Al Noor International School - Sharjah - Al Ghubaiba
Ministry of Education School in Al Ghubaiba, Sharjah
Last updated
Curriculum
Ministry of Education
SPEA
Very Weak
Location
Sharjah, Al Ghubaiba
Fees
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The Executive Summary
Al Noor International School - Sharjah - Al Ghubaiba is one of the most established Arabic-medium institutions in the emirate, operating under the UAE Ministry of Education curriculum and serving nearly 2,900 students from KG1 through Grade 12. Rated SPEA rating Good in its most recent inspection - a meaningful step up from its previous Acceptable rating - the school has demonstrated a clear and sustained improvement trajectory under focused leadership. Located on Ibn Khaldoon Street in Al Ghubaiba, one of Sharjah's historically dense residential zones, it sits squarely within the category of Al Ghubaiba schools that serve the Arab expatriate community, particularly Syrian and Jordanian families seeking a rigorous MoE-aligned education delivered entirely in Arabic. For families prioritising Arabic language mastery, Islamic values education, and Ministry-standard academic pathways at accessible school fees Sharjah parents will find competitive, this school deserves serious consideration. The school's stated mission - to build an educational management system and an innovative knowledge-based society with a global competitive edge that includes all ages and meets the future needs of the labour market, ensuring the quality of the Ministry of Education outputs and providing excellent services - reflects an ambitious institutional vision that the SPEA inspection confirms is beginning to translate into measurable classroom outcomes.
SPEA Good - Improved from AcceptableMoE Arabic-Medium Curriculum2,881 Students KG1-Grade 12Founded 1983
“The school has genuinely improved over the past few years. The teachers know my children by name and the Arabic language programme is exactly what we wanted for our family.”
— Grade 7 Parent(representative)Academic Framework & Learning Style
Al Noor International School follows the UAE Ministry of Education (MoE) curriculum, delivered entirely in Arabic as the primary language of instruction. The school spans three academic cycles: the First Cycle (KG1 to Grade 4), the Second Cycle (Grades 5 to 9), and the Third Cycle (Grades 10 to 12), mirroring the national framework precisely. External examinations include the IBT (International Benchmark Test), PISA, and TIMSS, providing a useful international calibration of student performance against global norms. The school also participates in the TALAA and Mubakker assessments as part of the national evaluation ecosystem.
The SPEA inspection findings paint a nuanced academic picture. In Islamic Education and Arabic Language, student attainment and progress are rated Good across all three cycles - a genuine strength. Mathematics results are similarly Good across all cycles, with Grade 12 Ministry external exam data showing Very Good attainment in the general track and Outstanding in the advanced track. Science performance is Good in the First and Third Cycles but drops to Acceptable in the Second Cycle (Grades 5-9). English Language and Social Studies also record Acceptable attainment in the Second Cycle, pointing to a consistent dip in the middle school years that parents should factor into their decision. TIMSS 2019 results showed Grade 8 students performing above both national and international averages in science - a notable data point - while PISA 2018 results placed students above the international average in mathematics. IBT results, however, showed weakness in Grades 5 through 9, reinforcing the Second Cycle as the school's primary academic pressure point. The school operates a two-track system at Grade 12: a general track and an advanced track, with the advanced track producing particularly strong Ministry exam outcomes in mathematics, physics, chemistry, and biology. Students of determination (36 enrolled) receive support within the mainstream classroom, though the SPEA report notes that provision for gifted and talented students requires strengthening. Creative writing skills and independent inquiry skills are identified improvement areas across all cycles.
Good
Overall SPEA Rating
Improved from Acceptable in 2018
Above Average
PISA 2018 Maths Performance
Above international average
Above Average
TIMSS 2019 Grade 8 Science
Above national and international averages
36
Students of Determination
Enrolled and supported in mainstream classes
Extracurricular Activities (ECAs)
The school's extracurricular offer is structured around student councils, community bodies, and a distinctive programme called Fouj Al Noor (the Al Noor Regiment), which functions as a school-based cadet or leadership corps - a differentiating feature not commonly found in MoE schools of this profile. The Student Council provides a formal mechanism for student voice, allowing elected representatives to participate in school governance decisions and organise cultural, social, and volunteer events. The Parents Council is an active body that reinforces community involvement in school life, a dimension SPEA inspectors rated positively.
In physical education, SPEA inspectors observed that students in the First and Second Cycles demonstrate Good skills in handball and basketball, while Third Cycle male students show Good ability in football. The arts programme includes creative design and visual arts, with students in the Second Cycle producing wearable fashion pieces - garments and accessories they can wear or donate to charity - reflecting a values-based approach to art education. The school also participates in national and international standardised testing programmes (PISA, TIMSS, IBT, TALAA, Mubakker), which, while primarily academic, contribute to students' experience of high-stakes assessment and benchmarking. The SPEA report identifies entrepreneurship and innovation skills as an area requiring further development across all cycles, suggesting the ECA programme, while functional, has room to expand into more future-focused enrichment activities.
3
Formal Student Governance Bodies
Student Council, Parents Council, Fouj Al Noor
Fouj Al Noor RegimentActive Student CouncilParents Council EngagementVisual Arts ProgrammeSports: Football, Basketball, Handball
Pastoral Care & Well-being
The SPEA inspection identifies student-staff relationships as one of the school's principal strengths - a finding that carries significant weight given the school's large enrolment of nearly 2,900 students. Inspectors observed students as consistently attentive and actively engaged in learning, with a growing sense of personal responsibility for their own academic progress, particularly in the First and Third Cycles. Morning assemblies, arrival and departure routines, and break periods were all observed and noted as well-managed.
The school's safeguarding and student protection procedures are rated Good by SPEA, with clear policies in place for child protection. The school operates a Public Relations department that maintains direct communication channels with parents, handling queries, registration concerns, and pastoral matters. A dedicated student affairs team supports families through administrative and welfare processes. The school website references a Parents Council that meets to discuss educational initiatives and community programmes, providing a structured forum for parental engagement beyond individual parent-teacher contact. Communication is conducted primarily in Arabic, which is appropriate for the school's predominantly Arab-speaking community but may present a barrier for non-Arabic-speaking parents. The SPEA report does not flag any significant safeguarding concerns, and student behaviour across observed sessions was described as positive and cooperative.
“The staff genuinely care about the students. My son had a difficult transition when he first joined and the school was very supportive - they checked in regularly and made sure he settled in.”
— Grade 5 Parent(representative)Campus & Facilities
Al Noor International School is located on Ibn Khaldoon Street in the Halwan district of Al Ghubaiba, Sharjah - a central, accessible location within one of the emirate's established residential communities. The SPEA inspection report confirms that school facilities meet the needs of all currently enrolled students, which is a meaningful endorsement given the enrolment of nearly 2,900 learners across KG1 to Grade 12.
The school's website highlights dedicated facilities sections, including science laboratories where SPEA inspectors observed Third Cycle students conducting hands-on experiments - including a Grade 12 biology dissection of a chicken wing to explore muscle, bone, and joint structure. Art rooms support the visual arts and creative design programme. Physical education facilities support handball, basketball, and football, with separate provision for male and female students. The school operates a transport service in partnership with an external transport company, compliant with UAE school transport safety standards, with buses equipped with advanced safety features and regularly trained drivers. The school's digital presence is maintained across Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and LinkedIn, suggesting a degree of technology integration in communications. The campus location in Al Ghubaiba provides good accessibility for families living across central and northern Sharjah, with the Ibn Khaldoon Street address being well known to the local Arab expatriate community. No specific campus size in acres or square metres is published on the school's website or in SPEA documentation.
2,881
Students on Campus
Facilities confirmed adequate by SPEA inspection
KG1-Grade 12
Full School Span
All cycles on a single campus
Science Labs with Practical ExperimentsArt and Creative Design RoomsSafe Transport ServiceSports Facilities: Multi-SportCentral Al Ghubaiba LocationKG1 to Grade 12 on One Campus
Teaching & Learning Quality
The SPEA inspection team conducted 189 classroom observations, of which 80 were carried out jointly with school leadership - a rigorous methodology that lends credibility to the findings. The overall picture of teaching quality is one of solid, improving practice with identifiable gaps. Across the First and Third Cycles, the majority of student groups achieve better-than-expected progress, which reflects effective teaching in these phases. The Second Cycle (Grades 5-9) remains the weakest link, with attainment and progress in English, Social Studies, and Science rated Acceptable rather than Good.
The school employs 156 teachers (per SPEA data) with a teacher-to-student ratio of 1:17 - a manageable ratio for a school of this scale and curriculum type. The teacher turnover rate is 8%, which is relatively low and suggests reasonable staff stability. The largest nationality group among teachers is Syrian, reflecting the school's community profile. The SPEA report notes that teaching for effective learning and assessment are both rated Good overall. Teachers use questioning and group work in most lessons, and students generally communicate their learning clearly to teachers and peers. However, collaborative group work is not always effective, particularly in the Second Cycle. The use of technology and independent research skills in lessons is developing but inconsistent. Critical thinking and research skills are being built in most subjects, but innovation and entrepreneurship competencies remain underdeveloped across all cycles. Professional development is evidenced through the school's self-evaluation process and improvement planning, which SPEA inspectors rated as effective.
1:17
Teacher-to-Student Ratio
Manageable for MoE curriculum delivery
8%
Teacher Turnover Rate
Low - indicates staff stability
189
Classroom Observations by SPEA
80 conducted jointly with school leadership
156
Total Teaching Staff
Primarily Syrian nationals
Leadership & Management
The school is led by Dr. Khadouj Ayoush, identified as the school principal in SPEA inspection documentation. The school operates as Al Noor Int. School L.L.C, a limited liability company structure, with the Board of Trustees chaired by Dr. Diya Al-Din Al-Baqai. The school was established on 1 December 1983 according to SPEA records (the school's own homepage references 1987 as a founding date - the SPEA record of 1983 is used here as the regulatory primary source), making it one of the longer-standing private schools in Sharjah's Al Ghubaiba district.
SPEA inspectors rated the effectiveness of educational leadership and the Board of Trustees as a principal strength of the school. The self-evaluation and development planning process is described as effective, with a clear strategic direction that has directly driven improvements in teaching quality and student achievement since the previous inspection cycle. The school maintains a dedicated Public Relations department and a Finance department, both of which interface with parents on administrative matters. Parent communication is conducted primarily in Arabic through the school's registration and student affairs offices. The school's social media presence across Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and LinkedIn indicates an active communications strategy. The Parents Council provides a formal governance-adjacent body through which parent voices are channelled into school development discussions. The SPEA report highlights the partnership between school leadership, the Board of Trustees, and the parent community as a key driver of the school's improvement journey.
SPEA Inspection Results (Decoded)
The most recent SPEA inspection, conducted over four days in January 2023 by a team of seven reviewers, awarded Al Noor International School an overall rating of Good - a significant and hard-won improvement from the Acceptable rating recorded in the previous inspection cycle of 2018. This upward trajectory is the single most important data point for prospective parents: it signals a school that is actively improving rather than coasting. The inspection covered all six performance standards and seventeen associated indicators, using the UAE School Inspection and Evaluation Framework 2015-2016.
The headline finding is that student achievement quality, personal and social development, the curriculum, and student protection and care are all now rated Good. The school's facilities are confirmed as adequate for its current enrolment. The key strengths identified by inspectors are: the improvement in student achievement overall; the quality of student-staff relationships; the effectiveness of student protection and safety procedures; and the effectiveness of educational leadership, the Board of Trustees, and the parent partnership. The primary areas for improvement centre on the Second Cycle (Grades 5-9), where attainment in English, Social Studies, and Science remains Acceptable; the support provided to gifted and talented students, which inspectors flag as insufficient; and the development of innovation and entrepreneurship skills, which are described as underdeveloped across all cycles. Parents choosing this school should understand that the Good rating reflects genuine progress but also that there is a meaningful performance gap between the school's stronger cycles (First and Third) and the middle school years.
Improved Student Achievement
Student achievement has improved across all cycles since the 2018 inspection. Islamic Education, Arabic Language, and Mathematics are all rated Good across the school. Grade 12 advanced track results in Maths and Sciences are particularly strong.
Strong Leadership and Governance
SPEA inspectors identified the effectiveness of educational leadership, the Board of Trustees, and the school-parent partnership as a principal strength. The self-evaluation process is effective and has directly driven school improvement.
Effective Student Protection
The school's procedures for student protection, safety, and welfare are rated Good. Student-staff relationships are warm and supportive, and student behaviour across observed sessions was consistently positive.
Second Cycle Performance Gap
Attainment in English Language, Social Studies, and Science in Grades 5-9 remains Acceptable rather than Good. IBT results for Grades 5-9 also show weakness. This is the school's most pressing academic improvement priority.
Gifted Learners and Innovation Skills
Support for gifted and talented students is identified as insufficient. Innovation, entrepreneurship, and independent inquiry skills are underdeveloped across all three cycles - a gap that limits students' preparation for a competitive knowledge economy.
Inspection History
2018
Acceptable
2023
Good
2025
Good
Fees & Value for Money
Al Noor International School operates as a Ministry of Education-curriculum school under SPEA regulation, and its fee schedule is subject to SPEA approval and publication. The SPEA school profile page provides a downloadable fee PDF, though the specific per-grade fee amounts were not accessible in the source data reviewed for this report. The SPEA inspection document references a fee range of approximately AED 5,000 to AED 10,700 (noted in Arabic as 'من 5000 إلى 1070 درهم' - interpreted as a range from AED 5,000 to AED 10,700 per annum), which positions this school firmly in the budget-to-mid-range segment of Sharjah's private school market. This is consistent with MoE-curriculum schools in the emirate, which typically charge significantly less than British, American, or IB curriculum schools.
For families seeking an Arabic-medium MoE education for their children, the fee positioning represents strong value relative to the school's Good SPEA rating and its 40-year track record. The school offers a transport service through an external provider, with costs variable depending on route. The school's finance department handles fee payments with transparency, providing periodic account statements to parents. Registration and re-registration are managed through the student affairs department. Prospective parents are strongly advised to download the current official fee schedule directly from the SPEA website or contact the school at +971-6-571-0000 to obtain the confirmed 2025-2026 fee structure, as the specific per-grade breakdown was not published on the school's own website at the time of this review.
AED 5K-10.7K
Approximate Annual Fee Range
Budget-Mid Range
Market Positioning
Year GroupsAnnual Fee
KG1
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Contact schoolAdditional Costs
Transport ServiceVariable(annual)
Registration FeeVariable(one-time)
UniformsVariable(annual)
Discounts & Concessions
Sibling Discount
Scholarships & Bursaries
No scholarship or bursary programme is publicly documented on the school website or SPEA profile. Families with financial queries are advised to contact the school's finance department directly at Info@alnooris.com or +971-6-571-0000.
The Final Verdict: Who Is This School For?
Al Noor International School in Al Ghubaiba, Sharjah, is a school with a clear identity and a clear community. It serves Arab expatriate families - predominantly Syrian and Jordanian - who want their children educated in Arabic, grounded in Islamic values, and prepared for UAE Ministry of Education pathways through to Grade 12. Its Good SPEA rating, achieved through a genuine improvement from Acceptable, signals a school that is moving in the right direction under stable and effective leadership. The low teacher turnover rate of 8%, the strong student-staff relationships, and the effective safeguarding framework all point to a school that is well-managed and genuinely cares about its students. For the right family, the value-for-money proposition is compelling: a Good-rated, full K-12 MoE school in a central Sharjah location at fees that are among the most accessible in the private sector.
However, parents should enter with clear eyes about the school's limitations. The Second Cycle performance gap is real and documented - if your child is entering Grades 5 through 9, expect Acceptable rather than Good-level attainment in English, Social Studies, and Science. Gifted and high-achieving students may find the enrichment provision insufficient. The school's innovation and entrepreneurship curriculum is underdeveloped, which matters if your child aspires to competitive university programmes or entrepreneurial careers. The school communicates primarily in Arabic, which is a feature for its target community but a barrier for others. This is not a school for families seeking an internationally-oriented curriculum, English-medium instruction, or exposure to IB or A-Level frameworks.
THE “RIGHT FIT”
Arab expatriate families - particularly Syrian and Jordanian - seeking an affordable, Arabic-medium MoE education in central Sharjah, with a full K-12 pathway, strong Islamic values education, and a school community that mirrors their own cultural and linguistic background.
THE “WRONG FIT”
Families seeking English-medium instruction, IB or British curriculum pathways, advanced gifted-and-talented provision, or a school with a strong innovation and entrepreneurship programme; also not suited to non-Arabic-speaking parents who rely on English-language school communications.
“
We chose Al Noor because we wanted our children to be educated in Arabic and to stay connected to our culture. The school has grown a lot - the leadership is strong and you can feel the improvement year on year.
— Grade 10 Parent
Strengths
- Improved from Acceptable to Good in SPEA inspection - genuine upward trajectory
- Strong Arabic language and Islamic Education results across all cycles
- Low 8% teacher turnover rate signals staff stability and continuity
- Effective leadership and active Board of Trustees rated as key strength
- Among the most affordable Good-rated private schools in Sharjah
- Full KG1-Grade 12 pathway on a single campus - no school transitions
- PISA and TIMSS results show above-average international benchmarking in key subjects
- Strong student-staff relationships and effective safeguarding procedures
Areas for Improvement
- Second Cycle (Grades 5-9) attainment in English, Social Studies, and Science rated only Acceptable
- Gifted and talented student provision identified as insufficient by SPEA
- Innovation and entrepreneurship skills underdeveloped across all cycles
- School communications conducted primarily in Arabic - barrier for non-Arabic-speaking parents
- Specific fee schedule not publicly available on school website - requires direct contact