KHDA Ratings 2026 – Dubai Schools

The Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) is Dubai’s regulatory authority for education. It is responsible for the growth, direction and quality of private education (schools, universities, nurseries) in Dubai.

As an initiative to raise the standards of education, the KHDA inspects and releases results on the performance of schools in Dubai. Each report gives an overview of the strengths, weaknesses, and success stories of schools.

Here are the highlights according to the latest KHDA Report:

• There are a total of 209 schools inspected this year
• 11 schools were not inspected
• 10 schools were inspected for the first time
• 23 schools are rated Outstanding
• 48 schools are rated Very Good
• 85 schools are rated Good
• 51 have been rated Acceptable
• 2 are considered Weak
• 26 schools improved their rating
• 3 schools moved from ‘Very Good’ to ‘Outstanding’
• 11 schools moved from ‘Good’ to ‘Very good’
• 11 schools moved from ‘Acceptable’ to ‘Good’
• 1 schools moved from ‘Weak’ to ‘Acceptable’

What does the KHDA cover in its inspection?

KHDA inspections evaluate the effectiveness of the school, the learning environment, the achievement of students, and the self-evaluation process of schools. Inspections also focus on Islamic Education, English, Maths & Sciences, and Arabic.

What are the criteria used to assess schools?

The criteria include academic attainment in core subjects, the quality of school leadership, attitudes of students, and Islamic and Arabic provisions in the curriculum.

What are the key focus areas of KHDA’s school inspections?

• Provision for Emirati Students
• Academic achievements of Emirati students
• Provision for moral education in the curriculum
• Planning, teaching, assessment and learning of UAE social studies
• Provision for students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)
• Academic Achievements of students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)
• Innovation within schools’ curricula and reading literacy

How are schools in Dubai rated?

• Outstanding – an exceptionally high quality of performance or practice
• Very Good – The quality of performance exceeds
• Good – the expected level of quality for every school
• Acceptable – the minimum level of acceptability required
• Weak – quality not yet at the level acceptable

Below is a list of all schools in Dubai with ratings and average fees. For additional details, see DSIB Report here.