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School of Modern Skills

United Arab Emirates, Dubai

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· Reviewed by · B2C Marketing Manager

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees AED 19,212 - 34,391
Ages 4 - 18 years
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum American Curriculum
Introduction

School of Modern Skills (SMS) is a private K–12 American curriculum school located on 27th Street, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road, Muhaisnah 1, Dubai. SMS delivers an enhanced US-based curriculum aligned to the California Common Core State Standards for English and Mathematics and the Next Generation Science Standards for Science, while Arabic, Islamic Education and UAE Social Studies follow the UAE Ministry of Education programme; the school states it is NEASC-accredited. The school serves early years through Grade 12 (ages typically 4–18), with English as the language of instruction and Arabic and French taught as additional languages. From Grade 5 onwards students attend separate boys' and girls' campuses. Published facility information lists specialist laboratories (technology, biology, physics and chemistry), two libraries, a hydroponics/sustainability garden, a STrEaM activity room, multipurpose halls, health clinics, canteens and sports/play areas, and the school notes career and university guidance and extra-curricular STEM and innovation activities in its programme.

27th Street, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road, Muhaisnah 1, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

The Essentials

School of Modern Skills has instruction in English.

Location
The School of Modern Skills is located at 27th Street, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Rd, Muhaisnah 1, Dubai, UAE. Muhaisnah 1 is a residential area in Dubai with easy access to major roads, including Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road (E311). The school sits within Muhaisnah and serves families in the surrounding communities.

Stages
SMS is a KG–12 school, providing primary, middle, and high school programs within an American curriculum.

Type
SMS operates as a private, neighborhood school. There are separate campuses for boys and girls from Grade 5–12; KG–Grade 4 are co-educational.

Additional learning support
The school offers holistic student support services led by a Director of Student Support Services and a team of specialists. The team includes behaviorists, psychologists, counselors, and learning support assistants, with a focus on social-emotional, academic, and behavioral support and parent collaboration.

Country affiliation
No formal country affiliation. The school follows an American curriculum and holds NEASC accreditation while being UAE-based.

Religious affiliation
No explicit religious affiliation is stated; Islamic Education is delivered as part of the UAE Ministry of Education program alongside Arabic and other subjects.

School day structure
The school day runs 7:30 AM–4:00 PM from Sunday to Thursday; on Fridays, the day ends at 12:15 PM.

Bus service
Transportation is coordinated by the school's Transportation Department. For routes and arrangements, contact Muhammed Shaheer at 050-992-7635 or transportation@dubai-sms.com.
Diving Deeper

Uniform Requirement
The school has a uniform; the uniform cost is listed under School Uniform in the 2025–2026 fees.

Governance and Ownership
The school is privately owned and operates as part of AlephYa Education.
Fees

Annual tuition at School of Modern Skills ranges from AED 19,212 to AED 34,391 for 2026/27.

Application & registration fees

- Admission test fee: AED 350 (paid at application; covers three subjects).
- Seat reservation / non-refundable registration fee: AED 1,500 (payable on offer/registration).
- Returning‑student deposit: the school may charge up to 10% of the total fee amount as a payment due within the specified timeframe; this amount is non‑refundable except where the family must move outside the Emirate of Dubai before the start of the academic year; it is deductible from the first term.

Tuition fees by year group (annual charges and breakdown for Academic Year 2025–2026)

- KG1: Education fee AED 17,491; School uniform AED 461; Books & stationery AED 1,260; Total AED 19,212.
- KG2: Education fee AED 18,247; School uniform AED 461; Books & stationery AED 1,260; Total AED 19,968.
- Grade 1: Education fee AED 18,876; School uniform AED 461; Books & stationery AED 1,887; Total AED 21,224.
- Grade 2: Education fee AED 19,631; School uniform AED 660; Books & stationery AED 1,887; Total AED 22,178.
- Grade 3: Education fee AED 20,386; School uniform AED 660; Books & stationery AED 1,887; Total AED 22,933.
- Grade 4: Education fee AED 21,140; School uniform AED 660; Books & stationery AED 1,887; Total AED 23,687.
- Grade 5: Education fee AED 21,896; School uniform AED 660; Books & stationery AED 1,887; Total AED 24,443.
- Grade 6: Education fee AED 22,652; School uniform AED 660; Books & stationery AED 2,255; Total AED 25,567.
- Grade 7: Education fee AED 23,406; School uniform AED 728; Books & stationery AED 2,769; Total AED 26,903.
- Grade 8: Education fee AED 24,162; School uniform AED 793; Books & stationery AED 2,769; Total AED 27,724.
- Grade 9: Education fee AED 24,915; School uniform AED 793; Books & stationery AED 2,769; Total AED 28,477.
- Grade 10: Education fee AED 25,671; School uniform AED 793; Books & stationery AED 4,026; Total AED 30,490.
- Grade 11: Education fee AED 29,572; School uniform AED 793; Books & stationery AED 4,026; Total AED 34,391.
- Grade 12: Education fee AED 29,572; School uniform AED 793; Books & stationery AED 4,026; Total AED 34,391.

Per‑term presentation (school requires fees paid before each term; per‑term figures shown are equal thirds of the annual education fee and are a calculated installment example)

- The school requires fees to be paid before the start of each term. The education fees above are published as annual amounts. Dividing each annual education fee into three equal installments produces the following illustrative per‑term education amounts (rounded to the nearest dirham):
- KG1: AED 5,830 per term.
- KG2: AED 6,082 per term.
- Grade 1: AED 6,292 per term.
- Grade 2: AED 6,544 per term.
- Grade 3: AED 6,795 per term.
- Grade 4: AED 7,047 per term.
- Grade 5: AED 7,299 per term.
- Grade 6: AED 7,551 per term.
- Grade 7: AED 7,802 per term.
- Grade 8: AED 8,054 per term.
- Grade 9: AED 8,305 per term.
- Grade 10: AED 8,557 per term.
- Grade 11: AED 9,857 per term.
- Grade 12: AED 9,857 per term.

(These per‑term figures are provided as an equal‑installment example because the school states that fees are payable before each term; see billing schedule below.)

Billing schedule and payment terms

- Fees must be paid before the start of each term.
- Published fee‑collection pattern used by the school and shown in public fee guides: a three‑installment schedule (example): 50% of the annual education fee on or around mid‑August, 25% on or around 1 December, and 25% on or around 1 March. This instalment pattern is used in the school's published fee information and third‑party school guides.
- VAT is included where indicated in the school's fee notes.
- Payment timing: fees are paid in advance and by the dates specified in the school's registration/parent contract.

Boarding / hostel

- No boarding or hostel programmes are listed; the school is described as a private, neighbourhood day school with separate boys and girls campuses for older grades. Boarding is not applicable.

Other costs and optional fees

- School uniform and books & stationery: amounts are listed per grade in the sections above and are included in the published totals.
- Optional / exam / administration fees: international exam fees (IELTS / SAT) AED 1,200–1,400; AP exam fees are payable separately; extra transcript fee AED 120 per transcript.
- Transportation (optional paid service): published third‑party and school notes list paid bus service; example published rates (approximate, for reference) — one‑way Dubai routes AED 3,491; two‑way Dubai routes AED 4,653; two‑way Sharjah routes AED 5,818 (transport costs vary by route). Transportation is charged separately and is optional.
- Any additional optional services (after‑school activities, trips, special programmes) are charged when used; specific prices vary by activity and are invoiced separately.

Refunds and cancellation

- The registration/seat reservation fee (AED 1,500) is non‑refundable on normal withdrawal. The returning‑student deposit (up to 10% of total fees) is non‑refundable except where the family must move outside the Emirate of Dubai before the start of the academic year; in that case the deposit is deductible from the first term and the school may request proof of relocation.
- No separate general tuition‑refund schedule is published in the school's admission policy beyond the registration/deposit terms cited above; tuition and other refunds, if any, are handled according to the parent contract and the school's published terms.

Fee payment options and contacts

- Public guidance and third‑party school information indicate fees are commonly collected by the school in instalments and can be paid by cash or cheque in the instalment pattern shown in published guides; parents use the school's finance office and the parent portal for administration.
- Finance department contact: listed school finance contact is available for confirmation of accepted payment methods and to arrange payments.

Notes and practical points

- The figures above are the school's published charges for the Academic Year 2025–2026. The school has published an early‑payment / early‑bird discount option in some fee listings (e.g., a 20% early‑payment column appears in published fee information for certain grades); available discounts and exact invoice amounts depend on the registration/offer terms and timing.
- For questions about transport routes, exact instalment dates, accepted payment channels (bank transfer, card, cheque, cash) or any itemised invoice details, contact the school's finance office or registrar — the finance contact and registrar numbers and emails are published for parents.
Academics

School of Modern Skills teaches American Curriculum for students aged 4 to 18.

Curriculum
SMS is a private K–12 school in Muhaisnah, Dubai, offering an American curriculum aligned to CCSS for English Language Arts and Mathematics and NGSS for Science. Arabic, Islamic Education and Social Studies follow UAE MoE curricula. The language of instruction is English; Arabic Language Arts and French Language Arts are taught, with French starting in Grade 8. There are separate campuses for boys and girls in Grades 5–12. SMS is NEASC- and KHDA-accredited; NEASC accreditation was granted in 2022, and staff come from 33+ nationalities. The program includes AP courses and readiness for SAT, IELTS and EmSAT, supported by a College & Career Readiness program, ENGAGE Extended Day, and a KG extended day until 2:40 PM.

Exam Results
SMS offers Advanced Placement (AP) courses and prepares students for standardized assessments, including SAT, AP exams, IELTS and EmSAT. The College & Career Readiness program provides internships, university fairs, and guidance to support college applications.

Higher Education Progression
SMS provides a comprehensive career and college guidance program with exposure to leading universities worldwide, internships, and university fairs. The program helps students align coursework with college goals and supports the college application process.

Gifted and Talented
AP Capstone Program is offered as a two-year credential program, and AP courses are available for advanced students.
Parent Experience

History
Founded in 2006, the School of Modern Skills blends UAE heritage with global education. The school is NEASC-accredited and delivers an American curriculum from KG to Grade 12. It operates separate boys' and girls' campuses and offers top-tier labs, innovation hubs, and sports facilities. The diverse faculty supports students to lead, thrive, and learn in a global society.

Community
The school values UAE cultural heritage and prepares students to be confident leaders and global citizens. SMS is NEASC-accredited and delivers an American curriculum, supporting academic achievement and global engagement. Islamic values, cultural awareness, and a community-centered approach are emphasized across grade levels. The middle school program emphasizes student-centered learning, holistic development, and global citizenship.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
The school has separate male and female campuses for Grades 5-12. It offers specialty laboratories for technology, biology, physics, and chemistry, plus two libraries, a hydroponics garden, a STrEaM activity room, multipurpose halls, a health clinic and canteens. The campuses have been upgraded with state-of-the-art Science and IT labs, Art Rooms and Innovation Hubs, along with a Learning Resource Center (LRC). There are two computer labs, one for boys and one for girls, and an Innovation Hub to support robotics and AI projects. A new cafeteria is being built and will be ready soon.

Sports Facilities
The sports facilities include a football field, two gymnasiums, an outdoor basketball court, an indoor basketball court and two swimming pools. SMS offers a wide range of sports including football, basketball, volleyball, handball, badminton, swimming, athletics, gymnastics and table tennis. The school runs structured after-school practice schedules for Girls Campus (Senior Basketball, Junior Basketball, Volleyball) and Boys Campus (Senior Soccer, Junior Soccer, Volleyball, Basketball). The facilities support these activities and enable both team and individual sports. Participation encompasses a broad sports program across the school.

Academic Facilities
School of Modern Skills has separate male and female campuses for Grades 5-12 and offers a range of specialty laboratories including technology, biology, physics and chemistry. The campuses include two libraries, a hydroponics garden, a STrEaM activity room, multipurpose halls, a health clinic and canteens. The facilities have been upgraded to include state-of-the-art Science and IT labs, Art Rooms and Innovation Hubs, as well as a Learning Resource Center (LRC). There are two computer labs, one for boys and one for girls, with the latest technology. An Innovation Hub provides robotics and AI resources, and new Chemistry, Physics and Biology labs with exhaust/aeration booths have been developed. A cafeteria is being built and will be ready soon.

Extra Curricular Facilities
ENGAGE Extended Day Program provides after-school enrichment with activities such as arts and crafts, music and movement, storytelling, science experiments, nature exploration, games and group activities, and field trips with guest speakers. The program includes guided learning and focuses on creativity, collaboration and critical thinking. The ENGAGE program runs after school and charges 3600 AED for the year (Semester 1 1200 AED; Semester 2 2400 AED). ASAP (After School Academic Program) offers remediation and targeted support in English and Arabic after school on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM for Grades 1–12, with 10 sessions for 800 AED. Experiential Learning features hands-on activities such as solar oven projects, Guacamole Day, and math skills in the classroom.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
SMS is a K–12 school with an enhanced American curriculum based on the California Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts and Mathematics. The Next Generation Science Standards are observed for Science. The UAE Ministry of Education program is used for Arabic, Islamic Education, and Social Studies. The school is NEASC-accredited.

Arts & Creative
The ENGAGE Extended Day Program offers enrichment activities including arts and crafts, music and movement, storytelling, and science experiments. It provides opportunities for creative expression through art projects, music, drama, and dance. Field trips and guest speakers supplement thematic units that integrate arts with STEM. The program emphasizes social and collaborative skills as part of after-school activities.

Cultural & Language
The school uses English as the language of instruction. The English Language Arts curriculum is taught with a focus on speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Arabic Language Arts follows the UAE Ministry of Education program, and non-Arab students attend special Arabic classes. French Language Arts is introduced as a third language starting in Grade 8.

Social & Hobbies
The ENGAGE Extended Day Program provides after-school enrichment with activities including arts, movement, games, and group activities. Learning extensions, field trips, and guest speakers promote teamwork and social skills. The program includes social development opportunities and creative expression.

Community & Service
The school's career and college readiness program offers internships and community service opportunities.

Leadership & Professional
The SMS Career & College Guidance Program provides exposure to universities and the job market. The program includes internships and supports students with university applications, personal statements, and job interviews. SMS hosts annual career and university fairs and maintains a database of leading universities.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
SMS offers Holistic Student Support Services led by behaviorists, psychologists, counselors, and learning support staff. Social-emotional learning is integrated through explicit instruction, morning meetings, and classroom community building. Wellbeing counselors provide emotional support and individualized guidance.
Languages

Language Provision
The school offers an American curriculum (NEASC-accredited).
Admissions

Admissions
1. Submit the application: Fill out the application form and send it to the school. Follow the admission criteria for the grade level that your child is applying for. The 2026–2027 admissions are open for this academic year. 2. Pay the admission test fee: Pay an admission test fee of AED 350. The fee is part of the admission process. 3. Attend the entrance exam and interview: Attend the entrance exam and the interview with the Student Support Services specialist. The exam and interview evaluate the child's academic level and needs. 4. Receive the admission offer and pay the seat reservation: Receive the admission offer and pay a seat reservation fee of AED 1,500. The offer confirms the child's placement pending formalities. 5. Complete formalities and submit documents: Complete formalities and submit completed documents including the previous year's report card and leaving certificate attested by local education authorities, the Ministry of Education, and the UAE embassy. Submit the medical file to the clinic, confirm transportation registration, and sign an undertaking to submit any pending documents. 6. Pay tuition and collect uniforms: Pay the tuition fees, receive the uniform coupon, and collect the uniform from the vendor. 7. Enroll and join: Join the class once the KHDA portal registration is complete and the KHDA parent contract is signed.
School Events
The school has not added events
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