Abu Dhabi Australian SchoolInternational Baccalaureate Curriculum, Subjects & Qualifications

The Australian School of Abu Dhabi delivers the full International Baccalaureate continuum — spanning the Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP), and IB Diploma Programme (DP) — from KG1 through Grade 12. This makes ASAD one of a relatively select group of schools in Abu Dhabi offering an unbroken IB pathway from early childhood to university entry. The school operates bilingually in English and Arabic, with French available as an additional language, and serves a predominantly Emirati student body: 347 of 608 enrolled students hold UAE nationality, giving the school a distinctive national identity focus uncommon among IB institutions.

The most recent ADEK inspection, conducted in February 2025, rated the school Good — an improvement from the previous Acceptable rating — placing ASAD among 10 of 40 IB schools in Abu Dhabi rated Good at the most recent inspection. Inspectors identified the Phase 4 IB Diploma Programme as the school's academic standout: science attainment and progress in Cycle 3 were both rated Very Good, the only subject-phase combination to reach that level. English attainment has also improved to Good in Cycle 3, and progress in Arabic-medium subjects has risen across all phases. The school's commitment to inquiry-based learning and critical thinking — core IB values — was specifically commended by inspectors, particularly in the Diploma years.

Academic performance in the lower and middle phases, however, presents a more challenging picture. MAP assessment results in AY2023/24 for English reading and mathematics in Phases 2 and 3 were rated Very Weak to Weak — a significant concern for parents of primary and middle school-age children. International benchmarking results reinforce this: in PISA 2022, students scored 355.85 in reading, 386.5 in mathematics, and 386 in science, all substantially below the PISA international averages of 476, 472, and 485 respectively, and below the school's own targets in each domain. TIMSS 2023 results showed Grade 4 mathematics at 425.94 and Grade 8 mathematics at 430.78, both below international averages. Mathematics attainment remains Acceptable across Phases 1 to 3, and inspectors flagged word problems and higher-order challenge as specific gaps requiring urgent attention.

In terms of specialist provision, the school offers EAL support and has a Students of Determination programme, though inspectors noted that only 4 students of determination are formally enrolled — a figure that likely reflects under-identification rather than low need. Support for gifted and talented students was described as inconsistent, and the formal identification processes for additional learning needs were flagged as requiring strengthening. The school's library — holding 20,000 books across English, Arabic, French, and Urdu — is a genuine resource asset, supplemented by the Read Theory app, the Kutubee Arabic digital reading portal, and Khan Academy for mathematics. The Arab Reading Challenge and annual Book Fair participation reflect a meaningful commitment to reading culture.

Inspectors identified several areas requiring improvement: raising attainment to at least Good across all subjects and phases; developing the range of subject choices for older students; embedding more consistent differentiation and use of assessment data in teaching; and improving self-evaluation and governance accountability, both of which remain rated Acceptable. Compared to peer IB schools in Abu Dhabi — where 10 of 40 IB schools hold Outstanding ratings — ASAD's academic profile in the lower phases lags behind the stronger end of the IB cohort, though the school's upward trajectory and Diploma Programme strength offer a credible foundation for continued improvement.