مدرسة أكاديمية عجمان logo

مدرسة أكاديمية عجمان

المنهج
البكالوريا الدولية
الموقع
عجمان, مويهات
الرسوم
AED 24K - 66K

مدرسة أكاديمية عجمان

The Executive Summary

Ajman Academy School is the most compelling case for looking beyond Dubai when choosing a school in the UAE. Sitting in Muwaihat, Ajman - just 15 minutes from Sharjah and 20 minutes from Mirdif - it offers a genuinely IB World School experience anchored by the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) and IB Middle Years Programme (MYP), transitioning into IGCSE, BTEC, and AS/A Level pathways in the senior years. Founded in 2012, it has grown to nearly 1,000 students drawn from over 50 nationalities, with a notably strong Emirati contingent exceeding 50% of the student body - a demographic balance that is genuinely rare in the Ajman private schools landscape. The school's campus, the largest in Ajman at 645,830 square feet, houses a 24-metre indoor swimming pool, two sports halls, iMac labs, an auditorium, and purpose-built specialist rooms, all delivered at fee levels that sit well below comparable IB-aligned schools in Dubai. The 2022-23 UAE Ministry of Education inspection awarded the school an overall Good rating with Very Good features, and a teacher turnover of just 6% - against a UAE average of 20-22% - speaks to a stable, committed staff. For families in the northern Emirates seeking IB-quality education at a mid-market price point, Ajman Academy is a serious front-runner.

That said, parents should enter with clear expectations. Published academic results remain limited - the school has historically not released IGCSE or A Level outcome data, though leadership has committed to greater transparency from 2024 onward. Arabic as an Additional Language was rated only Acceptable in the most recent inspection, which matters for non-Arabic-speaking families hoping for strong bilingual development. The school is not the right fit for families seeking a purely exam-factory environment or those who require a highly specialised SEN programme beyond the inclusion support currently offered. But for internationally mobile families, Emirati families seeking a genuinely multicultural IB environment, and parents who value pastoral warmth alongside academic rigour, Ajman Academy delivers a proposition that is difficult to match at this school fees Ajman level. Our verdict: strong value, genuine community, and a school on an upward trajectory.
IB World SchoolLargest campus in Ajman6% teacher turnover50+ nationalitiesCIS Accredited 2026

The school has a real community feel. When we came to Ajman Academy you really feel like everyone enjoys being there - from the teachers, to the pupils and support staff. The facilities and sports department and mix of Emirati students to expat is a real advantage.

Primary School Parent

Academic Framework & Learning Style

Ajman Academy's curriculum architecture is one of its defining strengths. The school operates as a fully accredited IB World School, delivering the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) from Pre-KG through to Grade 5, and the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) across Grades 6 to 8. This gives students a continuous, coherent inquiry-based framework from early childhood through early adolescence - a significant advantage over schools that bolt IB onto a more traditional base. The PYP's transdisciplinary units of inquiry, combined with the MYP's emphasis on global contexts and conceptual understanding, mean that by the time students reach secondary school they have well-developed critical thinking and research skills that directly support IGCSE performance.

In Grades 9 and 10, students follow the IGCSE pathway, with a broad subject offering that covers the sciences, humanities, languages, arts, and technology. Grades 11 and 12 offer AS and A Level qualifications alongside BTEC vocational pathways - a combination that was expanded from 2024 and that meaningfully broadens the range of university and career destinations available to graduates. The BTEC addition is a smart strategic move: it acknowledges that not every academically capable student thrives in a purely examination-based final two years, and it opens pathways to applied degrees in engineering, business, health sciences, and the creative industries.

One important caveat: Ajman Academy has historically not published its IGCSE or A Level results, which makes independent verification of academic outcomes impossible at this stage. School leadership has committed to publishing results from the 2024 examination cycle onward, and this transparency will be essential for parents making secondary school decisions. What is available is the 2022-23 UAE Ministry of Education inspection, which rated the vast majority of student achievement as Good, with Arabic as an Additional Language the one area rated Acceptable - a finding consistent with many international schools in the UAE where Arabic instruction for non-native speakers is a structural challenge. The school provides dedicated English as an Additional Language (EAL) support through a specialist Inclusion team, and the school holds the Dyslexia Friendly Quality Mark, indicating a structured approach to learning differences. All students follow the IB Learner Profile framework, which emphasises being inquirers, thinkers, communicators, and principled - attributes that university admissions teams and employers increasingly value alongside raw grade outcomes. The school's Theory of Knowledge (TOK) approach, embedded across programmes, encourages students to interrogate how knowledge is constructed rather than simply receive it.
Good
MoE Inspection Rating (2022-23)
With Very Good features in several areas
PYP + MYP
IB Programmes Offered
Continuous IB framework from Pre-KG to Grade 8
IGCSE + BTEC + A Level
Senior Pathways (Grades 9-12)
BTEC vocational routes added from 2024
Dyslexia Friendly
Quality Mark Accreditation
Specialist Inclusion team providing 1-1 support

Extracurricular Activities (ECAs)

Ajman Academy's extracurricular programme is one of the more substantive offerings among Ajman private schools, and it benefits directly from having the largest school campus in the emirate. The school runs a structured ECA Programme that spans sports, arts, academic enrichment, and community engagement, with activities available to students from KG2 through to Grade 12.

On the sports side, the programme is genuinely broad. Teacher-led after-school activities include football, basketball, swimming, tennis, cricket, rugby, gymnastics, parkour, boxing, and badminton, among others. The school's swim squad competes not just locally but in international events including the BSME (British Schools of the Middle East) swim galas and the MEUC swim galas - a level of competitive exposure that is rare at this fee band. The school also enters teams in the EISSA (Emirates Inter-School Sports Association) competitions across multiple disciplines, giving students genuine competitive sporting pathways. Physical Education is compulsory for all students, with two sessions per week covering an impressive range of activities including volleyball, netball, handball, rounders, softball, dance, health and fitness, and athletics.

Beyond sport, the creative arts are well represented. The school has dedicated Art Studios, Music Rooms, and a Food and Technology Room, and the 208-seat auditorium hosts regular musical productions and performances. Students can participate in drama, music, and visual arts both as curriculum subjects and through after-school clubs. The ECO Club and Eco Gardens - where students grow their own plants and vegetables - reflect the IB's emphasis on environmental stewardship and community action. The Student Council (open from KG2 to Grade 12), the House System, and the Student Leadership Programme provide structured routes into leadership and civic participation. The school's community partnerships, including mentorship programmes at Ajman University, extend learning beyond the campus in a meaningful way. One area where the school could provide more transparency is the total number of ECA offerings per term - the website lists categories but does not publish a complete activity schedule, which makes direct comparison with peer schools difficult.
20+
After-School Sports & Activity Clubs
Including football, swimming, parkour, boxing, yoga, cooking
BSME Swim GalasEISSA CompetitionsStudent Leadership ProgrammeECO Club and Gardens208-seat Auditorium

Pastoral Care & Well-being

Pastoral care is consistently the most praised dimension of Ajman Academy in parent feedback, and it is an area where the school appears to genuinely over-deliver relative to its fee band. Multiple parent testimonials highlight the warmth, accessibility, and commitment of teaching staff - not just class teachers but subject specialists, administrative staff, and school leadership. The sense that every staff member knows every child is a recurring theme, and it is one that is structurally supported by an exceptional teacher-to-student ratio of 1:11, which is among the best of any school in the northern Emirates.

The school operates a structured House System that divides the student population into competing teams, fostering a sense of belonging and healthy competition across year groups. The Student Leadership Programme gives older students formal responsibility and voice within the school community, while the Student Council - open to students from KG2 upward - ensures that even younger learners have a mechanism for participation. The school's Inclusion team provides dedicated support for students with learning differences, and the Dyslexia Friendly Quality Mark accreditation signals a structured, evidence-based approach to identifying and supporting students with specific learning needs. Safeguarding and child protection were rated Very Good in the 2022-23 MoE inspection - one of the strongest ratings the school received - reflecting robust policies and consistent implementation. The school also maintains a dedicated National Online Safety programme, providing students and parents with guidance on digital citizenship and safe internet use, which is an increasingly important dimension of pastoral responsibility in a 1:1 iPad environment. Parent communication is supported through digital platforms and a dedicated communication portal, and the school actively encourages parent involvement through its Parent Support Group.

AJAC fosters a family and community environment whereby I personally feel the students, teachers, staff and parents all work together with the common goal of supporting each other, and ensuring that each student becomes the best person they can be. I feel at ease dropping my son at school each day, knowing he is in the safest, and best hands possible.

Grade 2 Parent

Campus & Facilities

Ajman Academy's campus is its most immediately impressive asset, and it is one that the school leverages effectively. At 645,830 square feet, it is self-described as the largest school campus in Ajman, and a tour of the facilities bears this out. The site is purpose-built, meaning the layout has been designed for education rather than retrofitted into a commercial building - a distinction that matters enormously in day-to-day learning quality. The campus is located in Al Muwaihat 2, Ajman, just off the E311 Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road, making it accessible from Sharjah (approximately 15 minutes), Mirdif (approximately 20 minutes), Ras Al Khaimah (approximately 25 minutes), and Dubai Silicon Oasis (approximately 35 minutes). Crucially, the commute runs against the main traffic flow, which is a practical advantage that experienced UAE parents will appreciate immediately.

The academic facilities are comprehensive. All classrooms feature interactive whiteboards or data projectors, with the newer Veri-table Boards in primary classrooms offering both upright presentation and flat interactive use. Wireless connectivity covers the entire campus, and the school operates a 1:1 iPad programme for all students, integrated with Apple TV for seamless classroom connectivity. The IT Computer Labs are equipped with iMac computers - both primary and secondary campuses have dedicated Apple Mac labs. Specialist rooms include a well-resourced Library, Art Studio, Music Rooms, Food and Technology Room, Science Lab, and a Design and Technology Lab added in 2019. The 208-seat auditorium hosts school productions and parent presentations. The school's most distinctive facility is its 24-metre indoor swimming pool, which is used by all students twice weekly and supports the competitive swim squad. Sports infrastructure also includes two indoor sports halls, outdoor Astroturf football fields, tennis courts, basketball courts, and a running track with long jump. Pre-KG students have their own dedicated nursery block with a fenced play area and separate entrance. Primary students are served by two age-differentiated playgrounds. The secondary block, completed in 2018, is fully self-contained with its own teaching, sports, and laboratory facilities. The school cafeterias on both campuses emphasise healthy eating, with cooked meals prepared on-site.
645,830 sq ft
Campus Size
Largest school campus in Ajman
2
Indoor Sports Halls
Plus outdoor Astroturf, running track, tennis and basketball courts
24m Indoor Swimming Pool1:1 iPad ProgrammeApple Distinguished SchooliMac Computer Labs208-seat AuditoriumAstroturf Football Fields

Teaching & Learning Quality

Teacher quality is, by most available measures, one of Ajman Academy's strongest cards. The school employs approximately 80 teaching staff, the majority of whom are native English speakers drawn primarily from the UK, Ireland, Australia, and South Africa. This is a deliberate staffing philosophy: students from Pre-KG onward are taught by native English-speaking educators, which has measurable implications for language acquisition and academic confidence in the early years. The teacher-to-student ratio of 1:11 is exceptional - significantly better than the UAE average and comparable with premium Dubai schools charging considerably higher fees. In KG through to Grade 2, each classroom also benefits from a dedicated teaching assistant in addition to the class teacher, providing a level of individual attention that is difficult to replicate in larger class settings.

The most telling indicator of teaching quality is staff retention. Ajman Academy's teacher turnover rate of just 6% compares with a UAE average of 20-22% and an Indian curriculum school average of 10-15%. Low turnover means continuity of relationships between teachers and students, consistency in how the curriculum is delivered year-on-year, and an institutional knowledge base that builds over time rather than being constantly refreshed. It also signals that teachers are satisfied with their working conditions - a factor that directly correlates with classroom performance. The school's Director, Patrick Affley, holds a Masters in Educational Leadership and the UK's NPQH (National Professional Qualification for Headship), and is completing the NPQEL - the highest national professional leadership qualification available - signalling a culture of professional development that extends from the top down. The school is an Apple Distinguished School and all primary school teachers are 100% Apple Certified, reflecting a serious investment in technology-integrated pedagogy rather than superficial device deployment. The 2022-23 MoE inspection rated Teaching and Assessment as Good across the school, with the Inclusion team's 1-1 support for EAL and learning differences students specifically noted as a strength. Differentiation and personalised learning are supported through the IB framework's emphasis on student agency and self-directed inquiry.
1:11
Teacher-to-Student Ratio
Among the best in the northern Emirates
6%
Annual Teacher Turnover
vs. UAE average of 20-22%
100%
Primary Teachers Apple Certified
Apple Distinguished School status

Leadership & Management

Ajman Academy is led by Patrick Affley in the role of Director - a title that reflects his oversight of the school as a whole, with separate Principals heading the Primary and Secondary sections. Mr. Affley brings a distinguished track record to the role: he spent 11 years as Founding Principal of Dove Green Private School in Dubai, a well-regarded English National Curriculum school, before moving to Ajman Academy. His academic credentials are strong - a Masters Degree in Educational Leadership from St. Mary's University, Twickenham, the UK's NPQH, and the NPQEL in progress. This is a leader who is not simply an administrator but an active student of educational leadership, which matters when assessing whether a school's trajectory is likely to improve or plateau.

The school's governance includes a formal School Board, and the leadership structure is transparent enough to warrant dedicated website pages for the Director's message, Primary Principal's message, and Secondary Principal's message - a level of visibility that supports parent confidence. The 2022-23 MoE inspection rated Leadership and Management as Good and Very Good, with Very Good specifically awarded for the effectiveness of leadership, partnership with parents and the community, and management of staffing, facilities, and resources. The school's strategic direction is framed around the UAE 2071 Centennial Project and the National Agenda, reflecting an alignment with UAE national educational priorities that is important for Emirati families and for the school's long-term regulatory standing. Parent communication is supported through a suite of digital platforms including dedicated apps, online portals, and the school's communication hub, with the school open Monday to Friday from 7:30 AM to 3:30 PM and reachable via a main line (+971 6 731 4444) and a toll-free number (800-AJAC). The school actively encourages parent partnership through its Parent Support Group and regular school events.

Community Reputation & Standing

Ajman Academy has built a solid reputation over its 13-year history as one of the most credible international schools in the northern Emirates. Its standing rests on several verifiable pillars: IB World School accreditation for both PYP and MYP, membership of the British Schools of the Middle East (BSME), accreditation by the Council of International Schools (CIS) from 2026, the Apple Distinguished School designation, and the Dyslexia Friendly Quality Mark. These are not decorative credentials - each requires demonstrated compliance with externally set quality standards and periodic review. The school underwent a British Schools Overseas (BSO) inspection in 2017, and the 2022-23 UAE Ministry of Education inspection awarded an overall Good rating with Very Good features, representing a meaningful improvement on the Acceptable rating from the 2018-19 inspection cycle - a trajectory that matters when assessing a school's direction of travel.

Community sentiment is broadly positive. Parent feedback consistently highlights the warmth of the school community, the quality and commitment of teaching staff, the diversity of the student body (50+ nationalities, strong Emirati presence), and the value represented by the facilities relative to the fees. The school draws families not just from Ajman but from Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, and the northern suburbs of Dubai - a geographic reach that reflects genuine demand rather than proximity convenience. Among peer schools in Ajman - including The Bloomington Academy, Delhi Private School, and The First Academy - Ajman Academy occupies the premium tier in terms of facilities and curriculum depth, while remaining more accessible in fee terms than comparable IB-aligned schools in Dubai. The two areas requiring continued attention are Arabic as an Additional Language (rated Acceptable in the MoE inspection) and the historical absence of published academic results, both of which the school has acknowledged and is actively addressing.
Accreditation Depth
IB World School, CIS, BSME, Apple Distinguished School, and Dyslexia Friendly Quality Mark - a portfolio of accreditations that signals genuine quality commitment across multiple independent frameworks.
Staff Stability and Community Trust
A 6% teacher turnover rate and consistently warm parent feedback across many years of reviews point to a school culture that retains good people and builds lasting relationships with families.
Improving Inspection Trajectory
The progression from Acceptable (2018-19) to Good with Very Good features (2022-23) demonstrates that school leadership is translating its vision into measurable quality improvements over time.
Arabic as an Additional Language

The MoE inspection rated Arabic as an Additional Language at Acceptable - the one area below Good. For non-Arabic-speaking families hoping for meaningful bilingual development, this is a genuine gap that the school needs to address structurally.

Academic Results Transparency

The school has historically not published IGCSE or A Level results, making independent benchmarking impossible. Leadership has committed to publishing from 2024 onward - follow-through on this commitment will be critical for building parent confidence at the secondary level.

Fees & Value for Money

Ajman Academy's fee structure positions it firmly in the premium tier for Ajman private schools, yet it represents genuine value when benchmarked against comparable IB-aligned schools in Dubai or Sharjah. Annual tuition for the 2025-2026 academic year ranges from AED 24,000 for Pre-KG (Normal Day) to AED 66,350 for Grade 12 - a spread that reflects the increasing resource intensity of senior education. The average annual fee across all year groups sits at approximately AED 47,000, placing the school in the premium band but well below the AED 80,000+ ultra-premium tier occupied by many Dubai IB schools. For context, peer schools in Ajman such as The Bloomington Academy average around AED 16,400 and Delhi Private School around AED 12,750 - but neither offers the IB framework, the campus scale, or the accreditation depth of Ajman Academy. The value proposition is clear: you are getting Dubai-quality infrastructure and curriculum at a significant discount to Dubai pricing, in a location that is genuinely accessible from the northern Emirates and northern Dubai.

Fees are payable in four instalments: an initial advance payment of AED 5,000 (deductible from tuition) followed by three termly cheques due on 01 September, 01 December, and 01 March. Payment is accepted by cash, cheque, credit card, online payment, or bank wire transfer. Additional costs beyond tuition include school meals (full-year package from AED 3,780 to AED 5,130 depending on option), transport (AED 5,000 inside Ajman, AED 6,000 outside), uniforms, after-school activities, school trips, and book levies for Grades 7-12 (AED 1,000 to AED 1,500 per year). The non-refundable application fee is AED 500, which is deducted from tuition upon enrolment. The school offers a formal Scholarship Programme for high-achieving students, which has been noted positively by parent community feedback as both motivating for students and practically helpful for families.
AED 24,000 - AED 66,350
Annual Tuition Range (2025-26)
AED 47,000
Average Annual Fee
PhaseAnnual Fee
Early Years
24,000
Early Years
27,000
Primary
32,000
Primary
35,000
Primary
35,000
Primary
44,900
Primary
44,900
Primary
44,900
Primary
48,200
Middle School
48,200
Middle School
54,800
Middle School
54,800
Secondary
54,800
Secondary
57,000
Secondary
57,000
Secondary
66,350

Additional Costs

Application Fee500(one-time)
Advance Payment (on acceptance)5,000(one-time)
School Meals - Full Package (Full Year)5,130(annual)
School Transportation - Inside Ajman5,000(annual)
School Transportation - Outside Ajman6,000(annual)
Book Levy - Grades 7 to 91,000(annual)
Book Levy - Grades 10 to 121,500(annual)
School UniformVariable(annual)
After-School ActivitiesVariable(termly)
School TripsVariable(annual)

Discounts & Concessions

Scholarship Programme

Scholarships & Bursaries

Ajman Academy operates a formal Scholarship Programme for high-achieving students. The programme has been positively received by the parent community as both academically motivating and financially supportive. Full details including eligibility criteria and application process are available on the school website at ajmanacademy.com/admissions/scholarship-programme.

The Final Verdict: Who Is This School For?

Ajman Academy is a school that consistently punches above its weight class. The combination of a genuine IB World School framework, a 645,830 square foot purpose-built campus, a 1:11 teacher-to-student ratio, 6% staff turnover, and a fee structure that undercuts comparable Dubai offerings by a meaningful margin makes it one of the most compelling value propositions in the Ajman education market. The school's improving inspection trajectory, its growing portfolio of accreditations including CIS from 2026, and the stability of its leadership under Director Patrick Affley all point to an institution that is building rather than coasting. For families who are willing to make the commute from Sharjah, northern Dubai, or Ras Al Khaimah - and the school's location off the E311 makes this genuinely manageable - Ajman Academy offers a quality of educational experience that would cost considerably more in Dubai. The pastoral warmth is real, the community feel is genuine, and the facilities are exceptional for the fee band. The main areas to probe before enrolling are the Arabic as an Additional Language provision (if bilingual development is a priority) and the school's commitment to publishing IGCSE and A Level results transparently going forward.

THE “RIGHT FIT”

Families seeking a genuine IB education with strong pastoral care, exceptional facilities, and a truly multicultural community - particularly those based in the northern Emirates or northern Dubai who value premium-quality schooling at below-Dubai pricing.

THE “WRONG FIT”

Families who prioritise published, independently verifiable academic results above all else, or those requiring intensive Arabic as an Additional Language development - both areas where the school is still developing its offer.

The teachers are dedicated, knowledgeable, and always willing to go the extra mile to help their students succeed. The school community is warm and welcoming, and I am thrilled to see my children thriving both academically and socially. I feel confident that they are receiving a top-notch education that will prepare them for a bright future.

Primary School Parent

نقاط القوة

  • Genuine IB World School with PYP and MYP accreditation from Pre-KG to Grade 8
  • Largest school campus in Ajman at 645,830 square feet
  • Exceptional 1:11 teacher-to-student ratio across the school
  • Outstanding 6% teacher turnover rate vs. 20-22% UAE average
  • 24-metre indoor swimming pool used by all students twice weekly
  • CIS and Apple Distinguished School accreditations signal quality commitment
  • Fees significantly below comparable IB schools in Dubai
  • Genuinely multicultural community with 50+ nationalities and strong Emirati presence

مجالات التحسين

  • IGCSE and A Level results have not been historically published, limiting independent benchmarking
  • Arabic as an Additional Language rated only Acceptable in the 2022-23 MoE inspection
  • Premium fee band relative to other Ajman private schools may stretch some family budgets
  • Location outside Dubai requires a daily commute for many families, albeit against traffic flow