How to Choose the Right Indian School in Dubai for Your Child

Honestly, I didn’t think picking a school would be so difficult. We moved to Dubai thinking we’d just pick something close to home and get on with it. But no. Once you start looking at schools — especially Indian schools in Dubai — it becomes this whole process you didn’t expect.

There are so many of them. All of them seem good on the surface. Nice websites. Good buildings. A few people say, “Oh, this one’s the best,” or “that one’s strict but solid.” But what’s right for your child? That’s the hard part.

I started with just watching my son for a week or two. What does he enjoy? How does he react to pressure? Is he the type to speak up in class, or would he need a place where teachers really pull him out of his shell?

Some Indian schools in Dubai might have all the modern tech and awards, but if the atmosphere is cold or too rigid, it won’t help him. That’s the stuff you don’t get from brochures.

One thing I noticed during school visits — some places felt warm. Like you walk in, and the kids are relaxed. Teachers greet you properly, not just push you toward a receptionist. I trusted that feeling more than any online review.

Another thing — logistics. Everyone talks about “best education,” but no one tells you how tiring it is for a child to sit in a bus for 90 minutes one way. We almost enrolled in a school like that, but after one trial run, we knew it wouldn’t work long-term. That’s the kind of stuff you only realise late, unless someone tells you.

Curriculum-wise, yeah — CBSE is common. Some schools offer ICSE. But more important is how they teach it. Is it just textbook-heavy? Or are they getting kids to think? Ask questions? You can tell when students are curious versus just preparing for an exam.

We didn’t rush. We visited three places. Spoke to parents outside the gate. Looked at the little things: what the kids eat, how the walls are decorated, and if the students smile.

In the end, we didn’t go with the “top” school. We went with the one that felt balanced. A place where our son could learn, but also breathe.

If you’re choosing an Indian school in Dubai, my only advice is — don’t overthink it, but don’t rush either. Trust what you see. Trust your gut. And always think about what your child will feel like walking into that building every morning.