Al Choueifat International School - Sharjah Industrial Area 6
SABIS School in Industrial Area 6, Sharjah
Last updated
Curriculum
SABIS
SPEA
Good
Location
Sharjah, Industrial Area 6
Fees
AED 21K - 37K
The Executive Summary
Al Choueifat International School - Sharjah Industrial Area 6 is one of the UAE's most established private schools, having first opened its doors in 1976 and operating under the globally recognised SABIS Educational System since its formal registration in 1981. Rated Good by SPEA - an improvement from its previous Acceptable rating - ISC-Sharjah is a non-selective, co-educational, English-medium day school serving over 3,566 students from KG1 through Grade 12. Its defining characteristic is the proprietary SABIS methodology: a tightly structured, accountability-driven academic framework that uses the SABIS Point System, the SABIS AMS academic tracking platform, and the unique SABIS Student Life Organization (SLO) to deliver measurable, consistent outcomes across a multinational student body. For parents seeking a rigorous, structured academic environment with genuine university placement ambitions and school fees in Sharjah ranging from AED 21,000 to AED 37,200 - among the most accessible fee bands for an internationally accredited school in the emirate - ISC-Sharjah presents a compelling case, particularly for families in and around Industrial Area 6 and the broader Sharjah and Ajman corridor.
SPEA rating Good 2024SABIS Network SchoolAED 21K-37K FeesKG1 to Grade 12AI, MSA, NCPSA Accredited
“The SABIS system taught my son discipline and accountability from an early age. He graduated and was accepted into George Washington University - the preparation he received here was genuinely world-competitive.”
— Grade 12 Parent and Graduate(representative)Academic Framework & Learning Style
ISC-Sharjah operates an exclusively proprietary curriculum designed by SABIS, drawing from both the American and British educational traditions. Students in Grades 10 and 11 sit IGCSE examinations through Cambridge Assessment, while senior students can pursue A-Level, AS-Level, and Advanced Placement (AP) qualifications - giving families the flexibility to target UK, US, or globally recognised university pathways. The school also prepares students for SAT, TOEFL, IELTS, and EMSAT examinations, and participates in international benchmark assessments including TIMSS, PISA, GL, CAT4, and PIRLS. According to the SPEA inspection report, external examination results in IGCSE and AP are very good to outstanding, with particular strength in English, mathematics, science, business studies, computer science, economics, and AP macroeconomics. In AP science, students perform strongest in biology and chemistry relative to physics. The SABIS teaching methodology is built around the SABIS Point System, which structures every lesson around a single learning concept delivered through alternating oral, individual, and group work segments - making passive disengagement structurally difficult. Teachers use exams they have not seen in advance, enforcing genuine accountability across both staff and students. The SABIS AMS - a computerised academic monitoring system - tracks individual knowledge gaps in real time, enabling early intervention before deficits compound. Students who fall behind are coached and supported until they catch up, a model that benefits average and below-average learners significantly. The SPEA inspection rates students' achievement as Good overall, with mathematics and science achieving Very Good in Phase 4 (Grades 9-12). English attainment is Good in most phases but drops to Acceptable in Phase 3 (Grades 6-8), which is a notable concern for secondary transition families. Learning skills are rated Good across all phases, with students demonstrating positive attitudes, increasing self-awareness, and growing critical thinking capacity - particularly in Phase 4. The school's university placement record is a genuine strength: graduates have been accepted at over 260 universities across more than 40 countries, with notable placements including George Washington University. The curriculum breadth extends to French, Arabic (first and additional language), Social Studies, Music, Fine Arts, Physical Education, Psychology, Business and Economics, Computer Studies, Robotics, 3D Printing, and Web Development. Inclusion provision for students of determination is limited - the SPEA report identifies only 9 students of determination in a school of 3,566 - and the school's website does not prominently detail SEN frameworks. Families with children requiring specialist learning support should engage the admissions office directly before proceeding.
Outstanding
IGCSE & AP External Exam Results
Per SPEA 2024 inspection - English, Maths, Science, Business, Computer Science
260+
Universities Accepting ISC-Sharjah Graduates
Across 40+ countries globally
Very Good
Maths & Science Achievement - Phase 4
SPEA 2024 inspection rating for Grades 9-12
9
Students of Determination
Out of 3,566 total students - limited SEN provision
Extracurricular Activities (ECAs)
ISC-Sharjah structures its extracurricular provision through the SABIS Student Life Organization (SLO), a student-led body that is unique to the SABIS network and functions as both a leadership development programme and an extracurricular delivery mechanism. The SLO is divided into nine departments - Academic, Discipline, Management, Sports, Wellness, Activities, Outreach, Lower School, and Social Responsibility - each targeting a distinct dimension of student life. Critically, SLO participation is embedded into the weekly timetable as a dedicated period rather than being purely optional, ensuring broad student engagement. Breaktime clubs available across the school include Music Club (Grades 3-12), Chess Club (Grades 3-12), Art Club (Grades 3-12), Origami, Football tournaments, Basketball, Dodgeball, Cricket, Ballet, Gymnastics, and the Champs Ahead Basketball Academy. For older students in Grades 7-12, after-school clubs extend the offering, and paid weekend activities on Saturdays include Football, Basketball, Tennis, Taekwondo, Swimming, Violin, Guitar, Computing, French, Arts and Crafts, Oil Painting, and Costume and Jewellery Making. Competitive sports are a notable strength, with school teams in Basketball, Football, Volleyball, Swimming, and Athletics competing across Grades 1-12. The flagship competitive event is the SABIS Regional Tournament, which brings together over 1,000 students from 24 SABIS schools across 13 countries, competing in Basketball, Football, Swimming, and Athletics. The biennial SABIS STARS competition challenges students in Grades 6-12 across non-academic categories including singing, photography, painting, spelling bee, creative writing, and science fair. Whole-school events include the annual Sports Day (KG1 to Grade 12), the fortnightly Wonderful Wednesday activities programme, and annual school trips for Grades 2-12 covering destinations in Dubai and Sharjah. The SABIS Summer Training Conference offers senior students international leadership and team-building experiences each summer. Performing arts provision includes music, art exhibitions, and concerts, though the SPEA report notes that students' musical instrument skills and robotics knowledge are areas for further development. Community service is embedded through the SLO's Social Responsibility Department, which coordinates charitable and environmental projects. The overall ECA ecosystem is broad and systematically organised, though families seeking elite individual arts training or a standalone Duke of Edinburgh programme will find the offering more structured than bespoke.
9
SLO Departments
Covering academic, sports, wellness, arts, outreach and social responsibility
1,000+
Students at SABIS Regional Tournament
24 schools, 13 countries - Basketball, Football, Swimming, Athletics
SABIS SLO Student LeadershipSABIS Regional TournamentSABIS STARS CompetitionWeekend Activity Programme9-Department SLO Structure
Pastoral Care & Well-being
The SPEA inspection rates students' personal and social development as Very Good across all four phases - the strongest single rating the school received in the 2024 review and a genuine differentiator from its overall Good grade. Inspectors noted that students' attitudes, behaviour, and relationships are consistently positive, that bullying is very rare, and that there is a clear ethos of consideration and care instilled throughout the school environment. Student attendance stands at 98% - rated Outstanding by SPEA - and punctuality is described as excellent both to school and to lessons. These are not trivial metrics: they reflect a school culture in which students feel safe, valued, and motivated to attend. Safeguarding and child protection procedures are rated as having very good quality, with the SPEA report specifically highlighting the school's protection, care, guidance, and support as a key area of strength. The SABIS SLO Wellness Department plays an active role in promoting healthy lifestyles through campaigns and events targeting students, staff, and the wider community. The SLO Discipline Department supports a safe environment by teaching conflict resolution and running anti-bullying awareness campaigns. The SLO Outreach Department ensures new students are integrated quickly through a dedicated ambassador programme. Students demonstrate a secure understanding of Islamic values and show deep appreciation for Emirati culture and traditions, participating actively in celebrations such as Hag al Leila. Across all phases, students show a strong sense of cultural identity and genuine enthusiasm for international cultural exchange. The school does not operate a traditional house system, but the SLO structure - with its nine departments, prefect appointments, and honour code - provides a meaningful framework for student identity, belonging, and leadership. Counselling and mental health support infrastructure is not prominently detailed on the school website, and parents with children requiring dedicated psychological support should clarify provision directly with the school.
“The school genuinely cares about the children as individuals. My daughter has been here six years and the support she has received - academically and personally - has been consistent and real.”
— Grade 8 Parent(representative)Campus & Facilities
ISC-Sharjah occupies a well-established campus in Industrial Area 6, Sharjah - a location that offers practical accessibility for families residing across Sharjah, Ajman, and parts of Dubai, with the school operating its own bus network covering all four emirates. The campus is described on the school's own website as providing a modern learning environment, and the SPEA inspection confirms that the school's environments for learning are well maintained and promote learning effectively. The school homepage imagery confirms the presence of a swimming pool, dedicated KG play and activity areas (including a KG car track), music classrooms, and general classroom facilities. The Kindergarten section operates as an independent zone of the campus, providing age-appropriate space for early learners to play, discover, and develop foundational skills in a tailored environment. Technology infrastructure is a meaningful strength: the school operates the SABIS Digital Platform, which provides web-based teaching, on-demand tutoring videos, integrated testing, eBooks, homework submission, and parent communication tools accessible from KG through Grade 12 both on-campus and remotely. Classrooms are equipped with technology to support the SABIS methodology, and students in Phase 1 are noted by SPEA inspectors as using iPads effectively in lessons. The school's science facilities support external examination performance rated Outstanding in IGCSE and AP, though the SPEA report notes that students' practical and laboratory skills in Phases 2 and 3 are less developed than expected - suggesting that lab time and resourcing may not yet fully match the quality of theoretical instruction. Sports facilities include access to a swimming pool, courts for basketball, volleyball, and handball, and football pitches supporting the school's competitive inter-school programme. The campus location in Industrial Area 6 is functional rather than scenic - families accustomed to purpose-built campuses in newer residential districts may find the setting more utilitarian, though the school's longevity in this location reflects strong community roots.
KG1-Grade 12
Full All-Through Campus
Single campus serving ages 3-18 in Industrial Area 6, Sharjah
4 Emirates
Bus Network Coverage
Sharjah, Dubai, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain transport routes available
Swimming Pool On-CampusSABIS Digital PlatformDedicated KG ZoneMulti-Sport FacilitiesiPad-Enabled Classrooms4-Emirate Bus Network
Teaching & Learning Quality
The SPEA inspection rates teaching and assessment as Good, consistent with the school's overall effectiveness grade. The review team conducted 218 lesson observations, 43 of which were carried out jointly with school leaders - a scale of scrutiny that lends significant credibility to the findings. The teacher turnover rate is an exceptionally low 3%, which is among the best retention figures in Sharjah's private school sector and signals genuine staff satisfaction and institutional stability. The school employs 177 teachers supported by 31 teaching assistants, giving a teacher-to-student ratio of 1:20 - a manageable figure for a school of this size and consistent with SPEA's recorded data. The largest nationality group among teaching staff is Irish, reflecting a strong pipeline of internationally trained educators familiar with British and international examination frameworks. The SABIS methodology places clear pedagogical demands on teachers: every lesson must be structured around the SABIS Point System, alternating oral, individual, and group work, with teachers using unseen assessment instruments. This enforces a level of planning rigour and accountability that is distinctive in the UAE private school market. SPEA inspectors noted that the new principal has established a strong and effective leadership team that has driven rapid improvements since the previous review, and that professional development is increasingly aligned to strategic improvement priorities. Differentiation and personalised learning are facilitated through the SABIS AMS tracking system, which identifies individual knowledge gaps and enables targeted intervention. However, the SPEA report identifies the quality of teaching across all subjects and phases as a key area for improvement - specifically, pushing teaching to the next level of quality beyond Good. Teachers' ability to stimulate innovation, individual creativity, and higher-order scientific investigation skills are noted as development areas, suggesting that while instruction is reliable and structured, stretching the most able students remains a work in progress.
3%
Annual Teacher Turnover Rate
Among the lowest in Sharjah's private school sector
1:20
Teacher-to-Student Ratio
177 teachers serving 3,566 students
218
Lesson Observations by SPEA
43 conducted jointly with school leaders - February 2024
Leadership & Management
The SPEA inspection rates leadership and management as one of the school's key areas of strength, specifically citing the inspirational and very effective school leadership and the quality of active governance. Principal Wissam Malaeb is identified in both the SPEA report and the school's own data as the current head of school, with the Chair of the Board of Governors being Rami Malak. Inspectors noted that the new principal established a strong and effective leadership team that has focused on strategic planning to bring about rapid improvements - a direct contributor to the school's progression from Acceptable to Good between the 2023 and 2024 reviews. This upward trajectory in a single review cycle is significant and reflects genuine organisational momentum. The school operates under the ownership and educational management of SABIS, a global education network with over 140 years of history and an active presence across 20 countries on five continents. The SABIS network provides ISC-Sharjah with a pre-built curriculum framework, the SABIS Digital Platform for parent and student communication, and a global professional development infrastructure. The school improvement plan is noted by SPEA as having raised achievements in almost all areas, and all stakeholders - including governors, senior leaders, middle leaders, teachers, parents, and students - were engaged in the review process. Parent communication is facilitated through the SABIS Digital Platform, which enables real-time progress tracking, homework management, and school communications accessible via web and mobile. The governance structure includes an active Board of Governors, and SPEA rates governance quality as a strength - an indicator that strategic oversight is functioning effectively at board level.
SPEA Inspection Results (Decoded)
The SPEA School Performance Review of February 2024 awarded ISC-Sharjah an overall effectiveness rating of Good - a meaningful one-band improvement from the Acceptable rating received in the 2022-23 review. This upward trajectory, achieved within a single review cycle under new principal leadership, is the single most important data point for prospective families to register. The review was conducted over four days by a team of 8 SPEA reviewers, who carried out 218 lesson observations across all phases and subjects. The school's strongest performance was in students' personal and social development, rated Very Good across all four phases - the only standard to exceed the overall Good grade. Mathematics and science in Phase 4 (senior secondary) were rated Very Good for both attainment and progress, and external examination results in IGCSE and AP were described as outstanding. The school's safeguarding and protection procedures, leadership quality, and governance were all identified as key strengths. The two principal areas for improvement identified by SPEA are: first, raising the level of attainment across all subjects in all phases beyond Good; and second, pushing the quality of teaching to the next level. These are not crisis indicators - they are the natural improvement agenda for a school that has moved from Acceptable to Good and is now targeting Very Good. Specific subject-level concerns include English attainment being only Acceptable in Phase 3, students' extended writing and standard Arabic speaking skills across phases, and students' practical laboratory skills in Phases 2 and 3. Families should also note that the school's internal assessment data consistently shows higher ratings than what inspectors observed in lessons - a pattern SPEA flagged across multiple subjects. This gap between self-reported and externally validated performance is worth monitoring.
Outstanding Personal Development
Students' personal and social development rated Very Good across all four phases - the school's standout achievement. Attendance of 98% is rated Outstanding. Bullying is very rare and relationships are consistently respectful.
Strong External Exam Performance
IGCSE and AP results described as outstanding by SPEA inspectors, with particular strength in English, mathematics, science, business studies, computer science, economics, and AP macroeconomics.
Effective Leadership and Governance
The principal and leadership team are rated as inspirational and very effective. Active governance is a cited strength. The school improved from Acceptable to Good in a single review cycle under current leadership.
Raising Attainment Across All Phases
SPEA identifies the level of achievement across all subjects in all phases as a key improvement area. English attainment is Acceptable in Phase 3. Students' extended writing, standard Arabic speaking, and laboratory skills need development.
Elevating Teaching Quality
While teaching is rated Good, SPEA recommends pushing quality to the next level. Specific gaps include stimulating innovation and individual creativity, developing students' scientific investigation skills, and closing the gap between internal data and externally observed performance.
Inspection History
2022-2023
Acceptable
2023-2024
Good
Fees & Value for Money
Al Choueifat International School – Sharjah Industrial Area 6, a proud member of the global SABIS® Network, offers a comprehensive international curriculum across Kindergarten through Grade 12. For the Academic Year 2025–2026, annual tuition fees range from AED 21,000 for KG1 up to AED 37,200 for Grade 12, reflecting the school's structured, stage-based pricing model. Fees are payable in three installments, making financial planning more manageable for families.
AED 21,000
Annual Fees From
AED 37,200
Annual Fees To
Year / GradeAnnual Fee
KG1
AED 21,000KG2
AED 22,100Grade 1
AED 24,000Grade 2
AED 24,600Grade 3
AED 25,400Grade 4
AED 27,000Grade 5
AED 27,100Grade 6
AED 28,100Grade 7
AED 31,500Grade 8
AED 32,600Grade 9
AED 32,600Grade 10
AED 36,000Grade 11
AED 36,800Grade 12
AED 37,200The school's fee structure is competitive within the Sharjah private school market, particularly given the breadth of the SABIS® educational system, which includes access to the SABIS® Digital Platform, a robust student life organization (SLO), and a wide range of extra-curricular activities. It is important to note that tuition fees do not include transportation, uniform, extra-curricular activities, or meal subscriptions, which are charged separately. Transportation is available across Sharjah, Dubai, Ajman, and Umm Al Quwain at varying annual rates.
Families should budget for additional costs such as the school uniform (AED 420 for KG–Grade 6; AED 540 for Grades 7–12) as listed in the official SPEA fee schedule. The three-installment payment structure applies equally to transportation fees, offering flexibility across all areas served by the school's bus network.
Additional Costs
Bus – Sharjah6,000(annual)
Bus – Dubai7,000(annual)
Bus – Ajman6,200(annual)
Bus – Umm Al Quwain6,500(annual)
Uniform – KG1 to Grade 6420(annual)
Uniform – Grade 7 to Grade 12540(annual)
The Final Verdict: Who Is This School For?
ISC-Sharjah is a school that rewards families who understand what they are buying into. The SABIS system is not for every child - it is structured, accountability-driven, and academically demanding in a way that suits students who respond well to clear expectations, frequent assessment, and systematic knowledge-building. For those students, and for families who value measurable academic progress, genuine university placement outcomes, and a diverse multinational community, ISC-Sharjah delivers strong value at a fee point that is genuinely accessible by the standards of internationally accredited Sharjah education. The school's SPEA Good rating, its one-band improvement in a single review cycle, its 3% teacher turnover rate, and its outstanding external examination results in IGCSE and AP are concrete indicators of a school that is performing well and moving in the right direction. The pastoral care and personal development ratings - Very Good across all phases - are a genuine surprise for a school of this size and academic intensity, and suggest that the school community is a warmer, more supportive environment than its structured reputation might imply. The weaknesses are real but manageable: English attainment in Phase 3 needs attention, laboratory skills in the middle years need investment, and the gap between internal data and external inspection findings needs to be closed. Families with children who require specialist SEN support, or who prioritise creative arts, inquiry-led learning, or a highly individualised educational experience, will likely find better fits elsewhere in the Sharjah market.
THE “RIGHT FIT”
Academically motivated students from diverse international backgrounds who thrive in structured, accountable learning environments and whose families are targeting competitive university entry in the US, UK, or globally - at a mid-range fee point for an internationally accredited all-through school.
THE “WRONG FIT”
Children with significant special educational needs, families seeking a progressive inquiry-led or creative arts-centred curriculum, or parents who prefer a smaller, more intimate school community with highly personalised pastoral structures.
“
I am proud to say that I am a graduate of the International School of Choueifat - Sharjah. During my time at the school the challenge was real, but looking back, the discipline and academic rigour prepared me for everything that came after.
— ISC-Sharjah Graduate and Current Parent
Strengths
- Improved from Acceptable to Good in a single SPEA review cycle
- Outstanding IGCSE and AP external examination results
- Exceptionally low 3% teacher turnover rate signals staff stability
- Personal and social development rated Very Good across all phases
- Accessible fee range of AED 21K-37K for an internationally accredited school
- IGCSE, A-Level, AS-Level, and AP pathways offering genuine university flexibility
- Graduates accepted at 260+ universities across 40+ countries
- SABIS SLO provides structured student leadership and life skills development
Areas for Improvement
- English attainment drops to Acceptable in Phase 3 - a concern for secondary transition families
- Only 9 students of determination in 3,566 students - very limited SEN provision
- Gap between school's internal data and externally observed performance flagged by SPEA
- Practical and laboratory skills in Phases 2 and 3 rated below expectations
- No published scholarship, bursary, or sibling discount information