ISP Expands In The Middle East With Tenth School, Strengthening Its Role In The Region’s Education Boom

Partners Group's International Schools Partnership (ISP) is doubling down on its Middle Eastern expansion, securing its tenth school in the region as the demand for high-quality K-12 education continues to soar. The acquisition of Durham School for Girls in Doha, Qatar, marks another milestone in ISP's regional strategy, bringing its total student body in the Middle East to over 14,000 children across Abu Dhabi, Doha, and Dubai.

Since setting foot in Dubai in 2016, ISP has experienced rapid growth, fueled by a booming expatriate population, favorable local demographics, and the Middle East's evolution into a global business hub. As international universities flock to the region, families are increasingly seeking seamless education pathways—and ISP is stepping in to provide just that.

The Middle East's education market is undergoing a transformation, with private schooling emerging as the preferred choice for local and expatriate families alike. Several factors are driving this shift:
✔ A Rising Expat Community – As global businesses set up operations in the UAE and Qatar, the number of families seeking international curricula has surged.
✔ Local Demand for Premium Education – The region's affluent, education-conscious population is increasingly prioritizing globally recognized education systems over traditional models.
✔ Growth in Higher Education – With more international universities opening campuses in the region, families now have the option of a full K-12 to university pathway without leaving the Middle East.

ISP's aggressive expansion strategy isn't just about acquiring existing schools—it's about building greenfield institutions from the ground up, equipped with world-class infrastructure, cutting-edge technology, and robust extracurricular programs.

With the Durham School for Girls acquisition, ISP now operates:
📍 Two schools in Abu Dhabi
📍 Three schools in Doha
📍 Five schools in Dubai
All of these schools boast "Good" or "Very Good" ratings from local regulators and have secured numerous international accreditations, reinforcing ISP's reputation as a leader in premium education.

ISP isn't just in the business of opening schools—it's reshaping the learning experience itself. According to Bharat Mansukhani, Divisional CEO for Middle East & Asia, the company is focused on fostering a truly international learning environment, where students benefit from:
🔹 Academic Excellence: A curriculum that balances core subjects with global perspectives, preparing students for top universities worldwide.
🔹 Language and Life Skills Development: Emphasis on multilingual education and soft skills, ensuring students are globally competent and workplace-ready.
🔹 Global Learning Programs: Opportunities for students to participate in international competitions, including:
✔ ISP Chess
✔ ISP Model United Nations (MUN)
✔ ISP Math League
✔ ISP 'I Am a Scientist'

These initiatives extend the classroom beyond textbooks, allowing students to engage with peers from different cultural and educational backgrounds.

With 1,800 employees and a regional headquarters in Dubai, ISP has cemented itself as a major player in the Middle East's education sector. But its ambitions don't stop at 10 schools.

"Our vision is to expand beyond our existing markets and reach 20 schools in the near future," says Mansukhani. "We aim to meet the growing demand for high-quality education while fostering inclusivity and international exposure for students in the region."

For Suhail Albaz, Chairman for Middle East, Africa, and Central Asia at Partners Group, ISP's success is a blueprint for transformational investing. "We identified education as a high-growth sector, and through strategic acquisitions and organic expansion, ISP has become a dominant player in the region."

With 98 schools across 24 countries and over 95,000 students globally, ISP's Middle East expansion is just a chapter in its larger mission to revolutionize international education.

The rise of premium K-12 education in the Middle East is no longer a trend—it's a movement. As families continue to demand global standards in education, companies like ISP are stepping in to deliver.

With Durham School for Girls now part of its portfolio, a growing presence in key cities, and a vision for 20 schools in the region, ISP is not just investing in education—it's investing in the future of the Middle East.