Universal American School delivers the US curriculum via New York State Standards. Nurturing inquiry-based learning through multiple pathways including Advanced Placement tracks, IB Diploma Program and Primary Years Program. These personalized pathways equip students with the learning skills and competences necessary to embrace the challenges of an ever-changing world. This means providing students with a wide range of academic and technological skills and developing a range of learning, critical thinking and inquiry skills that will empower students to interrogate learning, promote creativity, problem-solve and give learners agency over their learning to achieve continued success in their chosen pathway and as active citizens in our international community.

UAS hosts a Centre for Excellence for Arabic celebrating the Arabic language which aims to promote and enhance the study and understanding of the language through research, education, and collaboration. The school is also run on a not-for-profit basis and is part of the Al Futtaim Education Foundation. Founded in 2005, the school has delivered an inclusive, diverse, and rigorous program for our learners.

Our alumni have gone on to study at leading institutions of higher education in the US, Canada, the UK and other parts of the world.

Located in Dubai Festival City the UAS campus has extensive facilities on a spacious site including a 25m swimming pool, full gymnasium, 400m running track, grass pitch, art and design studios, teacher wellness room, a newly built state of the art cafeteria, staff professional development space, elementary sports hall and a specialist creative arts block including recording facilities, black box theatre and ceramics room.

Universal American School is a special place to learn and work and we welcome you to become part of our learning community.

“At Universal American School Dubai, community is at the heart of what we do. Our school is built on the values of Respect, Integrity, Collaboration and Excellence. These values shape how we work together, how we support one another and how we strive to grow. We believe that strong communities are created through shared purpose and mutual respect, where every individual is valued and encouraged to contribute.

Since opening in 2005, Universal American School has grown into a vibrant international learning community rooted in the New York State standards and delivered through the International Baccalaureate framework. Our education balances academic rigour with creativity and critical thinking, empowering students to pursue pathways that align with their ambitions. Whether through the IB Diploma Programme, Advanced Placement courses or the American High School Diploma, we encourage independent thought and curiosity so that students develop the skills and confidence to succeed in an evolving world.

Professional development is fundamental to our culture. We invest in our staff through high quality learning opportunities, coaching and leadership pathways that enable educators to refine their practice and progress in their careers. Collaboration is actively encouraged, with teachers and leaders sharing expertise and learning from one another in pursuit of continuous improvement. This focus on professional growth ensures that our community remains dynamic and forward looking.

Our Dubai Festival City campus provides an inspiring environment where students and staff can thrive. Learning here extends beyond the classroom and encompasses academic excellence, artistic expression and athletic achievement. We aim to nurture global citizens who approach the world with empathy, resilience and a commitment to positive impact.

If you are seeking to join a school community where your expertise will be respected, your integrity valued, your collaboration welcomed and your pursuit of excellence supported, I warmly invite you to consider Universal American School.

I look forward to welcoming you to our community.”

Kevin Loft

School Director

Al-Futtaim Education Foundation (AFEF) is a not-for-profit initiative established by the Al Futtaim family to meaningfully impact education in the UAE, the region, and beyond. AFEF governs, oversees and supports high-performing schools, currently Deira International School and Universal American School, with the potential to expand into other markets, such as a planned branded school in Cairo, and other school offerings in the UAE, such as a future or AI-driven school.

The Foundation holds its school to very high standard of operational and academic excellence.

AFEF’s work is anchored in three guiding principles—Legacy, Community, and Future—which shape every decision made and every opportunity created for students, teachers and communities.

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