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Al Resalah International private School of Science - branch Al Azra, Sharjah

American School in Al Azra, Sharjah

Last updated

Curriculum
American
SPEA
Good
Location
Sharjah, Al Azra
Fees
AED 15K - 30K

The Executive Summary

Al Resalah International private School of Science - branch Al Azra Sharjah is a co-educational American curriculum school serving Pre-KG through Grade 12 in the Al Azra district of Sharjah, operated by the Athena Education Group. Founded in 2004 and holding Cognia accreditation, RISS has demonstrated meaningful upward momentum - earning a SPEA rating of Good in its 2024 inspection after improving from an Acceptable rating in 2023. The school's defining proposition is an affordable, values-anchored American education built on Common Core Standards, where inquiry-based learning, differentiated instruction, and a strong Islamic identity coexist. With 1,326 students and a notably high Emirati enrolment of 913 students, RISS occupies a clear niche among Al Azra schools: it is a community-rooted institution that takes inclusion seriously, with 75 students of determination supported by a structured SEND department. The school fees in Sharjah for 2025-26 range from approximately AED 14,350 to AED 29,350, positioning RISS firmly in the mid-range bracket for the emirate. For families seeking an American curriculum pathway at accessible school fees in Sharjah, this is a credible and improving option. That said, parents making a long-term investment should weigh the evidence carefully. The SPEA inspection found that while protection, care and guidance is Very Good - a genuine standout - academic attainment in Phases 2 and 3 remains patchy, with mathematics and science rated only Acceptable in those phases. External MAP assessment data showed most students performing below expectations in English reading and language usage in Grades 4-9, and AP results in mathematics were rated Acceptable rather than strong. The curriculum was rated only Acceptable overall (good only in Phase 1), indicating that the school is still in the process of fully developing its offering across all stages. RISS is the right fit for families who value an Islamic-values environment, genuine inclusion provision, and an upward-trending school at a mid-range price point. It is not the ideal choice for parents whose primary driver is top-tier academic benchmark results or a highly developed elective subject range at secondary level.
Cognia AccreditedSPEA Good - Improved from AcceptableVery Good Inclusion SupportAmerican Common Core Curriculum

“My children have learned so many new things in just two months at Al Resalah School. The environment is warm and the teachers genuinely care about each child's progress.”

— Primary Stage Parent

Academic Framework & Learning Style

RISS delivers the American curriculum aligned to Common Core Standards, blending US High School Diploma requirements with the UAE Ministry of Education's mandatory subjects - Arabic Language, Islamic Studies, UAE Social Studies, and EmSAT preparation. The school's academic philosophy, as articulated on its website, centres on inquiry-based learning that triggers students to question, critique, and evaluate, alongside a differentiated learning journey designed so that every student can excel in their own way. This is not merely brochure language: the SPEA 2024 inspection confirmed that teaching has improved to Good across the school, underpinned by an intense programme of continuous professional development for teachers. In terms of academic outcomes, the picture is one of genuine improvement but with clear areas still requiring development. English, mathematics, science, and other subjects are now rated Good overall, with Phase 1 (Pre-KG to KG2) and Phase 4 (Grades 9-12) generally performing strongest. In Phase 1, children demonstrate good phonics skills and early literacy foundations. Phase 4 students develop strong speaking, debating, and analytical skills in English, and can solve natural logarithms and exponential equations in mathematics. However, in Phases 2 and 3 (Grades 1-8), attainment in mathematics, science, and other subjects is rated only Acceptable, and external MAP data for Grades 4-9 shows most students performing below expectations in English reading and language usage. EmSAT results for Grade 12 are notably stronger, with most students exceeding expectations in both English and Arabic - suggesting that the school's upper secondary programme is delivering well. AP College Board results are mixed: AP biology scores are acceptable, and AP mathematics attainment is acceptable in Phase 4. For inclusion provision, RISS operates a dedicated SEND Department that supports students with a wide range of needs, from specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia to assessed syndromes and behavioural needs. The SPEA inspection rated the school's provision for students with SEN as Very Good - a significant strength. The school also identifies and extends Gifted and Talented students. English as an Additional Language (EAL) support is embedded within the school's inclusive admissions approach, and the school explicitly welcomes students transitioning from other curricula. External assessments used include AP, EmSAT, MAP, TIMSS, PIRLS, and CAT4, giving the school a broad benchmarking toolkit. University destinations are not publicly disclosed on the school website, but the Grade 12 EmSAT and AP College Board pathway provides a recognised route to UAE and international university admission. The curriculum overall was rated Acceptable by SPEA in 2024, with inspectors noting it is still being reviewed and developed in Phases 2, 3, and 4 - a key area to monitor.
Good
Overall SPEA Academic Achievement Rating (2024)
Improved from Acceptable in 2023
Very Good
SEN Provision Rating
SPEA 2024 inspection finding
75
Students of Determination Enrolled
Out of 1,326 total students
AP, EmSAT, MAP, TIMSS, PIRLS, CAT4
External Benchmarking Assessments Used
Broad international benchmarking suite
Curriculum Details

Extracurricular Activities (ECAs)

The school website does not publish a comprehensive, itemised list of current after-school clubs or a formal ECA schedule, which is a transparency gap that parents should probe at open day. However, the evidence available from the school's own communications and SPEA inspection observations paints a picture of a school that is active in enrichment beyond the classroom, particularly through themed school days, cultural celebrations, and student-led events. RISS has dedicated school days to topics including anti-bullying awareness, tolerance, wellbeing, and hygiene, as well as national and international celebrations such as UAE Flag Day, National Day, Emirati Women's Day, and Environment Day. These are not peripheral activities - they are woven into the school's identity as a community-centred institution. Students have also engaged with a RISS School Magazine, Science Fairs, Reading Month, Literacy Week, and a Math through Art event, indicating a degree of cross-curricular enrichment. Arabic and Quran competitions are held regularly, reflecting the school's commitment to preserving Islamic and Emirati cultural values. In Physical Education, SPEA inspectors observed students in Phases 2 and 3 learning to pass, shoot, and cross dribble, with peer coaching elements introduced. In Art, students across Phases 2 to 4 engage with the elements of art and produce creative drawings inspired by artists such as Romero Britto. In ICT, Phase 4 students learn to design code for point-of-sale systems, while Phase 2 students work with MS Word and PowerPoint. In Phase 1, multi-skills are developed through play-based activities including sculpting, construction, and collaborative habitat creation. The school's Graduation Ceremony, documented on its website, is a significant annual milestone that reflects student achievement and community pride. Parents seeking a school with a rich, formally structured ECA programme with competitive sports leagues, Duke of Edinburgh, or Model UN should note that RISS does not publicly evidence these at this time - this is an area where the school has room to grow and should be asked about directly.
Multi-subject
Enrichment Events Throughout the Year
Themed days, cultural celebrations, competitions, and fairs
Science FairsRISS School MagazineQuran CompetitionsNational Day CelebrationsPlay-Based Phase 1 Enrichment

Pastoral Care & Well-being

Pastoral care is arguably the most impressive dimension of RISS's current performance, and it is the area where the school most clearly punches above its rating. The SPEA 2024 inspection rated the protection, care, guidance and support of students as Very Good - the only domain to achieve this elevated rating - and specifically highlighted very good student attendance as a key strength. Strong attendance is a meaningful proxy for student wellbeing: children who feel safe, valued, and engaged turn up. At RISS, they do. The school's safeguarding and child protection arrangements were reviewed by SPEA inspectors and found to be effective. The school operates a structured approach to student welfare that includes counselling support - the SEND Department's provision explicitly includes counselling for students who demonstrate social-emotional delays or behavioural challenges that impact learning. The school's inclusive ethos extends to its pastoral framework: all students, regardless of ability or background, are supported through a culture that the school describes as prioritising emotional intelligence and community focus - two of the three core values of the Athena Education Group. Themed school days on anti-bullying and wellbeing indicate that the school takes a proactive, awareness-raising approach to student mental health rather than a purely reactive one. The very good partnership with parents, cited as a key strength in the SPEA report, is a further indicator of a school community where communication channels are open and families feel involved. The school's admissions page explicitly states that it is an inclusive school that admits students throughout the year, welcoming students of determination, gifted learners, EAL students, and those transferring from other curricula - an open-door ethos that shapes the pastoral culture. The Athena Education Group's parent inclusion portal and monthly newsletter further extend the pastoral partnership beyond the school gates. One area to probe: the SPEA data does not record a dedicated guidance counsellor in the staffing profile, which parents of students navigating university applications or significant social-emotional challenges should ask about directly.

“The school feels like a real community. The teachers know my child by name and the support for students who need a little extra help is genuinely impressive.”

— Year 5 Parent(representative)

Campus & Facilities

RISS is located on Sheikh Majed Bin Saqr Al Qasimi Street in the Al Azra district of Sharjah - a well-established residential suburb that is home to a number of private schools and is conveniently positioned for families living in the broader Al Azra, Al Nahda, and adjacent Sharjah communities. The campus has been in operation since 2004, making it a mature site with over two decades of development. The school's virtual tour, available on its website, gives prospective families a visual sense of the environment. The SPEA inspection report confirms that the school's management, staffing, facilities and resources are rated as part of the Good overall effectiveness judgment, and inspectors observed a functioning multi-phase campus capable of supporting Pre-KG through Grade 12 learning. Subject-specific facilities referenced in the inspection include science laboratories (with inspectors noting that students in Phases 2 and 3 have limited opportunities for investigative experiments - suggesting that lab usage could be more frequent), ICT facilities where students design code and work with productivity software, art studios where students produce creative work, and PE facilities supporting multi-sport activities including basketball and dribbling drills. The school's Phase 1 environment is described by inspectors as supporting play-based, multi-skills learning, with children using construction toys, playdough sculpting, and collaborative activities - indicating a purposefully designed early years space. The school operates under the Cognia accreditation framework, which includes facility and resource standards as part of its institutional review process. The school's affiliation with the Athena Education Group also provides access to group-level infrastructure and technology resources. The school website references an online enquiry and ERP portal system, indicating investment in digital administration infrastructure. Specific details on campus size in square metres, the number of science labs, or planned expansion projects are not publicly disclosed - parents should request a campus tour to assess facilities firsthand. The school's address and WhatsApp contact line make arranging a visit straightforward.
2004
Year Campus Established
Over 20 years of operation in Al Azra
Pre-KG to Grade 12
Full Through-School Campus
Single campus serving all phases
Al Azra LocationCognia Accredited CampusICT Coding LabsPlay-Based Early Years SpaceArt StudiosMulti-Sport PE Facilities
Campus Details

Teaching & Learning Quality

Teaching quality at RISS has been one of the school's most visible improvement stories. The SPEA 2024 inspection found that teaching has improved to Good across the school, directly attributing this to an intense programme of continuous professional development (CPD) that the leadership team has invested in since the previous Acceptable rating in 2023. This is a meaningful finding: it suggests that the school's self-evaluation process is identifying the right levers and pulling them effectively. The school's teacher-to-student ratio is 1:13, which is favourable by Sharjah private school standards and creates conditions for more personalised attention within classrooms. The school employs 103 teachers and 13 teaching assistants, with Egyptian teachers forming the largest nationality group among staff. The teacher turnover rate is 11% - a moderate figure that indicates reasonable retention without suggesting the kind of high stability associated with the most established schools. The main nationality of teachers is Egyptian, which is consistent with many American curriculum schools in the UAE that draw heavily from Egyptian-trained educators with strong subject knowledge. Pedagogically, the school's stated approach centres on inquiry-based learning, with the school website highlighting that this triggers students to question, critique, and evaluate. Differentiated instruction is a stated priority, with the school describing a differentiated learning journey for all students. SPEA inspectors observed that in the best lessons, teachers effectively engage students in higher-order thinking and collaborative tasks. However, the key area for improvement identified by SPEA is the consistency of teaching quality - inspectors noted that the quality of teaching and learning needs to be optimised across all lessons to maximise impact on student achievement. This means that while strong teaching exists within the school, it is not yet uniformly excellent across all classrooms and phases. Assessment has improved to Good, following the implementation of a more detailed assessment process - a positive development that should support more targeted teacher intervention going forward.
1:13
Teacher-to-Student Ratio
Favourable for personalised learning
11%
Teacher Turnover Rate
SPEA 2024 inspection data
103
Total Teaching Staff
Plus 13 teaching assistants

Leadership & Management

RISS is led by Principal Huda Al Samkari, whose name and photograph appear prominently on the school website. In her principal's message, she states: 'I am honored to lead Al Resalah International School of Science, where learners achieve their academic goals, National Agenda targets, are readied for college or career opportunities and become socio-economic contributors in future.' This framing - anchoring the school's mission to both National Agenda targets and future economic contribution - reflects a leader who understands the dual accountability of a Sharjah private school serving a predominantly Emirati student body. The Chair of the Board of Governors is Sadia Wajid, providing governance oversight alongside the principal's operational leadership. The school is owned and operated by the Athena Education Group, a UAE-based education operator that also runs Al Zuhour Private School and Al Wahda Private School in Sharjah, as well as five schools in Dubai. Athena's stated core values - Innovative Thinking, Emotional Intelligence, and Community Focus with an International Outlook - provide the philosophical framework within which RISS operates. This group structure gives RISS access to shared resources, professional development networks, and a group-level inclusion infrastructure, including the Athena Parent Inclusion Portal. The SPEA 2024 inspection rated leadership as Good, improved from Acceptable in 2023. Inspectors noted that the leadership team has been expanded and that there has been a deliberate focus on developing teaching and learning and the school's middle leadership capacity. Critically, the inspection praised the school's purposeful and accurate self-evaluation process, which involves all stakeholders and continuously monitors improvement priorities. This is the engine of the school's recent progress: a leadership team that knows where it is, knows where it needs to go, and is making measurable steps in the right direction. Parent communication is facilitated through the school's online ERP portal, WhatsApp contact line, and the Athena group's parent-facing digital platforms. The school's admissions department can be reached directly at +97165221222.
Leadership Details

SPEA Inspection Results (Decoded)

The most recent SPEA inspection of Al Resalah International private School of Science took place from 4 to 7 March 2024, conducted by a team of six reviewers who carried out 178 lesson observations - 53 of which were conducted jointly with school leaders. The headline finding is an overall effectiveness rating of Good, representing a clear improvement from the Acceptable rating awarded in the 2022-23 inspection. This upward trajectory is the most important data point for prospective parents: this is a school that is demonstrably getting better. Breaking down the six performance standards: Students' Achievement is Good overall, though with notable variation by phase and subject. Phase 1 and Phase 4 are the strongest performers; Phases 2 and 3 show Acceptable attainment in mathematics, science, and other subjects. Students' Personal and Social Development remains Good, with Phase 4 students' personal development rated Very Good. Teaching and Assessment is Good, improved through intensive CPD. The curriculum is rated Acceptable overall (Good only in Phase 1), reflecting ongoing review and development work. Protection, Care, Guidance and Support is Very Good - the school's standout domain. Leadership and Management is Good, improved from Acceptable. The two key areas for improvement identified by SPEA are: first, the consistency of teaching and learning quality across all lessons to optimise impact on student achievement; and second, students' performance in MAP Growth assessments in English reading, language usage, mathematics, and science. These are specific, actionable targets - and parents should ask the school at open day what concrete steps have been taken since March 2024 to address them. The school's strong self-evaluation culture gives reasonable grounds for optimism that progress is being made.
Very Good Care and Inclusion
The protection, care, guidance and support of students is rated Very Good - the school's highest-performing domain. SEN provision is specifically cited as Very Good, with a very effective identification and support process for students with special educational needs.
Strong Upward Trajectory
The school improved from Acceptable to Good overall effectiveness between 2023 and 2024 - a one-band improvement in a single cycle. Teaching, assessment, leadership, and student achievement all moved upward, demonstrating that the school's self-evaluation and improvement planning is working.
Very Good Parent Partnership
Inspectors identified the very good partnership with parents as a key area of strength, alongside the effective self-evaluation process that involves all stakeholders. This suggests a school community with open communication and shared ownership of improvement.
Teaching Consistency Across All Lessons

SPEA identified the need to improve the quality of teaching and learning in all lessons to optimise impact on student achievement. While teaching is Good overall, inspectors noted that the best practice seen in some classrooms is not yet consistent across all phases and subjects.

MAP Assessment Performance

Students' achievement in MAP Growth assessments in English reading, language usage, mathematics, and science requires improvement. External MAP data for Grades 4-9 showed most students performing below expectations in English reading and language usage, representing a gap between internal assessment data and external benchmarks.

Full Inspection Report

Inspection History

2022-2023
Acceptable
2023-2024
Good

Fees & Value for Money

School fees at RISS for the 2025-26 academic year have been approved by SPEA and range from approximately AED 14,350 to AED 29,350, placing the school firmly in the mid-range bracket for American curriculum schools in Sharjah. The SPEA inspection report recorded the fee range as AED 14,350 to AED 29,350, and the school's fee structure page for 2025-26 is published on the school website. Tuition fees include the cost of books, which reduces the effective additional cost burden compared to schools where textbooks are charged separately. Examination fees are explicitly excluded from tuition and must be paid separately at the time of admission. For context among Al Azra schools and the broader Sharjah private school market, RISS's fee range is competitive for a Cognia-accredited, American curriculum school offering Pre-KG through Grade 12. The school positions itself as offering affordable, quality US schooling - and the fee structure supports that positioning. Families comparing school fees in Sharjah 2026 will find RISS offers a credible value proposition, particularly given the Very Good inclusion support, the 1:13 teacher-to-student ratio, and the Cognia accreditation that comes with the fees. The value-for-money verdict is positive at the lower and middle fee bands; at the upper end (Grade 11-12), parents should weigh the Acceptable AP results against the fee level and consider whether the school's academic trajectory justifies the investment for university-bound students. The school accepts year-round admissions subject to place availability, and the admissions department can be contacted at +97165221222. Specific details on sibling discounts, scholarships, and payment installment structures are not published on the school website and should be confirmed directly with the admissions team.
AED 14,350 - AED 29,350
Annual Fee Range 2025-26
Books Included
Tuition Fee Includes Textbooks
Year GroupsAnnual Fee
Pre-KG
14,350
KG1
15,750
KG2
15,750
Grade 1
17,850
Grade 2
17,850
Grade 3
17,850
Grade 4
19,950
Grade 5
19,950
Grade 6
22,050
Grade 7
22,050
Grade 8
22,050
Grade 9
25,200
Grade 10
25,200
Grade 11
29,350
Grade 12
29,350

Additional Costs

Examination Fees (AP, EmSAT, MAP, etc.)Variable(annual)
Excluded from tuition fees. Must be paid separately at time of admission.
TransportVariable(annual)
Contact school for current transport rates
UniformsVariable(one-time)
Contact school for uniform supplier details

Discounts & Concessions

Sibling Discount

Scholarships & Bursaries

Scholarship and bursary information is not publicly disclosed on the school website. Parents seeking financial assistance should contact the admissions department directly at +97165221222 to enquire about any available provisions.
Full Fee Structure

The Final Verdict: Who Is This School For?

RISS is a school in genuine, evidenced ascent. The move from Acceptable to Good in a single SPEA inspection cycle, combined with a Very Good rating for care and inclusion, tells the story of a leadership team that has identified its weaknesses and is systematically addressing them. For the right family, this is a compelling proposition: an affordable, Cognia-accredited American curriculum school in Al Azra, with a strong Islamic values framework, genuine commitment to inclusion, and a favourable teacher-to-student ratio of 1:13. The school fees in Sharjah for 2025-26 are accessible by regional standards, and the inclusion of books in tuition reduces the total cost of ownership. The honest counterpoint is that this is still a school building towards its potential rather than one that has arrived. MAP benchmark data reveals that middle school academic performance needs to close the gap between internal assessments and external standards. The curriculum across Phases 2, 3, and 4 is still under development and rated only Acceptable. Parents whose priority is top-quartile academic outcomes - particularly in mathematics and science at the middle school level - should weigh these findings carefully against the school's positive trajectory. The school is best suited to families who value community, inclusion, and Islamic identity alongside solid academic progression, and who are prepared to partner actively with the school in their child's learning journey.

THE “RIGHT FIT”

Families seeking an affordable, Cognia-accredited American curriculum school in Al Azra with a strong Islamic values ethos, genuine inclusion provision for students of determination, and a school demonstrably on an upward improvement trajectory.

THE “WRONG FIT”

Families whose primary driver is top-tier external benchmark results at the middle school level, or those seeking a fully developed, comprehensive ECA programme with competitive sports and enrichment activities publicly evidenced at this time.

“

RISS feels like a school that genuinely cares about every student - not just the high achievers. The improvement we have seen in the school over the past two years gives us confidence that we made the right choice.

— Grade 8 Parent

Strengths

  • Improved from Acceptable to Good in one SPEA inspection cycle
  • Very Good rating for student care, guidance, and SEN provision
  • Favourable 1:13 teacher-to-student ratio
  • Cognia accredited - internationally recognised quality standard
  • Books included in tuition fees, reducing additional costs
  • Mid-range fees for a full Pre-KG to Grade 12 American curriculum school
  • Strong Islamic values ethos with Emirati community focus
  • Open admissions policy welcoming students of determination and EAL learners

Areas for Improvement

  • Curriculum rated only Acceptable overall - still under development in Phases 2, 3, and 4
  • MAP external benchmark data shows most middle school students performing below expectations in English and mathematics
  • AP examination results in mathematics and biology rated Acceptable rather than strong
  • ECA programme not comprehensively documented publicly - limited transparency on clubs and activities
  • No guidance counsellor recorded in SPEA staffing data - university and pastoral support capacity unclear
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