Based in Al Nahda, Dubai, Central School is a mixed school, taking children from 3 to 18 years of age. It presently has almost 3304 students on its register, following the Indian based National Council for Education and Research and Training syllabus (NCERT) until Grade 9, and then the Central Board for Secondary Education (CBSE) examination syllabuses until Grade 12.

The school runs two separate sessions. A morning session for boys and girls from Kindergarten to Grade 2 and for girls from Grades 3 to 12. The afternoon session consists of boys classes from Grades 3 to 12. The school employs 166 qualified teachers and two teaching assistants.

Unsurprisingly, the majority of students come from Indian and sub continent expat families.

The school is ranked Acceptable by the KHDA, a grade it has held for the last six years – since inspections began. The KHDA highlights the school’s understanding of Islam, and the enthusiasm for learning displayed by students as strong points. However, it notes teaching is “variable”, and there is insufficient planning for lessons.

Academic attainment and progress at the school need improvement. The school is rated unsatisfactory for English and science at KG level, unsatisfactory for maths and science at Primary, and just acceptable elsewhere.

The school is part of the NIMS Group of Schools, which includes the New Indian Model School, Dubai, New Indian Model School, Sharjah, New Indian Model School, Al Ain and The Model School in Abu Dhabi. It houses a range of facilities for its students, with laboratories, a library, various sports grounds, a school clinic, canteen and store.

However, while the school claims its facilities are “state of the art, worthy of high class academic institution”, according to its KHDA report the level of student resources supporting learning (such as the provision of computers) has been inadequate. The school has however recently added 18 new classrooms, the school library had been relocated and populated with additional books, two new computer rooms had been established, and sporting facilities upgraded.

Extracurricular activities are encouraged: The school has science, debating and drama clubs. It also has various clubs for sports such as basketball, volleyball, and athletics.

Fees for the school are comparatively very, very affordable, which will be the major draw for families with incomes at the lower end of the spectrum. Presently (2014) they range from 2620 AED per year at KG 1 and 2 grades, to 4600 AED for Grades 11 and 12. The fees will however put financial constraints on the school upgrading its facilities, teacher resources and recruitment, arguable something the school greatly needs.