The American International School, an American curriculum school in Abu Dhabi, has received a current ADEK Irtiqa rating of Good for the 2024-2025 academic year. This represents a regression from its previous overall judgment of Very Good. The decline is attributed primarily to significant staff turnover and uncertainty in governance, which particularly impacted Arabic-medium subjects and Phase 3 English-medium subjects.
Despite the overall regression, the school maintains Very Good achievement in English, Mathematics, and Science in KG. There have been notable improvements in Science attainment and progress in Phase 2, and Mathematics and Science attainment in Phase 4. The curriculum team has successfully developed provisions that cater well to students' needs, and the school demonstrates a strong commitment to benchmarking student attainment against international standards such as TIMSS, PISA, and PIRLS.
The school has established highly effective arrangements for health, safety, security, and behavior, alongside robust inclusion systems for students of determination. Leadership, under a new director, is focused on development initiatives and maintains highly effective partnerships with parents. With stability now returning after a period of governance uncertainty, the school is well-positioned for positive future progress.
Outstanding
Very Good
Good
Acceptable
Weak
Very Weak
The American International School Overall Rating
Good
The six Irtiqa inspection standards used by ADEK to evaluate school performance across Abu Dhabi.
Students' achievement has regressed overall, particularly in Arabic-medium subjects and Phase 3 English-medium subjects, due to staff turnover. However, KG maintains Very Good achievement in core subjects, and there are instances of Outstanding attainment and progress in Science and Mathematics in specific phases. Arabic-medium subjectsPhase 3Very Good achievement in KG
Students' personal development is rated Good, with a strong awareness of UAE traditions, culture, and Islamic values. Their social responsibility and innovation skills are rated Very Good across all phases, indicating positive attitudes and contributions. UAE traditions, culture, and Islamic valuesSocial responsibility and innovation skills
Teaching and assessment have regressed from Very Good to Good in most phases, and to Acceptable in Phase 3. This decline is linked to the impact of new staff not being properly inducted, affecting differentiation and accurate assessment practices. staff inductiondifferentiationaccurate assessment
Curriculum design, implementation, and adaptation are rated Good across all phases. The curriculum team has successfully developed provisions that cater well to the needs, interests, and aspirations of students, although these areas were not judged in the previous inspection. Curriculum design and implementationCurriculum adaptation
The school maintains Very Good provision for health, safety, security, and child protection. Care and support for students, including robust inclusion systems for students of determination, also remain Very Good, demonstrating effective safeguarding and wellbeing practices. Health and safetyChild protectionInclusion systems
Leadership and management, including effectiveness of leadership, self-evaluation, governance, and management, have declined to Good. However, partnerships with parents remain Very Good, and the new director and senior leaders are focused on development initiatives. Effectiveness of leadershipGovernancePartnerships with parents
Standout achievements identified by the inspection team that distinguish this school.
The school has consistently maintained Very Good achievement in English, Mathematics, and Science across its Kindergarten phase.
Students demonstrate a strong awareness of UAE traditions, culture, and Islamic values, fostered within a positive and responsible learning environment.
The curriculum team has successfully developed provisions that cater well to the diverse needs, interests, and aspirations of all students.
The school has highly effective arrangements for health, safety, security, and behavior, complemented by robust inclusion systems for students of determination.
Under new leadership, the school remains fully focused on development initiatives, maintaining highly effective partnerships with parents.
Overall, students' achievement in Arabic-medium subjects has regressed, while English-medium subjects show a stronger profile with some maintained or improved performance, particularly in Science and Mathematics in specific phases.
Effectiveness of school governance, strategic planning, and leadership capacity to drive continuous improvement.
Leadership and management have declined due to governance uncertainty and high staff turnover, impacting all areas. However, the new director and senior leaders provide clear strategic direction, focusing on development initiatives and maintaining highly effective partnerships with parents. Stability has returned, positioning the school for positive progress.
Students' achievement has regressed, particularly in Arabic-medium subjects and Phase 3 English-medium subjects. While internal data often shows high attainment, observed classroom performance and external assessments (MAP) indicate inconsistencies and weaker results in some phases. KG and specific phases in Science and Mathematics show strong performance.
Students' personal development is Good, with a strong understanding of Islamic values and awareness of Emirati and world cultures. Social responsibility and innovation skills are Very Good, reflecting positive attitudes and engagement.
Teaching and assessment have declined, with issues stemming from new staff induction and a lack of consistent differentiation to meet diverse student needs. Teachers' abilities to accurately assess student attainment also require improvement, impacting effective learning strategies.
Curriculum design, implementation, and adaptation are Good. The curriculum team effectively develops provisions that cater to students' needs, interests, and aspirations, integrating inquiry-based learning and critical thinking skills across phases, and aligning with international benchmarks.
The school provides Very Good protection, care, guidance, and support for students. Health and safety provisions, including safeguarding arrangements, are highly effective, as are the care and support systems for all students, including those with additional learning needs.