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St. Mary's Catholic High School

United Arab Emirates, Dubai

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees AED 9,895 - 19,221
Ages 5 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 1996
Type Co-educational, Day School
Opened 1968
Bus Service Yes
Academic offering
Curriculum British Curriculum, Catholic Curriculum
Taught languages Arabic
Typical class size 14
Strengths Catholic ethos, Multi-ethnic community, International benchmark assessments, Strong pastoral care
Stages Secondary, Sixth Form
Introduction

St. Mary's Catholic High School is a secondary school in Dubai founded in 1968 by Fr. Eusebius Daveri. Following the British Cambridge curriculum with IGCSEs and A-Levels, the school serves Years 7-13. A cosmopolitan melting pot reflecting Dubai's diversity, it uses international benchmark assessments including CAT4, PIRLS, PISA and TIMSS.

247 Oud Metha Rd, Umm Hurair Second, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

The Essentials

St. Mary's Catholic High School has 1,996 pupils, typical class sizes of 14, instruction in English.

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.

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.

Type
Private, co-educational. The school functions as a private, mixed-gender institution.

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.

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.

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.

Religious affiliation
Catholic. The school is explicitly Catholic and operates within a UAE context as St. Mary's Catholic High School Dubai.

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.

Bus service
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.
Diving Deeper

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.
Fees

Annual tuition at St. Mary's Catholic High School ranges from AED 9,895 to AED 19,221 for 2026/27.

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.
Academics

St. Mary's Catholic High School teaches British Curriculum, Catholic Curriculum for students aged 5 to 18.

Curriculum
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.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
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}

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}

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
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}

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}

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}
Parent Experience

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.

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.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
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.
Facilities

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.

Sports Facilities
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Academic Facilities
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Extra Curricular Facilities
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Extra-Curricular Activities

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.
Languages

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.
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.

Scholarships
Discount schemes include Corporate 50% and School Employees 50%.
School Events
The school has not added events
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