Al Minhaj Private School, Abu Dhabi

Al Minhaj Private School follows the UAE Ministry of Education (MoE) curriculum across all cycles, from KG through Cycle 3 (Grades 10-12). This is a fully Arabic-medium national curriculum framework, with English taught as a core subject rather than as a language of instruction. The school's academic philosophy, as articulated in its mission, centres on producing graduates with both global competence and deeply rooted cultural and heritage awareness - a dual mandate that shapes how subjects are taught and prioritised. Arabic as a First Language is the standout academic strength. ADEK inspectors confirmed Good attainment and Good progress across KG and all three cycles in the 2025 Irtiqa report. In KG, students demonstrate secure phonics development, recognise familiar letters and sounds, and read simple words. By Cycle 3, students demonstrate secure comprehension of literary and informational texts, with developing analytical skills in literary analysis. Islamic Education mirrors this strength, with Good attainment and progress across all cycles. Students across KG demonstrate clear understanding of Islamic values, and by Cycle 3 they apply Islamic principles appropriately to daily life. Qur'anic recitation and memorisation are improving steadily, with increasing accuracy in Tajweed rules. Mathematics presents a more encouraging trajectory than English. Attainment in Cycle 2 has improved from Acceptable to Good, and progress in Cycle 2 has risen to Very Good - a notable achievement. In Cycle 3, attainment has also improved from Acceptable to Good, with progress rated Good, supported by deeper conceptual understanding in algebra and calculus. KG and Cycle 1 mathematics attainment remains Acceptable with Good progress. Science follows a similar improvement arc: Cycle 2 attainment has risen from Acceptable to Good, with Very Good progress. Cycle 3 science attainment is now Good, supported by stronger practical skills and investigative engagement. English is the most significant academic challenge. Attainment remains Acceptable across KG and all cycles, and progress is rated Good only in KG, dropping to Acceptable in Cycles 1, 2, and 3. ADEK inspectors specifically noted that extended and creative writing skills remain an area for improvement. For families where English proficiency is a priority - whether for future university study abroad or professional careers - this is a material limitation that cannot be glossed over. UAE Social Studies attainment is Acceptable in KG and Good in Cycles 1, 2, and 3. On international benchmarks, the picture is sobering. In PISA 2022, 15-year-old students scored 396 in reading literacy (below the international average of 476), 415 in mathematical literacy (below 472), and 422 in scientific literacy (below 485). In TIMSS 2023, Grade 4 mathematics scored 453 (below the international average of 503), though Grade 8 mathematics scored 486, above the international average of 478 - a genuine bright spot. ACER IBT results indicate Weak attainment in Arabic, mathematics, and science across most cycles, though Cycle 1 Arabic progress is rated Very Good. These international benchmarks reveal a gap between internal assessment outcomes (which trend Outstanding) and externally validated performance - a discrepancy ADEK inspectors explicitly noted. Learning skills are rated Good across all cycles. Students collaborate effectively, communicate ideas clearly, and make real-life connections in their work. However, higher-order and critical thinking skills are described as still developing - an important caveat for academically ambitious families. Curriculum adaptation is rated Acceptable across all cycles, with inspectors noting that opportunities for enhanced challenge and enrichment are not consistently embedded, particularly for higher-attaining and gifted students. Curriculum design in Cycle 3 is rated Acceptable, with inspectors noting it places greater emphasis on knowledge acquisition than skills development. University destination data is not publicly disclosed by the school, and the website does not publish examination results, which limits independent verification.