CHILD AGED 13-17 · BOARDING SCHOOL IN THE UAE
Boarding School in the UAE: Where a Child Can Live at the School
Boarding schools are rare in the UAE: Dubai and Abu Dhabi have over two hundred private schools, and two offer full boarding. We know which ones, the student's visa requirements, and what class a Russian eighth-grader will be placed in.
We respond to WhatsApp and Telegram messages within an hour. We help families relocate to Dubai with a child: Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah.
EXAMPLE: A CHILD FINISHED 8TH GRADE IN RUSSIA
Year 10
in a British school, Grade 9 in an IB school
| Graduated in Russia | UK Year | US / IB Grade |
|---|---|---|
| 8th grade | Year 10 | Grade 9 |
Class is determined by age as of December 31st, not by the grade completed in Russia. The rules are the same for younger children; see the breakdown on this page. School in Dubai for children aged 10–12. English B1–B2 is tested in the entrance test.
Autumn: Two boarding schools each have one place available for Years 9–11, with a waiting list running until January
The application process takes one day, the legalization of a certificate from a Russian school takes 4-6 weeks, and the school issues the student visa once the place is confirmed. Those who apply to schools in October receive a place in January; those who apply in December must wait until September.
WHERE IS THERE A BOARDING HOUSE?
Boarding school in the UAE: two schools where children live on-site
In all other schools in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, children attend daytime classes and live with a resident parent or legal guardian; otherwise, they won't receive a visa. This is where the fair selection process begins.
| School | Program | boarding house | Cost per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Swiss International Scientific School, Dubai | IB, taught in English, with German and French courses. | From 6th grade: full-time, weekly, and flexible; the school issues the boarder's student visa | about 231,500 AED with accommodation |
| Repton Dubai | British up to Year 11, then IB or A-level; sciences rated Outstanding by KHDA | From Year 7: full-time, weekly and flexible | from 80,000 AED training and 66,000 AED boarding |
If one of the parents moves, the circle expands to strong day schools with an emphasis on science and admission to universities in the US and UK: Dubai College, Cranleigh Abu Dhabi, Brighton College Abu Dhabi, GEMS Wellington International - the full list is in the article Top 20 International Schools in Dubai. We check school prices on the day of application.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Six facts that change your choice of school
Parents usually find out after the first refusal. Better yet, before.
ORDER
What to do 6-10 weeks before your first day at boarding school
The order is important: documents are submitted first because they take the longest, and the place is confirmed only after the test.
Six steps to the boarding house
From requesting a certificate from a Russian school to an Emirates ID.
Steps to configure the How-to Schema:
At a Russian school, on letterhead, with the director's signature and seal. Then, a notarized translation and legalization are required: Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, UAE Embassy. 4-6 weeks.
One request per school, by phone within three days. The response is about the location and date of the test, not general information.
CAT4 and written assignment in English, from Moscow. We've been preparing him for the test format for two weeks; he knows the content.
Two schools in one day in Dubai, with a day in Abu Dhabi if needed. We provide guidance as a consultant and translator, asking questions about academics, counseling, and boarding school supervision.
Typically, 10 % annual fees are credited to the first trimester. At the same time, the school launches a student visa.
A card with a transfer, insurance through the school, and a notarized consent from the father or mother if the child is traveling alone.
WHATOX SERVICES
How we work and how much it costs
There are three stages, and you can stop after any of them. We'll quote a fixed price after the first conversation and it won't change during the work; the first stage counts toward the third.
STAGE 1
Diagnostics and shortlisting
Price upon request
five working days
5–7 schools tailored to your child's needs, with answers to nine questions for each: curriculum, boarding and supervision, admission after Russian school, English requirements, tests, academics, support for admission to the US, full cost, and actual placements confirmed by phone.
STAGE 2
Visits to schools
Price upon request
two days in Dubai
We arrange individual meetings, act as consultants and translators, and send a short report after each visit outlining what the school said and didn't say. A separate day in Abu Dhabi is available upon request.
STAGE 3
Turnkey admission
Price upon request
before the signed offer
Applications, entrance test, legalization of documents from Russia, correspondence with the school, student visa, deposit, and contract. The cost of the first stage is counted toward the final tuition.
Families pay school fees directly to the school: testing, registration, and deposit. Document legalization and translation fees are paid upon receipt.
DOCUMENTS
What to prepare in Russia before departure
| Document | Who issues it? | What to do with it? | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transfer Certificate | Russian school | Each school has its own certificate template, and the Russian school doesn't know it. We send the Moscow school the template of the chosen school, and they issue the certificate on their own letterhead. Then, a notarized translation is required, followed by the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the UAE Embassy; the final stamp can be obtained at the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Dubai. | 4–6 weeks |
| Report cards for the last two years | Russian school | Translation into English, notarized; the school accepts copies; originals must be shown during the visit. | 1 week |
| Vaccination card | Polyclinic | English translation: A school doctor checks the UAE vaccination schedule. | 1 week |
| Passport and birth certificate | In the arms | Copies of the application; certificate with translation for a student visa | 1 day |
| Consent of the second parent | Notary | Notarized, with translation and legalization, if the child is traveling alone or with one parent | 2 weeks |
| Medical insurance | School or insurance | The boarder is registered through the school after confirmation of the place | after the offer |
What do we make of this?
We translate and certify all documents from the table: certificates, report cards, vaccination records, parental consent, and birth certificates. We handle the template for the certificate, tailored to the requirements of the selected school, and correspondence with the Moscow school. Legalization in Moscow is handled by a partner, with whom we introduce you. The second parent's consent is notarized, and we translate and certify the translation. We check the vaccination record against the UAE calendar before the visit to the school doctor. All this is included in the turnkey admission; we calculate the cost separately based on the documents, not the price list.
QUESTIONS
What parents ask about boarding schools in the UAE
FIRST STEP
Please indicate your child's grade level and English level.
In one day, we'll tell you which of the two boarding schools are realistic to consider and where to start. It's free and no obligation.
WhatsApp and Telegram +971 55 709 0383 · dubai@whatox.com