Liwa International School For Girls - Al Ain - Al Bateen
American School in Al Bateen, Al Ain
Last updated
Curriculum
American
ADEK
Very Good
Location
Al Ain, Al Bateen
Fees
AED 33K - 43K
The Executive Summary
Liwa International School For Girls - Al Ain - Al Bateen occupies a genuinely distinctive niche in the Al Ain school landscape: it is the only all-girls international school in the city, operating an American curriculum from Pre-K through Grade 12 and carrying an ADEK rating of Very Good (2025 Irtiqa inspection). With 904 students on roll - the overwhelming majority Emirati - and school fees ranging from AED 33,350 to AED 42,950, the school positions itself squarely in the mid-range of Al Bateen schools, delivering Cognia-accredited American standards within a culturally rooted, single-sex environment. The school's headline strengths are its Outstanding governance and safeguarding, its genuinely warm community culture, and a Phase 1 (KG) programme that ADEK inspectors specifically praised for the quality of its curriculum design and delivery. For families seeking a nurturing, values-led girls' school with a credible American pathway to university, LISG makes a compelling case at a price point that undercuts many comparable Abu Dhabi education options.
Only girls' international school in Al AinADEK Very Good 2025Cognia AccreditedAED 33K-43K fees
“My daughters are fortunate to have the opportunity to learn from the amazing teachers at LISG.”
— Parent of multiple LISG studentsAcademic Framework & Learning Style
LISG delivers a broad and balanced curriculum aligned with California Common Core State Standards, supplemented by UAE Ministry of Education requirements for Arabic as a first language, Islamic Education, and Social Studies - all taught in Arabic. English is the medium of instruction across all other subjects, with a deliberate emphasis on strengthening English as an additional language for the majority of students who enter with limited English proficiency. The school is accredited by Cognia (formerly AdvancED), which validates the school's US High School Diploma for international university acceptance. Students are prepared for the SAT, AP, and TOEFL examinations, providing a recognised pathway to higher education globally and within the UAE.
The 2025 ADEK Irtiqa inspection provides the most granular picture of academic performance. In English, attainment is Very Good in KG but declined to Good in Cycles 1, 2, and 3 - largely attributed to inconsistent vocabulary development and writing skills. Progress, however, remained Very Good across all phases, which is an important distinction: students are making strong gains from their starting points even where absolute attainment benchmarks remain a work in progress. In mathematics, attainment is Very Good in KG and Cycle 1, Good in Cycles 2 and 3, with progress regressing to Good in Cycle 2 - inspectors linked this to inconsistency in applying arithmetic and algebraic skills. Science attainment is Very Good in KG, Good in Cycles 1-3, while progress remains Very Good in most phases. Islamic Education is a relative strength, rated Very Good for attainment and progress in KG, Cycle 2, and Cycle 3. Arabic as a first language is Good in KG and Cycle 1, rising to Very Good in Cycles 2 and 3.
On international benchmarks, the picture is honest and sobering. In PISA 2022, 15-year-old students scored 421 in reading (international average: 476), 417 in mathematics (average: 472), and 431 in science (average: 485) - all below both school targets and international norms. TIMSS 2023 results show Grade 4 mathematics at 424 (international average: 503) and Grade 8 mathematics at 429 (average: 478). PIRLS 2021 placed Grade 4 readers at 459, within the Low International Benchmark. The school's leadership acknowledges these gaps and has embedded TIMSS- and PISA-style questions, MAP assessments, and structured interventions into the curriculum - a credible response, though the impact is still developing.
Academic support provision is a genuine strength. The school identifies 141 students of determination and deploys diagnostic tools and targeted interventions to support them. A full-time counsellor has been appointed, strengthening career and university guidance. Gifted and talented provision is acknowledged as still developing - ADEK inspectors noted that differentiation for higher-attaining students is inconsistent across phases. The school uses MAP (NWEA), RAZ Kids, IXL, Exact Path, and Heggerty phonics as core assessment and intervention tools. Learning skills - collaboration, critical thinking, and problem-solving - are rated Very Good across all phases, suggesting a strong classroom culture even where measurable outcomes lag international norms.
Very Good
Overall ADEK Irtiqa Rating 2025
Maintained since 2022 inspection
141
Students of Determination enrolled
Supported by diagnostic tools and targeted interventions
421
PISA 2022 Reading Score
International average: 476; school target: 445
459
PIRLS 2021 Grade 4 Reading Score
Low International Benchmark category
Extracurricular Activities (ECAs)
LISG offers a broad range of extracurricular activities spanning sports, arts, community, and academic enrichment. The school's ECA portfolio includes swimming, ballet, fitness club, yoga, drama, art, jewellery-making, and journalism, alongside academic support clubs. Competitive sports teams operate in football and basketball, and the school holds an annual sports day. The school participated in a district-wide Spelling Bee - notably described as the first of its kind - demonstrating engagement beyond the campus boundary.
In the performing arts, a dedicated Music Room gives students access to percussion, woodwind, string instruments, and piano, both as part of the curriculum and through ECAs. Drama and art are embedded across school life, with the Art Room offering diverse media and materials to develop creative skills. An Auditorium provides performance space for school productions and events.
For enrichment and real-world learning, LISG runs the 'Healthy is Wealthy' enterprise project, the 'Formula Ethara' project, and an Eco Club that promotes recycling and environmental responsibility. A Student Council - formally inaugurated with a ceremony - gives students a structured voice in school governance. Field trips to cultural sites such as the Qasr Al Hosn and the Al Qattara Arts Centre connect classroom learning to Emirati heritage. A Space Dome event and an Astronaut Day reflect the school's aspiration to inspire curiosity in STEM fields. Community service and social responsibility are embedded in the school's values framework, though ADEK inspectors noted that student-led volunteering initiatives remain inconsistent in frequency and depth across grades.
10+
ECA categories offered
Sports, arts, enterprise, academic, community
District-wide Spelling BeeStudent CouncilEco ClubFormula Ethara enterpriseQasr Al Hosn cultural trips
Pastoral Care & Well-being
Pastoral care is one of LISG's most consistently praised dimensions. The 2025 ADEK Irtiqa inspection rated Health and Safety - including child protection and safeguarding - as Outstanding across all phases, the highest possible rating. Safeguarding procedures are described as rigorous and well understood by staff, students, and parents, with recent facility enhancements including a new lift and improved supervision protocols reinforcing the school's commitment to inclusive, safe access.
Care and Support is rated Very Good across all phases, underpinned by strong staff-student relationships and effective well-being systems. The appointment of a full-time counsellor has meaningfully strengthened both mental health support and career guidance, though inspectors noted that guidance on graduation credit requirements for the American High School Diploma could be clearer for students and parents. A dedicated Mental Health Workshop programme - evidenced in the school's recent news - signals a proactive rather than reactive approach to student well-being.
Students' personal development is rated Very Good across all phases. ADEK inspectors observed that students display positive attitudes, strong self-discipline, and genuine consideration for others, creating warm, trusting relationships with adults and peers. The school's Student Council provides a formal mechanism for student voice, and a Parent Council strengthens the home-school partnership. Islamic values and Emirati cultural identity are woven into the school calendar through themed days such as Rawayeb Day, Emirati Etiquette Day, and Emirati Women's Day - though inspectors noted that depth and consistency in students' understanding of Islamic values and global cultures remain areas for growth. The school's inclusive admissions philosophy and increasingly thorough provision for students of determination reflect a genuine commitment to belonging over exclusivity.
“We have had the absolute best educators, who thought about us and showered us with energy. In the hope of producing outstanding members of society, they gave us everything they had.”
— Grade 12 Student, LISGCampus & Facilities
LISG's campus is situated in the Al Bateen district of Al Ain, a well-established residential area that is home to a significant Emirati community. The school's location places it within easy reach of families residing across Al Ain's central and western neighbourhoods, and the school offers a bus transport service at AED 3,627 per year.
The campus has undergone renovation and offers a comprehensive range of specialist facilities. Science laboratories - covering Physics, Biology, and Chemistry - each include a preparation room and are equipped for practical, interactive science teaching. The Robotics Lab and IT and Design Technology labs support STEM learning, and the school runs a dedicated STEM Club. A Food Technology Lab and Textiles Room extend the practical curriculum into design and home economics. The Art Room provides diverse media for creative expression, while the Music Room is described as extremely well-resourced, accommodating percussion, woodwind, string, and piano learning.
Sports provision includes a gymnasium and courts, an outdoor play area for KG students, a swimming pool for KG to Grade 2, and a semi-Olympic swimming pool for Grades 3 to 12 - a facility that meaningfully differentiates LISG from many Al Ain peers. The school's Library holds more than 8,000 books in English and Arabic across fiction, non-fiction, teacher resources, and reference materials, supplemented by digital platforms including RAZ Kids, IXL, and I-Read Arabic. A Learning Commons, Canteen, Prayer Room, and Medical Clinic complete the welfare infrastructure. Every classroom is fitted with interactive whiteboards and individual student devices, supporting independent and self-directed learning. A recent facility enhancement - the installation of a new lift - has improved accessibility and inclusivity across the campus.
8,000+
Books in school library
English and Arabic, fiction and non-fiction
2
Swimming pools on campus
KG pool and semi-Olympic pool for Grades 3-12
Semi-Olympic swimming poolRobotics Lab8,000+ book libraryInteractive whiteboards in every classroomFood Technology LabDual swimming pools
Teaching & Learning Quality
The 2025 ADEK Irtiqa inspection rated Teaching for Effective Learning as Very Good across all four phases - a consistent finding maintained since the previous inspection. Inspectors observed that teachers apply sound subject knowledge and a genuine understanding of how students learn, establishing positive and respectful classroom relationships. Lesson planning is described as consistent and differentiated, though the implementation of differentiation - particularly in extending challenge for higher-attaining students - varies in quality across subjects and phases.
Assessment, however, declined from Very Good to Good in the 2025 inspection. The primary concern is inconsistency in moderation processes, which means that internal assessment data does not always align reliably with external benchmarking results. This gap between internal and external outcomes is a meaningful credibility issue for parents who rely on school-reported progress data. The school is aware of this and has improvement planning in place, but it has not yet been fully resolved.
The school benefits from a team of predominantly native English-speaking teachers, with the largest contingent historically from South Africa, recruited through international agencies. All classes from Pre-K to Grade 5 are staffed by two adults - a teacher and a teaching assistant - with 24 teaching assistants across the school. The overall teacher-to-student ratio is approximately 1:13, which is notably favourable and supports the school's stated commitment to individualised learning. Liwa Education invests in professional development through regular training sessions focusing on data analysis, differentiation, TIMSS- and PISA-aligned instructional strategies, and MAP data interpretation. Cross-departmental collaboration and lesson modelling are cited as tools for embedding best practice. The school also runs an Outstanding Teachers Initiative Programme, signalling a culture that values and recognises teaching excellence. Enterprise and innovation skills are acknowledged by ADEK as less consistently embedded - a development priority rather than a structural weakness.
1:13
Teacher-to-student ratio
Supports individualised learning across all grades
24
Teaching assistants on staff
All Pre-K to Grade 5 classes have dual adult staffing
Good
ADEK Assessment Rating 2025
Declined from Very Good; moderation consistency flagged
Leadership & Management
The school is led by Principal Hanaa Al Saadi, who assumed the formal principal role in 2025 following a period in which two vice principals served in an acting capacity after the previous principal's departure in October 2025. The ADEK inspection, conducted 27-30 October 2025, noted that the acting leadership successfully maintained high-quality performance across most areas during this transitional period - a testament to the school's institutional resilience. However, ADEK's key recommendations explicitly call for the appointment of a permanent principal and the expansion of the senior leadership team to strengthen capacity and stability. This remains an active governance priority.
The school operates under the umbrella of Liwa Education, a UAE-based education group that also operates the co-educational Liwa International School (established 1992). This operator context provides LISG with shared professional development resources, group-level governance, and curriculum support. Governance is rated Outstanding by ADEK - the board demonstrates strong engagement with stakeholder feedback, provides appropriate challenge and support to school leaders, and plays an active role in strategic decision-making.
Leadership effectiveness is rated Very Good, with self-evaluation and improvement planning also at Very Good. The school uses lesson observations, data reviews, and stakeholder feedback systematically to inform its School Development Plan. Parent communication is handled through Schoology, newsletters, and regular parent meetings, with the school also running a Parent Council and open mornings for prospective families. The school's partnerships with parents and the community improved from Good to Very Good in the 2025 inspection - a positive trajectory. The principal's public messaging emphasises building strong academic foundations, confident character, and values aligned with UAE national identity - a vision that resonates clearly with the school's predominantly Emirati community.
ADEK Inspection Results (Irtiqa - Decoded)
The October 2025 ADEK Irtiqa inspection - the school's most recent, covering 27-30 October 2025 - confirmed LISG's overall rating of Very Good, a position the school has held since its 2022 inspection. This consistency is meaningful: it signals institutional stability rather than a one-off performance. The school has maintained Very Good across the majority of performance standards, with two areas reaching the Outstanding level.
The standout finding is Health and Safety, including Child Protection and Safeguarding, rated Outstanding across all four phases (KG, Cycle 1, Cycle 2, Cycle 3). This is not a routine achievement - it reflects rigorous systems, staff training, and a genuine culture of student welfare. Governance is also rated Outstanding, reflecting a board that actively challenges and supports school leaders rather than functioning as a rubber stamp.
The school's strongest academic phase is KG (Phase 1), where curriculum design is rated Very Good and student achievement is Very Good across Islamic Education, English, Mathematics, and Science. This is where LISG is at its most polished. Learning skills - collaboration, critical thinking, and problem-solving - are Very Good across all phases, suggesting that the school's pedagogical culture is genuinely student-centred even where content attainment benchmarks are still developing.
The primary areas requiring improvement are: Assessment consistency (declined from Very Good to Good, with moderation processes not yet producing fully reliable data); Curriculum breadth and challenge for higher-attaining students in Cycles 2-3 (rated Good rather than Very Good); and international assessment performance (PISA, TIMSS, and PIRLS scores below international averages). The rating history shows a clear upward trajectory from Good (2017, 2019) to Very Good (2022, 2025), which is encouraging context for parents evaluating the school's momentum.
Outstanding Safeguarding & Child Protection
Health and safety, including child protection arrangements, is rated Outstanding across all four phases. Safeguarding procedures are rigorous, well understood by all staff, and supported by recent facility enhancements including a new lift and improved supervision protocols.
Outstanding Governance
The school's governing board is rated Outstanding for its active engagement with stakeholder feedback, its provision of appropriate challenge and support to school leaders, and its influence on strategic decision-making that supports continued school improvement.
Very Good Learning Skills Across All Phases
Students demonstrate strong collaboration, self-discipline, critical thinking, and problem-solving across KG, Cycle 1, Cycle 2, and Cycle 3. Inspectors observed warm, trusting relationships between students and adults that create a conducive environment for learning.
Assessment Reliability & Moderation
Assessment declined from Very Good to Good in 2025. Inconsistencies in moderation processes mean internal assessment data does not always align with external benchmarking results, creating a gap between reported and independently verified outcomes. Improving moderation rigour is a key ADEK recommendation.
International Assessment Performance
PISA 2022, TIMSS 2023, and PIRLS 2021 scores are below both school targets and international averages across reading, mathematics, and science. The school has embedded targeted interventions and MAP-aligned planning, but the impact on external benchmarks is still developing and requires sustained focus.
Inspection History
2017
Good
2019
Good
2022
Very Good
2025
Very Good
Fees & Value for Money
Liwa International School for Girls (LISG) in Al Ain offers an American Curriculum education across a broad range of year groups, from Pre-K through to Grade 12. Annual tuition fees range from AED 33,350 for Pre-K, KG1, and KG2, rising to AED 42,950 for Grades 9 through 12. The mid-school grades (Grades 1–5) are priced at AED 36,740, while Grades 6–8 are set at AED 40,030, reflecting a structured, phase-based fee progression that is typical of well-established international schools in the Al Ain region.
AED 33,350
Annual Fees From
AED 42,950
Annual Fees To
Year / GradeAnnual Fee
Pre-K
AED 33,350KG1
AED 33,350KG2
AED 33,350Grade 1
AED 36,740Grade 2
AED 36,740Grade 3
AED 36,740Grade 4
AED 36,740Grade 5
AED 36,740Grade 6
AED 40,030Grade 7
AED 40,030Grade 8
AED 40,030Grade 9
AED 42,950Grade 10
AED 42,950Grade 11
AED 42,950Grade 12
AED 42,950In addition to tuition, families should budget for uniform costs (ranging from AED 700 to AED 958 depending on grade, with 5% VAT applied), as well as optional transportation fees of AED 3,627 per year. A non-refundable registration fee of 5% of tuition is charged for new students, which is subsequently deducted from the total tuition amount. The same 5% re-registration fee applies annually in April/May for returning students and is likewise deducted from the following year's fees.
Tuition fees are payable in three installments: 33% due between 1–30 August, 33% due between 1–9 December, and 29% due between 1–13 February. This structured payment schedule provides families with manageable payment milestones across the academic year. No books fees are listed separately, and no sibling or early-payment discounts are explicitly stated in the published fee schedule.
Additional Costs
Transportation (Bus)3627(annual)
Uniform – Pre-K700(annual)
Uniform – KG1 & KG2880(annual)
Uniform – Grades 1 to 4951(annual)
Uniform – Grades 5 to 12958(annual)
Registration Fee (New Students)5% of tuition(one-time)
Re-Registration Fee (Returning Students)5% of tuition(annual)
The Final Verdict: Who Is This School For?
LISG is a school with genuine strengths and honest limitations. Its Outstanding safeguarding, Very Good ADEK rating, Cognia accreditation, and mid-range fee structure make it the natural first-choice for Emirati and Arabic-speaking families in Al Ain seeking a girls-only, American curriculum education that takes UAE national identity seriously. The school's warm community culture, strong pastoral care, and favourable teacher-to-student ratio of 1:13 create an environment where girls are known individually - not lost in the crowd. The campus facilities, particularly the dual swimming pools, Robotics Lab, and comprehensive specialist rooms, punch above the school's price point.
The honest limitations are equally important to name. International benchmark scores remain below global averages in PISA, TIMSS, and PIRLS. Assessment moderation is inconsistent. The principal post has only recently been stabilised. Differentiation for gifted and talented students is still developing. These are not reasons to dismiss the school, but they are reasons to ask hard questions at the open morning - particularly if your daughter is a high achiever who needs consistent stretch, or if your family places significant weight on internationally benchmarked academic outcomes. For families who prioritise a safe, values-led, culturally resonant girls' school at an accessible price point in Al Ain, LISG delivers real and credible value.
THE “RIGHT FIT”
Emirati and Arabic-speaking families in Al Ain seeking a culturally grounded, all-girls American curriculum school with strong pastoral care, Cognia accreditation, and accessible fees between AED 33,350 and AED 42,950. Particularly well-suited to families who value single-sex education, UAE national identity, and a nurturing community environment.
THE “WRONG FIT”
Families whose primary criterion is high performance on international benchmarks (PISA, TIMSS, PIRLS), or whose daughters are high-achieving students requiring consistently strong academic stretch and differentiation. Also less suitable for non-Arabic-speaking expatriate families, given that the student body is almost entirely Emirati and Arabic-speaking.
“
It saddens me to leave my beloved school. I will miss my teachers, classmates, and friends.
— Grade 12 Graduate, LISG
Strengths
- Only all-girls international school in Al Ain - unique market position
- ADEK 2025 rating of Very Good, maintained since 2022
- Outstanding safeguarding and child protection across all phases
- Outstanding governance - board actively drives school improvement
- Cognia-accredited US High School Diploma accepted by international universities
- Favourable 1:13 teacher-to-student ratio with dual staffing in Pre-K to Grade 5
- Dual swimming pools including semi-Olympic pool for Grades 3-12
- Mid-range fees (AED 33,350-42,950) competitive for an accredited American curriculum school
Areas for Improvement
- PISA, TIMSS, and PIRLS scores below international averages - a gap leadership is working to close
- Assessment moderation inconsistency means internal progress data may not fully reflect external benchmarks
- Principal post only recently stabilised; senior leadership team limited in size
- Differentiation for gifted and talented students still developing across secondary phases
- Student body is almost entirely Emirati - limited cultural diversity for families seeking a more international mix