
The City School International
Updated July 2026
Curriculum
Languages
The City School International is a private educational institution established in 1978 that provides high-quality international education from the Foundation Stage through to Year 11. It is a flagship school located in the Nadd-Al-Hamar area of Dubai, committed to preparing students for the Cambridge International Examinations and the challenges of the modern world.
Curriculum
Teaching approach
The school operates under the motto "I Am To Learn," focusing on educating the "whole child" to become an independent, responsible, and global citizen. It emphasizes academic excellence alongside the development of social, sporting, and artistic skills. The institution promotes core values of integrity, tolerance, intellectual curiosity, and cultural diversity, aiming to empower students to face the challenges of a globalized world with confidence and self-reliance.
Programmes
The school follows the National Curriculum for England for non-core subjects and the Cambridge Curriculum for English, Mathematics, and Science. The academic pathway begins with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) for children aged 3 to 5, followed by Key Stages 1 and 2 for primary education. Secondary education encompasses Key Stage 3 (Years 7–8) and Key Stage 4 (Years 9–11), where students prepare for the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) examinations. Arabic and Islamic Studies are integrated into the curriculum to cater to both native and non-native speakers.
Student support
Learning support
The school maintains a dedicated Head of Inclusion and Wellbeing to foster a supportive environment for all students. It provides individualized student support and has policies in place for safeguarding and child protection. The school welcomes applications from students regardless of nationality, ethnicity, or religion, and assesses each child to ensure they are appropriately supported for the curriculum.
Tuition & fees
No published fee schedule was found for this school.
Admissions
The school accepts applications throughout the year, with priority given to siblings of current students. The process requires a non-refundable registration fee of AED 500, followed by an age-appropriate assessment or interview to determine placement. Upon receiving a formal offer, parents must pay a non-refundable admission fee of AED 1,000 to secure the seat and submit required documentation, including passport copies, residence visas, Emirates IDs, birth certificates, and previous school reports. Admission is subject to approval by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA).
Calendar
The academic year typically begins in late August for staff and students, with the Foundation Stage rejoining in early September. The calendar includes scheduled breaks for Winter, Mid-Term, and Spring, as well as observances for UAE national holidays and religious occasions. The school year concludes in June with final term exams and the release of results. Throughout the year, the school hosts various events, including sports days for different key stages, annual shows, and awareness days such as UAE Flag Day and Breast Cancer Awareness.
About the campus
The Nadd-Al-Hamar campus is organized into sections for Foundation Stage, Primary, Secondary, and Senior School, each with age-appropriate classrooms equipped with interactive TV/whiteboards. Specialist facilities include science labs, an ICT lab with high-tech hardware and software, an art room, and a dedicated language room for Arabic and Islamic studies. Sports and recreational facilities feature an outdoor football field, a basketball court, shaded play areas, and an indoor multipurpose hall used for events and physical education. The campus also includes a library, a mobile canteen, and accessibility features such as wheelchair-accessible ramps, lifts, and dedicated parking.
Co-curriculars
The school offers a range of extracurricular activities designed to broaden student horizons and develop natural talents. These include sports such as swimming, gymnastics, and football, as well as ballet and various school clubs. Students are encouraged to participate in leadership opportunities, such as the Student Council, and engage in enrichment programmes that foster social awareness, creativity, and innovation.



Jumana ShehadehPrincipalJumana Shehadeh is the Principal of The City School International Dubai. She has worked in the UAE educational landscape for more than 23 years and is a safeguarding leader.
Lina OmarVice PrincipalLina Omar has been in education for over 25 years. She holds a Bachelor of Education degree from Lebanese University and has experience in Primary and Early Years settings across Lebanon and the UAE.
- Farah AzeemQuality Assurance Head of Assessment & Data & Exam Officer
Farah Azeem serves as the Head of Secondary and brings over 30 years of experience in education. She holds a Master’s in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Quaid e Azam University, Pakistan, and has been with The City School International since 2008.
- Mudassir Saleem SheikhDeputy Head of Secondary & Sixth Form and Head of Department Mathematics
Mudassir Saleem Sheikh has over 20 years of experience in education and has been with The City School International since 2013. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and Master’s degrees in Computer Science, Economics, and Finance.
- Maryam AhmedKS1 Section Head
Ms. Maryam holds a Master’s degree in Interior Designing and has been a member of TCSI since 2006, starting as an Art teacher. She currently serves as the KS1 Section Head.
- Heena ShaikhHead of Early Years foundation stage
Heena Shaikh is an educator with over a decade of experience in early childhood education. She focuses on child-centered learning, positive behavior management, and strong parent partnerships.
- Saba Shoukat MazharHead of Inclusion and Wellbeing
Saba Shoukat Mazhar is the Head of Inclusion and Wellbeing. She holds an undergraduate degree in Social and Behavioral Sciences, a master’s degree in Applied Psychology, and is pursuing a PhD in Education; she is also certified in Integrative Counseling and Psychotherapy.
- Kamran AhmedHead of English Department
- Anupama GirishHead of department – Science
- Sadia ObaidHead of Department- Islamic
- Bindhu AnilHead of Department – IT
- Veena BabaniHead of Department- Humanities
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National Curriculum (England)
IGCSE