Dubai International Academy - Al Barsha

What Dubai International Academy - Al Barsha does

Dubai International Academy Al Barsha (DIA Barsha) is a private IB World School located in Al Barsha, Dubai, UAE, operating on a 23-acre campus under the Innoventures Education group. The school delivers the full International Baccalaureate continuum — Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP), Diploma Programme (DP), and Career-Related Programme (CP) — for students aged 3 to 18 from Pre-KG through Grade 12, representing over 90 nationalities. It is one of the few schools in Al Barsha offering all four IB programmes in a single campus, supplemented by a Mother Tongue Programme in 10 languages, Inclusive Learning support (SEND/EAL/Gifted), and pathways including full IB Diploma, IB Diploma Courses, and BTEC vocational qualifications.

The school's academic technology stack integrates a Bring Your Own Device programme from Grade 3, two digital design labs and green-screen studios, and learning platforms Toddle (primary) and Managebac (secondary), along with third-party edtech tools (Century Tech, Education Perfect, Accelerated Reader) and CAT4 admissions assessments. Co-curricular and holistic development are anchored by a comprehensive sports programme (15+ sports, 150+ competitive squads), performing arts, co-curricular activities, and the Duke of Edinburgh's International Award. Campus infrastructure includes a 400-seat auditorium, athletics track, three swimming pools, science labs, a greenhouse with hydroponics, bee hives, and solar panels.

DIA Barsha operates a B2C direct-admissions revenue model anchored by subscription tuition (AED 47,807–84,928 annually per grade, KHDA-regulated), one-time registration fees (10% of annual fees), re-registration fees, and ancillary recurring revenue from bus transportation (Arab Falcon partnership) and on-site catering (Kalo Hospitality partnership with a mobile app). Demand generation is mixed: a parent referral programme (3% of referred student's tuition), digital marketing (Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, X), school tours, virtual tours, and abroad assessments for non-UAE applicants. The school achieved a "Very Good" KHDA rating in its third inspection (January 2024) and reports a 100% IB Diploma pass rate with MYP/DP grades materially above world averages.

Name

Dubai International Academy - Al Barsha

Legal name

Dubai International Academy Al Barsha

Website

https://diabarsha.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Dubai International Academy Al Barsha is a private IB World School in Al Barsha, Dubai, offering the full IB continuum (PYP, MYP, DP, CP) from Pre-KG to Grade 12 to over 1,800 expatriate students across 90+ nationalities, under the Innoventures Education group.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

International K-12 Private Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (611110), Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEDAJABAG

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

Education/K–12 / Primary & Secondary Education/Private & Independent K–12 Schools

Keywords

• International baccalaureate education
• K-12 private schooling
• IB continuum programmes
• University preparation services
• Holistic student development

Headquarters

HQ city

Dubai

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Tuition Fees: Annual tuition fees charged per grade level from Pre-KG to Grade 12, payable in three terms. Fee structure varies by grade with discounts for early payment and returning students.
2. Registration and Re-registration Fees: One-time registration fee for new students (10% of annual fees or fixed amount), re-registration fee for continuing students.
3. Bus Transportation Service: Comprehensive bus network provided through partnership with Arab Falcon. Transport services offered before school, after lessons, and after CCA activities at additional cost.
4. Catering and Meal Services: On-site cafeteria services provided through partnership with Kalo Hospitality. Primary students can order pre-packaged meal boxes. Mobile app for payment and pre-ordering.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Dubai International Academy Al Barsha is a private K-12 international school offering the full International Baccalaureate (IB) continuum — Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP), Diploma Programme (DP) and Career-Related Programme (CP) — for children aged 3 to 18 from Pre-KG to Grade 12. The school delivers inquiry-based academic instruction alongside holistic programmes in sports, performing arts, co-curricular activities, language support, and inclusive learning, supported by ancillary services such as bus transportation and on-site catering.

Product overview

Dubai International Academy Al Barsha is an IB World School offering a unified educational platform through the full IB Continuum of four programmes: Primary Years Programme (PYP) for Pre-KG to Grade 5, Middle Years Programme (MYP) for Grades 6-10, Diploma Programme (DP) and Career-Related Programme (CP) for Grades 11-12. The school provides supplementary programmes including a Mother Tongue language programme and Inclusive Learning Support. Academic pathways include full IB Diploma, tailored IB Diploma Courses, and hybrid CP with BTEC vocational components. Holistic development is supported through Co-Curricular Activities, Sports, Performing Arts, and the Duke of Edinburgh Award. Additional services include bus transportation and school meals catering.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) IB programme for children from Pre-KG to Grade 5, focused on developing inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people through inquiry-based learning with emphasis on real-world application.
• IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) Comprehensive educational framework for students from Grade 6 to Grade 10, covering eight subject groups with interdisciplinary learning and culminating in the MYP Certificate.
• IB Diploma Programme (DP) Pre-university academic programme for Grades 11-12 offering rigorous academic preparation with subjects split into six groups at Higher and Standard Level.
• IB Career-Related Programme (CP) Blended academic and vocational programme with BTEC Extended Level 3 Diploma in Business or Sport at its core, leading to university or workplace.
• Sports Programme Comprehensive sports programme offering over 15 sports including football, cricket, swimming, athletics, basketball, with over 150 competitive squads and DASSA league participation.
• Performing Arts Programme Performing arts programme including drama, music, dance with events such as Winter and Spring concerts, Talent Shows, Tune Tuesdays and annual productions.
• Co-Curricular Activities Programme Wide variety of activities outside classroom lessons supporting holistic development, including teacher-led activities, competitive sport, and specialist external partner activities.
• Mother Tongue Programme Language programme supporting internationalism by facilitating families to continue learning their home language, offering Dutch, Hindi, Swedish, Italian, French, Spanish, Russian, Turkish, Portuguese and German.
• Inclusive Learning Support Support programme for Special Education Needs & Disabilities (SEND), English as Additional Language (EAL), Gifted and Talented (G&T), Emirati students, and sporting students.
• Duke of Edinburgh's International Award International Award programme at Bronze, Silver and Gold levels with sections in Volunteering, Physical, Skills and Expedition.
• Bus Transportation Service Comprehensive bus network transporting students from most areas of Dubai, provided in partnership with Arab Falcon with high-quality buses and experienced drivers, with services before school, after lessons and after CCA activities.
• School Meals & Catering On-site catering facilities provided by Kalo Hospitality offering healthy and nutritious food including live egg stations, smoothie counters, fresh bakery products, and pre-packaged meal boxes for primary students, with mobile app for payment and pre-ordering.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% IB Diploma pass rate
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration8 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Dubai CarescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2014Through the GIVE foundation, the school has partnered with Dubai Cares to sponsor nine schools globally (four in Nepal, three in Malawi, two in Senegal) and support various education initiatives. Every dirham raised is matched by school governors.
• Arab FalconcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorArab Falcon provides high-quality buses and experienced drivers for the school's comprehensive bus network. Bus Assistants are provided on all buses. Services include before-school (arriving 7:30am), after-lessons (leaving 3pm), and after-CCA activities (leaving 4:15pm).
• Kalo HospitalitycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorKalo Hospitality is the catering provider for on-site cafeteria services. They offer live egg stations, smoothie counters, freshly baked bakery, salads, sandwiches, hot meals, and coffee. Primary students can order pre-packaged meal boxes. Mobile app available for payment and pre-ordering.
• DASSA (Dubai Affiliated School Sport Association)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDASSA is the largest and longest-running school sports association in the UAE. DIA Barsha is an active member participating in leagues and competitions from Grade 3 onwards, with A, B and C teams.
• World School GamesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDIA Barsha participates in World School Games events, giving top athletes opportunity to compete against students from schools across the city.
• City Cricket AcademyminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSpecialist coaching company providing cricket coaching for school teams.
• Ultimate AthleticsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSpecialist coaching company providing athletics coaching for school teams.
• Eagle SportsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSpecialist coaching company providing sports coaching for school teams.
• BuildOnminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAmerican philanthropic organisation that has successfully constructed schools in developing world regions for 25 years. Partners with GIVE for school-building programme in Nepal.
• Pearson BTECcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDIA Barsha is authorised to offer BTEC International Level 3 Extended Diploma, central to IB Career-Related Programme (CP) offering and widely accepted by universities as equivalent to IBDP or 3 A-levels.
• The Duke of Edinburgh's International AwardcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDIA Barsha is an authorised operator of the Duke of Edinburgh's International Award, supporting students aged 14-24 to achieve Bronze, Silver, and Gold awards.
• MEIBA (Middle East IB Association)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMEIBA aims to provide help and support to schools in the Middle East offering or considering IB programmes, acting as a forum for debate and consultation.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Nord Anglia International School Dubai: Global premium international school operator with Dubai campus offering IB; comparable premium positioning and expatriate family target market.
• Dulwich College Dubai: Premium British-curriculum international school in Dubai targeting expatriate families, with comparable positioning at the upper end of the Dubai fee scale.
• Dubai College: Long-established, high-performing British curriculum secondary school in Dubai; a benchmark competitor for university placement outcomes targeting expatriate families.
• American School of Dubai: Long-established American-curriculum school in Dubai serving expatriate families with strong university placement record; competes for premium expatriate demand.
• GEMS Wellington International School: Large GEMS-operated premium international school in Dubai offering IB and UK pathways. Competes for the same expatriate families with broader brand and resource scale.

Direct peers

• Repton School Dubai: Premium UK-curriculum school in Dubai with international stream; competes directly with DIA Al Barsha for expatriate premium-segment families.
• Raffles World Academy: Another Innoventures Education school in Dubai offering IB programmes. Highly comparable in operating model, curriculum framework, and target expatriate family segment.
• Jumeirah College: Well-established UK-curriculum secondary school in Dubai with strong academic reputation; directly competes for the same premium expatriate segment.
• Collegiate International School: Sibling Innoventures Education school in Dubai serving international families with a similar premium positioning and curriculum mix.
• Dubai International Academy Emirates Hills: Sister campus under the same Innoventures Education group, also offering the full IB continuum from Pre-KG to Grade 12 in Dubai. Direct comparability on curriculum, group-level branding, and operating model.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/DIAbarsha
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCmjD_N4SFmOkQoo80jCtYXA
• Facebookfacebook.com/diabarsha
• Instagraminstagram.com/DIAbarsha
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/diabarsha

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 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 - Al Barsha