North American International School Dubai (NAIS)
Key Stats
Annual Fees: US$8K – US$13K
Curriculum: American
Age Range: 4–18
Students: ~750
Location: Dubai
Updated February 2026
In Brief
North American International School is a smaller, family-owned American curriculum school in Al Mizhar serving around 890 students. While some parents appreciate the school environment and dedicated staff, it operates with significantly less visibility and market presence compared to Dubai's established American institutions like ASD or Dubai American Academy.
Founded by the Al Taher family and now led by Director Arwa A Taher, NAIS has grown from approximately 750 students in 2022-23 to nearly 900 in 2023-24 through strategic expansion of primary levels. The school occupies a purpose-built campus in Al Mizhar designed for up to 1,500 students, offering American curriculum from KG through Grade 12. Unlike Dubai's premium American schools, NAIS maintains a relatively low profile in expatriate education discussions and lacks detailed public information about advanced pathways, university placements, or specific academic outcomes.
Parent feedback reveals mixed experiences, with some describing remarkable experiences and dedicated staff, while others note the school's smaller scale and limited facilities compared to established competitors. The school generates minimal discussion in typical expatriate forums compared to institutions like American School of Dubai or Dubai American Academy, suggesting it serves a more specialized community rather than competing for the broader international market. Teacher discussions mention the school primarily in passing, indicating it operates outside the tier of schools that dominate Dubai's American education conversations.
What parents value
- –Family-owned institution with personal attention from leadership
- –Growing enrollment suggests increasing parent satisfaction
- –Some parents report remarkable experiences with dedicated staff
- –American curriculum pathway from kindergarten through high school
- –Campus built to accommodate future growth to 1,500 students
Points of consideration
- –Significantly smaller scale than established American schools in Dubai
- –Limited visibility in expatriate education discussions and forums
- –Lack of detailed public information about advanced academic pathways
- –No available data on university placement outcomes or academic achievements
- –Mixed parent reviews with some noting limitations compared to competitors
Annual Fees
| Year Group | Age | USDTotal Annual Fee |
|---|---|---|
| KG 1 | 3 | 8,350 |
| KG 2 | 4 | 8,350 |
| Grade 1 | 6 | 9,017 |
| Grade 2 | 7 | 9,017 |
| Grade 3 | 8 | 9,017 |
| Grade 4 | 9 | 9,017 |
| Grade 5 | 10 | 9,017 |
| Grade 6 | 11 | 9,017 |
| Grade 7 | 12 | 10,019 |
| Grade 8 | 13 | 10,019 |
| Grade 9 | 14 | 11,689 |
| Grade 10 | 15 | 11,689 |
| Grade 11 | 16 | 13,359 |
| Grade 12 | 17 | 13,359 |
Fees converted from AED. For the most up to date and accurate figures please double check with the school.
Additional Fees
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Registration Fee | 136 |
| Registration Advance Fee | 545 |
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
Justin Allen McCauley - Principal
Justin Allen McCauley was born and raised in Portland, Oregon, USA, where he earned a BA from Portland State University and teaching licensure from Warner Pacific College.