What Is KHDA?
KHDA (Knowledge and Human Development Authority) is the Dubai Government body responsible for regulating all private schools in the city. Its mandate goes beyond ratings: it covers school licensing, curriculum approval, teacher standards, and student safety.
Each year — usually unannounced — a KHDA inspection team visits schools, observes lessons, reviews student performance data, and interviews senior leaders. At the end of the inspection, the school receives an official grade that is published on KHDA's publicly accessible website.
The Four KHDA Grades
KHDA can assign six grades — but in practice, the vast majority of schools fall into these four categories:
KHDA Rating System
Below these four grades sit Weak and Very Weak — schools in these categories face intensive KHDA monitoring and potential closure. I wouldn't recommend considering them for newly arriving families.
What Does KHDA Actually Measure?
The overall grade is not a single score. KHDA evaluates each school separately across four main areas:
1. Student Achievement
Literacy, numeracy, and science performance; in-school assessment results; and outcomes in external qualifications (IB, A-Level, AP). This is the single most influential category in determining the overall grade.
2. Quality of Teaching and Assessment
Lesson observations, classroom management, the quality of feedback given to students, and how well teachers personalise learning.
3. Curriculum and Personal Development
Alignment between the school's curriculum and the authorising body's standards (Cambridge, IB, CBSE, etc.); contribution to students' social, emotional and personal development.
4. Leadership and Management
Quality of senior leadership, teacher support systems, parent communication, safeguarding policies, and how effectively the school responds to KHDA recommendations.
Which KHDA grade is right for your child? Let's work it out
A rating alone doesn't tell you which school fits — book a free session to match your child's learning profile and goals to the right school.
Book a Free SessionOutstanding vs Very Good: The Real Difference
This is one of the most common questions I hear. The short answer: both represent high-quality schooling, but there are two practical differences that matter.
Waiting lists and competition: Outstanding schools — particularly GEMS Wellington, Jumeirah College, JESS — can have waiting lists stretching 1–2 years. Very Good schools typically require 6–12 months' lead time.
Fee gap: Outstanding schools charge on average 20–35% more than Very Good schools. For a British curriculum Outstanding school in 2025–26, expect AED 70,000–95,000 per year; a Very Good equivalent typically sits in the AED 50,000–70,000 range.
Viewed through the lens of your child's learning profile and your goals, a Very Good school is often as suitable as — and sometimes a better fit than — an Outstanding one.
Is a KHDA Grade Enough on Its Own?
No — and this is the most important point. A KHDA grade tells you about general school quality, not whether the school is the right fit for your child.
Two schools with the same Outstanding grade can differ dramatically in curriculum (IB vs British), language support, class sizes, scholarship policy, and school culture. For a child who is new to English, a Very Good school with a strong EAL programme may be a better starting point than an Outstanding school without one.
What to Check Beyond the Grade
Grade Distribution Across Dubai Schools
Based on 2024–25 data, there are more than 200 KHDA-licensed private schools in Dubai. The approximate grade distribution is:
- Outstanding: ~35–40 schools (17%)
- Very Good: ~70–80 schools (36%)
- Good: ~65–75 schools (32%)
- Acceptable and below: ~30 schools (15%)
Around 85% of students in Dubai attend a school rated Outstanding, Very Good or Good — a sign that the overall standard of private education in the city is high.
Which Grade Is Right for Your Family?
Here's a practical framework based on budget and your child's profile:
- Outstanding: Strong academic ambitions, competitive budget, starting your school search 18+ months before the target start date
- Very Good: High quality, more accessible fees, 6–12 months' lead time — the ideal balance point for most families
- Good: Solid education, budget-friendly, flexible availability; a good entry point for newly arrived students adjusting to a new environment
Outstanding or Very Good — let's decide together
Match your child's learning profile, curriculum preference, and budget to the right school with a free consultation.
Book a Free SessionFrequently Asked Questions
What is a KHDA rating?
KHDA (Knowledge and Human Development Authority) is Dubai's official school regulator. It inspects every private school and assigns one of six grades: Outstanding, Very Good, Good, Acceptable, Weak, or Very Weak. The grade reflects academic quality, teaching standards, curriculum delivery, and student welfare.
What is the difference between Outstanding and Very Good?
Outstanding schools demonstrate exceptional performance across all KHDA categories, with student outcomes in the top 10% of international benchmarks. Very Good schools show strong performance but don't quite reach Outstanding in every area. In practice, both represent high-quality schooling; the main difference shows up in waiting-list length and fee levels.
How often does KHDA inspect schools?
Outstanding schools are inspected every 3–4 years, Very Good schools every 2–3 years, and lower-rated schools annually. This means a school's current grade may be several years old — always check the inspection date alongside the grade.
Is KHDA Good a good grade?
Yes — KHDA Good represents solid and satisfying performance by Dubai standards. Good-rated schools deliver the curriculum well, prioritise student welfare, and typically offer more accessible fees than Outstanding schools. Depending on your child's needs and your budget, a Good-rated school can be an excellent choice.
