Cities / Dubai / GEMS Our Own English High School - Dubai (OOD)
GEMS Our Own English High School - Dubai (OOD)
Established as part of the Our Own school network that began in 1968, OOHS Al Warqa operates as a boys only CBSE institution under GEMS management. The school serves students from KG through Grade 12 with a curriculum focused on Indian board examinations, including specialized preparation for competitive exams like JEE and NEET.
In brief
Established as part of the Our Own school network that began in 1968, OOHS Al Warqa operates as a boys-only CBSE institution under GEMS management. The school serves students from KG through Grade 12 with a curriculum focused on Indian board examinations, including specialized preparation for competitive exams like JEE and NEET. With enrollment exceeding 2,000 students primarily from Indian expatriate families, the school maintains a traditional academic approach emphasizing discipline and cultural values alongside core subjects.
Reddit discussions from current and former students reveal polarized opinions about the school experience. While some alumni describe positive memories of assemblies and school traditions, others express strong reservations about the educational quality and social environment. Recent parent conversations frequently mention OOHS as an affordable CBSE option when discussing budget-friendly schools, though several threads specifically advise against choosing it over alternatives like DPS Dubai or Indian High School. The school's large student body and traditional CBSE approach appear to create a structured but potentially limiting educational environment that works well for some families while disappointing others seeking more modern pedagogical approaches.
Strengths
- Affordable CBSE education with fees significantly lower than premium Dubai schools
- Large, established school with strong cultural grounding for Indian expatriate families
- Part of the GEMS network providing institutional support and resources
- Structured environment with emphasis on discipline and traditional values
- Preparation for Indian competitive examinations including JEE and NEET
- Long history serving Dubai's Indian community since the school network's founding
Considerations
- Mixed parent and student feedback with some describing negative experiences
- Large student population may limit individual attention and personalized learning
- Traditional CBSE approach may not suit families seeking modern pedagogical methods
- Some discussions suggest overcrowding and resource limitations
- Limited diversity compared to international curriculum schools in Dubai
- Several online discussions specifically recommend avoiding the school
Fees
Annual fees
| Year level | Age | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| KG1 | 3 | AED 7,828 |
| KG2 | 4 | AED 7,828 |
| Grades 1-3 | 6 | AED 9,447 |
| Grades 4-5 | 9 | AED 9,558 |
| Grades 6-8 | 11 | AED 10,724 |
| Grades 9-10 | 14 | AED 13,276 |
| Grade 11 (Commerce) | 16 | AED 15,758 |
| Grade 11 (Science) | 16 | AED 16,299 |
| Grade 12 (Commerce) | 17 | AED 15,758 |
| Grade 12 (Science) | 17 | AED 16,299 |
One-time fees
| Item | Age | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Application Fee | AED 525 |
Reviews
The boys campus of a 1968 Indian institution, split off in 2005 and now sitting at around 4,700 pupils on the Al Warqa site. Held a KHDA Good rating across seven consecutive inspections, with English, Maths and Science Very Good and personal and social development Outstanding. CBSE results carry the academic story: Grade 12 toppers regularly into NIT and Indian engineering destinations. The trade for that academic ceiling is scale. Class sizes are large, the sports field is missing rather than present, and Arabic and provision for Students of Determination sit at the weaker end of the inspection sheet. Fees are at the affordable end of the Indian-curriculum market.
Positives
- CBSE academic outcomes. Strong Grade 10 and 12 exam results year on year. The 2025 cohort produced a Science-stream topper at 99 percent, heading to NIT Trichy. English, Maths and Science all sit at Very Good in KHDA.
- Pastoral and personal development. KHDA Outstanding for students' personal and social development. Wellbeing survey returns from boys are positive, and longstanding supervisors are named warmly by alumni and parents.
- Robotics and competitions. Active robotics programme with World Robot Olympiad participation, plus the usual CBSE Indian-school strengths in maths, science olympiads and public speaking.
- Fees. AED 7,828 to AED 15,359 per year places it at the affordable end of Dubai's Indian-curriculum market. Ten monthly instalments.
Considerations
- Scale and class sizes. Around 4,700 boys on a single Al Warqa campus. KHDA has flagged classroom space and overcrowding in past cycles. Large groups push teaching toward textbook-led, regimented delivery rather than individualised support.
- Arabic. Arabic provision lands at Acceptable across most phases inspection after inspection. A persistent weak spot that the school has not closed.
- Students of Determination. Learning-support team is thin relative to school size, and SEND provision sits at Good rather than higher. Families needing structured one-to-one support describe a stretched system.
- Sports and arts facilities. No grass sports field. Indoor hall, basketball and tennis courts cover the basics, but music, art and sport spaces are constrained for a school of this size.
- Value for money. Around three-quarters of parents would recommend the school, but the value-for-money line splits more evenly. Roughly half are fully convinced, the rest only partially. Around a quarter use external tuition.
Leadership
Dr Anjuli Murthy
Dr Anjuli Murthy has a Doctorate in Economics and has been in the field of education for three decades, with 27 years at GEMS.
Accreditations
- IN_CBSE 01
Academic results
- Result CBSE 10th avg 86.5% 2026
- Result CBSE 12th avg 88.8% 2026