Liwa International School - Al Ain - Falaj Hazza'
Curriculum
American
ADEK Rating
Very Good
Location
Al Ain, Al Falaj Hazzaa
Annual Fees
AED 19K - 35K
Liwa International School - Al Ain - Falaj Hazza'
The Executive Summary
Liwa International School - Al Ain - Falaj Hazza' is one of Al Ain's most established American curriculum schools, founded in 1992 and now serving over 2,600 students from Preschool through Grade 12. Holding an ADEK rating of Very Good - sustained across multiple inspection cycles including the 2024/25 Irtiqa report - LISF occupies a distinctive position in the Al Falaj Hazzaa schools landscape: it is the original flagship of the growing Liwa Education network, drawing predominantly Emirati families (approximately 92% of the student body) who value an American curriculum Al Ain education grounded firmly in UAE national identity. School fees Al Ain parents will find the pricing genuinely competitive, ranging from AED 19,400 to AED 35,030 in tuition - significantly below comparable American curriculum schools in Abu Dhabi city - making this a strong value proposition for families seeking ADEK-endorsed quality without premium price tags.
The school's core strengths are real and inspectorate-verified: Outstanding health and safety, Very Good teaching across all phases, a well-structured curriculum aligned to California Common Core State Standards, and a community service programme that has won first place at Al Ain level every year and claimed the UAE national title five times. However, parents should enter with clear eyes on the weaknesses. MAP assessment results in English reading and mathematics show weak attainment across multiple grades, and international benchmarking scores in PISA 2022 and TIMSS 2023 fall below international averages - a meaningful gap that the school's 2025 action plan is attempting to close. Attendance and punctuality are flagged as ongoing concerns by ADEK inspectors. LISF is the right fit for Emirati and Arab families seeking an accessible, values-driven American curriculum school with strong pastoral care and a genuine community feel; it is less suited to families prioritising elite university placement or top-decile international assessment performance.
Very Good ADEK 202433 Years EstablishedOutstanding SafeguardingAmerican Common Core
“The school has been part of our family for two generations. The teachers genuinely know our children, and the community spirit here is unlike anything I have seen at other schools in Al Ain.”
— Grade 8 Parent(representative)Academic Framework & Learning Style
LISF follows the Liwa Education Curriculum, a proprietary framework aligned to the California Common Core State Standards and supplemented by UAE Ministry of Education requirements for Arabic, Islamic Studies, and Social Studies. The curriculum runs from Preschool (N4) through Grade 12, with the school issuing a US High School Diploma to graduating students. The approach is explicitly student-centred, emphasising cross-curricular links, active learning, and critical thinking rather than rote instruction - a philosophy that inspectors confirmed is genuinely embedded in classroom practice, with teaching rated Very Good across all four phases in the 2024/25 Irtiqa inspection.
In the Elementary phase (Grades 1-5), strong emphasis is placed on reading and language immersion, with structured phonics from KG1, weekly library lessons, and digital platforms including Raz-Kids, Wonders, and Ginn 360 used to differentiate reading levels. A weekly PACE personal development session runs through Middle and High School, covering study skills, careers, emotional intelligence, and university preparation. Middle and High School students can access electives including Design and Technology, Media, Art, and French, alongside core subjects. A dedicated university guidance programme supports Grade 11 and 12 students with one-to-one tutorials, an annual University Fair, and scholarship guidance - with the school's news feed confirming 2025 graduate acceptances into medical, computer science, and engineering programmes at regional and international universities.
On standardised assessment, the picture is mixed and parents deserve the unvarnished data. All students from KG2 to Grade 11 sit the MAP (Measures of Academic Progress) test twice yearly. In AY2023/24, MAP English reading attainment was rated weak across most grades in both Fall and Spring sittings. MAP mathematics attainment was similarly weak in Fall across KG2 to Grade 10, though KG2 and Grade 1 achieved Outstanding in Spring mathematics. Science MAP attainment was weak in both sittings for Grades 3-10. In the Arabic Benchmark Test (ABT), however, the school performs strongly - attainment rated Very Good across all grades from 3 to 11 in AY2023/24, reflecting the school's genuine strength in Arabic-medium instruction. In PISA 2022, 15-year-old students scored 390.2 in reading (international average: 476), 380.1 in mathematics (international average: 472), and 379.1 in science (international average: 485) - all below both the international average and the school's own targets. TIMSS 2023 results were more nuanced: Grade 8 mathematics (445.48) exceeded the school's target of 440, and Grade 8 science (437.81) exceeded its target of 430, though both remain within the low international benchmark. The school has implemented a PISA action plan for 2025 and integrates weekly online practice questions to build assessment familiarity. For inclusion provision, the school has a dedicated Head of Inclusion (Ms. Ruslyn) and supports 264 students of determination - approximately 10% of enrolment - with Individual Education Plans. The ADEK report notes that differentiation for gifted and talented students remains inconsistent across phases, and this is a stated key recommendation for improvement.
Very Good
Teaching & Assessment - All Phases
ADEK Irtiqa 2024/25
264
Students of Determination
Approx. 10% of total enrolment
390.2
PISA 2022 Reading Score
International average: 476
445.48
TIMSS 2023 Grade 8 Maths Score
Exceeded school target of 440
Extracurricular Activities (ECAs)
Extracurricular life at LISF is genuinely broad and, in certain areas, nationally competitive. The school offers a comprehensive range of after-school clubs spanning sports, arts, community service, academic enrichment, and cultural activities. Documented clubs include Sports, Zumba, Cooking, Drama, Art, Model United Nations (MUN), Fashion, Journalism, Chess, Reading Buddies, and Quran Studies - with the school having hosted its own 2nd MUN Conference in February 2025, signalling growing confidence in student-led academic enrichment.
In competitive sports, the school fields teams in football, swimming, and jiu-jitsu, with recent participation in the Emirates Cup Swimming Championship, inter-school football competitions, and the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship. The school also competes in the UAE University Olympiad and various inter-school athletics events. The performing arts dimension includes drama and art, with an annual Art in Action showcase and participation in public speaking and debate competitions - students have competed in the 6th National Inter-Schools Public Speaking Competition and the 8th Public Speaking Competition, as well as the Integrity Debate Championship where a student won a Best Speaker Award.
The Community Service Team (CST) stands out as a genuine differentiator. Since 2013, LISF has participated in the UAE Red Crescent Aoun Community Service Project for twelve consecutive years, winning first place at Al Ain level every year and claiming the UAE national title five times. The 2025 Aoun Team from the secondary stage won first place at the national level - a remarkable achievement for a school of this profile. Academic enrichment is also strong: students have participated in the Global World Scholar's Cup (Dubai), the ADIA Computational Thinking Challenge, the 1st Genetics and Laboratory Medicine Innovation Competition, the iOS Design Competition through the Swift Accelerator UAE Program, and the 3rd AUD STEAM Competition. Innovation Week is held annually. The school also celebrates Quran recitation through the Mazameer Al Dawood competition. This breadth of ECA provision - covering elite community service, technology innovation, competitive debate, sports, and the arts - is one of LISF's most compelling selling points.
12
Consecutive Years in UAE Red Crescent Aoun Project
5x UAE national first place winners
UAE Red Crescent Aoun - 5x National ChampionsMUN Conference HostSwift Accelerator ProgramWorld Scholar's CupSTEAM & Innovation Week
Pastoral Care & Well-being
Pastoral care at LISF is a genuine strength, and the ADEK 2024/25 Irtiqa report confirms this with a Very Good rating for Care and Support across all four phases. The school's approach to student welfare is structured around clear policies covering safeguarding, health and safety, anti-bullying, and special educational needs - all published on the school website in line with ADEK guidance. Health and safety, including child protection and safeguarding, is rated Outstanding across all phases - the highest possible ADEK rating and one of the school's most consistent inspection achievements.
The school has a dedicated inclusion team led by Ms. Ruslyn, Head of Inclusion, and a student behaviour leader in Mr. Mohammad Fuqaha - a structural commitment to pastoral roles that signals genuine investment in student welfare beyond academic performance. Social workers are involved in supporting students with additional needs. Anti-bullying is taken seriously: the school ran a dedicated Anti-Bullying Week in November 2024 with a supporting session on social bullying prevention, and this is reflected in the school's published policies.
Student voice and leadership are actively cultivated. A Student Leadership Team meets regularly, and the school has a Career Counseling Office with a dedicated email address - an unusual provision for a mid-range fee school. A weekly PACE session (Personal and Academic Community Engagement) addresses emotional intelligence, healthy lifestyles, and personal development across Middle and High School. A Parents Council Committee is in place and meets regularly, though ADEK notes it does not hold governance responsibilities. One area requiring honest acknowledgement: attendance and punctuality are rated only Acceptable in Phases 1, 3, and 4 for Personal Development - a direct consequence of significant absenteeism that the school is actively working to address through parental engagement campaigns. ADEK has explicitly recommended that the school continue to engage parents on the importance of attendance.
“The pastoral care here is something I did not expect at this price point. When my son was struggling in Grade 6, the inclusion team and his class teacher worked together and kept us informed every step of the way.”
— Grade 7 Parent(representative)Campus & Facilities
LISF occupies a substantial campus in the Falaj Hazza' area of Al Ain, situated on Ibn Sina Street - a central, accessible location within one of Al Ain's established residential communities. The school operates from two main building complexes: a primary school building and a senior school building, with dedicated outdoor spaces for each phase. The campus has been developed over more than three decades and the facilities are extensive for a school in this fee bracket.
Key facilities confirmed on the school's own website include: fully equipped science laboratories (six labs), a resource centre and library, an IT infrastructure and technology lab, a dedicated Robotics Room, art rooms (four), music rooms (two), a large indoor gymnasium, an indoor sports area, swimming pools, outdoor play areas with dedicated green spaces for KG and primary students, an auditorium, a cafeteria, prayer rooms, and medical clinics. The school also features Learning Hubs - collaborative creative learning commons - and a Discovery Centre in the primary section for innovation and making activities. A Design Thinking Lab has been added as a more recent facility.
Technology infrastructure is meaningful: there are five computer labs and the school uses a cloud-based learning repository (the LIWA Cloud) that houses resources, planning, and student work, with older students accessing Google Drive for real-time teacher feedback. The school has solar panels and is described as one of the UAE's early adopters of green school practices, with creepers planted around the building for natural cooling - a genuine point of environmental distinction. Campus location is a practical positive: Falaj Hazza' is a well-connected residential area, and transportation is available both within Al Ain city (AED 4,037 per year) and for students outside city limits (AED 4,800 per year). There are no planned major expansions publicly announced at the time of writing, though the Liwa Education group continues to expand its network across Al Ain and Abu Dhabi.
6
Science Laboratories
Fully equipped, across both school buildings
5
Computer Labs
Plus dedicated Robotics Room and IT infrastructure
Swimming Pools On-SiteRobotics Room6 Science LaboratoriesSolar-Powered CampusAuditorium & Learning HubsDiscovery Centre
Teaching & Learning Quality
Teaching quality is one of LISF's most inspectorate-validated strengths. The ADEK 2024/25 Irtiqa report awards Very Good for Teaching for Effective Learning across all four phases - KG, Cycle 1, Cycle 2, and Cycle 3 - and similarly rates Assessment as Very Good across all phases. This consistency is notable: it means inspectors found effective lesson planning, differentiated activities, and coherent assessment practices from Preschool through Grade 12, not just in selected phases.
The school employs 172 teachers supported by 61 teaching assistants, giving a teacher-to-student ratio of approximately 1:15 - a healthy figure that enables meaningful individual attention. Teacher nationalities are drawn primarily from Egypt, Jordan, and the Philippines, with international recruitment from the UK, US, and South Africa also referenced. The school website lists 159 teachers described as native English speakers on its statistics panel, though this figure requires contextual interpretation given the nationality mix. All new staff are required to hold a professional teaching qualification and a minimum of two years' experience.
Pedagogically, the school's approach is explicitly student-centred and inquiry-oriented, with active learning embedded across subjects. Inspectors noted that teachers plan lessons effectively and that assessment practices are coherent and linked to the curriculum, involving students in their own learning. The school uses a systematic, data-driven approach to self-evaluation, triangulating MAP data, internal assessments, and international benchmarks (PISA, TIMSS) to identify learning gaps and design targeted interventions. A well-structured Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programme is in place and cited by ADEK as supporting sustained teaching quality. However, ADEK's key recommendations flag that teachers do not consistently use assessment information to challenge higher-ability students, and that differentiated instructional strategies for gifted and talented learners need strengthening - a gap that parents of high-achieving children should factor into their decision.
1:15
Teacher-to-Student Ratio
172 teachers, 61 teaching assistants
Very Good
Teaching Quality - All 4 Phases
ADEK Irtiqa 2024/25
172
Total Teaching Staff
Plus 61 teaching assistants
Leadership & Management
LISF is led by Principal Mr. John Harris, who joined the school in late 2023 following the departure of his predecessor. Mr. Harris brings international school leadership experience and has presided over the school's most recent ADEK Irtiqa inspection cycle, in which the school maintained its Very Good overall rating. The ADEK report rates the effectiveness of leadership as Very Good, alongside Very Good ratings for school self-evaluation and improvement planning, governance, and management of staffing, facilities, and resources. The one area rated only Good is Partnerships with parents and the community - a finding that reflects the school's ongoing challenge in broadening parental participation beyond the core parent council.
The senior leadership team is substantial and well-structured: beneath the Principal sit a Vice Principal for KG and Elementary (Ms. Melanie Haddy), an Assistant Vice Principal for Secondary (Ms. Aya Moustafa), two Assistant Vice Principals for Middle Grades (Ms. Amal Al Sharitti and Ms. Mireille Zouheir Kahlouni), an Assistant Vice Principal for Student Behaviour (Mr. Mohammad Fuqaha), and AVPs for KG and Elementary. Department heads cover all core subject areas including Mathematics, Arabic, Islamic Studies, Sciences, English, Humanities, IT, Arts, Physical Education, UAE Social Studies, and Moral Education - a depth of middle leadership that supports the curriculum delivery inspectors praised.
The school is owned and operated under the Liwa Education umbrella, chaired by Dr. Ali Saeed bin Harmal Al Dhaheri. Liwa Education is an established Al Ain-based educational operator with four schools and nurseries across Al Ain and Abu Dhabi, giving LISF the benefit of shared curriculum leadership, CPD infrastructure, and a centralised Curriculum Director and Subject Leads. Communication with parents is managed through a Managed Learning Environment (MLE) online portal, termly reports, twice-yearly parent meetings, parent workshops, and the school's active social media channels. ADEK confirms that a parent council is in place and meets regularly, though it does not hold governance responsibilities - a distinction parents seeking formal governance input should note.
ADEK Inspection Results (Irtiqa - Decoded)
The most recent ADEK Irtiqa inspection took place from 3 to 6 February 2025, covering the 2024/25 academic year. The overall rating of Very Good was maintained - consistent with the school's rating in 2022/23 and the pre-pandemic inspection of 2019/20. This consistency is a meaningful signal: LISF is a stable, well-managed school that has not experienced the post-pandemic dip seen at some comparable institutions.
Breaking down the Irtiqa report findings by performance standard: Students' Achievement is predominantly Very Good, with the standout exception being English and Mathematics attainment in KG and Cycle 1 (rated Good), and Science attainment in KG and Cycle 1 (Good). Arabic-medium subjects - Islamic Education, Arabic as a First Language, and UAE Social Studies - perform consistently at Very Good across Cycles 2, 3, and 4. Learning Skills are rated Very Good across all phases, which is an important positive: students are engaged, independent, and progressing well relative to their starting points even where absolute attainment benchmarks lag. Personal and Social Development is rated only Acceptable in Phases 1, 3, and 4 - driven primarily by the school's attendance and punctuality data, which represents lost learning time. This is the most significant concern in the report and one that parents should actively investigate.
Curriculum Design and Implementation, and Curriculum Adaptation, are both rated Very Good across all phases - a strong finding. Health and Safety is Outstanding across all four phases, the only Outstanding rating in the report and a genuine hallmark of the school's operational quality. The ADEK inspection team's key recommendations centre on four priorities: improving student achievement to a consistently high level (particularly practical science skills and Arabic speaking in Phase 1, and provision for gifted and talented students); strengthening teaching and assessment differentiation; improving inter-phase collaboration and attendance; and improving outcomes in PISA, TIMSS, and PIRLS international assessments. Parents should note that the school has published its ADEK inspection report publicly on its website - a transparency practice that speaks well of the leadership's accountability culture.
Outstanding Safeguarding & Health Safety
Health and safety, including child protection and safeguarding arrangements, is rated Outstanding across all four phases - KG, Cycle 1, Cycle 2, and Cycle 3. This is the highest possible ADEK rating and has been consistently achieved across multiple inspection cycles.
Very Good Teaching Across All Phases
Teaching for effective learning and assessment practices are rated Very Good in every phase of the school. Inspectors confirmed that teachers plan lessons effectively, embed active learning, and use coherent assessment approaches that inform instruction and drive student progress.
Strong Arabic-Medium Achievement
In Islamic Education, Arabic as a First Language, and UAE Social Studies, student attainment and progress are consistently Very Good across Cycles 2, 3, and 4. ABT Arabic standardised exam results show a large majority of students attaining above expectations across Grades 3-11.
Attendance & Personal Development
Personal Development is rated only Acceptable in Phases 1, 3, and 4, driven primarily by poor attendance and punctuality statistics. ADEK explicitly recommends that leadership continue to engage parents on the importance of attendance and restructure end-of-day dismissal to prevent further learning loss.
International Assessment Performance & G/T Provision
PISA 2022 and TIMSS 2023 scores fall below international averages and in some cases below the school's own targets. Differentiation for gifted and talented students is inconsistent across phases. ADEK recommends aligning curriculum and instruction more closely with the cognitive demands of international assessments and ensuring higher-ability students are consistently challenged.
Rating History
2024/25
Very Good
2022/23
Very Good
2019/20
Very Good
Fees & Value for Money
LISF's school fees Al Ain position it firmly in the mid-range bracket for the emirate - and as genuine value when benchmarked against American curriculum schools in Abu Dhabi city, where comparable schools charge significantly more. Tuition fees for the 2025/26 academic year run from AED 19,400 for KG1 and KG2 to AED 35,030 for Grade 12, with a structured step-up across phases: KG and early primary in the AED 19,400-21,020 range, upper primary at AED 23,630, middle school at AED 27,290, and high school rising from AED 29,820 to AED 35,030. Books are charged separately and range from AED 1,560 (KG) to AED 3,185 (Grades 10-12). Total costs including books therefore range from approximately AED 20,960 at KG level to AED 38,215 at Grade 12.
Fees are payable in three installments: the first (33% of tuition plus books) is due between 20 August and 12 September; the second (33% of tuition) between 1-12 December; and the third (29% of tuition) between 2-13 February. A non-refundable registration fee of 5% of tuition applies for new students, deducted from the first installment. Re-registration fees of 5% apply annually in February/March. Transportation within Al Ain city costs AED 4,037 per year; outside city limits, AED 4,800. Uniforms attract a 5% VAT surcharge. The school explicitly states that fees are not subject to any discount - there are no sibling discounts, bursaries, or fee reductions publicly available. Scholarships are not mentioned in official school communications, though the university guidance programme references scholarship support for outgoing students.
In terms of value for money, the editorial verdict is clear: for an ADEK Very Good-rated American curriculum school with Outstanding safeguarding, a 1:15 teacher ratio, extensive facilities including swimming pools and a robotics room, and a nationally recognised community service programme - all at fees well below Abu Dhabi city equivalents - LISF represents a genuinely strong proposition for Emirati and Arab families in Al Ain. The caveat is that international assessment scores and MAP attainment lag, so families prioritising elite academic outcomes may find the value calculus less compelling.
AED 19,400-35,030
Annual Tuition Fee Range
AED 20,960-38,215
Total Annual Cost (Tuition + Books)
| Phase | Year Groups | Annual Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Kindergarten | Preschool (N4) | 19,400 |
| Kindergarten | KG1 | 19,400 |
| Kindergarten | KG2 | 19,400 |
| Primary | Grade 1 | 20,940 |
| Primary | Grade 2 | 20,940 |
| Primary | Grade 3 | 21,020 |
| Primary | Grade 4 | 23,630 |
| Primary | Grade 5 | 23,630 |
| Middle School | Grade 6 | 23,630 |
| Middle School | Grade 7 | 27,290 |
| Middle School | Grade 8 | 27,290 |
| High School | Grade 9 | 27,290 |
| High School | Grade 10 | 29,820 |
| High School | Grade 11 | 32,420 |
| High School | Grade 12 | 35,030 |
Additional Costs
Books - KG1/KG21,560(annual)
Books - Grade 12,355(annual)
Books - Grade 22,460(annual)
Books - Grade 32,565(annual)
Books - Grade 42,630(annual)
Books - Grade 52,700(annual)
Books - Grade 62,770(annual)
Books - Grades 7, 8, 92,840(annual)
Books - Grades 10, 11, 123,185(annual)
Registration Fee (new students)5% of tuition(one-time)
Re-registration Fee (returning students)5% of tuition(annual)
Transportation - Inside Al Ain City4,037(annual)
Transportation - Outside Al Ain City4,800(annual)
School Uniform700(annual)
Scholarships & Bursaries
The school does not publicly advertise scholarships for incoming students. University scholarship guidance is provided to outgoing Grade 11 and 12 students as part of the university guidance programme.
The Final Verdict: Who Is This School For?
After 33 years of operation and three consecutive Very Good ADEK Irtiqa ratings, Liwa International School - Falaj Hazza' has earned its reputation as one of Al Ain's most dependable and community-rooted American curriculum schools. This is not a school chasing prestige rankings or international exam league tables - and it does not pretend to be. What it delivers, consistently and verifiably, is a safe, structured, values-driven education at a price point that makes quality schooling accessible to the Emirati and Arab families who make up the overwhelming majority of its student body.
The school's genuine differentiators are its Outstanding safeguarding record, its nationally competitive community service programme, its broad ECA offering, and its curriculum coherence - all confirmed by independent ADEK inspection. The weaknesses are equally real: MAP attainment scores are weak across multiple grades, PISA and TIMSS results lag international benchmarks, attendance is a systemic concern, and differentiation for gifted and talented students needs improvement. These are not trivial gaps. Families choosing LISF should do so with a clear understanding that the school's strength lies in character formation, community engagement, and foundational learning - not in producing top-decile international assessment performers. For the right family, that is an entirely defensible and attractive proposition.
THE “RIGHT FIT”
LISF is the right fit for Emirati and Arab families in Al Ain seeking a well-established, ADEK Very Good-rated American curriculum school with strong pastoral care, Outstanding safeguarding, active community service, and accessible fees - particularly families who value Emirati cultural integration alongside international academic standards.
THE “WRONG FIT”
LISF is not ideal for families whose primary criterion is elite international assessment performance or selective university placement, or for expatriate families seeking a highly international student demographic - the school is approximately 92% Emirati, with English as a second language for virtually all students.
“
We chose LISF because we wanted our children to be proud of who they are as Emiratis while still getting a proper international education. After six years, I can say that balance is real - and the fees make it possible for us to sustain it long-term.
— Secondary School Parent
Pros
- Outstanding ADEK rating for health, safety, and safeguarding across all phases
- Very Good teaching quality confirmed across all four school phases
- 33 years of established presence - one of Al Ain's most recognised American curriculum schools
- Fees significantly below comparable Abu Dhabi city American curriculum schools
- Nationally competitive community service programme - 5x UAE Red Crescent Aoun champions
- Broad ECA offering including MUN, robotics, STEAM, swimming, and debate
- 264 students of determination supported with dedicated inclusion staff
- Strong Arabic-medium attainment with Very Good ABT results across all grades
Cons
- MAP attainment rated weak across most grades in English reading and mathematics
- PISA 2022 scores fall significantly below international averages in all three domains
- Attendance and punctuality rated only Acceptable in three of four school phases
- Differentiation for gifted and talented students is inconsistent - a repeated ADEK recommendation
- No sibling discounts, bursaries, or fee reductions of any kind available