Collegiate International School

The school is located at 50 Al Maydar Street, Umm Suqeim 2, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It sits between Al Wasl Road and Jumeirah Beach Road and offers views of the Burj Al Arab. The campus includes facilities such as a multi-purpose sports hall, two swimming pools, a STEM/Innovation lab, an Early Years Discovery Centre, a dance studio, a lecture hall, basketball and tennis courts, a well-resourced library, and dedicated science, computing and design technology labs.

From Pre-K to Grade 12, CIS offers a continuous program. The elementary years incorporate the IB Primary Years Programme with NY State standards, Grades 6-8 use the IB Middle Years Programme, and Grades 11-12 may pursue the IB Diploma Programme, AP, or a US High School Diploma pathway.

Collegiate International School is a co-educational day school.

750+ students represent over 70 nationalities. The most common nationality and the local-to-international student ratio are not publicly published.

CIS provides English Language Learning (ELL) support for students with limited English; learning support for students with learning differences; a GATEWay program for academically gifted students; and emotional, career and college counseling.

The school is an American international school with curricula aligned to US standards and IB programmes. It offers a US High School Diploma pathway and IB options, with NEASC accreditation cited for its American diploma pathway.

There is no formal religious affiliation stated; Islamic Studies is offered as part of UAE MOE requirements for Muslim students.

School hours are 7:40 am to 2:00 pm for PKG and KG, and 7:40 am to 2:50 pm for Grades KG2–12; on Fridays, hours end at 12:00 pm.

Collegiate International School works with Arab Falcon Bus Rental LLC for its transportation service. Seats are allocated based on availability and route; families should submit a transport request and contact the Arab Falcon coordinator for arrangements.

Collegiate International School is an American International School delivering both US and IB curricula through world-class international pedagogies. The language of instruction is English. The curriculum is mapped to New York State Standards. From Pre-K to Grade 5, students follow the IB Primary Years Programme aligned with NYS standards. In Grades 6–8, NYS standards are delivered through the IB Middle Years Programme. Grades 9–12 prepare students for the US High School Diploma, with AP courses, the IB Diploma Programme, the IB Career-related Programme, or the full IB Diploma as options; all students are on track to complete a NEASC-accredited US High School Diploma.

The school reports a 100% graduation rate. Over 30% of students graduate with Honors. The High School Profile shows 328 students in grades 9–12, 80 nationalities represented, and 85 graduates in the class of 2024.

Graduates have gained college acceptances to universities in the USA, UAE, UK, Europe, and Asia, including New York University Abu Dhabi, Emirates Aviation University, American University of Sharjah, Georgia Tech, University of Washington, Temple University, Cardiff University, University of Sussex, Newcastle University, and the University of St Andrews, among others.

Advanced coursework options include AP courses, the IB Diploma Programme, and the IB Career-related Programme; honors courses are available (e.g., Honors English 11 & 12).

Student well-being is an integral part of life at CIS and profoundly impacts development and learning. The wellbeing framework identifies six pillars: Safety and Security, Healthy Body, Happy Mind, Friends and Connections, Finding Purpose, and Balance. Staff and leadership collaborate to promote wellbeing and to provide a safe, supportive environment where students feel valued. The wellbeing program includes student counsellors and pastoral care addressing social and emotional needs. Regular communication with families supports resilience, empathy and positive relationships.

CIS provides a holistic student support program to help students progress and succeed in their learning. Academic Success is supported through individualized instruction, targeted interventions, and academic resources. Emotional Well-being is addressed by our student counsellors and leadership team to build resilience and a growth mindset. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion ensures equity of access to opportunities. Personalized Learning includes Early Intervention and Transition Support, with Parent Engagement as part of the approach.

Mental wellbeing is prioritized as part of the CIS wellbeing model and is supported by the Happy Mind pillar. Emotional health is supported by counselors and a safe, supportive school environment. Students learn to understand and express their feelings, manage stress, and develop coping strategies to build resilience. The program promotes emotional literacy and well-being through pastoral care and guidance. A balanced approach to academics and activities supports student mental health.

Safety and Security are core to CIS's wellbeing framework, ensuring students feel safe both physically and emotionally. The school provides a secure environment and prioritizes emotional safety through supportive staff relationships. Safeguarding is reinforced by pastoral care and collaborative approaches across the school community. Regular communication with families supports safeguarding and well-being. The safeguarding approach is integrated with student support to create a safe, respectful school community.

Collegiate International School is an American International School offering US and IB curricula, with graduation pathways that include the US High School Diploma, Advanced Placement courses, and the IB Diploma. The school is part of Innoventures Education and operates with open enrollment, with places available for all grades from Pre‑Kindergarten through Grade 12. The admissions process is managed by the central admissions office in collaboration with school principals and consists of eight steps: 1. application; 2) student placed on registration; 3) invitation to assessment and collection of documents; 4) assessment (on site or online) and documentation; 5) decision to admit, reject, place on waiting list, or invite for an interview; 6) offer letter and preparation of the student file; 7) any further documentation from parents; and 8) enrollment. Selection criteria include an entrance test in English and Mathematics; readiness assessment for KG1/KG2/FS2 and Year 1; age appropriateness; Transfer Certificate from the previous school; KHDA requirements; priority for siblings; and, for Grades 9–12, a credit analysis to ensure graduation feasibility. Assessments are conducted Monday to Friday during school hours; local assessments occur at the school, while overseas assessments can be arranged. There is a non‑refundable assessment fee (AED 525) which is offset if the student is accepted. Documents required for assessment include two copies of birth certificates, passports/visas/Emirates IDs for both student and parents, the latest two years of school reports, a Transfer Certificate (attested for overseas transfers), immunisation records, and two passport photos. For local transfers KHDA transfer procedures apply; for overseas transfers the Transfer Certificate must be attested. After admission is approved and KHDA registration is completed, the Parent School Contract must be signed. The school aims to complete the admission process promptly, with service standards that include a 1–2 day response time, 3 days to provide test results, and 5 days to communicate the outcome from the test date. Offers require a response within 7 days to secure the place.

Scholarships at Innoventures Education are available for Collegiate International School in the 2025–2026 academic year. The scholarship categories are Emirati Distinction, Academic Excellence, Young Women of Excellence, and Sports. Applications are submitted via online forms linked to each program. Scholarships cannot be used in conjunction with an existing fee remission.

The admissions process includes the possibility of placing a candidate on a waiting list if spaces are not immediately available. The assessment and admission decision may result in placement on a waiting list or an invitation for interview. If a place becomes available, CIS will contact the family. The term ‘accepted on hold' may be used to indicate a provisional hold on offer status while a space opens up.