St. Mary's Catholic High School vs The Apple International School

	S St. Mary's Catholic High School Dubai, United Arab Emirates	T The Apple International School Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year AED 9,895 - 19,221	Fees / year AED 6,993 - 20,131
Age range	Age range 5 - 18 years	Age range 3 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational, Day School	Type —
Curriculum	Curriculum British Curriculum, Catholic Curriculum	Curriculum British Curriculum
Pupils	Pupils 1,996	Pupils 1,036
Typical class size	Typical class size 14	Typical class size 25
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened 1968	Opened —
Bus service	Bus service Yes	Bus service —
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location St. Mary's Catholic High School is located in Dubai's Umm Hurair 2 district along Oud Metha Road. The commonly listed street address is 247 Oud Metha Road, Umm Hurair 2, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and the P.O. Box is 52232. The campus is accessible by the Dubai Metro (Oud Metha Metro Station) and is served by multiple RTA bus routes in the Oud Metha area.	Location The Apple International Community School is located at 29A Street, Behind Karama Centre, near Karama Park in Al Karama, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It sits in central Dubai in a densely developed area with convenient road access. The Karama Centre reference point and the Al Karama address help nearby residents identify the campus easily.
Stages	Stages The school operates a two-tier structure: Primary (Year 1–Year 6) and Senior School (Year 7–Year 13). Arabic is compulsory from Grade 1 to Grade 10, and French is offered from Junior 5. In the Senior School, students prepare for GCSE/IGCSE under Edexcel, and there is a two-year A-Level program.	Stages Foundation Stage (FS1–FS2) prepares children aged 3–5. Primary covers Year 1 to Year 6, and Lower Secondary covers Year 7 to Year 9. KHDA data also shows the UK National Curriculum framework extending to Year 10 in the school's profile.
School type	School type Private, co-educational. The school functions as a private, mixed-gender institution.	School type Co-educational private day school. The school operates under LEAMS Education and delivers a British curriculum in Dubai. The KHDA inspection confirms the school uses the UK curriculum and serves both boys and girls.
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix The school maintains a highly international student body. The largest nationality group is Indian, and UAE local students form a very small share; international students represent the vast majority. The Muhaisnah campus is described as hosting around 50 nationalities, with India commonly identified as the largest group.	Pupil nationality mix Public data from KHDA's DSIB (2023–2024) lists 1 Emirati student out of 1,036, with the largest nationality group being Indian; total enrollment was 1,036 students. This implies a predominantly international pupil body with a single local student in that inspection period.
Additional learning support	Additional learning support Additional Learning Needs (SEN) support is available through the SEND department and a dedicated Student Support Service. The SEND contact is samantha-smchs@smgeducation.org, and the Student Support Service is listed among the school's wellbeing and support provisions.	Additional learning support The school supports learners with additional needs and requests relevant documentation (e.g., IEPs or therapy reports) as part of the admissions process. KHDA's Dubai Schools Inspection notes ongoing provision for learners with diverse needs and reports on the school's care and support as part of its overall assessment.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation The school is located in the United Arab Emirates and follows UK-derived examination frameworks (GCSE/IGCSE and A-Levels) for secondary progression, indicating a UK curriculum orientation rather than a country-specific affiliation.	Country affiliation United Kingdom. The school follows the English National Curriculum (UK curriculum) as part of its stated curriculum.
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation Catholic. The school is explicitly Catholic and operates within a UAE context as St. Mary's Catholic High School Dubai.	Religious affiliation Religious affiliation: None. The school follows the UK National Curriculum and UAE MOE requirements, with Islamic and Arabic studies taught as appropriate under KHDA guidelines.
School day structure	School day structure School day typically starts around 7:10 AM. On Mondays to Thursdays, the day runs until about 1:50 PM, with a shorter schedule on Fridays (ending around 11:15 AM). Details are published in the school timings sections.	School day structure The school's official working hours for the campus are: Monday–Thursday 7:30 AM–4:30 PM; Friday 7:30 AM–12:00 PM and 2:00 PM–4:30 PM; Saturday 8:00 AM–1:00 PM. These hours pertain to school administration and operations.
Bus service details	Bus service details The school does not operate its own buses and instead contracts with STS (School Transport Services) to provide student transport. Enquiries should be directed to STS, with contacts including sde-sms@sts-group.com and Jean Arango (+971 55 22 074 79). STS registration links for new admissions (Academic Year 2025–2026) are provided by the school.	Bus service details The school provides outsourced student transport at an affordable cost, managed by a reputable transport company. Fees depend on the area of residence, with transport arrangements and routes coordinated by the school; the transport contact is transport@applecommunityschool.ae.
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Application and enrolment fees - Application fee for new students: AED 500 (assessment fee included). - Enrolment fee for new students: up to 10% of the tuition fee; this enrolment fee is non‑refundable and is deductible from the first term fees. - Re‑enrolment fee for existing students: up to 5% of the tuition fee or AED 500 (whichever is higher); this fee is non‑refundable and is deductible from the first term fees. Tuition fees by year (per term) (The school presents the tuition and mandatory charges on the KHDA fact sheet. The figures below are the tuition amount shown and the mandatory add‑ons that produce the total fee listed on the fact sheet.) - Year 1 — Tuition: AED 7,361; Mandatory fee components: Examination/activities/stationery/photocopy/library/medical AED 1,912; SIMS learning portal AED 120; Computer & lab AED 133; Books AED 369; Total fees shown: AED 9,895. - Year 2 — Tuition: AED 7,361; Mandatory fee components: Examination/activities/stationery/photocopy/library/medical AED 1,912; SIMS learning portal AED 120; Computer & lab AED 133; Books AED 430; Total fees shown: AED 9,956. - Year 3 — Tuition: AED 8,195; Mandatory fee components: Examination/activities/stationery/photocopy/library/medical AED 1,912; SIMS learning portal AED 120; Computer & lab AED 133; Books AED 491; Total fees shown: AED 10,851. - Year 4 — Tuition: AED 8,195; Mandatory fee components: Examination/activities/stationery/photocopy/library/medical AED 1,912; SIMS learning portal AED 120; Computer & lab AED 133; Books AED 553; Total fees shown: AED 10,913. - Year 5 — Tuition: AED 9,030; Mandatory fee components: Examination/activities/stationery/photocopy/library/medical AED 1,723; SIMS learning portal AED 120; Computer & lab AED 133; Student materials AED 149; Total fees shown: AED 11,155. - Year 6 — Tuition: AED 9,030; Mandatory fee components: Examination/activities/stationery/photocopy/library/medical AED 1,723; SIMS learning portal AED 120; Computer & lab AED 133; Student materials AED 149; Total fees shown: AED 11,155. - Year 7 — Tuition: AED 9,815; Mandatory fee components: Examination/activities/stationery/photocopy/library/medical AED 1,689; SIMS learning portal AED 120; Computer & lab AED 133; Student materials AED 149; Total fees shown: AED 11,906. - Year 8 — Tuition: AED 9,815; Mandatory fee components: Examination/activities/stationery/photocopy/library/medical AED 1,719; SIMS learning portal AED 120; Computer & lab AED 133; Student materials AED 149; Total fees shown: AED 11,936. - Year 9 — Tuition: AED 11,042; Mandatory fee components: Examination/activities/stationery/photocopy/library/medical AED 1,800; SIMS learning portal AED 120; Computer & lab AED 457; Student materials AED 149; Total fees shown: AED 13,568. - Year 10 — Tuition: AED 12,679; Mandatory fee components: Examination/activities/stationery/photocopy/library/medical AED 1,771; SIMS learning portal AED 120; Computer & lab AED 889; Student materials AED 149; Total fees shown: AED 15,608. - Year 11 — Tuition: AED 12,679; Mandatory fee components: Examination/activities/stationery/photocopy/library/medical AED 1,771; SIMS learning portal AED 120; Computer & lab AED 889; Student materials AED 149; Total fees shown: AED 15,608. - Year 12 — Tuition: AED 15,812; Mandatory fee components: Examination/activities/stationery/photocopy/library/medical AED 1,890; SIMS learning portal AED 120; Computer & lab AED 1,250; Student materials AED 149; Total fees shown: AED 19,221. - Year 13 — Tuition: AED 15,812; Mandatory fee components: Examination/activities/stationery/photocopy/library/medical AED 1,890; SIMS learning portal AED 120; Computer & lab AED 1,250; Student materials AED 149; Total fees shown: AED 19,221. Optional services and other costs - Transport: AED 4,300 to AED 6,850 (arranged through a contracted transport provider; transport fees are listed as optional services). - Extracurricular activities: AED 30 to AED 40 per activity (where listed). - Educational local trip: AED 100 to AED 300; educational overseas trip / international excursion: AED 10,000 to AED 20,000 (where applicable). - Learning support assistants (where required): AED 1,700 to AED 3,400. - National/benchmark tests and related fees (where applicable): AED 100 to AED 350; Arabic benchmark tests AED 35 to AED 50. - Required education supplies and consumables: uniform range AED 50 to AED 150; school ID card replacement AED 20 to AED 25; books or course materials as listed under each year. - Board examination charges: charged by the examination board itself and shown separately as required. Billing schedule and payment terms - Payment windows for the academic year listed on the school notices: First term fees payment window and Second term fees payment window are specified; for the 2025–2026 academic year the school set the First term payment window as 15 August – 5 September 2025 and the Second term payment window as 1 December 2025 – 5 January 2026. Timely payment within the stated windows is required. - The school notes that re‑enrolment or enrolment fees are deductible from the first term fees at registration. Re‑enrolment and enrolment fees are non‑refundable. Refund information (applicable items) - Enrolment fees and re‑enrolment fees are explicitly listed as non‑refundable and are deductible from the first term fees. No other specific tuition refund rules are detailed on the school's KHDA fact sheet; parents should note the stated non‑refundable enrolment/re‑enrolment policy. Accepted payment methods and practical payment instructions - Accepted payment methods include the Skiply mobile payment gateway (school payment app), company cheques and manager's cheques in favour of ST MARYS CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL DUBAI, and direct bank transfer to the school account. The school's guidance explicitly states that personal cheques will not be accepted and that cash deposits or cheque deposits should not be made directly to the school bank account. Payment via the Skiply app is the primary method specified for term fee payment. - Bank transfer details provided for payments: Account Name: St Marys Catholic High School Dubai; Account No.: 0183378610001; IBAN: AE490400000183378610001; Bank: The National Bank of Ras Al‑Khaimah; SWIFT: NRAKAEAKXXX. After bank transfer, parents are asked to share transaction details, student name, year & section and the student's DC ID number by email to the school finance address for validation. - Finance contact emails for payments and invoicing: fee‑smchs@smgeducation.org for payment confirmations and finance‑smchs@smgeducation.org for invoices/accounts reconciliation and pro‑forma invoice requests. The school requests that parents include transaction details and required SUBJECT headers to expedite validation. Notes - The published fee fact sheet indicates a tuition fees increase applied under the KHDA framework for the academic year shown. Specific discounts (corporate or school employee) are listed where applicable on the fact sheet. Mandatory and optional fee components are shown separately on the KHDA fact sheet for each Year group.	Fee details Application fee - Application fee: AED 525 (non-adjustable, inclusive of VAT), payable at the time of registration. Registration (enrolment) deposit - Registration fee deposit: 10% of the annual tuition fee. This deposit is non-refundable and non-transferable and may be adjusted against the first term tuition. Tuition fees by year group (annual and term breakdown) - FS1: Annual tuition AED 15,850. Term 1 (40%) AED 6,340; Term 2 (30%) AED 4,755; Term 3 (30%) AED 4,755. - FS2: Annual tuition AED 15,850. Term 1 (40%) AED 6,340; Term 2 (30%) AED 4,755; Term 3 (30%) AED 4,755. - Year 1: Annual tuition AED 16,980. Term 1 (40%) AED 6,792; Term 2 (30%) AED 5,094; Term 3 (30%) AED 5,094. - Year 2: Annual tuition AED 16,980. Term 1 (40%) AED 6,792; Term 2 (30%) AED 5,094; Term 3 (30%) AED 5,094. - Year 3: Annual tuition AED 17,980. Term 1 (40%) AED 7,192; Term 2 (30%) AED 5,394; Term 3 (30%) AED 5,394. - Year 4: Annual tuition AED 17,980. Term 1 (40%) AED 7,192; Term 2 (30%) AED 5,394; Term 3 (30%) AED 5,394. - Year 5: Annual tuition AED 18,499. Term 1 (40%) AED 7,400; Term 2 (30%) AED 5,550; Term 3 (30%) AED 5,549. - Year 6: Annual tuition AED 18,499. Term 1 (40%) AED 7,400; Term 2 (30%) AED 5,550; Term 3 (30%) AED 5,549. - Year 7: Annual tuition AED 19,131. Term 1 (40%) AED 7,652; Term 2 (30%) AED 5,740; Term 3 (30%) AED 5,739. - Year 8: Annual tuition AED 19,131. Term 1 (40%) AED 7,652; Term 2 (30%) AED 5,740; Term 3 (30%) AED 5,739. - Year 9: Annual tuition AED 19,550. Term 1 (40%) AED 7,820; Term 2 (30%) AED 5,865; Term 3 (30%) AED 5,865. - Year 10: Annual tuition AED 20,100. Term 1 (40%) AED 8,040; Term 2 (30%) AED 6,030; Term 3 (30%) AED 6,030. Billing schedule and payment terms - Tuition is invoiced and payable in advance at the start of each term. Termly instalment option: Term 1 = 40% of annual tuition; Term 2 = 30%; Term 3 = 30%. - For instalment payments in the referenced school schedule, the first-term payment is due before 25 August 2025, with the remaining two term payments to be provided by post‑dated cheques dated 25 December 2025 and 25 March 2026. Cheques are deposited on their due dates and cannot be postponed. - Tuition invoicing begins from the student's date of admission; if a student enrols during the term, tuition will be charged starting from the beginning of the month of enrolment. Boarding fees - No boarding provision or boarding fees are listed; boarding is not applicable. Transport (bus) is offered as a separate charge. Other costs and fees - Transport: Bus/transport is charged separately and varies by area of residence. Transport is arranged through an associated provider; transport fees and route availability are provided by the school. The minimum period for transport is one month; one month's fee applies even if the student is enrolled for a shorter period. Transport fees are charged per term depending on commencement date. - Books and learning resources: The annual tuition includes books (workbooks and textbooks), e-learning resources and online apps, computer and laboratory resources, external exam fees, medical and related resources, and robotics. The tuition does not include optional Ministry books and optional French books. - Uniform: One set of regular uniform and one PE uniform is included in the annual tuition. Accessories, blazer and cardigan, and certain optional items are excluded; an additional charge of AED 30 applies for special-size uniforms. - Application fee is non-refundable in all circumstances. The registration deposit is non-refundable and non-transferable. Specific transport discontinuation and refund rules apply to transport (see transport notes). Refund information - The application fee is not refundable under any circumstances. Refunds of school fees follow the school's published calculation method: for very short enrolments there are deductions (for example, if a student was enrolled for two weeks or less a month's fees is deducted according to the school's stated refund rules). Transport refunds and discontinuation are governed by transport-specific rules (minimum one month charge, term‑based charges). Registration deposit is non-refundable. Fee payment options - Accepted payment methods: cash, credit card, and cheque payments at the school fee counter; online payment via the parent portal (transaction charges may apply, typically 1%); wire transfer (account details available from accounts representative). The school also supports payments through the Zenda mobile app and offers online “Pay Now” (credit/debit card) and “Pay Later” options. Important notes about discounts and inclusions - The published tuition schedule includes certain discounts applied to the KHDA‑approved fees; discount levels and the final discounted tuition are shown in the fee schedule. One‑time payment and sibling discounts have been offered under the school's published terms in previous fee schedules; details and eligibility are specified in the school's payment policy. The tuition inclusions and exclusions listed above apply to the published fee schedules.
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements St. Mary's Catholic High School Dubai does not offer boarding. It operates as a day school. The school does not own buses; transport for students is provided by a contracted service (STS). There is no on-site boarding facility.	Boarding arrangements —
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement Girls wear a light blue blouse with the school logo and a grey skirt; boys wear a white T‑shirt with the logo and navy trousers. The sports uniform consists of a navy track suit and a house-coloured T‑shirt with the house logo on the back. There is an on-site uniform shop with scheduled sale/collection windows for the 2025–2026 academic year.	Uniform requirement Uniform includes 1 set of regular uniform and PE uniform; accessories, blazer and cardigan are not included. The uniform is included in the annual tuition.
Food options	Food options The school has an on-site canteen that will be operational from August 26, 2024. Primary students are discouraged from buying from the canteen, and parents are advised to send healthy snacks from home when appropriate.	Food options —
House system	House system The school uses a house system, as indicated by house logos on the back of the PE uniform. Names and details of the houses are not listed on the site.	House system Apple International Community School uses a house system to foster teamwork and leadership. Students participate in house-based activities and there are leadership roles and a student council as part of house life.
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership The school is governed by a Management Board chaired by Bishop Paul Hinder and is part of the St. Mary's Group of Schools (SMG Education). It is owned and managed by the Catholic Church in the Apostolic Vicariate of Southern Arabia, with SMG Education overseeing multiple schools in the UAE.	Governance and ownership The Apple International Community School is governed by its Governing Body and is part of LEAMS Education. The Governing Body includes the Chair of Governors and other LEAMS Education directors; LEAMS Education provides governance and oversight for the school.
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details St. Mary's Catholic High School Dubai follows the UK National Curriculum. Primary students are prepared for Edexcel London Board examinations at the end of Grade 6, while Secondary students sit GCSE/IGCSE/GCE examinations at the end of Grade 11 and Grade 12. Arabic is compulsory from Grade 1 to Grade 10; French is offered from Junior 5; religious studies (Qur'an or Bible) are studied according to faith, with GCSE examinations available in these subjects. In the Senior School, pupils begin preparation for GCSE/IGCSE across a broad range of subjects, and the Long Term Plan lists English Language, English Literature, PSHE, Geography, UAE Social Studies, Citizenship, Psychology, plus GCSE options in Business Studies, Accounting, Economics, Psychology, Computing, History, Religious Studies, and ICT. Students may select a concentration in Science, Art/Commerce, or a combination from Senior 3, with the choice made at the end of Senior 2 and subject to approval. Advanced Level studies are available through Edexcel, including Physics, Chemistry and Biology.	Curriculum details The Apple International Community School in Dubai delivers a British-style education with the curriculum organized into Foundation Stage, Primary and Lower Secondary. Foundation Stage (FS1–FS2) follows the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework for ages three to five, preparing children for learning in Key Stage 1. Primary (Years 1–6) delivers the English National Curriculum, aligned with UAE Ministry of Education requirements, and includes Arabic A/B, Islamic Studies A/B, and Moral, Social and Cultural Studies, alongside Foundation Subjects such as Art and Design, Music, Design and Technology, Computing, Geography, and History. Lower Secondary (Year 7–9) provides a broad KS3 program with Core Subjects (English, Mathematics, Science) and Foundation Subjects (PE, Geography, History, Computing, Design and Technology, Art & Design, Music, Modern Foreign Languages) plus UAE MOE subjects (Arabic A, Arabic B, Islamic A, Islamic B, Moral, Social and Cultural Studies). The KS3 curriculum is described as tech-enabled, incorporating Robotics and Artificial Intelligence to develop 21st-century skills; published KS4/IGCSE details are not provided on the site.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio —	Student teacher ratio —
Exam results	Exam results —	Exam results —
Higher education progression	Higher education progression —	Higher education progression —
Gifted and talented	Gifted and talented —	Gifted and talented —
Academic calendar	Academic calendar —	Academic calendar —
Wellbeing & support	Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning	Social & emotional learning St. Mary's Catholic High School offers a structured wellbeing program with a dedicated SEL focus. The Wellbeing section provides a Wellbeing Booklet and a range of resources such as Boosting Positive Emotions and a Mindfulness Calendar (Daily 5 minute activities). Other materials include First Aid For Feelings, Being An Overcomer, and strategies for managing stress, including during distance learning. The school supports SEL through the Student Support Service, including a SEND / Inclusion Policy and access to Counsellors as part of its supportive framework. The Head of Pastoral Care leads the pastoral support, reflecting the school's emphasis on holistic growth within a caring community. {turn2view0}{turn4view1}{turn0search0}{turn1view0}	Social & emotional learning The Apple International Community School prioritizes holistic social and emotional learning (SEL) through a formal wellbeing framework and a dedicated wellbeing team. The team includes the Principal (Leader of Wellbeing), the School Counselor, the Head of Inclusion and Wellbeing, Wellbeing Officers, the Inclusion Team, and Student Council, and they respond to students' personal, social, emotional, and academic concerns in a caring, non‑judgmental environment. Mental health awareness is embedded in the PSHE curriculum and the wellbeing programme, with the inclusion department coordinating well‑being activities and awareness weeks. A mindfulness programme operates as part of the wellbeing provision, including a Morning Mindfulness routine, breathing and reflection breaks, and daily gratitude, and it draws on the Oxford wellness curriculum and Jigsaw. The school maintains a wellbeing calendar and nurture initiatives (Nurture Hub) with partnerships such as Seeds Center and Thriving Souls to support student wellbeing, while staff receive regular safeguarding and mental health training as part of child protection CPD. The school emphasizes listening to the voices of children, teachers and parents and signposting to internal or external pathways for support, strengthening a school‑wide wellbeing culture.
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) St. Mary's Catholic High School has a SEND / Inclusion Policy that sets out how the school identifies and supports students with special educational needs. A senior leader leads SEND provision, and the school has a designated SENCO, Special Educators and Counsellors involved in delivering support. There is an Inclusion Governor and an Inclusion Champion to promote inclusion across the school. When a student is identified as having SEN, an Individual Education Plan is drawn up tailored to the student's needs, with targets set and progress reviewed in collaboration with the student, parents and teachers. The school recognises categories of SEN and disabilities including Cognition and Learning; Physical, Sensory and Medical; Communication and Interaction; and Social, Emotional and Mental Health, and provides intensive one-to-one tutoring within a general school setting rather than a specialist SEN institution. {turn4view1}{turn6view0}{turn6view0}{turn6view0}{turn6view0}	Special educational needs (SEN) The Inclusion Department (ID‑AICS) leads SEND support and includes an Inclusion Governor, Inclusion Champion/Principal, Vice Principal, Leader of provision for Students of Determination, School Counselor, Special Educators, Learning Support staff, and Parents. The school uses a graduated approach with services such as initial screening, 1:1 interventions, small group intervention, in‑class support, modified/reduced curriculum, and exam access arrangements to meet diverse needs. Individualised Plans (IAP, ILP, IEP, BMP, BSP) are drafted to support learners with barriers to learning and are shared with parents and staff and reviewed termly. The Inclusion Team provides support for needs categorized under KHDA's Categorisation Framework and can coordinate with external providers if more intensive support is required. Admissions procedures for Students of Determination involve internal observations and assessments, with differentiated planning and accommodations to enable appropriate placement, including the development of Individual Education Plans in collaboration with parents and specialists. The school commits to inclusive education in line with KHDA and UAE law, seeking to remove barriers and ensure equal opportunities for all learners.
English as an additional language	English as an additional language The school does not publicly disclose information regarding English as an Additional Language (EAL) provision. The SEND / Inclusion Policy and the Wellbeing resources do not describe a separate EAL program. The language of instruction is English (as reflected in general descriptions of the school and its international context). No explicit EAL policy or programme is described in the publicly available materials reviewed. {turn4view1}{turn2view0}{turn0search12}	English as an additional language The school does not publicly disclose a separate EAL program in its published policies or public pages. The published materials describe inclusive education and support for students with special educational needs rather than a dedicated EAL service; external providers may be engaged if needs exceed standard school provision. Some curriculum pages indicate language offerings (e.g., Arabic language tracks and English‑language instruction within KHDA frameworks) but there is no explicit EAL policy or staffing detail described. The inclusion framework notes that support can be extended for students with various needs, including those requiring additional services from external providers. Admissions emphasize inclusion and appropriate placement for diverse learners, but EAL is not specifically documented as a distinct program. If EAL needs arise, the school can provide differentiated planning and accommodations as part of its inclusion approach.
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing Mental wellbeing is addressed through the Wellbeing resources, including a Mindfulness Calendar and materials such as Mindfulness Beginners and Mindfulness-based activity booklets. The Wellbeing Booklet and related resources aim to boost resilience and emotional regulation, including guidance for coping with stress and distance learning. The school also references mental health within the SEND framework under the Social, Emotional and Mental Health category, highlighting a holistic approach to wellbeing. A Head of Pastoral Care leads pastoral support, reinforcing the school's commitment to student wellbeing. {turn2view0}{turn6view0}{turn6view0}{turn0search0}	Mental wellbeing Mental wellbeing is a central element of the wellbeing policy, with a focus on promoting mental, physical and emotional health through the PSHE curriculum and wellbeing activities. The school runs a well‑being week and implements mental health awareness activities to educate students and staff safely and sensitively. The Mindfulness Programme includes a Morning Mindfulness routine, guided breathing, and mood checks, along with daily gratitude practices; the Oxford wellness curriculum and the Jigsaw programme underpin this approach. The Wellbeing Team (including a Wellbeing Governor, a School Counselor, and Inclusion leads) coordinates emotional, social and academic support and provides targeted, individualised assistance when needed. Staff receive regular child protection training as part of safeguarding and mental health CPD to recognize and respond to concerns. The school also runs nurture initiatives (Nurture Hub) and partners with external organizations (Seeds Center, Thriving Souls) to support wellbeing beyond the classroom.
Safeguarding	Safeguarding A Safeguarding Policy is published under the Students Support Service section and outlines child protection procedures. The Health & Safety Policy is also listed as part of safeguarding-related resources. KHDA-aligned policy language reinforces safeguarding through a framework that includes clear student affairs guidance and rights protections for vulnerable groups. St. Mary's emphasises safeguarding across governance, pastoral care and partnerships with families and external agencies. {turn3view0}{turn9view0}{turn6view0}{turn4view2}	Safeguarding Safeguarding is embedded in the school's wellbeing and inclusion practices, with a designated child protection and safeguarding officer and ongoing staff training as part of standard child protection CPD. The PSHE policy explicitly addresses safeguarding within personal, social, health and economic education, equipping learners to recognize risks and take appropriate action. The Wellbeing policy emphasizes systems for listening to children and signposting them to internal or external pathways for support, reinforcing safeguarding across the school. The Inclusion Head leads on safeguarding within the Inclusion Team and coordinates with staff and external specialists as needed. Staff are trained to recognize warning signs and are instructed to report concerns to safeguarding leads or emotional wellbeing leads as appropriate, with parents informed where relevant.
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview Would you like me to fetch the latest details from stmarysdubai.com to ensure accuracy? I can provide a concise, factual overview of key facilities in English, four to six sentences long.	Facilities overview The Apple International Community School is located in Al Karama, Dubai, United Arab Emirates and operates as a LEAMS Education school offering British education. The school provides a safe, nurturing, and positive environment where every member of the community is valued. It offers outstanding academic, sporting, and performing arts facilities, including a football field, indoor swimming pool, lawn tennis and badminton courts, basketball court, dedicated music, drama, and visual arts rooms, a well-stocked library, and shared play areas for younger learners.
Sports facilities	Sports facilities Would you like me to fetch the latest details from stmarysdubai.com to ensure accuracy? I can provide a concise overview of the main sports facilities in four to six sentences.	Sports facilities The Apple International Community School provides a sprawling football field, an indoor swimming pool, lawn tennis and badminton courts, and a basketball court. These facilities support the school's broad sports programme as part of its British education offering.
Academic facilities	Academic facilities Would you like me to fetch the latest details from stmarysdubai.com to ensure accuracy? I can provide a concise overview of the academic facilities in four to six sentences.	Academic facilities Foundation Stage follows the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework as part of an enriched version of the English National Curriculum. The Primary curriculum complies with the English National Programme and includes Arabic and Islamic Studies, Moral Education, and UAE Social Studies. Lower Secondary (KS3) includes core subjects (English, Mathematics, Science) and foundation subjects such as Physical Education, Geography, History, Computing, Art & Design, Music, PSHE for Non-Muslim Students, Design and Technology, and Modern Foreign Languages, plus UAE MOE Arabic A/B, Islamic A/B, and Moral, Social and Cultural Studies. The curriculum is tech-enabled and includes Robotics and Artificial Intelligence.
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities Would you like me to fetch the latest details from stmarysdubai.com to ensure accuracy? I can provide a concise overview of extracurricular activities in four to six sentences.	Extra curricular facilities The Apple International Community School offers opportunities in sports and performing arts, supported by facilities for football, swimming, tennis, badminton, basketball, music, drama, and visual arts.
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History St. Mary's Catholic High School Dubai was founded in 1968 by Fr. Eusebius Daveri, opening in a small classroom with about 30 students. The land for the school was donated by Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, and the foundation stone was blessed on 15 August 1968. The school expanded in the early 1970s, with a wing completed by 1970 and recognition as a London GCE Ordinary Levels centre in 1971, followed by laboratory facilities in 1976; the Combini Sisters joined the administration in 1977–78. In 1988 Dubai Municipality honoured St. Mary's as Best School and London University selected it to set the GCE standard; the Silver Jubilee was celebrated in 1993, and modernization occurred under Sister Beatrice G. Mariotti (2001–2005). Leadership passed to the Patrician Brothers in 2013, and the school is now governed by a Management Board chaired by Bishop Paul Hinder and operates under the UK Edexcel curriculum.	History Apple International Community School (AICS) is the newest addition to LEAMS Education, a Dubai-based group that administers UK- and CBSE-curriculum schools. LEAMS Education has a history spanning more than 40 years in the UAE and operates multiple campuses offering British curricula. The Apple Nursery at Karama opened in 1981, The Oxford School began in 1984, The Apple International School started in 1994, and The Apple International Community School opened in Karama in 2021. AICS follows the English National Curriculum across year groups and emphasizes affordable, high-quality education with substantial facilities. Abdul Lahir Hasan serves as Chairman of LEAMS Education, anchoring the group's long-running commitment to education.
Community	Community The St. Mary's community is described as a melting pot, a cosmopolitan and multi-ethnic environment where respect and tolerance thrive. The school emphasises wellbeing and a broader mission to develop integrity, mutual respect and tolerance within the Marian family. The events calendar and wellbeing initiatives support active engagement among students, staff and families, reflecting a strong, inclusive school culture.	Community Apple International Community School is built on a safe, nurturing environment where every member of the community is valued and treated like family. The school's motto is Justice, Equality and Unity, guiding its approach to leadership and citizenship. It follows the National Curriculum of England across year groups and offers a broad co-curricular program that fosters leadership, creativity, and entrepreneurship. The campus provides facilities such as a football field, indoor swimming pool, lawn tennis and badminton courts, a basketball court, and dedicated spaces for music, drama, and visual arts, along with a well-stocked library. The school emphasizes strong partnerships between parents, staff, and peers as part of its community.
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association There is no publicly documented formal Parent Teacher Association (PTA) for St. Mary's Dubai in publicly accessible materials. Parent involvement is supported through channels such as a dedicated Parent's WhatsApp Group and the Parents Info section, which includes calendars and communications tools. The school also provides multiple apps for parent communication (SIMS, Active Learn, Skiply) and class/group updates as part of its engagement infrastructure. In addition, the school participates in a wide range of competitions and programmes that involve students and the broader community, such as the National Young Author's Fair UAE 2025, Book in a Box projects and other outreach activities. The school's governance is led by a Management Board chaired by Bishop Paul Hinder with Joseph Flynn as Managing Director, which constitutes the formal leadership framework rather than a separate PT A structure.	Parent teacher association LEAMS Education coordinates parent involvement through the LEAMS Gateway – Parent Portal, which The Apple International Community School uses to share updates and involve families. The LEAMS community emphasizes partnership with parents, students, and staff as a core principle of its schools. Parent testimonials on the AICS site show ongoing engagement and positive collaboration with teachers and school activities. LEAMS supports community development programmes and after-school and creative activities that involve families. In 2022, AICS students participated in the NASA Space Apps Challenge, achieving recognition in the Abu Dhabi region, reflecting family-supported, project-based learning.
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual The school teaches in English; English is the medium of instruction. The English Language and Literature curriculum is based on the National Literacy Strategy and the Edexcel Scheme of Work, with a focus on speaking, listening, reading and writing. Results have historically been associated with the London Board examinations.	Academic & intellectual The Apple International Community School delivers a British education using the English National Curriculum in Primary. Foundation Stage (FS1 and FS2) covers ages three to five and prepares children for Key Stage 1. The curriculum includes Arabic A for Arab students and Arabic B for non-Arab students, Islamic A for Muslim Arab students and Islamic B for Muslim non-Arab students, and Moral, Social and Cultural Studies as required by KHDA. The Lower Secondary program (Year 7–Year 9) provides a broad, standards-aligned program with integration of UAE Ministry of Education subjects, and the curriculum is tech-enabled with Robotics and Artificial Intelligence to support 21st-century learning.
Arts & creative	Arts & creative —	Arts & creative The school provides dedicated spaces for music, drama, and visual arts. There are performing arts facilities and a well-stocked library to support reading and creative work. The infrastructure supports arts and creative pursuits as part of the overall curriculum and school life.
Cultural & language	Cultural & language —	Cultural & language English is the language of instruction. Arabic A for Arab Students and Arabic B for non-Arab Students are provided, as are Islamic A for Muslim Arab Students and Islamic B for Muslim non-Arab Students, in line with KHDA regulations. Moral, Social and Cultural Studies is taught from Year 2. Modern Foreign Languages are included as part of the Foundation Subjects within the curriculum.
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies —	Social & hobbies The school offers extensive sports facilities, including a sprawling football field, indoor swimming pool, lawn tennis and badminton courts, and a basketball court. There are dedicated spaces for music, drama, and visual arts, and shared play areas designed for younger learners. The provision aims to balance academic and non-academic pursuits to support holistic development.
Community & service	Community & service —	Community & service —
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional —	Leadership & professional —
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing —	Lifestyle & wellbeing The school provides a safe, nurturing, and positive environment. Its facilities support physical activity and wellbeing, including a football field, indoor pool, and multiple courts. LEAMS Education emphasizes state-of-the-art infrastructure and facilities at an affordable cost, supporting holistic learning and lifelong development.
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision Arabic is studied as a compulsory subject from Grade 1 to Grade 10 according to the Ministry of Education syllabus; French is offered from Junior 5. GCSE Examinations are available in English Language, English Literature, Arabic (First Language), Mathematics, and other listed subjects. In the Senior School, pupils prepare for the General Certificate of Secondary Education (University of London – GCSE / IGCSE). Advanced Level – Edexcel is offered.	Language provision The language of instruction is English. The Apple International Community School follows the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and the English National Curriculum.
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching —	Bilingual teaching —
Immersion programs	Immersion programs —	Immersion programs —
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards —	Awards —
Accreditations	Accreditations —	Accreditations —
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions The school offers admission to Year Eleven into a two-year A-Level GCE programme. The application fee for new students is AED 500. New students pay Enrolment Fees up to 10% of the tuition fees, non-refundable and deductible from the first term fees. The 2025-2026 fee structure follows KHDA guidelines with a 6% increase. The payment windows for term fees are 15 August–5 September 2025 for the first term and 1 December 2025–5 January 2026 for the second term. Fee payments are to The National Bank of Ras Al-Khaimah, with IBAN AE490400000183378610001 and SWIFT NRAKAEAKXXX. The curriculum is delivered in English; Arabic is compulsory from Grade 1–10, and French will be offered from Junior 5. English is the medium of instruction according to the English Department page. In the Senior School, pupils prepare for the General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE/IGCSE) in subjects including English, Mathematics, Science and more, with Edexcel as the examination framework. The school was founded in 1968 by Fr. Eusebius Daveri. The school is located in Dubai, P.O. Box 52232.	Admissions 1. Online Application: Complete the online enquiry and registration via the school's online portal. You will receive an online reference number and guidance on the following steps. The online portal centralizes submissions and communications. 2. Registration and Payment: Pay the AED 525 application fee online or by visiting the school. The fee is refundable if the school does not offer a place and non-refundable if a place is offered but not taken, and it is not deductible from the tuition. The school requests the listed documents and notes that the child's previous school reports will be reviewed, followed by an interview and a written assessment if required. 3. Assessment: The child is invited for an assessment or interview by the School Registrar. CAT4 or other written assessments may be used, or the previous school report may be reviewed. Results are notified by email or phone. 4. Admission Confirmation: The Admission Officer sends confirmation letters to successful applicants, subject to seat availability. A seat-confirmation deposit of 10% of total tuition is payable, non-refundable and deductible from tuition. The first term tuition and the annual fee are due within 10 working days of confirmation; if not paid, the admission may move to the waiting list. 5. Tuition Payment & Waiting: Tuition is payable at the start of each term and is structured in three terms. The seat confirmation deposit and first-term payment are due within 10 working days of offer; delayed payment may move the student to the waiting list. The fee structure is KHDA-approved and payments can be made by various methods. 6. KHDA & Eligibility: Admissions are subject to KHDA approval; KHDA regulations apply to all places. 7. Age & Year Placement: AICS places students in age-appropriate year levels in accordance with Ministry of Education and KHDA regulations. Use the country comparison to align grades with international naming conventions. Age as of August 31 maps FS1 to age 3, FS2 to age 4, Year 1 to age 5, Year 2 to age 6, Year 3 to age 7, Year 4 to age 8, Year 5 to age 9, Year 6 to age 10, Year 7 to age 11, Year 8 to age 12, Year 9 to age 13. 8. Location and affiliation: The Apple International Community School is located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates and is part of LEAMS Education.
Scholarships	Scholarships Discount schemes include Corporate 50% and School Employees 50%.	Scholarships —
Waitlist	Waitlist —	Waitlist There is a waiting list for admissions when a place is not immediately available. Admission may be moved to the waiting list if the seat deposit or fees are not paid within the required timeframe, and seats are offered by turn.
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