Al Ain Academy

Al Ain Academy, also known as Al Ain Aldar Academy (AAAA), was founded in 2011 by Aldar Academies at Al Salam Street. Al Ain Academy fosters an international community where students are encouraged to achieve academic excellence.

The school delivers the British National Curriculum from Foundation Stage to Year 13. It is one of the seven schools in the UAE managed by Aldar Academies– a leading provider of private education in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain.

Al Ain Academy is a Microsoft Showcase School. It benefits from external accreditations and evaluations from bodies such as British Schools Middle East (BSME), Edexcel and Cambridge Examinations and the Duke of Edinburgh Award.

Al Ain Academy campus is based on Al Salam Street, in the Central District, Al Ain. Communities nearby include:

• Al Mutawah
• Hamasa
• Al Sarouj
• Al Jaheli

Central District is a clean, well-planned community in the centre of Al Ain. The area features necessary amenities such as supermarkets, hospitals and schools. Parents looking to move closer to Al Ain Academy can consider:

• Apartments for rent near Al Ain Academy

Al Ain Academy students benefit from a wide range of facilities.

• Sports facilities: AAAA has two swimming pools, a gym, an astroturf field, two playgrounds for basketball and netball and a large shaded playground.
• Performing arts: Students benefit from an auditorium and music facilities.
• Technology: The school has invested in some of the best educational technologies, such as 3D projectors, green screens and software technology. Students have access to mobiles and tablets as well.
• Health care: There is a medical clinic on-campus.
• Security: The premises is secured with CCTV cameras and the dedicated team of security staff ensures the safety of students.
• Resources: Al Ain Academy has a well-resourced library with books, publications, journals and novels.

Al Ain Academy is based in Al Salam Street, in the Central District of Al Ain. The school is close to Future International School.

Al Ain Academy (AAAA) is one of the seven Aldar Academies in the UAE. It is a forward-thinking school that delivers the National Curriculum of England from Foundation Stage to Year 13.

The Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) rated the school Very Good. The inspection report highlights a high level of enthusiasm, the extensive extra-curricular programme and the specialised care for students of determination.

Al Ain Academy has been accredited by the British Schools Middle East (BSME), Edexcel and Cambridge Examinations. The school is also a Microsoft Showcase School and is an accredited provider of the Duke of Edinburgh Award. Students benefit from these international examinations providers and accreditation bodies.

The school incorporates technology into its curriculum and functioning. Digital tools such as 3D technology, mobile and tablet devices, green screens, smart boards, virtual reality headsets are readily available. Students can access various Microsoft Office programs such as Excel and Powerpoint through its affiliation with Microsoft. The school has also invested in Adobe Creative Suite to provide students with Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign.

Al Ain Academy has dedicated pastoral care to cater to students’ physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs. Students can visit designated school counsellors to help reach academic goals. The school also has a dedicated team to ensure that additional learning needs of students who have dyslexia, dyspraxia or any other cognitive, physical or language impairments are met.

Al Ain Academy has classes from Foundation Stage (Early Years) until the Sixth Form (Year 13). Grades offered are divided into the following sections:

Al Ain Academy delivers the English National Curriculum. Also known as the British curriculum or the National Curriculum for England, it is one of the most popular curriculums in the world.

The curriculum enforces project-based learning to inspire students to become lifelong learners. Students prepare for their International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) exams before preparing for their AS/A-levels. This diploma helps students gain admission to the top universities around the world.

The curriculum also offers Arabic to both native and non-native speakers. Islamic studies and UAE social studies are also taught so that students understand the UAE culture and heritage.

Here’s a breakdown of the taught subjects:

• Foundation Stage 1 and 2:
  • Communication and Language
  • Expressive Arts and Design
  • Literacy
  • Mathematics
  • Personal, Social and Emotional Development
  • Physical Development
  • Understanding the World
• Year 1 to Year 6:
  • Art and Design
  • Computing
  • Design and Technology
  • English
  • Geography
  • History
  • Mathematics
  • Modern Foreign Languages
  • Music
  • Science
  • Swimming and Water Safety
• Year 7 to Year 9:
  • Art and Design
  • Citizenship
  • Computing
  • Cooking and nutrition
  • Design and technology
  • English
  • French
  • Geography
  • History
  • Mathematics
  • Music
  • Physical Education
  • Science
• Year 10 and Year 11:
  • Art
  • Biology
  • Business Studies
  • Chemistry
  • Computer Science
  • Design Technology Graphics
  • Design Technology Resistant Technology
  • Design Technology Textiles
  • Drama
  • English
  • English Literature
  • French
  • Geography
  • History
  • Maths
  • Music
  • Physical Education Core
  • Physical Education Exam
  • Physics
  • Spanish

The Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) is responsible for licensing all private education institutes. Through the Irtiqaa Programme, they carry out periodic evaluations of all schools based on six basic criteria as listed below:

1. Quality of students’ achievement.
2. Quality of personal and social development as well as innovation skills of the students.
3. Quality of teaching and assessment.
4. Quality of curriculum.
5. Quality of student safety and well-being and the guidance and support provided to them.
6. Quality of school leadership and management.

Al Ain Academy was rated Very Good by the Department of Education and Knowledge. According to the inspection report, key areas of strength showcased by the school are:

• Achievement in most English-medium subjects
• Children’s progress in English literacy in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)
• Students’ high levels of enthusiasm for learning and their exemplary behaviour around the school
• The extensive and popular extra-curricular programme
• The school’s attention to all aspects of students’ development and well-being
• The safe and caring environment
• The highly effective care and support for students with special education needs (SEN)
• The effectiveness of the school’s distributed leadership arrangements
• The school’s warm ethos and highly productive relationships with parents and the community.

The school aims to receive an Outstanding rating. According to ADEK, they could improve their rating by:

• Raising standards in reading and writing in Arabic
• Implementing outstanding teaching practice across the school

An academic year at Al Ain Academy is split into three terms.

• The first term starts on 29th August and ends in the second week of December. Students then go on a 3-week winter vacation.
• The second term commences in the first week of January and ends on 27th March 2021. A 2-week spring break follows it.
• The final term begins in the second week of April and ends in the first week of July, followed by a 2-month summer holiday.

For more details on school holidays, breaks, and timings, check out the Term Dates on the official website.

For enrolment at Al Ain Academy, follow these steps:

• Parents are encouraged to visit the school before registration. This will provide them with further clarity regarding their child’s application.
• Online applications are prioritised on a first-come-first-served basis.
• The admissions office will schedule an assessment to determine whether the applicant will be a good fit for the school and assess their educational needs.
• If the assessment is successful, the school will send an official offer letter.
• Submit the signed offer letter along with the following documents:
  • Completed acceptance letter
  • Proof of registration or tuition fee payment
  • Child’s Emirates ID
  • Passport of the student and both parents
  • Residence VISA of the student and both parents (not applicable to Emiratis and GCC nationals and diplomats)
  • Birth certificate
  • Proof of Address
  • Passport-size photograph of the student

For more information, contact the admissions team at admissions@alainacademy.sch.ae or call +971-3-715-1007.

Before enrolment, parents must ensure that their child meets the following age placement guidelines.

This is based on the age of the students on 31st August (for schools beginning in September). Source: ADEK

* This is to cater to students transferring from systems that admit students of a younger age)

Al Ain Academy fees are paid in three instalments. Fee structure for each grade level is as follows:

Al Ain Academy has outsourced catering to Emirates Taste. It provides healthy meals to students across all seven Aldar Academies.

Students have access to healthy and nutritious hot and cold lunches that include assorted fruit, wholemeal grain and cooked/raw vegetables. These are available at the school canteen, costing between AED 15 to AED 20.

Al Ain school has a contract with Hafilat School Transportation to provide students with safe and reliable bus service. They operate a fleet of air-conditioned buses to provide door-to-door service while adhering to the rules and regulations laid down by Abu Dhabi’s Department of Transport.

Transportation charges are AED 5,000 per annum.

The school features various sports facilities that students can make use of. Facilities available  include:

• Two swimming pools
• Gym
• Astroturf playing field
• Shaded playground
• Two playgrounds with basketball and netball courts
• Game areas

The curriculum incorporates many extra-curricular activities for the holistic and well-rounded development of students. They can choose from various activities covering their creative, musical, physical and academic tastes.

The school embraces the International Baccalaureate programme’s approach to extracurriculars– creativity, action and service (CAS). Some clubs and activities students can participate in are:

• Academic

• Creative

• Sports

• Music

The school organises regular educational trips and excursions as they are integral to the curriculum. Field trips provide students with necessary outdoor education vital for their overall development.

One memorable trip was to the Abu Dhabi Science Festival. Students participated in a live science show, made their slime, launched rockets and concluded their day with a picnic in the zoo.

Al Ain Academy has an extensive extra-curricular programme. Students have the unique opportunity to choose from over 40 after-school activities that cover their creative, musical, physical and academic interests.

The school has a well-equipped medical clinic on its premises. This healthcare facility collaborates with the Health Authority Abu Dhabi (HAAD) and is managed by a qualified, full-time nurse.

The nurse tends to the medical needs of the students during school hours. The nurse is responsible for providing first aid, administering medications and transferring students to hospitals in emergencies. She also conducts regular health check-ups and coordinates vaccination programmes.

Al Ain Academy advocates continuous and effective communication between parents and the school. Parents have access to the school’s parent portal for important information and updates regarding their child’s education. The school also publishes a bi-monthly newsletter to keep parents informed regarding activities, news and events.

• Telephone: +971-3-715-1007 | +971-3-715-1003
• Email: Public Relations Executive – pre@alainacademy.sch.ae
• Al Ain Academy Website
• Al Ain Academy Facebook

Note that the cover image belongs to Al Ain Academy.