Al Israa Private School, Al Ain
Ministry of Education School in KHIBEESI, Al Ain
Last updated
Curriculum
Ministry of Education
ADEK
Acceptable
Location
Al Ain, KHIBEESI
Fees
AED 3K - 10K
The Executive Summary
Al Israa Private School Al Ain is a co-educational, MoE (UAE) curriculum school serving the Al Khibeesi community from KG1 through Grade 12. With an ADEK rating of Acceptable confirmed in the 2023 Irtiqa inspection, the school occupies the lower-middle tier of KHIBEESI schools and the broader Al Ain private school landscape. Its most compelling selling point is accessibility: school fees Al Ain parents will find hard to match, ranging from just AED 3,310 at KG1 to AED 9,510 at Grade 12, making it one of the most affordable MoE-curriculum options in the emirate. With 985 students across three buildings and a teaching staff of 120, it is a mid-sized community school with a predominantly Arab expatriate demographic drawn from Jordan, Syria, and Egypt. The school has genuine strengths in Arabic, Islamic Education, and UAE Social Studies - all rated Good across every cycle - and has built a reputation for courteous, values-driven school culture rooted in Islamic principles.
However, parents considering Al Israa must weigh those strengths against persistent weaknesses. English, Mathematics, and Science remain at the Acceptable level across all cycles, and PISA 2022 scores in all three literacy domains fell below international benchmarks. The school terminated its SENCO contract in the most recent cycle, raising inclusion red flags for families with children of determination or those requiring differentiated academic support. Leadership, governance, and self-evaluation are all rated Acceptable - meaning the school is functional but not yet driving the improvement momentum that would justify confidence in a rapid upward trajectory. This is a school best suited to Arabic-speaking families seeking affordable, values-aligned MoE education in Al Ain, particularly for the primary and middle years. Families with aspirations toward English-medium higher education, or children with complex learning needs, should look elsewhere.
MoE Curriculum KG1-Grade 12Fees from AED 3,310Arabic & Islamic: GoodADEK Acceptable 2023985 Students Enrolled
“The teachers genuinely care about the children and the Islamic values taught here are something we cannot find at a more expensive school. The fees are manageable for our family, but I do wish the English program was stronger.”
— Cycle 2 Parent(representative)Academic Framework & Learning Style
Al Israa Private School follows the Ministry of Education (MoE) UAE curriculum from KG1 through Grade 12, covering the full span of Kindergarten, Cycle 1 (Grades 1-4), Cycle 2 (Grades 5-9), and Cycle 3 (Grades 10-12). The school's curriculum page articulates an ambition to develop globally aware citizens who can think critically, collaborate, and apply knowledge across diverse contexts - language that aligns with the MoE's national framework but which the ADEK inspection found only partially realized in classroom practice.
The academic picture at Al Israa is one of clear bifurcation: strong performance in Arabic-medium and Islamic subjects, and persistently average performance in the core international subjects. In Arabic as a first language, attainment and progress are rated Good across all four cycles - KG through Cycle 3 - a genuine achievement that reflects the school's predominantly Arabic-speaking community and the evident commitment of its Arabic faculty. Islamic Education mirrors this profile exactly, with Good attainment and progress in every cycle, and Grade 12 MoE national examination results described by inspectors as outstanding. UAE Social Studies similarly achieves Good across all cycles, with Grade 12 national exam results again rated outstanding.
The contrast with English, Mathematics, and Science is stark. All three subjects are rated Acceptable for attainment and progress across every cycle - from KG through Cycle 3 - without exception. In English, inspectors noted that KG children struggle to communicate verbally in clear phrases, that students in Cycles 1 and 2 face difficulties with correct language structure and hesitant reading, and that extended writing skills remain underdeveloped even in Cycle 3. PISA 2022 results in reading literacy (423.5), mathematical literacy (392.4), and science literacy (397.2) all fell below international standards and below the school's own set targets. The school's IBT (International Benchmark Test) results for Grades 3-9 in mathematics and science were above the international average in most grades - a more encouraging data point - and Arabic IBT results were above the Middle East average in most grades.
The school participated in TIMSS 2019 and 2023, and PISA 2022. TIMSS 2019 results reached only the low international benchmark in both mathematics and science for Grades 4 and 8. The school is awaiting TIMSS 2023 results. There is no external benchmarking for English beyond PISA.
In terms of learning style, the curriculum page describes an aspiration toward inquiry-based, differentiated teaching that fosters curiosity and critical thinking. The ADEK inspection found this aspiration only partially fulfilled: teaching is rated Acceptable across all cycles, with inspectors specifically calling out the need for more active learning from lesson starts, more differentiated planning for lower- and higher-attaining students, more scientific investigation in science, and more consistent development of critical thinking and problem-solving skills. The assessment framework is also Acceptable, with inspectors noting inconsistent written feedback, limited use of assessment data to modify planning, and insufficient sharing of success criteria for self- and peer-assessment. There is no formal sixth form or A-Level equivalent beyond the MoE Grade 12 national examinations. University destinations data is not publicly available from the school's website or the ADEK report.
Good
Arabic & Islamic Education - All Cycles
Attainment and Progress rated Good in KG, Cycle 1, Cycle 2, and Cycle 3
Acceptable
English, Maths & Science - All Cycles
Consistent Acceptable rating across all four cycles in ADEK 2023 inspection
423.5
PISA 2022 Reading Literacy Score
Below the international benchmark; below school's own set target
Above Average
IBT Maths & Science (Grades 3-9)
Above international average in most grades - IBT 2022/2023
Outstanding
Grade 12 MoE National Exam - Arabic & Islamic
End of academic year 2022/23 national examination results
Extracurricular Activities (ECAs)
The ADEK inspection report and school website provide limited detail on the breadth of Al Israa's extracurricular offering, but several programs are documented. The school has developed Curriculum Enrichment Plans that embed extra-curricular activities into each subject area across all cycles, including research projects, internal and external competitions, innovation challenges, and creativity initiatives. This is a structural commitment to enrichment rather than a purely add-on model.
In the area of reading and literacy enrichment, the school runs the 'Israa Reads' program - a dedicated initiative to build reading culture - alongside participation in the Arab Reading Challenge, one of the UAE's flagship national literacy competitions. Students also participate in the Spelling Bee competition. These literacy-focused ECAs reflect the school's strengths in Arabic and align with the ADEK-noted reading development plan co-developed with the Developmental Committee and reviewed monthly by ADEK.
The school maintains a small library with 1,800 Arabic books and 300 English literary and scientific books, supplemented by an electronic library. There is a full-time librarian and a schedule of daily library visits for students across cycles. The inspection noted that reading corners exist in the entrance and hallways for younger children, and that a heritage tent was previously used as a quiet reading space - though this area was not in use at the time of inspection.
Beyond literacy, the school's curriculum page references the development of social responsibility and innovation skills, though these are rated Acceptable in the ADEK framework. The school has three buildings on its campus, which provides some physical infrastructure for varied activities. Competitive sports programs, performing arts, Duke of Edinburgh, Model UN, and similar enrichment programs are not documented in the available source material. Parents seeking a school with a rich, documented ECA portfolio - particularly in sports, drama, or international programs - will find the available evidence at Al Israa limited.
1,800
Arabic Books in School Library
Plus 300 English books and an electronic library resource
'Israa Reads' ProgramArab Reading ChallengeSpelling Bee CompetitorCurriculum Enrichment PlansDaily Library Visits
Pastoral Care & Well-being
Pastoral care at Al Israa operates within a school culture that inspectors described as grounded in courteous relationships and mutual respect between staff and students. The school's homepage articulates a belief that good education begins in an environment of safety and respect where every student and teacher feels a sense of belonging - language that resonates with the school's community-oriented, values-driven identity.
However, the ADEK 2023 inspection delivered a candid and concerning assessment of the school's formal safeguarding and care systems. Health and safety, including child protection arrangements, regressed to Acceptable since the previous inspection due to inconsistent safeguarding arrangements and a lack of rigor in record-keeping. Critically, new students had not been trained on safeguarding procedures at the time of inspection - a gap that ADEK flagged as requiring urgent attention. The care and support domain also regressed to Acceptable overall, attributed to insufficient staffing to ensure all students consistently receive the guidance and support they need.
The school's inclusion provision is a particular area of concern. The SENCO (Special Educational Needs Coordinator) contract was terminated due to a reported decrease in the number of students with additional needs - a decision that leaves the school without a qualified specialist to identify and support students of determination, gifted and talented learners, and those with additional learning needs. Identification and support procedures for these groups are described by inspectors as inconsistent. Individual Education Plans (IEPs) exist, but their effective implementation is questioned.
On the positive side, the school has built active partnerships with parents and the community since the arrival of the current principal and vice principal in May 2020. These partnerships are noted as a genuine strength, promoting shared responsibility and reinforcing the school's commitment to a supportive education. Student understanding of Islamic values and awareness of Emirati and world cultures is rated Good across all cycles - a reflection of the school's success in embedding values education into daily school life. Student leadership and voice structures are not detailed in the available source material.
“The school feels like a community. The teachers know the children by name and there is a genuine warmth here. My concern is that when my son needed extra academic support, the process for getting it was unclear and slow.”
— Cycle 1 Parent(representative)Campus & Facilities
Al Israa Private School occupies a three-building campus in the Al Khibeesi district of Al Ain, located at 739 Mohammad Bin Drai Al Falahi Street. Al Khibeesi is a primarily residential area in the eastern part of Al Ain city, with good road connectivity to surrounding communities. The school's address and its position within the ADEK KHIBEESI schools cluster make it a practical choice for families residing in this part of Al Ain.
The school's homepage confirms 985 students are accommodated across three buildings - a campus configuration that suggests a distributed rather than single-site layout. The school also lists 120 staff members and records 3,100 graduates to date, indicating a school with meaningful longevity in the community even if its founding year is not publicly documented.
The ADEK inspection provides some insight into facilities. The school maintains a library with 1,800 Arabic books and 300 English books, staffed by a full-time librarian, with a daily schedule of student visits. An electronic library supplements the physical collection. The inspection noted the existence of a heritage tent that was previously used as a quiet reading and cultural space, though it was not in active use at the time of the 2023/24 inspection. Reading corners are present in the entrance area and hallways for younger students.
The ADEK inspection's key recommendations include providing more subject-specific resources for hands-on learning, particularly in mathematics, science, and the KG phase - implying that specialist learning spaces and equipment are present but under-resourced. The inspection also recommended creating a more conducive library ethos to encourage English reading in particular. Detailed information on science laboratories, sports facilities, swimming pools, auditoriums, art studios, music rooms, or technology infrastructure is not available from the school's website (multiple pages return 404 errors) or the ADEK report. The school's website does reference a fees PDF and a gallery section, but the student life and campus pages are currently inaccessible. Parents are advised to request a campus tour directly to assess facilities against their expectations.
3
Campus Buildings
Accommodating 985 students across the Al Khibeesi site
3,100+
Graduates to Date
Reflects the school's established presence in the Al Ain community
Three-Building CampusAl Khibeesi LocationFull-Time LibrarianElectronic Library AccessHeritage Cultural Space
Teaching & Learning Quality
Teaching and learning at Al Israa is rated Acceptable across all four cycles in the ADEK 2023 Irtiqa inspection - a rating that has remained static since the previous inspection. This is the defining challenge for the school: while there are pockets of effective practice, particularly in Arabic and Islamic Education where teacher questioning has been developed through targeted training, the overall quality of teaching has not yet reached the Good threshold that would signal a school on an upward trajectory.
The school employs 65 teachers supported by 5 teaching assistants, serving 985 students. This yields an approximate teacher-to-student ratio of 1:15, which is reasonable for a school of this type and fee level. Teacher nationalities are predominantly Egyptian, Syrian, and Jordanian - reflecting the school's student demographic and its position as an Arabic-medium MoE school. Staff qualifications data (percentage with Masters or higher) is not publicly available from the school's website or the ADEK report.
The inspection identified several recurring pedagogical weaknesses. Lessons do not consistently engage students in active learning from the start, particularly in KG and Cycle 1. Differentiation - planning work that challenges higher-attaining students and supports lower-attaining ones - is described as inconsistent across subjects and grades. Students have insufficient opportunities to develop scientific investigation skills, phonics, extended writing, critical thinking, and problem-solving. Collaboration and communication skills are underdeveloped, especially in science and English.
On the positive side, inspectors noted that teacher questioning skills have been developed through targeted training linked to international benchmark preparation, and that this has had some positive impact in Arabic and Islamic Education lessons. The school's improvement in those subjects since the previous inspection - where Arabic and Islamic Education in Cycle 3 improved to Good - demonstrates that when targeted professional development is applied, it can yield measurable results. However, the inspection noted that the impact of training is not yet evident in lessons in mathematics and science, suggesting a gap between professional development intent and classroom delivery. A more rigorous system of continuous professional development for middle leaders, focusing on best practices in teaching and assessment data analysis, is a key ADEK recommendation.
65
Qualified Teachers
Plus 5 teaching assistants; predominantly Egyptian, Syrian, and Jordanian nationals
1:15
Approximate Teacher-to-Student Ratio
Based on 65 teachers and 985 students on roll
Acceptable
Teaching for Effective Learning - All Cycles
Static rating across KG, Cycle 1, Cycle 2, and Cycle 3 in ADEK 2023
Leadership & Management
Al Israa Private School is led by Principal Nour A M Alhamalawi, who - alongside the vice principal - took up post in May 2020. The ADEK inspection acknowledges that since their arrival, the leadership team has built stronger partnerships with parents, the board of governors, and the community - a tangible and meaningful improvement in school culture and stakeholder engagement.
Leadership and management overall are rated Acceptable across all sub-domains in the 2023 Irtiqa inspection: the effectiveness of leadership, school self-evaluation and improvement planning, parent and community relations, governance, and management of staffing, facilities, and resources all sit at this level. The school is governed by a board of governors, and the inspection specifically recommends that the governing board become more rigorously engaged in monitoring the school's actions and holding senior leaders accountable for performance outcomes.
The school's self-evaluation framework (SEF) is identified as a key area for development. Inspectors found that the SEF is not accurately aligned with the UAE inspection framework and does not draw sufficiently on benchmarked internal and external assessment data or lesson observations to inform judgments. The school improvement plan lacks SMART targets and success criteria linked to student achievement, and monitoring of teaching and learning processes needs to focus more sharply on the impact of teaching on student outcomes.
On communication with parents, the school's website - while currently experiencing significant technical issues with multiple pages returning 404 errors - does provide a fees PDF, a social media presence, and a gallery. The homepage references that parents can follow all school events through official social media channels. The fees page confirms that payment can be made in cash to the school accountant or via bank transfer to Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank. The school's phone number is 037612155 and it is contactable via the ADEK-registered email. The ownership structure is private, consistent with its ADEK classification as a private school.
ADEK Inspection Results (Irtiqa - Decoded)
The most recent ADEK Irtiqa inspection of Al Israa Private School took place from 22 to 25 January 2024, covering the academic year 2023/24. The overall school performance was confirmed at Acceptable - a rating that has remained unchanged from the previous inspection cycle. This stasis is itself a significant finding: the school has not regressed to Weak, but neither has it made the sustained, systemic improvements needed to reach Good.
The inspection reveals a school of genuine contrasts. In the Arabic, Islamic Education, and UAE Social Studies domains, attainment and progress are consistently Good across all cycles - a real strength that reflects the school's cultural and linguistic identity and the quality of its teaching in these subjects. Grade 12 national examination results in these subjects are described as outstanding. However, in English, Mathematics, and Science, the picture is uniformly Acceptable, with PISA 2022 scores below international benchmarks across all three domains.
The students' personal and social development domain presents a similar split: understanding of Islamic values and awareness of Emirati and world cultures is rated Good across all cycles, while personal development and social responsibility and innovation skills remain Acceptable. Teaching and assessment are both Acceptable across all cycles. Curriculum design, implementation, and adaptation are all Acceptable.
The most concerning findings in the 2023 inspection relate to safeguarding and inclusion. Health and safety, including child protection, regressed to Acceptable since the previous inspection due to inconsistent arrangements and inadequate record-keeping. The termination of the SENCO role and the resulting gaps in identification and support for students with additional needs represent a material weakness that ADEK has explicitly flagged for remediation. Leadership and management across all six sub-domains - effectiveness of leadership, SEF and improvement planning, parent and community relations, governance, management of staffing and resources - are all rated Acceptable, indicating a school that is adequately managed but not yet strategically driven.
For parents, the key question is whether the school's acknowledged improvement in Arabic and Islamic subjects since the previous inspection represents the beginning of a broader upward trend, or whether the Acceptable plateau in English, Mathematics, Science, and leadership domains will persist. The ADEK recommendations are clear and specific; the school's ability to execute them will determine its next rating.
Arabic & Islamic Education Excellence
Attainment and progress in Arabic as a first language and Islamic Education are rated Good across all four cycles (KG, Cycle 1, Cycle 2, Cycle 3). Grade 12 MoE national examination results in both subjects are described as outstanding - a genuine and consistent strength.
UAE Social Studies: Consistent Good Performance
UAE Social Studies achieves Good attainment and progress across all cycles, with Grade 12 national examination results rated outstanding. Students demonstrate secure knowledge of UAE geography, economy, and national identity.
Values Education & Community Partnerships
Students' understanding of Islamic values and awareness of Emirati and world cultures is rated Good across all cycles. The school has built active, acknowledged partnerships with parents and the community under the current principal, rated as a genuine strength by ADEK inspectors.
English, Mathematics & Science Attainment
All three core international subjects are rated Acceptable for both attainment and progress across every cycle. PISA 2022 scores in reading literacy (423.5), mathematical literacy (392.4), and science literacy (397.2) are below international benchmarks. ADEK recommends active learning strategies, improved differentiation, stronger phonics provision, and more scientific investigation opportunities as priority interventions.
Safeguarding, Inclusion & SENCO Provision
Child protection arrangements and care and support both regressed to Acceptable since the previous inspection. The SENCO role has been terminated, leaving a gap in specialist identification and support for students of determination, gifted and talented learners, and those with additional needs. ADEK has explicitly recommended appointing a suitably qualified SEN specialist and ensuring effective implementation of the school inclusion policy.
Inspection History
2023
Acceptable
Previous cycle
Acceptable
Fees & Value for Money
Al Israa Private School offers a MoE (UAE) curriculum with tuition fees for the 2025–2026 academic year ranging from AED 3,310 for KG 1 through to AED 9,510 for Grade 12. These fees are officially approved by the Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK), ensuring transparency and regulatory compliance. The school's fee structure is positioned at an accessible level within Abu Dhabi's private school landscape, making it a competitively priced option for families seeking a UAE national curriculum education.
AED 3,310
Annual Fees From
AED 9,510
Annual Fees To
Year / GradeAnnual Fee
KG 1
AED 3,310KG 2
AED 3,960Grade 1
AED 4,590Grade 2
AED 4,590Grade 3
AED 5,310Grade 4
AED 5,310Grade 5
AED 5,310Grade 6
AED 5,840Grade 7
AED 6,380Grade 8
AED 6,380Grade 9
AED 6,380Grade 10
AED 8,330Grade 11
AED 8,330Grade 12
AED 9,510In addition to tuition, families should budget for transportation (AED 3,000 annually), books (ranging from AED 210 to AED 950 depending on grade), and a uniform fee of AED 330 per year. A one-time, non-refundable registration fee of AED 500 applies to newly accepted students, which is subsequently deducted from the total tuition fees. Any applicable discounts — such as employer or sibling discounts — are applied against the third installment of tuition fees.
Tuition fees can be paid in installments, and the school accepts both cash payments at the school's accounts office and bank transfers or deposits to Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank under the school's account. This flexibility in payment options helps families manage their education costs throughout the academic year.
Additional Costs
Registration Fee (New Students)500(one-time)
Bus (Transportation)3,000(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)
Uniform330(annual)
Discounts & Concessions
Sibling Discount
Employer / Corporate Discount
The Final Verdict: Who Is This School For?
Al Israa Private School is a school that does what it says on the tin - and nothing more. It provides a structured, MoE (UAE) curriculum education from KG1 to Grade 12 in a values-driven, Arabic-speaking community environment, at fees that are genuinely among the lowest in Al Ain's private sector. For the right family, this is a meaningful offer. For the wrong family, the gap between expectation and reality could be significant.
The school's ADEK Acceptable rating has held steady across inspection cycles, which means it is neither failing nor improving at pace. The strengths are real: Arabic, Islamic Education, and UAE Social Studies are consistently Good, the school culture is respectful and community-oriented, and the fee structure is transparent and affordable. The weaknesses are equally real: English, Mathematics, and Science remain Acceptable; safeguarding arrangements need strengthening; the SENCO role is vacant; and leadership has yet to demonstrate the strategic rigor needed to drive the school to Good.
Parents making a school fees Al Ain decision purely on affordability will find Al Israa hard to beat in the MoE private sector. But affordability should not be the only lens. Families must weigh the Acceptable academic outcomes in core international subjects against the low fees and ask whether those outcomes are sufficient for their child's long-term aspirations. For children heading toward UAE university pathways through the MoE national examinations, Al Israa's Grade 12 results - outstanding in Arabic, Islamic, and Social Studies - are encouraging. For children who may eventually need English-medium higher education or STEM pathways, the school's current English and science provision requires careful consideration.
THE “RIGHT FIT”
Arabic-speaking families in Al Khibeesi and surrounding Al Ain communities seeking an affordable, MoE-accredited, values-aligned private school for KG through Grade 12, particularly where Arabic literacy, Islamic education, and UAE national curriculum outcomes are the primary academic priorities.
THE “WRONG FIT”
Families prioritizing strong English-medium outcomes, STEM achievement, or internationally benchmarked academic results; children with complex learning needs or requiring specialist SEN support; and parents expecting a rich, documented extracurricular program or premium campus facilities.
“
For our budget and our community, Al Israa is the right choice. The Arabic and Islamic education is excellent and the school feels safe. I just hope they improve the English and science before my children reach the higher grades.
— KG Parent
Strengths
- Fees from AED 3,310 - among the most affordable MoE private schools in Al Ain
- Arabic, Islamic Education, and UAE Social Studies rated Good across all cycles
- Grade 12 MoE national exam results in Arabic and Islamic Education are outstanding
- Full KG1 to Grade 12 pathway on a single school network
- Respectful, values-driven school culture with strong community feel
- IBT results above international average in Maths and Science for most grades
- Active parent-school partnerships acknowledged by ADEK inspectors
- Transparent, ADEK-approved fee structure with sibling discounts available
Areas for Improvement
- English, Mathematics, and Science rated Acceptable across all cycles with PISA 2022 scores below international benchmarks
- SENCO role terminated - no specialist SEN support for students of determination or gifted learners
- Safeguarding and child protection arrangements regressed and require strengthening
- School website largely non-functional with multiple 404 errors limiting transparency
- Leadership, governance, and self-evaluation all Acceptable - school improvement momentum is slow
Campus
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