Around the world, there are cities that have more than one international school. Many times there is an American school, a British School, and an international school that uses an international curriculum.
Some cities, though, have MANY international schools! When that is the case, how do the comments about each school compare to each other?
This blog series looks at comparing some of these comments, all coming from international schools in the same city.
Dubai
Currently, we have 40 schools listed in Dubai on International School Community.
Schools with the most submitted comments:
Al Mizhar American Academy (Dubai, United Arab Emirates) – 54 Comments
Greenfield Community School (Dubai) (Dubai, United Arab Emirates) – 79 Comments
Jumeira Baccalaureate School (Dubai, United Arab Emirates) – 54 Comments
Uptown School (Dubai, United Arab Emirates) – 49 Comments
American School of Dubai (Dubai, United Arab Emirates) – 17 Comments
Dubai International Academy (Dubai, United Arab Emirates) – 18 Comments
Hiring Policy
“HR department is not efficient on giving clear and true information when hiring. Often confusing communication.” – Dubai International Academy
“Check for Taaleem recruitment fairs in UAE plus through Search Associates – Head Teacher has travelled to Australia and UK to recruit in person but lots of appointments are done as a result of Skype interviews.” – Greenfield Community School (Dubai)
“Usually Search Bangkok and London fairs.Occasionally skype. Age limit is 60 in the UAE.” – Uptown School
“Management goes to ISS and Search fairs in the US.” – Al Mizhar American Academy
Housing Benefits
“There is now an option for a cash allowance for housing but it is not very difficult to find a decent apartment on the allowance as rates have gone up.” – Al Mizhar American Academy
“Housing is provided, but is of varying quality and far from the school. Motorway driving of 30 minutes one-way is average. No utility allowance and electricity, water and Internet are very expensive. After the first year, a housing allowance is available but won’t cover costs due to sky- high rental prices. There is a move in allowance, but this will not cover the cost of appliances and furniture.” – Jumeira Baccalaureate School
“Housing allowance increased but still low compared to real estate prices.” – Greenfield Community School (Dubai)
School Location
“The school is close to the airport and a shopping center (Mirdif). Housing is provided by the school (1st year), after that teacher may stay or move elswhere. Everyone drives (rent or mostly owned car.) There is a convenient underground parking for all staff.” – Uptown School
“Most teachers either rent or buy a car. Public transportation is not in the area. The school is about 20 minutes from downtown Dubai.” – Al Mizhar American Academy
“No public or school transportation, everybody must purchase a car, which is a very tricky situation, a lot of hidden expenses involved in that. Dubai is mostly Indian and doing business with them is not pleasent.” – Dubai International Academy
“The school is located in Jumeira 1, ten minutes from the beach and far from all teacher housing. A 30-45 minute commute is average. Teachers must have their own vehicles to get back and forth from school as transport is not provided and public transportation is limited.” – Jumeira Baccalaureate School
Language of Students
“Almost everyone is ESL or EAL. In hallways English is used or Arabic. Given 20 nationalities mostly from Arabic countries, India, etc. English is maybe more often heard.” – Uptown School
“The dominant culture is Emirati with the second culture being other Arabs and Pakistani. Students are 90%+ Islamic. The common language is Arabic.” – Al Mizhar American Academy
“Indian community is ruling from the top to bottom.” – Dubai International Academy
(These are just 4 of the 65 different comments topics that on each school profile page on our website.)
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