Philippine Emirates Private SchoolPhilippines School in Khalifa City، Abu Dhabi
Curriculum
Philippines
ADEK
Acceptable
Location
Abu Dhabi, Khalifa City
Fees
AED 6K - 14K
Philippine Emirates Private School
The Executive Summary
Philippine Emirates Private School Abu Dhabi occupies a very specific and narrow niche in the capital's education landscape: it is one of the few institutions in Khalifa City schools offering a fully accredited Philippine curriculum, dual-registered with both DepEd in Manila and ADEK in Abu Dhabi. For Filipino families seeking cultural continuity, mother-tongue-aligned instruction, and school fees Abu Dhabi parents can actually afford - starting at just AED 6,140 per year - PEPS is a genuinely compelling option. The school follows the Philippine curriculum, which aligns with the standards set by the Department of Education in the Philippines, providing a strong foundation in English, science, and mathematics while integrating Filipino values and culture. The ADEK rating Acceptable, confirmed in the 2023 Irtiqa inspection cycle, represents a meaningful recovery from the school's previous Weak rating and signals that foundational compliance issues are being addressed. With 275 students across KG1 to Grade 12, this is an intimate, community-centred school where relationships between staff and students are genuinely warm - a quality ADEK inspectors specifically commended.
DepEd & ADEK Dual AccreditationFees from AED 6,140KG1 to Grade 12ADEK Acceptable 2023
“For our family, keeping our children connected to the Philippine curriculum while living in Abu Dhabi is important. The teachers understand our culture, and the fees are manageable on an expat salary.”
— Grade 5 Parent(representative)Academic Framework & Learning Style
The school follows the Philippine curriculum, which aligns with the standards set by the Department of Education in the Philippines. It provides a strong foundation in English, science, and mathematics while integrating Filipino values and culture - and this dual identity is both the school's greatest strength and its most significant constraint in the Abu Dhabi education context. From KG1 through Grade 10, core subjects include English, Mathematics, Science, Arabic as a Second Language, Islamic Studies, UAE Social Studies, ICT, Philippine Social Studies, Art, Music, and Physical Education. For Grades 11 and 12, the school offers two Senior High School tracks: Accountancy, Business and Management (ABM) and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics). Both tracks include a compulsory Research or Capstone Project, giving students a taste of independent academic inquiry before university. Students participate in the International Benchmark Test (IBT) administered by an Australian benchmarking body, covering English, Mathematics, Science, and Arabic as a Second Language for Grades 3 to 9. The 2023 ADEK Irtiqa inspection data reveals a nuanced picture: in Arabic as a Second Language (Grades 3-9), IBT results place attainment above international benchmark standards. In Science (Grades 3-8), results are similarly above international benchmarks, with Grade 9 in line with standards. In Mathematics (Grades 3-9), attainment is in line with international standards. English shows the most variation: Grades 3-4 fall below international benchmarks, Grades 5-8 are above, and Grade 9 is in line. This pattern suggests the school's upper primary and junior secondary students perform reasonably well in core subjects, but early primary English literacy needs targeted intervention. The school's registration with DepEd means graduating students receive the National Elementary Achievement Test (NEAT) and National Secondary Achievement Test (NSAT) credentials, which are recognised when transferring to Philippine curriculum schools globally. University destinations are not publicly disclosed, and the school's limited digital presence means transparency on academic outcomes is lower than parents deserve. The ADEK inspection found that critical thinking, problem-solving, and independent inquiry skills are underdeveloped across phases, and that differentiation for higher-attaining students is insufficient. This is a school that teaches to the middle - capable children may find themselves unchallenged.
Above
IBT Science benchmark (Grades 3-8)
2023 ADEK Irtiqa inspection data
Above
IBT Arabic as Second Language (Grades 3-9)
Above international benchmark standards
In Line
IBT Mathematics benchmark (Grades 3-9)
Consistent across all tested grades
Below
IBT English benchmark (Grades 3-4)
Grades 5-8 above benchmark; Grade 9 in line
Extracurricular Activities (ECAs)
For a school of 275 students with 16 teaching staff, the extracurricular offering at Philippine Emirates Private School is more ambitious than its size might suggest. The school's homepage highlights participation in international academic competitions, and the gallery section documents meaningful achievements beyond the classroom. Most notably, the school's World Scholars' Cup team has competed at the Global Round in Kuala Lumpur and achieved Tournament Champion status at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut in 2019 - a genuinely impressive international result for a small community school. Students also participate in the MaRRS Spelling Bee, an international English language competition that builds vocabulary and public-speaking confidence. The school participates in ADEK-mandated international assessments including TIMSS and PISA, giving students exposure to global academic benchmarking beyond the Philippine curriculum framework. Cultural events are a core part of school life: the gallery documents UAE National Day celebrations, reflecting the school's commitment to integrating Emirati cultural identity alongside Filipino heritage. A Hall of Achievers programme recognises student excellence, providing an incentive structure for academic and extracurricular performance. Educational tours have included visits to the Louvre Abu Dhabi on Saadiyat Island, connecting students to world-class cultural institutions. The ADEK inspection noted that the school holds a book fair twice a year, inviting book companies, parents, and students - a community-building exercise that extends literacy beyond the classroom. However, the inspection was clear that extracurricular provision remains limited: there are no dedicated extracurricular reading clubs, and the range of after-school clubs is not publicly documented. Summer enrichment classes are planned but had not been implemented at the time of inspection. Parents considering PEPS for a child with strong sporting, artistic, or performing arts ambitions should ask direct questions about the current ECA schedule before enrolling.
2019
World Scholars' Cup Tournament Champions
Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut - Global Round
World Scholars' Cup Yale ChampionsMaRRS Spelling BeeTIMSS & PISA ParticipationLouvre Abu Dhabi ToursHall of Achievers Programme
Pastoral Care & Well-being
The most consistently positive finding across ADEK's 2023 Irtiqa inspection of Philippine Emirates Private School is the quality of human relationships within the school community. Inspectors explicitly noted that relationships between staff and students are courteous, and that parents' involvement in the school makes a positive contribution to the overall learning environment. For a school of this size, that community warmth is a genuine asset - and for Filipino families far from home, the cultural familiarity of teachers and staff provides a layer of pastoral support that is difficult to quantify but deeply felt. The school communicates with parents through the ClassDojo platform, as documented in the school's own announcements section, enabling teachers to share updates, photos, and feedback in real time. Regular written reports on student learning and progress are also provided. However, the ADEK inspection identified significant weaknesses in the formal structures underpinning student welfare. The inspection's Care and Support sub-strand was rated Weak across all cycles, with inspectors recommending the urgent appointment of a specialist inclusion coordinator to lead identification and support for students with additional learning needs. The school has just 4 students of determination on roll, but the inspection found that processes for identifying and supporting these students need strengthening. The child protection policy exists but inspectors recommended that its implementation be strengthened and that it be formally signed by parents, staff, and students. The absence of a female nurse at the time of inspection was flagged as a priority concern. There is no documented house system or formal student leadership programme, which limits structured opportunities for student voice. Parents with children who have additional learning needs or who require formal inclusion support should approach admissions conversations with this context clearly in mind.
“The teachers really know our children by name and treat them like family. It feels like a community, not just a school. That matters a lot when you are far from the Philippines.”
— Grade 3 Parent(representative)Campus & Facilities
Philippine Emirates Private School is located at 122 Al Qalayid Street, Khalifa City, Abu Dhabi - a residential suburb that has grown significantly in the past decade and is home to a large Filipino expatriate community. The campus is a purpose-built school building, relocated to this site for the 2013-14 academic year after the school's original Abu Dhabi Island premises were no longer viable. The school's own website confirms the following specialist facilities: science laboratories, an art room, a music room, an auditorium, a drama room, and a library. Sports facilities include an outdoor sports pitch, a school gymnasium, and a swimming pool - a meaningful amenity for a school in this fee bracket. The library holds approximately 200 Arabic books, 400 English books, and 100 Filipino books, with a mix of fiction and non-fiction in the Arabic and English sections. Students in all grades have the opportunity to visit the library weekly. However, there is no librarian on staff and no scheduled library lessons, which limits the library's educational impact. The ADEK inspection noted that the outdoor environment does not adequately facilitate learning for young children, and that recreational facilities are limited - particularly for older students during break and lunch times. The inspection also flagged that the science laboratories and outdoor areas require maintenance. The school uses ClassDojo for parent communication, indicating some digital infrastructure, but the school's own website is largely non-functional (multiple pages return 404 errors), which raises questions about investment in digital resources and technology infrastructure. Parents should visit the campus in person before making a decision, as the gap between listed facilities and their operational quality is not fully clear from available documentation.
700
Library books (total across three languages)
200 Arabic, 400 English, 100 Filipino
Khalifa City
Campus location
122 Al Qalayid Street, Abu Dhabi
Swimming Pool On-SiteScience LaboratoriesAuditorium & Drama RoomOutdoor Sports PitchGymnasiumMusic & Art Rooms
Teaching & Learning Quality
The 2023 ADEK Irtiqa inspection rated Teaching for Effective Learning as Acceptable across all four cycles (KG, Cycle 1, Cycle 2, Cycle 3), and the same rating was applied to Assessment. This is a stable if unspectacular finding, and it represents a consistent baseline rather than a trajectory of improvement. The school employs 16 teachers serving 275 students, giving an overall teacher-to-student ratio of approximately 1:17 - a figure that, on paper, should enable meaningful individual attention. Teachers are predominantly Filipino nationals, with some Ugandan staff also noted in the inspection data. The ADEK inspection found that most teachers demonstrate sound subject knowledge, particularly in English, Mathematics, and Science. However, the inspection identified a consistent pattern of excessive teacher-led delivery with insufficient time allocated to active student learning. Inspectors recommended that lesson planning be restructured to reduce extended teacher talk and increase student participation, collaborative tasks, and inquiry-based activities. Differentiation is a significant weakness: the inspection found that lower-attaining students do not always receive sufficient support, while higher-attaining students are not challenged in lessons across subjects and grades. This is a structural issue that affects learning quality for students at both ends of the ability spectrum. Assessment practices were rated Acceptable but with clear recommendations: internal assessment processes need to be more robust, self and peer assessment needs to be implemented more effectively, and written feedback to students on how to improve their work needs to become more systematic. Teachers are not specifically trained in teaching reading skills, and professional development provision is flagged as an area requiring urgent attention in the inspection's leadership recommendations. The school's website references its commitment to innovative teaching methods, but the inspection evidence suggests that classroom practice is predominantly traditional and textbook-driven rather than inquiry-based or technology-enhanced.
1:17
Teacher-to-student ratio (overall)
16 teachers, 275 students
Acceptable
ADEK rating: Teaching for Effective Learning
Consistent across all four cycles, 2023
16
Total teaching staff
Predominantly Filipino nationality; some Ugandan staff
Leadership & Management
Philippine Emirates Private School is led by Principal Gina Reyes Senora, whose name appears in the 2023 ADEK Irtiqa inspection report as the school's current head. The school was originally founded in 1995 on Abu Dhabi Island and has operated under various leadership structures since its relocation to the current Khalifa City campus. The school's stated vision - to prepare learners to become successful learners who are able to develop the skills and qualities necessary for learning, life, and work in the 21st Century - is aspirational, and the school's detailed mission statement reflects a genuine commitment to community, cultural identity, and UAE integration. However, the ADEK inspection rated Leadership and Management as Weak in the 2023 inspection cycle, which is the most significant concern in this review. Inspectors found that the effectiveness of leadership, school self-evaluation and improvement planning, and management of staffing and resources were all rated Weak. The school's self-evaluation process does not accurately identify strengths and areas for improvement based on robust evidence, and school improvement plans lack the precision, measurability, and regular review that effective school development requires. Leadership and middle management roles are not clearly defined, and responsibility is not effectively delegated. The inspection recommended that the school set a clear and ambitious strategic direction shared with the whole school community, and that leadership capacity be built through targeted professional development. Governance was rated Acceptable, as was the school's relationship with parents and the community - areas where the school demonstrates genuine strength. Parent communication via ClassDojo and regular written reports is functional. The school's contact information lists separate email addresses for the Principal, Accountant, and Administration team, suggesting some organisational structure, but the non-functional website is a transparency concern that leadership should address as a priority.
ADEK Inspection Results (Irtiqa - Decoded)
The 2023-24 ADEK Irtiqa inspection of Philippine Emirates Private School, conducted over four days from 26 to 29 February 2024, returned an overall rating of Acceptable - the second rating on a five-point scale from Outstanding to Weak. This represents a recovery from the school's previous Weak rating (awarded in the 2018-19 inspection cycle) and is a meaningful, if incomplete, step forward. Parents should understand what Acceptable means in practice: it indicates that the school meets minimum regulatory standards and provides an adequate education, but that significant improvements are needed before the school can be considered Good or better. The inspection covered six performance standards. Students' Achievements (PS1) were rated Acceptable for English, Mathematics, and Science across all cycles, but Weak for Arabic as a Second Language, UAE Social Studies, and Islamic Education. This is a significant gap - subjects mandated by UAE regulations are underperforming, which has implications for student progression and regulatory compliance. Students' Personal and Social Development (PS2) was rated Acceptable for Personal Development and Understanding of Islamic Values, but Weak for Social Responsibility and Innovation Skills - a finding that aligns with the inspection's broader concern about critical thinking and collaboration. Teaching and Assessment (PS3) and Curriculum (PS4) were both rated Acceptable overall, though Curriculum Adaptation was rated Weak across all cycles, meaning the school is not sufficiently tailoring its teaching to meet the diverse needs of individual learners. Protection, Care, Guidance and Support (PS5) showed a split: Health and Safety was Acceptable, but Care and Support was Weak - driven by the absence of a specialist inclusion coordinator and gaps in child protection implementation. Leadership and Management (PS6) was the most concerning standard overall, with Leadership Effectiveness, Self-Evaluation and Improvement Planning, and Management of Staffing and Resources all rated Weak. Governance and Parent/Community Relations were rated Acceptable. The inspection's seven key recommendations span student achievement, teaching quality, assessment, curriculum, student protection, inclusion, and leadership - a comprehensive reform agenda that will require sustained commitment from the school's governors and leadership team.
Warm School Community
ADEK inspectors explicitly commended the courteous relationships between staff and students, and the positive contribution of parent involvement to school life - a genuine cultural strength of the school.
Strong KG Progress in Core Subjects
Children in KG make at least the expected progress in English, Mathematics, and Science, demonstrating that the school's foundation-stage provision is functioning at an acceptable level.
IBT Science & Arabic Above Benchmark
In IBT standardised assessments, students in Grades 3-8 perform above international benchmark standards in Science, and students in Grades 3-9 perform above international benchmarks in Arabic as a Second Language.
Leadership & Self-Evaluation Rated Weak
The effectiveness of leadership, school self-evaluation and improvement planning, and management of staffing and resources were all rated Weak. The school must establish measurable improvement targets, define leadership roles clearly, and ensure professional development is systematic and evidenced.
Inclusion & Care Support Structures Inadequate
Care and Support was rated Weak across all cycles. A specialist inclusion coordinator has not been appointed, child protection implementation needs strengthening, and a female nurse was absent at the time of inspection. These are not optional improvements - they are regulatory requirements.
Inspection History
2016-17
Acceptable
2018-19
Weak
2023-24
Acceptable
Fees & Value for Money
Philippine Emirates Private School offers a Philippine curriculum for the 2025–2026 academic year, with tuition fees ranging from AED 6,140 for KG 1 through to AED 13,500 for Grades 10–12. This structured, incremental fee model reflects the school's commitment to providing affordable, curriculum-aligned education across all stages of learning, from early childhood through senior secondary. The fees are competitive within the private Philippine-curriculum school segment in Abu Dhabi.
AED 6,140
Annual Fees From
AED 13,500
Annual Fees To
Year / GradeAnnual Fee
KG 1
AED 6,140KG 2
AED 6,750Grade 1
AED 7,980Grade 2
AED 8,590Grade 3
AED 9,200Grade 4
AED 9,820Grade 5
AED 10,430Grade 6
AED 11,040Grade 7
AED 11,660Grade 8
AED 12,270Grade 9
AED 12,880Grade 10
AED 13,500Grade 11
AED 13,500Grade 12
AED 13,500The school's fee structure is straightforward and transparent, with tuition increasing progressively as students advance through grade levels. Bus transportation is available at a flat rate of AED 4,659 per year across all year groups, offering families a consistent and predictable additional cost. No fees for books or uniforms are listed in the official ADEK fee schedule for the 2025–2026 academic year.
For families seeking a Philippine-curriculum education in a private school setting, Philippine Emirates Private School represents an accessible entry point, particularly at the Foundation and Primary levels. The upper secondary fees (Grades 10–12) are capped at AED 13,500, making the school one of the more affordable private secondary options available under ADEK regulation in Abu Dhabi.
Additional Costs
Bus Transport4,659(annual)
The Final Verdict: Who Is This School For?
Philippine Emirates Private School is a school that knows exactly who it serves - and for that community, it provides something genuinely valuable. It is Abu Dhabi's most affordable Philippine curriculum school in the Khalifa City area, dual-accredited by DepEd and ADEK, with a warm and culturally cohesive community that inspectors have consistently praised. The 2023 ADEK Irtiqa recovery to Acceptable - from a previous Weak rating - demonstrates that the school is moving in the right direction, even if the pace of improvement is slow and the leadership challenges remain significant. The school's international competition achievements, particularly the World Scholars' Cup success at Yale, show that motivated students can excel even within a constrained environment. However, parents must enter this school with clear eyes. The ADEK inspection identified Weak leadership and management, Weak care and support structures, and Weak curriculum adaptation - these are not minor concerns. The school's digital infrastructure is poor, transparency is limited, and the pathway to competitive university admissions is not clearly articulated. This is a school that works best as a community anchor for Filipino families in Abu Dhabi, not as a launchpad for academically ambitious students targeting top-tier universities.
THE “RIGHT FIT”
Filipino expatriate families in Khalifa City who prioritise DepEd curriculum alignment, cultural continuity, and genuinely affordable school fees (AED 6,140-13,500), and whose children thrive in a close-knit, community-focused environment.
THE “WRONG FIT”
Families seeking strong ADEK inspection ratings, robust inclusion support, well-resourced extracurricular programmes, or a clear pathway to competitive international university admissions - this school does not currently deliver on those priorities.
“
It is not a perfect school, but it is our school. My children feel at home here, and the fees mean we can save for their university. That is the trade-off we have made, and for us it works.
— Grade 9 Parent
Strengths
- Most affordable Philippine curriculum school fees in Khalifa City (AED 6,140-13,500)
- Dual accreditation by DepEd (Philippines) and ADEK provides credential recognition
- Warm, culturally cohesive community praised by ADEK inspectors
- IBT Science and Arabic results above international benchmark standards
- World Scholars' Cup Tournament Champions at Yale University (2019)
- KG students make at least expected progress in English, Maths and Science
- Active parent involvement recognised as a school strength
- STEM and ABM Senior High School tracks offer subject specialisation
Areas for Improvement
- Leadership and Management rated Weak by ADEK; self-evaluation and improvement planning inadequate
- Care and Support rated Weak; no specialist inclusion coordinator appointed
- Early primary English (Grades 3-4) falls below IBT international benchmark standards
- School website largely non-functional, limiting transparency for prospective families
- Limited extracurricular provision and no documented after-school clubs programme