Lycée Français International de Dubaï (LFI)
Key Stats
Annual Fees: US$8K – US$17K
Curriculum: French
Age Range: 3–18
Students: ~3,000
Location: Oud Metha, Dubai
Updated February 2026
In Brief
Lycée Français International Dubai is a French curriculum school founded in 1973 that serves approximately 2,000 students from 50 nationalities. While it holds KHDA Very Good rating and offers affordable fees through its not-for-profit status, parent discussions reveal mixed experiences with some describing mediocre teaching quality.
Operating from Dubai Academic City with a feeder campus in Oud Metha, the school follows the complete French national curriculum from early years through Grade 12, teaching primarily in French with English as a core subject. Under Proviseur Charles Pierru's leadership since 2023, the school serves a predominantly French-speaking community with students representing up to 50 nationalities. The institution maintains its not-for-profit status, which allows fees to remain at roughly half the cost of comparable IB or British curriculum schools in Dubai.
Parent feedback reveals contrasting experiences with the school's educational delivery. While some families appreciate the authentic French education and affordable fee structure, others have raised concerns about teaching quality, with one recent discussion describing teachers as 'social cases.' The school faces the typical challenge of French schools in Dubai competing against well-established British and IB institutions, though it maintains steady enrollment due to high demand from French expatriate families. Teacher turnover sits at 13%, which is reasonable for Dubai's education sector.
What parents value
- –Authentic French curriculum from early years through baccalauréat
- –Not-for-profit status keeps fees significantly lower than competitors
- –Large, diverse community with 2,000 students from 50 nationalities
- –Established institution with nearly 50 years of history in Dubai
- –KHDA Very Good rating demonstrates solid educational standards
Points of consideration
- –Mixed parent feedback regarding teaching quality and staff competence
- –Limited visibility compared to Dubai's tier-one international schools
- –Primarily serves French-speaking families rather than broader international community
- –Academic outcomes and university placement data not readily available
- –Competition from other French schools like Jean Mermoz that may offer fresher approaches
Annual Fees
| Year Group | Age | USDTotal Annual Fee |
|---|---|---|
| PS / Pre-KG3 (Oud Metha) | 3 | 8,029 |
| MS / KG1 (Oud Metha) | 4 | 8,029 |
| GS / KG2 (Oud Metha) | 5 | 8,029 |
| CP / Grade 1 (Oud Metha) | 6 | 9,635 |
| CE1 / Grade 2 (Oud Metha) | 7 | 9,635 |
| CE2 / Grade 3 (Oud Metha) | 8 | 9,635 |
| CM1 / Grade 4 (Oud Metha) | 9 | 9,635 |
| CM2 / Grade 5 (Oud Metha) | 10 | 9,635 |
| 6e / Grade 6 (Oud Metha) | 11 | 11,384 |
| 5e / Grade 7 (Oud Metha) | 12 | 11,384 |
| 4e / Grade 8 (Oud Metha) | 13 | 11,384 |
| 3e / Grade 9 (Oud Metha) | 14 | 12,936 |
| 2nde / Grade 10 (Oud Metha) | 15 | 16,157 |
| 1ere / Grade 11 (Oud Metha) | 16 | 16,981 |
| Terminale / Grade 12 (Oud Metha) | 17 | 16,981 |
| PS (Mudon) | 3 | 11,300 |
| MS (Mudon) | 4 | 11,572 |
| GS (Mudon) | 5 | 11,845 |
| CP-CM2 (Mudon) | 6 | 13,206 |
Fees converted from AED. For the most up to date and accurate figures please double check with the school.
Additional Fees
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| File Deposit Fee | 136 |
| New Students Fee (ICT, Lab, Library, Medical) | 1,361 |
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. Patrick Affley - Director
Mr. Patrick Affley is a long-term UAE resident who served 11 years as Founding Principal of Dove Green Private School in Dubai.