Elite Private School, Abu Dhabi
American School in Mohamed Bin Zayed City, Abu Dhabi
Last updated
Curriculum
American
ADEK
Good
Location
Abu Dhabi, Mohamed Bin Zayed City
Fees
AED 25K - 33K
The Executive Summary
Elite Private School is one of the longer-established American curriculum schools in Mohamed Bin Zayed City, having served the Abu Dhabi community since 1992. Rated ADEK rating Good in its October 2025 Irtiqa inspection, EPS positions itself as an accessible, community-rooted institution delivering the Common Core American curriculum Abu Dhabi families seeking US-pathway education at a genuinely mid-range price point - school fees Abu Dhabi parents will note that annual tuition runs from AED 24,720 to AED 32,610, placing EPS firmly below the threshold of Abu Dhabi's premium international tier. With nearly 1,900 students and a predominantly Emirati and Arab student body, this is not an elite enclave school; it is a working community school with real strengths in safeguarding, curriculum design, and parent partnership, alongside acknowledged gaps in international benchmark performance and teaching consistency. The ADEK 2025 inspection confirmed the school has maintained its Good rating since its post-pandemic improvement cycle, a trajectory worth noting among Mohamed Bin Zayed City schools.
For the right family, EPS offers genuine value: Cognia-accredited, AP and SAT examination centre status, a broad electives programme in the senior years, and a curriculum rated Very Good for design and implementation - the standout finding of the Irtiqa report. The school is not the right fit for families whose primary driver is top-decile international benchmark scores; PISA 2022 results were below the international average across all three domains, and MAP data shows Weak attainment in phases 2 and 3 in reading and mathematics against international norms. However, for families prioritising affordability, a US High School Diploma pathway, strong pastoral care, and a school that demonstrably knows its students as individuals, EPS merits serious consideration. The new principal and a recently restructured senior leadership team signal a school in active improvement mode - the question is whether that momentum translates into measurable academic gains over the next inspection cycle.
Cognia AccreditedAP Examination CentreGood ADEK 2025AED 24K-32K FeesUS Diploma Pathway
“Elite Private School has provided my two children with an exceptional educational experience. The dedicated teachers, rigorous curriculum, and diverse opportunities have challenged and nurtured my kids academically and personally.”
— Parent of Grade 2 and Grade 4 studentsAcademic Framework & Learning Style
Elite Private School delivers the Common Core State Standards American curriculum, fully approved by ADEK and aligned with UAE national priorities. The framework spans Pre-school through Grade 12, culminating in a US High School Diploma. The Common Core philosophy centres on developing critical thinking, problem-solving, and analytical reasoning - skills that are research-evidenced and aligned with college and career readiness benchmarks. In the senior years (Grades 9-12), the school operates as a College Board member, offering both Advanced Placement (AP) courses and functioning as an accredited SAT and IELTS examination centre, giving graduates a credible pathway to US and international university admissions.
The electives programme in phases 3 and 4 is notably broad for a school at this fee level, encompassing Art, Bioengineering, Business, Environmental Science, Forensic Science, Introduction to Programming, Nutrition, Photoshop, Pre-AP Biology, Programming, and Web Design. This breadth gives academically motivated students genuine curricular choice and signals a commitment to personalised learning pathways. The ADEK 2025 Irtiqa inspection rated Curriculum design and implementation as Very Good across all phases - the single highest-rated performance standard in the report - reflecting a well-structured, flexible, and inclusive curriculum that aligns with national priorities.
On standardised assessments, the picture is more nuanced. MAP (NWEA) results from the Spring 2024/25 window reveal that in reading, less than three-quarters of students in phases 2, 3, and 4 attained in line with international benchmark expectations - classified as Weak attainment. Mathematics and science showed similarly Weak attainment across phases 2, 3, and 4, though progress patterns are more encouraging: students demonstrated Outstanding progress in Phase 4 in both reading and language usage, and Very Good progress in Phase 4 mathematics. In PISA 2022, 15-year-old students scored 361 in reading literacy (international average: 476), 404 in mathematical literacy (international average: 472), and 398 in scientific literacy (international average: 485) - all below both the international average and the school's own targets. TIMSS 2023 results were more competitive: Grade 4 mathematics scored 474 (surpassing the school target of 470), Grade 8 mathematics scored 474 (above the school target of 444), Grade 4 science scored 468 (exceeding the target of 452), and Grade 8 science scored 467 (above the target of 409) - all within the Intermediate International Benchmark. Arabic as a First Language showed Very Good attainment in phases 3 and 4 on ABT assessments, a genuine strength.
The school provides specialist support through an SEN Department serving approximately 59 identified students of determination (around 3.4% of roll). EAL provision is in place with curriculum modifications for English as an Additional Language learners. Gifted and Talented students are identified, though the Irtiqa report notes they may occasionally require more challenging opportunities. The school's literacy programme is well-structured, incorporating Jolly Phonics in KG1, McGraw-Hill Wonders in KG2, Raz-Kids guided reading, Kutubee for Arabic, and digital platforms including Google Workspace. Initiatives such as Elite Writes, Elite Talks, Spelling Bee, Poetry Competitions, and a Library Ambassadors programme reflect a genuine reading culture, though PIRLS 2021 results (score: 402, Low International Benchmark) indicate that translating this culture into measurable comprehension gains remains a work in progress. University guidance is available via a dedicated career counsellor (career.counselor@eps.ae), though specific university destination data is not publicly disclosed.
Very Good
Curriculum Design & Implementation (ADEK 2025)
Highest-rated performance standard in the 2025 Irtiqa report
474
TIMSS 2023 Grade 4 Maths Score
Above school target of 470; Intermediate International Benchmark
361
PISA 2022 Reading Score
Below international average of 476; basic proficiency range
59
Students of Determination on Roll
Approximately 3.4% of total student population
11,000+
English Titles in School Library
Plus approximately 3,000 Arabic fiction and non-fiction titles
Extracurricular Activities (ECAs)
The extracurricular offer at Elite Private School is shaped by its community-school identity: broad enough to engage a diverse student body of nearly 1,900, with a particular emphasis on literacy enrichment, performing arts, and student leadership. The school's website and ADEK inspection report reference a range of after-school and co-curricular activities, though a precise published count of active clubs was not available at the time of this review - parents should request the current ECA schedule directly from the school.
In performing arts and creative expression, the admissions materials reference movement, dance, drama, music, and visual arts as core enrichment strands, with an auditorium on campus to support productions and assemblies. The school's literacy enrichment programme doubles as a co-curricular strand: Elite Writes, Elite Talks, Spelling Bee, Poetry Competitions, and the Book Lover's Club are all active student-facing initiatives that develop public speaking and creative writing skills. The Library Ambassadors programme provides a structured student leadership opportunity with genuine responsibility. Students also participate in GCC reading challenges, promoting academic enrichment beyond the classroom.
On the sports side, the campus includes sports halls and an Olympic-size swimming pool, which underpins an active physical education and competitive sports programme. Specific team sport achievements and inter-school competition results were not published on the school website at the time of review. The ADEK inspection confirms that students participate in a range of community and volunteer activities, including sustainability initiatives and the national AI initiative - reflecting the school's alignment with UAE Vision priorities. The school's Innovation Room suggests some provision for STEM enrichment and maker-space activities, though the depth of this programme was not detailed in available documentation. Parents seeking a school with an extensive, formally structured ECA timetable comparable to premium-tier schools should verify the current offering directly.
1
Olympic-Size Swimming Pool on Campus
Confirmed facility supporting PE and competitive swimming
Olympic-Size Swimming PoolElite Writes ProgrammeLibrary AmbassadorsAP College Board MemberCommunity Volunteer Activities
Pastoral Care & Well-being
Pastoral care is one of the clearer strengths emerging from the ADEK 2025 Irtiqa inspection. Health and safety, including child protection and safeguarding, was rated Very Good across all phases - KG, Cycle 1, Cycle 2, and Cycle 3 - making it one of only two performance standards to achieve this elevated rating. The school maintains very effective systems for safeguarding students, with well-planned health and safety protocols that ADEK inspectors described as a genuine strength. This is not a trivial finding: in a school of nearly 1,900 students, robust safeguarding infrastructure requires sustained institutional commitment.
Care and support of students was rated Good across all phases, with inspectors noting positive staff-student relations as a defining feature of the school's culture. Students with additional learning needs, including students of determination, are effectively identified and supported. The ADEK report notes that gifted and talented students are identified, though inspectors flagged that they may occasionally require more challenging opportunities - an honest acknowledgement that the upper end of the ability spectrum is not always stretched sufficiently.
Student wellbeing is supported through a University Liaison and Guidance counsellor, whose contact is publicly listed, indicating a structured approach to post-secondary transition support. The school's mission explicitly commits to protecting and cultivating students' social and emotional wellbeing. The ADEK inspection confirms that students display positive attitudes and behaviours, with good overall attendance and few concerns related to punctuality. The school's anti-bullying awareness is evidenced by published blog content on the topic, and the school's stated policies are accessible via the school website. The Edunation parent portal provides a communication channel between school and home, supporting the transparency that underpins effective pastoral relationships. The ADEK inspection rated Parents and the Community as Very Good - a notably high mark - reflecting an active parents' group that is consulted and represented on the Governing Board.
“I really do feel like Elite Private School is a home for my child away from home and my child is not just a number there, but a part of the family.”
— EPS Parent (published on school website)Campus & Facilities
Elite Private School occupies a large modern campus in Mohamed Bin Zayed City, Zone 9, one of Abu Dhabi's established residential districts with strong transport links and a high concentration of Arab and Emirati families. The school relocated to this campus from its original site, and the current facility was purpose-designed to support a large student population. The ADEK 2025 inspection rated Management, staffing, facilities and resources as Very Good, confirming that the physical environment is a genuine asset - inspectors described the school's premises, facilities, and learning resources as providing a safe, inclusive, and stimulating environment that effectively supports teaching and learning.
Key confirmed facilities include: large classrooms across all phases; a library housing approximately 11,000 English and 3,000 Arabic fiction and non-fiction titles, with comfortable seating, quiet reading areas, and collaborative zones (though no laptops or computer workstations in the library at the time of inspection); specialist ICT classrooms; an Innovation Room; a multi-purpose auditorium; playgrounds; sports halls; and an Olympic-size swimming pool. The Kindergarten space has been designed in partnership with learning-through-play specialists, reflecting a developmentally appropriate approach to early years environments. A Matterport virtual tour is publicly available on the school website, allowing prospective families to conduct a remote campus walkthrough before visiting in person.
The campus location in Mohamed Bin Zayed City is well-suited to families living in MBZ, Khalifa City, and adjacent communities. Transportation is available at an additional annual cost of AED 4,845. The school's digital infrastructure includes the Edunation parent and student portal, Google Workspace integration for students, and digital reading platforms including Raz-Kids and Kutubee. The ADEK inspection noted that while resources are very positive, they can be utilised even more effectively to raise student achievement - a constructive challenge that the new leadership team has acknowledged as a priority.
Very Good
Facilities & Resources Rating (ADEK 2025)
Management, staffing, facilities and resources rated Very Good by Irtiqa inspectors
14,000+
Library Titles (English & Arabic)
Approximately 11,000 English and 3,000 Arabic fiction and non-fiction titles
Olympic-Size Swimming PoolInnovation Room11,000+ Library TitlesVirtual Campus Tour AvailableKG Play-Based DesignEdunation Digital Portal
Teaching & Learning Quality
The ADEK 2025 Irtiqa inspection rated Teaching for effective learning as Good across all four phases (KG, Cycle 1, Cycle 2, and Cycle 3), and Assessment as Good across all phases. These are solid, if not exceptional, findings for a school of this size and fee level. Inspectors noted that teachers plan engaging lessons that support active participation, and that teaching is particularly strong in mathematics and science - subject areas where effective strategies and subject expertise could, the inspectors suggested, be shared more widely to enhance consistency across the school.
The school employs 115 staff (per database records), serving approximately 1,877 students - a ratio of roughly 1:16 overall, though the ADEK report references 8 teaching assistants supporting 1,717 students on roll at inspection time. The school is described as fully staffed with qualified teachers, and the ADEK inspection confirmed the level of resourcing as very positive. Staff qualifications include the principal holding two Masters degrees (Business Education from Robert Morris University, and Educational Leadership from Point Park University, Pittsburgh), indicating a leadership team with strong academic credentials. The main teacher nationality is noted as Egyptian in historical inspection data, reflecting the broader demographic of Abu Dhabi's American curriculum school sector.
Inquiry-based learning is identified by ADEK inspectors as not yet consistently embedded across the school - a recurring theme in the recommendations. The school's standardised lesson plan template includes a dedicated field for international assessment-style reasoning tasks, but inspectors observed this section is used inconsistently. Assessment data from MAP is analysed regularly, and under the new principal's leadership, assessment procedures have been reviewed to ensure alignment and effective use of MAP data to identify learning gaps. Professional development is active, with workshops on interpreting MAP reports, PIRLS-style comprehension, and differentiation for SEN, EAL, and Gifted and Talented students. Literacy specialists coach classroom teachers, and heads of departments have been engaged in building teacher understanding of TIMSS and PISA question types. The ADEK inspection's growth areas specifically call for strengthening teachers' capacity in higher-order thinking strategies and data-informed differentiation - an honest acknowledgement that professional development is ongoing rather than complete.
Good
Teaching for Effective Learning (ADEK 2025)
Rated Good across all four phases: KG, Cycle 1, Cycle 2, Cycle 3
115
Total Staff
School fully staffed with qualified teachers per ADEK inspection
8
Teaching Assistants
Supporting 1,717 students on roll at time of October 2025 inspection
Leadership & Management
Elite Private School is led by Principal Heath Lamar Bailey, who joined the school for the 2023-24 academic year. Mr Bailey brings 26 years of international education experience, including previous leadership roles in Dubai at The School of Research Science and Vernus International School, where he served as Founding Principal. He holds two Masters degrees: one in Business Education from Robert Morris University (Pennsylvania, USA) and one in Educational Leadership with Administration from Point Park University (Pittsburgh, USA). His academic and professional background positions him well to lead a school navigating an improvement trajectory.
However, the ADEK October 2025 inspection report notes a significant contextual factor: at the time of inspection, the principal was only a few weeks into the post - indicating a leadership transition had occurred between the February 2025 and October 2025 inspection cycles. The inspection report references the principal listed at time of inspection as Sirin Darmoch Nasrini, suggesting the school experienced a principal change during 2025. The senior leadership team (SLT) has seen several recent changes, and the new SLT had made a positive start, initiating several new best practices - though the impact of these initiatives on student achievement was not yet evident at the time of inspection. Two Vice Principals are named on the school website: Abbas Abdulsamad and Agatha Schmidt, providing continuity in the leadership structure.
The effectiveness of leadership was rated Good by ADEK, and School self-evaluation and improvement planning was rated Good. Governance was rated Good, with the owner and Board having made several recent changes to increase stakeholder influence and strengthen the SLT. The school maintains a very active parents' group that is consulted and represented on the Governing Board - a governance feature that ADEK rated Very Good for Parents and Community partnership. Communication with parents is managed through the Edunation portal, with termly progress reports, MAP data sharing, and regular updates. The school's School Development Plan (SDP) and Self-Evaluation Form (SEF) are in place, though ADEK recommends these be made more analytical, aligned with the UAE Inspection Framework, and include SMART targets with clear accountability. The new leadership team demonstrates a strong capacity to further improve the school, per the Irtiqa report - a cautiously optimistic assessment that parents should weigh against the acknowledged instability in senior personnel.
ADEK Inspection Results (Irtiqa - Decoded)
The most recent ADEK Irtiqa inspection of Elite Private School took place from 6 to 9 October 2025, resulting in an overall rating of Good - consistent with the previous inspection in February 2025, confirming the school has maintained rather than regressed its performance standard. This stability is meaningful: the school had previously held an Acceptable rating in two consecutive inspections before achieving Good in 2021-22, and sustaining that Good rating through two consecutive 2025 inspection cycles demonstrates institutional consolidation.
The headline finding of the 2025 Irtiqa report is the curriculum, rated Very Good across all phases - the single standout performance standard. This reflects a well-structured, flexible, and inclusive curriculum with a clear review process and strong curricular links. Health and safety and safeguarding was also rated Very Good across all phases, and Parents and Community partnership was rated Very Good - three Very Good ratings that represent the school's genuine ceiling of excellence. Management, staffing, facilities and resources was rated Very Good, completing a picture of a school whose operational infrastructure is strong.
Conversely, the areas rated at Good - student achievement, teaching and assessment, care and support, leadership, governance, and self-evaluation - represent a solid but improvable baseline. The Irtiqa report's key recommendations are clear and specific: raise student achievement to consistently Very Good or better across all core subjects and phases; improve teaching consistency with embedded inquiry-based, student-centred approaches; use assessment data more effectively to personalise learning; and raise performance in international assessments (TIMSS, PISA, PIRLS) through curriculum alignment and teacher capacity building. The report also calls for SMART targets in the SDP and stronger middle leadership empowerment. For parents reading the Irtiqa report, the honest picture is of a school with strong foundations and operational excellence, but with academic outcomes that have not yet caught up with the quality of its systems.
Curriculum Design: Very Good Across All Phases
ADEK inspectors rated curriculum design and implementation Very Good across KG, Cycle 1, Cycle 2, and Cycle 3 - the highest-rated performance standard in the school. The curriculum is described as well-structured, flexible, and inclusive, with a broad range of learning pathways regularly reviewed to ensure students are prepared for the next stage of their education.
Safeguarding & Health: Very Good School-Wide
Health and safety, including arrangements for child protection and safeguarding, was rated Very Good across all four phases. Inspectors confirmed that the school maintains very effective systems for safeguarding students, with well-planned health and safety protocols - a non-negotiable strength for any school community.
Parent Partnership: Very Good
Parents and the Community was rated Very Good, reflecting an active parents' group that is consulted and represented on the Governing Board. The school maintains strong and genuine partnerships with parents characterised by open communication, active participation, and shared commitment to student learning and wellbeing.
International Benchmark Performance Requires Urgent Attention
MAP data shows Weak attainment in reading, mathematics, and science across phases 2 and 3. PISA 2022 scores fell below the international average in all three domains. ADEK recommends strengthening curriculum alignment with international benchmarks, embedding mock assessments, and building teacher capacity in higher-order thinking strategies.
Teaching Consistency and Inquiry-Based Learning Not Yet Embedded
Inspectors found that inquiry-based, student-centred teaching is not yet consistently applied across all phases and subjects. The lesson plan template's international assessment field is used inconsistently. ADEK calls for stronger middle leadership to drive consistent teaching quality and more systematic use of assessment data to personalise learning.
Inspection History
2025 (October)
Good
2025 (February)
Good
2021-22
Good
2018-19
Acceptable
Fees & Value for Money
Elite Private School offers an American curriculum education in Abu Dhabi, with tuition fees for the 2025–2026 academic year ranging from AED 24,720 for Pre-school and KG levels up to AED 32,610 for Grades 10–12. The fee structure reflects a clear progression across three broad bands: early years (Pre-school through KG2), primary and middle school (Grades 1–9), and senior school (Grades 10–12), ensuring families can plan financially as their children advance through the school.
AED 24,720
Annual Fees From
AED 32,610
Annual Fees To
Year / GradeAnnual Fee
Pre-school (Ages 3-4)
AED 24,720KG 1
AED 24,720KG 2
AED 24,720Grade 1
AED 27,140Grade 2
AED 27,140Grade 3
AED 27,220Grade 4
AED 27,220Grade 5
AED 27,220Grade 6
AED 29,740Grade 7
AED 29,740Grade 8
AED 29,740Grade 9
AED 29,740Grade 10
AED 32,610Grade 11
AED 32,610Grade 12
AED 32,610A non-refundable registration/re-registration fee of AED 1,500 is charged for both new and returning students, which is subsequently adjusted against Term 1 fees. Tuition fees are payable in three installments aligned with the academic calendar: 1st August, 1st November, and 1st February. It is important to note that textbooks, uniform, and transportation are not included in the tuition fees and are charged separately. Transportation is available at AED 4,845 per year, and uniform costs AED 550.
The school's fees are ADEK-approved for the 2025–2026 academic year, providing assurance that the fee levels meet regulatory standards for private schools in Abu Dhabi. For students in Grades 9–12, an AP College Board Exam Fees Policy is in place, and families are encouraged to review this separately. Additional payment options are available on the school's website for families seeking flexible arrangements.
Additional Costs
Registration / Re-registration Fee1500(one-time)
Transportation (Bus)4845(annual)
Uniform550(annual)
Textbooks-(annual)
The Final Verdict: Who Is This School For?
Elite Private School is a school that has earned its Good rating through genuine institutional improvement - from two consecutive Acceptable ratings to sustained Good performance, with a curriculum that ADEK inspectors consider Very Good. It is a community school in the truest sense: large, diverse, predominantly Arab and Emirati in its student demographics, rooted in Mohamed Bin Zayed City, and priced to be genuinely accessible to middle-income families. Its strengths are real: Cognia accreditation, AP and SAT examination centre status, a broad senior electives programme, Very Good safeguarding, Very Good parent partnership, and a curriculum framework that is well-designed and regularly reviewed. Its weaknesses are equally real: international benchmark performance (PISA, MAP) that falls below international averages in key domains, teaching consistency that inspectors describe as not yet fully inquiry-based, and a senior leadership team that was in transition at the time of the most recent inspection.
The school is in an active improvement phase. The new leadership team has made a positive start, and the ADEK report explicitly states that the team demonstrates a strong capacity to further improve the school. Whether that capacity translates into measurable academic gains before the next inspection cycle is the key question for prospective parents to probe during an admissions visit. Ask specifically: What are the current MAP results by grade? What is the AP pass rate and average score? What is the university destination list for the most recent Grade 12 cohort? The answers will tell you more than any brochure.
THE “RIGHT FIT”
Families seeking an affordable, ADEK-Good-rated American curriculum school in Mohamed Bin Zayed City with a genuine US Diploma and AP pathway, strong safeguarding, and a warm community feel - particularly those with Emirati or Arab heritage who value a school that reflects their cultural context.
THE “WRONG FIT”
Families whose primary criterion is top-tier international benchmark performance (PISA, TIMSS, MAP) comparable to Abu Dhabi's premium-tier schools, or those expecting the structured ECA breadth and published academic results transparency of higher-fee institutions.
“
Elite school creates a creative atmosphere for the students and enhances their self-confidence by lighting their skills and talents. The school teachers are perfect, educated and academically trained. I'm glad that my daughter is with you, and I wish you every success and continuity.
— Parent of Grade 11 student (published on school website)
Strengths
- Cognia and AIAA accredited - credible US curriculum validation
- AP and SAT examination centre status for university-bound students
- Curriculum rated Very Good by ADEK 2025 - strongest performance standard
- Safeguarding rated Very Good across all phases
- Parent partnership rated Very Good - active Governing Board representation
- Facilities rated Very Good - Olympic pool, Innovation Room, 14,000+ library titles
- Broad senior electives including Bioengineering, Forensic Science, and Programming
- Among the most affordable American curriculum schools in Abu Dhabi at AED 24K-32K
Areas for Improvement
- PISA 2022 scores below international average in reading, maths, and science
- MAP attainment rated Weak in phases 2 and 3 across reading, maths, and science
- Senior leadership team in transition at time of October 2025 inspection
- Inquiry-based teaching not yet consistently embedded across all phases
- University destination data not publicly disclosed