Moving to a new city is an exciting adventure, especially when selecting the right school for your child.
Education today is about more than academic success; it’s about nurturing lifelong learners equipped with the skills, resilience, and adaptability needed to thrive in a rapidly changing world.
Dubai offers a diverse range of schooling options, with 17 different curricula available. Among the most popular choices are the UK curriculum (36%), the Indian curriculum (26%), and the American curriculum (15%), among others. However, choosing the right school goes beyond academics—it’s about finding a learning environment that fosters holistic development, ensuring your child grows intellectually, socially, and emotionally.
What to Consider When Choosing the Right School
When researching schools, the first step is to explore the curriculum. The ideal choice should align with your child's learning style and your family's educational goals.
As Carol Ann Tomlinson widely said,
“Excellence in education is when we do everything that we can to make children become everything that they can.”
Explore schools that offer more than just a curriculum, providing an engaging and well-rounded experience that inspires students. Skill development is key—resilience, critical thinking, and creativity are just as vital as academic knowledge, and these qualities are essential in preparing children for an ever-changing future.
Key Questions to Ask When Visiting Schools
Here’s a checklist of essential factors to consider when evaluating potential schools:
Curriculum
Does the school offer a well-rounded and engaging curriculum that suits your child’s learning style and academic needs?
Student Mental Health and Wellbeing
How does the school promote mental health and resilience, helping students embrace challenges and celebrate their achievements?
21st Century Skills
Are opportunities available to develop critical skills like communication, collaboration, problem-solving, and adaptability?
School Culture and Values
Does the school promote empathy, teamwork, mental wellbeing, and community involvement? Ensure the school’s ethos aligns with your family values and creates a nurturing and inclusive environment.
Provision
Is the provision thoughtfully designed to support childhood development? Explore schools that provide a stimulating learning environment, where skills are developed through outstanding practice and purposeful provision.
Leadership and Personal Growth
Does the school offer leadership opportunities, whether through formal roles or extracurricular activities, to build confidence and decision-making skills?
Location and Facilities
Is the school conveniently located and equipped with the facilities to support diverse talents, such as arts, sports, and technology?
Holistic Education
Does the school value physical, emotional, and social development? Schools that promote physical activity, the arts, and cultural diversity encourage well-rounded excellence and growth.
Global Perspective
Does the school celebrate diversity, offer international opportunities, and integrate technology to prepare students for an interconnected world?
Community Involvement
Does the school encourage parental involvement and maintain open communication to foster a strong school-parent partnership?
Choosing the right school is about finding a place that aligns with your family’s values and prepares your child with the confidence and compassion to embrace future challenges. For younger children, prioritise schools that focus on early years education and play-based learning, which form the foundation of lifelong success.
Why Consider GEMS FirstPoint School?
If you are not sure where to start, here at FPS, we encourage all learners to be FPS READY.
