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Dunecrest American School

United Arab Emirates, Dubai

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· Reviewed by · B2C Marketing Manager

Independently researched by doris.
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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees AED 41,500 - 90,050
Ages 3 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 667
Bus Service No
Availability Not shared by this school
Academic offering
Curriculum IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP), American Curriculum
Typical class size 15

Wadi Al Safa 3, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Vibes and Culture
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The Essentials

Dunecrest American School has 667 pupils, typical class sizes of 15, instruction in English.

Location
Dunecrest American School is located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, in the Al Barari / Living Legends area of Dubailand, just off Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road (E311). The 8‑acre campus features naturally lit classrooms, modern facilities and athletic spaces designed for collaborative, project‑based learning and wellness. It is accessible from residential communities such as Arabian Ranches and Motor City, and many families use the school's point‑to‑point bus services. The campus address is near Al Barari, Wadi Al Safa 3 (next to Al Barari).

Stages
Dunecrest offers a standards‑based American curriculum from Pre‑Kindergarten through Grade 12, with the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme available in Grades 11 and 12. The program is organized into Early Childhood (Pre‑KG, KG1, KG2), Elementary (G1–G5), Middle School (G6–G8) and High School (G9–G12).

Type
Dunecrest is co‑educational and operates as a day school. There are no boarding facilities offered.

Additional learning support
The Inclusion Program uses a multi‑tiered RTI framework (Tier 1 universal instruction, Tier 2 targeted interventions and Tier 3 intensive interventions) to support students with additional learning needs. Independent Learning Support Assistants (ILSA) support Students of Determination within mainstream classrooms, and an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or an Accommodation Plan is developed for included students. The school reports a capacity limit of 10% of a grade's cohort for Inclusion services and engages in regular monitoring and collaboration with parents.

Country affiliation
American international school; accredited by the Middle States Association and an IB World School offering the IB Diploma Programme in Grades 11–12.

Religious affiliation
No formal religious affiliation; the school states it accepts students regardless of religion.

School day structure
The school day is typically from around 7:45 a.m. to about 3:15 p.m. on most days. Administration hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday to Thursday, and 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Fridays. Fridays feature early dismissal for younger divisions (11:50 a.m. for Early Childhood & Elementary; 12:00 p.m. for Middle & High School). Lunch is provided by the school cafeteria, with a daily menu available to view.

Bus service
A point‑to‑point bus service is available, used by many families; transportation details are managed by the school and inquiries should be directed to transport@dunecrest.ae. The school's contact page lists the Transportation department and phone number, and the 360 Virtual Tour notes bus services as common in the area.
Diving Deeper
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Fees

Annual tuition at Dunecrest American School ranges from AED 41,500 to AED 90,050 for 2026/27.

Application / Testing Fee

- Application/testing fee: AED 500, payable when an offer of a space is made.

Registration Deposit (New Students)

- Pre-KG to KG2: AED 3,000.
- Grade 1 to Grade 12: AED 4,500.
- The registration deposit is applied to the first tuition payment and is non-refundable except where the family must relocate outside the Emirate of Dubai before the start of the academic year.

Tuition Fees (annual and per-term breakdown by grade)

- Pre-K: AED 41,500 per year. Term breakdown: Term 1 (40%) AED 16,600; Term 2 (30%) AED 12,450; Term 3 (30%) AED 12,450.
- KG1: AED 48,370 per year. Term breakdown: Term 1 (40%) AED 19,348; Term 2 (30%) AED 14,511; Term 3 (30%) AED 14,511.
- KG2: AED 52,700 per year. Term breakdown: Term 1 (40%) AED 21,080; Term 2 (30%) AED 15,810; Term 3 (30%) AED 15,810.
- Grade 1: AED 72,960 per year. Term breakdown: Term 1 (40%) AED 29,184; Term 2 (30%) AED 21,888; Term 3 (30%) AED 21,888.
- Grade 2: AED 72,960 per year. Term breakdown: Term 1 (40%) AED 29,184; Term 2 (30%) AED 21,888; Term 3 (30%) AED 21,888.
- Grade 3: AED 72,960 per year. Term breakdown: Term 1 (40%) AED 29,184; Term 2 (30%) AED 21,888; Term 3 (30%) AED 21,888.
- Grade 4: AED 72,960 per year. Term breakdown: Term 1 (40%) AED 29,184; Term 2 (30%) AED 21,888; Term 3 (30%) AED 21,888.
- Grade 5: AED 80,550 per year. Term breakdown: Term 1 (40%) AED 32,220; Term 2 (30%) AED 24,165; Term 3 (30%) AED 24,165.
- Grade 6: AED 80,550 per year. Term breakdown: Term 1 (40%) AED 32,220; Term 2 (30%) AED 24,165; Term 3 (30%) AED 24,165.
- Grade 7: AED 80,550 per year. Term breakdown: Term 1 (40%) AED 32,220; Term 2 (30%) AED 24,165; Term 3 (30%) AED 24,165.
- Grade 8: AED 80,550 per year. Term breakdown: Term 1 (40%) AED 32,220; Term 2 (30%) AED 24,165; Term 3 (30%) AED 24,165.
- Grade 9: AED 90,050 per year. Term breakdown: Term 1 (40%) AED 36,020; Term 2 (30%) AED 27,015; Term 3 (30%) AED 27,015.
- Grade 10: AED 90,050 per year. Term breakdown: Term 1 (40%) AED 36,020; Term 2 (30%) AED 27,015; Term 3 (30%) AED 27,015.
- Grade 11: AED 90,050 per year. Term breakdown: Term 1 (40%) AED 36,020; Term 2 (30%) AED 27,015; Term 3 (30%) AED 27,015.
- Grade 12: AED 90,050 per year. Term breakdown: Term 1 (40%) AED 36,020; Term 2 (30%) AED 27,015; Term 3 (30%) AED 27,015.

Billing schedule and payment terms

- Annual tuition is split into three instalments: First payment 40% due by August 15; Second payment 30% due by December 15; Third payment 30% due by March 15. Each payment is due in full prior to the first teaching day of the term.
- New-student registration deposit must be paid within five days of the acceptance letter to secure the place; the deposit is applied to the first tuition instalment.
- Returning-student re-enrolment fee: 5% of the annual tuition fee to confirm a returning student's place.
- Parents are asked to make arrangements with the accounts department if full payment cannot be made before the start of a term. AED 250 will be charged for a dishonored check.

Boarding

- The school operates as a day school and does not provide boarding services; therefore there are no boarding fees.

Other costs and optional charges

- Transportation: School transportation is charged separately from tuition; transportation fees and registration are additional. Transportation fees are charged per term and remain payable for the full term even if transportation is withdrawn during that term.
- Cafeteria: Cafeteria services are not included in tuition and are charged separately.
- Uniforms: Uniforms are not included in tuition and are charged separately; a uniform price list is published.
- After-school programs and most extracurricular activities are included in tuition, but some optional activities or services may incur additional charges.
- Sibling discount: 20% discount is applied for the third child and any subsequent children from the same family.

Refund and withdrawal policy

- If a student withdraws during the academic year, tuition charges follow KHDA-compliant rules: if the student attended two weeks or less, a one-month fee is charged; if attendance is more than two weeks and up to one month, two months' fees are charged; if attendance exceeds one month, the full term's fee is charged. Transportation fees are charged for the full term if transport is cancelled during a term. The registration deposit is non-refundable except where the family is required to relocate outside the Emirate of Dubai before term start.

Fee payment options and banking details

- Accepted payment methods: cash, check (drawn in the name of Dunecrest American School L.L.C.), electronic bank transfer / direct deposit.
- Bank details for direct deposit / electronic transfer: Account Name: Dunecrest American School L.L.C; Bank Name: Standard Chartered Bank; Branch: Emaar Square; Account Number: 01-2389328-01; IBAN: AE51 0440 0000 0123 8932 801; SWIFT: SCBLAEAD. Parents are requested to email a scan or screenshot of the payment advice and reference number to accounts@dunecrest.ae once payment is complete. AED 250 fee for dishonored checks applies.
Academics

Dunecrest American School teaches IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP), American Curriculum for students aged 3 to 18.

Curriculum
Dunecrest offers a K-12 American curriculum with the option to pursue the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme in Grades 11–12. Early Childhood (Pre-KG, KG1, KG2) follows the Creative Curriculum®, a US-based framework, with the KG-12 program then aligned to AERO/Common Core Plus standards through Grade 10. From Grade 1 through Grade 10, the program uses AERO Plus Common Core Plus standards for Language Arts, Math, Science, and Social Studies, with World Languages, Music and Art; Physical Education follows SHAPE, and technology follows ISTE standards. In Grades 11-12, students may follow the American High School Diploma pathway or the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. English is the primary language of instruction; additional languages include Arabic, with French and Spanish offered from Grade 4. The school is fully accredited by the Middle States Association and is an IB World School offering the IB Diploma Programme in Grades 11-12.
Wellbeing
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Parent Experience
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Facilities
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Extra-Curricular Activities
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Languages
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Reputation
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Admissions

Admissions
Dunecrest American School offers education from Pre-KG to Grade 12 with a standards-based US curriculum and IB Diploma options in Grades 11 and 12. The admissions process starts with an online application (Apply Now) that takes about 2–3 minutes to complete. After submission, the admissions team aims to respond within 48 hours for completed applications. Applicants upload documents listed in the Documents Checklist, including the student's passport, report cards from the previous three years in English, and any available recent standardized test scores (MAP or CAT4). Upon acceptance, additional documents are required: birth certificate; parents' passports; student and parents' photos; the final report card; and UAE residency documents (Residence Visa and Emirates ID) for residents; if visa documents are not yet available, they may be submitted later but before the start of the school year. Admissions decisions are final and consider the student's ability to succeed in the programs, as well as social, emotional, and educational needs.
School Events
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