Al Ekhlass Private School, Abu Dhabi
Ministry of Education School in Bani Yas, Abu Dhabi
Last updated
Curriculum
Ministry of Education
ADEK
Acceptable
Location
Abu Dhabi, Bani Yas
Fees
AED 6K - 17K
The Executive Summary
Al Ekhlass Private School Abu Dhabi is a co-educational Arabic-medium institution serving KG1 through Grade 12 in the Bani Yas district, operating under the MoE (UAE) curriculum Abu Dhabi framework. With an ADEK rating Acceptable confirmed in the 2024 Irtiqa inspection, the school occupies a distinct niche: it is one of the most affordable private school options in Abu Dhabi, with school fees Abu Dhabi families will find genuinely accessible - ranging from just AED 5,640 at KG level to AED 16,840 at Grade 12. For Arab-speaking families, particularly those from Syrian, Egyptian, and Sudanese backgrounds who prioritise Arabic-language instruction, Islamic values education, and cultural continuity within a community-oriented environment, Al Ekhlass offers real relevance. The school's Cycle 3 (secondary) performance is a genuine bright spot, with student achievement rated Good across English, Mathematics, Science, and Arabic - a meaningful improvement since the previous inspection. As one of the prominent Bani Yas schools, it serves a predominantly non-Emirati Arab community and maintains a student body of approximately 1,249 pupils taught by 73 teachers.
MoE UAE CurriculumFees from AED 5,640Cycle 3 Rated Good1,249 Students EnrolledBani Yas Community School
“The teachers in the upper grades genuinely care about the students and the fees make a real difference for our family. It is not a perfect school but it is our community's school.”
— Grade 10 Parent(representative)Academic Framework & Learning Style
Al Ekhlass Private School delivers the MoE (UAE) curriculum across all phases from KG through Grade 12, with instruction conducted primarily in Arabic for core subjects and English for Mathematics, Science, and English language. The academic picture is genuinely mixed and parents deserve an honest reading of the data. Cycle 3 (Grades 10-12) is the school's academic engine: student achievement in English, Mathematics, Science, and Arabic is rated Good by ADEK inspectors, with progress in Arabic and UAE Social Studies also rated Good - a demonstrable improvement since the 2022 inspection. This is where the school's professional development investment has had the clearest payoff. In Cycle 1 (Grades 1-4), Mathematics and Science achievement have improved from Acceptable to Good, which is encouraging, though English and Arabic remain Acceptable. Cycle 2 (Grades 5-9) is the weakest link, with attainment and progress rated Acceptable across English, Mathematics, and Science - a plateau that inspectors specifically flag as requiring urgent attention. KG performance is uniformly Acceptable across all subjects.
On standardised benchmarking, the school participates in the ACER International Benchmark Tests (IBT) in Arabic, Mathematics, and Science for Grades 3-9. The 2023/24 IBT results are sobering: attainment is rated Weak across all grades and subjects tested, and progress is similarly Weak. This divergence between internal assessment data - which shows strong results - and external benchmarks is a transparency concern that the ADEK report explicitly flags. In international assessments, TIMSS 2023 Grade 4 students scored 512.82 in Mathematics (exceeding their target of 486.07) and 502.40 in Science (exceeding the target of 496.37), placing them at the Intermediate international benchmark and above the TIMSS International Average - a genuine achievement. Grade 8 results were below target in both subjects. PISA 2022 scores of 397.3 in reading, 408.2 in mathematics, and 418.9 in science all fell below the school's own targets and below the international average. The school has introduced PISA- and TIMSS-style questions into classroom practice and assessments, which is the right strategic response, but the impact is not yet visible in results.
Reading is delivered through the Oxford phonics scheme in KG and Cycle 1, with digital reading platforms providing levelled texts in English and Arabic from Grade 1. The school has added dedicated reading comprehension periods in Grades 1-4 and runs the BookWorm competition to encourage wider reading. The library holds fiction and non-fiction in both languages, though the collection is not extensive and lacks comfortable leisure reading areas. University placement data and specific subject offering breadth are not publicly available from official sources; the MoE curriculum structure provides a defined pathway to UAE higher education institutions. SEN and gifted-and-talented provision are underdeveloped: ADEK inspectors note the absence of in-school support services (ISSS) for students of determination, a low identification rate for additional learning needs, and inconsistent implementation of individualised plans. Social workers and academic advisors provide guidance, particularly for Grade 12 students planning their next steps.
512.82
TIMSS 2023 Grade 4 Maths Score
Exceeded school target of 486.07; Intermediate international benchmark
Weak
ACER IBT Attainment (All Subjects, Grades 3-9)
2023/24 results across Arabic, Maths, and Science
Good
Cycle 3 Achievement Rating
English, Maths, Science, Arabic - ADEK Irtiqa 2024
397.3
PISA 2022 Reading Score
Below school target of 439.2 and international average
Extracurricular Activities (ECAs)
Detailed extracurricular programme information is not publicly available from the school's official website - the domain is currently inactive - nor is it itemised in the ADEK Irtiqa inspection report. What the inspection report does confirm is that student participation in sustainability initiatives exists, particularly among upper-cycle students, and that the school engages in local and national initiatives organised by ADEK and the UAE Ministry of Education. The BookWorm reading competition is a confirmed enrichment activity. The inspection report notes that social responsibility and innovation skills are rated Acceptable across all cycles, with inspectors observing that opportunities for students to take key leadership roles in community projects are limited and that students do not consistently initiate independent projects. This is a meaningful gap for families who prioritise student voice and enterprise education. There is no confirmed evidence from official sources of competitive sports programmes, performing arts productions, Duke of Edinburgh, Model UN, or international trips - though the school's sports areas have been recently updated as part of an ongoing refurbishment. Parents considering Al Ekhlass should ask the admissions team directly about the current ECA schedule, as the programme scope is not verifiable from available official data.
Acceptable
Social Responsibility & Innovation Skills Rating
ADEK Irtiqa 2024 - all cycles
Sustainability InitiativesBookWorm Reading CompetitionNational UAE ProgrammesUpdated Sports AreasCommunity Engagement
Pastoral Care & Well-being
Pastoral care is one of Al Ekhlass's most consistent strengths, and the ADEK inspection data bears this out clearly. Health and safety, including safeguarding, is rated Good across all four cycles - KG, Cycle 1, Cycle 2, and Cycle 3 - and has maintained this rating since the previous inspection. Care and support is likewise rated Good across all cycles, reflecting a school culture that genuinely prioritises student welfare and interpersonal relationships. Inspectors describe a respectful and positive environment characterised by strong staff-student relationships and effective behaviour management. Students across all phases demonstrate positive attitudes, collaborate well with peers, and exhibit a strong work ethic - qualities that the inspection report identifies as a school strength.
Students' personal development is rated Good across all cycles, and their understanding of Islamic values and awareness of Emirati and world cultures is similarly rated Good throughout the school. This cultural and values education is clearly a defining feature of the school's identity. Social workers and academic advisors are in place and provide well-informed guidance, with particular attention given to Grade 12 students navigating university applications and career planning. The school does not have a formal house system documented in available official sources. The key pastoral weakness is the identification and support of students with additional learning needs: the absence of in-school support services (ISSS) means that students of determination and those with learning differences receive inconsistent support, and individualised plans are not reliably implemented by classroom teachers. Attendance has improved but requires sustained focus, according to inspectors.
“The school feels like a community. My children are known by name by their teachers and the principal. There is a warmth here that you do not always find in larger schools.”
— Cycle 2 Parent(representative)Campus & Facilities
Al Ekhlass Private School is located at 99 Al Masafat Street in Bani Yas, Abu Dhabi - a residential district in the eastern part of the Abu Dhabi emirate, well-served by road links and home to a large Arab expatriate community. The campus serves 1,249 students across KG through Grade 12. Specific campus size data in acres or square metres is not available from official sources, but the ADEK inspection report provides meaningful qualitative context: the school has the necessary facilities to deliver the curriculum, though many are not of a high standard. This is an honest assessment that parents should weigh carefully.
The most significant development at Al Ekhlass is an ambitious refurbishment, redecoration, and resource renewal programme that is currently underway. Sports areas have already been updated - a tangible improvement - and the IT infrastructure has been upgraded. Plans for comprehensive facility enhancement across the wider campus are in progress. The school operates a spacious library serving all students, stocked with fiction and non-fiction titles in both English and Arabic, though the collection is described as not extensive and the space lacks dedicated comfortable leisure reading areas. The library is equipped with tables and chairs and is visited regularly by classes on a scheduled basis. Digital reading platforms are available for students from Grade 1, enabling levelled reading in both languages. The upgraded IT infrastructure supports these digital learning tools. Specific details on science laboratories, auditorium capacity, art studios, music rooms, or maker spaces are not confirmed in available official sources. The school's phone number is 025853591 for direct facility enquiries.
1,249
Students on Roll
Across KG1 to Grade 12, Bani Yas campus
Active
Campus Refurbishment Status
Sports areas and IT infrastructure already upgraded
Refurbishment UnderwayUpdated Sports AreasUpgraded IT InfrastructureBilingual LibraryDigital Reading PlatformsBani Yas Location
Teaching & Learning Quality
Teaching quality at Al Ekhlass follows the same cycle-dependent pattern as student achievement. Teaching for effective learning is rated Good in Cycle 1 and Cycle 3, and Acceptable in KG and Cycle 2 - a profile that has improved since the 2022 inspection but remains uneven. The school employs 73 teachers, predominantly from Egypt, Palestine, and Jordan, supported by 3 teaching assistants for a student body of 1,249. This yields a teacher-to-student ratio of approximately 1:17, which is broadly typical for MoE-curriculum schools in Abu Dhabi at this fee level.
The ADEK inspection identifies several recurring teaching quality issues that parents should understand. In KG and lower cycles, teaching is predominantly didactic, with limited student engagement in their own learning. Questioning quality varies significantly across the school - stronger in upper grades, weaker in KG and Cycle 1. Independent inquiry, problem-solving, and critical thinking are not well-developed features in KG, Cycle 1, and Cycle 2, though these skills are more effectively nurtured in Cycle 3. Assessment for learning is rated Acceptable in KG, Cycle 1, and Cycle 2, improving to Good only in Cycle 3. A persistent weakness is that assessment data is not systematically used to inform lesson planning or provide targeted feedback - the marking and feedback policy is not consistently applied across phases. The school's professional development programme has had a measurable positive impact in the upper grades, which is where its investment is most visible. A new vice-principal and a new head of English have been recently appointed, and while their full impact is not yet evident, these are positive structural moves. Teacher qualification data - specifically the proportion holding postgraduate qualifications - is not available from official sources. Teacher turnover data is similarly not publicly disclosed.
73
Teaching Staff
Supported by 3 teaching assistants for 1,249 students
~1:17
Teacher-to-Student Ratio
Calculated from 73 teachers and 1,249 students on roll
Good
Teaching Quality in Cycle 3
ADEK Irtiqa 2024 - improved from Acceptable at previous inspection
Leadership & Management
Al Ekhlass Private School is led by Principal Fouad Rasheed Jawad Almarsoumi. The school entered a significant transition in October 2024 when the owner appointed a new management company to oversee operations, replacing the previous management structure. This transition has had a direct governance consequence: the previous governing board was dissolved and new governors had not yet been appointed at the time of the January 2025 ADEK inspection - a situation that ADEK rates as Weak governance, the only Weak rating the school received. Governors were expected to be appointed by the end of the 2024/25 academic year.
Leadership effectiveness is rated Acceptable, as is school self-evaluation and improvement planning, and the partnership with parents - the latter having declined from Good at the previous inspection. The leadership team has been strengthened with the appointment of a new vice-principal and a new head of English, though inspectors note that the full impact of these appointments is not yet visible in practice. Senior leaders articulate a clear vision focused on UAE national identity and continuous improvement, and the school actively engages in local and national ADEK and MoE initiatives. However, self-evaluation is described as overly descriptive and not sufficiently linked to the school development plan - a systemic leadership weakness that limits the school's ability to drive targeted improvement. An educational portal is in place to enhance parent communication and transparency, though inspectors note its functionality requires further refinement. The absence of international partnerships is flagged as a limitation on students' exposure to global learning contexts. Management, staffing, facilities, and resources are rated Acceptable overall.
ADEK Inspection Results (Irtiqa - Decoded)
The ADEK 2024 Irtiqa inspection, conducted 27-30 January 2025, confirmed Al Ekhlass Private School's overall rating as Acceptable - unchanged from the 2022 inspection. This stability is a double-edged finding: it means the school has not regressed, but it also means that two inspection cycles have passed without an uplift in the headline rating. Within that Acceptable overall, however, the granular picture is more nuanced and, in places, genuinely encouraging.
The school's strongest performance standards are in student protection and care. Health and safety (including safeguarding) and care and support are both rated Good across all four phases - KG, Cycle 1, Cycle 2, and Cycle 3 - and personal development and Islamic values education are similarly Good across all phases. In academic achievement, Cycle 3 stands out with Good ratings across all core subjects, and Cycle 1 has shown improvement in Mathematics and Science to Good. Teaching quality in Cycle 1 and Cycle 3 is rated Good, and assessment in Cycle 3 has improved to Good.
The areas requiring improvement are clearly identified. Governance is rated Weak - the only Weak rating in the report - due to the dissolution of the governing board following the management transition. Student achievement and teaching quality in KG and Cycle 2 remain Acceptable and are the inspection's primary academic concern. The divergence between internal assessment data (which shows strong results) and external benchmark performance (ACER IBT showing Weak results) is a credibility issue that leadership must address. Social responsibility, innovation skills, curriculum design and adaptation are all Acceptable. The self-evaluation process is described as insufficiently analytical. The Irtiqa report's five key recommendations centre on: raising achievement in KG and Cycle 1; improving teaching quality across all phases; strengthening assessment data usage; enhancing leadership effectiveness; and improving PISA/TIMSS/PIRLS outcomes.
Strong Pastoral & Safeguarding Culture
Health and safety, safeguarding, care and support are all rated Good across every phase - KG through Cycle 3. This is the school's most consistent and reliable performance standard.
Cycle 3 Academic Improvement
Student achievement in English, Mathematics, Science, and Arabic is rated Good in Cycle 3, with teaching quality also Good - a meaningful uplift from the previous inspection driven by professional development investment.
Islamic Values & UAE Cultural Education
Students across all cycles demonstrate a deep understanding and appreciation of Islamic values, UAE heritage, and Emirati culture - rated Good throughout the school and identified as a key strength by inspectors.
Governance Structure Absent
Governance is rated Weak - the only Weak rating in the report. The governing board was dissolved following the October 2024 management transition and had not been replaced at inspection. This is a structural risk that requires urgent resolution.
KG and Cycle 2 Achievement Plateau
Student achievement and teaching quality in KG and Cycle 2 remain Acceptable with no improvement since 2022. ACER IBT results across Grades 3-9 are Weak, and the gap between internal assessment data and external benchmarks undermines confidence in self-reported outcomes.
Inspection History
2022
Acceptable
2024
Acceptable
Fees & Value for Money
Al Ekhlass Private School offers a MoE (UAE) curriculum for the 2025–2026 academic year, with tuition fees ranging from AED 5,640 for KG 1 and KG 2 up to AED 16,840 for Grade 12. This progressive fee structure reflects the increasing complexity and resources required at each stage of education, making the school an accessible option for families seeking an affordable UAE national curriculum school in Abu Dhabi.
AED 5,640
Annual Fees From
AED 16,840
Annual Fees To
Year / GradeAnnual Fee
KG 1
AED 5,640KG 2
AED 5,640Grade 1
AED 6,280Grade 2
AED 7,640Grade 3
AED 8,980Grade 4
AED 9,600Grade 5
AED 10,230Grade 6
AED 10,860Grade 7
AED 10,860Grade 8
AED 11,060Grade 9
AED 11,380Grade 10
AED 12,660Grade 11
AED 14,750Grade 12
AED 16,840In addition to tuition, families should budget for transportation (AED 3,500 per year), as well as books and uniform costs that vary by grade level. Books range from AED 210 to AED 950 depending on the year group, while uniform costs are AED 300 for KG and AED 450 for Grades 1 through 12. Notably, book fees are not listed for Grades 9 through 12, suggesting these may be provided through alternative arrangements or included in other fees.
Compared to other private MoE-curriculum schools in Abu Dhabi, Al Ekhlass Private School sits at the more affordable end of the spectrum, making it a strong value proposition for families prioritising the UAE national curriculum at a manageable cost. The school's fee structure is transparent and clearly structured, allowing families to plan their education budgets with confidence across all grade levels from KG through to Grade 12.
Additional Costs
Bus (Transportation)3,500(annual)
Books & Materials – KG 1210(annual)
Books & Materials – KG 2230(annual)
Books & Materials – Grade 1790(annual)
Books & Materials – Grade 2830(annual)
Books & Materials – Grade 3850(annual)
Books & Materials – Grade 4870(annual)
Books & Materials – Grade 5860(annual)
Books & Materials – Grade 6860(annual)
Books & Materials – Grade 7950(annual)
Books & Materials – Grade 8950(annual)
Uniform – KG 1 & KG 2300(annual)
Uniform – Grade 1 to Grade 12450(annual)
The Final Verdict: Who Is This School For?
Al Ekhlass Private School is a school in transition - not in crisis, but not yet performing at the level its community deserves. The ADEK Acceptable rating is an honest reflection of a school with real strengths in pastoral care, cultural identity education, and upper-secondary academic performance, but persistent weaknesses in early-years pedagogy, Cycle 2 achievement, and governance infrastructure. The ongoing campus refurbishment, the recent leadership appointments, and the school's engagement with international benchmarking are all positive signals - but they are signals of intent, not yet of outcomes. For families making a decision in 2026, the honest editorial position is this: Al Ekhlass is a credible choice for the right family profile, but not for every family.
The school's fee structure - AED 5,640 to AED 16,840 per year - makes it one of the few genuinely affordable private school options in Abu Dhabi, and for Arab-speaking families in the Bani Yas community who prioritise Arabic-medium instruction, Islamic values, and a warm community environment, it delivers meaningfully on those priorities. The Cycle 3 academic trajectory is genuinely encouraging and suggests that students who progress through the school can reach a respectable standard by graduation. However, families with children in KG or Cycle 2, those requiring robust SEN support, or those seeking a school with a strong extracurricular programme and international exposure will find Al Ekhlass falls short of their needs. The governance vacuum created by the management transition is a material concern that should be resolved before the next inspection cycle.
THE “RIGHT FIT”
Arab-speaking families in the Bani Yas area seeking affordable, MoE-curriculum private education with strong Arabic instruction, Islamic values education, and a community-oriented environment - particularly those with children entering Cycle 3 or secondary grades.
THE “WRONG FIT”
Families requiring robust SEN or gifted-and-talented support, those prioritising a wide extracurricular programme or international exposure, or parents whose children are in KG or Cycle 2 and need consistently high-quality, inquiry-based teaching.
“
For the fees we pay, we expected some limitations - but the Arabic education and the values my children are learning here are things I could not put a price on. The upper school is where this school really delivers.
— Grade 11 Parent
Strengths
- Among the lowest private school fees in Abu Dhabi - AED 5,640 to AED 16,840
- Pastoral care and safeguarding rated Good across all four school phases
- Cycle 3 academic achievement rated Good in all core subjects
- Strong Arabic-medium instruction and Islamic values education
- Active campus refurbishment with sports areas and IT already upgraded
- Participates in TIMSS, PISA, and PIRLS international benchmarking
- Warm, community-oriented school culture in the Bani Yas area
Areas for Improvement
- Overall ADEK rating Acceptable - unchanged across two consecutive inspections
- Governance rated Weak due to dissolved board following management transition
- ACER IBT results Weak across all subjects and grades tested (Grades 3-9)
- SEN and gifted-and-talented identification and support are underdeveloped
- Extracurricular programme scope is limited and not publicly documented