Dubai Arabian American Private School

The school is located in Muhaisnah 1, Dubai. The campus sits in a residential area in eastern Dubai and is accessible by road; a location map is linked on the site for directions. The school serves over 600 students.

DAAPS offers KG1 through Grade 12 under a US standards-based curriculum. It is organized into Early Childhood, Elementary, Middle School and High School.

The school is a private day school serving both genders. Public information indicates partial gender separation in upper grades (girls and boys taught separately after Grade 4), with no boarding facilities listed.

Nationalities represented include Emirati students who form the majority. External sources estimate about 72% local and 28% international students, reflecting a predominantly Emirati local cohort with international peers.

The Inclusion Department includes a Head of Inclusion, Learning Support Teachers and Assistants, and Peer Mentors. Students identified as Students of Determination receive an Individual Education Plan, in-class academic support, pull-out support, accommodations during assessments, counseling, and related collaboration with families.

There is no formal country affiliation; the curriculum is described as a standards-based US program (California standards and NGSS) with MOE alignment.

There is no formal religious affiliation; the school emphasizes UAE culture and Islamic values.

A KHDA-approved calendar is published for 2024–25 and 2025–26 with general school-day scheduling (number of school days per year is listed), but exact daily start and end times are not published on the site. The 2024–25 calendar shows 188 total school days.

No detailed bus service information is published on the official site. For transport arrangements, contact the school at +971 4 288 2222.

Dubai Arabian American Private School offers a comprehensive American curriculum from KG1 to Grade 12. The Early Childhood program (KG1–KG2) develops foundational language skills in English and Arabic, builds early numeracy, and introduces science through hands-on, technology-enabled activities. In Elementary (grades 1–5), reading and writing are developed, math emphasizes real-world applications, science integrates STEM concepts, and learning uses digital platforms such as HMH and Achieve3000, with coding via Sphero/Minecraft Education and Microsoft Office. Middle School (grades 6–8) focuses on English proficiency, introduces pre-algebra, provides integrated science labs, and uses CAT4 and MAP assessments along with internal benchmarks to monitor progress. High School (4-year) requires 26 credits with a minimum 60% in all subjects to earn a US High School Diploma, offers electives aligned with college/career goals, and provides a University and Career Counselor to support admissions and planning, plus opportunities for community service and green living. DAAPS is NEASC-accredited since March 2020.

DAAPS supports Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) through an Inclusion Department that includes a Head of Inclusion, Learning Support Teachers and Assistants, and Peer Mentors. The department focuses on supporting students who have difficulties in school and on monitoring social-emotional wellbeing, including counseling for academics or social-emotional matters. The Head of Inclusion is May Mina, and the team liaises with teachers, students, and parents to support individual learning and wellbeing.

DAAPS is an inclusive school with an Inclusion Department that serves Students of Determination. Students identified as needing additional support are placed on an Individual Education Plan, with services that include academic support in the mainstream, pull-out support, counseling for academics or social-emotional matters, liaison among the academic team and parents, accommodations during assessments, and personal goal planning. The Head of Inclusion is May Mina and the department works collaboratively with families to address each student's needs.

The school does not publicly disclose information regarding English as an Additional Language (EAL) provisions.

Mental wellbeing is addressed through counseling for academics or social-emotional matters provided by the Inclusion Department as part of the school's wellbeing and SEL framework. The inclusion team explicitly supports students' emotional wellbeing alongside academic support.

The school does not publicly disclose information regarding safeguarding and child protection policies.

Step 1 — Contact the Registrar for admissions questions. Step 2 — Complete the online application on the DAAPS portal and remit the AED 350 application/assessment fee (inclusive of VAT). Include these documents with the application: three recent colored passport-size photographs; birth certificate; vaccination card; passport with valid residence visa (for non-UAE citizens); UAE ID card; Family Book (Kholasat Al Qayd); copies of school reports for the last two years; copies of any standardized assessments (MAP, CAT4, etc.); reports of any identified special education needs (IEP/LPs); and the Transfer Certificate from the previous school. The Transfer Certificate (TC) is required by KHDA to register a student in any school in Dubai. Step 3 — An Assessment/Entrance Interview will be scheduled after the application is submitted. KG1 and KG2 students are interviewed by the Early Childhood team and observed in a play environment to assess language, cognitive, social, physical, and emotional development. Grades 1–12 students will take a CAT4 assessment and may be interviewed by the Academic Leadership Team to determine readiness and whether additional Learning Support is required. Step 4 — The Admissions Committee reviews the file and communicates with parents within 48 hours. To secure a seat, pay the New Student Registration Fee equal to 10% of the annual tuition; this fee is deductible from the annual tuition and is non-refundable except for special circumstances such as relocation. Once all documents are submitted and accepted, the student is formally enrolled and the KHDA Parent Contract for DAAPS must be signed. Age placement follows MOE/KHDA guidelines, with age as of August 31 used to place students in the appropriate grade (4 KG1; 5 KG2; 6 Grade 1; 7 Grade 2; 8 Grade 3; 9 Grade 4; 10 Grade 5; 11 Grade 6; 12 Grade 7; 13 Grade 8; 14 Grade 9; 15 Grade 10; 16 Grade 11; 17 Grade 12).