Arbor School Dubai is celebrating a remarkable milestone this term, as its first-ever graduating cohort has collectively secured more than $1 million (AED 3.6 million) in university scholarships, alongside offers from leading institutions across the UK, US, Europe and the UAE.
For a young school, the scale and diversity of these achievements signal the growing academic strength of Arbor’s British Sixth Form and the impact of an education model grounded in sustainability, wellbeing and future-ready learning.
Students from Arbor’s inaugural Year 13 class have received offers in Architecture, Engineering, Environmental Science, Psychology, Business, Economics, Fashion, Medicine, Politics and more. Many secured multiple offers with substantial merit scholarships, demonstrating both academic depth and the personalised support students receive throughout Sixth Form.
Among the standout achievements:
- Anna Thompson received offers from top 20 UK universities to study Psychology, reflecting her strong academic record and extended independent research.
- Alexander Renner secured offers from eight universities across the US and UAE, with pathways in Business, Entrepreneurship, Marketing and Analytics – several accompanied by significant scholarship awards.
- Julieta Luengo, who plans to pursue Environmental and Civil Engineering, received offers across three continents, including Maastricht University, the University of Aberdeen and the University of Twente.
For the students, these offers represent both accomplishment and aspiration.
“Arbor has taught me independence, resilience and the value of hard work,” said Alexander. “Receiving my university offers showed me how far dedication and support can take you.”
Julieta added:
“Arbor pushed me beyond my comfort zone academically and personally. Meeting role models like Jane Goodall and Isatou Ceesay helped shape the young woman I am today.”
Arbor’s scholarship results add to a year of major accomplishments for the school, including receiving the coveted BSO Outstanding rating in every category and being named the World’s Best School for Environmental Action 2025
The school’s Sixth Form blends A Levels, BTECs and the Extended Project Qualification with Arbor’s own Global Impact Certificate and Futures Counselling Programme spanning Years 9 to 13. Every student receives personalised guidance on subject choices, career goals, university applications and wellbeing, plus, all Year 12 students complete a professional work placement with a leading UAE employer.
Principal Gemma Thornley says this combination of academic challenge, real-world learning and pastoral care is central to Arbor’s success.
“This inaugural cohort marks an important moment for Arbor,” she said.
“Our students are stepping into global universities with strong qualifications, confidence and a clear sense of purpose. The scholarships they have earned reflect not only academic achievement, but character, resilience and a willingness to contribute meaningfully to the world.”
While the school is renowned internationally for its ecological and environmental education, Arbor’s secondary and sixth form pathways are anchored in strong British academics and student support. Students benefit from:
- Personalised university counselling
- Small class sizes and specialist teachers
- Opportunities in sport, arts and leadership
- Access to biodomes, science labs, studios and outdoor learning spaces
- A nurturing environment where teachers know every student well
Together, these elements have helped the first graduating class secure life-changing scholarships and opportunities, setting a promising precedent for future cohorts.
With more university decisions expected in the coming weeks, Arbor School’s first graduating class is already shaping a powerful story: that a school deeply rooted in sustainability, wellbeing and academic ambition can prepare young people to excel on the global stage.
To learn more about Arbor School’s Sixth Form pathways, visit thearborschool.ae
