Best Indian Schools Near International City in Dubai: The Ultimate Guide

International City is popular for one simple reason: you get space and value, with quick access to main roads like Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road. The trade-off is that school choices are spread across nearby districts, so “best” usually comes down to your child’s curriculum, your budget, and how much commute you’re willing to accept on a school day.

• Understanding the Context of “Best” Schools
• Which Indian schools are closest to International City?
• Which strong Indian schools are a sensible commute away?
• Comparative table: Indian schools near International City
• How do you choose the right school for your child?
• Key takeaways
• FAQs

Understanding the Context of “Best” Schools

“Best” is rarely one single school for everyone. In reality, the right school depends on what fits a child’s needs, a family’s budget, and the practical realities of daily life in Dubai.

KHDA ratings are often the first point of reference, as they provide a general indication of teaching quality and school leadership. However, they work best when viewed alongside factors like class sizes, facilities, and parent feedback.

Curriculum choice is equally important. Many families prefer CBSE for its structure and affordability, while ICSE or IB programmes may suit those planning international moves or seeking a broader academic approach later on.

Total cost matters more than tuition alone. Transport, uniforms, books, and activities can significantly increase annual expenses, especially for families with more than one child.

Lastly, commute time can be decisive. A school that looks close on the map may feel much farther during morning peak traffic. 

For families comparing pathways (CBSE, ICSE/ISC, IB), it helps to understand the wider education system in the UAE, especially if you expect to move emirates or change curricula later.

Which Indian schools are closest to International City?

International City does not have Indian-curriculum schools within the community itself, so families typically look to nearby areas such as Nad Al Sheba, Al Wuheida, Al Warqa’a, and Jebel Ali. 

The schools below are among the most practical options, balancing driving distance, curriculum choice, fees, and daily commute time. For many parents, the deciding factor is not just reputation, but how manageable the school run feels during peak hours.

GEMS Modern Academy, Nad Al Sheba

GEMS Modern Academy is one of the most recognised premium Indian-pathway schools within a manageable drive from International City. 

It offers Indian curriculum routes, ICSE/ISC, alongside IB options at certain stages, which appeal to families planning ahead for senior schooling or international university pathways. Parents usually shortlist it for its academic reputation, structured extracurricular programmes, and clear progression planning in higher grades.

Commute note: School bus service available (routes cover International City). It is usually a straightforward drive, but school-run traffic can add time, especially on weekday mornings.

• Location: Nad Al Sheba, Dubai

• Contact: +971 4 326 3339

Sabari Indian School, Al Wuheida

Sabari Indian School is often considered by families looking for a CBSE option that balances academics with a more personal, smaller-school environment. It follows the CBSE curriculum from early years through senior grades and is known for maintaining relatively small class sizes, which many parents associate with closer teacher attention. Facilities such as a swimming pool and extracurricular activities enhance its appeal to younger students.

Commute note: Located near Century Mall (Al Wuheida), so it’s not next door to International City, but still workable for families who drive or use school transport; available to selected areas. 

Parents often underestimate the extent to which internal traffic within International City affects school runs. Clusters closer to Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road tend to reach Nad Al Sheba schools more smoothly, while inner clusters can experience slower exits during peak hours.

• Location: Al Wuheida, near Century Mall

• Contact:  +971 4 250 5806

Which strong Indian schools are a sensible commute away?

These are often not “next door” to International City, but they stay on many shortlists because they’re established, widely recognised, and workable if you can accept a longer school run (or use school transport).

Schools in Garhoud, Al Qusais, and Jebel Ali are frequently shortlisted by families who accept a longer commute in exchange for established reputations or lower fees. In these cases, understanding how major transport nodes operate, as central bus stations structure peak-hour movement, helps parents plan more predictable daily routines.

Delhi Private School, Jebel Ali

Delhi Private School Dubai is a well-known CBSE institution that remains on many shortlists despite being further from International City. Families usually consider it when they want a recognised Indian curriculum school with a large campus, broad facilities, and comparatively moderate fees. It suits parents who are comfortable with a longer commute in exchange for a familiar academic structure and established reputation.

Commute note: School bus service offered. Further than Nad Al Sheba/Al Wuheida, so timing matters, the morning peak can feel significantly longer than the map estimate

• Location: Near Ibn Batuta Mall, Jebel Ali

• Contact +971 4 882 1848

New Indian Model School, Al Garhoud

New Indian Model School is a long-standing option in Dubai, commonly chosen for its affordability and traditional Indian curriculum setup. It tends to appeal to families who prioritise value and curriculum continuity over proximity, as the daily commute from International City is longer but still manageable with planning.

Commute note: School bus available on selected routes. Commuting is doable, but traffic is usually more noticeable than on routes closer to Nad Al Sheba.

• Location: Next to National Charity School, Al Garhoud

• Contact +971 4 282 4313

Gulf Indian High School, Al Garhoud

Gulf Indian High School is another established Indian curriculum school in the Garhoud area, often considered alongside New Indian Model School. Families usually shortlist it for its stability, long track record, and a straightforward academic environment, particularly when seeking familiar teaching structures and moderate fees.

Commute note: Similar to other Garhoud options, plan around peak-hour traffic. School transport available

• Location: Al Garhoud area

• Contact +971 4 611 9400

Amity School Dubai, Al Qusais

While not strictly an “Indian-only” curriculum school, Amity School Dubai frequently appears on shortlists for families in International City because Al Qusais is easily reachable, depending on the exact cluster and school timing. It suits parents looking for a structured, international-style environment within commuting distance that may still work for daily school runs.

Commute note: Can be convenient or slow depending on where you live in International City and the exact school start time. Bus service is available.

• Location: School Zone, Al Qusais 1

• Contact +971 4 204 1000

Comparative table: Indian schools near International City

The comparison below helps parents evaluate Indian schools near International City based on curriculum, KHDA rating, fees, and commute time. Rather than ranking schools as “best” or “worst,” it highlights trade-offs between cost, travel time, and long-term academic pathways, which is often how real decisions are made.

Note: KHDA ratings can change; always check the latest inspection reports.

How do you choose the right school for your child?

There’s no single “perfect” choice, but a clear shortlist makes the decision much easier. Start with the basics, then narrow it down based on daily reality.

• Set a realistic annual budget that includes tuition, transport, uniforms, and books.
• Choose a curriculum that fits long-term plans, especially if relocation or board changes are possible later.
• Test the commute at real school times, not mid-day, as peak traffic can double travel time.
• Use KHDA reports as a guide, but pay attention to softer factors such as student support, communication, and school culture.
• Check availability early, as popular schools often have waiting lists in specific grades.

If you’re applying for a new academic year or switching schools mid-year, the Dubai school admission process can influence timelines, documents, and waiting lists, so it’s smart to plan early.

Key takeaways

Near International City, the “best” Indian school is usually the one that fits daily life, not just inspection scores. Premium options like GEMS Modern Academy suit families planning long-term academic pathways, while established CBSE and Indian curriculum schools in Garhoud or Jebel Ali remain popular for value-focused households. Ultimately, balancing the curriculum, total cost, and commute realities with where you live is what makes school choice sustainable throughout the academic year.

FAQs

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