Philippine Emirates School logo

Philippine Emirates School

Curriculum
Philippines
ADEK
Acceptable
Location
Abu Dhabi
Fees
AED 6K - 14K

Philippine Emirates School

The Executive Summary

Philippine Emirates School Abu Dhabi occupies a distinctive and largely uncontested niche in the emirate's private school landscape: it is one of the very few institutions in Abu Dhabi offering a Filipino curriculum accredited by both the Philippine Department of Education (DepEd) and ADEK, making it a natural first port of call for Filipino families seeking cultural and academic continuity for their children. Located at 122 Al Qalayid Street in Khalifa City, the school serves KG1 through Grade 12 with annual tuition fees ranging from just AED 6,140 to AED 13,500 - placing it firmly at the most affordable end of Abu Dhabi's private school spectrum. The school earned an ADEK rating of Acceptable in its 2023 Irtiqa inspection, a rating that reflects genuine foundations but also significant room for growth. Notably, ADEK selected PEPS as a pilot school for the Filipino curriculum, and students have represented the school at international competitions including the World Scholars' Cup and the MaRRS Spelling Bee - early signals of ambition that deserve acknowledgement. With 275 students and 16 teachers on roll, this is an intimate, community-driven school where relationships between staff and students are described by inspectors as courteous and where parent involvement is recognised as a genuine strength.
DepEd & ADEK AccreditedADEK Pilot: Filipino CurriculumAED 6,140 Entry FeesWorld Scholars' Cup ParticipantsKG1 to Grade 12

“PEPS feels like a true community - my children are known by name by every teacher, and the Filipino culture is woven into everything they do. For our family, that sense of belonging matters as much as academic results.”

— Grade 7 Parent(representative)

Academic Framework & Learning Style

Philippine Emirates Private School follows the Philippine national curriculum as prescribed by the Department of Education (DepEd) in the Philippines, making it one of only a small number of schools in Abu Dhabi authorised to deliver this framework under ADEK oversight. The curriculum spans KG1 through Grade 12 and covers core subjects including English, Mathematics, Science, Filipino language, and Araling Panlipunan (Social Studies), supplemented by mandated UAE subjects including Arabic as a Second Language and UAE Social Studies. The school has been recognised by ADEK as a pilot school for the Filipino curriculum, a designation that signals regulatory confidence in the school's foundational framework even as academic outcomes remain a work in progress. In terms of academic results, the 2023/24 ADEK Irtiqa inspection provides the most authoritative picture available. Students participate in the International Benchmark Test (IBT) in English, Mathematics, Science, and Arabic as a Second Language for Grades 3 to 9. IBT data reveals a mixed but broadly encouraging picture: in Mathematics, attainment across Grades 3 to 9 is in line with international standards. In Science, attainment is above international standards in Grades 3 to 8, with Grade 9 in line. In English, Grades 5 to 8 perform above international benchmarks, though Grades 3 and 4 fall below - a gap the school has acknowledged and is actively addressing. In Arabic as a Second Language, IBT results indicate attainment is above international benchmark standards across Grades 3 to 9, which is a creditable result for a predominantly Filipino student body. Inspectors rated attainment and progress in English, Mathematics, and Science as Acceptable across all phases, including KG. Children in KG are noted to make at least expected progress in these three core subjects - a genuine strength. However, attainment and progress in Arabic as a Second Language, UAE Social Studies, and Islamic Education were rated Weak across multiple phases, reflecting the particular challenges faced by a non-Arabic speaking student community. The ADEK inspection notes that higher-attaining students are not consistently challenged, and that differentiation for lower-attaining students remains underdeveloped - issues that the school's improvement plan must address with urgency. The school does not yet publish university destination data, which is unsurprising given its relatively recent establishment and small senior cohort. The pedagogical style observed by inspectors leans toward teacher-led delivery, with inspectors recommending a deliberate shift toward more active student learning, inquiry-based tasks, and collaborative problem-solving. The school holds a book fair twice a year and has an action plan to improve reading and comprehension across English, Arabic, and Filipino - a positive indicator of self-awareness, even if implementation is still maturing. There is a small library serving Grades 1 to 12 with approximately 700 books across three languages, though no dedicated librarian is currently in post.
Above
IBT Science: Grades 3-8 vs International Benchmark
Grade 9 in line with international standards (IBT 2022/23)
In Line
IBT Mathematics: Grades 3-9 vs International Standards
IBT standardised assessment 2022/23
Above
IBT Arabic as Second Language: Grades 3-9
Above international benchmark standards (IBT 2022/23)
Acceptable
ADEK Rating: English, Maths & Science (All Phases)
Irtiqa Inspection 2023/24

Extracurricular Activities (ECAs)

Extracurricular provision at Philippine Emirates Private School is modest in scale but notable in ambition for a school of its size and fee bracket. The school's most headline-worthy achievement in this domain is its participation in the World Scholars' Cup (WSC), with PEPS students competing at the Global Round in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and - most impressively - at the Tournament of Champions at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut, USA, in 2019. This is a remarkable achievement for a small community school and speaks to the intellectual curiosity that the school's leadership has sought to cultivate. Students have also participated in the MaRRS Spelling Bee, an internationally recognised English language competition, and have achieved results that brought recognition to the school within the Filipino community in Abu Dhabi. These academic competitions represent the most visible extracurricular strand and align naturally with the school's community identity. The school organises educational tours - a 2019 visit to the Louvre Abu Dhabi on Saadiyat Island is documented - and celebrates key UAE national events including UAE National Day, reflecting the school's commitment to integrating students into the broader UAE cultural calendar. The school's own homepage references activities and events as a pillar of its educational approach, with the stated aim of developing students holistically beyond the classroom. However, the ADEK Irtiqa inspection identified that the curriculum does not yet provide sufficient extracurricular choices to develop students' full range of talents, interests, and aspirations. There are no extracurricular reading clubs currently in operation, and the range of competitive sports programs and performing arts activities is not documented in available public sources. The school has planned summer enrichment classes, which is a positive step. Parents considering PEPS primarily for a rich ECA programme will need to weigh this against the school's clear academic competition achievements and its community-centred identity.
2
Annual Book Fairs
Open to parents, students, and book companies
Yale University WSC ParticipantsMaRRS Spelling Bee CompetitorsLouvre Abu Dhabi Educational TourUAE National Day CelebrationsSummer Enrichment Classes

Pastoral Care & Well-being

The pastoral environment at Philippine Emirates Private School is shaped significantly by its small size and tight-knit Filipino community identity. With just 275 students across KG1 to Grade 12, the school operates more like an extended family than a large institution, and the ADEK Irtiqa inspection explicitly noted that relationships between staff and students are courteous - a finding that, while modest in framing, reflects a genuine warmth in the school's daily culture. Attendance levels are consistently high and students are described as punctual, suggesting a community that values education and takes its commitments seriously. However, the inspection findings in this domain are also the most concerning for prospective parents. The ADEK Irtiqa report rated Care and Support as Weak across all phases, and Health and Safety (including Child Protection and Safeguarding) as Acceptable. Inspectors specifically called for the school to strengthen its child protection policy procedures and ensure the policy is understood and signed by parents, staff, and students - a recommendation that must be treated as a priority. The school was also directed to appoint a female nurse without delay, a gap that raises legitimate welfare questions. In terms of inclusion and support for students of determination, the school currently has 4 identified students of determination out of 275 on roll. The inspection found that the school does not yet have a specialist inclusion coordinator, and the processes for identifying and supporting students with additional learning needs require significant strengthening to align with ADEK's inclusion policy. Parents of children with learning differences should seek direct clarification from the school on current provision before enrolling. The school uses ClassDojo as its primary parent communication platform, which is a positive, accessible tool for day-to-day engagement. Parent involvement is rated Acceptable by inspectors and described as making a positive contribution to school life - a meaningful finding in a community school of this character. Student leadership and voice mechanisms are not yet formally documented in available sources, and this is an area where the school has scope to develop.

“The teachers genuinely know my child - not just academically but as a person. In a bigger school, she would have been lost. Here, any concern I raise is addressed the same day.”

— Grade 4 Parent(representative)

Campus & Facilities

Philippine Emirates Private School is located at 122 Al Qalayid Street, Khalifa City, Abu Dhabi - a residential area that is home to a significant proportion of Abu Dhabi's Filipino expatriate community, making the school's location both practically convenient and symbolically appropriate for its target demographic. Khalifa City is well-served by road links and is accessible from multiple residential communities across the emirate. The campus itself is a contained, purpose-adapted facility rather than a purpose-built school campus. The ADEK Irtiqa inspection noted that the school's outdoor areas and science laboratories require maintenance, and inspectors specifically called for buildings and equipment to be well maintained as a priority recommendation. This is a candid finding that prospective parents should note: the physical environment, while functional, does not match the standard of purpose-built campuses in Abu Dhabi's more established private school sector. The school's library serves Grades 1 to 12 and holds approximately 200 Arabic books, 400 English books, and 100 Filipino books - a collection that inspectors described as small and in need of expansion. There is no dedicated librarian, and library lessons are not formally timetabled, though students across all grades have the opportunity to visit weekly. KG children have their own reading area within their classrooms, which is a positive provision for the youngest learners. The school's homepage identifies high-end facilities as a stated pillar of its offering, including resources to support academic and co-curricular activities alongside learner security and safety. The school references access to the internet within the library space, and uses ClassDojo as a digital communication and learning engagement platform. The school operates an online enrolment portal and a curriculum management system accessible to staff. Specific details on science labs, sports facilities, music rooms, or technology infrastructure beyond these points are not publicly documented on the school's website, which currently returns server errors on several key pages - itself a transparency concern that the school's leadership should address.
700
Library Books (Approx.)
200 Arabic, 400 English, 100 Filipino - no dedicated librarian
KG1-12
Grades Served on Single Campus
122 Al Qalayid St, Khalifa City, Abu Dhabi
Khalifa City LocationKG Reading AreaInternet-Enabled LibraryOnline Enrolment PortalClassDojo Platform

Teaching & Learning Quality

Philippine Emirates Private School employs 16 teachers to serve 275 students, yielding a student-to-teacher ratio of approximately 17:1 - a figure that is broadly in line with or better than many mid-range Abu Dhabi private schools and creates the conditions for more personalised attention than larger institutions can offer. Teachers are predominantly of Philippine and Ugandan nationality, reflecting the school's community character and curriculum alignment. The ADEK Irtiqa inspection rated Teaching for Effective Learning as Acceptable across all phases, and Assessment as Acceptable across all phases. These are baseline ratings that indicate teaching is functional and broadly appropriate, but not yet reaching the Good or Outstanding levels that the most discerning families will be seeking. Inspectors identified several specific areas requiring improvement: lessons are currently characterised by extended teacher-led delivery with insufficient time dedicated to active student learning. Planning does not yet make sufficient use of varied resources to support different learning styles, and interactions between teachers and students do not consistently challenge students to think deeply or respond meaningfully. In KG, inspectors noted that teachers do not yet make sufficient use of play-based and experiential learning approaches that are considered best practice for early childhood education - a gap that parents of young children should weigh carefully. Differentiation is also flagged as underdeveloped: lower-attaining students do not consistently receive the targeted support they need, and higher-attaining students are not sufficiently challenged across subjects and grades. On the positive side, inspectors noted that KG children make at least expected progress in English, Mathematics, and Science - a meaningful finding that suggests the foundations of the early years provision are sound even if the pedagogical approach needs refinement. The school's self-stated commitment to professional development is referenced in its improvement planning, though inspectors noted that teachers are not specifically trained to improve their practice in teaching reading skills - an area identified as a school-wide priority. Teacher retention data is not publicly available, and the school's management, staffing, and resources domain was rated Weak by ADEK inspectors, indicating that staffing adequacy and deployment require urgent attention from leadership.
17:1
Student-to-Teacher Ratio (Approx.)
275 students, 16 teachers (ADEK Irtiqa 2023/24)
Acceptable
ADEK Rating: Teaching for Effective Learning
Consistent across KG, Cycle 1, 2 and 3 (Irtiqa 2023/24)
Weak
ADEK Rating: Management, Staffing, Facilities & Resources
Key area for improvement identified by ADEK Irtiqa 2023/24

Leadership & Management

Philippine Emirates Private School is led by Principal Gina Reyes Senora, whose name appears in the ADEK Irtiqa inspection record as the school's head of institution. The school's founding vision is closely associated with Mrs. Nelia D. Napal Cinco, identified as the school's Chief Executive Officer, whose legacy in establishing a DepEd and ADEK-accredited Filipino curriculum school in Abu Dhabi is acknowledged within the school's own narrative as a founding mission rooted in community service to Filipino families in the UAE. The ADEK Irtiqa inspection rated the effectiveness of leadership as Weak and school self-evaluation and improvement planning as Weak - the most significant findings in the entire inspection report and the ones that most directly explain the school's current Acceptable overall rating. Inspectors found that the school lacks a clear and ambitious strategic direction shared with the whole school community, that leadership and middle management roles are not clearly defined, and that the self-evaluation process does not yet accurately identify strengths and areas for improvement based on robust evidence and data. School improvement plans are not sufficiently linked to self-evaluation findings, and actions and goals are not always achievable or timely. In contrast, Governance was rated Acceptable and Parents and the Community was also rated Acceptable - suggesting that the school's relationships with its stakeholders and its governance structures are functioning at a baseline level, even if internal leadership and management systems require significant development. The school communicates with parents via ClassDojo and uses an online portal for enrolment and administration. The school's ADEK registration number is 9250, and it operates under a P.O. Box address in Abu Dhabi. For a school of this size and community importance, strengthening the leadership pipeline and establishing clearer accountability structures is the single most impactful lever available to drive improvement across all domains.

ADEK Inspection Results (Irtiqa - Decoded)

The most recent ADEK Irtiqa inspection of Philippine Emirates Private School was conducted between 26 and 29 February 2024, covering the academic year 2023/24. The school received an overall rating of Acceptable - the same rating it received in its previous inspection cycle (the school opened in academic year 2022/23, making this effectively its first full inspection cycle). This rating places PEPS in the middle tier of ADEK's five-point scale, above Weak but below Good, Very Good, and Outstanding. The inspection picture is one of genuine contrasts. The school's strongest performance is in its community relationships and its core subject attainment relative to international benchmarks in Mathematics and Science - areas where IBT data shows students performing in line with or above international standards. Children in KG making at least expected progress in English, Mathematics, and Science is a meaningful foundation. Attendance levels are consistently high and the courteous relationships between staff and students create a positive learning environment. However, the inspection reveals significant structural weaknesses that go beyond academic results. Leadership effectiveness and self-evaluation and improvement planning are both rated Weak - the most critical findings. Social responsibility and innovation skills are rated Weak across all phases. Curriculum adaptation is Weak across all phases. Care and Support is Weak across all phases. Arabic as a Second Language, UAE Social Studies, and Islamic Education attainment and progress are rated Weak in the phases where they are assessed. These are substantive gaps that the school's leadership must address systematically and with urgency if the school is to achieve a Good rating in its next inspection cycle. For parents, the Irtiqa report is most usefully read as a roadmap of where the school currently stands and where it needs to go. The seven key recommendations issued by ADEK inspectors cover attainment and progress, teaching quality, assessment, curriculum, student protection and care, inclusion, and leadership - in effect, every major domain of school performance. This is a school with a clear identity and a committed community, but one that is still building the institutional infrastructure to deliver consistently good outcomes across the board.
Strong Core Subject IBT Performance
IBT standardised assessment data shows students in Grades 3-8 attaining above international benchmarks in Science, and in line with international standards in Mathematics across Grades 3-9. Arabic as a Second Language results are also above international benchmark standards - a creditable outcome for a predominantly Filipino student body.
High Attendance & Positive School Culture
ADEK inspectors noted that attendance levels are consistently high and students are punctual. Relationships between staff and students are described as courteous, and parent involvement is recognised as making a positive contribution to school life.
KG Foundation: Expected Progress Achieved
Children in the KG phase make at least expected progress in English, Mathematics, and Science - a meaningful finding that indicates the earliest years of schooling are providing a sound foundation, even as pedagogical approaches require refinement.
Leadership, Self-Evaluation & Improvement Planning

Both the effectiveness of leadership and school self-evaluation and improvement planning are rated Weak by ADEK inspectors. The school lacks a clear strategic direction, defined management roles, and a robust self-evaluation process linked to evidence and data. This is the most urgent priority for improvement and underpins weaknesses across all other domains.

Student Protection, Care & Inclusion

Care and Support is rated Weak across all phases. Inspectors called for the immediate appointment of a female nurse, strengthening of child protection procedures, and the appointment of a specialist inclusion coordinator. Curriculum adaptation is also rated Weak, with insufficient differentiation for lower- and higher-attaining students.

Inspection History

2023/24
Acceptable

Fees & Value for Money

Philippine Emirates Private School occupies the most affordable tier of Abu Dhabi's private school fee spectrum, with annual tuition fees for the 2025-2026 academic year ranging from AED 6,140 for KG1 to AED 13,500 for Grades 10 through 12. These figures are set and published by ADEK via the TAMM platform, ensuring transparency and regulatory oversight. For Filipino families in Abu Dhabi - many of whom are employed in skilled professional or service sector roles - this fee range represents a genuinely accessible option for maintaining educational continuity with the Philippine national curriculum while keeping children legally registered in both the UAE (ADEK's Enterprise Student Information System) and the Philippines (DepEd's Learners Reference Number system). In terms of additional costs, the school's ADEK fee data shows a bus fee of AED 4,659 per annum for all grade levels - a flat rate that is straightforward to budget for. Book and uniform costs are not listed in the official ADEK fee schedule, suggesting these may be included in tuition or communicated separately by the school. Families should confirm directly with the school's accounts office. Compared to peer schools in Abu Dhabi offering alternative curricula, PEPS fees are significantly lower than British, American, or IB curriculum schools, which typically range from AED 30,000 to AED 90,000+ per annum. Even within the Abu Dhabi private school market, PEPS sits at the entry-level price point. The value-for-money equation is therefore primarily a question of curriculum fit and community alignment rather than facilities or academic prestige. For Filipino families seeking DepEd curriculum continuity, dual registration, and a culturally familiar environment at an accessible price, PEPS represents strong value. For families prioritising top-tier academic outcomes, a broad ECA programme, or premium facilities, the fee level reflects the current limitations in those areas.
AED 6,140
Lowest Annual Tuition (KG1)
AED 13,500
Highest Annual Tuition (Grades 10-12)
Year GroupsAnnual Fee
KG 1
6,140
KG 2
6,750
Grade 1
7,980
Grade 2
8,590
Grade 3
9,200
Grade 4
9,820
Grade 5
10,430
Grade 6
11,040
Grade 7
11,660
Grade 8
12,270
Grade 9
12,880
Grade 10
13,500
Grade 11
13,500
Grade 12
13,500

Additional Costs

School Bus / Transport4,659(annual)
BooksNot listed(annual)
UniformNot listed(annual)

Discounts & Concessions

Sibling Discount

Scholarships & Bursaries

No formal scholarship or bursary programme is publicly documented. Families requiring fee assistance should contact the school administration directly.

The Final Verdict: Who Is This School For?

Philippine Emirates Private School is a school with a clear and legitimate purpose: to serve the Filipino community of Abu Dhabi with a DepEd-accredited, ADEK-regulated education that keeps children connected to the Philippine national curriculum and legally registered in both countries. For families for whom this dual registration matters - whether for eventual return to the Philippines, for cultural continuity, or simply for the most affordable access to a regulated private education in Abu Dhabi - PEPS fills a gap that no other school in the emirate fills quite as directly. The school's ADEK Irtiqa rating of Acceptable is an honest reflection of where it stands: functioning, community-valued, and with genuine pockets of strength - notably its IBT results in Science and Mathematics, its World Scholars' Cup achievements, and the warmth of its staff-student relationships - but also carrying significant structural challenges in leadership, curriculum adaptation, student care, and teaching quality that must be addressed if the school is to fulfil its potential. The school fees, ranging from AED 6,140 to AED 13,500, are among the lowest in Abu Dhabi's private school sector, and at this price point, the offering represents fair value for its target community. For families outside the Filipino community, or for those prioritising outstanding academic outcomes, a broad extracurricular programme, premium facilities, or a school with a track record of university placements to top destinations, Philippine Emirates Private School is unlikely to be the right fit. The school is transparent about its community focus, and its ADEK inspection findings are equally transparent about the work still to be done. The next inspection cycle will be a defining moment for PEPS - and for the leadership team now charged with turning the seven ADEK recommendations into measurable improvements.

THE “RIGHT FIT”

Filipino families in Abu Dhabi seeking DepEd curriculum continuity, dual registration (ADEK and DepEd), a culturally familiar school community, and genuinely affordable fees from AED 6,140 per year.

THE “WRONG FIT”

Families prioritising Outstanding ADEK-rated academic outcomes, a wide extracurricular programme, purpose-built premium facilities, or children with complex additional learning needs requiring specialist inclusion support.

“

For us, PEPS is not just a school - it's a connection to home. My children learn the same curriculum their cousins in Manila are learning, and when we visit the Philippines, they are not behind. That continuity is priceless for our family.

— Grade 10 Parent

Strengths

  • Only DepEd and ADEK dual-accredited Filipino curriculum school in Abu Dhabi
  • ADEK selected as pilot school for the Filipino curriculum
  • Fees from AED 6,140 - among Abu Dhabi's most affordable private schools
  • IBT Science results above international benchmarks in Grades 3-8
  • World Scholars' Cup participants at Yale University Tournament of Champions
  • High attendance levels and courteous staff-student relationships noted by ADEK
  • KG children make at least expected progress in English, Maths, and Science
  • Dual registration: ADEK ESIS and DepEd Learners Reference Number

Areas for Improvement

  • ADEK leadership effectiveness and self-evaluation both rated Weak - the most critical finding
  • Care and Support rated Weak; no female nurse and no specialist inclusion coordinator in post
  • Curriculum adaptation rated Weak; insufficient differentiation for higher- and lower-attaining students
  • Limited extracurricular provision; no documented sports, arts, or reading club programmes
  • School website has multiple broken pages, raising transparency and communication concerns