AL Ahliah Private School-Branch Al Yarmouk, Sharjah
Ministry of Education School in Al Yarmouk, Sharjah
Last updated
Curriculum
Ministry of Education
SPEA
Good
Location
Sharjah, Al Yarmouk
Fees
AED 4K - 7K
The Executive Summary
AL Ahliah Private School-Branch Al Yarmouk Sharjah is a long-established Arabic-medium school operating under the Ministry of Education (MoE) curriculum Sharjah families have trusted since its founding in December 1982. Serving KG1 through Grade 5 with 1,265 students, the school holds a SPEA rating Good - a rating it has maintained across consecutive inspection cycles, signalling consistency rather than complacency. School fees Sharjah parents will find particularly accessible here: annual tuition runs from just AED 4,300 to AED 6,800, positioning this as one of the most affordable private school options among Al Yarmouk schools. For Arab families - predominantly Syrian and Egyptian - seeking an affordable, Arabic-first education rooted in Islamic values and UAE national identity, this school delivers solid, dependable schooling at a price point that represents genuine value.
MoE Curriculum Arabic-MediumSPEA Good RatedFees from AED 4,300Founded 1982PIRLS Above UAE Average
“The Arabic teaching here is genuinely strong - my daughter reads and writes at a level that surprises her tutors. The fees make it possible for us to give her a private school experience without financial strain.”
— Grade 3 Parent(representative)Academic Framework & Learning Style
AL Ahliah Private School-Branch Al Yarmouk operates exclusively under the UAE Ministry of Education curriculum, delivered in Arabic as the primary language of instruction. The school covers KG1 through Grade 5, encompassing early years through the upper primary phase. Core subjects include Islamic Education, Arabic Language (as a first language), Social Studies, English Language, Mathematics, Science, Design and Technology, ICT, Physical Education, Visual Art, and Music - all aligned to MoE national standards. There is no secondary phase at this branch; families planning for Grade 6 and beyond will need to transition to another school.
Academic results present a genuinely mixed picture. Arabic language attainment is rated Good across all cycles, and this is the school's standout academic strength. IBT 2022 data shows most Grade 3 and Grade 4 students surpassing minimum thresholds, and PIRLS scores exceed the UAE national average by a meaningful margin - a result that reflects the school's deep investment in Arabic literacy. Mathematics attainment is Good in Cycles 1 and 2, with TIMSS and IBT data confirming most students outperform national and international averages. Social Studies attainment is also rated Good across all cycles. By contrast, English language attainment is rated Acceptable across all phases, with IBT results in Grades 3, 4, and 5 described as weak by SPEA inspectors - a significant gap between internal school assessments and external benchmarks. Science attainment is Acceptable overall, with Cycle 2 students achieving Good progress. Extended writing skills - in both English and Arabic - are consistently identified as underdeveloped.
The school participates in TIMSS, PIRLS, IBT, and the Talaa and Mubakkir Arabic language assessments, providing meaningful external benchmarking. Learning skills are rated Acceptable overall: students demonstrate positive attitudes and can work both independently and collaboratively, though higher-attaining students are not consistently stretched. There is no SEN specialist unit; the school supports 8 students of determination within the mainstream setting. There are no Gifted and Talented or EAL programmes documented in inspection data. University destinations are not applicable at this primary-only campus.
Good
Arabic Language Attainment Rating
SPEA 2024 - above UAE national average in PIRLS
Good
Mathematics Attainment (Cycles 1 and 2)
TIMSS and IBT data above national and international averages
Acceptable
English Language Attainment
IBT Grades 3-5 flagged as weak by SPEA
8
Students of Determination
Supported within mainstream classes
Extracurricular Activities (ECAs)
As a primary-phase MoE school operating in the affordable fee bracket, AL Ahliah Private School-Branch Al Yarmouk's extracurricular offering is necessarily more modest than larger, higher-fee institutions. The SPEA inspection report does not document a formal ECA programme with named clubs or a published schedule of after-school activities. What is documented is the integration of enrichment within the school day: Physical Education, Music, Visual Art, Design and Technology, and ICT are all timetabled as curriculum subjects rather than optional extras.
Physical Education is delivered to all year groups, with a focus on whole-class physical development activities. KG students show age-appropriate physical development and make good progress in PE and singing. Music lessons integrate practical learning of basic terminology, rhythm, and musical sounds alongside theoretical content. In the better music lessons observed by inspectors, students make good progress. Visual Arts is offered across all phases, with Cycle 2 students demonstrating particularly strong visual arts skills relative to other year groups.
The school's SPEA inspection identifies a key gap: there is no structured programme of activities that allows students to conduct research and apply their knowledge to real-life situations. This is a formal recommendation from inspectors, suggesting that beyond-curriculum enrichment - projects, competitions, community initiatives - is an area requiring deliberate development. Parents seeking a rich co-curricular calendar of competitive sports, drama productions, Model UN, or Duke of Edinburgh will need to look at schools in higher fee bands. What this school does offer is a consistent, values-grounded school day with Islamic education woven throughout, morning assemblies, and a community-oriented ethos that parents consistently affirm.
5+
Curriculum-Embedded Enrichment Subjects
PE, Music, Art, DT, ICT delivered to all year groups
PE Across All Year GroupsMusic and Visual Arts TimetabledICT IntegratedIslamic Values EmbeddedMorning Assembly Culture
Pastoral Care & Well-being
Pastoral care and student well-being represent one of the school's genuine strengths, rated Good by SPEA inspectors - a full grade above the overall school effectiveness rating. The inspection report notes that students consistently demonstrate good behaviour and positive attitudes towards learning across all observed lessons. Students are described as respectful, engaged, and able to work both independently and collaboratively. The school environment is characterised by a harmonious, inclusive atmosphere that the principal and leadership team actively cultivate.
The school's approach to Islamic values education contributes meaningfully to its pastoral character. Students develop a solid understanding of Islamic values including honesty, compassion, and cooperation, and understand how these connect to their daily lives. Some students perform Dhuhr prayers at school, reinforcing the spiritual dimension of the school community. The school fosters an understanding of peaceful coexistence with other cultures and nationalities - important in a diverse city like Sharjah.
In terms of formal welfare structures, the SPEA inspection confirms that student protection and care procedures are in place, including child protection arrangements. The school benefits from effective, collaborative partnerships with parents and other stakeholders - a point specifically highlighted as a key strength by inspectors. Parent surveys conducted during the inspection reflect broadly positive sentiment about the school's community feel and the responsiveness of leadership. There is no documented guidance counsellor on the school's SPEA profile, which is a gap for a school of 1,265 students. The 8 students of determination are supported within mainstream classes, though the inspection notes their progress in some subjects - particularly Visual Arts - is slower than that of peers, suggesting inclusion provision could be more systematically differentiated.
“The school feels like a community. The teachers know my children by name and the principal is visible and approachable. For us, the values environment matters as much as the academics.”
— KG2 Parent(representative)Campus & Facilities
AL Ahliah Private School-Branch Al Yarmouk is located in the Al Yarmouk district of Sharjah, an established residential neighbourhood with good access from surrounding communities including Al Qasimia, Al Nahda, and central Sharjah. The school was established in December 1982, making it one of the longer-running private school operations in the emirate, and the campus reflects its heritage as a community institution.
The SPEA inspection report does not provide specific campus size data in square metres or acres. What the inspection does document is a functioning school environment with classrooms across KG, primary Cycle 1, and primary Cycle 2 phases, accommodating 1,265 students across KG1 through Grade 5. Facilities include spaces for Physical Education, Music, Visual Art, Design and Technology, and ICT - all of which are delivered as timetabled curriculum subjects. The inspection notes that KG students have access to outdoor play and physical activity, though free play time for KG students is identified as an area for improvement, suggesting outdoor and play-based learning spaces could be better utilised.
Technology is present in the school: ICT is a timetabled subject, and the inspection notes that Cycle 2 students show initiative and develop their ICT skills more rapidly than Cycle 1 peers. Learning technology is described as being increasingly used to enhance student knowledge and skill development. The school does not appear to operate a 1:1 device programme based on available inspection data. The campus location in Al Yarmouk offers families in the surrounding residential communities a convenient local school option, reducing commute burden for younger primary-age children. The school phone number is 065671113 and it can be contacted via the SPEA directory for admissions and facilities enquiries.
1982
Year Established
Over 40 years serving the Al Yarmouk community
1,265
Total Students on Roll
KG1 through Grade 5, co-educational
Al Yarmouk LocationEstablished 1982ICT Labs AvailablePE Facilities On-SiteArt and Music RoomsKG Play Spaces
Teaching & Learning Quality
Teaching and assessment quality is rated Acceptable overall by SPEA inspectors - the same as the school's overall effectiveness grade. The inspection involved 144 classroom observations, 17 of which were conducted jointly with senior school leaders, providing a robust evidence base. The dominant nationality among the 65 teachers is Syrian, consistent with the school's predominantly Syrian and Egyptian student body, and this cultural alignment likely supports the Arabic-medium instructional environment.
The teacher-to-student ratio is 1:19, which is within acceptable norms for a primary school but leaves limited room for individualised attention in larger classes. Teacher turnover is recorded at 16% - a figure that warrants attention. At this rate, approximately one in six teachers leaves annually, which can disrupt continuity of learning relationships, particularly for younger students in KG and Cycle 1. The inspection does not provide data on the percentage of teachers holding Masters or PhD qualifications, nor does it detail the proportion of internationally trained staff.
Pedagogically, the school operates within a traditional, teacher-directed instructional model aligned to the MoE curriculum framework. Inspectors observe students working both independently and cooperatively under teacher guidance. In the strongest lessons, students discuss and share ideas during group activities. However, a key finding is that teachers do not consistently use assessment data to plan differentiated learning activities - particularly for higher-attaining students who are not being sufficiently challenged. The use of external assessment data (TIMSS, IBT, PIRLS) to inform curriculum planning and teaching is described as increasing but not yet systematic. Professional development is not detailed in the inspection report, though the school's self-evaluation and development planning processes are noted as part of the leadership review.
1:19
Teacher-to-Student Ratio
65 teachers for 1,265 students
16%
Annual Teacher Turnover
Approximately 1 in 6 teachers leaves per year
144
Classroom Observations by SPEA
17 conducted jointly with school leadership
Leadership & Management
The school is led by Principal Ms. Wissam Ibrahim, whose name is confirmed in the SPEA inspection report as the school's director. The Board of Trustees is chaired by Dr. Raed Abdullah. The school operates as a branch of Al Ahliah Pvt. Schools LLC, a private education company that holds School ID 118 within the SPEA registry. The school was established on 1 December 1982, giving it over four decades of operational history in the Al Yarmouk community.
SPEA inspectors describe a school environment underpinned by strong commitment from the principal, teachers, and key stakeholders to providing an inclusive, supportive educational environment focused on academic progress and personal development. Leadership has maintained the Acceptable-to-Good performance band across consecutive inspection cycles, demonstrating stability if not yet transformational improvement. The leadership team works collaboratively with parents, trustees, and partner schools - a point explicitly cited as a key strength by inspectors.
In terms of self-evaluation, the school produces a self-evaluation form and school development plan, which inspectors reviewed. The use of external assessment data to drive planning is described as increasing, though not yet fully embedded. Parent communication is supported by effective partnership structures - parent surveys were conducted as part of the SPEA inspection process, reflecting an openness to stakeholder feedback. The school can be contacted directly at 065671113 or via the SPEA-listed email alahlya-yb-psch@spea.shj.ae. Governance through the Board of Trustees under Dr. Raed Abdullah provides the oversight structure typical of private LLC-operated schools in Sharjah.
SPEA Inspection Results (Decoded)
The most recent full SPEA inspection of AL Ahliah Private School-Branch Al Yarmouk was conducted between 29 January and 1 February 2024, involving a team of 6 reviewers who carried out 144 classroom observations. The school's overall effectiveness is rated Acceptable - one grade below Good on the six-point SPEA scale. This rating is unchanged from the previous inspection cycle conducted in January 2023, indicating the school has maintained its performance level but has not yet achieved the improvement trajectory needed to reach Good overall.
Breaking down the six performance standards: Student Achievement is rated Acceptable overall, with Arabic language and Social Studies at Good, and English, Science, and Islamic Education at Acceptable. Personal and Social Development is rated Good - the school's highest-rated standard and a genuine area of strength. Teaching and Assessment is rated Acceptable, with inspectors noting that differentiation for higher-attaining students and the systematic use of assessment data are key development priorities. Curriculum Quality is rated Acceptable, meeting MoE requirements but lacking enrichment activities that connect learning to real-world contexts. Student Protection and Care is rated Good, reflecting well-established welfare and safeguarding procedures. Leadership and Management is rated Acceptable, with effective parental partnerships highlighted as a strength.
The inspection identifies five key improvement areas: expanding extended writing skills (particularly in English), developing a structured enrichment programme for real-world application, improving teacher use of assessment data for differentiated planning, challenging higher-attaining students more effectively, and improving performance in external examinations - especially in English. Parents should note that the gap between the school's internal assessment data (which shows outstanding results) and external benchmark data (IBT, TIMSS) is explicitly flagged by inspectors as a credibility concern.
Arabic Language - A Genuine Strength
Arabic attainment and progress are rated Good across all phases, with PIRLS scores significantly exceeding the UAE national average. Students develop strong listening, speaking, and reading skills, and apply Modern Standard Arabic confidently.
Personal Development and Well-being
Student personal and social development is rated Good - the school's highest SPEA standard. Students consistently demonstrate positive behaviour, strong Islamic values awareness, and a respectful attitude towards peers and teachers.
Effective Parental and Community Partnerships
The school's collaborative relationships with parents, trustees, and partner schools are explicitly cited as a key strength by SPEA inspectors, contributing to a cohesive school community and supportive learning environment.
English Language Performance and Extended Writing
IBT results in Grades 3-5 are flagged as weak in English. Extended writing skills are underdeveloped across both English and Arabic. Higher-attaining students in English are not making the progress they are capable of. This is the school's most significant academic gap.
Differentiated Teaching and Assessment Data Use
Teachers are not consistently using assessment information to plan learning activities that challenge all ability groups, particularly higher-attaining students. The use of external benchmark data (TIMSS, IBT, PIRLS) to inform curriculum planning needs to become more systematic and precise.
Inspection History
2024-2025
Good
2023-2024
Acceptable
2022-2023
Acceptable
Fees & Value for Money
AL Ahliah Private School-Branch Al Yarmouk sits at the most affordable end of Sharjah's private school fee spectrum. Annual tuition fees range from AED 4,300 to AED 6,800, as published in the SPEA fee schedule. This positions the school firmly in the value segment of the market - well below the mid-range Sharjah private school average and a fraction of the fees charged by British or American curriculum schools in the emirate.
For context, school fees in Sharjah 2026 at comparable MoE-curriculum Arabic-medium schools typically fall in the AED 4,000-8,000 range, meaning AL Ahliah Al Yarmouk is competitively priced even within its peer group. The low fee structure reflects both the MoE curriculum model and the school's positioning as a community institution serving predominantly Syrian and Egyptian families in Al Yarmouk.
The SPEA fee document is available for download directly from the SPEA school profile page. Specific breakdowns by year group, additional costs for transport, uniforms, books, and exam fees, as well as sibling discount policies and payment instalment terms, are not detailed in the publicly available SPEA inspection report. Parents are advised to contact the school directly at 065671113 to obtain the full fee schedule and payment terms before making an admissions decision. The editorial verdict on value for money is clear: at AED 4,300-6,800 for a SPEA-rated school with Good Arabic outcomes and above-average PIRLS performance, this represents strong value for families whose primary goal is Arabic-medium education in a values-grounded environment.
AED 4,300
Minimum Annual Fee (KG)
AED 6,800
Maximum Annual Fee (Grade 4-5)
Year GroupsAnnual Fee
KG1
4,300KG2
4,300Grade 1
5,500Grade 2
5,500Grade 3
5,500Grade 4
6,800Grade 5
6,800Additional Costs
Registration FeeVariable(one-time)
TransportVariable(annual)
UniformsVariable(annual)
Books and Learning MaterialsVariable(annual)
Discounts & Concessions
Sibling Discount
Scholarships & Bursaries
No scholarship or bursary programme is documented in the SPEA inspection report or school profile. Given the school's already low fee structure (AED 4,300-6,800), formal scholarship provision is not referenced. Parents requiring fee assistance should contact the school directly.
The Final Verdict: Who Is This School For?
AL Ahliah Private School-Branch Al Yarmouk is a school that does exactly what it sets out to do: deliver a solid, values-grounded, Arabic-medium MoE education at fees that are accessible to middle-income Arab families in Sharjah. Its PIRLS results in Arabic reading and its TIMSS mathematics performance are genuine points of pride, and the school's pastoral environment - warm, community-oriented, and Islamic values-centred - is consistently affirmed by parents and inspectors alike. Principal Ms. Wissam Ibrahim leads a committed team that has maintained stability across inspection cycles and is building toward the improvements needed to reach Good overall.
The honest caveat is this: if your child's future depends on strong English language foundations - for secondary school transitions, international university applications, or careers in English-medium professional environments - this school's current English outcomes (Acceptable overall, weak in external benchmarks at Grades 3-5) represent a meaningful risk. The school's improvement plan acknowledges this, but parents should not assume the gap will close within their child's primary years here. Similarly, families seeking a rich co-curricular life, specialist SEN support, or a structured gifted and talented programme will find the offering limited relative to higher-fee alternatives. For the right family, however, this is a school delivering real value - academically, pastorally, and financially.
THE “RIGHT FIT”
Arab families - particularly Syrian and Egyptian - prioritising Arabic literacy, Islamic values education, and affordability, who are comfortable with an Arabic-medium MoE curriculum and plan to continue in the Arabic education pathway through secondary school.
THE “WRONG FIT”
Families whose children will need strong English-medium foundations for future international schooling or university pathways, or those seeking a broad co-curricular programme, specialist SEN provision, or a school with a track record of upward SPEA improvement.
“
We chose this school because it reflects our values and our language. The fees are manageable and my son is thriving in Arabic and Maths. I just wish the English programme was stronger.
— Grade 5 Parent
Strengths
- Arabic language attainment rated Good with PIRLS scores above UAE national average
- Mathematics results exceed national and international benchmarks in TIMSS and IBT
- Among the lowest private school fees in Sharjah at AED 4,300-6,800
- Personal and social development rated Good by SPEA inspectors
- Strong Islamic values education embedded throughout school life
- Student protection and care rated Good with effective safeguarding procedures
- Effective collaborative partnerships with parents and community stakeholders
- Over 40 years of community presence in Al Yarmouk since 1982
Areas for Improvement
- English language attainment rated Acceptable overall with weak IBT results in Grades 3-5
- Extended writing skills underdeveloped in both English and Arabic across multiple phases
- No structured enrichment or ECA programme connecting learning to real-world contexts
- Teacher turnover at 16% annually risks continuity of learning relationships
- No secondary phase - families must transition children out after Grade 5
Campus
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