Cities / Dubai / Al Ittihad Private School Jumeira
Al Ittihad Private School Jumeira
Al Ittihad Private School Jumeirah appears to be an American curriculum school serving students from kindergarten through Grade 12, though there's some confusion around the name as it's also referred to as IPSJ. Based on student discussions, it serves a…
In brief
The school follows an American curriculum pathway leading to high school graduation, with Advanced Placement courses available for senior students. Student feedback suggests the teaching staff is predominantly Arab but qualified, and the academic workload is manageable with regular homework, assignments, and group projects. The school provides an assessment calendar to help students prepare for tests and examinations.
Located in Dubai's Jumeirah area, the school serves families seeking American-style education within the UAE. Students report a friendly, welcoming atmosphere where making friends is easy and bullying appears minimal. The school seems particularly popular with Emirati and Arab families, though it welcomes international students and maintains English as the primary language of instruction.
Strengths
- Welcoming student community where newcomers can make friends easily
- Manageable academic workload with clear assessment schedules
- Qualified teaching staff who know their subjects well
- Minimal bullying reported by current students
- Strong appeal to families wanting American curriculum in Dubai
- Supportive environment for students transferring from other systems
Considerations
- Some past student reports of social dynamics related to family wealth
- Academic adjustment may be challenging for students transferring close to graduation
- Limited detailed information available about specific facilities or university placement records
- Predominantly Arab teaching staff may not suit all family preferences
Fees
| Fee | Age | Type | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre KG | 3 | Annual | AED 23,184 |
| KG1 | 3 | Annual | AED 23,345 |
| KG2 | 4 | Annual | AED 23,345 |
| Grade 1 | 6 | Annual | AED 31,129 |
| Grade 2 | 7 | Annual | AED 31,129 |
| Grade 3 | 8 | Annual | AED 31,129 |
| Grade 4 | 9 | Annual | AED 36,495 |
| Grade 5 | 10 | Annual | AED 36,495 |
| Grade 6 | 11 | Annual | AED 36,495 |
| Grade 7 | 12 | Annual | AED 38,646 |
| Grade 8 | 13 | Annual | AED 38,646 |
| Grade 9 | 14 | Annual | AED 38,646 |
| Grade 10 | 15 | Annual | AED 47,633 |
| Grade 11 | 16 | Annual | AED 47,633 |
| Grade 12 | 17 | Annual | AED 47,633 |
| Application Fee | One-time | AED 500 |
Reviews
- Parent feedback on independent surveys is sparse, with the school noting that few families completed the WhichSchoolAdvisor survey.
- KHDA inspectors rated the school Very Good for inclusion and parent partnership, with a strong parent council. Wellbeing and cultural identity work also rated Very Good.
- The board was flagged in inspection for not doing enough to help leadership recruit and retain effective teachers, with weaker progress noted in KG English and middle-school Arabic attainment.
- Behaviour was rated good overall but more variable in the boys' middle-school section. Inspectors called for more independent inquiry and stronger attendance systems.
- The single visible parent review on the international schools database flagged teacher conduct concerns. With only one rating and no broader public sample, weight cautiously.
Head of school
Dr. Michael Boots
Dr. Michael Boots brings over 25 years of educational leadership experience across Brazil, Indonesia, Kuwait, and Australia. He holds a Doctor of Education from Nova Southeastern University and a Master of Education in Global Educational Leadership from Lehigh University, with certifications including International School Leadership from Principals' Training Center.
Accreditations
- New England Association of Schools and Colleges 01
- Council of International Schools 02
- Cognia 03