Not for profit schools | ExpatWoman.com
 

Not for profit schools

15
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 27 September 2016 - 18:03
No, unfortunately I won't pass a test before coming. I will take lessons as soon as we arrive, but it will take some time to pass (if ever!). I think the school bus was roughly 25, 000 per academic year for three children, so will have to think about what's best. Had been leaning towards Jebel Ali, so now wondering whether we should be doing DESS instead...are they good for music and drama as well as sport? Love the idea that we could get places on the metro from school. What is Mirdiff like as an area? Are there any family compounds there? Thanks so much for your help. It's so difficult from a distance.
553
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EW GURU
Latest post on 27 September 2016 - 14:33
I would suggest you go for DESS and rent in Mirdif...there are school buses to both DESS and DESC form Mirdif...it is also easy to pick up taxis in Mirdiff and also from DESS if required - Metro is also walkable from DESS although doesn't go to Mirdiff. Lots of DESS kids live in Mirdiff so you may be able to sort lifts for after school activities or alternatively don't do after school stuff but plenty going on in Mirdif. Changed days that places are available at DESS - they used to be like hen's teeth, Careem are good but expensive and I think you can only get max of one car seat with Careem. They also won't take kids without an adult till a certain age...think maybe 11 but can't remember. To hire a driver, I believe you need to sponsor one full time..I think costs are around AED3k a month plus the costs of sponsoring and visa etc. It is difficult with kids and not driving in Dubai. Is passing your test something you could look at doing before you arrive.
15
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 27 September 2016 - 10:47
By the way, Buddha, you were right about JESS, they are totally full. We have discounted them now unfortunately.
15
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 27 September 2016 - 10:45
Thank you Buddha. Yes, I can see now that we will need a driver, at least part-time. for the school runs. This also would give us the freedom of after-school clubs. We have offers of places, subject to assessment, at Jebel Ali, DESS, DBS Jumeirah Park and Kings Al Barsha. We are waitlisted at Nord Anglia, but prioritised as coming from a sister school. No guarantee there though of course. We can't pay the registration for all of them though so will need to come to a decision before the look-see. I understand we will need to have a driver whichever of these options we go with except, potentially DBSJP if we can get a villa in Jumeirah Park near to the school. DBSJP is the only one I haven't heard much about though - the others all seems to have good reports from people I've asked (limited number to be fair) and from forum searches. I couldn't see any villa-type accommodation near to DESS, though might be wrong. Seemed to be more apartments. Do you know a reliable place to enquire about driver rate and availability? THanks.
553
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 26 September 2016 - 22:55
I personally prefer the non profit schools as do a lot of my friends but I also have some friends whose kids did not do as well as non profit schools" DESS is fab - very sporty which is great if your kids are very sporty. If you could get kids into DESS/DESC you could potentially use school buses ( not cheap though) and not all areas are serviced by school buses ie at the minute I don't think Motor City or Ranches have buses to DESS but they do to DESC. Not easy to obtain places so best contact them soon and enquire. Things may have changed at JESS Arabian ranches but previously it was impossible to get places without a company debenture. This may have changed but I still think difficult to find places. I am not quite sure of the new location of Jebel Ali but def not walkable from Ranches. If you could get all your kids into DBS and find a villa close by in the Springs then this might be your best option but again it isn't easy to get school places. Personally, if I were in your situation I would find school places first THEN find a place to live and I would also consider paying for and hiring a driver if you aren't going to be driving. I can't remember how many kids you said you had but it isn't going to be easy juggling them all in taxis and school runs. Good luck,
15
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 26 September 2016 - 10:29
Thank you Countess Wrinkle. If we were to go for Jebel Ali, where would be the most convenient place to live? I don't have a car so am in trouble in that sense with any school and will have to get a driver. Is The Ranches convenient for the new campus? Thanks,
15
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 25 September 2016 - 18:28
Thank you. It sounds like you are very happy with the school! I hear it is really good for sport as well. I suppose my real question is, if the fees were al the same, would you still pick a not for profit school over a private one? Our children are in yrs 1, 3 and 5 so the level of academics is quite important, especially for our yr 5 boy who will be competing to get into secondary soon enough. Is it right that many people go for DESS because of the route into DESC for secondary? This is tempting for us. I am hearing from acquaintances who are teachers that the not for profit schools are really good, but with Nord Anglia etc. I know what to expect as we are coming from a similar school. It's very confusing and time is not on our side. All the schools want money to register and we can't pay all of them - really difficult to choose over long distance.
4
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 25 September 2016 - 14:55
My LO is in DESS and she loves it. Today was actually the first day I noticed that maybe her teacher was not in the best of her moods, because my LO specifically took a coloring to school to show her teacher but it was the usual rush of the mornings and the teacher did not bother acknowledging her just asked her to put it away and sit down. I did not want to make a big deal over it as I can only imagine how demanding it can be to handle 24 kids, but not once have I heard my LO complain about the attention in school or the time in school, she wakes up eager every morning to rush to school. All good things so far and oh yes, she is in FS1. They even have library sessions, swimming, dancing, singing and music for FS1. Their fees are in the acceptable range and do not change year on year. There is usally a parental committee put together to discuss increase in fees and any other changes even to the food served. The biggest concern I have is the parking (or lack thereof) for drop off in the morning...:P
15
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 25 September 2016 - 02:49
The school dilemma continues.... I would love to hear comments on Jebel Ali (I think this is now at a new campus?), JESS AR and DESS please. If you were offered a place at Nord Anglia, Kings Al Barsha or DBS JP would you turn it down in favour of one of the not for profit schools mentioned above? Grateful for any opinions.
 
 

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