Dwight School Cairo at Cairo Festival City was officially inaugurated by Omar Al Futtaim, Vice Chairman and CEO of Al-Futtaim, Mira Al Futtaim, Chief Future Education Officer at Al-Futtaim Education Foundation and Chairwoman of Emiratisation at Al-Futtaim, and Dr Blake Spahn, Vice Chancellor of the Dwight-Franklin Schools Group, marking the latest milestone in the partnership between Al-Futtaim Education Foundation and Dwight Schools to deliver a distinctive, internationally focused education experience in Egypt.
The inauguration follows the school’s opening on 14 September, when its first students began the 2026–27 academic year. The milestone brings to life a journey that began with the announcement of the partnership in November 2025 and has now resulted in a new international school and learning community at Cairo Festival City.
The ceremony brought together senior leaders from Al-Futtaim and Dwight Schools, alongside the school’s leadership, educators and founding families.
Phase One welcomes students from Pre-K through Grade 5, with dedicated Early Years and Primary Years environments designed to encourage exploration, collaboration, creativity and well-being.
Two legacies, one shared vision
Dwight School Cairo brings together two purpose-driven educational institutions with distinct histories and complementary strengths.
Al-Futtaim Education Foundation, an initiative of the Al Futtaim family, has a longstanding commitment to advancing education through its work in schools, its Centre for Excellence in Arabic (CfEA) and its Centre for Education Action Research (CEAR).
Dwight Schools brings a 154-year legacy in education, beginning in New York in 1872 and today spanning a global network of campuses in New York, London, Seoul, Shanghai, Dubai, Hanoi and Cairo, alongside Dwight Global Online. Its approach places the individual student at the centre of the learning experience and is grounded in three pillars: Personalized Learning, Global Vision and Community.
Together, the two organisations share a vision to create a school that is globally connected and locally rooted, combining Al-Futtaim Education Foundation’s regional knowledge and future-focused approach with Dwight’s international educational experience.
Mira Al Futtaim, said: “The inauguration of Dwight School Cairo marks an important milestone in our long-term commitment to transforming education in the region. This partnership brings together Al-Futtaim Education Foundation’s deep understanding of the region and its communities with Dwight’s more than 150 years of educational experience and student-centred approach.
“Seeing this shared vision come to life in Cairo is an important moment for us. Together, we are creating an educational environment that sparks curiosity, nurtures individual potential and equips a new generation of learners with the confidence, skills and global perspective to thrive in an ever-changing world.”
Dr Blake Spahn, said: “Opening Dwight School Cairo is a major milestone for our global network and a profound responsibility. When Dwight enters a new city, our goal is to build a school that belongs to its community while opening doors to the world.
“With Al-Futtaim Education Foundation, we have found a partner that shares our belief that education must go beyond academic outcomes to help every student understand who they are, develop their talents and contribute with purpose. Now that students are learning in these classrooms, Cairo is already enriching the Dwight community worldwide.”
A new learning community in Cairo
Dwight School Cairo’s first phase includes flexible classrooms, specialist learning areas, a library, Makerspace, music spaces and shared areas designed to encourage exploration, collaboration, creativity and well-being.
Students will also benefit from being part of Dwight’s international network, connecting them with peers, educators and ideas across campuses around the world and creating opportunities for collaboration and cultural exchange.
The partnership will also draw on the expertise and research-based practice of Al-Futtaim Education Foundation’s Centre for Excellence in Arabic to support an innovative approach to Arabic-language teaching.
Dwight School Cairo currently welcomes students from Pre-K through Grade 5. Grades 6 through 9 will be introduced for the 2027–28 academic year as the school continues its phased development.
