United Private School - Yahar
Executive Summary
United Private School - Yahar, an American curriculum school in Al Ain, has maintained its overall ADEK Irtiqa rating of Good for the academic year 2025-2026. The school has seen strengthened systems and procedures under new leadership, though these improvements have not yet fully translated into enhanced student achievement.
Students' overall achievement in Arabic-medium subjects remains Good, despite some regressions across phases, while achievement in English-medium subjects is largely Acceptable. Inconsistencies in teaching, linked to recent staff changes, have impacted student outcomes. However, students demonstrate positive personal and social development, with a strong appreciation for Islamic values and Emirati culture.
The school's health and safety provisions, including child protection and safeguarding, are a significant strength, rated Very Good. Leadership is committed to meeting international assessment targets, adapting the curriculum, and providing professional development, although the full impact of these efforts is still developing.
Overall School Performance
Outstanding
Very Good
Good
Acceptable
Weak
Very Weak
United Private School - Yahar Overall Rating
Good for 2+ consecutive years
ADEK Performance Standards
The six Irtiqa inspection standards used by ADEK to evaluate school performance across Abu Dhabi.
Students' overall achievement in Arabic-medium subjects is Good, though some phases show regressions. English-medium subjects are generally Acceptable, with some good judgments in specific phases. Inconsistencies in teaching due to staff changes have hindered progress, particularly in higher-order skills and application to real-world contexts. Arabic-medium subjectsEnglish-medium subjectshigher-order skills
Students consistently demonstrate positive, respectful, and responsible attitudes across all phases. They show a clear appreciation for Islamic values and Emirati culture, actively participating in community and sustainability initiatives. Innovation skills, however, remain inconsistent in some middle phases. positive attitudesIslamic valuesEmirati culturecommunity activities
Teaching for effective learning is mixed, with Good ratings in KG and Secondary, but Acceptable in Primary and Middle phases. While teachers possess secure subject knowledge, understanding of student learning styles and effective differentiation is inconsistent. Assessment practices have declined to Acceptable across all phases, with new procedures not yet fully impacting data reliability or analysis. differentiationassessment practicessubject knowledge
Curriculum design and implementation are Good in KG, Primary, and Middle phases, but have regressed to Acceptable in Secondary due to limited electives and subject choices. Curriculum adaptation is consistently Good across all phases, though support and challenge for diverse student groups vary. curriculum designlimited course electivescurriculum adaptation
Health and safety, including child protection and safeguarding, are a significant strength, rated Very Good. Care and support are generally Good, but have declined to Acceptable in Secondary due to insufficient personalized academic support and career guidance for older students regarding pathways to the American High School Diploma. Health and safetysafeguardingcareer guidanceAmerican High School Diploma
Leadership and management show varied performance, with the effectiveness of leadership and self-evaluation rated Acceptable. However, partnerships with parents and the community, and management of staffing, facilities, and resources are Very Good, and governance is Good. The new principal has strengthened systems, but their full impact on student outcomes is still emerging. new principalgovernanceparent partnerships
Key Highlights
Standout achievements identified by the inspection team that distinguish this school.
Positive Student Ethos
Students demonstrate positive, respectful, and responsible attitudes, appreciating Islamic values and Emirati culture, and actively engaging in community activities.
Effective Safeguarding
The school has effective procedures for safeguarding and robust support systems that consistently ensure students’ safety and well-being.
Strong Leadership Initiatives
Under the new principal, systems, procedures, and provisions have been strengthened, demonstrating a clear commitment to school improvement.
International Assessment Focus
Leaders are committed to meeting international assessment targets through strategic planning, curriculum adaptation, and professional development to strengthen critical thinking.
Positive Learning Environment
Positive relationships between students and staff foster a supportive and productive atmosphere conducive to learning and personal growth.
Academic Performance Breakdown
While internal assessment data often indicates attainment above curriculum standards, external standardized assessments (MAP, PISA, TIMSS, PIRLS) show attainment generally Weak or below international averages in English, Mathematics, and Science, highlighting a gap between internal and external performance benchmarks.
Leadership & Management
Effectiveness of school governance, strategic planning, and leadership capacity to drive continuous improvement.
Leadership Approach
Leadership and management show varied performance across indicators. Under the new principal, systems and procedures have been strengthened, and there is a clear commitment to meeting international assessment targets. However, the full impact of these improvements on student outcomes is not yet consistently evident, particularly in academic achievement.
Inspection Findings
Students' Achievement
Students' attainment in Arabic-medium subjects is generally Good, with some regressions in Islamic Education and Arabic First Language across phases. English-medium subjects are mostly Acceptable, with weaknesses in higher analytical reading, extended writing, and application of mathematical and scientific skills to real-world contexts. External assessment results (MAP, PISA, TIMSS, PIRLS) indicate attainment is often below school targets and international averages.
Personal & Social Development
Students consistently demonstrate positive, respectful, and responsible attitudes, showing a clear appreciation for Islamic values and Emirati culture. They actively engage in community activities, including those supporting sustainability. However, students' ability to improve their learning, collaborate effectively, and develop innovation skills remains inconsistent, particularly in Middle and Secondary phases.
Teaching & Assessment
Teachers possess secure subject knowledge, but their understanding of how students learn best and their ability to provide differentiated lessons are inconsistent across phases. Assessment practices have declined to Acceptable, with new rigorous procedures not yet fully impacting the reliability, accuracy, or analysis of assessment data to personalize learning effectively.
Curriculum Design & Adaptation
Curriculum design and implementation are Good in most phases, but have regressed to Acceptable in Secondary due to limited course electives and subject choices, restricting pathways for older students. While the curriculum is adapted for most learners, consistent support and challenge across all student groups, including English language learners and gifted students, are not yet ensured.
Protection, Care & Support
Health and safety, including child protection and safeguarding, are a Very Good strength of the school. Care and support are generally Good, but have declined to Acceptable in Secondary due to insufficiently personalized academic support and career guidance for older students, particularly regarding subject choices, credit requirements, and pathways to the American High School Diploma.
Areas for Development
- •Raise students’ attainment and progress across all subjects and phases by deepening understanding of the Holy Quran and Hadeeth, improving writing at length in Arabic and English, promoting accurate mathematical vocabulary and problem-solving skills, and enhancing scientific and practical investigation skills.
- •Improve the quality of teaching, assessment, and curriculum provision by enhancing teaching approaches through effective differentiation and inquiry-based learning, strengthening assessment practices for accurate data use, and improving curriculum design to broaden student choice in electives.
- •Strengthen leadership and management by improving student support through better attendance systems and targeted career guidance for older students, developing leadership capacity with fully embedded accountability, and refining assessment practices to inform planning.
- •Improve students' performance in international assessments (TIMSS, PISA, PIRLS) by aligning daily teaching and curriculum planning with these frameworks, using detailed analysis of results to identify gaps, and continuing targeted professional training for teachers.