Far Eastern Private School branch Sharjah - Al Shahba logo

Far Eastern Private School branch Sharjah - Al ShahbaPhilippines Curriculum, Subjects & Qualifications

Curriculum
Philippines
SPEA
Good
Location
Sharjah, Al Shahba
Fees
AED 4K - 8K
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Curriculum & Academics

Acceptable
SPEA Inspection Rating (2023–24)
Held for 2 consecutive cycles; both Philippine curriculum schools in Sharjah share this rating
Weak
CAT4 Benchmarking Result
PASS and ASSET rated Acceptable in Phases 2–3; CAT4 the weakest external measure on record
1:23
Student-to-Teacher Ratio
Above the Sharjah private school average of 1:13.6, indicating larger class sizes
1.3%
Annual Teacher Turnover Rate
Exceptionally low versus a UAE international school average of 20–22%
AED 3,700–8,000
Annual Fee Range
Significantly below the Sharjah-wide private school median of AED 35,525
Philippine K-12DepEd AccreditedSTEM & ABM StrandsSHS InternshipsKG to Grade 12

Far Eastern Private School branch Sharjah - Al Shahba operates under the Philippine K-12 curriculum, accredited by the Republic of the Philippines Department of Education (DepEd) and licensed by the Sharjah Private Education Authority (SPEA). The program spans KG1 through Grade 12, covering four key stages: Kindergarten, Primary (Grades 1–6), Junior High School (Grades 7–10), and Senior High School (Grades 11–12). FEPS Al Shahba is one of only 2 Philippine curriculum schools in Sharjah, making it a highly specialized provider within a city whose private school landscape is dominated by British curriculum institutions. Instruction is delivered entirely in English, with Arabic and Filipino/Tagalog taught as additional languages through Grade 10.

The school's most distinctive academic offering is its Senior High School strand structure, which gives Grade 11–12 students a choice of four specializations: STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics), ABM (Accountancy, Business & Management), HUMSS (Humanities & Social Sciences), and a General Strand. This breadth of upper-secondary pathways — including subjects such as Basic Calculus, Business Finance, Applied Economics, and Practical Research — is uncommon among community-focused schools at this fee level. The school also offers internship placements for Senior High School students, providing early exposure to professional environments. University destinations include the American University of Sharjah (AUS), University of Wollongong in Dubai, and Middlesex University Dubai locally, alongside Philippine institutions such as the University of the Philippines and De La Salle University.

The 2023–2024 SPEA School Performance Review rated FEPS Al Shahba Acceptable overall — a rating held for two consecutive review cycles. Both Philippine curriculum schools in Sharjah hold an Acceptable rating, placing FEPS in line with its direct curriculum peers, though well below the broader Sharjah private school cohort where Good and Very Good ratings are more prevalent. Inspectors noted that student achievement is mostly acceptable across subjects, with brighter spots in English and Mathematics in Phase 4 (Senior High), and in Science in Phases 1 and 3. External benchmarking results from PASS and ASSET were rated acceptable in Phases 2 and 3, while CAT4 results were rated weak — a finding that warrants attention from parents evaluating cognitive readiness for higher education pathways.

The school enrolled 100% of students in external benchmarking tests (PASS, CAT4, ASSET), reflecting a commitment to the UAE National Agenda. However, inspectors flagged that the outcomes of these benchmarking tests are not being effectively analysed or used to inform teaching and curriculum planning — a significant gap that limits the school's ability to drive measurable improvement. The curriculum is also not sufficiently modified to meet the needs of SEN students or Gifted and Talented learners, despite the school identifying 12 students with special educational needs and maintaining a dedicated Gifted & Talented program in name. Student use of learning technologies was described as limited across all phases, and critical thinking and problem-solving skills were noted as underdeveloped.

Where FEPS Al Shahba does stand out is in its community cohesion and staff stability. A teacher turnover rate of 1.3% is exceptionally low by any measure, and the school's caring, respectful environment was consistently highlighted as a genuine strength by inspectors. Student attendance sits at 94%. For Filipino families in Sharjah seeking DepEd-recognized credentials at fees significantly below the city median — the school's range of AED 3,700 to AED 8,000 compares to a Sharjah-wide median of AED 35,525 — FEPS Al Shahba offers a culturally grounded, affordable pathway from kindergarten to university entry. The priority areas for improvement are clear: deeper use of assessment data, stronger differentiation for all learners, and investment in digital infrastructure.