Our Own English High School, Sharjah

In Brief

The big, established Indian school in Sharjah. Two branches, boys and girls. Around 5,800+ students. Been there since 1982.

The headline: parents pick it for academics and value. Fees are low for the UAE. CBSE results are consistently strong, often 100% pass rates at Grade 10 and 12. Useful if you may move back to India later.

Teachers get warm reviews. According to one parent, "staff is knowledgeable, supportive, and caring." Several parents singled out the SEND/learning support team as genuinely helpful, which is unusual praise for a school this size.

The trade-offs are what you'd expect from a 5,800-pupil school. Class sizes were historically large — up to 41 — now capped around 29. Still bigger than a boutique school. The pace is intense. One former student said there is "immense pressure" and that strugglers can feel labelled. Most kids thrive; quieter ones can find it tough.

The community is the other draw. Strong Indian expat network. Kids tend to make friends quickly. Pickup and drop-off in Sharjah traffic is a real factor — ask about the bus.

Bottom line: solid, traditional, academically serious CBSE school. Not the place for a hands-off, play-based experience. Excellent value if your child likes structure and you want a real Indian-curriculum community. Visit both campuses before deciding — boys and girls branches feel quite different.