Greenwood International School vs iCademy Middle East

	G Greenwood International School Dubai, United Arab Emirates	I iCademy Middle East Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year AED 20,124 - 30,860	Fees / year AED 19,828 - 29,389
Age range	Age range 4 - 18 years	Age range 5 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational, Day School	Type Co-educational, Online/Hybrid
Curriculum	Curriculum American Curriculum	Curriculum American Curriculum, Advanced Placement (AP)
Pupils	Pupils 1,260	Pupils 1,600
Typical class size	Typical class size —	Typical class size 11
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened 2006	Opened 2007
Bus service	Bus service No	Bus service No
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location Schools Complex, Muhaisnah 1, Dubai, UAE	Location Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Knowledge Hubs are based in Dubai Knowledge Park and Dubai Silicon Oasis with a low teacher-to-student ratio for onsite sessions. The online curriculum is accessible from home, with optional on-site support at the hubs.
Stages	Stages KG1-KG2, Grades 1-12	Stages K-12 (ages 5-21).
School type	School type Co-educational Day School	School type Private American online school offering online and blended learning; Knowledge Hubs in Dubai for onsite sessions; KHDA licensed and NEASC accredited.
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix Diverse international student body	Pupil nationality mix —
Additional learning support	Additional learning support —	Additional learning support Supports gifted and talented students and those who are advanced or require flexible pacing, as well as students with learning difficulties or disabilities. Provides individualized education plans and intervention, including support for social anxiety and those who have been bullied, with additional UAE-specific courses as needed.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation —	Country affiliation United States
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation —	Religious affiliation —
School day structure	School day structure —	School day structure Live classes are scheduled to UAE timings (GMT+4) during the week, and sessions are recorded for later viewing. Students in Kindergarten through Grade 8 typically study 4-6 hours per day, five days a week; Grades 9-12 study around 6 hours per day, five days a week.
Bus service details	Bus service details —	Bus service details —
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details —	Fee details Application fees - UAE resident applicants: AED 500. - International applicants: AED 1,000 (USD 275). Tuition fees (annual) — School year 2026–2027 - Lower School (Kindergarten – Grade 5), UAE resident: AED 19,828 per year. - Middle School (Grades 6–8), UAE resident: AED 19,828 per year. - High School (Grades 9–12), UAE resident: AED 27,767 per year. - Lower School (K–5), International student: AED 21,451 (USD 5,841) per year. - Middle School (6–8), International student: AED 21,451 (USD 5,841) per year. - High School (9–12), International student: AED 29,389 (USD 8,002) per year. Per-term billing and term-level charges - The published fee figures are presented as annual tuition amounts; the school applies enrolment and re-enrolment charges against the first-term invoice where applicable. Re-enrolment for existing students is charged up to 5% of the tuition fee or AED 500 (whichever is higher) and is deductible from the first-term fees. New-student enrolment fees may be up to 10% of the tuition fee and are non-refundable and deductible from the first-term fees. Billing schedule and payment terms - Tuition must be paid in full, or a down payment may be made if the approved payment-plan option is selected; transcripts and diplomas are issued only after tuition is paid in full. - Administrative consequences for missed/returned payments: a returned or declined payment (including via the Zenda app) is subject to an administrative fee (AED 500); online course access may be blocked within 10 days of a returned payment and a student may be withdrawn from the program after 30 calendar days from course lock. - Surcharges may apply to specialist courses. Materials, reading books and additional resources are charged as required and handled through course-material ordering. Knowledge Hub tuition and Learning Center fees (if used) are charged separately. Boarding / residential provision - Boarding is not applicable. iCademy Middle East operates as an online and blended learning school and does not charge boarding fees. Other charges and optional services - Application/assessment is included in the application fee; enrolment fees (new students) and re-enrolment fees (existing students) are charged as noted above. - Optional support services (examples): Learning Support Assistant charges are published as a range that varies by student needs (examples in official schedules show ranges starting from around AED 916 up to tens of thousands depending on level and hours). Board/exam fees are charged by the examination board and passed through without extra school markup where applicable. Shipping or material-order fees are charged when physical materials are required. Specialist-course surcharges may be applied. - Knowledge Hub (on-site blended days in Dubai Knowledge Park) is offered on day-rate options (2-day, 3-day, 5-day patterns); Knowledge Hub tuition is quoted separately from online tuition. Discounts - Sibling discount: 10%. - Emirates Airlines employee discount: 15%. - ESAAD member discount: 15%. - Corporate discount: 15% (where applicable). - Early-payment discount: 10% (where applicable). Refund information - Refunds require written notification of course-drop or withdrawal; refunds are calculated from the official withdrawal date and may be reduced to reflect costs already incurred (course fees used, teacher services, materials, technology access, administrative costs). Registration and admin fees are non-refundable. Refunds are normally returned via the original payment method (cash and certain app payments are refunded by bank transfer). - Specific refund thresholds (KHDA-aligned schedule): Day 1–15 from the start date = charge of 10% of full-year tuition (or one month equivalent); Day 16–30 = charge of 20% of full-year tuition (or two months equivalent); Day 31 onward = charge equal to one semester tuition. Refund processing can take multiple business days (typically 15–20 business days). Fee payment options and banking details - Accepted payment methods: cash (at the office), cheque, credit card (Visa and Mastercard), online card payments (AED only) including Apple Pay and TABBY, wire transfer/direct deposit, and payments via the Zenda payment app (AED only) which supports instalment arrangements. - Wire transfer details (as published for payments): Account Name: iCademy Middle East FZ LLC; Account #: 0201930006; IBAN: AE440211000000201930006; SWIFT: citiaead (Citibank Wafi Branch). Administrative and compliance notes (fee impact) - Non-payment or breach of the financial agreement can result in withholding of records (report cards, transcripts, diplomas) until outstanding financial obligations (registration, tuition, materials, shipping, Knowledge Hub fees) are cleared. Summary note on per-term detail - Annual tuition figures are published and used to determine enrolment-related charges; specific fixed per-term tuition line items are not published as separate fixed amounts in the public fee schedule—enrolment and re-enrolment charges are applied against the first-term invoice when required, and payment plans/instalments are available through approved channels.
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements —	Boarding arrangements No boarding is provided; study from home or at the Knowledge Hub in Dubai Knowledge Park.
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement —	Uniform requirement There is no formal school uniform; a dress code applies. Clothing must cover the midriff, chest and shoulders; skirts/pants must be no shorter than 10 cm above the knee; shirts/tops must have sleeves that cover the shoulders; no slogans or offensive imagery; clothing should be neat and modest.
Food options	Food options —	Food options All students are encouraged to bring a water bottle; water fountains are available. No fizzy drinks or energy drinks are allowed in the Early Years, Lower and Middle School Knowledge Hub and will be confiscated and returned at the end of the day. Parents are advised to provide healthy options; excessive junk food will be confiscated. High School students have more leniency but junk food should be avoided.
House system	House system —	House system —
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership —	Governance and ownership iCademy Middle East is owned by Pansophic Learning, a US-based international education company, and operates as KHDA-licensed.
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details American curriculum aligned with Common Core State Standards (CCSS) and Michigan state standards, plus UAE MOE requirements	Curriculum details The American Online School provides a rich, challenging online curriculum with live and recorded classes taught by certified online teachers. The curriculum is aligned to CCSS and NGSS standards. An individualized learning plan is tailored for each student to fit their strengths, weaknesses, learning styles, and aptitudes. A learning coach supports progress through daily lessons in the K–8 environment and assists grades 9–12. AP/Honors courses are available for high school, supported by online lessons, a digital curriculum, and teacher-led virtual sessions. Cutting-edge technology enables learning anytime, anywhere, with daily lesson plans, announcements, online discussions, and collaboration tools.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio —	Student teacher ratio —
Exam results	Exam results —	Exam results —
Higher education progression	Higher education progression —	Higher education progression Graduates have been accepted to universities around the world, including the USA, UK, Canada, Spain, the Netherlands, and Australia. Notable destinations include Middlesex University, Kingston University, University of Queensland, and the University of Toronto. AP courses are available to support UK university admissions, and the NEASC accreditation confirms the program meets high academic standards.
Gifted and talented	Gifted and talented —	Gifted and talented Gifted and talented students are supported with timetable flexibility.
Academic calendar	Academic calendar —	Academic calendar —
Wellbeing & support	Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning	Social & emotional learning —	Social & emotional learning null
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) —	Special educational needs (SEN) null
English as an additional language	English as an additional language —	English as an additional language null
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing —	Mental wellbeing null
Safeguarding	Safeguarding —	Safeguarding null
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview The school operates across two campuses (Nakhleh and Sidr) and features STEM rooms, ICT labs, libraries, and gymnasiums.	Facilities overview The Knowledge Hub is based in Dubai Knowledge Park and Dubai Silicon Oasis. It provides a personalized blended learning environment that supports students through each stage of the comprehensive online curriculum. Learning Coaches provide guided instruction and face-to-face support, serving as the vital link between students and online teachers to develop self-directed learning. Full-time and part-time options are available, with classrooms arranged by age and grade level to foster confidence and peer interactions. Locations include Dubai Knowledge Park and Dubai Silicon Oasis, and the program serves Kindergarten through Grade 12.
Sports facilities	Sports facilities —	Sports facilities —
Academic facilities	Academic facilities STEM rooms, ICT labs, and libraries support academic learning across the curriculum.	Academic facilities The Knowledge Hub provides a personalized blended learning environment and a comprehensive online curriculum. Learning Coaches offer guided instruction and ongoing support, helping students access and understand the curriculum. Class sizes are small, with a low teacher-to-student ratio. The program operates with both full-time and part-time enrollment and groups students by age and grade level to support confidence and collaboration. The curriculum is aligned to CCSS and NGSS standards.
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities —	Extra curricular facilities Regular virtual social activities, events and clubs are organized for all students. These activities include Sports Day, International Day and World Book Day. A graduation ceremony is held in Dubai at the end of the academic year for High School graduates.
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History —	History iCademy Middle East is a NEASC-accredited private American online school for students from Kindergarten through Grade 12. It is licensed by KHDA and offers NCAA-eligible courses and Advanced Placement for high school. The school combines the benefits of a traditional school with flexible, personalized plans and uses a blended learning model with a Knowledge Hub in Dubai. The curriculum is fully digital and features interactive software, live class sessions, and collaborative environments, using the Accel Management Platform (AMP) for Education; it also offers virtual clubs and social activities in the UAE. Its mission is to provide high-quality, personalized education to students worldwide and to develop confident, lifelong learners and multilingual citizens.
Community	Community —	Community The iCademy Parent Community (iPC) is a space that fosters collaboration, support, and shared experiences among parents. Members can join monthly coffee mornings, in person or online. The community enables parents to connect, engage in discussions about school events and initiatives, and share insights with fellow parents. To join, email community@icademymiddleeast.com to become a member of the iPC.
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association —	Parent teacher association —
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual —	Academic & intellectual The school is NEASC-accredited and KHDA-licensed. It offers Advanced Placement (AP) courses for High School students and NCAA-eligible courses for student athletes. The curriculum is delivered online with a blended option at the Dubai Knowledge Hub, supported by Learning Coaches and Online Teachers. High School counseling and college planning services are available, including group college counseling and guidance on post-secondary options.
Arts & creative	Arts & creative —	Arts & creative Visual/Performing Arts is a 0.5 credit in High School graduation requirements.
Cultural & language	Cultural & language —	Cultural & language World Language is 2 credits (two credits of the same language; non-English). The program includes global perspectives and multicultural content. National Honor Society and Model United Nations provide leadership and cultural engagement opportunities.
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies —	Social & hobbies Online clubs are provided for full-time students; the Knowledge Hub in Dubai offers additional clubs, sometimes with external partners. Model United Nations and National Honor Society are available for students in grades 10-12. Special events include Sports Day, International Day, World Book Day, and other onsite or online activities.
Community & service	Community & service —	Community & service Service Learning initiatives and community-based projects cultivate ethical viewpoints and real-world problem-solving skills.
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional —	Leadership & professional Student leadership opportunities include Student Council and Model United Nations; National Honor Society is available for eligible students. The school provides college planning counseling, including group college counseling, advisement, and support for post-secondary admissions.
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing —	Lifestyle & wellbeing Physical Education and Health are required: 0.5 credit each. The school hosts events such as Sports Day, International Day, and World Book Day to support wellbeing and global awareness. Social and emotional counseling is available as needed.
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision —	Language provision Arabic is taught at multiple levels: Native Arabic Language (Arabic Language 1) for native Arabic speakers and Non-Native Arabic Language (Arabic Language 2) for non-native speakers. Islamic Education is mandatory for Muslim students and may be taken in Arabic or English. Native Social Studies is offered in Arabic, while Moral, Social, and Cultural Studies is offered in English. A World Language requirement exists for graduation, requiring two credits in a non-English language.
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching —	Bilingual teaching Arabic and English are used across KHDA-mandated courses. Islamic Education is offered in Arabic or English. Native Social Studies is taught in Arabic. Moral, Social, and Cultural Studies is taught in English.
Immersion programs	Immersion programs —	Immersion programs —
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards —	Awards null
Accreditations	Accreditations 10-year Good rating from KHDA	Accreditations The school is NEASC-accredited for all students and KHDA-licensed in the UAE, making it an internationally recognized online American school with UAE regulatory approval.
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions —	Admissions Step 1: Speak to Enrollment Counsellor. Call +971 4 440 1212 or email info@icademymiddleeast.com. iCademy Middle East offers full-time and part-time options for grades K-12 around the globe. The Enrollment Counsellor guides the admissions process. Step 2: Submit Application & Compliance Documents. Create an account in the online enrollment portal and enter the new student's information. Upload required compliance documents: proof of identity, the most recent school report card and CAT 4 or equivalent assessments for Grades K-8, and official high school transcripts for Grades 9-12. UAE students must submit the original transfer/leaving certificate, a passport photo, and Emirates ID cards for the student and for the parent/guardian. If CAT 4 or equivalent assessments are not available, enrollment may proceed and assessments can be completed through iCademy as guided by the Enrollment Counsellor. Step 3: Invoicing. After submission, the application is verified. An invoice is issued based on the details in the application and is sent by email. The Enrollment Counsellor will contact the family regarding invoicing options and course placement. Step 4: Course Placement. Course placement is determined by incoming credit analysis by the School Registrar and by transcript analysis from the submitted records. For Grades K-8, the previous report cards are reviewed to confirm grade placement and course choices. High School placement is based on the transcript analysis and may include recommendations for English, Math, History, Science and electives. Step 5: Confirmation of Enrollment and Onboarding Details. Enrollment confirmation and onboarding details are provided after placement decisions. Login credentials to access the online school are issued. An orientation link is provided. Each student is assigned to a student support team consisting of a Homeroom Teacher (K-5) or Academic Advisor (6-12) and a School Counselor.
Scholarships	Scholarships —	Scholarships —
Waitlist	Waitlist —	Waitlist —
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