Dubai International Academy

What Dubai International Academy does

Dubai International Academy Emirates Hills (DIA-EH) is a private K-13 international school located in Emirates Hills, Dubai, operating as part of the Innoventures Education group founded in 2005 by Poonam Bhojani. The school delivers the full International Baccalaureate (IB) continuum — Primary Years Programme, Middle Years Programme, Diploma Programme, and Career-Related Programme — to approximately 2,700 students aged 3-18 drawn from more than 85 nationalities, making it the longest-established IB continuum school in Dubai and the only one rated Outstanding by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA).

DIA's core product is the four-programme IB curriculum supplemented by an integrated support stack: a Future Skills Programme for Years 7-8, EAL support, an ALPHA enrichment track for high achievers, career counselling from age 14, a Mother Tongue language programme covering 10+ languages, and a co-curricular/paid CCA catalogue. Technology is delivered through the ISAMS school management system, a 360-degree virtual tour, and — most recently — a Samsung Certified School partnership that integrates AI-enabled digital education tools in classrooms. The school is supported by a 12:1 student-teacher ratio with faculty from 30+ countries and a 350,000-482,000 square foot campus.

The business model is fee-based recurring tuition, KHDA-regulated, with annual fees ranging from AED 44,979 (KG1) to AED 79,696 (DP), paid in three term instalments. Revenue is augmented by registration/re-enrollment fees (AED 2,560-7,970), EAL fees (AED 4,500/year), transport (AED 6,150-8,200/year via Arab Falcon), assessment fees (AED 525), and uniform/lunch ancillaries. The go-to-market is direct-to-consumer: a website-driven enquiry flow, mandatory in-person tours, assessment-led admissions, and word-of-mouth referrals from the 2,700+ family community. Customer outcomes are strong and marketable: 100% DP pass rate with 35.25 average points, 1,477 university offers from 440 institutions in 17 countries (Class of 2024), and $13M+ in scholarships, which feed the referral flywheel.

Name

Dubai International Academy

Legal name

Dubai International Academy

Website

https://diadubai.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Dubai International Academy Emirates Hills is a private K-13 international school in Dubai delivering the full IB continuum (PYP, MYP, DP, CP) to 2,700+ students from 85+ nationalities, the only IB school rated Outstanding by KHDA and part of the Innoventures Education group.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Private International K-12 Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111)

akta.pro primary industry

International/Global Curriculum Schools (IB, Cambridge, etc.) (EDAJABAG)

Keywords

• International baccalaureate education
• K-12 private schooling
• IB curriculum programmes
• University placement counselling
• Premium international school

Headquarters

HQ city

Dubai

HQ country

United Arab Emirates

HQ region

Middle East

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Fees: Annual tuition fees paid per academic year (September to June). Fees vary by year group: KG1 AED 44,979; Years 2-6 AED 57,983; Years 7-9 AED 65,224; Years 10-11 AED 72,482; Years 12-13 AED 79,696. Payment accepted in three term instalments. Additional fees include registration/enrollment fees, assessment fees, EAL support, and optional transport and lunch services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Dubai International Academy Emirates Hills is a private K-13 international school delivering the full International Baccalaureate continuum (PYP, MYP, DP, and CP) to over 2,700 students aged 3-18 from more than 85 nationalities. The school charges annual tuition fees regulated by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) and supplements academic instruction with career counselling, student support, language programmes, co-curricular activities, and a Samsung AI-enabled digital learning environment.

Product overview

Dubai International Academy Emirates Hills is an IB World School offering a comprehensive K-13 educational programme. It operates as a unified platform providing all four IB programmes (PYP, MYP, DP, and CP) from KG1 to Year 13. The school functions as an integrated educational institution where the IB programmes serve as the core curriculum framework, supplemented by specialized support services including Future Skills Programme, Career Counselling, Student Support (EAL, Inclusion, ALPHA enrichment), Language Programmes (Arabic, French, Spanish, Mother Tongue), and Co-Curricular Activities. The school is part of the Innoventures Education family and is the longest established IB continuum school in Dubai.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) An International Baccalaureate curriculum framework for students aged 3-12 (KG1 to Year 6) built around six transdisciplinary themes of global significance and inquiry-based learning.
• IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) An International Baccalaureate course of study for students aged 11-16 (Years 7-11) that builds a broad foundation of knowledge while exploring relationships between subjects and disciplines.
• IB Diploma Programme (DP) A rigorous two-year International Baccalaureate course of study for students aged 16-18 (Years 12-13) designed to develop informed global citizens with 21st-century skills and qualifications for top global universities.
• IB Career-Related Programme (CP) An International Baccalaureate framework for students who wish to engage in career-related education alongside their DP studies, combining academic courses with career-related learning, transferable skills development, and work experience placements.
• Career Counselling and University Placement
• Student Support Services (EAL, Inclusion, ALPHA) Comprehensive student support offering including English as an Additional Language (EAL) programmes, learning support for Students of Determination, and the ALPHA academic enrichment programme for high achievers, with small-group and personalised instruction.
• Future Skills Programme A standalone skill-development programme for Years 7 and 8 students focused on transferable skills such as critical thinking, communication, collaboration, adaptability, creativity, leadership, emotional intelligence, and digital literacy, delivered through project-based learning.
• School Transport Service School bus transport service for students across Dubai routes, operated by Arab Falcon Bus Rental LLC with GPS tracking and CCTV cameras; available as round-trip (AED 8,200) or one-way (AED 6,150) for the 2024-2025 academic year.
• School Lunch Service Catering service provided on campus by Kalo Hospitality, offering live cooking stations, fresh smoothies, bakery products, salads, hot meals, and pre-orderable meal boxes for primary students, ordered through a mobile application.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% DP pass rate (May 2024), average 35.25 points vs 30.3 worldwide
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, minor and core.

• Samsung ElectronicsflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 October 2025Samsung and Dubai International Academy signed an MoU to establish the UAE's first Samsung Certified School. The partnership focuses on integrating AI-enabled tools and digital education across the campus. The initiative aims to empower educators and students with future-ready skills and create a network of forward-looking schools in the region.
• FLC GroupminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerFLC Group is a 180-degree BTL agency focused on Consumer Engagement and Experiential Marketing. They serve as a work experience partner for the IB Career-Related Programme (CP), providing CP students with real-world industry exposure in marketing and communications across their 5 business verticals including events, social media, and exhibitions.
• Apparel GroupminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerApparel Group is a global fashion and lifestyle retail conglomerate with 1750+ stores and 75+ brands across four continents. They serve as a work experience partner for IB Career-Related Programme students, providing exposure to retail, fashion, and lifestyle business operations.
• BPG GroupminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerBPG Group is a marketing communications group creating and delivering brand and business building ideas across the MENA region, with services including advertising, PR, branding, design, media, and digital marketing. They serve as a CP work experience partner.
• Arab Falcon Bus Rental LLCcoreOthersArab Falcon Bus Rental LLC is a school transport provider contracted by DIA to provide safe and reliable transportation with GPS tracking and CCTV cameras. They offer both round-trip and one-way bus services for students across Dubai routes.
• Kalo HospitalitycoreOthersKalo Hospitality is the school's catering provider, replacing a previous provider. They offer live cooking stations, fresh smoothies, bakery products, salads, hot meals, and pre-orderable meal boxes for primary students. Operates through a mobile application for ordering and payment.
• Zaks Uniform StorecoreOthersZaks is the official uniform supplier for DIA, located in Al Barsha, Dubai. Offers uniforms for purchase in-store and online with free home delivery. PADIA (Parents Association) also offers second-hand uniform items.
• BuildOn (Charitable Partner)minorOthersBuildOn is an American philanthropic organisation that has successfully constructed schools in developing world regions for 25 years. DIA students and teachers have visited Nepal to participate in school construction projects under the GIVE initiative.
• Dubai Cares (Charitable Partner)minorOthersDubai Cares partners with the GIVE (Gift of Innoventures Education) initiative to sponsor schools in developing countries (Nepal, Malawi, Senegal). GIVE has successfully sponsored 9 schools through this partnership. Also supported student stationery kit packing for low-income UAE families and library sponsorship in India.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• GEMS World Academy: Premium IB World School in Dubai offering PYP, MYP, and DP. Operates in the same premium international segment with comparable fee structure and serves a similar expatriate family demographic in Dubai.
• Dubai College: One of Dubai's most prestigious schools offering the British curriculum. Competes directly with DIA for premium expatriate families in Dubai with similar fee positioning and university placement outcomes.
• Repton School Dubai: Premium international school in Dubai with strong academic and sporting reputation. Targets the same premium expatriate demographic with comparable tuition fees and selective admissions process.
• Jumeirah College: Premium British curriculum school in Dubai with strong examination results and university placements. Operates in the same premium market segment with similar fee structure to DIA.
• Nord Anglia International School Dubai: Premium international school in Dubai delivering British curriculum with global Nord Anglia network benefits. Competes for affluent expatriate families with comparable fee positioning and premium facilities.
• Wellington International School: Large premium international school in Dubai serving over 3,000 students. Operates in the same premium market segment with comparable fees and a broad curriculum offering similar to DIA's full K-12 programme.
• Dwight School Dubai: IB curriculum school in Dubai offering PYP, MYP, and DP. Direct IB curriculum competitor targeting the same premium expatriate families with similar fee structure and university placement focus.
• American School of Dubai: Premium American curriculum school in Dubai with strong university placement track record. Serves the same premium expatriate demographic with comparable fees and selective admissions process.

Broad incumbents

• GEMS Education: Largest private education provider in the UAE operating multiple premium schools including GEMS World Academy, Dubai American Academy, and many others. Competes with DIA through portfolio of premium brands rather than single-school specialization.
• Taaleem: Major UAE-based education group operating multiple premium schools in Dubai and Abu Dhabi including Jumeirah College and Dubai British School. Broad incumbent with overlapping premium positioning across multiple curricula.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/DIAdubai
• Facebookfacebook.com/DubaiInternationalAcademy
• Instagraminstagram.com/DIAdubai
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/diadubai

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Dubai International Academy