Liwa International School - Al Ain - Falaj Hazza'American Curriculum, Subjects & QualificationsLast Updated: April 7, 2026

Liwa International School - Falaj Hazza follows the American Common Core (California State Standards) curriculum from KG1 through Grade 12, supplemented by the Ministry of Education curriculum for Arabic, Islamic Studies, and UAE Social Studies/Civics. This dual-track structure serves a school of 2,612 students — approximately 92% Emirati — making it one of Al Ain's most distinctively national-identity-focused international schools. The curriculum spans the full age range from 3 to 18, with no gaps in provision across any key stage.

The school's most significant academic differentiator at the secondary level is its offer of AP (Advanced Placement) and Pre-AP courses, alongside Honors tracks, preparing students for both local university entry via EMSAT preparation and international university pathways. Teachers delivering AP courses have recently completed professional development directly through College Board in the United States, a meaningful investment in programme fidelity. The weekly PACE personal development programme integrates careers guidance, emotional intelligence, university preparation, and innovation skills into structured sessions across all secondary phases. The school also holds UNESCO-affiliated school status, with PACE themes aligned to UNESCO global priorities.

Specialist provision is broad. 264 students of determination are enrolled and supported through dedicated SEN coordinators and inclusion staff. A Gifted and Talented identification framework is in place, though inspectors noted that curriculum modifications for G/T students remain inconsistent across phases — a recurring concern. EAL/ESL support is available, relevant given that all students enter as non-English speakers. Assessment infrastructure is robust: MAP Growth and CAT4 assessments are used systematically to personalise learning and track progress, and the school participates in PISA, TIMSS, and PIRLS international benchmarking.

ADEK's 2024–25 inspection awarded the school an overall rating of Very Good — a rating it has held consistently since at least 2019–20. Among the 42 American curriculum schools assessed across the UAE, only one holds an Outstanding rating; Liwa's sustained Very Good places it at the upper tier of its curriculum peer group. Teaching and assessment were rated Very Good across all four phases, and health and safety was rated Outstanding across all phases — the only domain to achieve the top grade. The ABT Arabic standardised exam results for AY2023/24 show a large majority of students attaining above expectations across Grades 3–11, a genuine strength in the school's bilingual provision.

However, international benchmarking results present a more challenging picture. In PISA 2022, students scored 390.2 in reading, 380.1 in mathematics, and 379.1 in science — all materially below the international averages of 476, 472, and 485 respectively, and below the school's own targets in each domain. TIMSS 2023 placed Grade 4 and Grade 8 students at or near the low international benchmark in both mathematics and science. PIRLS 2021 recorded a Grade 4 score of 412.83, again at the low international benchmark. MAP Growth data for AY2023/24 shows weak attainment across the majority of grades in English reading, mathematics, and science, though progress ratings are more encouraging in several year groups. Inspectors specifically flagged the need to strengthen practical scientific enquiry skills, Arabic speaking skills in Phase 1, independent learning, and higher-order thinking — particularly for higher-ability students whose needs are not consistently met. Attendance and punctuality were also identified as ongoing concerns, with personal development rated only Acceptable in three of four phases as a direct consequence. These gaps represent the clearest areas where LISF trails stronger-performing peers in the American curriculum sector.