GEMS Our Own Indian School

What GEMS Our Own Indian School does

GEMS Our Own Indian School (OIS) is a private K-12 school located in Al Quoz, Dubai, UAE, founded in 1991 and operating within the GEMS Education network. It delivers the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) curriculum from Kindergarten through Grade 12, serving approximately 2,357 students across Middle (1,072), Secondary (680), and Senior Secondary (605) phases, with two academic streams (Science and Commerce) at the higher secondary level. The school is CBSE-affiliated (Affiliation No. 6630046), Ministry of Education UAE-approved, and rated 'Very Good' by KHDA in the 2023-2024 DSIB Inspection.

The school's core product is the CBSE academic programme, supported by an integrated digital ecosystem comprising Phoenix Classroom (LMS with Microsoft and Google SSO) and GEMS Connect (parent portal covering attendance, assessments, fee payments, and leave requests). Ancillary services include School Transport Services (STS, serving 73,000+ students across 66 GEMS schools), the CONNEXION inclusion department offering individualized education plans and ASDAN-accredited pathways for students of determination, and the GEMS Rewards loyalty programme. Co-curricular depth includes an annual Inter-School English Debate hosted with the Consulate General of India since 2000 and a UNSC Model United Nations conference.

Revenue is generated primarily through tuition fees structured by grade level (AED 7,209 to AED 14,696 annually), billed in 10 monthly installments, with additional activity fees, computer fees, a one-time AED 500 application fee, and a 10% tuition registration deposit. The GTM motion is direct-to-consumer via online enrollment, in-person campus visits, and the GEMS Parent Ambassador referral programme. Pricing is regulated by the KHDA School Fee Framework, constraining rate increases. The school is led by Principal Ms. Lalitha Suresh (23 years at GEMS) and operates under Chairman and Founder Sunny Varkey of GEMS Education.

Name

GEMS Our Own Indian School

Legal name

GEMS Our Own Indian School - Dubai

Website

https://gemsoo-alquoz.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1991

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

GEMS Our Own Indian School is a private CBSE K-12 school in Al Quoz, Dubai, founded in 1991 and operated by GEMS Education. It serves approximately 2,357 expatriate Indian students from Kindergarten through Grade 12 with Science and Commerce streams, supported by an integrated LMS and parent portal ecosystem.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

K-12 Private Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (61111)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Instructional Delivery & Pedagogy (School-Led) (EDAJAFAB), Preschool Programs within Private K–12 Schools (EDACABAM)

Keywords

• K-12 education services
• CBSE curriculum school
• Primary secondary education
• School transportation
• Inclusive student support

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

Revenue model

1. Tuition Fees: Primary revenue stream from annual tuition fees charged to parents. Fees are structured by grade level and payable monthly or annually. Payment collected in 10 installments over 10 months (excluding July and August).
2. Application and Registration Fees: One-time application fee of AED 500 + 5% VAT for new students, plus registration deposit of 10% of total tuition fees (deductible from first year fees).
3. School Transport Services: Third-party transport service (STS) provides bus services with separate fees. Managed by School Transport Services LLC.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

GEMS Our Own Indian School is a CBSE-affiliated K-12 school in Dubai delivering curriculum education from Kindergarten through Senior Secondary (Grade 12). The school provides CBSE board examination preparation, two academic streams (Science and Commerce) at higher secondary level, and holistic development through extra-curricular activities, inclusion support services, and school transport. Operating as part of the GEMS Education network since 1991, the school is recognized by the UAE Ministry of Education and rated Very Good by KHDA.

Product overview

GEMS Our Own Indian School is a CBSE curriculum school (KG to Grade 12) providing holistic education with a comprehensive digital ecosystem. The core product is the CBSE academic programme supported by GEMS Connect (parent/student portal) and Phoenix Classroom (learning management system). Additional offerings include GEMS Rewards (loyalty and savings programme), School Transport Services (STS), Inclusion Support Services, and Extra-Curricular Activities including the annual UNSC Model United Nations conference.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• CBSE Curriculum (Kindergarten to Senior Secondary) Comprehensive CBSE curriculum from KG to Grade 12 covering Indian and UAE Social Studies, multiple language options (Hindi, Malayalam, French, Arabic), Science, Mathematics, and board examination preparation for CBSE Grades 10 and 12. Two academic streams (Science and Commerce) at higher secondary level.
• Inclusion and Student Care Support (CONNEXION Department) Specialized support services for students of determination, including Individualized Education Plans (IEPs), behavioural support, remedial programmes, ASDAN alternative pathway qualifications, and professional counselling.
• Extra-Curricular Activities Programme Balanced programme of activities including arts, craft, drama, music, painting, debating, sports, robotics, environment club, performing arts, and the Interschool English Debate Competition hosted in association with the Consulate General of India since 2000.
• UNSC (United Nations Simulation Conference) Annual Model United Nations conference hosted by the school featuring multiple committees (UNSC, UNCSW, SPEC-POL, PCC) for students to develop diplomatic and debate skills.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% pass rate in CBSE Grade 10 and Grade 12 examinations (2024-2025)
• +3 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

Integration7 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• School Transport Services LLC (STS)coreOthersSTS provides safe and reliable transport services to students across 66 GEMS schools in the UAE. Services include GPS tracking, electronic attendance, video surveillance, panic buttons, and dedicated mobile app. STS serves more than 73,000 students with 1,900+ SMART buses.
• First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerFAB GEMS World Credit Card partnership offering parents up to 3% discount on tuition fees when paid annually. Card also offers 12-month easy payment plan with 0% interest, education protection cover, and FAB Rewards points.
• ASDANminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerASDAN (Award Scheme Development and Accreditation Network) is a British education and awarding organization providing alternative pathway qualifications for students of determination. School registered as ASDAN Centre offering short courses for life skills development.
• Phoenix ClassroomcoreTechnology or IntegrationAdvanced Learning Management System (LMS) used by the school for student, staff, and parent access. Features include Microsoft integration for single sign-on, student progress tracking, and digital classroom resources.
• GEMS ConnectcoreTechnology or IntegrationParent portal platform for accessing student information, attendance reports, assessment reports, fee payments, leave requests, and school communications. Available as mobile app on iOS and Android.
• Consulate General of India, DubaicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual Inter-School English Debate Competition hosted in association with the Consulate General of India since 2000. The competition has become the most prestigious debating competition in the UAE with 26+ schools participating.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• GEMS Education: Parent operating company and one of the world's largest K-12 private education providers. Owns the network brand, technology platforms, transport services, and loyalty programmes that GEMS Our Own Indian School relies on.
• Taaleem: Major Dubai-headquartered private K-12 school operator running multiple curricula (British, IB, American) across premium campuses. A broader incumbent that competes in the same Dubai private school market with adjacent curricula.
• Nord Anglia Education: Global premium K-12 school group with a Dubai campus. Competes in the same high-fee Dubai private school market on premium positioning, international curricula, and university placement outcomes.

Direct peers

• The Indian High School, Dubai: Established CBSE curriculum K-12 school in Dubai directly competing for the same Indian-diaspora parent segment. Provides a close benchmark for academic outcomes, fee positioning, and KHDA rating performance.
• GEMS Modern Academy: Sibling GEMS Education school in Dubai also following the CBSE curriculum from KG to Grade 12. Competes directly for the same Indian-expatriate parent segment with the same network infrastructure and fee-framework constraints.
• Dubai Modern High School: CBSE curriculum K-12 school in Dubai targeting the same Indian expatriate parent segment. Direct competitor on academic outcomes, fee tiers, and inclusivity offerings within the KHDA framework.
• Ambassador School, Dubai: CBSE-affiliated K-12 school in Dubai under the same Indian curriculum and Dubai regulatory environment. Overlaps in target market, fee structure, and university placement positioning.
• Delhi Private School, Dubai: CBSE-affiliated K-12 school in Dubai serving the same Indian expatriate community. Competes on academic outcomes, university placements, and KHDA inspection ratings within the same regulatory fee framework.
• GEMS Wellington International School: Another GEMS network school in Dubai offering K-12 education, sharing the same GEMS Connect, Phoenix Classroom, and STS infrastructure. Overlaps significantly in target market and parent-engagement model.
• Our Own English High School, Sharjah: GEMS Education CBSE school in Sharjah following the same 'Our Own' brand architecture. Closely comparable model, curriculum, and operating infrastructure, primarily differing by geographic market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/gemsoois
• Facebookfacebook.com/gemsourownindianschool25
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/gems-our-own-indian-school

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 GEMS Our Own Indian School