Liwa International School – Al Qattara, Al Ain
American School in Al Qattarah, Al Ain
Last updated
Curriculum
American
ADEK
Good
Location
Al Ain, Al Qattarah
Fees
AED 23K - 31K
The Executive Summary
Liwa International School - Qattarah is one of Al Ain's most accessible American curriculum schools, positioned firmly in the mid-range fee bracket at AED 23,480 to AED 30,630 annually. As the fourth school in the established Liwa Education group - a provider with roots stretching back to 1992 - LISQ carries genuine institutional pedigree into the Al Qattarah community. Opened in August 2022, the school earned an ADEK rating of Good in its first formal Irtiqa inspection in 2023, a creditable result for a school still in its foundational years. The curriculum follows California Common Core Standards for English and Mathematics, Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), and MOE guidelines for Arabic and Islamic subjects, with students ultimately working toward a US High School Diploma. The school's strongest suit is its warm, community-oriented culture, its well-equipped campus, and its genuinely affordable school fees 2026 relative to comparable Abu Dhabi education offerings in the Al Ain region. The ADEK Irtiqa report confirms good performance in English, UAE Social Studies, and Science progress - real strengths worth noting for families prioritising literacy and humanities.
However, parents considering LISQ must enter with clear eyes. The same ADEK 2023 inspection identified Acceptable attainment in Mathematics, Arabic, and Islamic Education across most phases - a meaningful gap below the Good threshold. MAP standardised assessment data revealed weak to very weak reading and mathematics levels in Phases 1 and 2, and the school's internal assessment data does not yet align convincingly with observed classroom performance. Inclusion provision for students of determination and gifted learners requires development, and teacher turnover is explicitly flagged as a concern by inspectors. For families seeking a nurturing, community-focused American curriculum school at accessible school fees in the Al Qattarah area - particularly for Emirati and Arabic-speaking families who value the integration of national values with international standards - LISQ is a compelling choice. For families prioritising elite academic results, proven high-attainment data, or a fully mature secondary programme, the school is not yet there.
ADEK Good Rating 2023American Common Core CurriculumLiwa Education GroupAED 23K-31K Fees
“I love how it's a small community and almost everyone feels like a family, from the parents to the teachers. LISQ helped my kids integrate easily and educate them in a creative, loving and professional way. My kids ask to go to school on the weekend - it is the proof that we have made the best choice!”
— Parent of two students, Al QattarahAcademic Framework & Learning Style
LISQ follows the American Common Core Curriculum specifically anchored to California State Standards for English Language Arts and Mathematics. Science is taught using the rigorous Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), which emphasises inquiry, experimentation, and evidence-based reasoning from the earliest grades. Social Studies follows National Standards for Social Studies (NSSS), while Arabic, Islamic Education, and Moral Education are delivered in accordance with UAE Ministry of Education guidelines. The school's curriculum philosophy is explicitly student-centred: teachers are expected to reveal each student's potential rather than deliver content uniformly. The use of movable classroom walls enables flexible, ability-based grouping across subjects - a structural feature that distinguishes LISQ from more traditional classroom layouts in Al Qattarah schools.
On the standardised assessment front, the picture is mixed. The school administers NWEA MAP assessments (now in its fourth round for KG2 to Grade 5) and CAT4 for Grades 3 to 6. The ADEK 2023 Irtiqa report found MAP results in reading to be very weak in Phase 1 and weak in Phase 2, with mathematics similarly weak across both phases. Science MAP results for Grades 3 to 5 were weak overall. These are honest, sobering numbers that sit in tension with the school's own internal assessment data, which suggests most students attain above California State Standards - a discrepancy that ADEK inspectors explicitly flagged. English attainment and progress are rated Good across all phases, and UAE Social Studies is Good in Cycles 1 and 2, making these the school's clear academic strengths at this stage.
The school participated in TIMSS 2023 for the first time, with results awaited. This is a positive signal of ambition - LISQ is benchmarking itself against international standards early in its development. Academic support structures include the RAZ-Kids and Study Island reading programmes, iRead Arabic for Arabic literacy, the Hegarty Phonics programme in KG, and the Bridge to Learning programme from Grades 1 to 6. The McGraw Hill scheme provides the core English resource framework. A dedicated Success Makers after-school intervention targets students below expected reading levels. For students of determination, a dedicated Head of Inclusion (Ms. Shauna-Kay) leads provision, though ADEK noted that IEP targets require more rigorous tracking and in-lesson support needs strengthening. There is no published data on university destinations given the school's current age range of KG1 to Grade 8, and the school has yet to produce graduating cohorts.
Good
English Attainment & Progress (all phases)
ADEK Irtiqa 2023 - the school's strongest academic subject
Good
UAE Social Studies (Cycles 1 & 2)
ADEK Irtiqa 2023 - above average for a school in its second year
Acceptable
Mathematics Attainment (all phases)
MAP data indicates weak to very weak levels; improvement priority
TIMSS 2023
First International Benchmark Participation
Results pending; school has aligned curriculum to TIMSS higher-order questioning
Extracurricular Activities (ECAs)
For a school that only opened in 2022, LISQ has assembled a notably active extracurricular and enrichment programme. The school's website and news feed confirm participation in a range of sports, arts, literacy, and community activities, with the school explicitly committing to a broad and balanced extracurricular programme including community outreach work as a core element of its educational model.
In literacy and reading, the school runs the Arab Reading Challenge (students Mahra and Maitha Al Kaabi achieved a top-ten national ranking in 2024), an internal Liwa Reads competition, and a school-wide Spelling Bee. A successful book fair was held in 2024, with plans for a dedicated Literacy Week. In public speaking, LISQ students participated in the ADU and LISF National Inter-School Public Speaking Competition in 2024, demonstrating early ambition in competitive academic events. In sports, the school's news highlights multiple individual champions - including Zayed Alkhyeli and Adam Bouguerra - suggesting a developing competitive sports culture. The school's facilities (indoor gymnasium, swimming pools, sports field) support a range of physical education and competitive sports activities.
The school also engages with UAE national culture and values through events marking Emirati Women's Day, Prophet Muhammad's Birthday, and the UAE Genome Program - reflecting the school's commitment to linking curriculum to the local environment. Author visits (Nassib Al Ahbabi, Afra Al Dhaheri) bring a genuine literary culture to the campus. The school received the SMART Exemplary Schools Award and achieved National Online Safety Certification in 2023, both meaningful external validations for a young institution. The overall extracurricular breadth is appropriate for a KG to Grade 8 school, though the programme will inevitably deepen as the school matures and upper secondary grades are added.
Top 10
National Arab Reading Challenge Ranking
Students Mahra and Maitha Al Kaabi, 2024
Arab Reading ChallengeNational Public Speaking CompetitionSMART Exemplary Schools AwardNational Online Safety CertifiedAuthor Visit Programme
Pastoral Care & Well-being
Pastoral care is one of LISQ's most consistently praised dimensions, and it is where the school's community-oriented identity is most tangible. The ADEK 2023 Irtiqa inspection rated Health and Safety (including safeguarding) as Good across all phases - a strong result that reflects the school's rigorous protocols and stringent arrangements confirmed by inspectors as a formal strength. The school's policies on safeguarding, health and safety, special educational needs, and promoting responsibility are publicly available and developed in line with ADEK guidance.
The school's inclusion structure is led by a dedicated Assistant Vice Principal and Head of Inclusion, Ms. Shauna-Kay, supported by 22 teaching assistants across the school. This dedicated leadership role signals a genuine commitment to student welfare beyond the classroom. However, ADEK's inspection noted that Care and Support was rated Acceptable across all phases, with specific concerns about the consistency of in-lesson support for students of determination, the rigour of IEP target-setting, and the provision for gifted and talented learners. Attendance and punctuality management also requires strengthening according to inspectors.
The school's ethos - built around core values of Respect, Integrity, Innovation, Commitment, and Achievement - is embedded in daily practice. Parent feedback published on the school's website consistently highlights the family-like atmosphere and the responsiveness of the administrative team. The school fosters effective partnerships with parents, which ADEK identified as a formal strength, noting that these partnerships promote shared responsibility and reinforce the school's commitment to student support. Student voice is encouraged through leadership opportunities and community events, though a formal house system or student council structure is not yet publicly documented.
“The school is the most beautiful path to fulfill our dreams, and Liwa International School - Al Qattara plays a significant role in motivating and encouraging students to love school and learning. The school's management is incredibly cooperative, and its staff members have a strong sense of responsibility and promote a culture of love.”
— Parent of Hamdan AlkaabiCampus & Facilities
Situated on Bani Yas Street in the historic Al Qattarah region of Al Ain, LISQ occupies a purpose-built campus that opened in 2022. The building is modern, well-resourced, and designed with learning flexibility at its core. Every classroom is equipped with interactive whiteboards and individual student devices, creating a technology-rich baseline across all year groups. One of the campus's most distinctive architectural features is its movable classroom walls, which allow two adjacent classrooms to be combined for collaborative, flexible ability-based grouping - a genuine pedagogical asset that few Al Qattarah schools can match.
The facilities inventory is comprehensive for a school of this size and age. The campus includes dedicated STEM Labs, a Computer Lab, an Art Room, a Music Room, a well-stocked Library (described in the ADEK report as very well-equipped with three spacious rooms tailored to different developmental stages), an Indoor Gymnasium, Swimming Pools, a Sports Field, a Cafeteria, a Prayer Room, Medical Clinics, and dedicated Learning Corners. The library is a particular highlight: it offers high-quality reading materials in both English and Arabic, digital library access from Grade 1 upwards, and designated reading areas within KG classrooms. All classrooms also feature mini-libraries to encourage independent reading for pleasure.
The campus location in Al Qattarah places it within one of Al Ain's established residential communities, with good access for families living in the surrounding area. Transportation is available at AED 4,413 per year. iPads are not included in school fees and must be purchased separately by parents, either directly or through the school's recommended supplier. The school's technology infrastructure - interactive boards, individual devices, digital libraries, and coding-ready computer labs - positions it well for the demands of Abu Dhabi education in 2026.
14
Distinct Facility Types on Campus
Including STEM labs, pool, gym, art room, music room, library, medical clinic
AED 4,413
Annual Transportation Fee
Optional school bus service, per ADEK/TAMM fee schedule 2025-26
Movable Classroom WallsThree-Room LibrarySTEM LabsSwimming PoolsInteractive WhiteboardsIndoor Gymnasium
Teaching & Learning Quality
The ADEK 2023 Irtiqa inspection rated Teaching for Effective Learning as Good across all phases - KG, Cycle 1, and Cycle 2 - making this one of the school's strongest performance indicators and a genuine reason for parental confidence. This Good rating reflects the quality of instructional practice observed by inspectors in classrooms, even as the school continues to develop its assessment systems and differentiation practices.
The school employs 44 qualified teachers supported by 22 teaching assistants, giving a combined adult-to-student presence that is meaningful for a school of 499 students. The school's own published data indicates a teacher-to-student ratio of 1:12 in KG and 1:13 in Elementary - tight ratios that support personalised attention in the foundational years. Teacher nationalities include Egyptian, South African, and Filipino professionals, with the principal noting an international team with experience across US curriculum schools. The current principal, Ms. Cathy Hayes, holds a Master's degree in education and leadership and brings experience from Ireland, Australia, and the UAE.
However, ADEK's inspection raised significant concerns about Assessment, rated Acceptable across all phases. Inspectors found that internal assessments do not yet provide a reliably accurate measure of student achievement, that assessment data is not consistently used to track progress of different student groups, and that the school's feedback system to students - including next steps - is not yet fully implemented. Teacher turnover is explicitly cited in the ADEK recommendations as a challenge requiring active mitigation, which is an honest signal that staff retention is an area to watch. Curriculum adaptation is also rated Acceptable, indicating that personalisation for different learner groups - including lower-attaining, higher-attaining, and students of determination - requires further development. Professional development through the school's Professional Learning Communities (PLC) programme is in place, with specialist training for literacy skills delivered to both Arabic and English teachers.
1:12
Teacher-to-Student Ratio (KG)
Published by school; supports personalised learning in foundational years
1:13
Teacher-to-Student Ratio (Elementary)
Published by school; competitive ratio for mid-range Abu Dhabi schools
Good
Teaching for Effective Learning (all phases)
ADEK Irtiqa 2023 - consistent across KG, Cycle 1, Cycle 2
Acceptable
Assessment Quality (all phases)
ADEK Irtiqa 2023 - key improvement priority identified by inspectors
Leadership & Management
LISQ is owned and operated by Liwa Education, an established Abu Dhabi education group with over 30 years of experience operating American curriculum schools across Al Ain and Abu Dhabi. The group operates four schools and multiple Teddy Bear Nursery branches, giving LISQ access to institutional infrastructure, curriculum resources, and operational expertise that a standalone school could not replicate. The Chairman, Dr. Ali Bin Harmal, provides strategic oversight, and the school benefits from governance structures that ADEK rated Good in the 2023 inspection - including effective resourcing across all subjects and phases.
The school is currently led by Ms. Cathy Hayes, who took up the principal role following the departure of the founding principal Ms. Adrianna Chestnut. Ms. Hayes began her career as a primary school teacher in Ireland and has worked in Australia and the UAE. She holds a Master's degree in education and leadership, and her stated commitment is to building a culture of excellence that empowers every student. The Senior Leadership Team includes Vice Principal Ms. Abla Nabulsi, Assistant Vice Principal and Head of Inclusion Ms. Shauna-Kay, and Assistant Vice Principal Melanie Potgieter - a four-person senior team that is appropriately structured for a school of this size.
The ADEK 2023 inspection rated the effectiveness of leadership as Good, along with Good ratings for school self-evaluation, parent and community partnerships, governance, and management, staffing, facilities, and resources - a clean sweep across all leadership and management sub-domains. However, inspectors specifically recommended strengthening the role of middle leaders, noting that they need professional development to enhance curriculum knowledge and best practices in teaching and assessment. The school communicates with parents via its website, WhatsApp, and open days, and the admissions process is managed through the PowerSchool platform. The school's improvement plan is in place, though inspectors noted that success criteria need to be more explicitly linked to student outcomes.
ADEK Inspection Results (Irtiqa - Decoded)
LISQ's first formal ADEK Irtiqa inspection took place in February 2024 (covering academic year 2023/24) and resulted in an overall rating of Good - a creditable outcome for a school that had only been operating for approximately 18 months at the time of inspection. The school was established in 2022, meaning there is no multi-year trend data available yet; this is the school's first and only inspection rating to date.
Breaking down the performance profile: English attainment and progress are Good across all phases, as is UAE Social Studies in Cycles 1 and 2 - these are the academic bright spots. Science progress is Good across all phases despite only Acceptable attainment, suggesting students are making meaningful gains from their starting points. Teaching for Effective Learning is Good across the board, and all Leadership and Management sub-domains scored Good, including governance, self-evaluation, and parent partnerships.
The areas requiring attention are clear. Mathematics, Arabic, and Islamic Education attainment are all Acceptable across most phases. Assessment quality is Acceptable across all phases, with inspectors finding that internal data does not reliably reflect classroom reality. Curriculum adaptation is Acceptable, meaning the school is not yet consistently meeting the needs of different learner groups. Care and Support is Acceptable, with IEP provision and gifted and talented support identified as development priorities. Students' Personal and Social Development is Acceptable across all phases. Inspectors also raised concerns about attendance management and teacher turnover - two operational challenges that leadership has been tasked with addressing. The five key recommendations from ADEK centre on raising attainment, improving teaching consistency, strengthening curriculum adaptation, improving care and support, and developing middle leadership capacity.
English & Social Studies Excellence
English attainment and progress rated Good across all phases (KG, Cycle 1, Cycle 2). UAE Social Studies also Good in Cycles 1 and 2. These are the school's most reliable academic strengths as confirmed by ADEK inspectors.
Strong Teaching Quality
Teaching for Effective Learning rated Good across all phases - a significant finding that gives parents confidence in the quality of daily instruction, even as assessment systems continue to develop.
Leadership & Governance Rated Good
All six Leadership and Management sub-domains - including effectiveness of leadership, self-evaluation, parent partnerships, governance, and resource management - scored Good, providing a stable institutional foundation for the school's continued growth.
Mathematics & Arabic Attainment Below Good
Attainment in Mathematics, Arabic as a First Language, and Islamic Education is Acceptable across most phases. MAP standardised assessment data reveals weak to very weak levels in reading and mathematics, creating a credibility gap with internal assessment results. Raising attainment to at least Good in these subjects is ADEK's primary recommendation.
Assessment, Inclusion & Teacher Retention
Assessment quality is Acceptable across all phases, with internal data not yet providing a reliable measure of student achievement. Provision for students of determination and gifted learners requires strengthening. Teacher turnover is explicitly flagged as a risk, with inspectors recommending active mitigation strategies to ensure staff stability.
Inspection History
2023/24
Good
Fees & Value for Money
Liwa International School – Al Qattara offers an American Core curriculum for students from KG1 through Grade 12, with tuition fees ranging from AED 23,480 for KG1 up to AED 30,630 for Grades 10–12. The fee structure is transparent and inclusive of books and uniform costs, with total annual fees (tuition + books + uniform) ranging from AED 25,740 (KG1) to AED 34,665 (Grades 10–12). A 5% VAT is applied to uniform fees only.
AED 23,480
Annual Fees From
AED 30,630
Annual Fees To
Year / GradeAnnual Fee
KG 1
AED 23,480KG 2
AED 24,500Grade 1
AED 25,530Grade 2
AED 26,550Grade 3
AED 27,570Grade 4
AED 28,590Grade 5
AED 29,610Grade 6
AED 29,610Grade 7
AED 30,120Grade 8
AED 30,120Grade 9
AED 30,120Grade 10
AED 30,630Grade 11
AED 30,630Grade 12
AED 30,630Fees are payable in three installments: the first (33% of tuition plus books) is due between August 20–29, the second (33% of tuition) between December 1–12, and the third (29% of tuition) between February 2–12. New students are required to pay a non-refundable registration fee of 5% of tuition, which is subsequently deducted from the total tuition. Returning students pay a re-registration fee of 5% of tuition during April–May, also deducted from the following year's fees. Optional transportation is available at a flat rate of AED 4,413 per year.
The school offers a 15% discount for Al Ain Municipality staff members, as well as sibling discounts — 5% for the second child and 10% for the third child and beyond. These discounts apply to tuition fees only. iPads are not included in the school fees and must be purchased separately by parents, either directly or through the school's recommended supplier.
Additional Costs
Registration Fee (New Students)5% of tuition(one-time)
Re-Registration Fee (Returning Students)5% of tuition(annual)
Books – KG 11560(annual)
Books – KG 21560(annual)
Books – Grade 12355(annual)
Books – Grade 22460(annual)
Books – Grade 32565(annual)
Books – Grade 42630(annual)
Books – Grade 52700(annual)
Books – Grade 62770(annual)
Books – Grades 7–82840(annual)
Books – Grades 92840(annual)
Books – Grades 10–123185(annual)
Uniform – KG 1 & KG 2700(annual)
Uniform – Grades 1–2750(annual)
Uniform – Grades 3–4800(annual)
Uniform – Grades 5–12850(annual)
Transportation (Bus)4413(annual)
Discounts & Concessions
Al Ain Municipality Staff Discount15%%
Sibling Discount – Second Child5%%
Sibling Discount – Third Child and Beyond10%%
The Final Verdict: Who Is This School For?
LISQ is a school with genuine strengths, honest limitations, and a clear trajectory. In just three years of operation, it has earned a Good ADEK rating, built a well-equipped campus, assembled a stable leadership team, and cultivated a community culture that parents consistently describe as warm and family-like. The school's American curriculum framework, backed by the 30-year institutional experience of Liwa Education, provides a credible foundation. Fees are among the most accessible in the region for an ADEK-inspected school, making it strong value for money.
The honest limitations are equally important: Mathematics and Arabic attainment are Acceptable rather than Good, MAP standardised results reveal a gap between internal assessments and external benchmarks, and teacher turnover is an active concern. The school is still maturing - Grades 9 through 12 are yet to be fully operational, and there is no track record of university placements or upper secondary results to evaluate. Parents who are making a long-term secondary investment should factor in this developmental stage.
For the right family, LISQ is an excellent choice. For the wrong fit, the mismatch will be apparent quickly.
THE “RIGHT FIT”
Families - particularly Emirati and Arabic-speaking households - seeking an accessible, community-focused American curriculum school in Al Qattarah, who value a nurturing environment, strong English and Social Studies teaching, and genuine value for money at school fees 2026 between AED 23K and AED 31K.
THE “WRONG FIT”
Families prioritising elite Mathematics or Arabic academic results, parents requiring a fully operational secondary programme with a proven university placement track record, or those for whom teacher stability and highly consistent assessment data are non-negotiable selection criteria.
“
I want to express my heartfelt thanks to Liwa Al Qattara School for their continuous dedication to our children's education. I also want to extend my appreciation to the entire administrative team for their collaborative efforts with students and parents alike.
— Parent of Ousha Alkaabi
Strengths
- ADEK Good rating achieved in first-ever inspection (2023)
- Accessible fees: AED 23,480 to AED 30,630 - genuine value for money
- English attainment and progress rated Good across all phases
- Teaching for Effective Learning rated Good by ADEK inspectors
- Warm, family-like community culture praised consistently by parents
- Comprehensive campus: STEM labs, swimming pool, three-room library, gym
- Backed by Liwa Education's 30+ years of American curriculum expertise
- Sibling discounts and Al Ain Municipality staff discount available
Areas for Improvement
- Mathematics and Arabic attainment rated only Acceptable - MAP data confirms weak levels
- Teacher turnover flagged as an active concern by ADEK inspectors
- Assessment quality Acceptable: internal data does not reliably reflect classroom performance
- Inclusion provision for students of determination and gifted learners needs strengthening
- School still maturing - no secondary graduation cohorts or university placement data yet