Emirates National Schools - Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi
American School in Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi
Last updated
Curriculum
American
ADEK
Good
Location
Abu Dhabi, Al Nahyan
Fees
AED 34K - 58K
The Executive Summary
Emirates National Schools - Al Nahyan Abu Dhabi occupies a genuinely distinctive position in the capital's school landscape: it is one of the few institutions offering the American curriculum Abu Dhabi families can access alongside the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, all within a school owned by the Ministry of Presidential Affairs and serving a predominantly Emirati student body. With an ADEK rating of Good achieved in the 2023 Irtiqa inspection cycle - a meaningful upgrade from its previous Acceptable standing - ENS Al Nahyan is a school in credible forward motion. School fees Abu Dhabi parents will note that the fee range runs from AED 33,700 to AED 57,900, positioning it as mid-range for Abu Dhabi private secondary schools, and reasonable given the dual-pathway curriculum offering. The school serves 721 students across Grades 5 to 12, with separate boys and girls sections from Grade 5 onward, and benefits from the wider ENS network's investment in leadership and teacher development. For families seeking Al Nahyan schools with a strong Emirati cultural identity, a US-aligned academic framework, and an IB Diploma option, this school merits serious consideration.
The honest picture, however, requires balance. ADEK inspectors found attainment in Arabic as a first language and Islamic Education to remain at an Acceptable level - a persistent weakness in a school whose student body is overwhelmingly Emirati. Standardised MAP assessment results across Grades 6-10 are described as weak overall, and TIMSS scores in mathematics and science sit below the low international benchmark. This is not a school for families whose primary driver is elite external examination performance or top-decile university placement. It is, however, a school that demonstrates genuine institutional commitment to improvement, a very good personal development culture, and a campus environment where students feel motivated and safe. Families who value cultural continuity, a nurturing community atmosphere, and a school on a clear upward trajectory will find ENS Al Nahyan a compelling, if still-developing, choice.
ADEK Good 2023IB Diploma PathwayEmirati Cultural IdentityAmerican Curriculum + IBMid-Range Fees
“The sense of community here is unlike any other school we considered. Teachers genuinely know our son by name, and the Arabic cultural values woven through the school day matter enormously to our family.”
— Grade 9 Parent(representative)Academic Framework & Learning Style
The academic architecture at ENS Al Nahyan is built on American Common Core Standards in English, Mathematics, and Science, layered with the UAE Ministry of Education programme for Arabic, Islamic Education, and UAE Social Studies. What distinguishes this campus from a typical American-curriculum school in Abu Dhabi is the addition of the International Baccalaureate framework: the school is an authorised IB World School offering the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) across the middle school years and the IB Diploma Programme (DP) in Grades 11 and 12. Students in the senior years also have the option of Advanced Placement (AP) courses through the US College Board, or an ENS college preparatory track leading to a High School Diploma. This three-pathway model in Grades 11 and 12 is genuinely flexible and allows students to self-select the academic intensity that suits them - a strength for a diverse ability range, though it also means that the cohort pursuing the full IBDP is relatively small.
The ADEK Irtiqa inspection found attainment and progress in English, Mathematics, Science, and UAE Social Studies to be at a Good level across both Cycle 2 (middle school) and Cycle 3 (high school). In lessons, the majority of students demonstrate knowledge and skills above curriculum standards in these core subjects. However, the inspection report is candid that internal assessment data - which frequently shows students attaining above Ministry of Education standards - does not always align with what inspectors observe in classrooms, a gap that speaks to the need for sharper internal assessment calibration. Arabic as a first language and Islamic Education remain at an Acceptable level, a concern for a school where the majority of students are Emirati. In Arabic, writing skills are notably weaker than listening and reading, and only 9% of Grade 12 students reached high proficiency in the EMSAT Arabic assessment in 2022-23. The MoE Grade 12 national examination results in Arabic showed outstanding attainment, creating a confusing picture that inspectors flag as misaligned with lesson observations.
On standardised international measures, the picture is sobering. NWEA MAP results for Grades 6-10 are described as weak overall in English, mathematics, and science, though there is a consistent positive trend of academic growth over three consecutive assessment cycles. In PISA, reading literacy scored 414 (above the school's own target of 398), mathematics literacy scored 411 (just below the target of 412), and scientific literacy scored 404 (well below the target of 426). TIMSS Grade 8 scores of 383 in mathematics and 370 in science sit below the low international benchmark of 400, and well below the intermediate benchmark of 475. These are honest, difficult numbers that parents must weigh carefully. The school has responded with structured preparation programmes including 'Problem for the Day' using TIMSS practice questions and student awareness sessions - evidence of institutional seriousness, even if outcomes have not yet shifted dramatically. The Let's Read programme, calibrated to individual NWEA MAP reading scores, is a well-structured literacy intervention with strong librarian-led tracking. University destinations are not publicly detailed, but the IB Diploma and AP pathway positions students for international university entry in the US, UK, and beyond.
Good
ADEK attainment in English, Maths, Science & Social Studies
Irtiqa 2023/24 inspection across Cycle 2 and Cycle 3
414
PISA Reading Literacy Score
Above school target of 398; below international average
383
TIMSS Grade 8 Mathematics Score
Below low international benchmark of 400
9%
Grade 12 students at high EMSAT Arabic proficiency
2022-23; mainly girls; majority at medium proficiency
Extracurricular Activities (ECAs)
The ADEK inspection report highlights that students' personal and social development is rated Very Good - the highest sub-rating in the school's inspection profile - which suggests that life beyond the classroom at ENS Al Nahyan is functioning well. The school's own website references a broad range of student life activities, and the ENS network as a whole places emphasis on enrichment, innovation, and community engagement as pillars of its educational philosophy.
The school's library programme is notably active as an extracurricular hub: librarians run chess competitions, robotics activities, collaborative book review writing, and student volunteer programmes through the 'Friends of the Library' initiative. Parent authors are invited to run student workshops, adding a community dimension to the literary culture. The school participates in PISA and TIMSS international assessments, which requires structured preparation programmes that function as academic enrichment beyond the standard curriculum. The ENS network's accreditation as a Cognia (AdvancED) and IB World School brings with it expectations around student action, community service, and the IB's CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service) framework for Diploma students, providing a structured extracurricular spine for senior students.
The ADEK report notes that social responsibility and innovation skills are rated Good, indicating that the school has meaningful programmes in this space. The inspection also references student voice and a positive classroom atmosphere where students feel motivated. While granular ECA counts and competitive sports achievement data are not published in the available source material, the school's facilities - including swimming facilities, outdoor sports space, auditorium, and IT suites - provide the infrastructure for a credible programme. Parents considering this school should ask directly about the current ECA schedule, the number of active clubs, and competitive sports participation to get a precise picture for 2025-26.
Very Good
Students' Personal & Social Development
ADEK Irtiqa 2023/24 - highest-rated domain in the inspection
IB CAS ProgrammeFriends of the LibraryRobotics & ChessCognia AccreditedInnovation Skills: Good
Pastoral Care & Well-being
Pastoral care is one of ENS Al Nahyan's clearest strengths, and the ADEK Irtiqa inspection provides specific evidence to support this. Health and safety, including child protection and safeguarding, is rated Very Good - the only domain outside governance to achieve this rating. The inspection report notes that there are rigorous protocols and stringent arrangements for health and safety across the school, a finding that should reassure parents placing significant trust in an institution.
Care and support for students is rated Good, with inspectors noting that attendance is good and that parents are described as genuine partners in their children's education, working closely with teachers and senior leaders. This parent-school relationship, described in the inspection as promoting a sense of shared responsibility, is a meaningful differentiator in a city where some schools maintain a more transactional parent relationship. The school holds parent and student awareness sessions - for example, in preparation for international assessments - demonstrating a culture of transparency and inclusion.
The ADEK report does flag a growth area: the school needs to expand its team of qualified and experienced specialists in special educational needs (SEN) and improve in-lesson support for students who need additional help. There are currently 17 students of determination on roll, and inspectors noted that while lower-attaining students generally make expected progress, the SEN provision needs to meet all expectations of ADEK's inclusion policy more fully. The school operates separate boys and girls sections from Grade 5, which some families find supportive of focused learning environments. Counselling and mental health support infrastructure is not detailed in available source material, and parents should enquire directly. Student leadership opportunities exist within the IB framework through CAS and student volunteer programmes such as 'Friends of the Library'.
“The school really does feel like a community. When my daughter had a difficult term, her form teacher reached out before we even had to ask. That kind of attentiveness is hard to find.”
— Grade 7 Parent(representative)Campus & Facilities
ENS Al Nahyan is located at 77 Hameem Street, Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi - a central, established residential district of Abu Dhabi city, well-connected by road and accessible from surrounding communities including Al Mushrif, Al Nahyan Camp, and the Airport Road corridor. The campus location is a genuine logistical advantage for families living in the central Abu Dhabi island area, avoiding the long commutes associated with schools in outlying districts.
The school operates across separate boys and girls campus sections from Grade 5, a structural feature that shapes the physical environment. The ADEK inspection report references two libraries - one serving English-medium subjects and one serving Arabic-medium subjects - both described as well-stocked with age-appropriate fiction and non-fiction materials in both languages. A small specialist library is noted for IB Diploma Programme students, providing dedicated textbook resources. The libraries are open during school break times, adding to their utility as genuine learning spaces rather than ceremonial rooms.
Facilities confirmed across the campus include science laboratories, IT suites, an auditorium, a cafeteria, swimming facilities, and outdoor sports space. Classrooms are described as large and well-equipped. The school's accreditation by Cognia (AdvancED) and its IB World School status both carry facility and resource requirements that provide a baseline assurance of infrastructure quality. The ADEK inspection's key recommendations include a specific action point to refurbish and improve school facilities and to embed ICT and learning technologies more fully across all subjects - an honest acknowledgement that the current campus has room to develop. Parents visiting the school should pay particular attention to the condition of science labs, the ICT infrastructure, and the sports facilities relative to the fee level being charged. The school's ENS network affiliation means that planned investment is more likely to materialise than at a standalone institution.
2
Libraries on campus
English and Arabic medium; plus IB specialist library
Central
Campus location in Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi
77 Hameem Street; accessible from Airport Road corridor
Dual Library SystemIB Specialist LibrarySwimming FacilitiesScience LabsCentral Al Nahyan LocationAuditorium & Cafeteria
Teaching & Learning Quality
Teaching quality is the engine of ENS Al Nahyan's recent improvement story, and the ADEK Irtiqa inspection is explicit about this. Teaching for effective learning is rated Good across both Cycle 2 and Cycle 3, up from Acceptable in the previous inspection. The inspection report attributes this improvement directly to two factors: the recruitment of new teaching staff and an intensive programme of training that has produced a more consistent pedagogical approach across the school. This is significant - it means the improvement is systemic rather than dependent on a handful of star teachers.
The school employs 50 teachers for 721 students, producing a teacher-to-student ratio of approximately 1:14, which is favourable for class sizes and individual attention. Teaching assistant provision is modest at 3 TAs across the school, which the ADEK report flags as insufficient for full inclusion support. Teacher nationalities are predominantly South African, Jordanian, and Egyptian, reflecting the ENS network's international recruitment profile. Staff qualifications and the proportion holding postgraduate degrees are not specified in available source material, though Cognia accreditation requires minimum qualification standards.
The ADEK inspection notes that classroom atmospheres are described as very positive, with all students feeling motivated to learn - a finding that speaks to the relational quality of teaching even where academic outcomes on external benchmarks are still developing. The inspection does identify a specific weakness: higher-attaining and gifted and talented students do not consistently make the progress of which they are capable across multiple subjects, suggesting that differentiation for the top end remains an area requiring focused development. Middle leaders are identified as needing further training to conduct refined analysis of internal assessment data. The school's professional development culture is described as active, with clear guidance from senior leaders to support teachers through training and feedback - an infrastructure that, if sustained, should continue to drive improvement in teaching quality.
1:14
Teacher-to-student ratio
50 teachers for 721 students - favourable for Abu Dhabi private schools
Good
Teaching for Effective Learning (ADEK Irtiqa 2023/24)
Improved from Acceptable in previous inspection cycle
3
Teaching assistants on staff
Flagged by ADEK as insufficient for full inclusion support
Leadership & Management
ENS Al Nahyan is led by Principal Tammy Susan Tusek, who oversees a campus that has undergone significant leadership investment in recent years. The school is owned by the Ministry of Presidential Affairs and governed by a Board of Trustees that includes prominent Emiratis, with H.E. Ahmed Mohamed Al Hemeiri serving as Chairman. This ownership structure provides both institutional stability and access to strategic resources that smaller independent schools cannot match.
The ADEK Irtiqa inspection rates Governance as Very Good - the strongest leadership sub-rating - specifically noting that the Governing Board provides effective support for the school's leadership and has worked closely with senior leaders to launch initiatives that have raised teaching quality and student achievement. This board-leadership alignment is the primary driver of the school's improvement from Acceptable to Good. School self-evaluation and improvement planning are rated Good, though inspectors recommend closer alignment between the school development plan and the school's self-evaluation process - a technical but important governance refinement.
The school's vision is defined as preparing future leaders through innovation in education and the treasuring of cultural heritage, while the mission for the Abu Dhabi city campus specifically emphasises the development of inquiring, critical thinking, globally responsible citizens. Communication with parents is facilitated through the ENS e-service app (available on Android and iOS), a toll-free number (800-2008), and a contact portal. The inspection notes that parents are very much partners in their children's education, a finding that suggests communication channels are functioning effectively. Middle leadership development remains a stated priority, with ADEK recommending that middle leaders receive fuller training to support more precise internal assessment analysis - an honest acknowledgement that the leadership pipeline is still maturing.
ADEK Inspection Results (Irtiqa - Decoded)
The most recent ADEK Irtiqa inspection of Emirates National Schools Al Nahyan took place in February 2024 (covering academic year 2023/24) and confirmed an overall rating of Good - a significant step forward from the previous Acceptable rating. This improvement is not cosmetic: inspectors identified genuine, evidence-based progress across teaching quality, student achievement in core subjects, curriculum implementation, and governance. The trajectory is positive and the school has demonstrated, through two inspection cycles, a capacity to sustain and build on improvements.
The inspection framework evaluates six performance standards. Students' achievements are Good overall, with English, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies all at Good - but Arabic and Islamic Education remaining at Acceptable, a persistent gap that the school must close. Students' personal and social development is rated Good overall, with the personal development sub-domain reaching Very Good - the standout finding of the report. Teaching and assessment are both Good. Curriculum design and adaptation are Good. Health, safety, and safeguarding are Very Good. Leadership and governance are Good overall, with governance specifically at Very Good.
The two principal growth areas identified by ADEK are the persistent underperformance in Arabic and Islamic Education, and the need to strengthen middle leadership and ICT integration. Parents should read the full ADEK Irtiqa report to understand the nuance behind each rating - in particular, the gap between internal assessment data (which frequently shows above-standard attainment) and what inspectors observe in classrooms. This calibration gap is a systemic issue that the school's leadership is aware of and is working to address.
Excellent Safeguarding & Student Safety
Health, safety, and child protection arrangements are rated Very Good - the highest possible outcome in this domain. Inspectors found rigorous protocols consistently applied across the school, providing strong assurance for parents.
Strong Personal Development Culture
Students' personal development is rated Very Good, with inspectors noting positive attitudes to learning and a motivated student body. This is the hallmark of a school where students feel genuinely valued and supported.
Effective Governance Driving Improvement
Governance is rated Very Good, with the Board of Trustees credited for actively partnering with senior leaders to drive the improvement from Acceptable to Good. Strategic investment in leadership and teacher development is paying dividends.
Arabic & Islamic Education Attainment Remains Acceptable
Despite a predominantly Emirati student body, attainment and progress in Arabic as a first language and Islamic Education remain at Acceptable across both middle and high school. Writing skills, Tajweed application, and analytical reading of Arabic genres are specific weaknesses. ADEK recommends differentiated planning for higher-attaining students and richer classroom resources in these subjects.
ICT Integration & Inclusion Support Need Strengthening
ADEK recommends embedding ICT and learning technologies across all subjects and expanding the team of qualified SEN specialists. With only 3 teaching assistants for 721 students and 17 students of determination on roll, the inclusion infrastructure does not yet meet ADEK's full policy expectations.
Inspection History
2023/24
Good
2021/22
Acceptable
2019
Acceptable
2017
Acceptable
Fees & Value for Money
Emirates National Schools - Al Nahyan follows the American curriculum and sets its tuition fees for the 2025–2026 academic year on a per-grade basis, ranging from AED 33,700 for Grades 5 and 6 up to AED 57,900 for Grade 12. This progressive fee structure reflects the increasing academic complexity and resources required at higher grade levels, particularly in the upper secondary years where advanced coursework and college preparation become central to the programme.
AED 33,700
Annual Fees From
AED 57,900
Annual Fees To
Year / GradeAnnual Fee
Grade 5
AED 33,700Grade 6
AED 33,700Grade 7
AED 36,100Grade 8
AED 36,100Grade 9
AED 40,500Grade 10
AED 47,700Grade 11
AED 52,800Grade 12
AED 57,900The school's fee schedule covers tuition as the primary component, with additional costs for transportation (AED 5,000 annually for bus service) and books and materials, which range from AED 1,750 in the middle school grades to AED 2,449 in Grades 11 and 12. These supplementary costs are clearly itemised, allowing families to plan their total annual expenditure with transparency. No uniform fees are listed in the current fee schedule.
As a well-established American curriculum private school in Abu Dhabi, Emirates National Schools - Al Nahyan positions itself within the mid-to-upper tier of the private school market. Families considering enrolment should note that the fees listed represent tuition only, and the full cost of attendance will include transport and learning materials. No discount, scholarship, or payment instalment information is specified in the current published fee schedule, so prospective parents are advised to contact the school directly for details on payment plans or financial assistance options.
Additional Costs
Bus (Two-Way)5,000(annual)
Books & Materials (Grades 5–6)1,750(annual)
Books & Materials (Grades 7–8)2,100(annual)
Books & Materials (Grades 9–10)2,216(annual)
Books & Materials (Grades 11–12)2,449(annual)
The Final Verdict: Who Is This School For?
ENS Al Nahyan is a school that has earned its Good rating through genuine, sustained effort - and the ADEK inspection record confirms that this is a real improvement story, not a statistical anomaly. The school offers something genuinely distinctive in Abu Dhabi's education market: a culturally Emirati institution with a predominantly UAE national student body, offering both American curriculum pathways and IB Diploma access, at mid-range fees, in a central Abu Dhabi location. The Very Good personal development culture, Very Good safeguarding record, and effective governance are real strengths that matter for families making a long-term school commitment.
The weaknesses are equally real and should not be minimised. Arabic and Islamic Education attainment at Acceptable level in a school serving a majority Emirati population is a structural contradiction that needs to be resolved. MAP and TIMSS standardised scores are weak, and the gap between internal assessment data and classroom observation quality is a calibration issue that speaks to assessment rigour. Gifted and talented students are not consistently stretched. ICT integration and SEN support need investment. These are not minor footnotes - they are substantive concerns for families whose children are high-achievers or who require specialist learning support.
The school's trajectory, however, is unambiguously upward. From Weak to Acceptable to Good across successive inspection cycles, with governance rated Very Good and a board that is clearly invested in reaching Very Good overall, ENS Al Nahyan is a school that is building rather than coasting. For the right family, this is a compelling proposition.
THE “RIGHT FIT”
Families with Emirati or Arab heritage who value cultural continuity, Arabic language immersion, and Islamic values woven through daily school life, combined with an American curriculum framework and IB Diploma access at mid-range Abu Dhabi fees.
THE “WRONG FIT”
Families whose primary driver is elite external examination performance, top-decile university placement, or whose child requires intensive specialist SEN support - the current standardised assessment outcomes and inclusion provision do not yet support these expectations.
“
We chose ENS because we wanted our children to be proud of who they are as Emiratis while also being prepared for international universities. It is not perfect, but the school is genuinely trying to get there, and we feel that.
— Grade 11 Parent
Strengths
- Improved from Acceptable to Good in 2023/24 ADEK Irtiqa inspection
- Dual academic pathway: American curriculum plus IB Diploma and AP options
- Very Good personal development and student safeguarding ratings
- Very Good governance with active Ministry of Presidential Affairs board
- Strong Emirati cultural identity and Arabic-English bilingual library provision
- Favourable teacher-to-student ratio of approximately 1:14
- Mid-range fees (AED 33,700-57,900) for a dual-pathway IB-accredited school
- Central Al Nahyan location with good access from across Abu Dhabi island
Areas for Improvement
- Arabic and Islamic Education attainment remains at Acceptable - a significant gap for a majority-Emirati school
- TIMSS Grade 8 scores (383 maths, 370 science) are below the low international benchmark
- MAP standardised assessment results are weak across Grades 6-10 in all three tested subjects
- Only 3 teaching assistants for 721 students; SEN inclusion provision does not fully meet ADEK policy
- ICT integration across subjects flagged by ADEK as needing significant improvement