Emirates Education Academy, Abu Dhabi
Ministry of Education School in Zayed City, Abu Dhabi
Last updated
Curriculum
Ministry of Education
ADEK
Acceptable
Location
Abu Dhabi, Zayed City
Fees
AED 5K - 7K
The Executive Summary
Emirates Education Academy Abu Dhabi is a co-educational private school in Zayed City, operating the Ministry of Education (MoE) curriculum of the UAE from KG1 through Grade 12. With an ADEK rating of Acceptable confirmed in the 2024 Irtiqa inspection, and school fees Abu Dhabi parents will find among the most affordable in the emirate - ranging from AED 5,000 to AED 7,400 annually - this school occupies a very specific niche in the Zayed City schools landscape. It serves a predominantly Arab expatriate community (Syrian, Jordanian, and Egyptian nationalities make up the largest student groups) and offers an Arabic-medium MoE pathway at a price point that few private schools can match. For families who prioritise an Islamic values-centred, Arabic-language environment with low tuition costs in the Al Dhafra Region, Emirates Education Academy is one of the very few private options available. The school's genuine strength lies in its community cohesion, its students' personal development (rated Good by ADEK), and a parent partnership that inspectors described as a positive feature. However, parents considering this school must go in clear-eyed: the overall Acceptable rating has not improved since the last inspection cycle, governance is rated Weak, school self-evaluation is rated Weak, and management of staffing, facilities and resources has declined to Weak. Key staff vacancies - including a vice principal, librarian, and PE teacher for senior girls - remain unfilled. This is not a school for families seeking high academic outcomes benchmarked against international standards, nor for those requiring robust inclusion provision or a rich extracurricular programme. At this fee level, value for money is reasonable for what is offered, but expectations must be calibrated accordingly.
MoE UAE CurriculumADEK Acceptable 2024AED 5,000 Entry FeeZayed City LocationArabic-Medium Environment
“The teachers know my children by name and the school feels like a family. The fees are manageable and the Islamic environment is exactly what we were looking for in Zayed City.”
— Grade 5 Parent(representative)Academic Framework & Learning Style
Emirates Education Academy delivers the Ministry of Education (MoE) curriculum of the UAE, which structures learning across four cycles: KG, Cycle 1 (Grades 1-4), Cycle 2 (Grades 5-8), and Cycle 3 (Grades 9-12). Core subjects include Islamic Education, Arabic as a first language, UAE Social Studies, English, Mathematics, and Science, taught predominantly in Arabic with English as a curriculum subject. The school participates in MoE national examinations for Grades 3-12 and in the ACER International Benchmark Test (IBT) for Grades 4-9 in Arabic, mathematics, and science. It also participates in TIMSS, PISA, and PIRLS international assessments, which provides a useful external benchmark of actual student performance against global standards - and the data here is instructive.
The ADEK 2024 inspection found that student achievement across most subjects and cycles is rated Acceptable, with two notable bright spots: English attainment and progress in Cycle 3 (Grades 9-12) improved from Acceptable to Good, and mathematics attainment and progress in Cycle 2 (Grades 5-8) also reached Good. Science in Cycle 2 similarly reached Good. These pockets of improvement are genuine and should be acknowledged. However, Arabic as a first language, Islamic Education, and UAE Social Studies remain Acceptable across all cycles, and the overall trajectory has not shifted upward at a school-wide level.
International assessment data provides a sobering external lens. In PISA 2022, the school's 15-year-old students scored 363.7 in reading literacy - well below the international average of 476 - and 384 in science literacy, also below the international average of 485. The one positive outlier was mathematical literacy, where students scored 494.6, above the international average of 472. In TIMSS 2023, Grade 4 mathematics scored 406.2 against an international average of 503, while Grade 8 mathematics scored 484.1, above the international average of 478. PIRLS 2021 Grade 4 reading literacy scored 278.54, which is significantly below international benchmarks and reflects the library and reading infrastructure challenges documented elsewhere in this review.
Teaching methodology is described by ADEK inspectors as largely traditional and teacher-directed, with Acceptable ratings across all cycles. Inspectors noted that a significant number of teachers do not use assessment data effectively to inform lesson planning, and that opportunities for collaborative learning, discussion, and student-led inquiry are limited. In KG, inspectors specifically called for more play-based and exploratory learning. Differentiation for different ability levels is inconsistent. There is no formal Gifted and Talented programme, and the school has not yet established a comprehensive system for identifying and supporting students with additional learning needs. Admissions criteria are not publicly detailed on the school's website, which has very limited online content. The school's academic support structure for university destinations is not documented, which is unsurprising given the school's community profile and fee level - the primary pathway for most graduates will be UAE public universities or vocational routes rather than international university placement.
494.6
PISA 2022 Maths Score
Above international average of 472 - a genuine strength
363.7
PISA 2022 Reading Score
Below international average of 476 - a key area for improvement
484.1
TIMSS 2023 Grade 8 Maths
Above international average of 478
Good
English & Maths (Cycle 2-3)
Improved from Acceptable in latest ADEK inspection
Extracurricular Activities (ECAs)
The extracurricular provision at Emirates Education Academy is a significant area for development and one that ADEK inspectors explicitly flagged as a key recommendation in the 2024 Irtiqa report. The inspection report states plainly that the school needs to introduce extracurricular activities to enhance students' academic and personal development - a finding that suggests the current ECA offering is minimal or inconsistently delivered.
From the school's own website and available information, the school has historically organised some community events and activities. These include a private schools marathon held in Zayed City under the theme 'For a Healthy Heart', a tree-planting activity on Arbor Day, and participation in UAE National Day celebrations including plays and patriotic songs. A Science Festival trip to Abu Dhabi has been referenced in school news. There is also a mothers' reading initiative held annually in March, where parents are invited to read with their children - a community-focused activity that reflects the school's strength in parent engagement.
The school's website references a healthy food committee that organised a 'most beautiful healthy dish' competition, and there are references to spelling bee competitions and Eager Reader competitions in English across the cycles. In Cycle 3, students engage with literary texts including The Jungle Book, Robinson Crusoe, and Oliver Twist as part of English instruction, though these are curricular rather than extracurricular in nature.
However, there is no evidence of a structured after-school clubs programme, competitive sports leagues beyond the marathon event, performing arts productions, Duke of Edinburgh Award, Model UN, or community service frameworks. The absence of a physical education teacher for senior girls (Grades 11 and 12) and the lack of ICT lab access for girls in Grades 5-12 further limits enrichment opportunities for a significant portion of the student body. Parents considering this school for children who thrive on a rich co-curricular life should factor this limitation heavily into their decision.
Minimal
Formal ECA Programme
ADEK 2024 recommends introducing ECAs as a priority
Annual Schools MarathonSpelling Bee CompetitionsEager Reader ProgrammeUAE National Day EventsMothers Reading Initiative
Pastoral Care & Well-being
The pastoral picture at Emirates Education Academy is one of genuine warmth at the student-teacher relationship level, set against a backdrop of systemic safeguarding weaknesses that ADEK inspectors identified as requiring urgent attention.
On the positive side, the 2024 ADEK inspection rated Personal Development as Good across all cycles - a meaningful finding. Inspectors observed that students consistently demonstrate self-discipline, respond positively to their peers and teachers, and contribute to a respectful and productive learning environment. Students demonstrate a clear understanding of Islamic values and UAE culture, rated Good across all cycles. The school has clear procedures to monitor and follow up on attendance and punctuality, and effective supervision of students across all areas is maintained throughout the day. These are genuine strengths that reflect a cohesive school community.
However, the health and safety and child protection rating declined from Good to Acceptable in the 2024 inspection, and this is a matter that parents should take seriously. ADEK inspectors found a range of physical hazards on the school campus that had been identified for some time without systematic remediation. While the school reports having a Designated Safeguarding Lead, several students could not identify that person, and there is no public signage for students or parents regarding safeguarding contacts. Inspectors recommended thoroughly reviewing child protection and safeguarding systems and ensuring specialist training is received and best practices immediately implemented.
The school does not appear to have a formal counselling service or dedicated mental health support structure documented in available sources. There is no reference to a house system or formal student leadership programme, though students do participate in National Day performances and community events. Behaviour management is described as generally positive in lessons, but inspectors noted the need for more consistent behaviour management strategies both inside and outside the classroom. Social responsibility is rated Acceptable, with inspectors noting that students need to take greater responsibility for social contributions and developing innovative projects. The absence of a structured inclusion framework is also a pastoral concern, as students with additional learning needs are not being systematically identified or supported.
“The school staff are kind and my son feels safe and happy. The teachers always tell us how he is doing and we feel very welcome at the school.”
— Cycle 1 Parent(representative)Campus & Facilities
Emirates Education Academy is located at 64 Dimashq Street, Zayed City, Al Dhafra Region - a semi-urban area approximately 100 kilometres west of Abu Dhabi city centre. Zayed City (formerly known as Madinat Zayed) serves as the administrative hub of the Al Dhafra Region, and the school is one of the few private school options available to families residing in this part of the emirate. For families living in Zayed City and surrounding communities, the school's campus location is a practical advantage given the limited private school choice in the area.
The campus itself is modest in scale and condition. The 2024 ADEK inspection report provides the most detailed independent assessment of facilities available. Inspectors noted that the school has made some improvements, including the establishment of a science laboratory and a specialist IT room. However, significant limitations were identified: the science laboratory cannot be used for the full range of school science experiments due to a lack of resources and appropriate safety arrangements. Senior girls do not have access to the specialist IT room. There are no computers or laptops in the library or elsewhere in the school to support students accessing online reading materials or conducting independent research during school hours.
The library is a single small space located within the administration block. It lacks engaging displays, active promotion of reading materials, a librarian, and comfortable seating. Only two books were checked out in the four months preceding the inspection - a stark indicator of library underutilisation. The collection is primarily Arabic-language, with a limited selection of English fiction and non-fiction. There are no computers in the library.
Sports and physical education facilities are limited, and the absence of a PE teacher for senior girls further restricts physical education access. The bus drop-off area lacks adequate shading, which inspectors flagged as a safety concern given the UAE climate. Inspectors also identified a range of physical hazards on campus that had not been systematically addressed. Key staff vacancies - including a vice principal and a librarian - indicate an under-resourced operational structure. The school's website, last meaningfully updated around 2013, provides very little current information about campus facilities. Online platforms including Alef and LMS are accessible to students in Cycles 1 and 2, and the Abjadiat platform is used in KG, indicating some digital learning infrastructure exists, though device access is limited.
2
Books borrowed in 4 months
ADEK 2024 finding - library critically underutilised
668
Students on Roll
Growing enrolment increasing pressure on limited facilities
Zayed City LocationScience LaboratorySpecialist IT RoomAlef & LMS PlatformsAbjadiat Platform (KG)
Teaching & Learning Quality
Teaching and Assessment at Emirates Education Academy are rated Acceptable across all cycles in the 2024 ADEK Irtiqa inspection - a rating that has not improved since the previous inspection cycle. Inspectors found teaching to be somewhat stronger in Cycle 3 in mathematics and science, and in Cycle 4 (senior years) in English, which aligns with the improved attainment outcomes in those subjects. However, the overall picture is one of inconsistency and unrealised potential.
The school employs 33 teachers supported by 15 teaching assistants - a ratio that, for 668 students, equates to approximately 1 teacher per 20 students. Teacher nationalities are predominantly Egyptian, Jordanian, and Syrian, reflecting the school's community profile. Staff qualifications and the proportion holding postgraduate degrees are not publicly documented, and the school's website provides no staff profiles. ADEK inspectors noted that teacher turnover and recruitment are ongoing challenges, with the school needing to establish effective systems for managing staff turnover to ensure stability and continuity.
A significant finding from the 2024 inspection is that a significant number of teachers do not use assessment outcome data effectively to inform their planning for teaching and learning. This is a fundamental pedagogical gap. Differentiation for different ability groups is inconsistent, with inspectors calling for lessons to be planned and delivered to cater to the full range of student abilities. Opportunities for collaborative learning and student discussion are limited, and student-led inquiry is not consistently embedded. In KG, inspectors specifically noted the need for teachers to use more effective strategies to engage students through exploration and play.
The school does provide annual teacher training in reading instruction through the Ministry of Education, and there is some evidence of professional development activity. However, inspectors called for targeted professional development to enhance teaching strategies, and for the impact of teacher training on teaching quality and student achievement to be systematically measured. The use of technology in teaching is limited by the availability of devices - there are no computers available for student use in the library or for general independent research, and girls in Grades 5-12 lack access to the specialist IT room. The school uses online platforms (Alef, LMS, Abjadiat) for some learning activities, but this is not a technology-rich teaching environment by Abu Dhabi private school standards.
33
Teachers on Staff
Plus 15 teaching assistants for 668 students
~1:20
Teacher-to-Student Ratio
Based on 33 teachers and 668 students
Acceptable
Teaching & Assessment Rating
All cycles - ADEK Irtiqa 2024, no improvement since last inspection
Leadership & Management
The leadership of Emirates Education Academy is headed by Principal Hamada Ramadan Khalifa Shaaban, whose tenure and background are not publicly documented on the school's website. The 2024 ADEK Irtiqa inspection rates the effectiveness of leadership as Acceptable, but flags three sub-areas as Weak: school self-evaluation and improvement planning, governance, and management of staffing, facilities and resources. This combination of Weak ratings in foundational governance and management functions is the most serious concern in the entire inspection report.
Inspectors found that the school self-evaluation process needs to improve significantly, with the actual self-evaluation judgements reflecting aspiration rather than reality. This is a critical finding - it means the school's own internal assessment of its performance does not accurately reflect what inspectors observed, which undermines the credibility of the school development plan. The school development plan has yet to outline specific, targeted actions for improving benchmarking results, despite the school's stated commitment to TIMSS, PISA, and PIRLS preparation.
Governance is rated Weak. The Principal reports that the Board of Governors includes representation from most stakeholders, with the owner as Chair and the Principal as a member. Inspectors noted that this arrangement may not be fully effective from an accountability perspective, particularly as the Principal's attendance at all Board meetings could compromise the independence of governance oversight. Inspectors called for governance to become more formal and transparent, with governors holding all leaders to account.
On the positive side, the school's partnership with parents and the community is rated Good - a genuine strength. Parents are described as very supportive of the school and feel well-informed about their child's attainment and progress. The school holds parent-teacher meetings and maintains communication channels with families. The school's website references a parents' section and regular parent meetings, and the annual mothers' reading initiative reflects meaningful community engagement. The school's ownership structure is private, and the operator is not part of a larger education group based on available information. Communication with parents appears to be primarily direct and informal rather than through a dedicated app or portal.
ADEK Inspection Results (Irtiqa - Decoded)
The most recent ADEK Irtiqa inspection of Emirates Education Academy took place from 17 to 20 February 2025, assessing performance for the academic year 2024/25. The overall school rating is Acceptable - consistent with the previous inspection, meaning the school has not demonstrated the improvement trajectory that ADEK expects from schools at this rating level. For parents, an Acceptable rating means the school meets minimum regulatory standards but falls short of the Good or Outstanding performance that characterises the stronger schools in Abu Dhabi's private sector.
The inspection findings reveal a school of contrasts. Personal Development is rated Good across all cycles - students are well-behaved, respectful, and demonstrate strong Islamic values and UAE cultural awareness. The school's partnership with parents is also Good. These are the two clear anchors of the school's identity and they are meaningful. However, almost every other performance strand sits at Acceptable, and three critical management sub-strands - school self-evaluation, governance, and management of staffing, facilities and resources - are rated Weak.
The rating history shows no upward movement. The school's overall performance has remained Acceptable since the last inspection, with minimal improvement in student achievement. There has been a slight decline in UAE Social Studies (Cycle 3 progress declined from Good to Acceptable) and health and safety (declined from Good to Acceptable). The positive movements - English and mathematics in certain cycles reaching Good - are real but insufficient to shift the overall school rating. The six key recommendations from ADEK cover: improving student achievement across all subjects; enhancing teaching, learning and assessment; ensuring broad and balanced curriculum access; strengthening student protection and care; improving leadership and management; and improving international assessment results. The breadth and depth of these recommendations confirms that this is a school with substantial improvement work ahead of it.
Strong Personal Development
Students across all cycles demonstrate self-discipline, respect for peers and teachers, and a clear understanding of Islamic values and UAE culture. Personal Development is rated Good in the 2024 ADEK inspection - the school's standout performance strand.
Positive Parent Partnership
The school's relationship with its parent community is rated Good by ADEK inspectors. Parents feel well-informed about their children's progress and are described as very supportive. This is a genuine community-school bond that underpins the school's stability.
English & Maths Improvement in Upper Cycles
English attainment and progress in Cycle 3 improved from Acceptable to Good, and mathematics attainment and progress in Cycle 2 also reached Good. These are the school's most meaningful academic improvements in the current inspection cycle.
Governance, Self-Evaluation & Management Rated Weak
Three critical sub-strands of Leadership and Management are rated Weak: school self-evaluation and improvement planning, governance, and management of staffing, facilities and resources. Inspectors found self-evaluation judgements reflected aspiration rather than reality, governance lacks transparency and accountability, and key staff vacancies remain unfilled. This is the school's most urgent improvement priority.
Safeguarding, Inclusion & Curriculum Access Gaps
Health and safety including safeguarding declined from Good to Acceptable. Several students could not identify the Designated Safeguarding Lead, and there is no public signage. Girls in Grades 5-12 lack access to the IT room, senior girls have no PE teacher, and there is no systematic framework for identifying students with additional learning needs or gifted and talented students.
Inspection History
2024
Acceptable
2023
Acceptable
Fees & Value for Money
Emirates Education Academy, located in Madinat Zayed, Abu Dhabi, follows the UAE Ministry of Education (MoE) curriculum and offers competitive tuition fees for the 2025–2026 academic year. Fees range from AED 5,000 for KG levels up to AED 7,400 for secondary grades (Grades 7–12), making it one of the more affordable private school options in the Abu Dhabi Western Region.
AED 5,000
Annual Fees From
AED 7,400
Annual Fees To
Year / GradeAnnual Fee
KG 1
AED 5,000KG 2
AED 5,000Grade 1
AED 6,100Grade 2
AED 6,100Grade 3
AED 6,100Grade 4
AED 6,500Grade 5
AED 6,500Grade 6
AED 6,500Grade 7
AED 7,400Grade 8
AED 7,400Grade 9
AED 7,400Grade 10
AED 7,400Grade 11
AED 7,400Grade 12
AED 7,400In addition to tuition, families should budget for bus transportation (AED 2,000 annually), books (ranging from AED 300 to AED 855 depending on grade), and a uniform cost of AED 450 per year. Note that book fees are not listed for Grades 9 through 12. The school's fee structure is transparent and regulated under ADEK guidelines, providing families with clarity when planning their education expenditure.
The academy is known for offering merit-based scholarships for top performers in Grade 10, reflecting its commitment to academic excellence and rewarding high-achieving students. With its focus on technology-integrated learning, community engagement, and a trained educational and administrative team, Emirates Education Academy aims to deliver quality education at an accessible price point for families in the Western Region of Abu Dhabi.
Additional Costs
Bus (Transportation)2,000(annual)
Books & Materials – KG 1300(annual)
Books & Materials – KG 2330(annual)
Books & Materials – Grade 1735(annual)
Books & Materials – Grade 2755(annual)
Books & Materials – Grade 3775(annual)
Books & Materials – Grade 4790(annual)
Books & Materials – Grade 5795(annual)
Books & Materials – Grade 6790(annual)
Books & Materials – Grade 7855(annual)
Books & Materials – Grade 8850(annual)
Uniform450(annual)
Scholarships & Bursaries
The academy offers merit-based scholarships for top academic performers in Grade 10 (first-place students).
The Final Verdict: Who Is This School For?
Emirates Education Academy is a school that serves a clear and specific community need in Zayed City, Abu Dhabi. It is an affordable, Arabic-medium, MoE curriculum private school for Arab expatriate families - primarily Syrian, Jordanian, and Egyptian - who are living in the Al Dhafra Region and seeking a private Islamic values-centred education at a price point that is genuinely accessible. The school's ADEK Acceptable rating is not a badge of distinction, but it does confirm that the school meets the regulatory minimum. The Good ratings for personal development and parent partnership are real strengths that reflect a cohesive, community-oriented school culture.
However, the honest assessment is that this school has significant structural challenges. Three sub-strands of leadership and management are rated Weak - governance, self-evaluation, and staffing/facilities management. Safeguarding systems need urgent improvement. The extracurricular programme is minimal. Senior girls lack access to PE and ICT facilities. The library is effectively non-functional. International assessment scores in reading and science are well below global benchmarks. These are not minor issues - they represent systemic gaps that the school's leadership must address as a matter of priority. Parents who choose this school should be active advocates for their children, maintain close communication with teachers, and supplement the school's academic provision with additional support at home or through tutoring where needed.
For families in Zayed City with limited private school options and budget constraints, Emirates Education Academy may be the most practical choice available. For families with greater choice and higher academic ambitions, there are stronger options in Abu Dhabi education.
THE “RIGHT FIT”
Families residing in Zayed City or the Al Dhafra Region seeking an affordable Arabic-medium MoE private school with a strong Islamic values ethos and a tight-knit community atmosphere, particularly those from Arab expatriate backgrounds for whom the fee level is the primary consideration.
THE “WRONG FIT”
Families prioritising strong academic outcomes, a rich extracurricular programme, robust inclusion provision, or transparent governance; students with additional learning needs or those who require gifted and talented support will not find the systematic provision they need here.
“
We chose this school because it is close to home and the fees are something we can actually afford. The school is not perfect but the teachers care about the children and that matters to us.
— Grade 8 Parent
Strengths
- Among the lowest private school fees in Abu Dhabi at AED 5,000-7,400
- Personal Development rated Good across all cycles by ADEK 2024
- Strong parent-school partnership rated Good by ADEK inspectors
- Arabic-medium MoE environment with clear Islamic values focus
- One of very few private school options in Zayed City and Al Dhafra Region
- English and Maths improved to Good in upper cycles
- Grade 8 Maths TIMSS score above international average
Areas for Improvement
- Governance, self-evaluation, and staffing/facilities management all rated Weak by ADEK
- Safeguarding systems inadequate - students unable to identify Designated Safeguarding Lead
- Senior girls lack access to PE teacher and specialist IT room
- Library effectively non-functional with only 2 books borrowed in 4 months
- No formal ECA programme - ADEK explicitly recommends introducing one