Best International Schools in the Middle East – Family Friendly
Best Family-Friendly International Schools in the Middle East
Thinking about teaching in the Middle East with your family? Whether you’re looking at Dubai, Doha, Riyadh, or Muscat, finding the right international school that supports your whole family is essential.
We’re gathering real-world insights and verified data to highlight the best international schools in the Middle East for families—so you can make an informed decision before accepting a teaching job and moving to the Middle East.
Our first family reviewed school for the Middle East is now live! Check it out – American School of Doha.
We’ve also started researching to pull together a list of the best family-friendly international schools (based on benefits, location, teacher reviews and more).
For example, Cairo American College, which rates highly – but just be aware that Egypt can be a challenging place to live. So do your research to make sure it’s right for your family and try to chat to other teachers currently working in Egypt.
What Makes a School Truly Family-Friendly?
A competitive package is important, but a family-friendly school is about more than just salary. We’re researching what benefits and community support schools actually offer families, including:
- Tuition benefits or fee waivers for teachers’ children
- Housing allowances or school-provided accommodation
- Annual flights home and relocation benefits
- Comprehensive health insurance for the whole family
- Support networks for non-teaching spouses and partners
- Welcoming expat communities and staff social life
- Cultural inclusivity and ease of settling in as a family
Whether you’re heading to the UAE, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait, or Saudi Arabia, we aim to show which schools go beyond the basics to create a supportive, inclusive environment for expat families.
Where Are the Top International Schools in the Middle East?
We’re spotlighting schools in key Middle Eastern hubs where international teachers and families often relocate:
- United Arab Emirates (Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah)
- Qatar (Doha)
- Saudi Arabia (Riyadh, Jeddah, Dhahran)
- Oman (Muscat)
- Bahrain
- Kuwait
Expect coverage of IB, American, British, and bilingual schools, with information tailored for international educators who are moving with their families.
Share Your Experience at a Middle East International School
Are you currently working at a school in the Middle East? Or have you recently left one?
We want to hear from international teachers to help build a realistic, balanced picture of what life is like for families living and working in this region.
- Is your school truly family-friendly?
- Do your children feel welcomed and supported?
- Does your spouse feel included in the school community?
- Are you happy with the work-life balance and school culture?
We’d love you to complete our online survey and help us create a trusted resource for current and future teaching families.