Frequently asked questions 

At our international school in Dubai, for KG applicants we require the student’s and parents’ Emirates IDs and/or passports. If the child was previously enrolled in a nursery (especially KG2 applicants), a transfer certificate and the child’s health or vaccination records are also needed.

The requirements are the same as KG: Emirates IDs and/or passports of the student and parents, transfer certificate (if applicable), and the child’s health or vaccination records.

At our private school in Dubai, students in Grades 6–8 must submit the same requirements as KG–Grade 5, plus a behavioral form completed by the current school.

For Grades 9–12, students at NIS School must submit all documents required for earlier grades, along with:

• A behavioral form completed by the current school.
• Seat timing information to show which classes were taken in the past two years.

Yes. Report cards are important during the admissions process at our American and international school in Dubai, especially from Grade 2 onwards. They are submitted to the Academic Heads as part of the evaluation stage.

If the focus is only on admissions and assessment, the following documents are required:

• Emirates ID of student and parent, if available (KG–Grade 12)
• Passport of student and parent (KG–Grade 12)
• Report card (Grades 2–12)
• Behavioral form (Grades 6–12)
• Seat timing information (Grades 9–12)

For KHDA registration at NIS American School, the following documents must be submitted:

• Valid student passport and residence visa
• Valid parent passports and residence visas
• Passport-sized photographs
• Student’s Emirates ID
• Parents’ Emirates IDs
• End-of-year report card translated into English
• Attested and translated school transfer certificate (see KHDA guidelines)
• Previous school report cards (required for Grade 9/Year 10 onwards)
• Behavioral form (for Middle and High School students)
• Vaccination certificate
• Completed medical form

You can refer to the official document here: under the section "KHDA Admissions and Transfer Guidelines."

NIS is a truly inclusive school. We embrace the individuality of every child - welcoming students of all abilities and backgrounds. As one of the best American schools in Dubai, we aim to provide a supportive environment so each child can thrive academically, emotionally and socially.

At our private school in Dubai, students of determination (those with additional learning needs) receive support via the Inclusion Department. This includes in-class accommodations and modifications, specialist interventions, emotional/behavioral support, and an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) where appropriate.

The SST is a proactive problem-solving team that identifies students who are falling behind academically, determines what level of support they need, and designs tailored interventions to help them succeed in the curriculum and in class.

The IEP is a document for students with special educational needs that outlines their specific strengths, areas to improve, goals, and the support and interventions required. It’s regularly reviewed to track progress and make adjustments as needed.

EAL is for students whose first language is not English. NIS School in Dubai uses tests (specifically the IDEA Online iPT English Proficiency Test) to assess where a student’s English level is. Based on that, support is offered through pull-out or in-class (push-in) lessons. Beginners receive intensive skills-based instruction in reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Teachers also collaborate to help mainstream teachers differentiate content.

Yes, sometimes they do. As per the Admissions Policy, additional learning support may involve extra costs. Parents are encouraged to inform our international school in Dubai at application if their child will need such support.

Parents are expected to provide relevant information, collaborate with the Inclusion / Learning Support team, and participate in developing the IEP or support plan. Communication is regular (between teachers, support staff, and parents) to monitor the child’s progress.

Wellbeing is central to NIS’s ethos. As a top American school in Dubai, we focuse on emotional health as well as academic growth, creating a community that supports happiness, respect, and cultural identity.

Our American curriculum school in Dubai asks parents to share information about any special needs during the application process. NIS then assesses whether it has the right support in place. They may request professional assessments or documents. Decisions on placement are made considering the child’s needs.

Our international school in Dubai has fully-equipped music rooms and art & craft studios. Specialist teachers, dedicated rooms, and infrastructure support both curricular and extra-curricular art and music learning.

Yes. At NIS American School, all children have the opportunity to learn an instrument of their choice through specialist music teachers.

Our High School in Dubai offers electives like Drama / Theatre Arts, Art 1 & 2, Mixed Media, Music Through the Ages, Center Stage (musical performance), Concert Band I & II.

Yes - music and art feature in the ECAs (extra-curricular activities). Students can participate in music and arts beyond the classroom.

Through events like the Spring Concert and the Art & Technology Exhibition, where students display their work and perform.

Yes - there are Concert Bands I & II, and musical performance electives such as Center Stage. At NIS school, students can perform in group ensembles.

Yes, visual arts are offered as part of the academic program (e.g. Art 1 & 2, Mixed Media) and also in ECAs. At our international curriculum school in Dubai, students explore different media and techniques.