The Guide
Mon, 15 June 2026

Cities / Dubai / Next Generation School Dubai (NGS)

Next Generation School Dubai (NGS)

Founded as a dual curriculum American Islamic institution, NGS operates from Al Barsha serving students across elementary through high school levels. The school integrates American educational standards with Islamic teachings throughout its program structure, including prayer times and Islamic studies embedded within the daily schedule.

Next Generation School Dubai (NGS) campus
Next Generation School Dubai (NGS), Dubai. Photograph · School

Curriculum
AP
Fees, annual
AED 24k–48k
Ages
3 to 18
Pupils
~1,200
Founded
2016

Founded as a dual-curriculum American-Islamic institution, NGS operates from Al Barsha serving students across elementary through high school levels. The school integrates American educational standards with Islamic teachings throughout its program structure, including prayer times and Islamic studies embedded within the daily schedule. Modern facilities include science laboratories, an extensive library, and sports facilities designed to support both academic and extracurricular programming. The school's approach emphasizes character development alongside academic achievement, positioning itself as an alternative for Muslim families seeking faith-aligned education within an American curriculum framework.

Parent feedback reveals contrasting experiences with the school's educational delivery and community environment. Some families appreciate the Islamic atmosphere, describing it as a healthy environment with committed staff who address concerns promptly. Others have expressed disappointment with academic rigor and teaching quality, with one parent noting that academic and social skills gained were exceptional while another described the school as 'nothing special.' The school underwent its first KHDA inspection in March 2019, receiving an 'Acceptable' rating, indicating room for improvement compared to Dubai's higher-rated institutions. Recent social media activity suggests active programming and community engagement, though the school maintains relatively low visibility compared to established American curriculum schools in Dubai.

Strengths

  • Islamic environment integrated with American curriculum appeals to Muslim families
  • Modern facilities including science labs, library, and sports infrastructure
  • Staff described as committed and responsive to parent concerns
  • Active community engagement and school programming
  • Emphasis on character development alongside academics

Considerations

  • Mixed parent reviews regarding academic quality and teaching standards
  • KHDA 'Acceptable' rating indicates areas needing improvement
  • Limited visibility and discussion compared to established Dubai schools
  • Relatively new to KHDA inspection process with room for rating advancement

Annual fees

Year level Age Fee
Pre-K 3 AED 24,487
KG 1 3 AED 28,698
KG 2 4 AED 30,864
Grade 1 6 AED 35,197
Grade 2 7 AED 36,279
Grade 3 8 AED 37,363
Grade 4 9 AED 38,445
Grade 5 10 AED 39,528
Grade 6 11 AED 40,612
Grade 7 12 AED 41,694
Grade 8 13 AED 42,778
Grade 9 14 AED 43,859
Grade 10 15 AED 44,943
Grade 11 16 AED 46,025
Grade 12 17 AED 48,216

One-time fees

Item Age Fee
Application Fee AED 500


An American-curriculum school built around an explicit Islamic ethos, in Al Barsha 3. KHDA lifted the school to Good in 2024 for the first time, and the loudest parent line is that the values piece is the point: respectful children, approachable leadership, a tight community feel. Academics are the qualifier. Progress reads well across the phases but attainment in English, mathematics and science still sits at Acceptable in the inspection, and sport and performing arts are thinner than at the bigger American campuses. Classes go single-gender from Grade 4, the first Grade 12 cohort graduates this year, and fees sit in the mid-band rather than competing at the top.

Positives

  • Islamic ethos and Arabic. Islamic Education and Arabic are the school's anchor, rated strongly at inspection. Parents talk about the values piece as the reason they chose it, not a bolt-on.
  • Early years and pastoral. Kindergarten is the strongest phase. Inclusion and wellbeing read well, with class sizes capped around 22 and a 1:13 teacher ratio.
  • Leadership and community. Leadership under David Kinkead, in post since 2021, comes through as approachable and parent-facing. The community feels small and engaged rather than corporate.

Considerations

  • Academic attainment. Progress is the better story than attainment. English, mathematics and science still sit at Acceptable in the latest inspection while progress moves into Good, and inspectors flag inconsistent assessment use. The first Grade 12 cohort graduates in 2025, so external results are only just starting to land.
  • Sport and performing arts. Sport and performing arts are thinner than the larger American campuses in Dubai. Families who want a deep co-curricular offer tend to feel the gap.
  • Single-gender from Grade 4. Pre-KG to Grade 3 is mixed; from Grade 4 the school splits boys and girls into separate classes. It is part of the Islamic positioning and a defining structural choice rather than a complaint.

Leadership

David Kinkead

David Kinkead is a British international educator with 16 years of experience as a teacher and leader in IB, UK, and American curriculum schools across England, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.

Accreditations

  • New England Association of Schools and Colleges 01

  • Result 100% success rate in AP exams with all scores 3 or higher
  • Result some subjects achieved a 4.5 average score (2024/2025).

27 - A St. Behind Saudi German Hospital, Al-Barsha 3, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

School website