDA, ADEK, SPEA and RAKDOK do. Your due diligence is direct: visits, current parents, exam results, staff turnover, external accreditations and the school's own disclosures. A school with no published rating is not a school with a bad rating. It is a school where the work falls to you.
Sharjah private schools follow a calendar approved by SPEA. For 2026/27 it is close to the national calendar but not identical, and Sharjah schools have worked a Monday to Thursday week since the emirate moved to a Friday to Sunday weekend in 2022, so check your school's weekly timetable. If one child is at school in Sharjah and another in Dubai, expect two sets of dates and different weekly rhythms.
Sharjah aside, these are small sectors. Ras Al Khaimah has 34 private schools. Ajman has around 45 to 50, and Umm Al Quwain only a handful that serve expatriate families. The chance that an emirate has your curriculum, in your child's year group, with a place and the support your child needs, drops quickly as the market shrinks. In Dubai you shortlist. Here you often confirm one option and build your move around it.
Provision for children with additional learning needs is considerably thinner outside Dubai and Abu Dhabi. For anything beyond mild, mainstream-manageable needs, the support should decide the emirate, not the other way round.
Short answer: Sharjah if school choice matters most. Ras Al Khaimah if lifestyle drives the move and your curriculum is available there. Ajman if cost matters most and you can do your own due diligence with Sharjah's schools nearby. Umm Al Quwain only after you have confirmed a specific place. Fujairah if you want the east coast, and look at Sharjah's east coast towns of Kalba and Khorfakkan alongside it.
| If your priority is… | Best fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| The widest curriculum choice | Sharjah | About 135 schools and the only French, German and Australian schools in the northern emirates |
| Published, comparable ratings | Sharjah or Ras Al Khaimah | Both publish full inspection reports on the national framework |
| An Outstanding-rated school | Sharjah (Indian CBSE) or RAK (British primary) | GEMS Millennium and RAK Academy Al Hamra are the only two |
| Lowest overall cost | Ajman, then Sharjah | Low rents and many schools under AED 15,000 a year |
| British curriculum at moderate fees | Sharjah, RAK or Ajman | A wide spread from about AED 11,000 to 73,000 |
| IB | Sharjah, then RAK or Ajman | Raffles World Academy, American Gulf School, Victoria International, RAK Academy Khuzam and Ajman Academy |
| Indian curriculum (CBSE) | Sharjah or Ajman | The deepest and most affordable sector in the country |
| A daily commute into Dubai | Sharjah or Ajman | The only realistic daily commutes, and peak traffic is heavy |
| Beach, mountains and space | Ras Al Khaimah or Fujairah | Different pace of life, but not a daily Dubai commute |
| Additional learning needs | Sharjah, or reconsider Dubai or Abu Dhabi | The other emirates have limited specialist provision |
Still deciding where to live? Our UAE Emirates Comparison Guide compares cost, housing and lifestyle emirate by emirate.
Short answer: Sharjah is the strongest alternative to Dubai for families who want real curriculum choice at lower fees and rents. It has around 135 licensed private schools for 2026/27, published Itqan inspection reports, a public school search with fee filters on the SPEA website, and fee increases tied to inspection ratings. The trade-off is the peak-hour commute into Dubai.
The only Outstanding school in Sharjah is GEMS Millennium Private School in Muwailih, an Indian CBSE school rated Outstanding in the 2022/23 review. Five schools moved up to Very Good in the 2025/26 cycle: the International School of Choueifat Sharjah, American Gulf School, Al Rushed American Private School, Rosary School and Victoria International School's Central Region campus.
| School | Area | Ages / grades | Itqan rating (year) | Annual tuition (AED) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sharjah English School | Industrial Area 17, near University City | FS1 to Year 13 | Very Good (2023/24) | 28,420 to 72,765 (2026/27) |
| GEMS Cambridge International Private School | Muwailih | FS to Year 13 | Very Good (2023/24) | approx. 22,175 to 34,800 |
| International School of Creative Science, Muwaileh | Muwaileh | FS1 to Year 13 | Very Good (2024/25) | approx. 23,080 to 45,020 (2026/27) |
| Al Ansar International Private School | Al Qarain 2 | KG to Grade 12 | Very Good (2024/25) | approx. 22,440 to 30,340 |
| Rosary School | Halwan | FS2 to secondary | Very Good (2025/26) | approx. 11,295 to 13,465 |
| Wesgreen International School | Muwailih | FS1 to Year 13 | Good (2024/25) | approx. 19,000 to 47,465 |
| GEMS Westminster School Sharjah | Muwailih | FS1 to Year 13 | Good (2024/25) | 13,765 to 27,005 (2025/26) |
| Victoria English School | Al Azra | FS1 to Year 13 | Good (2025/26) | approx. 15,900 to 41,640 |
| School | Area | Curriculum and grades | Itqan rating (year) | Annual tuition (AED) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Gulf School | Al Rahmaniya | American and IB, KG to Grade 12 (growing) | Very Good (2025/26) | approx. 35,540 to 75,440 (2026/27) |
| Al Rushed American Private School | Muwaileh Commercial | American, KG to Grade 12 | Very Good (2025/26) | approx. 12,765 to 28,780 |
| Sharjah American International School | Al Rumaqiyya | American, KG1 to Grade 12 | Good (2024/25) | approx. 18,730 to 36,060 (2025/26) |
| Raffles World Academy Sharjah (new 2026) | Aljada | IB (PYP, MYP, DP, CP) and US diploma; Pre-K to Grade 8 in 2026/27 | Not yet rated | approx. 40,000 to 64,000 (2026/27) |
| School | Area | Curriculum and grades | Itqan rating (year) | Annual tuition (AED) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| International School of Choueifat Sharjah | Industrial Area 6 | SABIS, KG1 to Grade 12 | Very Good (2025/26) | approx. 21,000 to 37,200 (2026/27) |
| SABIS International School Aljada | Aljada | SABIS, Pre-KG upward | Good (2024/25) | approx. 27,000 to 48,000 |
| Australian International School Sharjah | Industrial Area 18 | Australian, Pre-KG to Grade 12 | Very Good (2023/24) | 38,077 to 69,129 (2026/27) |
| Victoria International School of Sharjah | Al Mamzar / Al Taawun | Australian and IB, Pre-KG to Grade 12 | Very Good (2023/24) | approx. 28,350 to 74,900 (2026/27) |
| Victoria International School, Central Region campus | Mleiha (Central Region) | Australian | Very Good (2025/26) | Ask the school for its current schedule |
| French International Private School (formerly Lycée Français Georges Pompidou) | Al Abar | French, Pre-KG to Grade 7 | Very Good (2023/24) | approx. 27,500 to 46,400 (2026/27) |
| German International School Sharjah | Al Abar | German, KG1 to Grade 12 | Good (2024/25) | approx. 20,950 to 49,400 |
| School | Area | Grades | Itqan rating (year) | Annual tuition (AED) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GEMS Millennium Private School | Muwailih | Pre-KG to Grade 12 | Outstanding (2022/23) | 15,880 to 25,360 (2026/27) |
| Delhi Private School Sharjah | Muwailih | Pre-KG to Grade 12 | Very Good (2023/24) | 12,200 to 16,520 (2026/27) |
| Amity Private School Sharjah | Muwailih | Pre-KG to Grade 12 | Very Good (2024/25) | approx. 14,760 to 25,420 |
| Ambassador School | Muwailih | KG to Grade 12 | Very Good (2023/24) | approx. 8,820 to 25,700 |
| Our Own English High School (Girls) | Industrial Area 6 | KG1 to Grade 12 | Very Good (2023/24) | approx. 8,350 to 16,115 |
| Our Own English High School (Boys) | Juwaiza | KG1 to Grade 12 | Very Good (2023/24) | approx. 8,440 to 16,240 (2026/27) |
| Sharjah Indian School | Rolla area | KG1 to Grade 12 | Good (2024/25) | 3,700 to 6,480 (2026/27) |
New and coming soon. INDEX Private School (Indian curriculum, Muwailih) and Rushmore American School (Al Suyoh) are new and not yet rated. Reigate Grammar School is building a British school at Arada's Masaar community, due to open in September 2027, and an American school is planned for Sharjah Sustainable City.
To see every licensed school, filter by fee band, curriculum, region, gender and rating, and download each school's approved fees, use the SPEA school directory.
| Area | Why families choose it | Schools nearby |
|---|---|---|
| Muwailih (Muwaileh) | The densest school cluster in Sharjah, close to University City | GEMS Millennium, Delhi Private School, Amity, Ambassador, GEMS Cambridge, GEMS Westminster, Wesgreen, ISCS, Al Rushed American |
| Aljada | New master community with modern housing | Raffles World Academy Sharjah, SABIS International School Aljada |
| University City and Industrial Areas 17 and 18 | Close to Muwailih and the airport road | Sharjah English School, Australian International School |
| Al Rahmaniya and Al Suyoh | Villas and newer communities, quieter | American Gulf School, Rushmore American School |
| Al Abar and Halwan | Central, established | French International School, German International School, Rosary School |
| Al Taawun, Al Khan and Al Mamzar | Closest to the Dubai border | Victoria International School |
| Al Azra and Al Qarain | Family villa areas | Victoria English School, Al Ansar International |
Sharjah also governs Kalba and Khorfakkan on the east coast, next to Fujairah. Schools there are SPEA-regulated with published reports, so if the east coast appeals you get Fujairah's lifestyle with Sharjah's transparency.
| School | Town | Curriculum and grades | Itqan rating (year) | Annual tuition (AED) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Victoria International School, Kalba | Kalba | Australian, Pre-KG to Grade 9 | Good (2024/25) | approx. 23,000 to 43,000 |
| Victoria International School, Khorfakkan | Khorfakkan | Australian, Pre-KG to Grade 9 | Good (2024/25) | approx. 22,500 to 43,000 |
| English Private School of Kalba | Kalba | British, KG upward | Good (2025/26) | approx. 12,350 to 23,175 |
| American Private School of Kalba | Kalba | American, Grades 6 to 12 only | Good (2022/23) | approx. 15,975 to 23,465 (2025/26) |
| East Coast English School | Khorfakkan | Indian CBSE, KG1 to Grade 10 | Acceptable (2023/24) | approx. 3,300 to 5,060 (2025/26) |
We found no SPEA-licensed international private school in Dibba Al Hisn. Families there usually look at schools in Dibba Al Fujairah, covered in the Fujairah section.
Short answer: Ras Al Khaimah has 34 private schools teaching more than 35,000 pupils across nine curricula, regulated by the RAK Department of Knowledge (RAKDOK). In 2026 every UK, US, IB, SABIS and Ministry curriculum school was evaluated by an independent provider on the national framework, and RAK Academy Al Hamra became the emirate's first Outstanding school. RAKDOK's website lists every school with its rating, fee range and full report.
RAKDOK's Tuition Fees Policy applies from 2025/26, with full compliance required by 2026/27. It sets clear limits that protect parents:
Ratings are RAKDOK's 2025/26 ratings. Fees are the annual range shown by RAKDOK unless the school's own 2026/27 schedule is given.
| School | Area | Curriculum and grades | Rating (2025/26) | Annual tuition (AED) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RAK Academy Al Hamra | Al Hamra | British, Pre-K to Grade 5 (secondary campus announced) | Outstanding | 18,700 to 35,200 |
| GEMS Westminster School RAK | Seih Al Uraibi | British, Pre-K to Grade 12 | Very Good | 13,340 to 24,250 |
| International School of Choueifat RAK | Al Dhait | SABIS, Pre-K to Grade 12 | Very Good | 28,000 to 54,000 |
| RAK Academy Khuzam | Khuzam | British and IB, Pre-K to Grade 12 | Good | 18,700 to 46,475 (2026/27, school schedule) |
| RAK Academy Al Rams | Al Rams | British, Pre-K to Grade 5 | Good | 18,700 to 35,200 |
| St Mary Private High School | Khalifa bin Zayed City | British, Pre-K to Grade 10 | Good | 13,600 to 26,000 |
| RAK American Academy | Seih Al Uraibi | American (Cognia accredited), KG to Grade 12 | Good | 20,000 to 44,550 including books (2026/27, school schedule) |
| The WellSpring Private School | Dafan Al Khor | American with AP (Cognia accredited), Pre-K to Grade 12 | Good | 20,000 to 46,200 plus AED 2,000 enrolment fee (2026/27, school schedule) |
| Emirates National School RAK | Al Dhait | American, Pre-K to Grade 12 | Good | 15,705 to 32,450 |
| Harvest Private School | Al Dhait South | British, KG1 to Grade 12 | Acceptable | 8,500 to 20,600 |
| Delhi Private School RAK | Al Dhait | Indian CBSE, KG1 to Grade 12 | Good | 12,500 to 17,500 |
| Indian Public High School | Ras Al Khaimah | Indian CBSE, KG1 to Grade 12 | Good | 3,302 to 7,305 |
| Scholars Indian Private School | Ras Al Khaimah | Indian CBSE, KG1 to Grade 12 | Acceptable | 4,866 to 8,930 |
| New Indian School RAK | Mamourah | Indian (Kerala State Board), KG1 to Grade 12 | Acceptable | 4,345 to 8,850 |
| Alpha Private School | Ras Al Khaimah | Indian, KG1 to Grade 12 | Acceptable | 8,000 to 16,000 |
| Pakistani Higher Secondary School | Ras Al Khaimah | Pakistani, KG1 to Grade 12 | Acceptable | 2,610 to 6,140 |
| New Filipino Private School | Ras Al Khaimah | Filipino, KG1 to Grade 10 | Not yet rated (opened 2025) | 9,000 to 22,000 |
Where RAKDOK and the school's own fee schedule differ, as they do for RAK Academy Khuzam and RAK American Academy, the school's current approved schedule is the figure to budget for.
| Area | Why families choose it | Schools nearby |
|---|---|---|
| Al Hamra Village | The most popular expatriate community, beach and golf | RAK Academy Al Hamra |
| Khuzam and Al Nakheel | Central, close to the city's facilities | RAK Academy Khuzam |
| Al Dhait and Khalifa bin Zayed City | Villas and a dense school cluster | Choueifat RAK, Emirates National School, Delhi Private School, Harvest, St Mary |
| Seih Al Uraibi | Between the city and the airport road | GEMS Westminster RAK, RAK American Academy |
| Mina Al Arab | Popular waterfront community | No licensed school inside the community; most families use Al Hamra or central RAK schools |
Short answer: Ajman is one of the most affordable emirates for families, with around 45 to 50 private schools, strong Indian (CBSE) provision and a growing group of British and American schools. Schools are regulated by the Ministry of Education, with Ajman's Office of Private Education Affairs monitoring them locally. Ratings are not routinely published, so check accreditations and visit. Sharjah's schools are close by, and living in Ajman while schooling in Sharjah is common.
Fees are indicative published figures unless stated; confirm the current approved schedule with the school. Ratings are the 2023/24 outcomes reported for Ajman.
| School | Area | Curriculum and grades | Rating / accreditation | Annual tuition (AED) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ajman Academy | Al Tallah 2 | IB (PYP, MYP) with IGCSE and A Level, Pre-KG to Grade 12 | Good (2023/24); IB World School since 2014 | approx. 24,000 to 66,350 |
| International School of Choueifat Ajman | Al Tallah 2 | SABIS, Pre-KG to Grade 12 | Good (2023/24) | 28,000 to 54,000 approved; 26,000 to 49,000 discounted (2025/26, school schedule) |
| The City American Private School | Al Tallah 2 | American, KG upward | Good (2023/24) | approx. 15,600 to 31,500 |
| The First Academy | Al Hamidiya | American, KG1 to Grade 12 | Good (2023/24) | approx. 14,500 to 25,900 (2026/27) |
| Frontline International Private School | Al Tallah 2 | British (IGCSE, A Level), FS1 to Year 13 | Good (2023/24) | approx. 15,000 to 27,000 approved (2026/27) |
| Ajman American Private School | Al Jurf 1 | American, KG1 to Grade 12 | Acceptable (2023/24) | approx. 17,200 to 30,900 (2026/27) |
| British International School Ajman | Al Nuaimia | British, FS1 to Year 13 | Acceptable (2023/24) | approx. 11,000 to 22,000 |
| Woodlem British School | Al Hamidiya | British (opened 2023) | New when last reported | approx. 18,000 to 26,000 approved (2026/27) |
| North Gate British Private School | Al Hamidiya | British (opened 2024, growing year by year) | New | approx. 19,900 to 29,800 (2026/27) |
| Habitat School Al Tallah | Al Tallah 2 | Indian CBSE, Pre-KG to Grade 12 | Acceptable (2023/24) | approx. 10,000 to 19,000 approved; 6,900 to 11,150 discounted (2026/27) |
| Habitat School Al Jurf | Al Jurf 2 | Indian CBSE, KG to Grade 12 | Acceptable (2023/24) | approx. 6,500 to 10,600 |
| Woodlem Park School | Al Jurf | Indian CBSE, KG1 to Grade 12 | Acceptable (2023/24) | approx. 6,350 to 10,850 |
| Al Ameer English School | Al Jurf 2 | Indian CBSE, KG1 to Grade 12 (founded 1991) | Acceptable (2023/24) | approx. 4,900 to 10,300 |
| International Indian School Ajman | Al Jurf 2 | Indian CBSE, KG1 to Grade 12 | Acceptable (2023/24) | approx. 5,200 to 12,000 |
Pakistani curriculum families can look at Pakistan Islamia Secondary School in Ajman.
| Area | Why families choose it | Schools nearby |
|---|---|---|
| Al Tallah 2 | Ajman's main school cluster | Ajman Academy, Choueifat Ajman, City American, Frontline, Habitat Al Tallah |
| Al Jurf | Residential, good for CBSE schools | Habitat Al Jurf, Woodlem Park, Al Ameer, Ajman American, International Indian School |
| Al Hamidiya | Newer British and American schools | The First Academy, Woodlem British, North Gate British |
| Al Nuaimia and Al Rashidiya | Closest to the Sharjah border | British International School Ajman; easy access to Sharjah schools |
| Al Mowaihat and Al Yasmeen | Villas and newer developments | Short drive to Al Tallah |
Short answer: Umm Al Quwain is the smallest school market covered here, with only a handful of private schools that serve expatriate families, regulated by the Ministry of Education. The main international options are the International School of Choueifat UAQ (SABIS) and the Sharjah American International School's UAQ campus. Confirm your school before you commit to the emirate.
| School | Area | Curriculum and grades | Annual tuition (AED) |
|---|---|---|---|
| International School of Choueifat UAQ | Khalifa City | SABIS; check the grades offered for your child's age | approx. from 20,000 |
| Sharjah American International School, UAQ campus | Al Salamah | American, KG1 to Grade 12 | approx. 17,500 to 32,300 (2025/26) |
| The English Private School | Al Salama | Founded in 1983; sources describe its curriculum differently, so confirm the curriculum and board for each grade with the school | approx. from 5,200 |
| New Indian School UAQ | Al Riqqah | Indian (CBSE and Kerala board), KG1 to Grade 10 | approx. 3,000 to 4,500 |
| Wise Indian Private School | Al Riqqah | Indian CBSE, KG to Grade 10 | approx. 5,200 to 7,000 (2026/27) |
Fees are indicative published figures. No inspection ratings are published for Umm Al Quwain schools, so ask each school for its latest Ministry inspection outcome and any external accreditation.
Confirm your school before you commit. Not the area: the emirate. If you need a specific curriculum, exam pathway or learning support, check it exists first. Note that two of the Indian schools stop at Grade 10. If what you need is not here, you are choosing between changing curriculum and a daily commute to Ajman, Sharjah or Ras Al Khaimah.
Living in Umm Al Quwain and schooling in Ajman or Sharjah is workable for some families: Sharjah city is roughly 35 to 40 km away and Ras Al Khaimah city about 55 to 60 km. Neither is trivial twice a day for a young child, and cross-emirate buses are not guaranteed. Ask the specific school whether it runs a UAQ route and what time the bus collects.
Short answer: Fujairah has a small private school sector regulated by the Ministry of Education, with British, American and Indian options concentrated around Fujairah City, plus a few schools in Dibba. Ratings are not routinely published. If you are open to the wider east coast, Sharjah's towns of Kalba and Khorfakkan offer SPEA-rated schools on the same coastline.
| School | Area | Curriculum and grades | Rating / accreditation | Annual tuition (AED) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GEMS Winchester Private School Fujairah | Sakamkam | British (IGCSE, A Level), Pre-KG to Grade 12 | No published rating | 24,950 to 39,290 (GEMS published range) |
| Fujairah Private Academy | Academic City, near City Centre Fujairah | British (Cambridge IGCSE, A Level), KG to Grade 12 | British Schools Overseas inspected (last listed visit 2017) | approx. 23,850 to 42,000 |
| Diyar Private Academy | Sakamkam, plus separate boys' and girls' campuses in Dibba | American, Pre-KG to Grade 12 | US accreditation (AIAASC) | approx. 15,480 to 31,590 (2026/27) |
| St Mary's Catholic High School | Al Sharia | Choice of British (GCSE, A Level) or Indian CBSE | No published rating | approx. 6,000 to 13,000 |
| Our Own English High School Fujairah (GEMS) | Al Faseel | Cambridge IGCSE and Indian CBSE streams, KG1 to Grade 12 | Cambridge centre; CBSE affiliated | approx. 5,750 to 12,300 IGCSE; 5,150 to 10,950 CBSE (2026/27) |
| Indian School Fujairah | Al Faseel | Indian CBSE, KG1 to Grade 12 | CBSE affiliated | 3,100 to 6,250 (school published) |
| Eminence Private School | Sakamkam | Indian CBSE, KG upward | CBSE affiliated | approx. 8,500 to 13,500 |
| Modern Indian School, Dibba | Dibba Al Fujairah | Indian CBSE, KG to Grade 12 | CBSE affiliated | approx. 4,360 to 9,300 |
| Pakistan Islamia Higher Secondary School | Fujairah | Pakistani (Federal Board) | No published rating | approx. 2,225 to 4,450 |
Areas to consider: Fujairah City, Sakamkam, Al Faseel, Al Sharia and Dibba Al Fujairah. If you are looking at Dibba or anywhere away from Fujairah City, confirm the school and the bus route before choosing a home. And look at Kalba and Khorfakkan alongside Fujairah: same coastline, published ratings.
Short answer: Fees outside Dubai and Abu Dhabi are generally lower. Indian and Pakistani curriculum schools start from about AED 2,200 to 8,000 a year. Mid-market British and American schools typically charge about AED 11,000 to 35,000. The top tier, mostly in Sharjah, reaches about AED 70,000 to 75,000 a year for senior grades. Tuition is only part of the bill: budget for transport, uniform, books, exams and trips too.
| Curriculum | Sharjah | Ras Al Khaimah | Ajman | Umm Al Quwain | Fujairah |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indian (CBSE) | about 3,300 to 25,700 | about 3,300 to 17,500 | about 4,900 to 19,000 | about 3,000 to 7,000 | about 3,100 to 13,500 |
| Pakistani | check the SPEA directory | about 2,600 to 6,100 | low-cost options available | none confirmed | about 2,200 to 4,500 |
| British | about 11,300 to 72,800 | about 8,500 to 46,500 | about 11,000 to 30,000 | none confirmed | about 5,750 to 42,000 |
| American | about 12,800 to 75,400 | about 15,700 to 46,200 | about 14,500 to 31,500 | about 17,500 to 32,300 | about 15,500 to 31,600 |
| IB | about 28,400 to 75,400 | up to about 46,500 (RAK Academy Khuzam) | about 24,000 to 66,400 (Ajman Academy) | none confirmed | none confirmed |
| SABIS | about 21,000 to 48,000 | about 28,000 to 54,000 | about 26,000 to 54,000 | from about 20,000 | none confirmed |
| Australian | about 22,500 to 74,900 | none | none | none | none |
| French / German | about 21,000 to 49,400 | none | none | none | none |
All figures in AED, lowest grade to highest grade, drawn from the school tables in this guide. They are a planning range, not a price list.
Curriculum (South Asian curricula are the most affordable; British, Australian and IB the most expensive), year group (fees usually rise steeply from Year 7 and again for sixth form), inspection rating, facilities and location.
| Emirate | Who approves fees | How increases work |
|---|---|---|
| Sharjah | SPEA | Increases are linked to the Itqan rating. Under SPEA's published framework the maximum was 5% for Outstanding, 3.75% for Very Good, 2.5% for Good, 1.25% for Acceptable and nothing below Acceptable, and schools could apply once every two years. Approved fee files are published on each school's SPEA profile. |
| Ras Al Khaimah | RAKDOK | Under the RAKDOK Tuition Fees Policy, schools need three years of operation and audited accounts to apply, within an announced window. Deposits, payment instalments and refunds are capped. |
| Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Fujairah | Ministry of Education | The Ministry reviews fee changes, taking account of school quality and what parents can afford. Approved schedules are not published centrally, so ask the school for its Ministry-approved schedule. |
The 2026/27 fee freeze announced by KHDA applies to Dubai schools only. We found no equivalent freeze for Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain or Fujairah.
Never compare schools on tuition alone. Compare them on total annual cost. For a whole-household budget, use our UAE Cost of Living Guide, and if you are negotiating a package, the UAE Salary Guide shows what school allowances typically look like.
Short answer: Choose the school first, then the home. Outside the main cities the school run shapes your week more than the school itself. Sharjah to Dubai is the only commute most families attempt daily, and peak traffic can turn 20 km into an hour or more. Drive the route at 7am on a weekday before you sign a lease.
| Route | Approximate distance |
|---|---|
| Sharjah city to Dubai (Deira) | 15 to 20 km |
| Ajman to Sharjah city | 10 to 15 km |
| Ajman to Dubai | about 25 to 30 km to Deira, about 40 km to Downtown |
| Umm Al Quwain to Sharjah city | 35 to 40 km |
| Umm Al Quwain to Dubai | about 50 km to the Dubai border area, about 65 km to central Dubai |
| Umm Al Quwain to Ras Al Khaimah city | 55 to 60 km |
| Ras Al Khaimah to Dubai | 100 to 130 km, depending on route and destination |
| Fujairah to Dubai | 120 to 130 km |
These are distances, not journey times. Emirates Road and Al Ittihad Road at 7am bear no resemblance to the same roads at 11am.
Etihad Rail's passenger service opened between Abu Dhabi and Fujairah in June 2026 and added stations at Al Yalayis in Dubai and Al Dhaid in Sharjah in September 2026, with Sharjah University City due in 2027. It is useful for weekend travel, but it is not a practical school-run option, and Ras Al Khaimah, Ajman and Umm Al Quwain have no stations yet. An RTA intercity bus links Dubai and Sharjah. There is no Dubai Metro link to Sharjah.
A young child on a 70-minute bus each way spends more than two hours a day travelling. For primary-age children especially, put proximity ahead of small differences in rating.
For the Dubai side of the border, see our Dubai Area Guide. For housing in the northern emirates, our UAE Housing Guide explains tenancy registration and costs.
These apply in every emirate, whatever the curriculum, and they cause the most surprises for relocating families.
From 2026/27, schools whose year starts in August or September use 31 December of the admission year as the age cut-off, replacing 31 August. Schools that start in April keep 31 March.
| Stage | British equivalent | Age by 31 December |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-KG | FS1 | 3 |
| KG1 | FS2 | 4 |
| KG2 | Year 1 | 5 |
| Grade 1 | Year 2 | 6 |
The Ministry of Education's unified calendar for 2026/27 runs as follows:
| Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| Schools open | 31 August 2026 |
| Mid-term break | 12 to 18 October 2026 |
| Winter break | 14 December 2026 to 3 January 2027 |
| Spring break | 5 to 11 April 2027 |
| Last day of the year | 2 July 2027 |
Three exceptions matter in these emirates:
Ras Al Khaimah publishes separate September-start and April-start calendars on the RAKDOK website. Your own school's approved calendar is the only one that governs your family. Our UAE School Holiday Calendar 2026/27 sets out term dates and public holidays in full.
Every UAE private school, whatever its curriculum, must teach Arabic (as a first language for Arab pupils and as an additional language for others), Islamic Education for Muslim pupils, and Moral Education and UAE Social Studies, which many schools deliver to non-Arab pupils as Moral, Social and Cultural Studies.
In kindergarten, the Ministry's guidelines now set minimum time: about 40 minutes of Arabic a day (200 minutes a week), rising to 60 minutes a day by 2027/28, and 90 minutes a week of Islamic Education for Muslim children. Compliance inspections of kindergarten provision begin in 2026/27.
A meaningful share of your child's timetable is fixed before the school's own curriculum gets a look in. What varies is how well schools teach Arabic to non-Arabic speakers, so ask about it at every visit.
Federal Law No. 29 of 2006, as amended by Federal Law No. 14 of 2009, guarantees people of determination equal educational opportunities and says a disability must not prevent admission to any government or private school. It applies in Ajman, Umm Al Quwain and Fujairah exactly as it does in Dubai.
Short answer: Decide the curriculum first, then the school, then the home. Indian (CBSE) and American schools exist in every emirate covered here, and British schools in all but Umm Al Quwain. French, German and Australian schools exist only in Sharjah, and IB is limited to a few schools in Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah and Ajman, so if your child needs one of those, it narrows your map before you start.
Curriculum continuity is the single largest predictor of how smoothly a child settles after an international move, and it matters more the older your child is. A six-year-old can switch systems easily. A fifteen-year-old halfway through a GCSE course cannot.
| Curriculum | Exit qualifications | Where you will find it outside Dubai and Abu Dhabi |
|---|---|---|
| British (English National Curriculum) | IGCSE / GCSE, A Level | Wide choice in Sharjah; available in RAK, Ajman, Fujairah and Kalba; none confirmed in UAQ |
| Indian (CBSE, some ICSE / Kerala) | CBSE Class 10 and 12 board examinations | The largest and most affordable sector, especially in Sharjah and Ajman; present in every emirate |
| American | High School Diploma, AP | Every emirate covered here |
| Pakistani | Federal Board (FBISE) examinations | Ajman, RAK and Fujairah; check the SPEA directory for Sharjah |
| IB | PYP, MYP, IB Diploma | Limited: Sharjah (several schools), RAK Academy Khuzam and Ajman Academy |
| SABIS | IGCSE, A Level or AP | Choueifat campuses in Sharjah, RAK, Ajman and UAQ, plus SABIS Aljada |
| French | Brevet, Baccalauréat | Sharjah only, currently to Grade 7 |
| German | German International Abitur pathway | Sharjah only (German International School Sharjah) |
| Australian | Australian curriculum, IB Diploma | Sharjah, including Kalba and Khorfakkan |
| UAE Ministry of Education | UAE secondary certificate | Widely available, including government schools; private Ministry curriculum schools mainly serve Arabic-speaking families |
Short answer: Sharjah (SPEA) and Ras Al Khaimah (RAKDOK) publish inspection ratings on a six-point scale aligned with the unified UAE School Inspection Framework, the same framework and scale KHDA uses in Dubai. Ajman, Umm Al Quwain and Fujairah schools are supervised by the Ministry of Education, which does not routinely publish per-school reports, so there you check accreditations and outcomes instead.
Performance substantially exceeds UAE expectations
Performance exceeds UAE expectations
Performance meets UAE expectations (the expected level)
Performance meets minimum UAE expectations
Performance is below UAE expectations
Performance is significantly below UAE expectations
SPEA does not inspect every school every year: each Itqan cycle reviews a group of schools, and higher-rated schools can go two or more years between reviews. Sharjah's only Outstanding rating, for example, dates from the 2022/23 review. A "Very Good" badge on a school website may date from several years ago, under a different principal. Always find the year of the report, not just the grade.
A rating is an average across the whole school. A school rated Good overall may be Very Good in primary and Acceptable in the middle years. If your child is eleven, the overall grade is the wrong number. Ask for the full report and read the phase-by-phase judgements.
Some schools hold external accreditations that are independent of the UAE regulator and can be checked online:
In emirates without published inspection reports, these are your best independent cross-check.
Short answer: Apply three to six months before your move, start document attestation six to eight weeks before you need to register, and get your child's year-group placement confirmed in writing. Mid-year entry is common and widely accepted; availability, not willingness, is the constraint.
The UAE is not part of the Hague Apostille Convention, so documents issued abroad need full legalisation rather than an apostille. For a transfer certificate and reports, the usual chain is: the education authority (or a notary, depending on the country) in the issuing country, then the UAE embassy or consulate there, then the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs once you arrive. Documents not in Arabic or English need a legal translation. This takes weeks and is much harder after you have left, so start six to eight weeks before you need to register. Sharjah English School, for example, asks for an attested transfer certificate from Year 2 (Grade 1) upward. Requirements vary by school and emirate, so ask each school exactly what it needs for your child's grade.
Children arriving from abroad or changing curriculum are placed by their last successfully completed grade under the Ministry of Education's equivalency rules. A formal Ministry equivalency certificate is mainly needed at secondary level (Grades 10 to 12), and can be applied for online from abroad for Grade 12. Do not assume year groups match: British Year 7 is not automatically Grade 7, and the 31 December age cut-off has shifted some placements. Get the year group confirmed in writing before you accept a place.
| Your timeline | What to do now |
|---|---|
| 6 to 12 months before | Decide curriculum, shortlist schools, check age placement, begin attestation |
| 3 to 6 months before | Submit applications, book assessments (many can be done online), confirm placement in writing |
| Under 3 months | Contact admissions directly, widen your geography and fee band, ask about waiting lists |
| Already arrived mid-year | Ask where you sit on the waiting list and how fees are pro-rated, in writing |
Short answer: Every UAE private school has a legal duty not to refuse a child solely because of a disability or additional learning need, but specialist provision is much thinner outside Dubai and Abu Dhabi. If your child needs more than light-touch support, confirm the provision exists before you choose the emirate.
Federal Law No. 29 of 2006 on the rights of people of determination (as amended by Federal Law No. 14 of 2009) guarantees equal educational opportunities and says a disability must not prevent admission to any government or private educational institution. It applies in Ajman, Umm Al Quwain and Fujairah exactly as it does in Dubai. If a school will not engage, escalate to the regulator: SPEA in Sharjah, RAKDOK in Ras Al Khaimah, and the Ministry of Education in Ajman, Umm Al Quwain and Fujairah.
A right of admission does not create specialist provision that does not exist. A school that must admit your child but has no inclusion lead, no speech and language therapist and no experience of your child's profile is not a good outcome.
Share the full picture. Softening a diagnosis to secure a place almost always backfires, because a school that does not understand a child's needs cannot resource them.
Use these at every visit, and ask for the answer in writing on anything that affects money, place or support.
Need hands-on help? Relocate2UAE's how to choose and join a UAE school guide covers curricula, fees, ratings, documents and enrolment, with independent school selection support.
We checked every rule against official sources first: the UAE Ministry of Education and u.ae, the Sharjah Private Education Authority (school directory, Itqan reports and calendars), the Ras Al Khaimah Department of Knowledge (school directory, quality evaluation reports, Tuition Fees Policy and calendars), the RAK Government Media Office, and the UAE Ministry of Justice legislation portal. School fees come from each school's own published fee schedule where available, and otherwise from published figures in reputable media and school comparison listings, which we mark "approx." Where official sources were silent or contradicted each other, we have said so rather than guess. Fees, ratings and school details change, sometimes at short notice: treat the date at the top of this guide as its expiry warning.
Please read this notice carefully. It limits Relocate2UAE's liability to you.
This guide is published by Relocate2UAE for general information. It is a high-level starting point for families researching education in the UAE and is not educational, legal, financial, immigration, tax, relocation or professional advice of any kind, and must not be relied upon as a substitute for such advice. Reading or acting on this guide creates no advisory, professional, agency or client relationship with Relocate2UAE, and no duty of care arises from your use of it.
Information is provided "as is" and was verified as at 18 October 2026. School fees, availability, curricula, inspection results, ratings, regulatory responsibilities, admission requirements, entry-age policies, academic calendars and school counts are all subject to change, sometimes at short notice and without public announcement. Relocate2UAE gives no warranty, express or implied, that any information here is accurate, complete, current or fit for any particular purpose.
You must independently verify all information material to any decision, directly with the relevant education authority — the UAE Ministry of Education, SPEA, RAKDOK or other competent body — and with the individual school, before making any education, enrolment, financial, housing, employment, immigration or relocation decision. Where this guide conflicts with information published by an official authority or issued by a school, the official or school source prevails.
This guide references and summarises material published by government authorities, regulators, schools and media organisations. Relocate2UAE does not control that material and is not responsible for its accuracy or availability. Summaries are provided in good faith and may not capture the full detail, conditions or exceptions of the underlying source. Where individual schools, communities or organisations are named, they are named for illustrative purposes only — not as a recommendation, endorsement or ranking, and not indicating any affiliation or commercial relationship unless expressly stated. Comparative assessments are broad planning indicators reflecting publicly available information and editorial judgement, not official rankings or regulatory determinations.
Nothing here constitutes any guarantee regarding school admission, availability of places, fee levels, year-group placement, inspection outcomes, visa or residency outcomes, or any other result. Admission and placement decisions rest solely with individual schools and the relevant authorities.
To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, Relocate2UAE, its owners, directors, employees, contributors and agents exclude all liability for any loss, damage, cost or expense of any kind — including without limitation direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential or economic loss, loss of profit, loss of opportunity or wasted expenditure — arising from or in connection with your use of, or reliance on, this guide, whether in contract, tort (including negligence), statute or otherwise. Nothing in this notice excludes or limits any liability that cannot lawfully be excluded.
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We checked every rule against official sources first: the UAE Ministry of Education and u.ae, the Sharjah Private Education Authority (school directory, Itqan reports and calendars), the Ras Al Khaimah Department of Knowledge (school directory, quality evaluation reports, Tuition Fees Policy and calendars), the RAK Government Media Office, and the UAE Ministry of Justice legislation portal. School fees come from each school's own published fee schedule where available, and otherwise from published figures in reputable media and school comparison listings, which we mark "approx." Where official sources were silent or contradicted each other, we have said so rather than guess. Fees, ratings and school details change, sometimes at short notice: treat the date at the top of this guide as its expiry warning.