Lycee Francais International Theodore Monod, Abu Dhabi
French School in Abu Dhabi
Last updated
Curriculum
French
ADEK
Very Good
Location
Abu Dhabi
Fees
AED 33K - 64K
The Executive Summary
Lycee Francais International Theodore Monod is Abu Dhabi's most prominent French curriculum school, occupying a purpose-built campus on AL SAADIYAT ISLAND - the emirate's cultural heartland - and holding an ADEK rating Very Good following its 2023/24 Irtiqa inspection. For families seeking a rigorous French education with genuine multilingual depth, the LFITM is a compelling proposition: the school achieved 100% Baccalauréat pass rates in the Class of 2025, operates three distinct libraries totalling over 28,000 volumes, and delivers instruction across French, English, Arabic, Spanish, and Mandarin. School fees Abu Dhabi range from AED 33,490 at KG1 to AED 65,250 at Grade 12, positioning the school at the mid-to-premium tier for French curriculum institutions. Its trajectory - from Acceptable ratings in 2015-16 and 2017-18, to Good, and now Very Good - tells the story of a school that has genuinely transformed since its relocation to Saadiyat Island. The ADEK Irtiqa report confirms very good attainment in English, mathematics, science, and French (the language of instruction), with outstanding health and safety provision. This is not a school coasting on reputation; it is one actively building it.
100% Bac Pass Rate 2025ADEK Very Good 2023Trilingual French-English-ArabicSaadiyat Island Location
“The move to Saadiyat was a turning point. The campus, the energy, the teachers - everything feels more serious now. My children are genuinely challenged and genuinely happy here.”
— Collège Parent, Saadiyat Campus(representative)Academic Framework & Learning Style
The LFITM follows the French National Curriculum, approved by the French Ministry of National Education and Youth. This approval is not merely ceremonial - it means any student transferring to another French school worldwide can do so without entrance examinations, a significant practical advantage for mobile expatriate families. The curriculum is structured across four phases: Maternelle (KG), Élémentaire (Primary), Collège (Middle School), and Lycée (Secondary), with the French Baccalauréat as the terminal qualification. Since September 2023, the school has also offered the Baccalauréat Français International (BFI) - widely regarded as the most advanced bilingual French-English qualification available at secondary level globally - within its American International Section.
The school's multilingual approach is its most distinctive academic feature. All students receive instruction in French as the primary language, with English taught from Maternelle and Arabic mandatory throughout. From CM1, students may also study Spanish or Mandarin. The bilingual track, coordinated by Tina Ho, allows students in the secondary phase to pursue IGCSE examinations in English Language and English Literature, with the 2022/23 cohort achieving above-standard results in English Literature for a large majority of Grade 10 students. The ADEK Irtiqa 2023/24 inspection confirmed Very Good attainment in English, mathematics, science, and French across all phases, with outstanding standardised written test (SWT) results in both French and mathematics at the grades assessed.
The school's approach to teaching is structured and academically demanding. The French pedagogical tradition emphasises rigour, written expression, and analytical thinking. From Seconde, students choose three specialty subjects - drawn from mathematics, sciences, humanities, arts, languages, and social sciences - which they pursue intensively through to the Baccalauréat. The 2025 graduation cohort achieved a 100% Baccalauréat pass rate, with Maria Tahan recognised as the class valedictorian. The school also reports strong results in the Brevet (end-of-collège national examination) with a 100% pass rate cited on the school's official website.
For students with additional learning needs, the LFITM describes itself as an inclusive school and provides a dedicated inclusion room with relevant resources for parents. The ADEK inspection noted 15 students of determination on roll, with inspectors observing that these students receive adequate support and make expected progress toward their individual targets. The inspection did flag that higher-attaining students do not always receive sufficient challenge - a pattern observed across multiple subjects - which parents of academically gifted children should factor into their decision. Academic support for Arabic-medium subjects was identified as an area requiring development, with the inspection recommending more personalised catch-up provision and stronger differentiation in Arabic first language, Arabic second language, and Islamic Education.
University destinations are not published in detail, but the BFI qualification and the school's emphasis on SAT preparation (available in Terminale) and TOEFL certification (Seconde) signal a deliberate orientation toward international university placement, including English-speaking institutions in the US, UK, and Canada.
100%
Baccalauréat Pass Rate 2025
Confirmed by school's official website for the Class of 2025
100%
Brevet Pass Rate
End-of-collège national examination, as reported by the school
Very Good
ADEK Attainment: English, Maths, Science, French
Across all phases - KG through Cycle 3 - per ADEK Irtiqa 2023/24
Outstanding
SWT Results in French & Maths
Standardised Written Test 2022/23, Grades 1, 2, 4, 6, 10
Extracurricular Activities (ECAs)
Extracurricular life at the LFITM is shaped by the school's core conviction that arts, music, sport, and creativity are not peripheral to education but central to it. The school's official communications and leadership statements consistently position these activities as essential to developing the imagination, teamwork, and personal balance that complement academic rigour.
On the cultural and arts front, the school runs regular theatrical productions and interactive performances. A notable recent example was the "Dérivée 2.0" interactive theatre project, delivered in partnership with the LAPS Equipe du Matin company - accredited by the French Ministry of National Education and partnered with the Fondation Blaise Pascal - which engaged Year 9 students in a live, debate-driven exploration of gender stereotypes in mathematics. This is precisely the kind of culturally embedded, socially conscious programming that distinguishes a French curriculum school from its British or American counterparts. The school also hosts a Nuit de la Lecture (Night of Reading), where students across multiple year groups gather in the library in pyjamas for an evening of poetry and shared reading - a distinctly French cultural tradition that speaks to the school's genuine investment in literary culture.
The school operates a Model United Nations (MUN) programme, supported by regular library research sessions, which develops public speaking, research, and international awareness skills. A Forum des Métiers (Careers Forum) is held annually, connecting students in Troisième and Seconde with professionals from fields including aeronautics, energy, hospitality, medicine, and the military - providing structured career orientation that many Abu Dhabi schools lack at this level.
Sports provision is embedded in the curriculum through Physical and Sports Education (EPS), mandatory at all levels. The school participates in inter-school competitions and the French Federation of Schools Abroad (FFEAU) sporting events, with photographic evidence on the school's website showing student participation in organised team sports. The campus location on Saadiyat Island, adjacent to Abu Dhabi's cultural district, also provides access to broader community cultural programming.
The school actively promotes an entrepreneurial and leadership culture through student clubs and associations, and the school's stated mission explicitly references developing "leadership and entrepreneurship" as a pillar of its educational project. The breadth of ECA provision is consistent with a school of this size (1,444 students, 91 staff), though a comprehensive published ECA schedule is not available on the school's website - a transparency gap that parents should raise at open days.
28,000+
Library Volumes Across 3 Libraries
Maternelle library (2,000), Primaire library (20,000), CCC for Collège/Lycée (6,000)
Model United NationsForum des MétiersNuit de la LectureFFEAU Sports CompetitionsInteractive Theatre Projects
Pastoral Care & Well-being
The ADEK Irtiqa 2023/24 inspection awarded the LFITM an Outstanding rating for Health and Safety, including arrangements for child protection and safeguarding - the highest possible grade - across all four phases (KG, Cycle 1, Cycle 2, Cycle 3). This is the single highest-rated dimension in the entire inspection report and represents a genuine strength that parents can rely upon. In a landscape where safeguarding standards vary considerably across Abu Dhabi's private schools, an Outstanding rating in this category is a meaningful differentiator.
Students' personal and social development was rated Very Good across all phases. Inspectors noted that students make significant progress in their personal and social development, and the school's culture of inclusion and mutual respect is embedded in its founding philosophy of laïcité - a secular, non-discriminatory approach to education that explicitly rejects favouritism based on ethnicity, religion, or cultural background. This philosophy creates a genuinely multicultural community: the school's student body represents over 50 nationalities, with French, Lebanese, and Canadian students forming the largest groups.
The school's leadership speaks explicitly about socio-emotional skills as a core educational priority alongside academic competencies - the ability to cooperate, innovate, and adapt. The school positions itself as a place where "excellence and kindness" (excellence et bienveillance) guide all actions. Parent engagement is actively cultivated through the APE (Association des Parents d'Élèves), which is visibly active on the school's social media channels and participates in school events. Open admission sessions ("Café Admission") are held regularly, giving prospective families direct access to the school community.
Care and support was rated Good across all phases - a solid but not exceptional result. The inspection noted that students with additional learning needs, including students of determination (15 students on roll), receive adequate support and make expected progress. The inclusion room provides relevant resources, and parents of students with additional needs can access books and materials there. The inspection did not identify any significant pastoral or wellbeing concerns, though it noted that higher-attaining students sometimes lack sufficient challenge - a differentiation gap that affects both academic and personal development.
“What strikes me most is how safe and respected my child feels here. The school genuinely lives its values - there is no bullying culture, and the teachers know every student by name. The multicultural mix is real, not just a marketing claim.”
— Primaire Parent, Saadiyat Campus(representative)Campus & Facilities
The LFITM's Saadiyat Island campus is the school's flagship site, purpose-built and opened in September 2020 to replace the original Al Bateen campus (which now operates as a primary-only satellite). The Saadiyat campus was designed to accommodate over 2,000 students at full capacity and represents a significant infrastructure investment by AFLEC. It is situated on Al Dhiba Street, Saadiyat Island - one of Abu Dhabi's most prestigious residential and cultural districts, home to the Louvre Abu Dhabi, the Zayed National Museum, and NYU Abu Dhabi. This location is both a genuine asset and a practical consideration: families living in Saadiyat, Al Reem Island, Al Maryah Island, or central Abu Dhabi will find the commute manageable, while those based in outlying areas should factor in transport logistics.
The campus infrastructure is described by the school as offering exceptional facilities supporting science, arts, cultural, and sports education. The ADEK inspection confirmed that management, staffing, facilities, and resources were rated Very Good. Key confirmed facilities include: a dedicated auditorium used for theatrical productions, assemblies, and interactive educational events; three libraries serving different age groups - the Bibliothèque Centre Documentaire for primary (approximately 20,000 volumes), the Marmotheque for maternelle (2,000 volumes), and the Centre de Connaissance et de Culture (CCC) for collège and lycée phases (6,000 volumes); outdoor reading corners; and age-appropriate reading corners in early years classrooms. The libraries are equipped with a device-based security and checkout system, and students have access to digital devices for research.
For technology, students from CM1 upward are required to have an iPad available for use in school. The school's approach to technology is integrated rather than device-led: digital tools support research and learning rather than replacing traditional methods. Science laboratories, art studios, music rooms, and sports facilities are present on campus, consistent with the school's stated commitment to science-meets-innovation learning. The campus also features dedicated spaces for physical and sports education, which is mandatory at all curriculum levels.
A second, smaller campus exists in Al Bateen, catering to students from PS (Pre-K) to CM2 (Grade 5) in bilingual classes only. This campus is described as a "human-sized" city-centre option, suitable for families who prefer a smaller primary environment before transitioning to the larger Saadiyat site for secondary education.
2,000+
Full Capacity (Students)
Saadiyat Island campus design capacity per school's official communications
3
Libraries on Campus
Maternelle (2,000 vols), Primaire (20,000 vols), CCC Collège/Lycée (6,000 vols)
Purpose-Built 2020 Campus3 Dedicated LibrariesSaadiyat Cultural DistrictAuditorium on CampusAl Bateen Secondary CampusiPad Programme from CM1
Teaching & Learning Quality
The ADEK Irtiqa 2023/24 inspection rated Teaching for Effective Learning as Very Good across all four phases - KG, Cycle 1, Cycle 2, and Cycle 3. This is a strong and consistent result, and the inspection explicitly identified teaching quality, curriculum design, and implementation as key strengths that "accelerate students' progress." The school employs 91 teachers supported by 19 teaching assistants, serving 1,444 students - yielding a headline teacher-to-student ratio of approximately 1:16, which is competitive for a school of this size and type.
The teaching workforce is predominantly French and Lebanese in nationality, reflecting the school's French curriculum identity and its management under AFLEC (the Franco-Lebanese Association for Education and Culture). This brings genuine subject expertise in the French pedagogical tradition, which emphasises structured analytical thinking, written argumentation, and subject rigour from an early age. The ADEK inspection confirmed that staff qualifications and professional development are managed under a Very Good leadership and management framework.
Pedagogically, the LFITM blends traditional French instructional methods with elements of inquiry-based and project-based learning. The school's leadership describes an approach where "science meets innovation" and learning is "connected to the real world" - evident in programmes like the interactive theatre partnership with the Fondation Blaise Pascal, the MUN research programme, and the Forum des Métiers careers initiative. Assessment is rated Good across all phases - a notable step below the Very Good teaching rating - suggesting that while instruction is strong, the systems for tracking, benchmarking, and using data to personalise learning are less developed. The inspection specifically recommended more rigorous use of data to identify students requiring assistance, particularly in Arabic-medium subjects.
Differentiation is an acknowledged area for development. The inspection noted that higher-attaining students do not always receive the challenge they are capable of, and that lower-achieving students in Arabic-medium subjects need more personalised support within lessons. The school has been advised to provide training to teachers on using resources effectively to differentiate provision. Professional development is active: all staff received training on library use and reading promotion, and the school is implementing a guided reading programme across all language areas. The inspection recommended strengthening teacher evaluation forms to place greater emphasis on the impact of teaching on student learning outcomes - a governance-level recommendation that signals the school is aware its self-review systems need sharpening.
91
Teaching Staff
Plus 19 teaching assistants, per ADEK Irtiqa 2023/24 inspection data
1:16
Teacher-to-Student Ratio
Calculated from 91 teachers and 1,444 students on roll
Very Good
Teaching for Effective Learning
Rated across all phases - KG, Cycle 1, Cycle 2, Cycle 3 - ADEK 2023/24
Leadership & Management
Leadership and Management at the LFITM was rated Very Good across all six sub-domains in the ADEK Irtiqa 2023/24 inspection: the effectiveness of leadership, school self-evaluation and improvement planning, parents and the community, governance, and management, staffing, facilities and resources. This is a coherent and strong result that reflects a school with clear direction and functioning systems.
The school is led by Proviseur Laurent Donnat, whose message to the school community articulates a vision of education as preparation for responsible, engaged global citizenship - not merely knowledge transfer. He is supported by a well-structured senior leadership team including Micheline Al Khawaji (Deputy Head), Sébastien Galard (Primary Director), Tina Ho (Bilingual Programme Coordinator), and dedicated administrative and financial directors under the AFLEC network. The school's registered principal with ADEK is Bertrand Henri Antoine Ferret, who has represented the school in its formal regulatory interactions.
The school is owned and operated by AFLEC (Association Franco-Libanaise pour l'Enseignement et la Culture), a Franco-Lebanese educational organisation. AFLEC manages the school as a partner establishment of the MLF (Mission Laïque Française) and a member of the AEFE (Agence pour l'Enseignement Français à l'Étranger) network - the French government's global network of French-curriculum schools. This network membership provides structural quality assurance, access to French Ministry-approved curricula, and teacher recruitment pipelines from France.
Governance is rated Very Good, though the ADEK inspection recommended incorporating specialist Arabic advisors onto the advisory committee of the governing board - a gap that reflects the school's acknowledged weakness in Arabic-medium subject performance. Parent communication is active and multi-channel: the school maintains a live Facebook and Instagram presence, hosts regular Café Admission open days, and operates a parent association (APE) that is visibly engaged in school life. The school's admissions process for 2026/27 is open, with families able to register via the school's website and attend information sessions on campus.
ADEK Inspection Results (Irtiqa - Decoded)
The ADEK Irtiqa 2023/24 inspection, conducted from 12 to 15 February 2024, awarded the LFITM an overall rating of Very Good - the second highest possible rating in the Abu Dhabi inspection framework. This represents a significant upward trajectory: the school was rated Acceptable in 2015-16 and 2017-18, Good following its relocation to Saadiyat Island, and has now achieved Very Good. The direction of travel is unambiguously positive.
The inspection's standout finding is the Outstanding rating for Health and Safety and Child Protection across all phases - a result that places the LFITM among the highest-performing schools in Abu Dhabi on this critical dimension. Teaching for Effective Learning and Students' Personal and Social Development were both rated Very Good across all phases, confirming that the quality of instruction and the school community culture are genuine strengths.
Attainment in English, mathematics, science, and French (the instructional language) was Very Good across all phases. In standardised assessments, the school achieved outstanding results in the French SWT for both French language and mathematics, and outstanding results in Arabic SWT for Grade 5. The ADEK 2026 inspection cycle will be the next opportunity to assess whether the school can push toward Outstanding overall.
The inspection's key recommendations centred on two areas. First, improving achievement in Arabic-medium subjects (Arabic first language, Arabic second language, and Islamic Education) and in primary science - specifically through stronger feedback on oral skills, extended writing targets, guided reading implementation, and more hands-on practical science for younger students. Second, strengthening leadership effectiveness toward Outstanding by extending benchmarked external assessment data, sharpening self-review systems, revising teacher evaluation forms, and incorporating Arabic specialist advisors onto the governing board. These are substantive but addressable recommendations, and the school's improvement planning is rated Very Good, suggesting the will and capacity to act on them.
Outstanding Child Protection & Safeguarding
Health and safety, including arrangements for child protection and safeguarding, was rated Outstanding across all four phases - the highest possible grade. This is the LFITM's strongest inspection result and a genuine differentiator among Abu Dhabi private schools.
Very Good Teaching Across All Phases
Teaching for Effective Learning was rated Very Good in KG, Cycle 1, Cycle 2, and Cycle 3. Inspectors identified teaching quality, curriculum design, and implementation as key strengths that accelerate students' progress.
Strong Core Subject Attainment
Very Good attainment in English, mathematics, science, and French across all phases, with Outstanding SWT results in French language and mathematics. The 2025 Baccalauréat cohort achieved a 100% pass rate.
Arabic-Medium Subject Performance
Arabic first language, Arabic second language, and Islamic Education were all rated Good - below the Very Good standard achieved in core subjects. The inspection recommended stronger oral skills feedback, extended writing targets, guided reading implementation, and more personalised support for lower-achieving students in these subjects.
Assessment Systems & Differentiation
Assessment was rated Good (not Very Good) across all phases. Inspectors noted that data is not used rigorously enough to identify students needing assistance, higher-attaining students are not always sufficiently challenged, and teacher evaluation forms need to place greater emphasis on impact on student learning outcomes.
Inspection History
2015-16
Acceptable
2017-18
Acceptable
2021-22
Good
2023-24
Very Good
Fees & Value for Money
The LFITM's 2025-26 fee schedule, as confirmed by ADEK's TAMM portal, runs from AED 33,490 per annum at KG1 and KG2 to AED 65,250 at Grades 11 and 12. This positions the school at the mid-to-premium tier for French curriculum schools in Abu Dhabi - notably more affordable than comparable British or American curriculum schools on Saadiyat Island, but reflecting a premium over French curriculum alternatives in less prestigious locations.
The fee structure shows clear step increases at key transition points: KG fees of AED 33,490 rise to AED 40,030 at Grade 1 (primary entry), then to AED 47,350 at Grade 6 (collège entry), AED 52,850 at Grade 9, AED 62,530 at Grade 10, and AED 65,250 at Grades 11-12. School bus transport is available at a flat rate of AED 5,000 per annum across all year groups. No book fees or uniform fees are listed in the ADEK TAMM fee schedule, though families should confirm with the school whether textbooks, materials, or uniform items carry additional costs.
For school fees 2026, families should note that ADEK-regulated fees are subject to annual review and any increase must be approved by the regulator. The school's admissions process for 2026/27 is open, and families are advised to confirm current fee levels directly with the school at inscription.ltm@aflec-fr.org.
On value for money, the LFITM offers a genuinely strong proposition for French-speaking families or those seeking a rigorous multilingual education: a Very Good ADEK rating, 100% Baccalauréat pass rates, three libraries, an auditorium, a purpose-built campus in one of Abu Dhabi's most desirable locations, and access to the BFI qualification - all at fees that are competitive within the premium Abu Dhabi private school market. The school does not publish sibling discount or scholarship information publicly; families should enquire directly. Payment terms and instalment structures are not published on the school's website and should be confirmed with the administrative team.
AED 33,490 - AED 65,250
Annual Tuition Fee Range 2025-26
AED 5,000
Annual Bus Fee (All Grades)
Year GroupsAnnual Fee
KG1
33,490KG2
33,490Grade 1
40,030Grade 2
40,030Grade 3
40,030Grade 4
40,030Grade 5
40,030Grade 6
47,350Grade 7
47,350Grade 8
47,350Grade 9
52,850Grade 10
62,530Grade 11
65,250Grade 12
65,250Additional Costs
School Bus Transport5,000(annual)
Textbooks and Learning MaterialsNot published(annual)
UniformNot published(one-time)
iPad (CM1 and above)Not published(one-time)
Exam Fees (IGCSE, TOEFL, SAT, EV@Lang)Varies(annual)
Discounts & Concessions
Sibling Discount
Scholarship / Bursary
Scholarships & Bursaries
No formal scholarship or bursary programme is advertised on the LFITM's official website. Families with financial considerations should contact the school's administrative team directly to enquire about any available provisions.
The Final Verdict: Who Is This School For?
The LFITM is the right school for families who are genuinely committed to a French-language education - whether because they are French-speaking, Franco-Lebanese, or Canadian, or because they value the rigour, multilingual depth, and international portability that the French Baccalauréat and the BFI qualification provide. The school's Very Good ADEK rating, 100% Baccalauréat pass rates, Outstanding safeguarding provision, and location on Saadiyat Island make it one of the most credible French curriculum options in the UAE. For families who expect to return to France or move to another Francophone country, the AEFE network membership means seamless school transfers without entrance examinations - a practical advantage that British or American curriculum schools simply cannot match.
However, parents should be clear-eyed about the school's limitations. Arabic-medium subjects are the acknowledged weak point, with Good (not Very Good) attainment across all phases - a material consideration for families who want their children to develop strong Arabic skills alongside French. The assessment systems, while functional, are not yet at the level of the best schools in Abu Dhabi, and differentiation for high-ability students is an area the school itself is working to improve. The school is not ideal for families who are not committed to French as the primary language of instruction, or for children who struggle with the demanding written and analytical expectations of the French pedagogical tradition.
On balance, the LFITM represents strong value for money within the premium Abu Dhabi school market, particularly for its target demographic. The school's upward trajectory - from Acceptable to Very Good over a decade - and the quality of its Saadiyat Island campus make it a school worth serious consideration for French-connected families.
THE “RIGHT FIT”
French-speaking or Francophone families seeking rigorous multilingual education (French, English, Arabic) with internationally portable qualifications (Baccalauréat, BFI, IGCSE) and a genuinely multicultural, inclusive school community on Saadiyat Island.
THE “WRONG FIT”
Families who are not committed to French as the primary language of instruction, children who require strong Arabic academic development as a primary goal, or students who need highly differentiated gifted-and-talented programming - the school is still developing this provision.
“
We chose LFITM because we wanted our children to be truly bilingual in French and English, with a real Baccalauréat at the end. The school delivered on that promise. The campus is beautiful, the teachers are serious, and the community is warm. It is not a school for everyone - but for us, it was exactly right.
— Terminale Parent, Saadiyat Campus
Strengths
- 100% Baccalauréat and Brevet pass rates confirmed for 2025 cohort
- Outstanding ADEK rating for child protection and safeguarding across all phases
- Purpose-built Saadiyat Island campus in Abu Dhabi's premier cultural district
- Genuine multilingual education: French, English, Arabic, Spanish, Mandarin
- BFI (French International Baccalaureate) available since 2023 - globally advanced bilingual qualification
- AEFE network membership enables seamless transfer to French schools worldwide
- Very Good ADEK rating - significant improvement from Acceptable in prior inspections
- Three libraries totalling over 28,000 volumes with active reading culture
Areas for Improvement
- Arabic-medium subjects (Arabic language, Islamic Education) rated only Good - below the school's overall standard
- Assessment systems rated Good, not Very Good - data use for personalised learning needs strengthening
- Differentiation for high-ability students is an acknowledged gap identified by ADEK inspectors
- Fee and scholarship information not fully transparent on the school's website
- Not suitable for families who are not committed to French as the primary language of instruction