Abu Dhabi private schools to display performance ratings
The initiative, launched by the Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK), highlights each school's latest Irtiqa'a rating and National Identity Mark — giving parents and visitors a clear view of school quality at a glance.
Officials say the move promotes transparency, encourages improvement and supports informed decision-making for families.
Sulaiman Al Ameri, Acting Executive Director of ADEK's Private Education and Charter Schools Sector, said that the plaques are more than just ratings — they represent a school's commitment to academic excellence and national identity.
The plaques showcase two key indicators of school quality:
Irtiqaa Rating – an inspection framework that evaluates school performance across six core areas: student achievement, personal and social development, teaching and assessment, curriculum quality, student care and wellbeing, and leadership effectiveness.
National Identity Mark – A measure of how well schools embed and promote national culture, values and citizenship within their educational environment.
In the coming phase, a Wellbeing Mark will also be added to reflect schools' efforts in supporting the emotional, social and physical wellbeing of students and staff.
Parents are encouraged to look for the plaques when visiting schools and to explore more about the Irtiqa'a and National Identity frameworks via ADEK's website or its parent app, Rayah.
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These assessments may not be used as a reason for refusing enrolment; using all available information to ensure safe and equitable access to learning and physical environments for students with additional learning needs; and defining 'the school's incapacity'. ADEK further stressed the importance of supporting the transfer process for students with additional educational needs, with particular focus on the following groups: students enrolling in school for the first time or transferring from alternative early education institutions, students transferring from specialised educational centres, home-schooling or other types of education, and students participating in student exchange programmes. All schools teaching the Ministry of Education's curriculum must comply with the requirements of Ministerial Resolution No. 647 of 2020 regarding inclusive education policy and any subsequent amendments, ADEK added. 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Abu Dhabi's 13 best-ranked private schools and how much they charge
Abu Dhabi residents have plenty of top-rated options when it comes to choosing the best private schools for their children. There are more than 200 nurseries and schools in the emirate offering various curriculums. All institutions in Abu Dhabi are periodically inspected by the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (Adek) as part of its Irtiqaa evaluation programme. The inspections are usually conducted every two years, and inspectors spend about four days in each school. The evaluation is based on five main criteria: students' achievement, personal and social development along with innovation skills of students, quality of teaching and assessment, quality of the curriculum, and the overall school leadership and management. The schools are rated on a scale using the following categories: Outstanding, Very Good, Good, Acceptable, Weak or Very Weak. Abu Dhabi private schools are now required to display performance ratings on plaques placed prominently at their entrances. The 2025-2026 fees in this report are from the school websites, where available, or from Tamm. Any fee increases must be approved by Adek and schools are required to display annual fees and easy payment plans on their websites. The amounts mentioned do not include transportation costs, registration fees or other charges. Listed below are the 13 private schools that currently have an Outstanding rating from Adek (in no particular order). The last rating given is valid until the next inspection. American Community School, Saadiyat Island Curriculum: American (Rated Outstanding in 2022-2023) Fees: Dh56,526 in KG1 to Dh99,060 in Grade 12 The American Community School of Abu Dhabi relocated to Saadiyat Island in 2024, after operating for 50 years from their Bateen Campus. Cranleigh School, Saadiyat Island Curriculum: British (Rated Outstanding in 2022-2023) Fees: Dh71,500 in pre-school to Dh105,980 in Year 13 Cranleigh Abu Dhabi opened in 2014 and is one of the schools under Aldar's education portfolio. Repton Foundation School, Al Reem Island Curriculum: British (Rated Outstanding in 2024-2025) Fees: Dh63,740 in FS1 to Dh70,700 in Year 2 The primary school on Rose Campus offering FS1, FS2 and Year 1 has a sister school (rated Very Good in 2021-2022) which offers Year 2-13 on its Fry Campus. Muna British Academy, Al Danah Curriculum: British (Rated Outstanding in 2022-2023) Fees: Dh50,936 in FS1 to Dh56,538 in Year 7 The primary-focused school currently offers admissions until Year 7, with plans to expand to Year 13. Bateen World Academy, Al Manhal Curriculum: British/International Baccalaureate (IB) (Rated Outstanding in 2024-2025) Fees: Dh54,000 in FS1 to Dh75,310 in Year 13 Bateen World Academy is part of Aldar Education offering both IB and English National Curriculum. The rating for the school improved to Outstanding in the latest Adek inspections. The Sheikh Zayed Private Academy for boys, Al Khalidiyah Curriculum: American (Rated Outstanding in 2024-2025) Fees: Dh45,000 in pre-school to Dh78,050 in Grade 12 This school is part of the Sheikh Zayed Private Academies group which have a co-ed system from pre-KG to Grade 3, after which students transition into an all-boys or an all-girls school. The Sheikh Zayed Private Academy for girls, Al Manhal Curriculum: American (Rated Outstanding in 2024-2025) Fees: Dh33,910 in pre-school to Dh78,160 in Grade 12 A sister school to the Sheikh Zayed Private Academy for boys, this institution offers Massachusetts State Curriculum Frameworks as well, in co-ordination with the MOE curriculum. The British School Al Khubairat, Al Mushrif Curriculum: British (Rated Outstanding in 2022-2023) Fees: Dh51,410 in FS1 to Dh74,560 in Year 13 The non-profit school was founded in 1968 and is known as the 'Embassy School'. It functions under the patronage of the British Ambassador to the UAE, according to the school's website. Canadian International School, Khalifa City Curriculum: Canadian (Rated Outstanding in 2023-2024) Fees: Dh39,010 in KG 1 to Dh51,820 in Grade 12 This school follows the Canadian Alberta curriculum in co-ordination with the UAE Ministry of Education. Merryland International School, Mussaffah Curriculum: British (Rated Outstanding in 2022-2023) Fees: Dh26,200 in KG1 to Dh46,220 in Grade 12 This school follows the Cambridge International Curriculum (CIE) for core subjects and the National Curriculum of England for non-core subjects. The British International School, Zayed City Curriculum: British/International Baccalaureate (IB) (Rated Outstanding in 2021-2022) Fees: Dh54,204 in FS1 to Dh76,952 in Year 13 The school opened in 2009 and is part of the UK-headquartered Nord Anglia Education group of international schools. Yasmina British Academy, Khalifa City Curriculum: British (Rated Outstanding in 2022-2023) Fees: Dh49,740 in FS1 to Dh67,270 in Year 13 Yasmina British Academy is part of the Aldar Academies family of schools and has also been rated as Outstanding by the British Schools Overseas (BSO). 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Abu Dhabi offers parents an impressive selection of private schools, with more than 200 nurseries and schools delivering a variety of curriculums. If you're looking for the best of the best, the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (Adek) makes it easier by regularly inspecting schools under its Irtiqaa evaluation programme. Join our FREE WhatsApp channel to dive into a world of real-time engagement! These inspections, usually conducted every two years, assess schools based on: Students' achievement Personal and social development with innovation skills Quality of teaching and assessment Curriculum quality Leadership and management Schools are rated on a scale: Outstanding, Very Good, Good, Acceptable, Weak, or Very Weak. Schools are also required to display their rating at the entrance for transparency. If you're searching for an Outstanding school for your child, here are the 13 private schools in Abu Dhabi that currently hold this top rating (as of their latest inspections). 1. American Community School, Saadiyat Island Curriculum: American Fees: AED56,526 (KG1) – AED99,060 (Grade 12) Last rating: Outstanding (2022–2023) After 50 years at Bateen, the school moved to Saadiyat Island in 2024. 2. Cranleigh School, Saadiyat Island Curriculum: British Fees: AED71,500 (Pre-school) – AED105,980 (Year 13) Last rating: Outstanding (2022–2023) Part of Aldar's education portfolio, Cranleigh opened in 2014. 3. Repton Foundation School, Al Reem Island Curriculum: British Fees: AED63,740 (FS1) – AED70,700 (Year 2) Last rating: Outstanding (2024–2025) Covers FS1 to Year 1, with its sister school rated Very Good for Years 2–13. 4. Muna British Academy, Al Danah Curriculum: British Fees: AED50,936 (FS1) – AED56,538 (Year 7) Last rating: Outstanding (2022–2023) Currently a primary school, with plans to expand to Year 13. 5. Bateen World Academy, Al Manhal Curriculum: British / IB Fees: AED54,000 (FS1) – AED75,310 (Year 13) Last rating: Outstanding (2024–2025) Offers both IB and English National Curriculum, under Aldar Education. 6. The Sheikh Zayed Private Academy for Boys, Al Khalidiyah Curriculum: American Fees: AED45,000 (Pre-school) – AED78,050 (Grade 12) Last rating: Outstanding (2024–2025) Part of the Sheikh Zayed Academies group, transitioning boys after Grade 3. 7. The Sheikh Zayed Private Academy for Girls, Al Manhal Curriculum: American Fees: AED33,910 (Pre-school) – AED78,160 (Grade 12) Last rating: Outstanding (2024–2025) Sister school to the boys' academy, following Massachusetts State and MOE curriculum. 8. The British School Al Khubairat, Al Mushrif Curriculum: British Fees: AED51,410 (FS1) – AED74,560 (Year 13) Last rating: Outstanding (2022–2023) A non-profit founded in 1968, also known as the 'Embassy School'. 9. Canadian International School, Khalifa City Curriculum: Canadian (Alberta) Fees: AED39,010 (KG1) – AED51,820 (Grade 12) Last rating: Outstanding (2023–2024) Blends Canadian Alberta curriculum with UAE Ministry of Education standards. 10. Merryland International School, Al Musaffah Curriculum: British Fees: AED26,200 (KG1) – AED46,220 (Grade 12) Last rating: Outstanding (2022–2023) Follows Cambridge International Curriculum for core and English National for others. 11. The British International School, Zayed City Curriculum: British / IB Fees: AED54,204 (FS1) – AED76,952 (Year 13) Last rating: Outstanding (2021–2022) Part of the prestigious Nord Anglia Education group. 12. Yasmina British Academy, Khalifa City Curriculum: British Fees: AED49,740 (FS1) – AED67,270 (Year 13) Last rating: Outstanding (2022–2023) Also rated Outstanding by British Schools Overseas (BSO), part of Aldar Academies. 13. Brighton College Al Ain (Bloom Academy) Curriculum: British Fees: AED55,090 (FS1) – AED90,630 (Year 13) Last rating: Outstanding (2022–2023) A Bloom Education school, also awarded Outstanding by BSO in 2023. How Are Fees Regulated? The fees mentioned are based on school websites or Tamm and cover tuition only, excluding transport, registration, and other charges. Any fee increase must first be approved by Adek, and schools must display fees and payment plans clearly online. You can view each school's full inspection report and even filter schools by rating, fees, and grade through the Tamm app. If you want the best education for your child in Abu Dhabi, these Outstanding-rated private schools set the standard high, combining strong academics, holistic development, and excellent leadership.
