Al Yasat Private School, Abu Dhabi
ADEK Inspection Report & Ratings
Last updated
Executive Summary
Al Yasat Private School maintains a Good overall rating from ADEK for the 2025-2026 academic year, reflecting consistent quality since its last inspection in 2022. The school, offering an American curriculum, demonstrates a strong commitment to student development and provides a stimulating learning environment.
Significant improvements have been noted in Islamic Education and Arabic as a first language, with achievement improving to Good in several phases due to enhanced teaching and leadership. Students' personal development, understanding of Islamic values, and social responsibility are rated Very Good across all phases, highlighting positive attitudes and active community engagement. The curriculum is well-structured, flexible, and inclusive, incorporating innovative programs and Advanced Placement (AP) pathways.
The school excels in protection, care, guidance, and support, rated Very Good, with rigorous safeguarding and effective identification of students with additional learning needs. Leadership and governance are strong, ensuring the school is well-resourced and supported by an active Board and effective parent partnerships. While standardized assessment results show areas for development, the school's commitment to international assessment targets and continuous professional development for teachers is evident.
Overall School Performance
Outstanding
Very Good
Good
Acceptable
Weak
Very Weak
Al Yasat Private School Overall Rating
Good
ADEK Performance Standards
The six Irtiqa inspection standards used by ADEK to evaluate school performance across Abu Dhabi.
Students' achievement is rated Good overall, with notable improvements in Islamic Education and Arabic as a first language across several phases. English, Mathematics, and Science also show improvements in specific phases. Learning skills are consistently Good, with students demonstrating enthusiasm, engagement, and effective collaboration. Islamic EducationArabic as a first languageLearning Skills
Students' personal development, attitudes, and behavior are Very Good, supported by a strong understanding of Islamic values and appreciation for Emirati and world cultures. Social responsibility and innovation skills are also Very Good, with students actively participating in community, volunteer, and sustainability initiatives. Islamic valuesEmirati cultureSocial responsibilityInnovation skills
Teaching for effective learning and assessment practices are rated Good. Teachers plan engaging lessons and utilize MAP data effectively to identify learning gaps. However, there is a need to further establish inquiry-based learning and enhance the use of assessment data for personalized learning and challenging higher-attaining students. Engaging lessonsMAP dataInquiry-based learning
Curriculum design and adaptation are Good across all phases. The school offers a well-structured, flexible, and inclusive American curriculum that aligns with national priorities and includes Advanced Placement (AP) pathways. Innovative programs enrich the provision, and curriculum modifications have enhanced coherence and student needs alignment. American curriculumAdvanced Placement (AP)Innovative programs
The school provides Very Good protection, care, guidance, and support for students. Highly effective safeguarding systems and health and safety protocols are in place. Strong staff-student relations ensure effective identification and support for students with additional learning needs, including students of determination, though gifted and talented students may require more challenging opportunities. SafeguardingHealth and safetyStudents of determinationGifted and talented
Leadership and management are rated Good, with the principal and vice principal introducing effective policies and initiatives. Governance has improved to Very Good, benefiting from the positive influence of the owner and Board. The school is well-staffed and resourced, though resources are not yet fully utilized to maximize student achievement. Effective leadershipStrong governanceWell-resourced
Key Highlights
Standout achievements identified by the inspection team that distinguish this school.
TIMSS Math & Science Success
Grade 4 students exceeded school targets in both mathematics and science in the 2023 TIMSS assessments, demonstrating strong foundational skills.
Positive Student Engagement
Students exhibit positive attitudes towards learning, actively contributing to school life and the wider community through various initiatives.
Cultural & Social Responsibility
Students show a secure understanding of Islamic values, pride in UAE national identity, and participate in a wide range of community and volunteer activities.
Robust Safeguarding & Support
The school maintains rigorous safeguarding procedures and effective support systems, ensuring student safety, well-being, and timely identification of additional learning needs.
Clear Strategic Leadership
The principal and senior leaders have established a clear strategic direction, fostering an inclusive school environment with strong parental trust and support.
Effective Governance & Resources
The school benefits from an active Board and owner who ensure excellent resources and hold leaders accountable for a conducive learning environment.
Academic Performance Breakdown
While internal assessments show strong attainment, standardized MAP results indicate Weak attainment in English, Mathematics, and Science across Cycles 2, 3, and 4. PISA and TIMSS results are generally below international averages, highlighting a need for further development in these areas.
Leadership & Management
Effectiveness of school governance, strategic planning, and leadership capacity to drive continuous improvement.
Leadership Approach
Leadership demonstrates a strong commitment to national and UAE priorities, fostering an inclusive environment focused on student wellbeing. The principal and vice principal have introduced effective initiatives, and the active Board ensures high standards and excellent resourcing, contributing to a strong capacity for further school improvement.
Inspection Findings
Students' Achievement
Students demonstrate Good attainment and progress in most subjects, with notable improvements in Islamic Education and Arabic. However, standardized assessments (MAP, PISA, TIMSS) indicate areas for development in English, Mathematics, and Science, particularly in analytical and problem-solving skills.
Personal & Social Development
Students exhibit Very Good personal development, positive attitudes, and strong social responsibility. They show a secure understanding of Islamic values, pride in Emirati culture, and actively engage in community and innovation projects.
Teaching & Assessment
Teaching and assessment are Good, with engaging lessons and effective use of MAP data. However, there is a need to consistently implement inquiry-based learning, personalize learning, and provide appropriate challenge for gifted and talented students.
Curriculum Design & Adaptation
The curriculum is Good, offering a well-structured, flexible, and inclusive American curriculum with AP pathways. It aligns with national priorities and includes innovative programs, though systematic skill development and smooth transitions between phases require strengthening.
Protection, Care & Support
Protection, care, guidance, and support are Very Good. The school has highly effective safeguarding systems, strong staff-student relations, and robust support for students of determination. Opportunities for gifted and talented students could be further enhanced.
Areas for Development
- •Raise students’ achievement to Very Good level across all core subjects and phases by providing more opportunities for extended and creative writing in Arabic and English, improving English reading fluency, enhancing mathematical reasoning and application, and strengthening scientific analysis and inference skills.
- •Improve aspects of teaching, assessment, and curriculum by ensuring consistent challenge and support for gifted and talented students, improving the rigor and reliability of internal assessment procedures, enhancing teachers’ use of assessment information for differentiated activities, and strengthening curriculum review for systematic skill development and smooth phase transitions.
- •Improve the impact of school leadership further by ensuring self-evaluation is more analytical with clearer responsibilities for raising student achievement, developing middle leaders' understanding of international best practices, and effectively utilizing high-quality resources to enhance inquiry, creativity, and innovation across all phases.
- •Raise achievement in international assessments (TIMSS, PISA, and PIRLS) by integrating mock assessments with structured feedback, building a clear PIRLS-focused plan for reading skills, developing systematic internal tracking for assessment-related skills, and engaging parents through targeted workshops.