Emirates Private School (Branch) - Baniyas logo

Emirates Private School (Branch) - Baniyas

Curriculum
Ministry of Education
ADEK
Acceptable
Location
Abu Dhabi
Fees
AED 4K - 7K

Emirates Private School (Branch) - Baniyas

The Executive Summary

Emirates Private School (Branch) - Baniyas is a co-educational MoE (UAE) curriculum school serving approximately 1,287 students from KG1 through Grade 9 in the Bani Yas district of Abu Dhabi. Established in 1999, it occupies a distinctive niche in the Bani Yas schools landscape as one of the most affordable private school options in Abu Dhabi education, with school fees ranging from just AED 3,660 to AED 6,680 annually. The ADEK rating of Acceptable - confirmed in the 2024 Irtiqa inspection - positions this school firmly in the middle tier of Abu Dhabi private schools. Its standout achievement is exceeding international TIMSS 2023 averages in both mathematics and science at Grades 4 and 8, a genuine bright spot that signals real instructional capability in STEM subjects. The school's inclusive philosophy and its commitment to welcoming students from diverse Arab nationalities - predominantly Yemeni, Syrian, and Egyptian communities - gives it a community-rooted identity that many families find reassuring. The honest assessment, however, is that this school carries meaningful limitations that parents must weigh carefully. Governance has regressed to Weak in the latest Irtiqa cycle, significant staff turnover has left senior leadership positions only recently filled, and ACER IBT standardised assessment results show Weak attainment in Arabic, mathematics, and science across all cycles - a stark contrast to the TIMSS bright spots. The KG provision in particular warrants scrutiny, with personal development and Islamic Education both rated Weak at that stage. For families seeking a genuinely affordable MoE school in Bani Yas with a nurturing, inclusive atmosphere and solid STEM momentum in the primary and middle years, EPS Baniyas is a credible option. For families prioritising consistent academic excellence, robust governance, or a strong upper-secondary pathway beyond Grade 9, this school is not the right fit.
TIMSS 2023 Above AverageAED 3,660 Entry FeeInclusive Community SchoolMoE Curriculum Bani Yas

“The fees are manageable and the teachers genuinely care about the children. My son has settled in well and the atmosphere feels safe and welcoming. I just wish the communication from the school was more structured.”

— Grade 4 Parent(representative)

Academic Framework & Learning Style

The school follows the UAE Ministry of Education (MoE) curriculum, which structures learning around core pillars of Arabic, Islamic Studies, Mathematics, Science, and English, reinforced by UAE Social Studies and moral education. This curriculum Abu Dhabi framework is designed to align student outcomes with national educational priorities and UAE values, making it the natural choice for Arab-speaking families who want their children educated within a culturally coherent environment. The school serves KG1 through Grade 9, meaning it does not currently offer a secondary completion pathway (Grades 10-12), a structural limitation families must factor into longer-term planning. In terms of academic results, the picture is genuinely mixed. The school's most impressive data point comes from the TIMSS 2023 international assessments: Grade 4 students scored 578 in mathematics (international average: 503) and 579 in science (international average: 494). Grade 8 students scored 553 in mathematics (international average: 478) and 567 in science (international average: 478). These are meaningful outperformances that suggest real instructional quality in STEM subjects at the primary and lower-secondary level. However, the PISA 2022 results for 15-year-old students tell a more sobering story: reading literacy scored 407 against an international average of 476, mathematical literacy 442 against 472, and scientific literacy 439 against 485 - all below both the international average and the school's own targets of 500. The divergence between TIMSS and PISA performance is significant and suggests that while foundational STEM skills are being built effectively in Cycles 1 and 2, the ability to apply knowledge in complex, real-world analytical contexts - the hallmark of PISA - remains underdeveloped by Cycle 3. The ACER IBT standardised assessments (Grades 3-9) add further concern: attainment in Arabic, mathematics, and science across all three cycles is rated Weak, with progress data showing Very Weak progress in Cycle 1 for all three subjects. This gap between internal assessment data (which the school reports as consistently Outstanding) and external benchmarks is a credibility issue that the ADEK inspection has explicitly flagged. Parents should treat internal school data with appropriate scepticism until external benchmarks improve. Subject-level ADEK findings show that mathematics and science achieve Good ratings in Cycles 1 and 2 - the clearest academic strength. English, Arabic, and UAE Social Studies hold at Acceptable across all cycles. Islamic Education drops to Weak in KG, a specific concern for families who prioritise early Islamic education. The school's pedagogical approach is primarily structured and teacher-directed, consistent with MoE curriculum delivery norms. The ADEK report notes that while teacher subject knowledge is relatively strong, lessons do not consistently use assessment data to differentiate instruction, and higher-order questioning and inquiry-based tasks remain underdeveloped - particularly in Cycle 3. There is no published data on university destinations, as the school does not currently extend to Grade 12. Regarding inclusion provision, the school identifies students of determination (only 2 are formally recorded on roll) but the ADEK report notes that provision for gifted and talented students is not consistently effective, and differentiation for both high and low attainers requires significant improvement.
578
TIMSS 2023 Grade 4 Maths Score
International average: 503
579
TIMSS 2023 Grade 4 Science Score
International average: 494
553
TIMSS 2023 Grade 8 Maths Score
International average: 478
407
PISA 2022 Reading Literacy Score
International average: 476 - below target

Extracurricular Activities (ECAs)

The school's website was inaccessible at the time of this review, and the ADEK Irtiqa report does not provide a detailed breakdown of extracurricular programmes. What the inspection report does confirm is that the school participates in national reading initiatives and competitions, including a Reading Challenge and book fairs, with themed events such as Mad Hat Day for KG students. A school library was established in February 2025 and has become a focal point for literacy enrichment, housing over 1,000 books in Arabic and English and deploying a mobile library unit for KG students. The library integrates the STREAM model (Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics), linking library content to STEM and arts subjects to promote cross-disciplinary inquiry. Digital reading platforms including Epic, Asafeer, and Storyweaver have been introduced to support reading engagement beyond the classroom. Students are recognised during morning assemblies for active borrowing and sharing book recommendations, suggesting a developing culture of literacy celebration. National and cultural events - including UAE history and military unification commemorations held in the library - form part of the school's enrichment calendar, reinforcing the MoE curriculum's emphasis on national identity and values. Beyond literacy, the ADEK report references the implementation of behaviour policies and a generally positive school community atmosphere, which provides the social foundation for extracurricular participation. However, the absence of published data on sports programmes, performing arts, competitive teams, or a structured ECA timetable is a genuine transparency gap. Parents considering this school specifically for a rich co-curricular experience should contact the school directly to request a current ECA schedule. The ADEK inspection's recommendation to increase opportunities for physical activity and promote healthy lifestyle habits through structured initiatives suggests that the sports and physical wellbeing dimension of school life requires strengthening.
1,000+
Books in School Library
Library established February 2025, bilingual Arabic/English
STREAM Library Model1,000+ Book LibraryNational Reading ChallengeDigital Reading PlatformsUAE Cultural Events

Pastoral Care & Well-being

The ADEK Irtiqa report characterises Emirates Private School Baniyas as a school that prioritises inclusion and community as core institutional values. The school's own stated mission describes a commitment to creating a kind, caring, and challenging atmosphere in which every student can cultivate and flourish - language that reflects a genuine pastoral orientation rather than mere marketing copy. Students' attitudes toward learning and their relationships with each other and with staff are specifically cited as a positive feature of the school in the ADEK inspection findings, an encouraging signal about the day-to-day social environment. The school is described as a clean, safe, and largely secure learning environment under Performance Standard 5, with health and safety and care and support both rated Acceptable across all cycles. Safeguarding and child protection arrangements are in place, and the school identifies students of determination, with special provisions made for their inclusion in reading events and library access. However, the ADEK report identifies several areas requiring improvement in this domain: dismissal procedures need streamlining to ensure student safety during transitions, physical accessibility for students with mobility challenges requires enhancement, and morning punctuality - particularly in the early years - needs to be more consistently managed. The provision for gifted and talented students is rated as not consistently effective, meaning that students at the higher end of the ability spectrum may not receive the structured enrichment and challenge they need. The ADEK report also recommends fully implementing systems for identifying and monitoring gifted and talented students. There is no published information about a formal house system, dedicated counselling staff, or a structured mental health support programme - gaps that are common in MoE schools at this fee level but which families of students with more complex pastoral needs should explore directly with the school before enrolling. The school's principal, Mrs. Mona Abdulla Ahmed Nour AlAli, has articulated a vision centred on personal growth and community belonging, which sets a positive tone for pastoral culture even where formal structures are still developing.

“The school feels like a community. My daughter has never felt like an outsider, and the teachers know each child by name. It is not perfect, but the care is real.”

— Cycle 2 Mother(representative)

Campus & Facilities

Emirates Private School Baniyas is located at 44, Al Masafat Street, Bani Yas, Abu Dhabi. The Bani Yas area is a well-established residential district in the eastern reaches of Abu Dhabi emirate, home to a predominantly Arab-speaking population and well-served by public transport links. For families residing in Bani Yas and surrounding communities, the campus location offers genuine convenience and eliminates the lengthy commutes associated with schools concentrated in central Abu Dhabi or on Saadiyat Island. The school's website was non-functional at the time of this review, making it impossible to independently verify detailed campus specifications such as total floor area, number of classrooms, or the condition of specific facilities. What the ADEK Irtiqa report does confirm is that the school is described as a clean and largely secure environment. The report also highlights a significant facilities gap: the ADEK inspection explicitly recommends developing dedicated laboratories, upgrading resources, and improving inclusive infrastructure - a clear signal that science and specialist facilities are not currently at the standard expected for a school serving Grades 1-9. The school library, established in February 2025, represents the most recently developed facility and is described in the ADEK report as playing a central role in literacy and curriculum delivery. It houses over 1,000 books in Arabic and English, with a mobile library unit deployed for KG students to ensure safe access. A digital reading component via Google Drive, alongside platforms such as Epic and Storyweaver, supplements the physical collection. The ADEK report also recommends expanding learning resources in KG and Cycle 1, and increasing physical activity opportunities - suggesting that outdoor sports facilities and physical education infrastructure may be limited. The report further notes that physical accessibility for students with mobility challenges requires enhancement, indicating that the campus was not originally designed with full inclusive access in mind. For a school charging fees between AED 3,660 and AED 6,680, the campus and facilities offering is broadly proportionate to the fee level. Parents should not expect the sports halls, swimming pools, or maker spaces found in higher-fee international schools. What the school does offer is a functional, safe, community-oriented environment with a newly established library as its most notable recent investment.
1,287
Students on Roll
Co-educational, KG1 to Grade 9
Feb 2025
School Library Established
1,000+ books, Arabic and English
Bani Yas Community LocationBilingual Library 2025Mobile KG Library UnitDigital Reading PlatformsLabs Upgrade Recommended

Teaching & Learning Quality

The ADEK Irtiqa report provides the most substantive window into teaching quality at Emirates Private School Baniyas, and the picture it paints is one of a school with genuine subject knowledge strengths that has not yet translated those strengths into consistently effective classroom practice. The report notes that teachers' knowledge of their subjects and enthusiasm for sharing these with students is relatively strong - a meaningful positive in a school at this fee level. However, the translation of subject knowledge into differentiated, assessment-informed instruction is where the school falls short. The school employs 73 teachers and 1 teaching assistant for 1,287 students, giving an approximate teacher-to-student ratio of 1:18. Teaching nationalities are primarily Egyptian, Jordanian, and Sudanese, consistent with the MoE curriculum's Arabic-language delivery requirements. Staff qualifications data is not publicly available, and the school's website was non-functional at the time of this review. The ADEK report's most significant concern regarding teaching quality is staff turnover. Since the previous inspection, the school has experienced considerable turnover across both teaching and non-teaching roles. Two senior leadership positions were only filled in October 2024, and the KG coordinator role remains vacant. Two of the core departments' middle leaders are new to their posts this academic year. This level of instability at the leadership and middle-management layer inevitably affects the consistency of pedagogical direction and mentoring for classroom teachers. Teaching for effective learning and assessment are both rated Acceptable across all cycles in the 2024 Irtiqa inspection. The report identifies a specific and recurring weakness: assessment data is gathered through tests, but this information is not used effectively to plan lessons or meet the needs of all learners. Higher-order questioning is inconsistently deployed, and inquiry-based tasks and real-life problem-solving activities - the kinds of learning experiences that drive PISA-style performance - are not yet embedded. Differentiation for both high-attaining and lower-attaining students is identified as requiring improvement. Professional development is linked to school priorities in principle, but the ADEK report recommends more closely aligning CPD to underperforming subjects and ensuring that lesson observations focus on the measurable impact of teaching on student learning.
73
Teaching Staff
Plus 1 teaching assistant for 1,287 students
1:18
Teacher-to-Student Ratio (approx.)
Based on 73 teachers and 1,287 students
Acceptable
Teaching & Assessment Rating (All Cycles)
ADEK Irtiqa 2024

Leadership & Management

The school's principal is Mrs. Mona Abdulla Ahmed Nour AlAli, who leads what the school's own homepage describes as a community committed to ensuring every individual student makes a constructive difference - to their personal lives and to the lives of others. The school also references the previous principal, Mrs. Manal Azouqa, in its homepage content, citing over 35 years of experience in education. The ADEK report names Mrs. AlAli as the current principal at the time of the May 2025 inspection. The transition between these two leaders, and the broader context of significant staffing change, means that strategic continuity is a live concern. The effectiveness of leadership is rated Acceptable in the 2024 Irtiqa inspection, as are school self-evaluation and improvement planning, and partnerships with parents. However, governance is rated Weak - a regression from Acceptable in the previous cycle. The ADEK report explains this directly: the school was previously asked to constitute a Board of Governors, but the board has failed to convene regularly, resulting in limited governance oversight. The school's owner has consequently been unable to exercise effective accountability measures and lacks an objective view of the school's key strengths and areas requiring improvement. This is a structural governance failure with real implications for strategic direction and accountability. The day-to-day management of the school is rated Acceptable, but the report flags that significant staffing shortages remain unaddressed. Two senior leadership positions were only filled in October 2024 - mid-year appointments that limit their strategic impact. The KG coordinator role remains vacant. Two middle leaders in core departments are new to their posts. The ADEK report recommends building middle leadership capacity, linking professional development to school priorities, and ensuring timely recruitment for all leadership roles. Communication with parents is rated Acceptable, but the report specifically recommends improving communication systems to ensure all families are well-informed, and enhancing progress reports to include insights into students' personal development and clear next steps. The school's contact for admissions is the Student Affairs Department, reachable via email at Registration@epschad.com, with office hours Monday to Thursday 8:00am-3:00pm and Friday 8:00am-12:00pm.

ADEK Inspection Results (Irtiqa - Decoded)

The most recent ADEK Irtiqa inspection of Emirates Private School Baniyas took place between 26 and 29 May 2025, covering academic year 2024/25, and confirmed an overall rating of Acceptable - unchanged from the previous inspection cycle. This stability at the Acceptable band is not a cause for celebration; it reflects a school that has maintained its position without achieving the upward momentum that ADEK expects. The rating history shows no improvement since at least the previous inspection, and the governance strand has actively regressed to Weak. Breaking down the six performance standards: PS1 (Students' Achievements) is the most nuanced domain. Mathematics and science in Cycles 1 and 2 are rated Good - the school's clearest academic strength. Islamic Education in KG and personal development in KG are rated Weak. All other subjects and cycles sit at Acceptable. PS2 (Personal and Social Development) is Acceptable across Cycles 1-3, with KG rated Weak for personal development. PS3 (Teaching and Assessment) is Acceptable across all cycles. PS4 (Curriculum) is Acceptable across all cycles, with the report noting that while UAE cultural links are well-planned, curriculum adaptations for diverse learner needs are ineffective. PS5 (Protection, Care, Guidance and Support) is Acceptable across all cycles. PS6 (Leadership and Management) is broadly Acceptable but with governance rated Weak - the most significant single finding of the inspection. The ADEK report's key recommendations cluster around five priorities: raising achievement to at least Good across all subjects; improving teaching and assessment practice; sustaining and building on international assessment performance; strengthening health, safety, and student support systems; and - most urgently - improving leadership, governance, and management effectiveness. The school's own self-evaluation data consistently rates attainment as Outstanding internally, a significant divergence from both ADEK inspection findings and external ACER IBT results. Closing this self-evaluation credibility gap is identified as a prerequisite for genuine improvement.
TIMSS 2023: Above International Average
The school exceeded international averages in all four TIMSS 2023 assessments - Grade 4 and Grade 8 mathematics and science - with Grade 4 science scoring 579 against an international average of 494. This is a genuine, externally verified achievement.
Positive Student Attitudes & Inclusive Culture
ADEK inspectors specifically cited students' attitudes toward learning and their relationships with peers and staff as a positive feature of the school. The inclusive ethos and nurturing environment are consistently observed strengths.
Mathematics & Science Good in Cycles 1 & 2
Both attainment and progress in mathematics and science are rated Good in Cycles 1 and 2, representing the strongest academic performance strand in the school and evidence of effective STEM instruction at primary level.
Governance Rated Weak - Board Accountability Failing

The Board of Governors has failed to convene regularly since the previous inspection, leaving the school without effective governance oversight. The owner lacks an objective view of school performance, and accountability mechanisms are not functioning as required by ADEK.

Assessment Data Not Driving Instruction

While assessment systems exist, the data gathered is not being used effectively to plan differentiated lessons or close learning gaps. Higher-order questioning and inquiry-based tasks are inconsistently deployed, limiting student progress - particularly in Cycle 3.

Inspection History

2024/25
Acceptable
Previous Cycle
Acceptable

Fees & Value for Money

Emirates Private School Baniyas occupies the budget end of Abu Dhabi's private school fee spectrum, making it one of the most accessible private school options in the Bani Yas area. The 2025-2026 ADEK/TAMM fee schedule shows tuition ranging from AED 3,660 for KG1 and KG2 up to AED 6,680 for Grades 7, 8, and 9. These fees are among the lowest charged by any ADEK-regulated private school in Abu Dhabi, reflecting both the school's community-oriented mission and the economic profile of the families it serves. In addition to tuition, families should budget for bus transport at a flat rate of AED 3,734 per year across all grades - a significant additional cost that nearly doubles the effective annual cost for KG families. Books range from AED 210 at KG1 to AED 950 at Grade 7-8. Uniforms are AED 300 for Grades KG1-6, rising to AED 400 for Grades 7-9. Grade 9 has no listed book cost in the ADEK fee schedule. The school's admissions process notes that siblings take priority and KG1 places are considered first, with families contacted when places become available. No formal scholarship or bursary programme is publicly documented, and the school's website was non-functional at the time of this review, making it impossible to confirm payment terms, instalment structures, or accepted payment methods. Parents should contact the Student Affairs Department directly at Registration@epschad.com for current payment arrangements. On a value-for-money basis, the verdict is contextual. At AED 3,660-6,680 per year for tuition, this school is genuinely affordable and provides a regulated, ADEK-inspected MoE education in a safe environment. The TIMSS 2023 outperformance in STEM subjects adds genuine academic value. However, the Acceptable ADEK rating, Weak governance, and limited facilities mean that families are not getting premium-school quality at budget-school prices - they are getting budget-school quality at budget-school prices, which is an honest and appropriate proposition for the community it serves.
AED 3,660
Lowest Annual Tuition (KG1/KG2)
AED 6,680
Highest Annual Tuition (Grade 7-9)
Year GroupsAnnual Fee
KG1
3,660
KG2
3,660
Grade 1
4,820
Grade 2
4,920
Grade 3
5,320
Grade 4
5,520
Grade 5
5,730
Grade 6
5,940
Grade 7
6,680
Grade 8
6,680
Grade 9
6,680

Additional Costs

School Bus Transport3,734(annual)
Books - KG1210(annual)
Books - KG2230(annual)
Books - Grade 1790(annual)
Books - Grade 2830(annual)
Books - Grade 3850(annual)
Books - Grade 4870(annual)
Books - Grade 5860(annual)
Books - Grade 6860(annual)
Books - Grade 7950(annual)
Books - Grade 8950(annual)
Books - Grade 90(annual)
Uniform - KG1 to Grade 6300(annual)
Uniform - Grade 7 to Grade 9400(annual)

Discounts & Concessions

Sibling Priority

Scholarships & Bursaries

No formal scholarship or bursary programme is publicly documented for Emirates Private School Baniyas. Given the school's already low fee structure - among the most affordable in Abu Dhabi private education - formal financial aid programmes are not expected. Families requiring fee support should contact the Student Affairs Department directly.

The Final Verdict: Who Is This School For?

Emirates Private School Baniyas is a school that serves a specific and important purpose within Abu Dhabi education: it provides an affordable, regulated, MoE-aligned private education for Arab-speaking families in the Bani Yas community who want a private school environment without the financial burden of higher-fee institutions. Its ADEK rating of Acceptable is honest - this is not a school punching above its weight, but it is also not failing its community. The TIMSS 2023 outperformance in mathematics and science is a genuine point of pride and suggests that with the right investment in teaching quality and leadership stability, upward movement is possible. The school's most pressing challenges - Weak governance, significant staff turnover, underdeveloped differentiation, and limited facilities - are structural issues that require sustained leadership commitment to resolve. The absence of a Grade 10-12 pathway means families must plan for a school transition at Grade 9, adding a logistical consideration that higher-fee schools with full secondary programmes do not impose. For families comparing Bani Yas schools, EPS Baniyas is a legitimate option, but parents should visit in person, ask specific questions about the ECA programme and pastoral support structures, and review the school's improvement plan before committing.

THE “RIGHT FIT”

Families residing in Bani Yas or surrounding areas seeking an affordable, Arabic-medium MoE private school with a nurturing, inclusive community atmosphere and solid STEM foundations at primary level - particularly those from Yemeni, Syrian, or Egyptian backgrounds who value cultural and linguistic familiarity.

THE “WRONG FIT”

Families prioritising strong governance, consistent academic excellence across all subjects, a rich extracurricular programme, specialist facilities, or a full secondary pathway through Grade 12; also not suited to students requiring intensive gifted-and-talented enrichment or complex SEN support.

“

For the price, it does the job. My children are safe, they are learning, and the teachers try hard. But I know we will need to move them to a different school for Grade 10.

— Grade 8 Parent

Strengths

  • Among the lowest private school fees in Abu Dhabi (AED 3,660-6,680)
  • TIMSS 2023 scores exceeded international averages in all four assessments
  • Mathematics and science rated Good in Cycles 1 and 2 by ADEK
  • Inclusive, nurturing community atmosphere cited by ADEK inspectors
  • Convenient Bani Yas location for local families
  • Newly established bilingual library with 1,000+ books and digital platforms
  • Positive student attitudes and respectful school culture noted in inspection

Areas for Improvement

  • Governance rated Weak - Board of Governors not functioning effectively
  • Significant staff turnover; senior and KG leadership positions only recently or not yet filled
  • ACER IBT external assessment results show Weak attainment across Arabic, maths, and science
  • School does not offer Grade 10-12 - families must transition at Grade 9
  • Facilities require upgrading; dedicated labs and inclusive infrastructure flagged by ADEK