DIA Emirates Hills or DIA Al Barsha: Which School Should You Choose?
Two DIA schools in Dubai belong to the same Innoventures group and teach the same IB program, but they have different ratings, different prices, and different placement rates. We've analyzed both schools, looking at the key factors that families need to consider when relocating with a child.
Short
DIA Emirates Hills It has a higher rating and is cheaper, but it is difficult to get in: most classes have a waiting list. DIA Al Barsha It's younger and more expensive by about 4,600 AED per year, but it has a huge campus and real places. If your child needs a school this academic year, apply to both.
Two DIA Schools in Dubai: A Point-by-Point Comparison
The figures are taken from school websites and the KHDA register. KHDA ratings were obtained during the November 2023 inspection; full inspections resume in 2026/27, and the rating of any school is subject to change. Tuition fees at Dubai's private schools have been frozen for 2026/27, so the prices below apply for the entire academic year. Transportation, uniforms, meals, and travel costs are paid separately at both schools.
| DIA Emirates Hills | DIA Al Barsha | |
|---|---|---|
| KHDA Rating | Outstanding. The only full-cycle IB school in Dubai with this rating. | Very Good, upgraded from Good at last inspection |
| Open | 2005, the first IB school in the UAE | 2018 |
| Program | IB: PYP, MYP, Diploma, Career-related | IB: PYP, MYP, Diploma, Career-related |
| Class system | 13 years: KG1 – Year 13 | 12 years old: Pre-KG – Grade 12 |
| Class for a child born in 2016. | Year 5 | Grade 4 (same age) |
| Cost of this class, 2026/27 | 57,983 AED per year | AED 62,608 per year with school discount, KHDA approved maximum 68,466 |
| Advance payment upon enrollment | 10 % annual fee, counted in the first trimester | 10 % annual fee, counted in the first trimester |
| Entrance test | 525 AED | 525 AED |
| English as an Additional Language (EAL) | AED 4,500 per year if the school assigns | There is a program, the cost is confirmed at the school |
| Russian as a native language | Yes, according to the admissions committee; please check the group and price when applying. | Yes, it's a separate paid program; the group opens when students are enrolled. |
| Campus | Compact, two indoor pools | 23 acres, three swimming pools, a running track, a field, a 400-seat hall |
| School bus | The seat is not guaranteed: the operator provides it if there are free seats on the route | Yes, the same operator, Arab Falcon; please check the routes and prices. |
| Students | about 2,700 | about 1,600–2,000, the campus is designed for 2,500–3,000 |
| Places | Waiting list for most classes | DIA itself sends families here, there are more places |
What grade will the child be placed in: table by age
Starting in the 2026/27 school year, KHDA will calculate ages based on December 31st, not August 31st. This table applies to children starting school in Dubai for the first time. The left column applies to DIA Emirates Hills and other schools with a 13-year system, while the right column applies to DIA Al Barsha and schools with a 12-year system.
| Year of birth | As of December 31, 2026 | 13-year system (DIA EH) | 12-year system (DIA AB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 3 | FS1 | Pre-KG |
| 2022 | 4 | FS2 / KG1 | KG1 |
| 2021 | 5 | Year 1 | KG2 |
| 2020 | 6 | Year 2 | Grade 1 |
| 2019 | 7 | Year 3 | Grade 2 |
| 2018 | 8 | Year 4 | Grade 3 |
| 2017 | 9 | Year 5 | Grade 4 |
| 2016 | 10 | Year 6 | Grade 5 |
| 2015 | 11 | Year 7 | Grade 6 |
| 2014 | 12 | Year 8 | Grade 7 |
| 2013 | 13 | Year 9 | Grade 8 |
| 2012 | 14 | Year 10 | Grade 9 |
| 2011 | 15 | Year 11 | Grade 10 |
| 2010 | 16 | Year 12 | Grade 11 |
| 2009 | 17 | Year 13 | Grade 12 |
Important disclaimer
The table is strictly applied only up to Grade 1/Year 2. From Grade 2 onward, the school places a child based on the transfer certificate from the previous school, not on age. If the certificate shows a grade below or above the table, the school notifies the KHDA before enrollment. For example, a child born in 2016 who completed third grade in Moscow may be placed in Year 5 instead of Year 6. It's best to confirm the grade with the school beforehand.
Pros and cons
DIA Emirates Hills
For. The highest KHDA rating, with English and mathematics rated Outstanding in the primary school. Twenty years of experience in the IB and the lowest price among strong IB schools. Your child completes the PYP, MYP, and Diploma in one school.
Against. There are almost no places, and most classes have waiting lists. The campus is compact, and the sports facilities are more modest than in Al Barsha. The school is large, with about 2,700 students.
Who is it suitable for?. A family living in Emirates Living, The Springs, The Meadows or Marina, who is willing to wait for a place and values academic performance above all else.
DIA Al Barsha
For. A real chance to secure a spot, even mid-year: DIA itself sends families here. The campus is 23 acres, with three swimming pools, a running track, and a large gym. More than 90 nationalities represented, including Russian as a native speaker.
Against. The rating is Very Good, not Outstanding. It's about 4,600 AED more expensive per year. The school is young, and there are only a few IB Diploma cohorts yet.
Who is it suitable for?. For a family that needs a school now, who lives in Al Barsha, Barsha Heights, JVC or Al Quoz and values sports and space.
Where are the schools located?
Both schools are located in "New Dubai," between Sheikh Zayed Road and Al Khail Road, and are about 15-20 minutes away by car. It's not the distance that matters, but the morning commute: check the commute time from your home on a weekday by 7:30 AM.
DIA Emirates Hills
First Al Khail Street, Emirates Hills. Nearby are The Springs, The Meadows, The Lakes, Jumeirah Park and Dubai Marina.
DIA Al Barsha
Al Barsha area, off Al Barsha Road. Near Al Barsha 1 and South, Barsha Heights, Al Quoz, Jumeirah Village Circle and Motor City.
What we advise families considering DIA schools in Dubai
If you need a place at both schools this academic year, apply to both: the entrance test at each costs 525 AED, and a place at Al Barsha will protect you in case Emirates Hills doesn't open a class. Both schools accept applications until an Emirates ID is received and can conduct the test remotely with a teacher at the current school while the child is still in Moscow. The schools don't disclose how the 10 % advance payment is calculated for admission in the second trimester; ask about this when applying.
If you have time and are willing to wait a semester or a year, make Emirates Hills your first priority and keep your application active: the school will contact you when a spot becomes available. Both DIA schools in Dubai accept families with residence visas during the application process.
For both schools it will be required Transfer Certificate From a Russian school with legalization, report cards for the last two years with English translations, and passports. We've described the entire process of transferring from Russia on this page. About a school in Dubai for children aged 10–12. If neither of the two DIAs is suitable, check out our review. Dubai International Schools, and for a teenager aged 13–17 who will live at the school, analysis boarding schools in the UAE.
Frequently asked questions
We will help you choose and apply
In one day, we'll check which class your child will be placed in, which schools are actually accepting students this term, and submit applications to both DIAs. We'll handle the legalization of the certificate from Russia and correspondence with the school.