Guides

---

You’ve just arrived in Dubai and are now looking at schools.  This can be a lengthy process – first you’ve got to think about the location, the curriculum, the sports, the languages and any other aspects of schooling and education which is important to you as the parent, and to your child/children.

So, first things first. Your colleagues and friends will give you advice. Remember that your child is an individual and because your friend’s child loves the school they’re attending it doesn’t necessarily follow through that your child will.

Always visit the school – more than once if possible. This is a huge investment for your child – not because of the financial outlay but because this is a new country – new school – new friends – new home. A lot for a child of any age to cope with.

Visit the KHDA website for information on properly licensed and registered schools in Dubai. The location of the school, curriculum, school fees etc are all listed in the KHDA website. You can search for a specific school or in a variety of other ways.

Which curriculum is best suited to your child. Think past today. Where will you be in a few years time? Where will you want your child to be educated and therefore which curriculum would be best for your child. Discuss any worries you have with the staff and especially the Head Teacher or Principal. Once you’re feeling a little bit more at ease take the plunge and ask as many questions as you like – the list is meant as an aide memoire to help you remember the different aspects of the school.

Once you’ve narrowed down the schools to maybe two or three arrange appointments and meet with the Head Teacher and other teachers who will have an active part in your child’s school life. You want to feel comfortable leaving your child/children at the school.

We’ve put together a list of  helpful list of school questions to ask yourself and the teachers and/or Head Teacher/Principal. They should help you remember more about the school visit – it’s awfully difficult to try to remember everything about every school you visit, even if it’s just one or two.

We’ve derived this list from a mix of school questions we’ve asked ourselves and with the help of the Principal at Hartland International School.

If you think we should add other questions please let us know.  In the meantime, print out this 2 page questionnaire and take it on your next school visit. We hope it helps.

QUESTIONS TO ASK THE SCHOOL Sheet1

---

« Back to Dubai Sherpas