KHDA Ratings Explained: A Parent's Plain-English Guide
What KHDA ratings actually mean for parents in Dubai — the six-point scale, the current inspection pause, how ratings link to fees, and how to read a report.
A friend tells you a school is "Outstanding". The school's own website says the same. But what does that word really mean, who decides it, and should it settle your decision? KHDA ratings get quoted everywhere and explained almost nowhere.
Here is the plain-English version.
What the KHDA does
The Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) regulates private schools in Dubai. It inspects them and gives each an overall rating, based on teaching quality, student progress, leadership, wellbeing, inclusion and the strength of Arabic and Islamic provision.
Abu Dhabi (ADEK) and Sharjah (SPEA) run their own inspections, but all three now use the UAE Unified Inspection Framework — the same six-point scale and standards — so ratings are broadly comparable across emirates. See Abu Dhabi vs Dubai schools for how inspection timing differs between emirates right now.
The six ratings, top to bottom
| Rating | What it broadly means |
|---|---|
| Outstanding | Quality is exceptional across the board |
| Very Good | Quality is above expectations |
| Good | The expected level — a solid, sound school |
| Acceptable | Meets minimum standards but with clear gaps |
| Weak | Below the required standard |
| Very Weak | Serious, widespread shortcomings |
Note that "Good" is genuinely good — it is the benchmark the system expects, not a consolation prize.
Important: inspections are currently paused
The KHDA paused full routine inspections for Dubai private schools, and the pause has continued into the 2025–26 academic year. Only schools that opened in 2022 have been fully inspected in this cycle; others had quality-assurance visits or submitted self-evaluations.
In practice, this means the most recent full ratings for most schools date from 2023–24. Treat older ratings as a guide, not a live snapshot, and pair them with your own visit — our 10 questions to ask before enrolling helps you dig deeper on tour.
How ratings link to fees
Normally, a school's rating affects how much it can raise fees each year. With routine inspections paused, that link is effectively suspended — for 2025–26 most schools could apply for an increase up to the Education Cost Index of around 2.35%, regardless of rating. Read international school fees in the UAE for typical ranges and hidden extras.
How to read a rating sensibly
- Look beyond the headline. The report breaks down sub-areas. A school might be Outstanding for teaching but only Good for Arabic.
- Match it to your child. A Good school with strong support may suit your child better than an Outstanding one that does not.
- Check the date. Know which inspection cycle the rating comes from.
- Read the full report. It is free on the KHDA Education Directory, in English and Arabic.
Your next step
See each school's rating alongside its fee bands and verified details on SchoolFinder. Then weigh it against cost using our guide to international school fees in the UAE — and add your shortlist to Compare before you book tours.
Ratings, inspection schedules and fee caps change. Always confirm current details with the school and the KHDA before deciding.