Our Vision
Our vision is to create the leaders of tomorrow. Individuals who can adapt to a rapidly changing world, genuinely excel and enjoy the journey. We believe that true leaders are those who have the passion and resilience to create their own futures.
Our vision is to create the leaders of tomorrow. Individuals who can adapt to a rapidly changing world, genuinely excel and enjoy the journey. We believe that true leaders are those who have the passion and resilience to create their own futures.
Our Mission
The Scholars School provides a strong academic foundation as well as a growth mindset to see every challenge as an opportunity for growth. Our values foster curiosity, develop grit, build ownership and create a safe and positive community where children can take risks and build confidence.
The Scholars School provides a strong academic foundation as well as a growth mindset to see every challenge as an opportunity for growth. Our values foster curiosity, develop grit, build ownership and create a safe and positive community where children can take risks and build confidence.
The Scholars International Group was founded by Ms. Madhu Verma, a passionate educator, and her husband Mr. Yashpal Verma, a civil engineer and a philanthropist. They contributed to developing the educational infrastructure of the country.
This legacy has been carried forward by their daughter Ms. Aparna Verma, who has been one of the key drivers in transforming education in the UAE.
She has been nominated and received a multitude of awards including, Arabian Business CEO of the Year, Emirates Woman of the year, and Gulf News’s Lifetime Achievement Award for Excellence in Education in the UAE.
The Scholars International Group was founded by Ms. Madhu Verma,
a passionate educator, and her husband Mr. Yashpal Verma, a real estate builder by profession
but also a philanthropist who deeply wanted to contribute to developing the educational
infrastructure of the
The Scholars International Group was founded by Ms. Madhu Verma, a passionate educator, and her husband Mr. Yashpal Verma, a civil engineer and a philanthropist. They contributed to developing the educational infrastructure of the country.
This legacy has been carried forward by their daughter Ms. Aparna Verma, who has been one of the key drivers in transforming education in the UAE.
She has been nominated and received a multitude of awards including, Arabian Business CEO of the year, Emirates Woman of the year, and Gulf News’s Lifetime Achievement Award for Excellence in Education in the UAE.
The Scholars International Group was founded by Ms. Madhu Verma, a passionate educator, and her husband Mr. Yashpal Verma, a civil engineer and a philanthropist. They contributed to developing the educational infrastructure of the country.
This legacy has been carried forward by their daughter Ms. Aparna Verma, who has been one of the key drivers in transforming education in the UAE.
She has been nominated and received a multitude of awards including, Arabian Business CEO of the Year, Emirates Woman of the year, and Gulf News’s Lifetime Achievement Award for Excellence in Education in the UAE.
SIG Schools have educated thousands of students who are alumni
at some of the top universities in the world. Columbia, Brown,
Dartmouth, Georgetown, Imperial, Stanford and London School of Economics, just to name a few.
SIG Schools have educated thousands of students who are alumni at some of the top universities in the world. Columbia, Brown, Dartmouth, Georgetown, Imperial, Stanford and London School of Economics, just to name a few.
The Scholars Signature Programmes are integrated into the weekly structure and designed to turn
learning into action. Students have the opportunity to learn critical life skills like leadership and
community development and technical skills like entrepreneurship and digital
fluency through hands-on experience.
The Scholars Spartans Academy
A performance sports pathway
that develops physical skills, competitive
confidence, and the habits of excellence
through disciplined training, match play,
and team responsibility.
The Future Founders Lab
An enterprise programme where
learners build financial fluency and
entrepreneurial thinking through
practical projects that move ideas
into real outcomes.
The Scholars Spartans Academy
A performance sports pathway
that develops physical skills, competitive
confidence, and the habits of excellence
through disciplined training, match play,
and team responsibility.
The Future Founders Lab
An enterprise programme where
learners build financial fluency and
entrepreneurial thinking through
practical projects that move ideas
into real outcomes.
Digital Visionaries
A digital innovation programme
that develops technological confidence
beyond coding through building, testing, and refining prototypes while strengthening responsible AI and digital decision-making.
Communicate to Lead
A structured oracy and
communication programme that develops
articulate thinkers and confident
communicators through coached
practice in voice, presence, listening,
reasoning, and purposeful speaking
opportunities.
Digital Visionaries
A digital innovation programme
that develops technological confidence
beyond coding through building, test,
and refining prototypes while strengthening
responsible AI and digital decision-making.
Communicate to Lead
A structured oracy and
communication programme that develops
articulate thinkers and confident
communicators through coached
practice in voice, presence, listening,
reasoning, and purposeful speaking
opportunities.
At the heart of The Scholars School is our vastly
experienced team of leaders, who are personally
committed to bringing our vision and mission to life for
your family.
At the heart of The Scholars School is our vastly experienced team of leaders, who are personally committed to bringing our vision and mission to life for your family.
Founding Principal
The Scholars School
Kyle Knott is the Founding Principal of The Scholars School, bringing over a decade of international experience and deep expertise in academic improvement and school expansion across the UK and UAE. Prior to this role, he served as Director of Academic Improvement for Scholars International Group (SIG), where he played a pivotal role in driving academic performance, elevating teaching and learning standards, and shaping educational strategy across the group.
Kyle has held senior leadership positions, including successful tenures as Executive Principal in Dubai and founding leadership roles in the UK. He is also an accredited international school inspector, contributing extensive expertise in regulatory compliance, quality assurance, and teaching methodologies.
He holds a PGCE from the University of the West of England, a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Buckingham, and the National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH).
Passionate about equity in education and relentless in the pursuit of excellence, Kyle’s leadership is grounded in the belief that schools grow when teachers grow. He brings this to life through rigorous professional development and a codified teaching framework that supports high-performance learning alongside holistic student well-being.
At The Scholars School, Kyle is committed to establishing a flagship institution that not only meets the highest standards of the UAE but also empowers every student to reach their full potential.
Chair of Governors, SIG
Chair, Advisory Board
Principals Center, Emeritus, Harvard University
Alan D. Cohen is a globally recognized education leader with over 30 years of expertise in transformative school governance, academic innovation, and professional development. He serves as Co-Chair Emeritus of the Principals’ Center at the Harvard Graduate School of Education and is the CEO of ADC International, where he has played a pivotal role in shaping school leadership at an international scale.
Renowned for his innovative approaches to learning and institutional transformation, Alan has consistently championed forward-thinking educational models that prepare students for the complexities of our global society. His strategic vision emphasizes developing programs that inspire creativity, critical thinking, and lifelong curiosity among diverse learners. Cohen’s contributions to education have been recognized with numerous accolades.
Time Warner awarded Cohen the Principal of Excellence Award for his transformative work in urban education. He was honored with the Tribeca Film Festival Disruptive Innovation Award, which celebrates individuals who challenge conventional thinking and drive meaningful change across sectors. He has also been named Educator of the Year by Education Update, reflecting his unwavering commitment to excellence in teaching and leadership.
His leadership has also encompassed district-wide student support services and large-scale professional development programs, including oversight of the nation’s largest teacher mentorship initiative in New York.
Alan has successfully led school accreditations and governance transitions internationally and in the US. His strategic insight continues to drive high-impact outcomes in both academic performance and institutional development.
He holds advanced degrees from Columbia University and New York University.
As Chair of Governors for SIG, Alan brings visionary leadership and governance expertise, guiding The Scholars School’s mission to deliver outstanding education, drive innovation, and uphold the highest standards of academic excellence.
Alan D. Cohen is a distinguished global education strategist, bestselling author, and futurist with over three decades of leadership in the education sector.
Renowned for his innovative approaches to learning and institutional transformation, Cohen has consistently championed forward-thinking educational models that prepare students for the complexities of our global society. Throughout his career, Cohen has held pivotal roles in both academic and policy-making spheres, leading initiatives that integrate technology, equity, and global competencies into educational frameworks.
He possesses deep expertise in gifted and talented education, curriculum innovation, and the design of inclusive learning environments that cultivate the potential of all students. His strategic vision emphasizes developing programs that inspire creativity, critical thinking, and lifelong curiosity among diverse learners.
Cohen’s contributions to education have been recognized with numerous accolades. He was honored with the Tribeca Disruptive Innovation Award, which celebrates individuals who challenge conventional thinking and drive meaningful change across sectors.
He has also been named Educator of the Year, reflecting his unwavering commitment to excellence in teaching and leadership. Additionally, Time Warner awarded Cohen the Principal of Excellence Award for his transformative work in urban education.
Beyond his direct work in schools, Cohen has been involved in projects that intersect with media and storytelling, emphasizing the power of narrative in shaping educational experiences and fostering empathy.
His multifaceted career underscores a deep dedication to transforming education through innovation, collaboration, and a holistic understanding of global trends.
As a thought leader, Cohen continues to influence the discourse on education reform, advocating for systems that are adaptive, student-centered, and future-focused, equipping learners with the skills and mindsets needed to thrive in an interconnected world.
Chairperson,
Scholars International
Group (SIG)
Aparna Verma, the Chairperson of Scholars International Group, has committed her life to providing quality education for the youth of the UAE. Scholars International Group is the owner and operator of three schools in the UAE: Dubai Scholars, Scholars International Academy, and the newest school, The Scholars School.
Since taking over Dubai Scholars in 1984, Aparna has lived her life facing challenges, taking risks, and being an outlier. She has followed her passion for endowing younger generations with the skills of grit, perseverance, and confidence. This desire originates from her own personal experiences requiring strength and resilience to survive as a woman and succeed with the courage to make things happen, take on challenges, and beat the odds.
The organization began as a villa school originally opened by her mother in 1976, an educator herself. From those first 100 students to the over 4,000 current students across the three schools, SIG has grown into one of the UAE’s most respected education groups. Aparna is passionate about providing high-performing schools for all students entrusted to her for their education.
Scholars International Group schools have become widely recognized for academic excellence and have achieved High Performance Learning “World Class” status, a distinction awarded only to institutions with truly outstanding learning environments. SIG students have consistently outperformed UAE and international benchmarks, including global assessments such as TIMSS 2023 and PIRLS 2021.
Alumni have gone on to universities such as Oxford and Cambridge, as well as Stanford University, the University of Pennsylvania, Georgetown, and Columbia, and are now building impactful careers at global organizations like Tesla, Microsoft, Amazon, and Google.
This legacy serves as the foundation upon which The Scholars School is built. Her commitment to the youth of tomorrow is to ensure they are equipped with the skills to thrive in the world of the future. She is determined that The Scholars School will set new standards for the education landscape in Dubai.
Aparna Verma holds a BSc from Georgetown University and has continued her education at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. She has been widely recognized as one of the key drivers in transforming education in the UAE and has received multiple awards, including Arabian Business CEO of the Year and the Gulf News Excellence in Education Lifetime Achievement Award.
Alan D. Cohen is a globally recognized education leader with over 30 years of expertise in transformative school governance, academic innovation, and professional development. He serves as Co-Chair Emeritus of the Principals’ Center at the Harvard Graduate School of Education and is the CEO of ADC International, where he has played a pivotal role in shaping school leadership at an international scale.
Renowned for his innovative approaches to learning and institutional transformation, Alan has consistently championed forward-thinking educational models that prepare students for the complexities of our global society. His strategic vision emphasizes developing programs that inspire creativity, critical thinking, and lifelong curiosity among diverse learners. Cohen’s contributions to education have been recognized with numerous accolades.
Time Warner awarded Cohen the Principal of Excellence Award for his transformative work in urban education. He was honored with the Tribeca Film Festival Disruptive Innovation Award, which celebrates individuals who challenge conventional thinking and drive meaningful change across sectors. He has also been named Educator of the Year by Education Update, reflecting his unwavering commitment to excellence in teaching and leadership.
His leadership has also encompassed district-wide student support services and large-scale professional development programs, including oversight of the nation’s largest teacher mentorship initiative in New York.
Alan has successfully led school accreditations and governance transitions internationally and in the US. His strategic insight continues to drive high-impact outcomes in both academic performance and institutional development.
He holds advanced degrees from Columbia University and New York University.
As Chair of Governors for SIG, Alan brings visionary leadership and governance expertise, guiding The Scholars School’s mission to deliver outstanding education, drive innovation, and uphold the highest standards of academic excellence.
Alan D. Cohen is a distinguished global education strategist, bestselling author, and futurist with over three decades of leadership in the education sector.
Renowned for his innovative approaches to learning and institutional transformation, Cohen has consistently championed forward-thinking educational models that prepare students for the complexities of our global society. Throughout his career, Cohen has held pivotal roles in both academic and policy-making spheres, leading initiatives that integrate technology, equity, and global competencies into educational frameworks.
He possesses deep expertise in gifted and talented education, curriculum innovation, and the design of inclusive learning environments that cultivate the potential of all students. His strategic vision emphasizes developing programs that inspire creativity, critical thinking, and lifelong curiosity among diverse learners.
Cohen’s contributions to education have been recognized with numerous accolades. He was honored with the Tribeca Disruptive Innovation Award, which celebrates individuals who challenge conventional thinking and drive meaningful change across sectors.
He has also been named Educator of the Year, reflecting his unwavering commitment to excellence in teaching and leadership. Additionally, Time Warner awarded Cohen the Principal of Excellence Award for his transformative work in urban education.
Beyond his direct work in schools, Cohen has been involved in projects that intersect with media and storytelling, emphasizing the power of narrative in shaping educational experiences and fostering empathy.
His multifaceted career underscores a deep dedication to transforming education through innovation, collaboration, and a holistic understanding of global trends.
As a thought leader, Cohen continues to influence the discourse on education reform, advocating for systems that are adaptive, student-centered, and future-focused, equipping learners with the skills and mindsets needed to thrive in an interconnected world.
Aparna Verma, the Chairperson of Scholars International Group, has committed her life to providing quality education for the youth of the UAE. Scholars International Group is the owner and operator of three schools in the UAE: Dubai Scholars, Scholars International Academy, and the newest school, The Scholars School.
Since taking over Dubai Scholars in 1984, Aparna has lived her life facing challenges, taking risks, and being an outlier. She has followed her passion for endowing younger generations with the skills of grit, perseverance, and confidence. This desire originates from her own personal experiences requiring strength and resilience to survive as a woman and succeed with the courage to make things happen, take on challenges, and beat the odds.
The organization began as a villa school originally opened by her mother in 1976, an educator herself. From those first 100 students to the over 4,000 current students across the three schools, SIG has grown into one of the UAE’s most respected education groups. Aparna is passionate about providing high-performing schools for all students entrusted to her for their education.
Scholars International Group schools have become widely recognized for academic excellence and have achieved High Performance Learning “World Class” status, a distinction awarded only to institutions with truly outstanding learning environments. SIG students have consistently outperformed UAE and international benchmarks, including global assessments such as TIMSS 2023 and PIRLS 2021.
Alumni have gone on to universities such as Oxford and Cambridge, as well as Stanford University, the University of Pennsylvania, Georgetown, and Columbia, and are now building impactful careers at global organizations like Tesla, Microsoft, Amazon, and Google.
This legacy serves as the foundation upon which The Scholars School is built. Her commitment to the youth of tomorrow is to ensure they are equipped with the skills to thrive in the world of the future. She is determined that The Scholars School will set new standards for the education landscape in Dubai.
Aparna Verma holds a BSc from Georgetown University and has continued her education at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. She has been widely recognized as one of the key drivers in transforming education in the UAE and has received multiple awards, including Arabian Business CEO of the Year and the Gulf News Excellence in Education Lifetime Achievement Award.
Kyle Knott is the Founding Principal of The Scholars School, bringing over a decade of international experience and deep expertise in academic improvement and school expansion across the UK and UAE. Prior to this role, he served as Director of Academic Improvement for Scholars International Group (SIG), where he played a pivotal role in driving academic performance, elevating teaching and learning standards, and shaping educational strategy across the group.
Kyle has held senior leadership positions, including successful tenures as Executive Principal in Dubai and founding leadership roles in the UK. He is also an accredited international school inspector, contributing extensive expertise in regulatory compliance, quality assurance, and teaching methodologies.
He holds a PGCE from the University of the West of England, a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Buckingham, and the National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH).
Passionate about equity in education and relentless in the pursuit of excellence, Kyle’s leadership is grounded in the belief that schools grow when teachers grow. He brings this to life through rigorous professional development and a codified teaching framework that supports high-performance learning alongside holistic student well-being.
At The Scholars School, Kyle is committed to establishing a flagship institution that not only meets the highest standards of the UAE but also empowers every student to reach their full potential.
Our leadership team has a sense of responsibility for your child’s success
and well-being. They focus their expertise every day on providing an
education enriched with rewarding experiences that build confidence,
character, and a love of learning.
More than just academics, our leaders are deeply passionate about fostering
a genuine culture of community and belonging. They strive every day to
create a warm, supportive, and inclusive environment where every child is
known, valued, and empowered to excel.
Our leadership team has a sense of responsibility for your child’s success and well-being. They focus their expertise every day on providing an education enriched with rewarding experiences that build confidence, character, and a love of learning.
More than just academics, our leaders are deeply passionate about fostering a genuine culture of community and belonging. They strive every day to create a warm, supportive, and inclusive environment where every child is known, valued, and empowered to excel.
Our leadership team has a sense of responsibility for your child’s success and well-being. They focus their expertise every day on providing an education enriched with rewarding experiences that build confidence, character, and a love of learning.
More than just academics, our leaders are deeply passionate about fostering a genuine culture of community and belonging. They strive every day to create a warm, supportive, and inclusive environment where every child is known, valued, and empowered to excel.
