SchoolDubai Heights Academy
Overview
Established in September 2017, Dubai Heights Academy (DHA) aims to become a model school for inclusion in Dubai. It is located in Al Barsha South, a popular sub-community in the larger Al Barsha district.
Dubai Heights Academy Dubai follows the National Curriculum of England from Foundation Stage until Year 9. The school will expand by adding a grade each year in its secondary section till year 13. Thus, students could appear for GCSE examinations in 2023.
Currently, the school is affiliated with British Schools in the Middle East (BSME). Furthermore, Dubai Heights Academy seeks affiliations with the Council of British International Schools (COBIS) and British School Overseas (BSO).
The student body is divided into four houses — White Wolves, Green Gazelles, Red Falcons and Black Scorpions.
This Dubai Heights Academy review discusses various aspects of the school. It provides an overview of its facilities, educational programme, extra-curricular programme and admission and fee details.
In a nutshell
- Location: Al Barsha South
- School fees: AED 37,750 to AED 68,305
- Curriculum: UK curriculum
- Co-ed or segregate: Co-education
- KHDA rating: Very Good
- Years offered: FS1 to Year 9
Residential Communities near Dubai Heights Academy
Enjoying a prime location in Al Barsha South, Dubai Height Academy campus is easily accessible for families residing in:
The nearest neighbourhood is Jumeirah Village Circle. Investors and renters find this area particularly attractive as it is located in the heart of Dubai. Various top-notch lifestyle amenities are also in proximity to JVC.
If you are interested in accommodation options near the school, check out:
Campus of Dubai Heights Academy
The 6-acre Dubai Heights Academy campus can accommodate around 1,800 students. It has state-of-the-art facilities to support the learning process. When you step inside the campus, you will find a reception area with a spacious seating arrangement. Look around, and you will find a coffee shop and a bookshop near reception.
Classrooms are spacious so students can learn and enjoy their lessons in a comfortable setting. Each classroom is equipped with modern technology, interactive whiteboards and multimedia. The campus has a wonderful world snoezelen room, a fun junction sensory room and specialist labs for Science, IT, Arts and Music.
Children have access to a cinematic auditorium where they can watch movies or perform in drama. Similarly, the school clinic and cafeteria are designed to serve the students.
There is a garden and a fully-equipped playground for kindergarteners. During summer, little ones can also spend time with friends (under adult supervision) in a learner’s pool.
The campus has a range of facilities for sports activities. Secondary students can play various indoor sports in a multi-purpose sports hall. Moreover, they can access a temperature-controlled swimming pool for swimming. Students can also play football on a full-sized football field.
You can buy Dubai Heights Academy uniforms from Stitches, which is in Al Quoz.
Location of Dubai Heights Academy
Dubai Heights Academy is located in Al Barsha South. Al Barsha South is a mixed-use sub-community with elegant villas and commercial properties.
Dubai Heights Academy’s location is popular since there are other popular British curriculum schools in the same area.
You will also find Dwight School Dubai, which offers an IB curriculum near the DHA campus.
Why Dubai Heights Academy?
Dubai Heights Academy School is an inclusive school that offers quality international education while keeping in mind the culture and heritage of the UAE. Students belonging to different backgrounds, cultures and religions can join DHA Barsha.
The school recognises the need to educate students about the benefits of innovation and technology. Hence, the Dubai Heights Academy Barsha campus is equipped with modern facilities.
Students are encouraged to make iMovies, write ebooks and participate in school tech competitions across the UAE. Dubai Heights Academy has links with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) to help young learners explore the world of Artificial Intelligence. Similarly, the school has an on-site robot named Jibo to help students understand and adopt technological advancements as a part of their academic journey.
Another exciting feature of DHA is its partnership with some nurseries in Dubai. If your child is enrolled in any of the below-mentioned nurseries and is capable enough to start formal education at Dubai Heights Academy, they get a referral.
The four nurseries are:
- Odyssey Nursery
- Kid Island Nursery
- Maple Bear Nursery
- Rainbow Valley Nursery
Furthermore, Dubai Heights School has introduced corporate discounts for parents working in partner organisations. They can get up to 20% discount on the annual tuition fee of their child. If you want to check out quality schools near Dubai Heights Academy, here’s a comprehensive list of the best schools in Al Barsha.
School Details
Years Offered at Dubai Heights Academy
Dubai Heights Academy follows specific age placement guidelines as a British curriculum school. Here’s an overview to give you a better understanding.
| Phases | Years Covered |
|---|---|
| Foundation Stage | FS 1 and FS 2 |
| Key Stage 1 | Year 1 and Year 2 |
| Key Stage 2 | Year 3 to Year 6 |
| Key Stage 3 | Year 7 and Year 8 |
| Key Stage 4 | Year 9 |
The school is expected to add a grade each year.
Dubai Heights Academy Curriculum
Dubai Heights Academy Al Barsha Dubai offers a quality education following the National Curriculum of England. The school teaches Islamic Education, Moral Education, Arabic Studies, and Social Studies further to enrich the syllabus following the Ministry of Education curriculum.
Foundation Stage
The school follows the outcomes and objectives underlined in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework. Little ones are encouraged to develop skills in the following seven key areas of learning:
- Personal, Social and Emotional Development
- Physical Development
- Communication and Languages
- Literacy
- Mathematics
- Expressive Arts and Designs
- Understanding the World
Key Stage 1 and 2
Dubai Heights Academy’s curriculum for primary school is focused on providing modern education. The modern curriculum allows children to learn and adopt the skills to become productive global citizens.
Frequent rounds of assessments, enrichment activities and school trips make learning more fun and, at the same time, more challenging for students during the entire academic year. These opportunities allow students to learn new information. Students can apply them in real-life situations and evaluate their performances against the set benchmarks.
The core curriculum focuses on developing Literacy, Mathematical and Science skills. Non-core subjects include History, Design Technology, Art, PSHE, Computing, UAE Social Studies, Moral Education and International learning.
Key Stages 3 and 4
The school continues to follow the National Curriculum of England and Wales in the secondary section using the KS3 and KS4 guidelines. The UK curriculum for secondary education is modified to incorporate local UAE values. Also, Islamic Studies, Arabic Language, Social Studies and Moral Education as subjects are taught from Year 7 onwards.
The subjects taught in the secondary section are:
Core Subjects
- Science
- Mathematics
- English
MOE Subjects
- Arabic
- Islamic Education
- Moral Education
- Social Studies
Other Subjects
- Computing
- Art
- Design and Technology
- Geography
- French
- Music/Performance Arts
- History
- Physical Education (PE)
KHDA Rating
To ensure that private schools in Dubai are contributing positively to the educational sector, the government has established the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA). This agency inspects private schools annually to measure their performance and the quality of education offered.
Dubai Heights Academy KHDA rating is 'Very Good' for 2023 - 2024.
Academic Calendar for Dubai Heights Academy
Like other British schools in Dubai, Dubai Heights Academy’s academic calendar starts in August and ends in July. The 10-month long academic year is divided into three terms.
Islamic holiday dates scheduled in the calendar are subject to moon sighting.
- The first term starts in the last week of August and ends in the second week of December, followed by a three-week winter holiday.
- The second term starts in the first week of January and ends in the last week of March, followed by a two-week spring break.
- The third term starts in the second week of April and ends in the first week of July, followed by a two-month summer vacation.
Dubai Heights Academy’s school timings are from 08:15 am to 03:30 pm. The school remains open from Monday to Friday.
Admission and Fees
How to Apply to Dubai Heights Academy?
Choosing the right school is one of the most challenging decisions parents have to make. Luckily, Dubai Heights Academy’s admission process is merit-based; DHA welcomes students from various backgrounds.
You need to fill out the online application form to start the admission process. Once the form is submitted, the registrar will contact parents to discuss the inquiry further and initiate the process.
To proceed with the admission process, parents must pay a non-refundable and non-transferable application fee of AED 500 and submit the following mandatory documents:
- Six passport size photographs of the child
- Two copies of the child’s birth certificate
- Two copies of the child’s passport
- Two copies of the child’s valid visa
- Two copies of the child’s Emirates ID card
- Two copies of the child’s last school report and latest mid-term report (for students in Year 1 and above)
- A relevant Transfer Certificate
Once the admission fee is paid and documents are submitted, the registrar will evaluate the application to see if the child meets the eligibility criteria. Only successful candidates will be called in for an entrance exam.
The play-based assessment for Foundation Stage students is conducted in small groups. Little ones are tested for school readiness, language and communication skills and social development.
Key Stage 1 to Key Stage 3 students need to prove their Mathematics, reading and comprehension and writing skills. The assessment is headed by a classroom teacher or the Key Stage leader. The exam is approximately two hours long.
Dubai Heights Academy offers seats to deserving candidates who clear the assessment only if seats are available. After receiving the offer, parents are requested to pay a registration fee to confirm the seat.
The registration deposit is 10% of the annual fee. The deposit is non-refundable and non-transferable but will be adjusted against the first term’s tuition fee.
Before initiating the admission process, please ensure that your child meets the following age placement criteria.
| Years | Minimum Entry Age | Maximum Entry Age | Minimum Entry Age for Overseas Transfers* |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Years FS 1 |
Minimum Entry Age 3 |
Maximum Entry Age – |
Minimum Entry Age for Overseas Transfers* – |
|
Years FS 2 |
Minimum Entry Age 4 |
Maximum Entry Age – |
Minimum Entry Age for Overseas Transfers* – |
|
Years Year 1 |
Minimum Entry Age 5 |
Maximum Entry Age – |
Minimum Entry Age for Overseas Transfers* – |
|
Years Year 2 |
Minimum Entry Age 6 |
Maximum Entry Age – |
Minimum Entry Age for Overseas Transfers* – |
|
Years Year 3 |
Minimum Entry Age 7 |
Maximum Entry Age 9 |
Minimum Entry Age for Overseas Transfers* 6 |
|
Years Year 4 |
Minimum Entry Age 8 |
Maximum Entry Age 10 |
Minimum Entry Age for Overseas Transfers* 7 |
|
Years Year 5 |
Minimum Entry Age 9 |
Maximum Entry Age 11 |
Minimum Entry Age for Overseas Transfers* 8 |
|
Years Year 6 |
Minimum Entry Age 10 |
Maximum Entry Age 12 |
Minimum Entry Age for Overseas Transfers* 9 |
|
Years Year 7 |
Minimum Entry Age 11 |
Maximum Entry Age 13 |
Minimum Entry Age for Overseas Transfers* 10 |
|
Years Year 8 |
Minimum Entry Age 12 |
Maximum Entry Age 14 |
Minimum Entry Age for Overseas Transfers* 11 |
|
Years Year 9 |
Minimum Entry Age 13 |
Maximum Entry Age 15 |
Minimum Entry Age for Overseas Transfers* 12 |
|
Years Year 10 |
Minimum Entry Age 14 |
Maximum Entry Age 17 |
Minimum Entry Age for Overseas Transfers* 13 |
|
Years Year 11 |
Minimum Entry Age 15 |
Maximum Entry Age 18 |
Minimum Entry Age for Overseas Transfers* 14 |
|
Years Year 12 |
Minimum Entry Age 16 |
Maximum Entry Age 19 |
Minimum Entry Age for Overseas Transfers* 15 |
|
Years Year 13 |
Minimum Entry Age 17 |
Maximum Entry Age 20 |
Minimum Entry Age for Overseas Transfers* 16 |
This is based on the age of the students on or after 31st August (for the school beginning in September). Source: Dubai Heights Academy
* This is to cater to students transferring from systems that admit students of a younger age)
Fee Structure at Dubai Heights Academy
Dubai Heights Academy’s fee structure has KHDA approved fees and discounted fees for new and existing students.
| Years | KHDA Approved Fee | Discounted Fee for Existing Students | Discounted Fee for New Students |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Years FS 1 |
KHDA Approved Fee AED 44,200 |
Discounted Fee for Existing Students – |
Discounted Fee for New Students AED 37,570 |
|
Years FS 2 |
KHDA Approved Fee AED 50,400 |
Discounted Fee for Existing Students AED 45,360 |
Discounted Fee for New Students AED 47,880 |
|
Years Year 1 |
KHDA Approved Fee AED 50,400 |
Discounted Fee for Existing Students AED 47,880 |
Discounted Fee for New Students AED 47,880 |
|
Years Year 2 – Year 3 |
KHDA Approved Fee AED 51,200 |
Discounted Fee for Existing Students AED 48,640 |
Discounted Fee for New Students AED 48,640 |
|
Years Year 4 |
KHDA Approved Fee AED 53,200 |
Discounted Fee for Existing Students AED 50,540 |
Discounted Fee for New Students AED 50,540 |
|
Years Year 5 |
KHDA Approved Fee AED 55,400 |
Discounted Fee for Existing Students AED 52,630 |
Discounted Fee for New Students AED 52,630 |
|
Years Year 6 |
KHDA Approved Fee AED 58,400 |
Discounted Fee for Existing Students AED 55,480 |
Discounted Fee for New Students AED 55,480 |
|
Years Year 7 |
KHDA Approved Fee AED 63,900 |
Discounted Fee for Existing Students AED 60,705 |
Discounted Fee for New Students AED 60,705 |
|
Years Year 8 |
KHDA Approved Fee AED 66,900 |
Discounted Fee for Existing Students AED 63,555 |
Discounted Fee for New Students AED 63,555 |
|
Years Year 9 |
KHDA Approved Fee AED 71,900 |
Discounted Fee for Existing Students AED 68,305 |
Discounted Fee for New Students AED 68,305 |
Also, the KHDA has introduced a fact sheet which list optional services provided by the school, such as:
| Optional Services | Fees |
|---|---|
| Transport | AED 8,500 |
| Uniform | AED 100 - AED 1,000 |
| Extracurricular Activities | AED 100 - AED 1,500 |
| School Events | AED 10 - AED 100 |
| School Trips | AED 1 - AED 4,000 |
A few pointers for parents:
- The FS1 discount is a continuing discount applicable for Two academic years.
- The above discounts can be used in conjunction with one of the Corporate Partner Discounts except the ESAAD discount is a stand-alone discount.
- The above discounts cannot be used alongside sibling discounts.
Other Discounts and Benefits
- There is a corporate partner discount of 5% on the KHDA approved fee. These are valid for a particular academic year and are subject to change in the following years.
- ESAAD cardholders are eligible for a 20% discount on KHDA approved fees on all year groups. However, the discount is subject to change in the following academic years.
- Parents can avail Friend Referral Scheme, whereby payment of AED 2,000 will be made per successful family enrolled to the school (maximum 3 per academic year).
- Sibling discounts are offered as below:
- Second eldest child: 10% discount
- Third eldest child: 15% discount
- Fourth and subsequent eldest child: 20% discount
You can pay Dubai Heights Academy fees via cash, cheques, bank transfer or credit/debit card.
Facilities
Lunch Options at Dubai Heights Academy
Dubai Heights Academy has partnered with Master Cook to provide catering services. Master Cook is a recognised name in the catering industry with over 50 years of experience. The company offers students with additive-free, preservative-free, healthy and nutritious vegetarian or non-vegetarian meals.
The company lays out the weekly menu in advance. Please note that the company charges AED 20 per day for lunch and dessert and AED 25 per day for a morning snack, lunch and dessert. Master Cook only accepts payments for the entire term via the online payment platform.
School Transportation at Dubai Heights Academy
DHA Al Barsha offers a door-to-door transport service for its students. Buses are in excellent condition to make the commute safe and secure. The bus service is offered at an additional fee of AED 8,500. Please note that this payment is to be made in three terms.
The school, however, clarifies that the bus service is not always guaranteed and is subject to the availability of seats. Areas currently being covered by the school buses are:
| Dubai Silicon Oasis | Palm Jumeirah |
| JLT | JBR |
| JVC and JVT | Townsquare |
| Mudon | Arabian Ranches |
| Dubai Sports City | The Greens |
Holiday Camps at Dubai Heights Academy
To keep your child engaged and active during summer vacation or winter breaks, you can approach the ECA providers that Dubai Heights Academy has on board.
Gulfstar, ISM Sports and Evolution Rugby offer holiday camps for an additional price.
Sports Facilities
Dubai Heights Academy has some world-class sports facilities on site.
There is a toddlers pool, a primary sports hall, and a creative natural playground for kindergarteners. On the other hand, middle school and secondary students have access to championship-sized temperature-controlled swimming pools and a full-sized football pitch. You will also find a multi-purpose sports/gymnasium hall for basketball, badminton, volleyball and table tennis.
Furthermore, Dubai Heights Academy in Al Barsha South is involved in community sports. The partner organisations are:
- Jumeirah Golf Estates Inclusion programme
- JGE Young Ambassadors
- Parent Vs Staff events
- Parent Boot Camp
- Mr. King Head coach of DASSA U11 Boys Football
Extra-curricular Activities at Dubai Heights Academy
Extra-curricular activities play a vital role in developing a student’s mental and physical health. Not to mention, these activities allow children to pursue their interests without compromising on their academic studies.
Dubai Heights Academy offers a variety of extra-curricular activities in-house and through partnerships with third-party organisations. Activities like Singing Club, Yoga, Badminton, Netball, Basketball, Hockey, Bookworm Club, Origami and French Fun are provided by the Dubai Heights Academy teachers and are free of cost.
However, if you opt for external partners’ activities, you must pay a nominal fee. Some common paid activities include Ballet, Football, Tennis, Karate, Musical Theatre and Rugby.
Dubai Heights Academy has partnered with the following ECA providers:
- Gulfstar
- ISM Sports
- Evolution
- Turning Pointe
Field Trips from Dubai Heights Academy
Since Dubai Heights Academy Al Barsha South has just started its operations, students were part of local education trips across the UAE. No international trips have been arranged so far, but that is expected to change once DHA has settled fairly well in the region.
After-school Care at Dubai Heights Academy
Students can participate in after-school activities from 03:30 pm to 04:30 pm.
DHA School also offers after-school care for parents who find it challenging to pick up their children on time. In the after-school care programme, your child is looked after for an extra three hours after school ends.
Please note that this facility is charged at AED 500 per hour. Nevertheless, your child can participate in various activities and get the most out of the extra hours.
Medical Care at Dubai Heights Academy
There is a medical facility at the school to look after minor injuries and provide first-aid treatment to students and staff members. The clinic is supervised by an experienced nurse and is often visited by a school doctor.
The school requests parents to submit an updated child’s medical report, especially if their child has medical conditions that need supervision and treatment frequently. The clinic maintains a medical record of each student to facilitate the doctor and parents.
Contact
Mode of Communication between Teachers and Parents
Dubai Heights Academy believes in maintaining a strong partnership with parents to benefit students’ learning experience.
The school is a strong advocate of parents’ involvement in their child’s academic career and has designed ways to nurture this relationship further. As a token of gratitude for their trust in the school, DHA has introduced loyalty cards for parents and staff members.
Through this loyalty card, you can now enjoy some of the best family-hotel stays, dining and spa services. You can download the loyalty card booklet from the partnership section available on the school website. Similarly, parents are invited to annual school events to witness their child’s performance and be a part of their learning journey.
Apart from this, parents can have access to a parent portal to view the school calendar, events, accounts, exam results, students’ attendance, students’ performance and several other features. Likewise, you can request the class teacher to get added to grade-specific WhatsApp group and receive notification in case of unseen changes in school events, policies or schedules.
Here are the Dubai Heights Academy contact details for those who prefer a convenient style of communication or need to register their feedback and suggestions with the school.
Dubai Heights Academy Contact Information
- Telephone Number: +971-4-356-3333
- Mobile Number: +971-58-537-8634
- Email: registrar@dubaiheightsacademy.com
GENERAL INFORMATION
Note that the cover image belongs to Dubai Heights Academy
FAQs
What are the timings of Dubai Heights Academy?
Dubai Heights Academy Al Barsha South timings are Monday to Friday 08:15 am to 03:30 pm.
Does Dubai Heights Academy conduct after-school activities?
Yes, the school has an after-school programme mostly consisting of extracurricular activities. These activities are available to students at 03:30 pm to 04:30 pm. The school can take care of your children up to three hours after regular school timing but the charges for this service is AED 500 per hour. Contact the school for more information.
How many grades are there in Dubai Heights Academy?
Dubai Heights Academy educates children from FS1 to Grade 9. The school is adding a new grade each year after approval from KHDA.
Does Dubai Height Academy follow a co-ed model?
Yes, Dubai Heights School follows a co-ed model.
What is the academic calendar of this school?
Classes at Dubai Heights Academy in Al Barsha South starts in August and ends in July of the subsequent year. Check out the academic calendar section in this guide to learn more.
What is the tuition fee charged at Dubai Heights Academy?
The tuition fee at Dubai Heights Academy ranges between AED 37,750 and AED 68,305. Read the tuition fee table in this guide to learn more.
How does the school communicate with parents?
The school has many ways to share information with parents. The parent portal on the school's website is the go-to platform for sharing information. The school also conducts parent-teacher meetings to share the progress made by students. Other critical communication tools used by Dubai Heights Academy include official website, social media pages and WhatsApp groups.
Does the school have a cafeteria or canteen?
The school has a cafeteria where children can enjoy quality snacks and lunch items. Dubai Heights have partnered with Mastercook for catering services. Currently, the school charges AED 20 to AED 25 for morning snack, lunch and dessert each day. Contact the school for more information.
