Dubai International Academy Al Barsha

The school offers the International Baccalaureate continuum for learners aged 3 to 18, including the Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP), Diploma Programme (DP) and Career-related Programme (CP). English is the instructional language for all subjects. The IB curriculum is delivered in a 12-grade structure with an entry age of 3 years at Pre-KG. The campus spans 23 acres and supports an academically rigorous, inquiry-based approach with broad opportunities for skills development and character education.

The Centre for Musical Arts is the exclusive provider of instrumental and vocal music lessons for Dubai International Academy, Al Barsha. CMA offers lessons on piano, guitar, ukulele, voice, woodwind, brass and drumkit.

English is the instructional language for all subjects. Arabic is compulsory for all students in Grade 1 to Grade 9. From Grade 2, students can learn French or Spanish as part of the Modern Foreign Languages (MFL) programme. The school runs a Mother Tongue Programme to support home languages, with options including Dutch, Hindi, Swedish, Italian, French, Spanish, Russian, Turkish, Portuguese and German. English is the instructional default for all lessons, with MT offerings conducted in the mother tongue where possible.

DIA Barsha offers a Co-Curricular Activities Programme with a 'Something for Everyone' aim. Most CCAs are free of charge and run by school staff using in-house facilities; paid CCAs are offered by external providers when necessary. Students register directly with the activity providers, and spaces are allocated on a first-come-first-served basis. CCAs support social skills, wellbeing and broader personal development beyond the classroom.

Service Learning is a central part of IB learning, with students conducting service activities, logging and reflecting on their experiences. The programme also includes trips at Dubai, UAE and international levels, each with specific learning outcomes. Trips are integrated with academic, social or personal development goals.

The school offers the Duke Of Edinburgh International Award with Bronze, Silver and Gold levels, each requiring four components: Volunteering, Physical, Skills and Expedition (Gold includes a five-day residential). The programme is open to everyone aged 14–24 and focuses on personal growth, resilience and community involvement. Entrepreneurship opportunities exist through the Entrepreneurs programme, exposing students to enterprise activities, internships and real-world projects such as classroom Shark Tank pitches.

Wellbeing is a core priority, defined as a sense of community, purpose and fulfilment, with balance and good health. A dedicated Wellbeing Team — including Student Ambassadors, Parents, School Counsellors, Teachers, Senior Leaders and Governors — ensures student voices are heard and wellbeing goals are advanced. The school runs wellbeing initiatives throughout the year and uses dedicated measures to monitor and improve wellbeing.