Al Manara Private School - MBZ

Curriculum

Ministry of Education

ADEK Rating

Good

Location

Abu Dhabi, Mohamed Bin Zayed City

Annual Fees

AED 13K - 17K

Al Manara Private School - MBZ

The Executive Summary

Al Manara Private School - MBZ Abu Dhabi is one of the emirate's longest-standing private schools, established in 1984 and now serving 1,116 students across KG1 through Grade 12 in the heart of Mohamed Bin Zayed City. Delivering the MoE (UAE) curriculum Abu Dhabi with an integrated STEAM overlay, the school earned an ADEK rating Good in its 2024 Irtiqa inspection - a meaningful step up from its previous Acceptable rating in 2022. That two-grade improvement in two years is the headline story here: new leadership, a sharper strategic direction, and measurably better teaching have transformed a school that was drifting into one that is now moving with purpose. School fees Abu Dhabi parents will find Al Manara among the most accessible options in the city, with tuition ranging from AED 12,700 to AED 16,900 annually - positioning it firmly as a value-led choice in the Mohamed Bin Zayed City schools landscape.

40 Years EstablishedADEK Good 2024MoE + STEAM CurriculumAffordable Fees from AED 12,700

“The school has changed noticeably since the new principal arrived. Teachers seem more motivated, and my son is actually engaged in his lessons now - something that wasn't always the case before.”

— Grade 7 Parent, MBZ Campus(representative)

Academic Framework & Learning Style

Al Manara MBZ follows the Ministry of Education (MoE) UAE curriculum across all year groups from KG1 to Grade 12, augmented by an integrated STEAM framework that the school positions as its pedagogical differentiator. In practice, this means core subjects - Arabic, English, Islamic Education, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies - are delivered to national standards, while Design Technology, Arts, Music, and Physical Education carry the STEAM ethos of inquiry, creativity, and applied problem-solving. The curriculum design and implementation were rated Good across all cycles in the 2024/25 Irtiqa inspection, with inspectors noting that the MoE framework has a clear rationale and prepares students well for subsequent educational stages. On standardised assessments, the picture is genuinely encouraging. In the International Benchmark Test (IBT) 2024/25, most students in Cycles 1, 2, and 3 attained levels above expectations in Arabic, Mathematics, and Science. In Arabic specifically, IBT results showed Very Good attainment in Cycle 1 and Outstanding in Cycles 2 and 3 - a dramatic turnaround from Weak results just two years prior. MoE national examination results for AY 2023/24 showed Outstanding attainment in Islamic Education across all cycles and Outstanding attainment in Arabic across Cycles 1, 2, and 3. Mathematics attainment is rated Good across all cycles in both internal and external assessments, with IBT results confirming most students exceed curriculum expectations. In TIMSS 2023, Grade 8 students exceeded school targets in both Mathematics (490.36 vs target 482.65) and Science (499.43 vs target 474.76), placing at the intermediate international benchmark. Grade 4 results were below target in both subjects, indicating that upper secondary learning gains are not yet being seeded strongly enough in primary years. PISA 2022 scores - reading 392.2, mathematics 413, science 400 - sit below international averages, a candid reminder that the school's performance, while improving, has not yet reached the level of Abu Dhabi's stronger MoE schools. English language performance is the most variable strand. Attainment is Good in KG and Cycle 3 but remains Acceptable in Cycles 1 and 2 - a persistent gap that the Irtiqa report flags as a priority. Extended writing skills in both English and Arabic need strengthening across all cycles, and English reading fluency and speaking in Cycle 1 require targeted intervention. The school uses the Jolly Phonics programme for early English literacy, which is a sound evidence-based choice, but its impact has not yet fully filtered through the primary cycle. Science in KG regressed from Good to Acceptable between inspections, attributed directly to overly directive teaching that limits student exploration - a finding that sits awkwardly alongside the school's STEAM branding. The school has a science club and modern laboratories, and the subject recovers strongly in Cycles 1, 2, and 3, but the KG regression is a specific weakness to monitor. On inclusion provision, the school identifies 35 students of determination. Inspectors noted that identification processes are now well developed, but the number of formally identified students may still be understated, and in-school specialist services are not currently available. A gifted and talented identification system also needs further development. Academic support for different learner groups is differentiated at the classroom level, and data shows high attainers and gifted students often make Outstanding or Very Good progress even where cohort attainment is rated lower - suggesting teachers can stretch able students when the systems support it.

Outstanding

MoE National Exam Results - Arabic (Cycles 1, 2, 3)

AY 2023/24 external examinations

490.36

TIMSS 2023 Grade 8 Mathematics Score

Exceeded school target of 482.65; intermediate international benchmark

499.43

TIMSS 2023 Grade 8 Science Score

Exceeded school target of 474.76; intermediate international benchmark

Good

Mathematics Attainment - All Cycles

Consistent across KG, Cycles 1, 2, and 3 per Irtiqa 2024/25

Extracurricular Activities (ECAs)

Al Manara MBZ's extracurricular offer is shaped primarily by its MoE curriculum framework and the school's STEAM identity, rather than the broad co-curricular menu that parents might associate with higher-fee international schools. That said, within its segment and fee bracket, the school provides a meaningful range of activities that extend learning beyond the classroom. Physical education and sport form a core part of school life. The curriculum timetable includes PE with access to a gym and swimming pool on campus. Competitive sports offered include karate, soccer, basketball, gymnastics, and Jiu Jitsu (the latter noted specifically at the Al Shamkha branch). The school participates in emirate-level competitions, and students demonstrate good levels of physical engagement according to inspection observations. In the performing and creative arts, the school runs Drama, Music, and Visual Arts programmes as timetabled subjects, with students encouraged to perform and exhibit. The school has a theatre space used for Arabic public speaking, poetry recitation, and cultural presentations. Music classes emphasise collaborative performance and creative expression. The Arts curriculum explicitly connects artistic endeavour to cultural identity and historical context - a meaningful alignment with the UAE's broader national education goals. Language and literacy enrichment is a notable strand. The school runs a Spelling Bee competition, a Best Reader programme, and participates in the Arabic Reading Challenge and the Little Author Big Book Contest organised by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. A school radio station gives students a platform to practise English and Arabic speaking skills in a real-world context - an underrated but effective tool for building confidence and fluency. The library programme is more active than its physical limitations might suggest. It runs Reading Week, Reading Month activities, a book fair in collaboration with a publishing house, and interactive sessions including "My Mom Reads to Me" and "Reading Café." An electronic library on Telegram supplements physical resources. In Term 1 AY 2024/25, 144 books were loaned to students - a modest number for a school of 1,116 students, indicating that the reading culture, while being built, has room to grow. The science club extends laboratory learning beyond timetabled lessons, and the Design Technology programme involves students in robotics and engineering projects. Community service and social responsibility are embedded through environmental initiatives and school-wide projects, with inspectors rating students' social responsibility skills as Good across all cycles. Innovation skills, however, are noted as generally less well developed - an honest gap given the school's STEAM positioning.

Good

Social Responsibility & Innovation Skills Rating

Irtiqa 2024/25 - across KG and all cycles

Arabic Reading ChallengeSchool Radio StationKarate & Jiu JitsuScience ClubRobotics & Engineering

Pastoral Care & Well-being

Pastoral care at Al Manara MBZ received a Good rating across all cycles in the 2024/25 Irtiqa inspection, covering both health and safety arrangements and care and support provision. Inspectors confirmed that the school has effective procedures for safeguarding students, including child protection, and communicates these procedures clearly to all stakeholders - parents, staff, and the wider community. This is a non-negotiable baseline, and it is met here without qualification. Student welfare is supported through a structured approach to attendance - inspectors specifically noted that students demonstrate high levels of attendance, which is both a pastoral indicator and an academic one. The school's daily routines are managed efficiently, and the campus environment is described as safe and orderly. However, inspectors did flag a specific concern: punctuality in the mornings and consistent positive behaviour, particularly in boys' classes in Cycle 2 and lower grades in Cycle 1, requires more systematic management. This is a relatively common challenge in mixed-gender MoE schools but should not be dismissed - if your son is in these year groups, it is worth asking the school directly about their behaviour management strategies. The school's approach to students of determination has improved markedly. Identification processes are now described as very well developed, and 35 students of determination are currently enrolled. The limitation is that in-school specialist services are not yet available, meaning students requiring more intensive support may need to access external provision. The school's website highlights the MBZ campus specifically for its inclusive curriculum and special needs support - a claim that is partially substantiated by the improved identification systems, though the absence of on-site specialist staff is a genuine gap. Student personal development - including understanding of Islamic values, Emirati heritage, and global cultures - is rated Good across all cycles. Students are described by inspectors as knowledgeable and appreciative of UAE heritage, and they regularly participate in community initiatives including environmental projects. Student voice and leadership opportunities exist through these community engagement programmes, though a formal house system or student council structure is not evidenced in available school documentation.

“The school feels safe and the teachers know the children by name. My daughter has settled in well, and I appreciate that they contact us quickly if there is any issue.”

— Grade 3 Parent, MBZ Campus(representative)

Campus & Facilities

The Al Manara MBZ campus is located at 29 Al Hajous Street, Mohamed Bin Zayed City - a well-established residential district in Abu Dhabi that is home to a large proportion of Arab expatriate and Emirati families. The area is well-served by road infrastructure, and the school's position within MBZ City means it is genuinely accessible for families living across the district without the lengthy commutes that some Abu Dhabi schools require. The school operates as one of two campuses under the Al Manara Private School brand, with the Al Shamkha campus serving a separate catchment. The MBZ campus has been in operation since 1984, making it one of Abu Dhabi's older private school buildings. The Irtiqa report categorises management, staffing, facilities, and resources as Acceptable - the only performance standard to receive this lower rating - which is a candid signal that the physical environment and resource provision have not kept pace with the school's academic improvements. Parents should factor this into their assessment: the campus is functional and safe, but it does not offer the premium facilities of higher-fee schools in the city. Confirmed facilities include a gymnasium, a swimming pool, science laboratories (described as modern in the school's curriculum documentation), a theatre space used for public speaking and cultural events, an art studio, and a music room. The school also has a library housing 3,509 books (2,219 Arabic, 1,290 English), with computers for research and a data projector. The Irtiqa report notes that the main library lacks comfortable seating and engaging displays - it functions as a working space rather than an inviting reading environment, which limits its effectiveness as a literacy hub. A KG library with age-appropriate books operates separately for younger students, and lower Cycle 1 classrooms have small book collections accessible to students. The school references an electronic library on Telegram as a supplementary digital resource, and students have access to a growing digital reading resource in English. Technology integration across classrooms is present - the school's STEAM curriculum framework implies device access and digital tools - but specific details on 1:1 device ratios or smartboard coverage are not publicly documented. The school's homepage references its facilities with images showing classrooms, laboratories, and outdoor spaces, and the MBZ campus is specifically noted for its innovative teaching and special needs support. New owners have identified resource provision as an area requiring investment, and the Irtiqa report's recommendation to provide additional reading materials and hands-on resources suggests that facility upgrades are on the leadership agenda - though the timeline and scope of planned improvements are not publicly confirmed.

3,509

Library Books on Campus

2,219 Arabic titles + 1,290 English titles

Total Al Manara Campuses

MBZ City and Al Shamkha

Swimming Pool On-SiteScience LaboratoriesTheatre SpaceGymnasium3,509-Book Library

Teaching & Learning Quality

Teaching at Al Manara MBZ improved from Acceptable to Good across all cycles in the 2024/25 Irtiqa inspection - one of the most significant findings in the report and a direct result of the new leadership team's focus on professional practice. Inspectors noted that teachers generally have strong subject knowledge and a solid understanding of the MoE curriculum, with effective teaching strategies increasingly evident in lesson observations. This is a meaningful shift from the previous inspection, where teaching was rated Acceptable across the board. The school employs 76 teachers supported by 7 teaching assistants, giving a student-to-teacher ratio of approximately 14.7:1 for 1,116 students - a reasonable ratio for a school in this fee bracket. Teacher nationalities are predominantly Egyptian, Syrian, and Jordanian, reflecting the student community's demographic profile and ensuring strong Arabic language instruction. The alignment between teacher and student backgrounds is a genuine pastoral and academic asset in an MoE school. Teacher retention is an explicitly flagged challenge. The Irtiqa report notes that high turnover has been a persistent difficulty, and the recommendation to review staff management policies to reduce turnover is direct and unambiguous. The report also flags that classes have at times been left without subject specialist teachers for extended periods - a serious concern that the new ownership group has identified as a priority. New owners have acknowledged the need to improve recruitment and retention, but the impact of these initiatives is not yet evident in the data. Assessment improved from Acceptable to Good across all cycles. Assessment procedures are now more systematic, and all teachers have access to a range of assessment data. However, inspectors noted that while most teachers make effective use of this data to adapt lessons, consistency remains an issue across subjects and cycles. The use of student self- and peer-assessment using rubrics is recommended but not yet consistently implemented. Marking consistency and alignment with curriculum standards also require attention. Pedagogically, the school is working toward more inquiry-based and student-centred approaches, consistent with its STEAM positioning. However, the Irtiqa report identifies over-directive teaching in KG science as a specific regression point, and recommendations to provide students with more opportunities for exploration, self-discovery, and critical thinking recur throughout the report. Professional development is ongoing, with workshops covering inquiry-based learning and PISA/TIMSS frameworks, but the report notes that the large number of new and KG teachers requires more frequent and targeted training than is currently provided.

Teaching Staff on Campus

Supported by 7 teaching assistants

14.7:1

Student-to-Teacher Ratio

Based on 1,116 students and 76 teachers

Good

Teaching Quality Rating - All Cycles

Improved from Acceptable in 2022 Irtiqa inspection

Leadership & Management

The leadership story at Al Manara MBZ is one of the most important context points for any parent evaluating this school. At the time of the previous inspection in 2022, there was no appointed principal, vice-principal, or other key senior and middle leaders - an extraordinary situation that directly contributed to the Acceptable overall rating. That gap has now been addressed. Principal Mohamed Ahmed Mahmoud Rashwan was appointed during the 2023/24 academic year alongside a new vice-principal, and the Irtiqa 2024/25 inspection credits this leadership team with driving the school's improvement from Acceptable to Good. The effectiveness of leadership is now rated Good, and school self-evaluation and improvement planning have also moved to Good. Inspectors describe the principal as having set a clear strategic direction and shared vision actively supported by the entire school community - a finding that reflects well on the cultural shift underway. Middle leaders in English and Islamic Education have also been recently appointed, adding further structural depth to the leadership pipeline. New owners have taken over the strategic management of the school and have identified key improvement priorities, particularly around staff recruitment and retention and resource provision for literacy development. The Irtiqa report is measured in its assessment of the new ownership's impact: the priorities have been identified, but the outcomes are not yet visible in the data. This is an important signal - the school is in a period of genuine transition, and the next inspection cycle will be critical in determining whether the improvement trajectory is sustained. Governance is rated Acceptable - the only leadership-related standard below Good - suggesting that board-level oversight and accountability structures still need strengthening. Partnerships with parents are rated Good, indicating that communication channels are functional and valued by families. The school uses an online registration and management portal (ERP Plus Cloud), and social media channels (Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, X, LinkedIn) are actively maintained. Contact is available via phone at (+971) 02 555 2115 and email at MBZreceptionist@ampss.ae. The school's self-evaluation and improvement planning documentation is in place, though the Irtiqa report recommends reviewing it more regularly to ensure it reflects current provision and challenges more accurately. Action plans exist for PISA and TIMSS improvement, though these are not yet fully integrated into the whole-school development plan.

ADEK Inspection Results (Irtiqa - Decoded)

The 2024/25 Irtiqa inspection, conducted between 10 and 13 February 2025, awarded Al Manara MBZ an overall rating of Good - a two-grade improvement from the Acceptable rating recorded in the previous inspection in 2022. This is a significant and credible improvement, not a marginal shift, and it reflects genuine progress across multiple performance standards rather than gains in one isolated area. The school's most impressive achievement is the breadth of improvement. Teaching and Assessment both moved from Acceptable to Good across all cycles. Student achievements improved in all subjects and most cycles. Personal and social development, innovation skills, curriculum design and implementation, and curriculum adaptation are all rated Good. Leadership effectiveness and self-evaluation planning moved from Acceptable to Good. The only performance standards remaining at Acceptable are Governance and Management, Staffing, Facilities and Resources - the latter being a structural and resource challenge that leadership cannot resolve quickly. In terms of attainment versus progress, the picture is nuanced. Mathematics is a standout: Good attainment and Good progress across all cycles, with TIMSS Grade 8 results exceeding school targets. Arabic as a first language has shown the most dramatic IBT improvement trajectory - from Weak in 2022/23 to Outstanding in Cycles 2 and 3 by 2024/25. Science in KG regressed from Good to Acceptable, a specific concern. English attainment remains Acceptable in Cycles 1 and 2, representing the most persistent academic gap. The inclusion provision assessment reflects a school that is building its systems but has not yet reached the level of specialist provision that students of determination deserve. Identification processes are strong; in-school services are absent. The gifted and talented programme is underdeveloped. These are the areas where the school's resource constraints most directly affect student outcomes. The rating history shows a school that experienced a period of significant instability before its current recovery. The move from Acceptable to Good in a single inspection cycle, while the school simultaneously dealt with leadership vacuums and staff turnover, is a genuine achievement that deserves recognition.

Strong Subject Knowledge Among Teachers

Inspectors confirmed that teachers generally demonstrate solid subject knowledge and a sound understanding of how students learn across different year groups, contributing directly to the improvement in teaching quality ratings.

Effective Safeguarding Procedures

The school maintains effective child protection and safeguarding procedures that are clearly communicated to all stakeholders. Students and staff are kept safe, and the school's approach to student welfare is consistently applied.

Clear Leadership Vision Driving Improvement

The new principal has established a clear strategic direction and shared vision supported by the whole school community, directly credited by inspectors for the school's improvement from Acceptable to Good since 2022.

Staff Retention and Specialist Coverage

High teacher turnover remains a significant operational risk. The Irtiqa report explicitly recommends reviewing staff management policies to reduce turnover and ensure classes are not left without subject specialist teachers for extended periods - a situation that has occurred and directly affects student learning continuity.

Inclusion Services and Gifted & Talented Provision

While identification processes for students of determination have improved, the school currently lacks in-school specialist services. The gifted and talented identification and support system also requires further development, meaning both ends of the learning needs spectrum are underserved relative to best practice.

Rating History

2024/25

Good

2022

Acceptable

Fees & Value for Money

Al Manara MBZ is unambiguously a value-positioned school within the Abu Dhabi private school landscape. With annual tuition fees ranging from AED 12,700 for KG1/KG2 to AED 16,900 for Grades 10-12, it sits at the accessible end of the fee spectrum - significantly below the mid-range MoE schools in the city and a fraction of the cost of curriculum-comparable schools in neighbouring areas. For families seeking an Arabic-medium MoE education with STEAM enrichment at a genuinely affordable price point, this is one of the most competitive offerings in Mohamed Bin Zayed City schools. The ADEK/TAMM official fee schedule for 2025-2026 confirms that tuition fees are structured across four pricing bands: KG (AED 12,700), Grades 1-2 (AED 14,000), Grades 3-5 (AED 14,075), Grades 6-9 (AED 15,475), and Grades 10-12 (AED 16,900). The incremental increases are modest and predictable, which aids family financial planning across a child's full school journey from KG1 through Grade 12. Additional costs are clearly structured. School bus transport is AED 4,548 annually across all year groups - a fixed, transparent cost. Books range from AED 300 in KG1 to AED 715 in Grades 4-8, with no book costs listed for Grades 9-12. Uniforms are a fixed AED 378 across all year groups. These additional costs are modest and in line with what parents would expect at this fee level. The value-for-money verdict requires honest calibration. At AED 12,700-16,900 per year, parents are not buying premium facilities or a rich extracurricular programme. The Irtiqa rating of Acceptable for facilities and resources is the market reality. What parents are buying is a school with a 40-year track record, an improving academic profile, a Good ADEK rating, strong Arabic and Islamic Education outcomes, and a community-oriented environment that reflects the cultural values of its student population. For Arab expatriate families in MBZ City seeking an affordable, culturally aligned MoE education, this represents genuine value. For families prioritising facilities, English-medium instruction, or a broad international co-curricular offer, the fee saving does not compensate for what is absent. No scholarship or bursary information is publicly available. Payment terms and installment structures are not documented on the school's public-facing website, and prospective parents should contact the school directly to confirm accepted payment methods and installment options.

AED 12,700

Lowest Annual Tuition (KG1/KG2)

AED 16,900

Highest Annual Tuition (Grades 10-12)

Phase	Year Groups	Annual Fee
Kindergarten	KG1	12,700
Kindergarten	KG2	12,700
Primary (Cycle 1)	Grade 1	14,000
Primary (Cycle 1)	Grade 2	14,000
Primary (Cycle 1)	Grade 3	14,075
Primary (Cycle 1)	Grade 4	14,075
Primary (Cycle 1)	Grade 5	14,075
Secondary (Cycle 2)	Grade 6	15,475
Secondary (Cycle 2)	Grade 7	15,475
Secondary (Cycle 2)	Grade 8	15,475
Secondary (Cycle 2)	Grade 9	15,475
Secondary (Cycle 3)	Grade 10	16,900
Secondary (Cycle 3)	Grade 11	16,900
Secondary (Cycle 3)	Grade 12	16,900

Additional Costs

School Bus Transport4,548(annual)

Books - KG1300(annual)

Books - KG2330(annual)

Books - Grades 1 & 2550(annual)

Books - Grades 3, 4 & 5605 - 715(annual)

Books - Grades 6, 7 & 8715(annual)

Books - Grades 9 to 120(annual)

Uniform378(annual)

Scholarships & Bursaries

No formal scholarship or bursary programme is publicly documented on the school's website or ADEK profile. Given the school's already-low fee structure, families requiring financial assistance should contact the school administration directly to discuss available options.

The Final Verdict: Who Is This School For?

Al Manara MBZ is a school in genuine, evidenced recovery. The jump from Acceptable to Good in a single inspection cycle - achieved while simultaneously managing leadership transitions, ownership changes, and staff turnover - is not a trivial achievement. The new principal has set a credible direction, teaching quality has improved meaningfully, and Arabic and Mathematics outcomes are legitimately strong. For the right family, this is a school worth serious consideration. The school's value proposition is clearest for Arab expatriate families - particularly Jordanian, Syrian, and Egyptian communities - who want a culturally and linguistically aligned MoE education at an affordable price in a convenient MBZ City location. The strong Arabic language outcomes, robust Islamic Education results, and the school's 40-year community presence make it a natural home for families who prioritise these dimensions of education. At AED 12,700-16,900 per year, it is also one of the few private school options in Abu Dhabi where a family can genuinely plan for KG through Grade 12 without fee escalation becoming a financial strain. However, parents should enter with clear eyes about what this school is not. It is not a school for families prioritising English-medium instruction, premium facilities, a rich international co-curricular programme, or specialist inclusion services. The Acceptable rating for facilities and resources is real. Teacher turnover is a documented operational risk. English attainment in Cycles 1 and 2 requires attention. And the PISA scores, while improving, remain below international averages - relevant if your child's trajectory includes international university applications. The school is at an inflection point. The next Irtiqa inspection will be the true test of whether the current improvement is structural or circumstantial. For families who enrol now, they are joining a school on an upward trajectory - but one that has not yet fully arrived at its destination.

THE “RIGHT FIT”

Arab expatriate families in MBZ City seeking an affordable, culturally aligned MoE education with strong Arabic and Islamic Education outcomes, where community belonging and value for money are the primary decision criteria.

THE “WRONG FIT”

Families prioritising English-medium instruction, premium campus facilities, specialist SEN services, or a broad international co-curricular programme - the gap between this school's current offer and higher-fee alternatives in Abu Dhabi is real and material.

“

We chose Al Manara because it felt like home - the language, the values, the community. The fees are fair, and we can see the school improving every year. It's not perfect, but it's ours.

— Grade 10 Parent, MBZ Campus

Pros

Improved from Acceptable to Good in a single ADEK inspection cycle
Among the most affordable private school fees in Abu Dhabi at AED 12,700-16,900
Outstanding Arabic language results in Cycles 2 and 3 on IBT and MoE exams
Strong Mathematics attainment rated Good across all cycles
New principal credited with clear strategic direction and measurable improvement
Culturally aligned MoE curriculum with STEAM integration
On-site swimming pool, gymnasium, science labs, and theatre space
High student attendance and positive personal development outcomes

Cons

Facilities and resources rated Acceptable - physical environment lags behind academic improvements
High teacher turnover is a documented risk; classes have been left without specialist teachers
English attainment remains Acceptable in Cycles 1 and 2 - a persistent gap
No in-school specialist services for students of determination
PISA scores below international averages, limiting appeal for internationally-oriented families