Ashabal Al Quds Secondary Private School, Abu Dhabi
Ministry of Education School in Shakhbout City, Abu Dhabi
Last updated
Curriculum
Ministry of Education
ADEK
Good
Location
Abu Dhabi, Shakhbout City
Fees
AED 8K - 17K
The Executive Summary
Ashabal Al Quds Secondary Private School Abu Dhabi is a co-educational, Arabic-medium private institution in Shakhbout City following the MoE (UAE) curriculum Abu Dhabi-wide, serving approximately 1,645 students from KG1 through Grade 12. Holding an ADEK rating Good from the 2024 Irtiqa inspection, the school positions itself as an accessible, community-rooted option for families seeking an affordable, values-driven UAE national curriculum education. With school fees Abu Dhabi parents will find genuinely accessible - ranging from AED 8,330 to AED 16,550 annually - it is one of the most competitively priced private schools among Shakhbout City schools, making it a realistic choice for families who prioritize cultural identity, Islamic values, and Arabic-language development without the financial strain of premium international institutions. The school's strongest suit is its deep integration of UAE heritage and Islamic values, rated Very Good across all phases - a genuine standout in a crowded market.
ADEK Good 2024MoE UAE CurriculumFees from AED 8,330Very Good UAE Heritage
“The school keeps our children grounded in their identity and faith. The fees are manageable and the teachers genuinely care about the students as individuals.”
— Grade 7 Parent(representative)Academic Framework & Learning Style
Ashabal Al Quds follows the Ministry of Education (MoE) UAE curriculum across four structured cycles: Kindergarten (KG1-KG2), Primary (Grades 1-4), Preparatory (Grades 5-8), and Secondary (Grades 9-12). The Kindergarten stage adopts the Common Core State Standards and the Core Knowledge Sequencing Model, aiming to build foundational literacy and numeracy through structured, sequential learning. Primary and Preparatory stages emphasize inquisitive, discussion-based learning communities, while the Secondary stage deploys subject-specialist teachers to prepare students for the Grade 12 MoE national examinations.
Academically, the picture is mixed and parents should understand the nuances. English attainment is Good across Cycles 1, 2, and 3 - a genuine strength - while Islamic Education attainment is rated Good in KG and progress is Good in Cycles 2 and 3. However, Arabic as a first language attainment is Acceptable across all cycles, and Mathematics attainment is Acceptable across every phase, which is a significant concern for a school following the national curriculum. Science attainment is similarly Acceptable across all cycles, though progress in science is Good in Cycles 2 and 3, suggesting students are moving forward even if starting points are lower than ideal.
In standardized international benchmarks, the school's performance reveals a clear gap between internal assessments and external standards. In the PISA 2022 assessment, 15-year-old students scored 319.7 in reading literacy, 355.5 in mathematical literacy, and 347.4 in science literacy - all significantly below the international averages of 476, 472, and 485 respectively. TIMSS 2023 results placed Grade 4 and Grade 8 students at the low international benchmark in both mathematics and science. PIRLS 2021 Grade 4 reading scored 437.5, again at the low international benchmark. The school has acknowledged these gaps and is implementing PISA/TIMSS-style questions in lessons and running teacher professional development focused on higher-order thinking - a positive response, though outcomes remain to be demonstrated.
The school integrates online reading platforms Abjadiyat and Kutubee for Arabic literacy development and uses Microsoft Teams and an LMS platform for digital learning delivery. The curriculum in Cycles 1-3 is described by ADEK inspectors as well-structured, broad, and balanced, with cross-curricular links considered a particular strength. However, there is a noted lack of emphasis on skills development and inquiry-based learning, particularly in KG where teaching remains predominantly teacher-directed. Differentiation for gifted and talented students and students of determination is inconsistent, and this is a recurring theme across inspection findings that parents of children with additional needs should weigh carefully. University destinations data is not publicly available from the school's website, which limits transparency for families considering the school as a long-term pathway.
319.7
PISA 2022 Reading Score
vs. international average of 476
355.5
PISA 2022 Maths Score
vs. international average of 472
437.5
PIRLS 2021 Grade 4 Reading
Low international benchmark
1,645
Students on Roll
KG1 through Grade 12
Extracurricular Activities (ECAs)
The school's extracurricular profile is not comprehensively documented on its public website - several pages returned 404 errors at the time of review - which makes a full independent assessment difficult. However, the ADEK Irtiqa inspection report provides some useful signals. Social responsibility and innovation skills are rated Good across all phases, reflecting a school culture that actively engages students in community initiatives, sustainability projects, and service-oriented activities. Students demonstrate strong community involvement and environmental awareness, suggesting that civic engagement programs are genuinely embedded rather than cosmetic.
The school promotes reading culture through internal story-writing competitions and participation in national-level reading challenges. Plans are in place to introduce the Thermometer Reading Competition for Cycles 1-3 with structured grade-aligned reading targets, indicating a growing commitment to literacy enrichment beyond the classroom. The library supports weekly scheduled reading periods for all students in Cycles 1-3, with each grade accessing the library once a week - a structured approach to reading that is commendable at this fee level.
The school uses Microsoft Teams and an LMS platform for digital engagement, and the principal's message references the integration of Business Leadership and Innovation into the curriculum, suggesting some exposure to entrepreneurial thinking. However, the absence of published ECA schedules, sports achievement records, performing arts programs, or enrichment trip information is a transparency gap that limits this school's appeal to families who prioritize a rich co-curricular life. Parents are advised to contact the school directly to request a full ECA schedule before enrolling.
Good
Social Responsibility & Innovation Rating
ADEK Irtiqa 2024, all phases
Social Responsibility ProgramsNational Reading ChallengesInnovation Skills EmbeddedCommunity Service CultureThermometer Reading Competition
Pastoral Care & Well-being
Pastoral care at Ashabal Al Quds presents a divided picture that parents should understand clearly. The school's health and safety and safeguarding provision is rated Good across all cycles in the 2024 ADEK Irtiqa inspection - a genuine strength and a non-negotiable baseline that the school consistently meets. Effective child protection procedures are in place, and the school maintains a system of safeguarding protocols complemented by well-being initiatives. This is reassuring for any parent considering enrollment.
However, the broader care and support rating is Acceptable across all cycles, which signals room for improvement. Specifically, ADEK inspectors noted that support for students of determination is inconsistent, and that gifted and talented students are not sufficiently challenged across several cycles. This is a meaningful limitation for families whose children sit at either end of the learning spectrum. Behavior management systems are in place, but inspectors recommended that teachers be better equipped with strategies to create a focused and productive learning environment, particularly in lower cycles.
On the positive side, the school's understanding of Islamic values and awareness of Emirati and world cultures is rated Very Good across all phases - the highest sub-rating in the entire inspection. This reflects a school community where identity, belonging, and cultural pride are genuinely lived values rather than curriculum checkboxes. Students demonstrate secure knowledge of Islamic values and a deep appreciation of UAE heritage, which contributes meaningfully to a sense of community and shared purpose. The school has also established a student portal and digital communication channels, and parent partnerships have been upgraded to Very Good - the strongest rating in the leadership domain - reflecting improved communication and more detailed academic reporting to families.
“The school has a warm community feel. My children know they belong here - the Islamic values and UAE culture are genuinely part of daily life, not just lessons on a timetable.”
— Grade 5 Parent(representative)Campus & Facilities
Ashabal Al Quds is located in Shakhbout City, Abu Dhabi - a growing residential district in the southern reaches of the capital that has seen significant infrastructure development in recent years. The school's address is listed as MFW-11, Shakhbout City, making it well-positioned for families residing in this expanding community. The campus location offers reasonable accessibility for residents of Shakhbout City and surrounding areas, though families commuting from central Abu Dhabi or other districts should factor in travel time.
The school's website pages covering campus and facilities returned errors at the time of this review, limiting independent verification. However, the ADEK Irtiqa report provides some facility insights. The school houses a spacious main library containing 150 English books and 900 Arabic books, supplemented by a smaller reading space in the KG multi-space room for younger learners. While the library space is equipped with tables and chairs and designated quiet reading areas, inspectors noted that the English book collection is limited, reducing opportunities for extensive English reading habits. Digital resources are available but not fully integrated into regular learning activities.
The school operates a dedicated weekly library period for all students in Cycles 1-3 and provides access to online reading platforms. Technology infrastructure includes access to Microsoft Teams, an LMS (Learning Management System), Al-Diwan digital book platform, and a student portal - a functional suite of digital tools appropriate for the MoE curriculum context. The new principal has been noted by ADEK inspectors as having strengthened school facilities and resources since taking leadership, which suggests ongoing investment, though the pace and scope of improvements are not publicly detailed. ADEK also flagged that not all necessary curriculum-linked resources are currently available, recommending that the school ensure full provision. Parents should visit the campus directly to assess facilities before making an enrollment decision.
1,050
Library Books (Arabic + English)
900 Arabic, 150 English
85
Total Teaching Staff
Serving 1,645 students
Shakhbout City LocationMain School LibraryMicrosoft Teams & LMSStudent Portal AccessAl-Diwan Digital Books
Teaching & Learning Quality
Teaching quality at Ashabal Al Quds is one of the most significant factors parents need to weigh carefully. The 2024 ADEK Irtiqa inspection rates teaching for effective learning as Acceptable in KG and Cycle 1, and Good in Cycles 2 and 3. This divergence is meaningful: younger children in KG and lower primary are receiving teaching that ADEK considers below the Good threshold, while older students in Cycles 2 and 3 benefit from more effective instruction. The primary driver of lower ratings in KG and Cycle 1 is identified as high teacher talk and a lack of student-led learning approaches, with instruction remaining predominantly teacher-directed and limiting opportunities for independent thinking and problem-solving.
Assessment is rated Acceptable in KG but Good in Cycles 1, 2, and 3, which is a positive signal for the majority of the school. The school now maintains detailed assessment data records that track individual student progress and identify learning gaps. However, inspectors noted that the use of this data to inform instructional decisions can be more effectively implemented, particularly to meet the diverse needs of all learner groups. This is a systems maturity issue rather than a fundamental failure - the data exists, but its application to differentiated teaching practice needs strengthening.
The school employs 85 teachers across all phases, with teacher nationalities predominantly from Egypt, Syria, and Jordan - reflecting the broader profile of MoE-curriculum private schools in Abu Dhabi. The student-to-teacher ratio is approximately 19:1 based on 1,645 students and 85 staff, which is broadly in line with sector norms. Staff qualifications and retention data are not publicly disclosed on the school website. ADEK inspectors recommended targeted professional development for KG teachers on early childhood pedagogy and classroom management, and broader professional development focused on higher-order thinking skills aligned with international assessment expectations. The school has responded by running training sessions for teachers on PISA/TIMSS-style assessment strategies, which is a constructive step.
~19:1
Student-to-Teacher Ratio
1,645 students / 85 teachers
Good
Teaching Quality (Cycles 2 & 3)
ADEK Irtiqa 2024
Acceptable
Teaching Quality (KG & Cycle 1)
ADEK Irtiqa 2024 - improvement required
Leadership & Management
The school is led by Principal Wesam Mohammed Elsaid Mohamed Ebid, who is described in the ADEK inspection report as a new principal who has already made a tangible impact - specifically in strengthening school facilities, resources, assessment systems, and parent engagement. This is a positive early signal, though inspectors note that the priority now must shift toward raising student achievement as the next strategic imperative. The principal's own message on the school website references a commitment to National Identity, Problem Solving, Critical Thinking, Business Leadership and Innovation as core pillars of the school's educational philosophy, drawing on the legacy of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan's vision for education as the foundation of national prosperity.
Leadership effectiveness is rated Good by ADEK, and the senior leadership team is credited with providing clear direction and fostering a shared vision across the school community. Governance is rated Good, with the governing board regularly monitoring school performance and holding senior leaders accountable for both academic and personal development outcomes. Partnerships with parents and the community have improved from Good to Very Good in the latest inspection cycle - a significant upgrade that reflects enhanced communication channels and more detailed academic reporting. The school uses WhatsApp, email, and a student portal for parent communication.
The key leadership weakness identified by ADEK is in self-evaluation and improvement planning (SEF), rated Acceptable - a decline from the previous Good rating. Inspectors noted that the SEF relies primarily on internal assessments, which limits the accuracy of achievement evaluations. Middle leadership capacity to monitor and guide instructional quality also needs strengthening. For a school with ambitions to raise achievement, the quality of its self-evaluation framework is a critical enabler - and this is an area that demands attention in the current school development cycle.
ADEK Inspection Results (Irtiqa - Decoded)
The ADEK Irtiqa 2024 inspection, conducted in February 2025 for the 2024/25 academic year, awarded Ashabal Al Quds an overall rating of Good - a maintained position from the previous inspection cycle. This stability is both reassuring and a double-edged signal: the school has not declined, but it has also not broken through to Very Good, which would require more consistent academic attainment and stronger teaching across all phases.
The inspection reveals a school with genuine cultural and community strengths but meaningful academic challenges. The standout finding is the Very Good rating for students' understanding of Islamic values and awareness of Emirati and world cultures across all phases - the highest sub-rating in the entire report and a genuine point of distinction. Parent and community partnerships are also Very Good, reflecting a school that communicates well and takes family engagement seriously.
On the academic side, the inspection findings are sobering. Mathematics attainment is Acceptable across every phase and cycle - KG through Cycle 3 - with no Good ratings anywhere in the subject. Arabic as a first language attainment is similarly Acceptable across all cycles, despite strong internal MoE exam results. The gap between internal assessment performance and external benchmarks (IBT, PISA, TIMSS, PIRLS) is a recurring theme that the school must address systematically. Science attainment is Acceptable across all cycles, though progress in science is Good in Cycles 2 and 3, which suggests the school is building momentum even if the starting point is lower than desired.
The five key ADEK recommendations center on: raising overall student achievement (particularly in Arabic, mathematics, and science); enhancing teaching and assessment quality; improving international assessment performance; strengthening KG provision; and improving leadership self-evaluation. These are substantive recommendations that will require sustained effort over multiple academic years to fully address.
Islamic Values & UAE Cultural Identity
Students demonstrate Very Good understanding of Islamic values and appreciation of UAE heritage and culture across all phases - the highest-rated element in the entire inspection and a genuine school strength.
Parent & Community Partnerships
Partnerships with parents and the community are rated Very Good, an improvement from Good in the previous cycle. Enhanced communication systems and detailed academic reporting are highlighted as key drivers.
Safeguarding & Child Protection
Health, safety, and safeguarding arrangements are rated Good across all phases, with effective child protection procedures in place - a consistent and reliable baseline across inspection cycles.
Mathematics & Science Attainment
Mathematics attainment is Acceptable across every phase and science attainment is Acceptable across all cycles. PISA, TIMSS, and PIRLS results fall significantly below international averages. The school must embed inquiry-based learning, higher-order thinking, and international assessment-style questions more systematically into daily instruction.
KG Provision & Early Learning Quality
Teaching in KG is rated Acceptable, with instruction predominantly teacher-directed and insufficient opportunities for inquiry-based or independent learning. Curriculum adaptation in KG is also Acceptable. Targeted professional development for KG teachers on early childhood pedagogy and classroom management is a priority ADEK recommendation.
Inspection History
2024
Good
2023
Good
Fees & Value for Money
Ashabal Al Quds Secondary Private School in Shakhbout City, Abu Dhabi, follows the UAE Ministry of Education (MoE) curriculum and offers ADEK-approved tuition fees for the academic year 2025–2026. Fees are structured progressively by grade level, starting at AED 8,330 for KG students and rising to AED 16,550 for Grade 12, reflecting the increasing complexity and resources required at each stage of education.
AED 8,330
Annual Fees From
AED 16,550
Annual Fees To
Year / GradeAnnual Fee
KG 1
AED 8,330KG 2
AED 8,330Grade 1
AED 10,080Grade 2
AED 10,080Grade 3
AED 10,160Grade 4
AED 11,290Grade 5
AED 11,290Grade 6
AED 11,290Grade 7
AED 12,520Grade 8
AED 12,520Grade 9
AED 12,520Grade 10
AED 14,190Grade 11
AED 15,420Grade 12
AED 16,550As a private school operating under the MoE curriculum, the school's fee levels are competitive within the Abu Dhabi private school landscape. The tuition fees cover core academic instruction, while additional costs such as transportation, books, and uniforms are charged separately. Bus fees are set at AED 4,562 annually, and book fees vary by grade level, ranging from AED 300 to AED 855 depending on the year group. Uniform costs are AED 250 for KG through Grade 6 and AED 300 for Grade 7 and above.
All fees are officially approved by ADEK (Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge), ensuring transparency and regulatory compliance. Families are encouraged to contact the school directly at 02-586-1440 or via email at AshbalAlQuds@ashbal.ae for detailed information on payment procedures and schedules.
Additional Costs
Bus (Two-Way)4,562(annual)
Books & Materials (KG 1)300(annual)
Books & Materials (KG 2)330(annual)
Books & Materials (Grade 1)735(annual)
Books & Materials (Grade 2)755(annual)
Books & Materials (Grade 3)775(annual)
Books & Materials (Grade 4)790(annual)
Books & Materials (Grade 5)795(annual)
Books & Materials (Grade 6)790(annual)
Books & Materials (Grade 7)855(annual)
Books & Materials (Grade 8)850(annual)
Uniform (KG 1 – Grade 6)250(annual)
Uniform (Grade 7 – Grade 12)300(annual)
The Final Verdict: Who Is This School For?
Ashabal Al Quds Secondary Private School occupies a clear and legitimate niche in Abu Dhabi's private education landscape. It is a ADEK Good-rated, MoE curriculum school offering genuinely affordable education - from AED 8,330 to AED 16,550 per year - in a community where the cost of living is already a significant consideration for many families. Its strongest credentials are cultural rather than academic: the Very Good rating for Islamic values and UAE heritage integration is a meaningful differentiator, and the improved Very Good parent partnership rating signals a school that takes family communication seriously.
The honest limitations are equally important to name. Mathematics attainment is Acceptable across every cycle, international benchmark scores (PISA, TIMSS, PIRLS) are well below international averages, and teaching in KG and Cycle 1 needs improvement. Families whose primary driver is strong academic outcomes, international university aspirations, or a rich documented co-curricular life will find the school's current profile does not fully meet those expectations. The school is on a positive trajectory under new leadership, and the ADEK recommendations provide a clear roadmap - but parents enrolling today are buying into a school that is still building toward its potential rather than one that has already arrived.
THE “RIGHT FIT”
Families residing in Shakhbout City who prioritize an affordable, MoE-curriculum education rooted in UAE cultural values and Islamic identity, and who value a stable, community-oriented school environment over elite academic benchmarking or international university placement.
THE “WRONG FIT”
Families whose primary goal is high performance in international assessments, strong mathematics and science outcomes, a documented and varied co-curricular program, or specialist provision for gifted students and students of determination.
“
For our family, the fees are fair and the school genuinely lives its values. We know it is not the top academic school in Abu Dhabi, but it is the right fit for where we are.
— Grade 10 Parent
Strengths
- Very Good rating for Islamic values and UAE cultural identity across all phases
- Genuinely affordable fees: AED 8,330-16,550, among lowest in Abu Dhabi
- Parent partnerships rated Very Good - strong family communication
- Good safeguarding and child protection procedures across all cycles
- English attainment rated Good in Cycles 1, 2, and 3
- Well-located in Shakhbout City for local residents
- Good social responsibility and innovation skills across all phases
- New principal actively strengthening facilities and parent engagement
Areas for Improvement
- Mathematics attainment Acceptable across every phase - no Good ratings in any cycle
- PISA, TIMSS, and PIRLS scores significantly below international averages
- Teaching in KG and Cycle 1 rated Acceptable - predominantly teacher-directed
- Support for students of determination and gifted learners is inconsistent
- Self-evaluation and improvement planning declined to Acceptable