Apple International School, established in 1994, is a mixed gender school located in Dubai in Al Qusais near the Al Bustan Centre. It offers private primary and middle school education (KG to grade 8) with a UK based curriculum. It currently has 2261 children on its register, a 10% increase from the previous year. There are currently 107 teachers and 28 teaching assistants working at the school.

Established in 1994, over the last four years the school has performed relatively poorly in Dubai’s KHDA rankings, alternating between a ‘Satisfactory’ and ‘Unsatisfactory’ rating. Its latest rating is Acceptable – due to the leadership and determination of its senior management team and Principal, Mrs Hyacinth Pulickan.

Positives for the school include its awareness of local traditions, students’ civic awareness and its strong, positive relationships with the community. Teaching has improved with the exception of the teaching of Arabic, with primary level Science and secondary level English teaching rated Good by the KHDA during their most recent inspections in March 2014. Over half of the school’s teachers had been in their role for less than a year at the time of the 2011/12 inspection. 40% had just completed their first year for the 2012/13 inspection.

Which School Advisor has so far had limited feedback for the school for its survey. We encourage parents to complete the questionnaire which may be found here. Feedback to the KHDA is mixed. While the school is said to be supportive, receiving a Good ranking from the KHDA, and most parents are encouraged with academic progress, and better staff retainment, there are still concerns over technology used in the school to support learning, and extracurricular activities for a more rounded education. Health and safety have improved throughout the school.

Fees for the school are relatively affordable, ranging from 5963 in KG1, rising to 10,951 AED for Grade 8 – per annum. The school will of course have been constrained over the past four years in putting up its fees as a result of its ranking. There is an additional charge for books. The amount varies per class, but starts at 500 AED for KG, and rises to almost one thousand dirhams per year by Grade 8.

There are a number of further fees which affect the total cost of attending the school: these include a non-refundable 400 AED registration fee, a non-refundable 400 AED admission fee, a 600 AED per annum activity fee, a 400 AED per annum computer fee from Grade 1, a 250 AED medical fee, a 200 AED E-Learning Fee, a 300 AED stationary fee (for FS1 and 2) and a 15 AED school registration card fee.

Note: The school is located in a very crowded area with only one exit to Al Doha st. With a school, a driving institute and lots of residents all trying to get in and out by car, student safety has been raised as an issue during the morning and afternoon pick up and drop off periods.