Horizon International School, Dubai
Key Stats
Annual Fees: US$11K – US$20K
Curriculum: British
Age Range: 3–18
Students: ~1,400
Location: Dubai
Updated February 2026
In Brief
Horizon International School Dubai is a well-established British curriculum school serving ages 3-18 in Umm Al Sheif that joined the prestigious Cognita group in 2022, bringing it into a global network of 85+ schools. Teachers at competing Dubai schools recommend HIS, and it maintains a strong reputation among parents despite being smaller than many newer Dubai institutions.
Founded in 2008 and acquired by Cognita in February 2022, HIS operates from a prime location near Burj Al Arab serving over 1,100 students from 75+ nationalities. Under Principal Stephen Quinn's leadership, the school follows the British curriculum from Early Years through A-Levels, with particular strength in personal development and student wellbeing according to KHDA inspections. The Cognita ownership connects HIS to a global education network that includes 40 UK schools and other UAE institutions like Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai.
Parent and teacher discussions reveal HIS as a respected choice in Dubai's competitive market, with educators from rival schools actively recommending it to families. The school maintains a family-focused atmosphere with strong community values, though it operates from a more compact campus compared to Dubai's newer mega-schools. Recent Cognita investment has enhanced resources while preserving the intimate educational environment that appeals to families seeking personalized attention within an established British curriculum framework.
What parents value
- –Teachers at competing Dubai schools recommend HIS to parents
- –Strong reputation for personal development and student wellbeing
- –Part of prestigious Cognita global network since 2022
- –Diverse international community with 75+ nationalities
- –Well-equipped facilities despite smaller campus size
- –Prime location in Umm Al Sheif near Burj Al Arab
- –Family-focused atmosphere with strong community values
- –Established track record since 2008
Points of consideration
- –Smaller campus compared to newer Dubai schools
- –23% teacher turnover rate
- –Limited discussion in parent forums compared to tier-one schools
- –Higher fees typical of Cognita group schools
- –Less visibility than flagship Dubai institutions
Annual Fees
| Year Group | Age | USDTotal Annual Fee |
|---|---|---|
| FS1 | 3 | 10,574 |
| FS2 | 4 | 10,574 |
| Year 1 | 5 | 12,137 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 12,137 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 13,850 |
| Year 4 | 8 | 13,850 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 14,807 |
| Year 6 | 10 | 14,807 |
| Year 7 | 11 | 16,770 |
| Year 8 | 12 | 16,770 |
| Year 9 | 13 | 16,770 |
| Year 10 | 14 | 18,073 |
| Year 11 | 15 | 18,073 |
| Year 12 | 16 | 19,911 |
| Year 13 | 17 | 19,911 |
Fees converted from AED. For the most up to date and accurate figures please double check with the school.
Additional Fees
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application Fee | 143 |
Photos
Academic Results
Academic results have not been made publicly available by this school.
Extra Curriculars
Contact the school for details on co-curricular activities and facilities. Ask what a normal week looks like outside lessons for your child's interests.
Inspections & Accreditations
Inspection
No published inspection details are currently available.
Accreditations
Accreditation details are not publicly listed.
Memberships
Membership details are not publicly listed.
Student Body
Dubai's international schools serve a highly diverse student body drawn from over 180 nationalities. Contact the school for current enrolment details.
Leadership
Mr Stephen Quinn - Principal
Stephen graduated from the University of Manchester (UK) with an Economics BA (Hons) degree. After gaining industry experience, he pursued a BSc (Hons) in Science Education with Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).