Shining star international schoolCBSE School in Abu Dhabi
Curriculum
CBSE
ADEK
Acceptable
Location
Abu Dhabi
Fees
AED 9K - 17K
Shining star international school
The Executive Summary
Shining Star International School Abu Dhabi occupies a distinctive and increasingly important niche in the emirate's private school landscape: a genuinely affordable, ADEK-rated Good institution delivering the CBSE Indian curriculum to nearly 2,000 students in Mohamed Bin Zayed City. Established in 2014 in Musaffah, SSIS has made a remarkable journey from a Weak rating in its first inspection to a Good rating in the 2024 ADEK Irtiqa cycle - a trajectory that reflects sustained, evidence-based improvement under committed leadership. For South Asian expatriate families seeking continuity with the Indian board system, strong pastoral community, and school fees Abu Dhabi parents can genuinely afford - starting at just AED 8,630 for KG1 - SSIS represents one of the most compelling value propositions among Mohamed Bin Zayed City schools. The school's self-description as a "Budget School Offering Premium Education" is aspirational, but the ADEK data increasingly supports the claim. Progress across all phases is now rated Good, teaching has improved from Acceptable to Good, and English attainment in the senior cycle has reached Very Good. These are not trivial gains.
ADEK Good 2024CBSE Curriculum Abu DhabiFees from AED 8,6301,989 Students EnrolledImproved from Acceptable
“This is the first year for my kids in Grade 5 and 6. I am so glad they joined SSIS - full of activities, so organised, and the staff are so helpful, supportive and kind with my children.”
— Primary and Middle School ParentAcademic Framework & Learning Style
SSIS delivers the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) curriculum through NCERT textbooks, running on an April-to-March academic year that mirrors the Indian school calendar - a crucial continuity factor for families relocating from India or those planning to return. The curriculum spans KG1 through Grade 12, covering the full spectrum from early childhood to the senior secondary board examinations. The school's academic philosophy is built on treating each child as a unique individual, emphasising practical application alongside theoretical learning, and maintaining equal weightage between academic and co-curricular activities.
In terms of measurable academic outcomes, the 2024 ADEK Irtiqa report provides the most authoritative picture available. Grade 12 CBSE English results show outstanding attainment, and Grade 10 CBSE science attainment is rated Good. In the PIRLS 2021 reading assessment, Grade 4 students achieved a proficiency score of 540 - significantly surpassing international expectations. In PISA 2022, 15-year-old students scored 412.4 in reading literacy, exceeding the school's own target of 401.8, though remaining below the OECD international average. Mathematics and science PISA scores remain a development area, with scores of 402 and 411.3 respectively falling below international benchmarks.
The ACER IBT standardised assessments conducted for Grades 3 to 9 reveal a more mixed picture: attainment in English and science is rated weak across most grades, and mathematics is similarly weak except for Grade 8, which achieved very good results. This gap between internal assessment data and external benchmarking is a known challenge that ADEK inspectors have specifically flagged. The school teaches five languages: English, Arabic, Hindi, Malayalam, and Urdu - an unusual breadth that reflects its diverse South Asian student community. Students of Determination (38 enrolled) receive dedicated support, and the school maintains a dedicated counselling and inclusion pathway, though ADEK notes that DLP (IEP and ALP) processes require review to ensure SMART targets address academic, social, and emotional needs comprehensively. University destination data is published on the school website, with the school citing that 89% of graduates proceed to reputable universities - though granular destination specifics are not publicly detailed. The admissions criteria are straightforward: online registration, document submission, and age-appropriate placement, with no entrance examination requirement for most year groups.
540
PIRLS 2021 Reading Score (Grade 4)
Significantly surpasses international benchmark
412.4
PISA 2022 Reading Literacy Score
Exceeded school target of 401.8; below OECD average
Outstanding
Grade 12 CBSE English Attainment
AY2023/24 CBSE board examination results
89%
Graduates to Reputable Universities
As cited on the school's official website
Extracurricular Activities (ECAs)
Extracurricular provision at SSIS is genuinely broad for a school at this fee level, and it represents one of the institution's most tangible differentiators. The school offers an extensive range of after-school activities spanning sport, performing arts, STEM enrichment, and community engagement. Confirmed offerings include yoga, martial arts, football, cricket coaching, Abacus, Robotics, gardening, nature clubs, book clubs, art and craft camps, drama, music, dance, chess, photography, and language clubs.
Beyond the standard club menu, SSIS has embedded several globally recognised enrichment programmes into its co-curricular framework. The school participates in the Duke of Edinburgh Programme, runs Toastmaster and Gavel Clubs for public speaking and leadership development, and engages students in the United Nations Impact Model and Sustainable Development Goals projects. Global Classroom Projects and Community Outreach Programmes are also active, including partnerships with schools in Africa and the USA - an international dimension unusual at this price point. The school has also championed climate action, with students representing SSIS at COP28 UAE, as documented in coverage by the Khaleej Times.
On the sports front, the school offers competitive sports throughout the year, with dedicated coaching facilities. The school's own data indicates that 25 students have discovered and developed their athletic abilities to a competitive level. The performing arts programme encompasses drama, music, and dance, with the school's multipurpose auditorium providing a dedicated performance venue. The Student Council provides formal leadership opportunities, and the school's participation in 356 inter-school events gives students meaningful competitive experience beyond the campus.
15+
Confirmed After-School Activity Categories
Including sport, arts, STEM, and leadership
356
Inter-School Events Participated
As reported on the school's official website
Duke of Edinburgh ProgrammeUN Impact ModelCOP28 RepresentationRobotics & STEM ClubsToastmaster & Gavel Clubs
Pastoral Care & Well-being
The 2024 ADEK Irtiqa inspection rates health and safety, child protection, and safeguarding as Good across all phases - the school's most consistent area of strength throughout its inspection history. SSIS maintains robust child protection measures and effective safeguarding procedures that inspectors found to be well-implemented and reliable. This is a non-negotiable baseline, and SSIS meets it credibly.
Student personal and social development is rated Good across all phases, with inspectors noting that students exhibit responsible attitudes toward learning and demonstrate positive behaviour throughout the school. Students genuinely enjoy attending school - a finding that ADEK explicitly highlights as a strength, and one that should not be underestimated in its impact on long-term learning outcomes. The school operates a Student Council, providing formal mechanisms for student voice and leadership development. Parents are actively integrated into school life through a Parent Council that meets regularly, with participants selected annually to represent a broad mix of skills. Daily and weekly progress updates are communicated via ClassDojo and email, and regular Open Houses and PTA meetings facilitate direct teacher-parent interaction. The governing board closely monitors school performance and holds senior leaders accountable, which ADEK regards as a governance strength.
Areas for development include the quality of care and support for students, rated Acceptable across all phases - unchanged from the previous inspection. ADEK specifically recommends reviewing and updating the DLP (IEP and ALP) processes to ensure SMART targets comprehensively address students' academic, social, and emotional needs. Physical accessibility for students with mobility challenges also requires improvement, with inspectors noting that not all parts of the school are currently accessible to students with physical disabilities.
“SSIS has always been with my child till the end. The school's care and support for students is something I truly appreciate as a parent.”
— Senior School Parent(representative)Campus & Facilities
SSIS occupies a modern building in the Musaffah / Mohamed Bin Zayed City area of Abu Dhabi, with a second newer building also in operation - the school refers to both a "main building" and a "new building," each housing its own library. The campus location in Musaffah places it within easy reach of the large South Asian expatriate communities in the surrounding residential areas, and GPS-tracked school transport is available across Abu Dhabi for AED 4,428 per year.
Facility provision for a school at this fee level is commendable. The campus includes dedicated Physics, Chemistry, and Biology laboratories, a general experimental science lab, and computer laboratories equipped with high-speed internet and regularly updated hardware and software. A Robotics Lab supports the school's STEM enrichment programme. The library across both buildings holds a combined total of 7,813 books - including 5,645 fiction and non-fiction titles, 1,474 reference books, 278 Arabic books, and 374 teacher manuals - alongside data projectors for e-learning integration. The multipurpose auditorium serves workshops, events, performances, and sports practice. An in-house cafeteria provides fresh, nutritious meals at affordable prices, and a health clinic staffed by a qualified nurse includes a diagnosis room, medicine room, and resting room. Outdoor sports facilities and playgrounds complete the physical infrastructure. The school offers a virtual tour on its website, and open days are held every Thursday and Saturday from 9am to 1pm for prospective families. Planned expansion to an upcoming campus is referenced on the school website, signalling growth ambitions.
7,813
Books Across Two School Libraries
Including fiction, reference, Arabic, and teacher resources
2
Campus Buildings in Operation
Main building and new building, each with a library
Dedicated Physics LabChemistry & Biology LabsRobotics Lab7,813-Book LibraryGPS-Tracked TransportOn-Site Health Clinic
Teaching & Learning Quality
The most significant finding of the 2024 ADEK Irtiqa inspection is the improvement in teaching quality: teaching for effective learning is now rated Good across all four phases (KG, Cycle 1, Cycle 2, and Cycle 3), having been rated Acceptable across all phases in the previous inspection. This represents a genuine, system-wide improvement that inspectors attribute to teachers' more effective use of varied techniques to actively engage students, improved differentiation in lesson planning, and targeted instructional approaches that support students in meeting expected progress levels.
The school employs 108 teachers and 10 teaching assistants, serving a roll of 1,989 students - giving an overall teacher-to-student ratio of approximately 1:18 at the school level, though the school's own historical data suggests class sizes of up to 25 in KG and 30 in upper grades. Teacher nationalities are predominantly Indian, Egyptian, and Pakistani, reflecting the curriculum and student community. The school emphasises that its teachers are not only academically qualified but also possess sensitivity toward children - a softer but meaningful dimension of professional suitability in a school serving young learners.
The school's pedagogical approach centres on practical, inquiry-based learning within the CBSE framework, with emphasis on critical thinking and creative expression. Technology integration includes computer labs, robotics, the Level Up reading app for Phase 1, and the Achieve 3000 platform for differentiated reading comprehension in Phases 2 and 3. Professional development is supported through teacher collaboration across the school - an area ADEK specifically identifies as a strength. However, assessment practices remain rated Acceptable across all phases - unchanged from the previous inspection - and this is the most pressing pedagogical weakness. Inspectors note that teachers do not consistently provide clear, actionable verbal and written feedback, and that internal and standardised assessment data is not yet used effectively enough to tailor teaching to the diverse needs of all learners.
108
Qualified Teaching Staff
Supported by 10 teaching assistants
1:18
Overall Teacher-to-Student Ratio
Based on 108 teachers and 1,989 students on roll
Good
Teaching Quality Rating (All Phases)
Improved from Acceptable in previous ADEK inspection
Leadership & Management
SSIS is currently led by Principal Abhilasha Singh, whose name appears in the 2024 ADEK inspection report as the school's principal. The school's leadership team operates under the oversight of Chairman Mr. Sanjiv Khanna, whose stated philosophy - that education is the primary driver of positive societal change - underpins the school's founding mission. The school's vision is "to be a school of innovation and creativity, preparing students for global challenges," and its mission focuses on developing future leaders through holistic growth: social, moral, intellectual, and physical.
The 2024 ADEK Irtiqa inspection rates all six dimensions of leadership and management as Good: effectiveness of leadership, school self-evaluation and improvement planning, parents and community engagement, governance, and management of staffing, facilities, and resources. This consistency across all leadership domains is a meaningful indicator of institutional stability. ADEK specifically commends the principal for providing strong leadership and fostering a collaborative environment where senior leaders work cohesively toward continuous improvement. The governing board is described as closely monitoring school actions and holding senior leaders fully accountable for academic performance and service quality.
Parent communication is a deliberate strength: the school uses ClassDojo, email updates, Open Houses, and PTA meetings as multi-channel communication tools, and the active Parent Council - with monthly meetings and an annual selection process - gives parents a genuine governance voice. The school also maintains a Board of Trustees that includes the owner, chairman, Dean, principal, staff member, two parents, and two community members - a governance structure that exceeds the minimum requirements for schools at this fee level. One area for leadership development identified by ADEK is the need to enhance the accuracy and validity of data used in the Self-Evaluation Form (SEF) and School Improvement Plan (SIP), to strengthen the school's strategic direction and evidence base for decision-making.
ADEK Inspection Results (Irtiqa - Decoded)
The 2024 ADEK Irtiqa inspection, conducted between 14 and 17 October 2024, awarded Shining Star International School an overall rating of Good - a significant upgrade from its previous Acceptable rating, and a continuation of a long upward trajectory that began with a Weak rating in the school's first inspection in 2015. This improvement is not cosmetic: ADEK inspectors document concrete, measurable gains across teaching, student achievement, and leadership.
In terms of student achievement, progress is now rated Good across all subjects and all phases - a landmark achievement. Attainment is more varied: English reaches Very Good in Cycle 3 (senior secondary), Islamic Education and UAE Social Studies are Good across all phases, while Mathematics and Science attainment remains Acceptable in Cycles 1, 2, and 3. The gap between progress (Good) and attainment (mixed) reflects a school where students are making better-than-expected gains from their starting points, even if absolute attainment levels have not yet caught up to the Good benchmark in all subjects. This is an important nuance for parents: SSIS students are genuinely progressing, and the school is adding measurable value.
Curriculum design and implementation is rated Good in KG and Cycle 3, and Acceptable in Cycles 1 and 2. Curriculum adaptation remains Acceptable across all phases, and ADEK recommends more systematic cross-curricular integration. Assessment remains the school's most persistent weakness, rated Acceptable across all phases in both the current and previous inspection. The school must improve the quality and consistency of feedback to students and make better use of both internal and standardised assessment data to differentiate teaching effectively. ADEK's key recommendations focus on raising attainment to Very Good, improving assessment quality, and strengthening inclusion provision - particularly for gifted and talented students and those with additional learning needs.
Whole-School Progress Now Good
Student progress is rated Good across all subjects and all four phases - KG, Cycle 1, Cycle 2, and Cycle 3. This represents a complete turnaround from the previous inspection and demonstrates that teaching improvements are translating into measurable student gains.
Strong Leadership & Governance
All six dimensions of leadership and management are rated Good. The principal's collaborative leadership style, active governing board, and robust parent engagement structures are specifically commended by ADEK inspectors as drivers of the school's improvement journey.
Safeguarding & Student Welfare Secure
Health, safety, child protection, and safeguarding are rated Good across all phases - consistent with the previous inspection. Students exhibit positive attitudes toward learning and genuinely enjoy school, contributing to a safe and supportive environment.
Assessment Practices Remain Acceptable
Assessment is rated Acceptable across all phases - unchanged from the previous inspection. Teachers do not yet consistently provide clear, actionable feedback, and standardised assessment data is not used effectively enough to tailor teaching to diverse learner needs, including gifted students and those with additional learning needs.
Attainment in Core Subjects Below Good
Despite strong progress ratings, attainment in Mathematics and Science remains Acceptable in Cycles 1, 2, and 3. ACER IBT external assessments show weak attainment in English and Science across Grades 3-9, indicating a gap between internal assessment data and external benchmarking that requires urgent attention.
Inspection History
2015
Weak
2017
Acceptable
2018
Acceptable
2022
Acceptable
2024
Good
Fees & Value for Money
Shining Star International School (SSIS) offers an Indian curriculum (CBSE) education at competitive fee levels, positioning itself as a budget school offering premium education. For the 2025–2026 academic year, annual tuition fees range from AED 8,630 for KG1 and KG2 through to AED 16,930 for Grades 11 and 12, all approved by ADEK. The school's fees are structured to be accessible while covering a comprehensive educational experience, with additional costs for books, uniform, and optional bus transport clearly itemised.
AED 8,630
Annual Fees From
AED 16,930
Annual Fees To
Year / GradeAnnual Fee
KG1
AED 8,630KG2
AED 8,630Grade 1
AED 10,300Grade 2
AED 11,000Grade 3
AED 11,560Grade 4
AED 11,560Grade 5
AED 13,730Grade 6
AED 13,730Grade 7
AED 14,840Grade 8
AED 14,840Grade 9
AED 15,920Grade 10
AED 15,840Grade 11
AED 16,930Grade 12
AED 16,930The yearly fee (tuition plus books and uniform) ranges from approximately AED 9,644 at the KG level to AED 18,388 at the senior secondary level. Tuition fees are payable in three terms, with Term 1 covering April–June, Term 2 covering September–November, and Term 3 covering December–March. A 5% discount is available for parents who make a one-time annual payment, making upfront settlement a financially attractive option.
SSIS provides a range of discount schemes including sibling discounts of up to 10% for third and subsequent children, merit-based scholarships for high-achieving students, and referral incentives for parents and teachers. Board fees (applicable to Grades IX–XII for CBSE board examinations) are charged separately and range from AED 375 to AED 900 depending on the grade. The school accepts payment by cash, card, and cheque, with post-dated cheques required for the second and third term instalments.
Additional Costs
Bus (Two-Way)4,420(annual)
Books & Materials – KG1/KG2495(annual)
Books & Materials – Grade 1/2594(annual)
Books & Materials – Grade 3644(annual)
Books & Materials – Grade 4/5660(annual)
Books & Materials – Grade 6715(annual)
Books & Materials – Grade 7/8798(annual)
Books & Materials – Grade 9/10/11/12880(annual)
Uniform – KG1/KG2519(annual)
Uniform – Grade 1/2/3/4/5640(annual)
Uniform – Grade 6/7/8/9/10/11/12578(annual)
CBSE Board Fee – Grade 9375(annual)
CBSE Board Fee – Grade 10750(annual)
CBSE Board Fee – Grade 11375(annual)
CBSE Board Fee – Grade 12900(annual)
Discounts & Concessions
Sibling Discount – 1st Child0%%
Sibling Discount – 2nd Child7%%
Sibling Discount – 3rd Child10%%
Sibling Discount – 4th Child10%%
Sibling Discount – 5th Child10%%
One-Time Annual Payment Discount5%%
One-Time Annual Payment + Sibling – 1st Child5%%
One-Time Annual Payment + Sibling – 2nd Child9%%
One-Time Annual Payment + Sibling – 3rd/4th/5th Child12%%
I-Shine Discount7%%
Parent Referral Discount5%%
Vendor / Third-Party Referral Discount5%%
Scholarships & Bursaries
The Anmol Ratan Scholarship offers an AED 5,000 prize split among top-performing students, with the final decision resting with the Admission and Academic team. A Teacher Referral incentive of AED 250 is also available. On-the-spot admission applicants receive gift bags.
The Final Verdict: Who Is This School For?
Shining Star International School is a school in genuine, documented ascent. The journey from Weak to Good over a decade of ADEK inspections is not a marketing claim - it is the verdict of independent inspectors, and it reflects real improvements in teaching quality, student progress, and leadership. For the right family, SSIS offers something rare in Abu Dhabi's private school market: a Good-rated CBSE school with an April-to-March calendar, five languages including Hindi and Malayalam, a broad extracurricular programme including the Duke of Edinburgh and UN Impact Model, and fees that do not require a six-figure household income.
The school is not without its challenges. Assessment practices remain Acceptable, attainment in Mathematics and Science in the middle years needs to reach Good, and physical accessibility for students with mobility needs requires investment. Parents seeking a school with Very Good or Outstanding ADEK ratings, or those whose children require intensive specialist SEN support, should weigh these factors carefully. But for families who are realistic about what a school at this price point can deliver - and who value community, pastoral warmth, curriculum continuity with India, and a school that is visibly improving - SSIS deserves serious consideration.
THE “RIGHT FIT”
South Asian expatriate families seeking CBSE curriculum continuity, an April-to-March academic year, and accessible school fees in the AED 8,630 to AED 16,930 range, who value strong community, improving teaching quality, and a broad extracurricular programme including Duke of Edinburgh and global partnerships.
THE “WRONG FIT”
Families seeking an Outstanding or Very Good ADEK-rated school, students requiring intensive specialist SEN or gifted-and-talented provision, or those who prioritise strong external assessment results and benchmark-level attainment in Mathematics and Science across all year groups.
“
The school is full of activities and so organised. The staff are helpful, supportive and kind - it has been a great first year for my children and I feel confident they are in good hands.
— Parent of Grade 5 and Grade 6 Students
Strengths
- ADEK Good rating achieved in 2024, improved from Acceptable - a verified upward trajectory
- Fees among the most accessible for a Good-rated school in Abu Dhabi (AED 8,630 to AED 16,930)
- Student progress rated Good across all subjects and all four phases
- PIRLS 2021 Grade 4 reading score of 540 significantly surpasses international benchmark
- Broad extracurricular programme including Duke of Edinburgh, UN Impact Model, and COP28 participation
- Strong safeguarding and child protection rated Good across all phases
- Five languages taught including Hindi, Malayalam, and Urdu alongside English and Arabic
- Active Parent Council, Board of Trustees, and multi-channel parent communication
Areas for Improvement
- Assessment practices rated Acceptable across all phases - unchanged from previous inspection
- ACER IBT external results show weak attainment in English and Science across Grades 3-9
- Mathematics and Science attainment remains Acceptable in Cycles 1, 2, and 3
- Physical accessibility for students with mobility challenges requires improvement
- Gifted and talented students do not always receive sufficient challenge in lessons