Moving a child between a British and an American school in Dubai starts with one question: which class do they join? The British year group to American grade match is not one to one, and the most common mistake is assuming Year 1 equals Grade 1. In Dubai, Year 1 matches KG2, and Grade 1 matches Year 2. This guide gives the full FS1 to Year 13 comparison, the age rules behind it, and how schools place transferring students.
At a glance
- FS1 matches Pre-KG, FS2 matches KG1 and Year 1 matches KG2.
- From Year 2 upwards, British year groups sit one number above American grades (Year 2 is Grade 1, Year 7 is Grade 6, Year 13 is Grade 12).
- New admissions are placed by age on 31 December, while transferring students are placed by the last grade they completed.
British Year Group to American Grade: The Full Comparison
The table below follows the age guidance used by Dubai schools for new admissions from the 2026/27 academic year, with age counted on 31 December.
| Age on 31 December | British year group | American grade |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | FS1 | Pre-KG |
| 4 | FS2 | KG1 |
| 5 | Year 1 | KG2 |
| 6 | Year 2 | Grade 1 |
| 7 | Year 3 | Grade 2 |
| 8 | Year 4 | Grade 3 |
| 9 | Year 5 | Grade 4 |
| 10 | Year 6 | Grade 5 |
| 11 | Year 7 | Grade 6 |
| 12 | Year 8 | Grade 7 |
| 13 | Year 9 | Grade 8 |
| 14 | Year 10 | Grade 9 |
| 15 | Year 11 | Grade 10 |
| 16 | Year 12 | Grade 11 |
| 17 | Year 13 | Grade 12 |
Some schools label the early years differently, so confirm the exact class name with the school when you apply.
Is FS1 the Same as KG1? Early Years Explained
No. A British FS1 class is the equivalent of Pre-KG, which is why many parents are surprised by the gap. FS2 is the class that matches KG1, and Year 1 matches KG2. In practice, a child who is in KG1 at an American school joins FS2 at a British school, not FS1.
The early years stages follow the Early Years Foundation Stage, and you can read how each year works in our guides to FS1 schools in Dubai and FS2 schools in Dubai.
Primary and Secondary: Where the Numbers Shift
Because American Kindergarten has two years (KG1 and KG2) before Grade 1, the numbering stays one step apart all the way through school. A child in Grade 5 is in Year 6, a child in Grade 8 is in Year 9, and Grade 10 matches Year 11, the final year of the two year IGCSE course for British students. Year 12 and Year 13 match Grade 11 and Grade 12, the two years of sixth form that lead to A Levels.
For how the British stages are organised, see our guide to the British curriculum key stages, and for how the two systems differ in content, read British vs American curriculum in Dubai.
Which Year Will My Child Join?
There are two different rules, and they depend on whether your child is a new admission or a transfer.
- New admissions (early years and Year 1/Grade 1 entry). For August and September start schools, the cut-off for Kindergarten and Grade 1 moves to 31 December from 2026/27, replacing the earlier 31 August. April start schools keep the 31 March cut-off.
- Transfers and families arriving from overseas. Placement is based on the last grade the child completed, not on age. A child who completed Grade 5 would normally join Year 7, because Grade 6 matches Year 7.
For 2026/27, the birth years in British schools are 2023 for FS1, 2022 for FS2, 2021 for Year 1 and 2020 for Year 2. There are also transitional provisions for some children born between September and December, so check the position for your child with the school before you apply.
Moving From an American School to a British School
The school will usually ask for the latest report card and the transfer certificate, and may set a short placement assessment in core subjects to plan support. Our step-by-step guide to transferring schools in Dubai covers the paperwork, fee rules and timing in detail.
Two points need extra care. Entry into Year 11 or Year 13 is rarely possible at British schools, because these are the second years of two year IGCSE and A Level courses. And a child who switches curricula should be placed in the year that matches their completed grade, rather than being moved up or down to match their age.
Year Groups and Grades: FAQs
Is FS1 equivalent to KG1?
No. FS1 matches Pre-KG. FS2 is the British class that matches KG1.
Is FS2 equivalent to KG2?
No. FS2 matches KG1, and Year 1 matches KG2.
What grade is Year 7 in the American system?
Year 7 matches Grade 6. Year 8 matches Grade 7, and Year 9 matches Grade 8.
What grade is Year 13?
Year 13 matches Grade 12, the final year of school.
Will my child repeat or skip a year when moving between systems?
Not if the move follows the table. Transferring students are placed by the last grade they completed, so a child who finished Grade 5 normally joins Year 7.
How is my child’s year group decided for a new admission?
For new admissions in early years and Year 1, the child’s age on 31 December decides the class under the 2026/27 rules.
Planning a move for 2026/27? Read about the Dubai Scholars admissions procedure, book a school tour, or speak to our admissions team on +971 4 706 9000 or at admissions@dubaischolars.com.
Sources: age and grade tables from GEMS Education’s which grade guide and the KHDA admissions guidance reported by Khaleej Times.
