School system: IB system
KHDA rating: Very Good
Grade: Nursery to Grade 12
Tuition: AED 30,430 - AED 76,620
Address: Mirdif Area, Tripoli Street, Algeria St, Dubai
Uptown International School is affiliated with the Talim Group and is one of the best schools in the United Arab Emirates. Located in the core area of Mirdif, the campus has a variety of activity facilities, including science laboratories, libraries, ITC, swimming pools, and self-service restaurants. UIS teaches students how to think dialectically, enrich their imagination, develop good personalities, establish lifelong friendships, and face various challenges of the 21st century. The school adopts an IB curriculum system, admitting children aged three to eighteen, and provides a seamless IB curriculum: primary school curriculum (PYP), secondary school curriculum (MYP), and diploma curriculum (DP). These courses focus on aligning children with international standards, making them better learners and embarking on the path to world-class universities. The main driving force for achieving a successful school is the teaching staff. UIS teachers help children depict the shape of their dreams, enabling them to live and learn confidently, and guiding them to learn self-directed learning.
As the second largest early childhood and primary and secondary education group in the United Arab Emirates, Talim has been committed to:
·Enable children to fully possess the ability to compete globally in all aspects of skills, knowledge, and personality
·Provide comprehensive international leading courses
·Design, manage, and optimize teaching equipment
·Create and implement benchmark teaching plans
·Cultivate and support educational talents through the appeal, knowledge, and development of the best educators
·Continuously evaluating and improving the teaching capabilities of its schools
·Make each school the cornerstone of local education
Uptown International School (UIS) is a school under the Taaleem Education Group and one of the best IB schools in the UAE. UIS is located in Mirdif, Dubai, and is a place where students learn how to think critically, challenge assumptions, stand out, shape character, build lifelong friendships, and become global multilingual citizens. We have a magnificent campus and first-class facilities. We have world-class courses and a true ambition to change our lives and the world we live in. What sets Uptown International School apart is our students. They are adventurous people who know they can learn from their mistakes and that through perseverance and resilience, they can achieve their dreams. We offer three international diploma courses: primary school curriculum (PYP), secondary school curriculum (MYP), and diploma curriculum (DP), providing a seamless educational experience for students aged 3 to 18. The core concept of these projects is to cultivate students with an international perspective, enabling them to learn how to become better people and learners.
UIS adopts the IB (International Baccalaureate) curriculum system, providing three stages of IB curriculum: primary school curriculum (PYP), secondary school curriculum (MYP), and diploma curriculum (DP).
How does IB define "international education"?
① Cultivate "world citizens" in terms of culture, language, and learning to coexist peacefully with others
② Establishing and strengthening awareness of student identity and culture
③ Cultivate students' understanding of common human values
④ Stimulate students' curiosity and desire for exploration to promote their spirit of exploration and enjoyment of learning
⑤ Enable students to have the ability to learn and acquire knowledge, whether through self-directed learning or collaborative collaboration, so that they can apply these skills in various learning areas
⑥ Provide international bibliographies for learning in various regions
⑦ Encourage diverse and flexible teaching techniques
⑧ Provide international benchmarks and evaluation forms
All courses are based on a unified IB study document, which includes various aspects such as personal abilities and sense of responsibility, in addition to academic aspects. The IB study document is committed to helping students learn to respect themselves, others, and the world.
Primary School
The program is for students aged 3 to 12 years old and combines classroom learning with extracurricular inquiry to develop the whole child as an inquirer. Students participate in four to six "units of inquiry" each year.
As a proud IB World School, UIS is fully accredited to offer the Primary Years Program (PYP). The PYP instills curiosity, empathy and cross-cultural understanding in students. The curriculum places a strong emphasis on inquiry-based learning, stimulating curiosity and developing critical thinking skills from an early age. Through engaging lessons and meaningful experiences, students become active young citizens.
Secondary School
After completing the Primary Years Program (PYP), students enter the Middle Years Program (MYP) to prepare them for the IB Diploma. The MYP is for students aged 6 to 10 (11 to 16 years old).
At UIS Secondary School, students receive a rich educational experience through the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program (MYP). Our campus offers state-of-the-art facilities and creates an environment where students can thrive academically, socially and athletically.
IB Career-Related Programme (IBCP)
The IBCP is an exciting course that combines the academic rigour of the IB Diploma with essential career development, equipping students with transferable employability skills, whether they choose to go to university or enter employment.
At UIS, the IBCP consists of:
1. BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma. This is the main course for students, with a focus on business subjects;
2. Three IB Certificates. Students must study Mathematics and English;
3. IBCP Core. Includes language development, professional and personal skills, and a service learning reflection project (a 3,000-word degree-level investigation project)
Through these components, as well as extensive educational visits and external presentations, students leave UIS fully prepared to thrive in the modern world.
Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) (IBDP)
Together with Theory of Knowledge (TOK) and the Extended Essay (EE), Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) forms the core of the IBDP.
The three components are:
Creativity: Art, Music, Drama, Creative Writing and Creative Thinking Experiences.
Activity: Physical exertion that contributes to a healthy lifestyle, building strength and control over the body and its movements.
Service: An unpaid, voluntary exchange that benefits students’ learning.
Although it is not graded, students must pass the CAS to receive a diploma – such is its importance to the IB philosophy. Students need to provide eight CAS learning outcomes.
Diploma Programme
The IB Diploma Programme is a two-year academically challenging, rigorous and balanced educational programme, including final examinations, that prepares students aged 16 to 19 (Years 11 and 12) for success at university and beyond.
The six subject areas of Languages, Social Studies, Personal, Social and Physical Education, Mathematics, Science and Technology, and Arts are organized into Units of Inquiry to provide an interdisciplinary approach to learning.
Inspections and Accreditations
UIS is proud to have been awarded multiple accreditations by independent educational bodies, which regularly assess the quality of teaching and ensure that schools meet and maintain international standards in academic, administrative and related services.
UIS has also become one of the schools in Dubai to be fully accredited to offer all four International Baccalaureate programmes.
The four International Baccalaureate programmes are:
Primary Year Programme (PYP)
Middle Year Programme (MYP)
Preparatory Programme (DP)
Career-related Programme (CP)
1. The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award
The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award transcends cultural, physical and socio-economic boundaries, challenging participants to exceed their personal best and recognising their achievements. It was founded in 1956 by His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh and has since inspired over 8 million young people in over 140 countries, encouraging them to become independent, empathetic and resilient leaders.
The programme is structured around four key areas, providing opportunities for adventure and the acquisition of essential life skills. From journeys that teach survival and teamwork skills to activities that require physical involvement, participants are urged to set and achieve SMART goals and reflect on their growth and learning throughout.
2. Performing Creative Arts
Drama
Through the Drama course, students develop their essential skills and knowledge, the course also teaches students how to work in the style of specific practitioners, for example; Stanislavski and Brecht.
Students are able to draw on their experiences, use transferable skills from school life to social life, and discuss a variety of topics that inspire them, which gives students ownership of their learning and helps them not only with their performance skills, but also build confidence, problem-solving skills and critical thinking skills. Students explore their learning and culminate in designing a performance piece to share with parents, visitors and other students at the end of class.
Music
Music plays an integral role in campus life at UIS. The department has excellent facilities for ensemble and individual performances, as well as well-equipped classrooms and rehearsal rooms.
From classical music to musicals, from Africa to Arabia, students are immersed in music of all genres, styles and traditions and are encouraged to explore, analyze and reflect on everything they hear. Music courses allow students to perform and compose, and develop their musical technical skills. Students can also take private instrument lessons provided in collaboration with professional tutors at the Dubai Academy of Performing Arts.
Students can participate in many extracurricular activities such as choir, rock band, orchestra and middle school production band. Outside of the classroom, many formal and informal performance opportunities showcase the talents of our students; events such as the Inter-House Music Competition, Live Lounges and the Winter Concert.
Dance
Dance activities at UIS are ongoing every year. The highly acclaimed Dubai Desert Dance Project is now in its tenth year in Dubai, with 500 students from Dubai schools participating, and over 100 students from UIS auditioning each year for primary and secondary schools, with the standard of dance improving every year. Another element of the project is the involvement of students in the work, including backstage crew, costume and set design, and technical aspects of performance.
Performances
Performances are held regularly, with students from grades 6-12 having the opportunity to participate in whole-school performances, the Winter Concert, Live Lounge, Sunday morning music, desert dance, curriculum unit performances and more.
3. School Facilities
UIS has an area of 57,000 square meters on campus, supporting a comprehensive learning experience. Advanced facilities and venues including science laboratories, libraries, ICT rooms, swimming pools, sports centers, school cafeterias, etc. provide students with an environment where they can flourish academically, physically and creatively.
Application fee: AED 525
PK tuition: AED 93,600
K tuition: AED 45,960
Year 1 tuition: AED 56,530
Year 2 tuition: AED 56,530
Year 3 tuition: AED 58,120
Year 4 tuition: AED 58,120
Year 5 tuition: AED 58,120
Year 6 tuition: AED 66,050
Year 7 tuition: AED 66,050
Year 8 tuition: AED 71,330
Year 9 tuition: AED 71,330
Year 10 tuition: AED 71,330
Year 11 tuition: AED 76,620
Year 12 tuition: AED 76,620