Best Schools for Lebanese in Dubai 2026

Quick answer

Three schools consistently top the list for Lebanese families in Dubai: Lebanese International School Dubai, Greenwood International School and Dubai International Academy (Emirates Hills). Each offers Arabic A/B curricula, French options, and an active Lebanese parent community. Fees range from AED 28,000 to AED 71,000 per year; KHDA ratings sit at “Good” or “Very Good.” Always confirm the latest fees and KHDA report directly with the school.

Why Lebanese families choose these schools

Lebanese expats want Arabic that meets both UAE Ministry and Lebanese Ministry standards, plus French or English pathways for university options abroad. Dubai’s KHDA-rated private schools now welcome over 9,000 Lebanese students, making the community large enough for cultural clubs, Cedars Day events, and parent WhatsApp groups that share everything from bus schedules to university admissions.

How we ranked the schools

• KHDA inspection rating 2025
• Arabic and French curriculum depth
• Lebanese student percentage and clubs
• University placement data (AUB, LAU, US/UK)
• Bus routes serving Al Barsha, JLT, Motor City, Arabian Ranches
• Annual fee transparency and sibling discounts

1. Lebanese International School Dubai (LISD)

Location & fees

Al Qusais. Annual tuition AED 28,000–38,000 (KG–G12). DEWA shuttle available from Deira and Al Nahda.

Curriculum & community

Lebanese Ministry curriculum plus UAE Ministry Arabic and Islamic studies. French is compulsory from Grade 1. The PTA runs an annual “Beirut Night” fundraiser; over 65 % of students hold Lebanese passports.

2025 KHDA rating

Good. Inspectors noted “strong Arabic attainment and outstanding personal development.”

2. Greenwood International School

Location & fees

Al Qusais 1. Fees AED 32,000–48,000. Limited sibling discount of 5 % for third child and beyond.

Curriculum & community

US curriculum with Arabic A for native speakers and French as a second language. Lebanese teachers lead Model United Nations delegations; the school’s Cedars Club organises yearly trips to Byblos.

2025 KHDA rating

Very Good. Outstanding in “Health & Safety” and “Care & Support.”

3. Dubai International Academy (DIA) – Emirates Hills

Location & fees

Emirates Hills. Fees AED 55,000–71,000. IB continuum: PYP, MYP, DP. 15 % sibling discount.

Curriculum & community

IB with Arabic A or French B options. Lebanese student body forms 18 % of enrolment; parents run a monthly “Manakish & Coffee” morning.

2025 KHDA rating

Very Good. “Outstanding student leadership” cited.

Other strong options

American International School Dubai (AIS)

Al Sufouh. US curriculum, fees AED 48,000–62,000. 12 % Lebanese students. KHDA “Good.”

Horizon International School

Umm Al Sheif. British curriculum, fees AED 44,000–58,000. Arabic A offered. KHDA “Very Good.”

Common mistakes Lebanese parents make

• Assuming all “Arabic schools” follow the Lebanese programme—many follow only UAE Ministry standards.
• Skipping the KHDA report and focusing only on Instagram posts.
• Underestimating transport: traffic from Arabian Ranches to Al Qusais can take 45 minutes at 7 a.m.
• Not asking about Grade 10 subject choices; Lebanese Baccalaureate science streams differ from IB.

Step-by-step enrolment checklist

1. Book KHDA school tour before December 2025 for 2026–27 seats.
2. Prepare attested Lebanese passport, birth certificate and latest school reports (attested by UAE Embassy in Beirut or Dubai).
3. Complete online application and pay non-refundable AED 500 assessment fee.
4. Attend placement test—usually MAP or CAT4 plus Arabic/French interview.
5. Receive offer letter; pay 30 % deposit within 10 days to secure seat.
6. Apply for student visa inside Dubai via ICP after medical fitness and Emirates ID.

Tips for a smooth transition

• Join the Lebanese Parents Dubai Facebook group—current families share bus-rotation WhatsApp numbers.
• Request a buddy family from the PTA; many Lebanese mums organise weekly car-pools.
• Check if the school canteen offers halal Lebanese staples—most now serve manakish and labneh wraps.
• Verify whether Grade 12 students sit Lebanese official exams or IB; universities in Lebanon may require equivalence letters from the Lebanese Ministry of Education.

Comparing fees & KHDA ratings 2026

Key takeaway

Lebanese families in Dubai have more than one excellent option. Match your budget, preferred curriculum (Lebanese, IB, British or American) and daily commute first. Then verify the latest KHDA report, speak with current Lebanese parents, and confirm 2026–27 fees directly with admissions. With the right school, your children will enjoy both academic excellence and a ready-made Lebanese community in the heart of the UAE.