What about the schools?
It's usually one of the first questions families ask when considering Palm Jumeirah. Life on the Palm can feel wonderfully removed from the city – a stretch of sea, skyline, and quiet that makes you forget just how close you are to the action. But that sense of isolation can make parents wonder: Are we too far from everything?
The Palm itself doesn't have any large international campuses, but it doesn't need to. Within 20 minutes, you'll find some of Dubai's most established schools – from King's School's outstanding primary programme to Dubai College's Oxbridge pipeline. The daily commute still feels local, with enough variety to suit whether you prioritise academics, atmosphere, or simply getting there on time.
Here's a look at some of the schools families on Palm Jumeirah can choose – not the ones that sound good on paper, but the ones that work in practice.
GEMS Wellington International School
Location: Al Sufouh 1
Not to be confused with its sibling campuses across the city, GEMS Wellington International in Al Sufouh is often the go-to choice when families want a strong British curriculum with a truly international cohort. It offers the National Curriculum for England up to GCSEs, followed by the IB Diploma – a combination that gives students both structure and global fluency.
For Palm-based parents, it ticks two boxes: academic consistency and proximity. The school sits about a 15-minute drive from most of the trunk and crescent, close enough that drop-off and pick-up don't take over your day. Working parents also appreciate that it's right off Sheikh Zayed Road, which simplifies the daily commute.
The campus houses a full-size floodlit astro turf, 25-metre indoor swimming pool, and a large multi-purpose sports hall alongside dedicated courts for tennis, basketball, netball, and volleyball. Students can choose from over 90 clubs and activities, covering everything from creative arts to outdoor education. The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award is a notable program, enabling individuals aged 14 to 24 to engage in personal development through community service, physical recreation, skill development, and expeditions. The atmosphere leans aspirational but not pressured, and the student body reflects the city itself – global, curious, and relatively grounded for such a big name in private education.
If you value a school that can stretch your child academically with those 90+ activity options – and you're happy to join a large, busy community – it's well worth a look.
King's School Dubai
Location: Umm Suqeim 3
King's is one of those names that comes up quickly when families talk schools in Dubai. Although the original campus in Umm Suqeim isn't exactly next door to the Palm, it's still within a 15–20-minute drive, depending on the time of day, close enough to remain a viable and often preferred option.
This is a primary-only school (FS1 to Year 6), which means the environment feels distinctly child-focused. Bright, well-ventilated classrooms feature engaging displays, and many include balconies that serve as outdoor learning areas. Principal Bede Higgins has led the school since 2016, providing the kind of leadership stability that parents notice. It's also one of the few schools in Dubai rated "Outstanding" by KHDA every year since inspections began – and not in a checkbox way.
King's offers an environment that feels both nurturing and ambitious. The attention to each child's development – academic, emotional, and social – is part of the school's everyday approach rather than something mentioned in assemblies.
Secondary options will need to be considered (King's has sister schools in Al Barsha), but during early years and primary, this is a community many families go out of their way to join.
Regent International School
Location: The Greens
Regent sits in The Greens, a residential area close to Dubai Marina, making it a straightforward 15-minute drive from the Palm. The campus may be smaller than some of its neighbours, but that's part of its appeal – it feels manageable, familiar, and easy to find your way around.
The school follows the British curriculum from FS1 through to Year 13 and has earned a "Very Good" KHDA rating. Regent uses a Positive Education Model, integrating character development into daily learning rather than treating it as an add-on. Parents often describe a culture of care that extends to both students and teachers.
Class sizes are on the smaller side, with around 14 students per teacher, and the feel across the school is more community-driven than institutional. The school's focus on wellbeing shows up in everyday interactions – how teachers communicate and how children are encouraged to speak up.
Those who value this kind of nurturing environment alongside solid academics often find Regent a practical, quietly assured choice.
Raffles International School
Location: Umm Suqeim 3
Many families based on the Palm choose Raffles because it offers something appealingly balanced: close enough to be convenient, established enough to be trusted, and flexible enough to meet children where they are.
The school follows a British curriculum through the primary years, with the option to move into the IB Diploma Programme later on. Classes average 19 students and never exceed 25, with a teacher-to-student ratio of 1:11 that allows for genuine personalised attention. Wellbeing is taken seriously here, it's part of how the whole school operates.
It's not the most high-profile school in the area, but it has built its place over time. Parents looking beyond glossy brochures often find Raffles on their shortlist because it consistently delivers what it promises.
Dubai College
Location: Al Sufouh 2
One of Dubai's most respected schools, Dubai College has maintained its position since its establishment in 1978. Serving Years 7-13 with a selective British curriculum, it maintains the kind of academic standards that regularly send graduates to Oxford, Cambridge, and top US universities.
The 19-acre campus has 21 science laboratories, three design and technology suites, a music centre, and a library alongside a Sixth Form Centre with 275 study bays. The impressive 900-seat auditorium signals the school's ambitions, whilst the requirement for full formal uniform – including blazers – makes its traditional approach clear from day one.
The school's reputation rests on substance rather than marketing. Long-serving teachers, demanding academics, and high expectations create an environment where students thrive.
The 15-minute commute from the Palm feels manageable, and the school's location just off the main road helps avoid the traffic snarls that plague other areas during rush hour. Many Palm families consider Dubai College the "gold standard," particularly when looking ahead to top-tier university applications.
GEMS Dubai American Academy (DAA)
Location: Al Barsha
Dubai American Academy follows the American curriculum – something of a rarity amongst Dubai’s British-heavy school options. It runs Pre-K through Grade 12 and offers the IB Diploma in the final two years, so families get both systems without having to switch schools. The school has an Outstanding KHDA rating and in 2024, IB students averaged a score of 35, which is a solid performance that backs up its reputation.
DAA handles the transition between American and international expectations well. Students aren’t just preparing for US colleges – they’re getting exposure to the kind of analytical thinking that IB demands alongside the broader, less specialised approach that American high schools are known for. The teaching style feels less pressured than some of the more intense British schools, but still maintains the academic diligence that gets results. The school is also an Apple Distinguished School.
From the Palm, it’s about 15 minutes to Al Barsha – reasonable for the daily run. For families planning on US universities, the American curriculum foundation combined with IB credentials makes the application process more straightforward than trying to explain other qualification routes to American admissions offices.
The Real Decision
There's no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to schools near Palm Jumeirah. Some families prioritise proximity, others look at specific curricula, and many weigh a school's atmosphere just as heavily as its academics.
What's reassuring is the range. Within 15 to 20 minutes of the Palm, you'll find schools that are ambitious, grounded, nurturing, and globally-minded – each with its own character, and each with a community of parents who've made it work.
The real decision, in the end, comes down to feeling. How your child feels at the end of the day. And how well a school fits not just your expectations, but your everyday life.
