A school in Dubai has been awarded one of the most prestigious global education prizes for its commitment to sustainability. Arbor School, located in Al Furjan, was named the winner of the World’s Best School Prize for Environmental Action 2025.
The independent institution, which offers kindergarten through secondary education, was recognized for embedding Eco Literacy into its curriculum. Students engage in hands-on projects that tackle real-world environmental issues, such as waste reduction, renewable energy, and sustainable living, helping them develop into critical thinkers and problem-solvers.
Launched in 2022, following the COVID-19 pandemic, the World’s Best School Prizes spotlight schools making exceptional contributions both within their classrooms and in their wider communities.
Accepting the award, Principal Gemma Thornley praised the Arbor School community:
This recognition belongs to our students, who take action for the environment not because they have to, but because they believe it is right. It is also a tribute to our teachers, families, and the UAE as a whole, which supports the idea that education must prepare young people to lead in a climate-challenged world.
Selection and Recognition
Winners are chosen by a panel of experts using rigorous criteria. In addition, the Community Choice Award—decided through a public vote—was given to ZP School Jalindarnagar in Maharashtra, India.
Prize winners will present their ideas and share expertise with policymakers and global education leaders at the World Schools Summit in Abu Dhabi on November 15–16, 2025.
Other 2025 Winners
Alongside Arbor School, four other institutions received awards across different categories:
- Franklin School, Jersey City, USA – Innovation Prize
- A Favor del Niño, Mexico City, Mexico – Community Collaboration Prize
- Escola Estadual Parque dos Sonhos, São Paulo, Brazil – Overcoming Adversity Prize
- SK Putrajaya Presint, Malaysia – Supporting Healthy Lives Prize
