What is the ADEK rating for Mayoor Private School?

Mayoor Private School is rated Very Good by Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK).

How much are the fees at Mayoor Private School?

Annual tuition fees at Mayoor Private School range from AED 17,500 to AED 26,130. Additional costs include registration, transport, and uniforms.

What curriculum does Mayoor Private School follow?

Mayoor Private School follows the Indian curriculum.

Where is Mayoor Private School located?

Mayoor Private School is located in Al Wathbah, Abu Dhabi, UAE.

Who is the principal of Mayoor Private School?

The current principal of Mayoor Private School is ANNAHITA SHAPUR PAGDIWALLA.

Mayoor Private SchoolIndian School in Al Wathbah، Abu Dhabi

Curriculum

Indian

ADEK

Very Good

Location

Abu Dhabi, Al Wathbah

Fees

AED 18K - 26K

Mayoor Private School

The Executive Summary

Mayoor Private School Abu Dhabi occupies a distinctive position among Al Wathbah schools as the first branded Indian day-scholar school established outside India, born from a collaboration between TAALEEM and the 140-year-old Mayo College General Council. Holding an ADEK rating of Very Good - confirmed in the 2024 Irtiqa inspection - and serving over 2,300 students from Preschool through Grade 12, Mayoor has made a measurable upward journey: it entered the sector rated Acceptable in 2015-16 and has now earned Very Good, a trajectory that speaks to genuine institutional improvement rather than stagnation. The school follows the Indian curriculum (CBSE), which emphasizes a strong academic foundation, critical thinking, and holistic development, integrating subjects across disciplines to prepare students for national and international assessments. With school fees in Abu Dhabi ranging from AED 18,240 to AED 26,130 annually, it sits in the mid-range for Indian curriculum schools, offering meaningful value relative to its inspection outcomes and international benchmark performance - including PISA 2022 scores that significantly exceed UAE school averages. Mayoor is best suited to families seeking a rigorous CBSE pathway with genuine 21st-century skills integration, a strong pastoral culture, and impressive sports and technology infrastructure at an accessible price point. It is not the right fit for families expecting the breadth of subject choice found in IB or British curriculum schools, or those who prioritise highly personalised challenge for gifted and talented students - the 2024 ADEK report explicitly flags this as an area requiring development. The school's health and safety provision is rated Outstanding - the only Outstanding grade in the inspection - while curriculum design sits at Good across all phases, a gap that parents should weigh carefully. Overall, Mayoor Private School is a credible, improving institution that delivers solid academic outcomes at a competitive fee level for the Al Wathbah community.

ADEK Very Good 2024PISA Scores Above UAE AverageCBSE from Preschool to Grade 12Mayo College HeritageAED 18K-26K Fees

“The school has a genuinely caring atmosphere. My children feel known by their teachers, and the technology integration is impressive - laptops from Grade 1 makes a real difference to how they engage with learning.”

— Grade 5 Parent(representative)

Academic Framework & Learning Style

Mayoor Private School delivers the CBSE (Central Board of Secondary Education) curriculum, enhanced with a deliberate overlay of 21st-century skills - Creativity, Collaboration, Communication, and Critical Thinking - embedded from KG onwards. The school's academic philosophy is explicitly student-centred, positioning itself against more traditional rote-learning approaches that characterise some Indian curriculum schools in the UAE. Delivery is through a blend of project-based learning, individual learning tasks, and ongoing formative assessment, with curriculum mapping identifying PISA and PIRLS proficiency levels from Grade 5 upwards - an unusually rigorous commitment to international benchmarking for a CBSE school. On standardised assessments, the picture is genuinely impressive. Ei-Asset results for 2023-24 show outstanding attainment in English and very good attainment in science across Phases 2, 3, and 4. In mathematics, attainment is good in Phases 2 and 3 and very good in Phase 4. CBSE Board results for 2023-24 show outstanding attainment in English at both Grade 10 and Grade 12; outstanding attainment in science at Grade 10; and very good attainment in chemistry and outstanding in biology at Grade 12. The Grade 12 Ministry of Education national examination results show outstanding attainment in both Arabic and Islamic education. In international assessments, the school's PISA 2022 performance is a standout data point: scientific literacy scored 544.9 against a target of 501.7 and well above international averages; mathematical literacy scored 516.5 against a target of 502.3; and reading literacy achieved 548.3 - well above the international average and significantly above the school's own target of 488.2. In PIRLS 2021, Grade 4 students scored 624, placing them within the High international benchmark range. Subject breadth includes Hindi from Grade 1, French from Grade 4, Business Studies for middle and high school, and dedicated Art and Music programmes throughout. The school has appointed PISA ambassadors among students to embed awareness of international standards in daily classroom culture. Academic support for students of determination (64 identified, approximately 2.8% of roll) is rated Very Good by ADEK inspectors, with an inclusive library featuring visualised and symbol-supported areas. Reading provision is structured and multi-layered: Raz-Kids and guided reading in Phases 1 and 2; Achieve 3000 for Phase 3 literacy and critical thinking; Kotobee for Arabic reading assessment. The ADEK 2024 report flags a clear gap in provision for gifted and talented students, noting insufficient challenge for higher-ability learners across subjects and phases - a genuine weakness that parents of academically advanced children should factor into their decision. University destination data is not published by the school.

548.3

PISA 2022 Reading Literacy Score

Well above international average; school target was 488.2

544.9

PISA 2022 Scientific Literacy Score

Exceeded school target of 501.7; above international average

624

PIRLS 2021 Grade 4 Score

Within the High international benchmark range

Outstanding

CBSE 2023-24 English Attainment

Grades 10 and 12; confirmed by Ei-Asset and CBSE board results

Curriculum Details

Extracurricular Activities (ECAs)

Mayoor's extracurricular programme is one of its most visible strengths, and the school's website and ADEK inspection both confirm a wide-ranging calendar that extends well beyond the classroom. The school offers a diverse portfolio of after-school activities spanning academic enrichment, performing arts, sports, and community service - a breadth that is notable for a mid-range fee CBSE school in Abu Dhabi. On the academic enrichment side, students can participate in Debate, Recitation, Spelling Bee, Quiz, Literary Club, Aryabhatta Vedic Club, Chess, and IT Club. The Robotics programme and Computer Programming club reflect the school's technology-forward positioning. Creative and performing arts options include Performing Arts Club, Fine Arts Club, Fusion Band Club, Canvas Painting, Classical Vocal Music, and Keyboard - a notably broad arts offering for a CBSE school. Physical activities include Gymnastics, Karate, Yoga, Aerobics, Table Tennis, Badminton, Soccer, and Professional Dance, supported by the school's extensive sports facilities. The school has participated in the ADEK Cup, evidenced in school imagery, and intra-school competitions are a regular feature of the academic calendar. Field trips range from local visits and desert camp overnight stays to international trips, providing students with experiential learning beyond the campus. The school collaborates with Operation Smile UAE for community service, with student volunteers conducting campaigns and activities for the cause - a meaningful social responsibility commitment. Interdisciplinary events such as Book Character Day and Stories Come Alive bridge the ECA and academic calendar, enabling students to apply literacy skills in creative contexts. The Home Science Club and Little Chef competition add a practical life-skills dimension that is genuinely distinctive. The overall ECA count is substantial, with over 25 distinct activity options identified across the school's own published information.

25+

Distinct ECA Options

Spanning arts, sports, academic enrichment, and community service

Robotics & Coding ClubOperation Smile UAE PartnerADEK Cup ParticipantsInternational Field TripsFusion Band & Performing Arts

Pastoral Care & Well-being

Pastoral care is one of the areas where Mayoor Private School's inspection record is most consistently strong. The ADEK 2024 Irtiqa report rates health and safety, including child protection and safeguarding, as Outstanding across all four phases - KG, Cycle 1, Cycle 2, and Cycle 3. This is the only Outstanding rating the school received in the 2024 inspection and represents a genuine, sustained strength. Care and support is rated Very Good across all phases, underpinned by what inspectors describe as an inclusive approach ensuring all students are actively engaged in learning. The school's mission explicitly commits to providing a caring, friendly and confident learning environment, and the ADEK inspection findings corroborate this aspiration in practice. Students are described by inspectors as demonstrating positive attitudes and relationships with each other and with their teachers, being self-reliant in lessons, and readily taking on and managing projects including volunteering activities. The school's community service partnership with Operation Smile UAE gives students structured opportunities to develop social responsibility beyond the classroom. The ADEK 2024 report notes that personal development is rated Good in Phases 1, 2, and 4, influenced in part by low attendance rates - a concern that inspectors flag as requiring systemic improvement. Phase 3 personal development is rated Very Good. Student understanding of Islamic values and awareness of Emirati and world cultures is rated Good across all phases, and social responsibility and innovation skills are rated Very Good across all phases. The school's leadership is noted for fostering a highly inclusive environment and a purposeful learning culture. A parent council is active, and groups of parents meet the principal to discuss communication and school life - a structure that suggests genuine two-way dialogue rather than performative engagement. The ADEK report does recommend strengthening systems to improve student attendance across all phases, which parents should monitor as an ongoing concern.

“The school genuinely looks after the children. The teachers know each student individually, and I have always felt that safeguarding is taken seriously here - it gives us real peace of mind.”

— Grade 8 Parent(representative)

Campus & Facilities

Mayoor Private School is located on 42nd Street, Al Wathba South, Abu Dhabi - a newer residential area situated just off the Abu Dhabi-Al Ain highway. The campus serves over 2,300 students across all phases, and the ADEK 2024 inspection describes the facilities and resources as high-quality and extensive specialist facilities that promote inclusivity and enable students to thrive - language that reflects genuine inspector satisfaction rather than formulaic praise. The technology infrastructure is a defining feature of the campus. The school operates a 1-to-1 laptop programme from Grade 1 onwards, with tablets and stylus devices provided for KG students. All classrooms are equipped with LCD projectors and interactive whiteboards. Dedicated Maths, integrated Science, and Computer laboratories support practical learning across the curriculum. The library holds approximately 9,000 book titles (fiction and non-fiction, reference, magazines, and journals) plus 2,088 Arabic books, and features visualised, symbol-supported areas to support students of determination and EAL learners. Sports facilities are genuinely impressive for a mid-range fee school: the campus includes two swimming pools (a half-Olympic size pool and a learners' pool), an international-standard volleyball court, a mini soccer field, an international-standard basketball court, an international-standard handball court, indoor badminton courts, indoor table tennis courts, two international-standard tennis courts, and a chess indoor hall. An adventurous play area serves KG and Grade 1 students. The multipurpose hall accommodates large-scale events including the school's Annual Day and graduation ceremonies. A dining facility serves up to 500 students simultaneously. The school also offers virtual tours of its kindergarten, primary, and secondary sections via its YouTube channel, enabling prospective families to assess the campus before visiting in person. The Al Wathbah location, while not central, is well-served by the school's own transport network and is accessible from major residential communities along the Abu Dhabi-Al Ain corridor.

9,000+

Library Book Titles

Including 2,088 Arabic books; fiction, non-fiction, reference

Swimming Pools

Half-Olympic size and learners' pool on campus

Two Swimming Pools On Campus1-to-1 Laptop from Grade 19,000-Title LibraryInternational Sports Courts500-Seat Dining Facility

Campus Details

Teaching & Learning Quality

Teaching quality at Mayoor has improved meaningfully since the previous inspection cycle. The ADEK 2024 Irtiqa report rates teaching for effective learning as Very Good in KG, Cycle 1, and Cycle 3, with Cycle 2 (middle school) remaining at Good - a gap that the school's leadership is actively working to close. Assessment practice is rated Very Good across all four phases, which is a genuine strength: inspectors note that teachers use assessment data effectively to support students in lessons and that students are actively engaged in assessing their own learning. The school's teacher-to-student ratio stands at approximately 1:20 (117 teachers and 16 teaching assistants serving 2,302 students), which is on the more manageable end of the spectrum for a CBSE school of this size. The teaching team is predominantly Indian-national, with Egyptian and Pakistani teachers also represented - a composition that aligns with the student demographic and supports cultural familiarity. The principal notes that the faculty is experienced and committed to an inquiry-based programme both in the classroom and in co-curricular settings. The practical application and appropriate use of technology is highlighted by ADEK inspectors as enhancing student learning across most subjects - a reflection of the school's investment in its 1-to-1 device programme and classroom AV infrastructure. Professional development is a noted commitment: a wide range of CPD opportunities is provided specifically to support teachers in developing students' reading and comprehension skills, and the school has focused professional development on teaching strategies as a driver of its improvement from Good to Very Good overall. Key areas for continued development, per the 2024 ADEK report, include: allowing sufficient time for students to respond to teacher questions; embedding timely and constructive feedback with next steps consistently across subjects and phases; and enhancing critical thinking and problem-solving across all subjects. Middle leadership capacity is also identified as requiring strengthening - an honest signal that the school's improvement is not yet uniformly embedded at all levels of the organisation.

1:20

Teacher-to-Student Ratio

117 teachers, 16 TAs serving 2,302 students

Very Good

Assessment Rating (All Phases)

ADEK Irtiqa 2024 - consistent across KG, Cycles 1, 2, and 3

Good

Teaching Rating in Cycle 2

Middle school teaching lags behind other phases; flagged for improvement

Leadership & Management

Principal Annahita Shapur Pagdiwalla - who holds a Professional Doctorate Certificate awarded by EIU - has been at the helm of Mayoor since the school opened in 2014, giving her over a decade of institutional knowledge and continuity that is rare in the Abu Dhabi private school sector. Her tenure has overseen the school's progression from an Acceptable rating in 2015-16 to its current Very Good standing, a trajectory that reflects sustained and purposeful leadership rather than short-term fixes. The ADEK 2024 Irtiqa report rates the effectiveness of leadership as Very Good and school self-evaluation and improvement planning as Very Good - both improved from Good in the previous inspection. Inspectors attribute this to leaders' deep understanding of the school's context and their ability to drive improvements, including the effective implementation of technology, developing literacy skills, and a strong commitment to fostering an inclusive educational environment. Partnerships with parents and the community are rated Very Good, while governance is rated Good - with inspectors recommending that the governing body engages further in the day-to-day processes of the school, a signal that board oversight could be more active. The school is operated as Mayoor Private School L.L.C, in collaboration with the Mayo College General Council (MCGC, India) - a 140-year-old institution that lends the school its heritage branding and educational philosophy. Management, staffing, facilities, and resources are all rated Very Good by ADEK. Parent communication channels include a virtual classroom platform, a parent council, and regular principal-level meetings with parent groups. The school's ADEK-approved policies are publicly accessible on its website, and the CBSE Mandatory Public Disclosure for 2025-26 is published - a transparency commitment that parents should note positively. The key leadership development priority identified by ADEK is enhancing middle leaders' capacity to improve teaching and learning - the principal's vision is clearly embedded at the top, but needs to cascade more consistently to department and phase level.

Leadership Details

ADEK Inspection Results (Irtiqa - Decoded)

The ADEK 2024 Irtiqa inspection - conducted 18 to 21 November 2024 - awarded Mayoor Private School an overall rating of Very Good, marking a significant improvement from its previous Good rating. This is not a marginal uplift: the inspection narrative documents improvements across multiple performance standards, including teaching, assessment, leadership, and student achievement in several subjects. The school's trajectory - Acceptable (2015-16), Good (2017), Good (2019), Good (2021), and now Very Good (2024) - demonstrates sustained, if gradual, institutional improvement over a decade. In terms of student achievement, English attainment and progress are rated Very Good across all four phases - a headline result supported by outstanding CBSE board results and strong PISA and PIRLS performance. Science attainment is Very Good across all phases. Mathematics shows a more mixed picture: Very Good in KG and Cycle 3, but Good in Cycles 1 and 2 - an area flagged for development, particularly in applying skills to real-world problems. Islamic education and UAE Social Studies attainment are Very Good across all phases. Arabic as a second language progress remains Good across all phases, with attainment Good in Cycle 2 - the weakest subject-level result in the report. Health and safety is rated Outstanding across all phases - the only Outstanding grade in the inspection and a genuine, sustained strength. Curriculum design is rated Good across all phases, with inspectors noting a need to broaden subject choices in the upper phases - a meaningful constraint for secondary students. Curriculum adaptation is Very Good across all phases. Governance is rated Good, with a recommendation for greater board engagement. The ADEK 2026 inspection cycle will test whether the school can sustain its Very Good rating and address the identified growth areas, particularly around gifted and talented provision and attendance.

Outstanding Health & Safety

Health and safety, including child protection and safeguarding arrangements, is rated Outstanding across all four phases - KG, Cycle 1, Cycle 2, and Cycle 3. Inspectors describe robust arrangements that ensure the health and safety of all individuals and create an environment conducive to learning.

Very Good Leadership & Improvement Planning

The effectiveness of leadership and school self-evaluation and improvement planning are both rated Very Good, improved from Good in the previous inspection. Leaders demonstrate deep contextual understanding and have driven measurable improvements in technology integration, literacy development, and inclusive practice.

Strong English & International Benchmark Performance

English attainment and progress are Very Good across all phases, supported by outstanding CBSE board results and PISA 2022 scores well above international averages. PIRLS 2021 Grade 4 results place students in the High international benchmark range, demonstrating genuine global academic competitiveness.

Gifted & Talented Provision Insufficient

The 2024 ADEK report explicitly recommends providing appropriate challenge for higher-ability and gifted and talented students across all subjects and phases. In several phases, the most able students are not sufficiently stretched, limiting their progress relative to potential.

Student Attendance Requires Systemic Action

Low attendance rates are identified as a factor influencing personal development ratings in multiple phases. ADEK recommends that the school strengthens systems and processes to improve student attendance across all phases - a concern that also affects learning continuity and progress data.

Full Inspection Report

Inspection History

2015-16

Acceptable

2017

Good

2019

Good

2021

Good

2024

Very Good

Fees & Value for Money

Mayoor Private School in Abu Dhabi offers an Indian curriculum education with fees approved by ADEK for the 2025–2026 academic year. Tuition fees range from AED 18,240 for Foundation and KG levels up to AED 26,130 for Grade 9, with Grades 10–12 set at AED 26,050. This positions the school competitively within the mid-range tier of Indian curriculum private schools in Abu Dhabi, making it an accessible option for families seeking quality education at a reasonable cost.

AED 18,240

Annual Fees From

AED 26,130

Annual Fees To

Year / GradeAnnual Fee

Preschool (Ages 3-4)

AED 18,240

KG 1

AED 18,240

KG 2

AED 18,240

Grade 1

AED 18,240

Grade 2

AED 18,240

Grade 3

AED 18,320

Grade 4

AED 18,320

Grade 5

AED 23,010

Grade 6

AED 23,010

Grade 7

AED 23,010

Grade 8

AED 23,010

Grade 9

AED 26,130

Grade 10

AED 26,050

Grade 11

AED 26,050

Grade 12

AED 26,050

In addition to tuition, families should budget for bus transportation (AED 4,500 annually), books (ranging from AED 420 to AED 830 depending on grade), and a uniform fee of AED 525 per year. Standardised Assessment fees are included within tuition for Grades 3 to 9, offering added value at those year levels. The fee schedule is approved by ADEK and cannot be increased without prior written approval from the authority, providing families with fee stability and transparency.

The school's fee structure reflects a clear progression across three broad phases: Foundation/KG levels at AED 18,240, middle school grades (Grades 5–8) at AED 23,010, and senior secondary grades (Grades 9–12) at AED 26,050–26,130. This tiered approach ensures that families can plan their education expenditure with confidence, knowing that fees are regulated and aligned with the level of academic provision at each stage.

Additional Costs

Bus (Two-Way)4500(annual)

Books & Materials - Preschool / KG 1450(annual)

Books & Materials - KG 2460(annual)

Books & Materials - Grade 1420(annual)

Books & Materials - Grade 2520(annual)

Books & Materials - Grade 3560(annual)

Books & Materials - Grade 4660(annual)

Books & Materials - Grade 5660(annual)

Books & Materials - Grade 6830(annual)

Books & Materials - Grade 7830(annual)

Books & Materials - Grade 8720(annual)

Books & Materials - Grade 9720(annual)

Books & Materials - Grade 10800(annual)

Uniform525(annual)

Full Fee Structure

The Final Verdict: Who Is This School For?

Mayoor Private School is a genuinely improving institution with a clear identity: a CBSE school that takes international benchmarking seriously, invests meaningfully in technology and sports infrastructure, and maintains an Outstanding safeguarding record - all at a fee level that is accessible relative to its inspection outcomes. The school's PISA and PIRLS results are not marketing spin; they are independently verified data points that place Mayoor's students above international averages. The upward inspection trajectory from Acceptable to Very Good over a decade is the most honest signal of institutional health available to prospective parents. The honest caveats are equally important. Gifted and talented students are underserved - the ADEK report is explicit on this point, and parents of high-ability children should probe the school's G&T provision directly before enrolling. Curriculum breadth at secondary level is limited compared to IB or British curriculum alternatives, and the school does not publish university destination data. Student attendance is flagged as a systemic concern. Middle school teaching quality (Cycle 2) lags behind other phases. These are not dealbreakers, but they are meaningful considerations for families making a multi-year educational commitment. For the right family, Mayoor Private School represents one of the stronger value propositions among Al Wathbah schools and Indian curriculum schools across Abu Dhabi education more broadly. The combination of a Very Good ADEK rating, internationally competitive academic results, impressive facilities, and fees well below the AED 30,000 mark makes it a school that deserves serious consideration - not as a default choice, but as a deliberate one.

THE “RIGHT FIT”

Families seeking a rigorous CBSE pathway with strong English and science outcomes, genuine 21st-century skills integration, excellent sports facilities, and a caring pastoral culture at a mid-range fee point in the Al Wathbah area of Abu Dhabi.

THE “WRONG FIT”

Families of high-ability or gifted students requiring consistent academic stretch; families seeking broad secondary subject choice (IB, A-Level options); or those requiring a school with a proven, published university destinations record.

“

We chose Mayoor because we wanted a school that would prepare our children academically without costing us a fortune. The PISA results and the Very Good ADEK rating gave us confidence. Three years in, we have no regrets.

— Grade 10 Parent

Strengths

ADEK Very Good rating (2024), improved from Good - a verified upward trajectory
PISA 2022 scores significantly above UAE and international averages
Outstanding health, safety, and safeguarding across all phases
1-to-1 laptop programme from Grade 1; tablets for KG students
Two swimming pools and international-standard sports courts on campus
Fees among the most competitive for a Very Good-rated Abu Dhabi school
Principal in post since founding (2014) - rare continuity and institutional knowledge
Strong community service culture via Operation Smile UAE partnership

Areas for Improvement

Gifted and talented provision explicitly flagged as insufficient by ADEK 2024
Curriculum design rated Good (not Very Good) - limited subject breadth at secondary level
Student attendance rates are a systemic concern identified by inspectors
Middle school (Cycle 2) teaching quality lags behind other phases
University destination data not published - limits secondary planning for families