In the bustling heart of Dubai and the quieter streets of Umm Al Quwain, two schools are changing the narrative of education – and now rank among the world’s top ten. The 2024 World’s Best School Prizes spotlight institutions that redefine learning through innovation, inclusion and social impact. A proud moment for the UAE’s education sector and a signal for global investors.
It’s 8 a.m. in Dubai. The schoolyard buzzes with chatter, laughter and the occasional thud of a football. At first glance, it’s a regular school morning. But inside Bluebells School International, something extraordinary is unfolding.
The school has just been named one of the top 10 finalists in the 2024 World’s Best School Prizes. And not just them – the Progressive English School in Umm Al Quwain shares the spotlight, marking a double win for the UAE on the global education stage.
“I still can’t believe it,” says Priya, a 10th grader at Bluebells. “We’re just a normal school. But we dream big.”
Bluebells is shortlisted in the Innovation category for its AI and robotics integration – a program where students design and build mini-robots that solve real-life problems. Their lab looks more like a tech startup than a classroom. The Progressive English School, meanwhile, is recognized for its support to underserved students: free meals, mental health services, and equal access to quality education for low-income families.
The awards are hosted by T4 Education, in partnership with the LEGO Foundation and the World Bank Education team. They honor schools that go beyond textbooks – places that transform communities and lives.
“These schools are beacons,” says Vikas Pota, founder of T4 Education. “They show us what education can achieve when driven by compassion and creativity.”
For the UAE, this recognition is more than a trophy – it’s validation of a decade-long strategy to transform education. From coding in classrooms to AI-powered learning platforms, the country has invested heavily in future-ready schools.
Dubai’s Future Foundation and similar initiatives across the Emirates are nurturing a generation of thinkers, not just test-takers. The two finalist schools embody this mission – and now, the world is watching.
For real estate and education investors, this milestone sends a clear message:
Those investing in educational real estate – whether through school campuses or residential developments near such institutions – tap into a market where purpose meets profit, and impact drives growth.
