Bait Al Maqdes International Private School

Curriculum

Ministry of Education

ADEK Rating

Good

Location

Abu Dhabi, Mohamed Bin Zayed City

Annual Fees

AED 6K - 12K

Bait Al Maqdes International Private School

The Executive Summary

Bait Al Maqdes International Private School Abu Dhabi occupies a distinctive niche in the Mohamed Bin Zayed City schools landscape: it is one of the most affordable co-educational private schools in the emirate, operating under the UAE Ministry of Education curriculum Abu Dhabi framework and holding an ADEK rating Good from the 2024 Irtiqa inspection cycle. With school fees Abu Dhabi parents will find genuinely accessible - ranging from AED 5,890 to AED 12,030 per year - and a student body of 1,419 pupils spanning KG1 through Grade 12, this is a school that takes seriously its principal's stated mission of delivering affordable quality education under the guiding motto of 'One Family.' Standout academic strengths include Very Good attainment and progress in Islamic Education across all cycles, and Very Good performance in UAE Social Studies - results that consistently exceed MoE curriculum standards in external examinations. These are not trivial achievements for a school absorbing more than 600 new students in a single cycle while managing meaningful teacher turnover. The honest picture, however, is more nuanced. International benchmark performance in PISA 2022 and IBT assessments places the school below international averages in English, mathematics, and reading - a gap that leadership has acknowledged and is actively targeting. Teaching quality, while Very Good in Cycle 3, remains Good in KG and Cycles 1 and 2, with inconsistency across subjects and phases identified as the primary lever for improvement. The school currently lacks a dedicated inclusion team and SENCO, which is a meaningful gap for families of students of determination or high-ability learners seeking structured enrichment. For value-conscious families - particularly those from Arab-speaking backgrounds who prioritize Islamic values education, UAE social studies, and a nurturing community environment - Bait Al Maqdes offers genuine substance at a price point that no comparable Abu Dhabi private school can match. Families seeking elite university preparation, extensive ECA programming, or specialist inclusion support should look elsewhere.

ADEK Good 2024AED 5,890 Entry FeesMoE Curriculum1,419 StudentsOne Family Motto

“The school genuinely feels like a family - teachers know every child by name, and the Islamic education is outstanding. For the fees we pay, we honestly could not find better value anywhere in Abu Dhabi.”

— Grade 7 Parent(representative)

Academic Framework & Learning Style

Bait Al Maqdes International Private School follows the UAE Ministry of Education (MoE) curriculum across all cycles, from KG through Grade 12. This positions the school firmly within the national education framework, with all core subjects - Arabic, Islamic Education, UAE Social Studies, English, Mathematics, and Science - delivered in alignment with MoE curriculum standards and assessed through both internal moderation and external MoE examinations. Academically, the school's profile is decidedly uneven, and parents should understand the subject-by-subject picture clearly. Islamic Education is the standout performer: internal data, lesson observations, and external MoE examination results all point to outstanding attainment across KG and all three cycles, with most students performing above curriculum standards. Progress data is equally strong, with boys, girls, gifted students, and Emirati students all making outstanding to very good progress. UAE Social Studies mirrors this strength, with Very Good attainment and progress across Cycles 1, 2, and 3, and three consecutive years of outstanding MoE external results. Arabic as a first language presents a more mixed picture: Very Good in Cycles 1 and 3, but Good in KG and Cycle 2, with IBT benchmark scores showing a decline from Very Good in 2022/23 to Acceptable in 2023/24 - a trend that warrants monitoring. In English-medium subjects, the picture is more challenging. English attainment is rated Good across all cycles, with IBT results indicating Weak attainment in Cycles 1, 2, and 3 - a direct consequence, the school acknowledges, of the large influx of students who are beginners in English language learning. Mathematics attainment is Good across all cycles, with IBT results Weak in Cycles 1 and 2 and Acceptable in Cycle 3. Science is Good across KG, Cycles 1 and 2, but progress in Cycle 3 has improved to Very Good, a positive trajectory. In PISA 2022, the school's 15-year-old students scored 415.1 in scientific literacy, 417.6 in mathematical literacy, and 401.5 in reading literacy - all below international averages and below the school's own targets. TIMSS 2023 results were more encouraging at Grade 8 level, where both mathematics (496.43) and science (508.53) exceeded international averages. The school's pedagogical approach is in active transition. The ADEK inspection notes that Cycle 3 teachers are promoting critical thinking, problem-solving, and independent learning effectively, but this best practice is inconsistent in lower phases. A school-wide Bloom's taxonomy pre- and post-moderation system provides coherent internal assessment infrastructure. The school participates in a partnership study with ACER International Early Learning Study (IELS) focused on KG skills development, though outcomes from this initiative are yet to materialize in improved KG results. The curriculum is MoE-compliant with well-embedded cross-curricular links, but inspectors note it leans toward knowledge transmission over skill development - a structural limitation that the school's own development plan acknowledges. Subject choice breadth is currently limited, and the extracurricular offering requires expansion. Inclusion provision for gifted and talented students and students of determination is an identified gap, with high attainers not yet sufficiently challenged within mainstream lessons.

Outstanding

Islamic Education Attainment

MoE external exam results across Cycles 1, 2 and 3 for three consecutive years

496.43

TIMSS 2023 Grade 8 Maths Score

Exceeds the international average benchmark

508.53

TIMSS 2023 Grade 8 Science Score

Exceeds the international average benchmark

Good

Overall ADEK Attainment Rating

Across English, Maths, Science in KG and Cycles 1-2; Very Good in Cycle 3 Science progress

Extracurricular Activities (ECAs)

The extracurricular offering at Bait Al Maqdes is an area the school itself - and ADEK inspectors - have identified as requiring significant development. The 2024 Irtiqa report explicitly recommends that the school expand the range of extracurricular options and provide more extensive opportunities for community involvement projects, innovation, and enterprise. Parents considering this school primarily for its ECA breadth will need to recalibrate expectations accordingly. That said, the school does maintain a number of structured activities and enrichment initiatives. Reading and literacy programs are embedded across all cycles, including participation in the National Arabian Reading Challenge, school-based reading competitions, and a children's theatre within the Cycle 1 library. Three gender-divided libraries serve Cycles 1, 2, and 3, with students in Grades 1-12 scheduled for one library period per week. Digital reading platforms including ALEF, Abjadiat, Noor, and Maktabty supplement classroom delivery. The school's most notable extracurricular strength is its community and environmental engagement. The Friends of the Environment initiative, which involves active parent participation, has been cited by ADEK inspectors as a positive example of community-school partnership enhancing education quality. Students are encouraged to participate in environmental care activities, though inspectors note that community service involvement beyond the school campus remains limited and needs to be expanded. The school also integrates UAE National Identity themes across subjects, connecting reading activities and mathematics and science content to Emirati heritage and values. Sports programming exists but is not detailed in available school documentation. The ADEK inspection recommends expanding students' leadership skills and opportunities to initiate environmental projects and participate in events enriching their understanding of Islamic values and UAE heritage - suggesting the current extracurricular footprint, while present, is not yet as broad or structured as the school's size would warrant. Families for whom a rich, competitive ECA schedule is a priority should factor this into their decision.

On-Campus Libraries

Separate libraries for Cycles 1, 2 and 3; gender-divided in upper cycles

National Arabian Reading ChallengeFriends of the EnvironmentALEF & Abjadiat PlatformsChildren's TheatreUAE Identity Integration

Pastoral Care & Well-being

Pastoral care at Bait Al Maqdes is one of the school's more genuinely compelling qualities, and it is where the 'One Family' motto translates most visibly into practice. The ADEK 2024 inspection rates Health and Safety, including child protection and safeguarding arrangements, as Very Good across all cycles - the highest rating in the school's performance profile. Staff, students, and parents are all reported to be well-acquainted with child protection systems, which is a meaningful indicator of a school that takes safeguarding seriously and embeds it culturally rather than treating it as a compliance checkbox. Personal development is rated Very Good across KG and all three cycles - a particularly strong result that reflects students' positive attitudes, respectful behavior, and the school's success in fostering a supportive community environment despite the significant challenges of absorbing more than 600 new students in a single academic year. Staff and students are described by inspectors as having positive and purposeful relationships, and systems for managing behavior and attendance are effective. The school provides appropriate support for the well-being and accelerated progress of 'at-risk' students, and monitoring of student well-being is in place. However, the ADEK inspection identifies two meaningful gaps. First, the recording of well-being information is not yet integrated or digitally systematized, which limits the school's ability to track individual student welfare over time. Second, and more significantly, the school currently operates without a dedicated inclusion team or SENCO - a gap that affects both students of determination and gifted and talented learners. The school has adopted plans to address this, but ADEK has flagged the urgency of implementation. For families of children with additional learning needs, this is a critical consideration. Students' understanding of Islamic values is Good across all phases, and social responsibility and innovation skills are also rated Good, with room for growth in knowledge of UAE history, world cultures, and community service participation beyond the school gates.

“My daughter has been here since KG and the teachers genuinely care about the children as individuals. The environment is warm, disciplined, and safe - we have never had a concern about bullying or her well-being.”

— Grade 5 Parent(representative)

Campus & Facilities

Bait Al Maqdes International Private School is located at 102, Al Jarayid Street, Mohamed Bin Zayed City - a well-established residential district in Abu Dhabi that is home to a large and diverse expatriate community, particularly families of Arab-speaking backgrounds. The area offers good road connectivity to central Abu Dhabi and is served by the school's own bus network, making it accessible from surrounding neighborhoods. The school has been operating since 2000, and the campus reflects its age. The ADEK 2024 inspection specifically flags that some areas pose access issues for those with mobility issues, and recommends the school expedite planned refurbishment to make the environment more stimulating, enjoyable, and accessible for all students. This is not a campus that will impress on a first visit in the way that newer, purpose-built schools in Abu Dhabi do - and parents should visit in person to form their own view of the physical environment. Facilities include three libraries - one for Cycle 1 and separate, gender-divided libraries for Cycles 2 and 3. The Cycle 1 library is notably well-resourced for its phase, featuring a dedicated children's theatre area for whole-class activities, alongside toys, games, and teacher-made resources. However, total library holdings are modest: approximately 150 English and 225 Arabic books, supplemented by digital subscriptions to Noor, Maktabty, and Abjadiat. The ADEK report notes the libraries are under-resourced with print materials relative to the school's size and the demands of developing reading and research skills at scale. The school accommodates 1,419 students across KG through Grade 12 - a substantial enrollment that, combined with the recent influx of 600+ new students, places pressure on existing infrastructure. The ADEK inspection's recommendation to expedite facility upgrades and optimize resource allocation reflects this reality. Digital technology infrastructure - including platforms such as ALEF for English and Arabic reading - is in use, but the inspection does not indicate a 1:1 device program or advanced maker-space provision. The school's participation in the ACER IELS study suggests some engagement with evidence-based learning environment research, though outcomes are yet to be realized in improved KG results.

1,419

Students on Roll

Including 600+ new joiners in the most recent academic cycle

375

Library Books (English + Arabic)

150 English and 225 Arabic volumes across three cycle libraries

Mohamed Bin Zayed City LocationSchool Bus NetworkThree On-Campus LibrariesChildren's Theatre SpaceDigital Reading PlatformsEstablished Since 2000

Teaching & Learning Quality

Teaching quality at Bait Al Maqdes is the single most consequential variable in the school's improvement trajectory - and the 2024 ADEK inspection gives a frank, detailed account of both its strengths and its limitations. Overall, teaching for effective learning is rated Good in KG and Cycles 1 and 2, and Very Good in Cycle 3. The same pattern holds for assessment. This split is significant: it means the school's oldest, most examination-oriented students are experiencing the best teaching, while younger children - who are building foundational literacy and numeracy - are in a more variable environment. The school employs 72 teachers, supported by 12 teaching assistants, serving 1,419 students - a ratio of approximately 1 teacher to every 20 students. Teacher nationalities are predominantly Egyptian, Jordanian, and Syrian. Teacher turnover has been a notable challenge: the ADEK report explicitly acknowledges that the school maintained its Good rating despite significant teacher turnover, and notes that new teachers have found it particularly difficult to respond to the wide diversity of learners, even with the school's induction and support program in place. The school's professional development program has intensified, and the ADEK inspection acknowledges that the impact of intensive professional development and more regular monitoring is now becoming apparent - particularly in Cycle 3, where teachers are effectively promoting critical thinking, problem-solving, and independent learning. However, the transformational shift from traditional, teacher-centered instruction to a student-centered approach is not yet consistently embedded across all subjects and phases. Specific weaknesses identified by inspectors include: teachers spending too much time talking, limiting collaborative problem-solving; inconsistent use of data to differentiate lessons; insufficient challenge for higher-attaining students; and marking in books that does not always give students clear next steps. Questioning skills across all cycles and subjects also require enhancement. Planning consistency has improved, with better links to UAE and real-world contexts now embedded, but time management within lessons remains an area for development.

Teaching Staff

Plus 12 teaching assistants; Egyptian, Jordanian and Syrian nationalities

~1:20

Teacher-to-Student Ratio

Based on 72 teachers and 1,419 students on roll

Very Good

Teaching Quality in Cycle 3

ADEK 2024 Irtiqa inspection rating; Good in KG and Cycles 1-2

Leadership & Management

The school is led by Principal Hussein Mousa S Abu Mousa, whose vision for affordable quality education and the school's guiding motto of 'One Family' are cited by ADEK inspectors as genuine drivers of the school's culture and direction. The principal's commitment to ensuring that a wide diversity of students - including the significant number of new joiners from Syria, Sudan, and Egypt - are well cared for and encouraged to reach their full potential is reflected in the school's pastoral strengths and its ability to maintain a Good ADEK rating despite absorbing more than 600 new students and navigating meaningful teacher turnover in a single cycle. Leadership and management are rated Good across most elements in the 2024 Irtiqa inspection, including the effectiveness of leadership, self-evaluation and improvement planning, governance, and day-to-day management. Partnerships with parents are rated Very Good - the highest-rated element of the school's leadership profile - reflecting the active involvement of families in school life, including through initiatives such as the Friends of the Environment program. The school has coherent self-evaluation systems and a School Development Plan with specific, measurable targets for PISA improvement and teaching quality. The ADEK inspection identifies the capacity and capability of middle leaders as the primary leadership development priority. Inspectors recommend that designated leaders be given greater clarity about their responsibilities and authority, and that accountability for improved school performance be strengthened. Communication and consultation mechanisms with parents - particularly regarding new joiners - are flagged for enhancement. The school's long-term strategic planning needs to more explicitly address the challenges of high enrollment growth and staff turnover to ensure sustainable development. Leadership participation in external professional networks and conferences is recommended to bring fresh thinking to what is clearly a school navigating a period of significant operational complexity.

ADEK Inspection Results (Irtiqa - Decoded)

The ADEK Irtiqa 2024 inspection - conducted 3-6 February 2025 for the 2024/25 academic year - awarded Bait Al Maqdes International Private School an overall rating of Good, consistent with its previous inspection result. That the school held its rating despite absorbing more than 600 new students and significant teacher turnover is, in the inspectors' own words, a reflection of the ongoing hard work of the senior leadership team. It is a Good rating earned under genuine pressure, not a comfortable plateau. The inspection framework covers six performance standards. PS1 (Students' Achievements) is Good overall, with Islamic Education and UAE Social Studies standing out as Very Good across all cycles. PS2 (Personal and Social Development) is Very Good for personal development across all phases - an impressive result - with Good ratings for understanding of Islamic values and social responsibility. PS3 (Teaching and Assessment) is Good in KG and Cycles 1-2, and Very Good in Cycle 3. PS4 (Curriculum) is Good across all cycles, with compliance confirmed but skill development and ECA breadth flagged for expansion. PS5 (Protection, Care, Guidance and Support) splits between Very Good for health and safety and Good for care and support - the latter having regressed from the previous inspection. PS6 (Leadership and Management) is Good overall, with the standout of Very Good for parent partnerships. The five key ADEK recommendations for the school are: (1) raise student achievement to consistently Very Good levels, particularly in English-medium subjects and foundational literacy; (2) ensure teaching and assessment quality reaches Very Good standard in all subjects and cycles; (3) improve performance in PISA, TIMSS, and PIRLS international assessments; (4) urgently deploy an inclusion team and dedicated SENCO; and (5) strengthen leadership capacity, particularly at the middle leader level. These are substantive, specific recommendations - not boilerplate - and the school's development plan appears to be engaging with them seriously.

Islamic Education: Outstanding Track Record

Three consecutive years of outstanding attainment in MoE external Islamic Education examinations across Cycles 1, 2 and 3, with Very Good progress for all student groups including gifted and Emirati students. This is the school's most consistent and impressive academic achievement.

Safeguarding & Health: Very Good Across All Cycles

Health and safety arrangements, including child protection and safeguarding systems, are rated Very Good across KG and all three cycles. Staff, students, and parents all demonstrate strong awareness of these systems - a cultural embedding, not just a policy document.

Parent Partnership: A Genuine School Strength

Parent partnerships are rated Very Good - the highest-rated element of the school's leadership profile. Active parent involvement in initiatives like Friends of the Environment is cited by inspectors as positively enhancing education quality, not merely a tokenistic engagement.

Inclusion Infrastructure: Urgent Gap

The school currently operates without a dedicated inclusion team or SENCO. ADEK has flagged this as urgent, noting the need to strengthen identification and support for students of determination and gifted and talented learners. Plans exist but implementation has not yet occurred.

Teaching Consistency Across Phases

While Cycle 3 teaching is Very Good, KG and Cycles 1-2 remain at Good with notable variation across subjects and new teachers. Differentiation for higher attainers, effective use of assessment data, quality of written feedback, and the shift to student-centered learning are all identified improvement priorities.

Rating History

2024

Good

2023

Good

Fees & Value for Money

Bait Al Maqdes International Private School sits at the most affordable end of Abu Dhabi's private school fee spectrum, and this is not a marginal distinction - it is the school's most defining characteristic for many families. Annual tuition fees for 2025-2026 range from AED 5,890 at Preschool and KG level to AED 12,030 at Grade 12. To put this in context: the Abu Dhabi private school market spans fees from approximately AED 15,000 to over AED 100,000 per year. Bait Al Maqdes is operating at the very accessible end of that range, making it one of the most affordable co-educational private schools delivering the MoE curriculum in the emirate. The fee structure is tiered logically by phase, with meaningful step-ups at Grade 1 (AED 6,790), Grade 4 (AED 7,020), Grade 7 (AED 8,680), Grade 10 (AED 10,470), and Grade 11-12 (AED 11,240-12,030). Additional costs are clearly structured and regulated by ADEK: the school bus is AED 4,025 per year for all grades, a meaningful but transparent additional expense for families relying on transport. Book fees range from AED 210 at Preschool level to AED 950 at Grades 7-8, with no book fees listed for Grades 9-12. Uniform costs are AED 420 for KG through Grade 6 and AED 525 for Grades 7-12. For a family with two children - one in Grade 5 and one in Grade 9 - total tuition would be AED 15,700 per year, with bus fees adding AED 8,050 if both use transport. This is a total annual outlay of under AED 24,000 for two children in a regulated private school, which is genuinely exceptional value by Abu Dhabi standards. Value-for-money editorial verdict: for families whose priorities align with the school's strengths - Islamic education, UAE social studies, Arabic language, a nurturing community environment, and affordability - the value proposition is strong. For families expecting the breadth of ECA programming, specialist inclusion support, or international benchmark performance associated with higher-fee schools, the value equation is less compelling.

AED 5,890

Lowest Annual Tuition (Preschool/KG)

AED 12,030

Highest Annual Tuition (Grade 12)

Phase	Year Groups	Annual Fee
Foundation Stage	Preschool	5,890
Foundation Stage	KG1	5,890
Foundation Stage	KG2	5,890
Primary (Cycle 1)	Grade 1	6,790
Primary (Cycle 1)	Grade 2	6,790
Primary (Cycle 1)	Grade 3	6,790
Primary (Cycle 1)	Grade 4	7,020
Primary (Cycle 1)	Grade 5	7,020
Middle (Cycle 2)	Grade 6	7,020
Middle (Cycle 2)	Grade 7	8,680
Middle (Cycle 2)	Grade 8	8,680
Secondary (Cycle 3)	Grade 9	8,680
Secondary (Cycle 3)	Grade 10	10,470
Secondary (Cycle 3)	Grade 11	11,240
Secondary (Cycle 3)	Grade 12	12,030

Additional Costs

School Bus (all grades)4,025(annual)

Books - Preschool210(annual)

Books - KG1210(annual)

Books - KG2230(annual)

Books - Grade 1790(annual)

Books - Grade 2830(annual)

Books - Grade 3850(annual)

Books - Grade 4870(annual)

Books - Grade 5860(annual)

Books - Grade 6860(annual)

Books - Grade 7950(annual)

Books - Grade 8950(annual)

Books - Grades 9-120(annual)

Uniform - KG through Grade 6420(annual)

Uniform - Grades 7 through 12525(annual)

Scholarships & Bursaries

No formal scholarship or bursary program is referenced in available ADEK or school documentation. Given the school's positioning as an affordable, community-focused institution, families in financial difficulty should contact the school directly to discuss any available provisions.

The Final Verdict: Who Is This School For?

Bait Al Maqdes International Private School is a school that delivers meaningfully on a specific and honest promise: affordable, community-rooted, MoE-curriculum education in a nurturing, values-driven environment. Its ADEK Good rating - held under the genuine pressure of rapid enrollment growth and teacher turnover - is evidence that this is not a school coasting on low fees and low expectations. Islamic Education and UAE Social Studies results are outstanding by any measure. Personal development outcomes are Very Good across all phases. Safeguarding is robust. The principal's vision is coherent and the parent community is actively engaged. The school's limitations are equally real and should not be minimized. International benchmark performance in PISA and IBT assessments is below international averages. The absence of a dedicated inclusion team and SENCO is an urgent gap. Extracurricular breadth is limited. Teaching in the lower cycles is inconsistent, and the transition to student-centered learning is incomplete. These are not deal-breakers for the right family - but they are important filters. For families weighing this school against higher-fee alternatives in Mohamed Bin Zayed City and the wider Abu Dhabi education market, the question is not whether Bait Al Maqdes is a good school in absolute terms - it is whether it is the right fit for your child's specific needs and your family's priorities. On that question, the answer is clear and differentiated.

THE “RIGHT FIT”

Families from Arab-speaking backgrounds - particularly those from Syria, Sudan, Egypt, and Jordan - who prioritize Islamic values education, Arabic language development, UAE Social Studies, and a warm, community-oriented school culture, and for whom affordability is a genuine consideration. The school is also well-suited to families who value a stable, nurturing pastoral environment over an extensive ECA or enrichment program.

THE “WRONG FIT”

Families whose children have identified additional learning needs (students of determination) or who are high-ability learners requiring structured gifted and talented provision - the school's inclusion infrastructure is not yet in place to serve these students adequately. Also not ideal for families prioritizing strong international benchmark performance, a broad extracurricular program, or a campus with modern, purpose-built facilities.

“

We chose this school because it felt right for our family - the values, the community, the Arabic language focus. The fees made it possible for us to afford private education at all. It is not perfect, but it is honest and it cares.

— Grade 10 Parent

Pros

Outstanding Islamic Education results across all cycles for three consecutive years
Very Good UAE Social Studies attainment - consistently above MoE standards
Most affordable private school fee range in Abu Dhabi (AED 5,890-12,030)
Very Good personal development and positive student behavior across all phases
Robust safeguarding rated Very Good across KG and all cycles
Very Good parent partnerships with active community involvement
Maintained Good ADEK rating despite absorbing 600+ new students
Cycle 3 teaching rated Very Good with strong critical thinking focus

Cons

No dedicated inclusion team or SENCO - urgent gap for SEN and gifted students
PISA 2022 scores below international averages in reading, maths, and science
Limited extracurricular program - ADEK recommends significant expansion
Teaching inconsistency in lower cycles; student-centered shift incomplete
Campus requires refurbishment; accessibility issues for students with mobility needs