Dunecrest American School
About
Inspection Rating
Good-- KHDA
Languages Taught
English, Arabic, French, Spanish
Phone
Website
Address
Wadi Al Safa 3, Al Barari, P.O. Box 624265, Dubai, UAE
Programs Offered
15 ProgrammesPre-Kindergarten (Pre-KG)
1 year / Pre-K
Early childhood programme for ages 3-4. Play-based learning focused on social-emotional development, early literacy, and numeracy in a dedicated Early Childhood wing.
Kindergarten 1 (KG1)
1 year / Kindergarten
Kindergarten programme for ages 4-5. Developing foundational skills in reading, writing, and mathematics through structured play and exploration.
Kindergarten 2 (KG2)
1 year / Kindergarten
Kindergarten programme for ages 5-6. Preparing children for the transition to elementary school with increasing academic structure.
Grade 1
1 year / Elementary
Elementary school for ages 6-7. Core subjects include English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies alongside specialist subjects.
Grade 2
1 year / Elementary
Elementary school for ages 7-8. Building foundational literacy, numeracy, and critical thinking skills.
Grade 3
1 year / Elementary
Elementary school for ages 8-9. Deepening subject knowledge with project-based and collaborative learning approaches.
Tuition Fees 2025/26
All fees in AED per academic year
| Grade | Key Stage | Ages | KHDA Fee | School Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-KG | Pre-K | 3-4 | 49,754 | 41,500 |
| KG1 | Kindergarten | 4-5 | 58,407 | 48,370 |
| KG2 | Kindergarten | 5-6 | 67,060 | 52,700 |
| Grade 1 | Elementary | 6-7 | 83,284 | 72,960 |
| Grade 2 | Elementary | 7-8 | 83,284 | 72,960 |
| Grade 3 | Elementary | 8-9 | 83,284 | 72,960 |
| Grade 4 | Elementary | 9-10 | 83,284 | 72,960 |
| Grade 5 | Middle School | 10-11 | 89,774 | 80,550 |
| Grade 6 | Middle School | 11-12 | 89,774 | 80,550 |
| Grade 7 | Middle School | 12-13 | 89,774 | 80,550 |
| Grade 8 | Middle School | 13-14 | 89,774 | 80,550 |
| Grade 9 | High School | 14-15 | 96,263 | 90,050 |
| Grade 10 | High School | 15-16 | 96,263 | 90,050 |
| Grade 11 | High School / IB | 16-17 | 96,263 | 90,050 |
| Grade 12 | High School / IB | 17-18 | 96,263 | 90,050 |
Fee Calculator
Estimate total annual fees for your family
Tuition fees do not include transportation, cafeteria, school trips, or uniform. School charges discounted fees significantly below KHDA-approved maximums.
Payment Information
Non-refundable testing/application fee due upon offer of a space.
Non-refundable first-year registration deposit.
Bank transfer or in-person payment
- Registration deposit is non-refundable
- Fees are divided into three termly installments
KHDA Rating
2024–2025| Indicator | Foundation | Primary | Secondary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attainment | N/A | Accept.Acceptable | Accept.Acceptable |
| Progress over time | N/A | Accept.Acceptable | Accept.Acceptable |
| Indicator | Foundation | Primary | Secondary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attainment | N/A | Accept.Acceptable | Accept.Acceptable |
| Progress over time | N/A | GoodGood | Accept.Acceptable |
Source: Dubai Schools Inspection Bureau (DSIB) — March 2025
Curriculum
Play-based early childhood programme in a dedicated Early Childhood wing led by a specialist Early Childhood Principal. Focus on social-emotional development, early literacy, numeracy, and exploration through hands-on activities.
Teaching Approach
Play-based and inquiry-driven learning with small class sizes and dedicated teaching assistants.
Core Subjects
Specialist Subjects
Structured kindergarten programme building foundational academic skills. Transition from play-based to more formal instruction with increasing reading, writing, and mathematics focus.
Teaching Approach
Blended play-based and structured instruction. Gradual transition to formal learning in KG2.
Core Subjects
Specialist Subjects
American elementary curriculum following AERO Common Core Plus standards. Specialist teachers for art, music, PE, Arabic, and technology. Project-based learning and collaborative approaches integrated across all subjects.
Teaching Approach
Standards-based instruction with project-based and collaborative learning. Specialist teachers for foundation subjects.
Core Subjects
Specialist Subjects
Facilities
Purpose-built 8.5-acre campus in Wadi Al Safa 3, near Al Barari. Modern, naturally-lit design with separate wings for Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary. The campus supports collaborative, project-based, and technology-enhanced learning.
Management, Staffing and Facilities rated Outstanding by KHDA — the only Outstanding-rated category across all phases.
Academic
Early Childhood Wing
Dedicated Early Childhood section with age-appropriate classrooms, play areas, and its own outdoor playground.
Elementary Classrooms
Spacious, naturally-lit classrooms with modular seating designed for collaborative and project-based learning.
Secondary Classrooms
Subject-specific classrooms equipped with modern technology and resources for middle and high school students.
Science Laboratories
Specialist science labs for Physics, Chemistry, and Biology practicals.
Technology & IT Labs
Dedicated technology labs supporting the STEAM curriculum and digital literacy programmes.
Art Rooms & Studios
Specialist art rooms for visual arts, design, and creative projects.
Music Rooms
Dedicated music rooms for instrumental and vocal instruction, including jazz band rehearsals.
Libraries
Well-stocked libraries supporting independent research and a love of reading across all divisions.
Sports & Recreation
Indoor Gymnasium
Large indoor gymnasium for PE, basketball, volleyball, and school events.
Swimming Pool
Indoor swimming pool for timetabled swimming lessons and competitive swim training.
Playing Field & Running Track
Outdoor playing field with athletics running track for team sports and track & field events.
Elementary Play Areas
Dedicated outdoor play areas designed specifically for elementary-age students.
Early Childhood Playground
Secure, shaded outdoor playground for Pre-KG and Kindergarten children.
Student Support
Counselling Centre
Two full-time counsellors providing guidance from elementary through to university applications.
Transport
Extracurricular Activities
Staffing & Leadership
International teaching staff from diverse backgrounds
Senior Leadership
Michael Roberts
School Director
Joined Dunecrest for the 2025-26 academic year. Previously served as High School Principal at the American School of Doha, Qatar for nine years. Holds a Bachelor's in English and European Literature, PGCE, and Master's in Educational Leadership and Management from the University of Bath.
Dylan Carter
Secondary School Principal
Founding administrator at Dunecrest American School since 2018. Joined Esol Education in 2012 at their Dubai schools before becoming part of the founding team.
Jeremy Cramer
Elementary School Principal
Bachelor of Elementary Education from Indiana University and Master's in K-12 School Administration from Michigan State University. International experience in Malaysia, Hungary, Argentina, and Dubai.
Crystal Mundell
Early Childhood Principal
Founding Early Childhood Principal of Dunecrest American School. Member of the Esol Education team since 2004.