Al Dhafra Private School, Abu Dhabi

Established in 1983, Al Dhafra Private School in MBZ City, Abu Dhabi embraces educational excellence and honours culture and traditions. To provide a student-centred, trusting and supportive school community, it moved to purpose-built premises in Mohammed Bin Zayed City in 2012. Al Dhafra School’s campus in Abu Dhabi has premium facilities to create independent, creative learners and thinkers.

Presently, Al Dhafra Private School offers the American curriculum from KG to Grade 12. The US curriculum leads to an accredited Standard High School Diploma (in Grade 11) or an Advanced Studies High School Diploma in Grade 12. Boys and girls study separately from Middle School onwards.

Nearby residential communities include Mussafah and Al Mafraq. The campus is easily reachable for families living in:

• Al Maqtaa
• Shakhbout City (Khalifa City B)
• Zayed City

Shakhbout City is a peaceful community on Abu Dhabi’s outskirts. Residents can easily commute to Dubai and reach entertainment destinations on Yas Island. Shakhbout City offers villas and 3-bedrooms apartments for sale and rent.

Al Maqtaa is a massive residential area adjacent to the renowned Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. Many villas and a handful of apartments are available for rent in this community. The family-friendly community is an ideal choice for people who want to live away from the hustle-bustle of city life.

Families interested in living closer to Al Dhafra Abu Dhabi campus can check out:

• Apartments for rent near Al Dhafra Private School
• Villas for rent near Al Dhafra Private School
• Villas for sale near Al Dhafra Private School

Al Dhafra Private School Abu Dhabi location is based in Mohammed Bin Zayed City (MBZ City), Shabiya 9, near E-30 between Ghamri and Al Atheel Street in Abu Dhabi.

Other schools in the vicinity include:

• Al Murooj Scientific Private School
• The Cambridge High School
• Merryland International School Abu Dhabi

Al Dhafra Private School presently caters to more than 1,300 students from KG until Grade 12. It successfully meets the learning needs of kids of all ages as per the Emirati and international community standards. Al Dhafra has received positive inspection reports from ADEK and the accreditation body, Cognia.

Al Dhafra believes in each child’s well-rounded development, but the focus is academic excellence and personal development. Graduating students have successfully made it to top local and international universities.

Teachers fulfil their expectations successfully and get help with outstanding professional development. Al Dhafra benefits from dynamic and experienced leadership and offers excellent learning and extra-curricular facilities. The competent governance body fully supports dedicated teachers.

The most important asset of the school is its wonderful students who make the school proud every day. Native Arabic speakers are in the majority yet they have exceptional command over spoken and written English. Students are involved in their learning and can make important connections between the different subjects. They can use technology and demonstrate their problem-solving skills at all levels.

Al Dhafra students strive to become responsible learners who are confident about their knowledge and skills. The vision of Al Dhafra Private School is to achieve an ideal blend of educational excellence and honouring culture and traditions. Students are transformed into international-minded, global citizens that will thrive in the challenging and ever-changing world.

Al Dhafra Private School Abu Dhabi’s mission is to establish itself as a trusting and supportive school community. They develop self-discipline in young children so they can become independent and creative learners and thinkers at a later stage. Teaching is inspiring and all students are empowered to succeed within an innovative culture of high expectation, outstanding quality and high standards.

Core values of Al Dhafra Private School Abu Dhabi include:

1. Transparency, Fairness, and Justice
2. Respect and Equality
3. Cooperation, Collaboration, and Teamwork
4. Care and Compassion
5. Honesty and Integrity
6. Accountability

The school welcomes students from KG to Grade 12. All classes are divided into these sections:

Al Dhafra Private School follows the American curriculum that is broad, balanced and rigorous. English is the medium of instruction for all courses other than Islamic Studies, Arabic Social Studies and Arabic language. These three subjects are taught in Arabic as per the guidelines of the U.A.E Ministry of Education.

The US curriculum at Al Dhafra School Abu Dhabi prepares students for their next academic phase and the world’s best universities. There is a wide range of electives and AP courses to choose from.

The Kindergarten section has a friendly environment and welcomes children aged 3 to 5 years. The teaching team creates a curriculum that reflects high standards and expectations for all kids – basic concepts include mathematics, reading, writing and science. Teaching at this level is personalised to match the individual needs of students. Little ones get specialist teaching in Arabic, Social Studies and Islamic Studies every week.
Kindergarteners study these eight subjects:

The elementary school has a child-centred approach and the curriculum is a bit more rigorous. Students spend the most time with their class teacher and the focus is on English, Information Technology, Science, Mathematics and Moral Education. The school recognises that English is a second language for many students and makes it easy for them to improve their English speaking skills. Specialist teachers are hired for Arabic, Islamic and Social Studies, Art, Music and Physical Education. Class teachers, assistants and supervisors provide pastoral care for elementary school students.

The Middle School includes Grade 6 to Grade 8 with separate classes for boys and girls.

Core subjects include Arabic, English, Humanities, Math and Science. They are taught based on the Common Core States Standards (CCSS). Islamic Studies is offered to all Muslim students. Middle school students are encouraged to read literature for Arabic, English and Humanities and express their thoughts in writing.

Teachers in Al Dhafra Private School integrate technology into their daily lessons and activities. There are smart interactive panels in every classroom and a 1:1 iPad programme. Middle school curriculum also includes Physical Education, Art, Music, Information Technology and Moral Education.

Extra-curricular activities offered to students include art exhibits, theatrical performances and musical presentations. Literacy and Numeracy are emphasised across each subject. Listening and speaking skills are developed through presentations and discussions. Science and Mathematics involve inquiry-based learning to work on students’ logic and critical thinking skills.

In High School (Grade 9 to Grade 12) boys and girls study in separate classes. Core subjects are Arabic, Physics, English and Maths. Arabic medium courses are tailored for native and non-native speakers.

Students of Grade 11 and Grade 12 can choose elective courses ranging from Sociology, Biology, Business Studies, Psychology, Chemistry to history and Art. Core subjects include Arabic, English, Maths and Physics. During their final years, students may opt for an external AP (Advanced Placement) examination. Through AP, they can gain extra credits and scholarship awards.

ADEK inspected Al Dhafra Private School MBZ Abu Dhabi from 23rd September 2018 to 26th September 2018 and rated it as “Good.”

Here’s how the school performed in different parameters:

• Student’s achievement – Good
• Students’ personal and social development and their innovation skills – Very Good
• Teaching and assessment – Good
• Curriculum – Good
• Protection, care, guidance and support of students – Very Good
• Leadership and management – Good

According to the detailed ADEK Al Dhafra Private School rating and report, the school’s overall performance is good. School leaders have shown improvement and responded effectively to the recommendations made after the last inspection. The school performance is now stronger in all areas, but the full impact of the progress has yet to result in good outcomes across the school.

Students’ achievement is good in all core subjects. It is very good in other subjects through all phases. In the High school phase, student achievement is very good, overall. Students show very good progress in English during their Primary and High school. Students who have Special Educational Needs (SEN) and Gifted and Talented students make strong progress. However, the achievement of Middle phase boys needs improvement.

According to the report, students’ personal and social development and innovation skills are very good. They show respectful attitudes and behaviour. Their strong appreciation of Islamic values and UAE heritage is quite clear. Also, children show a strong awareness of environmental issues. The report suggests, not all students get opportunities to improve their innovation skills in lessons.

Teaching and assessment are good at Al Dhafra Private School. It is good from KG to Middle years and very good in the high phase as teachers have strong subject knowledge and are aware of how students learn.

Teachers put effort into creating interesting and engaging lessons that help students make good progress overall. They should sufficiently promote critical thinking and innovation skills at the school.

The curriculum is good and it is delivered effectively. The moral education program of the school is well-delivered and effectively evaluated. The curriculum is not always well-modified in the middle phase.

Students get very good protection, guidance, care, and support at Al Dhafra Abu Dhabi School. The school places the highest priority on the health, security and safety of students. Students with SEN and students who are Gifted and Talented are swiftly identified and get good support. The minority of boys in the middle phase are not always well-managed, and they do not get support.

Children in the high phase benefit from expert academic and career guidance that result in 100% success during university admissions.

The leadership and management at Al Dhafra School MBZ Abu Dhabi are good. The improvements since the last inspection result from the vision of the principal and senior leaders, their shared vision with all stakeholders and their strategic directions. Leaders know their school, and they design well-focused goals for further improvements. The leadership team has broadened, and it is yet to raise standards in all school phases.

Key areas of strength are:

• The guidance, teaching, achievement and personal development of students who are in High school
• Subject knowledge of teachers and their ability to convey it to their students
• Health, safety and safeguarding of students
• The support and identification with Special Educational Needs (SEN) and Students who are Gifted and Talented
• Leader’s commitment to the UAE vision, knowledge of the school and the way they accurately identify key priorities

Key areas for improvement are:

Improve the provision and outcomes for a small group of Middle school boys by:

• Maintaining high expectations for academic performance and personal development of students
• Making sure teachers are trained and implement consistent and effective behaviour strategies for students
• Adapt the curriculum to ensure it is relevant and engaging younger boys
• Develop school’s libraries and make them learning resource centres for all subjects by:
  • Ensuring students make regular use of the facilities for research, meetings, lessons and events
  • Improving the quality and range of English and Arabic resources available for students
• Ensure leadership impact further improves, innovation, the teaching of high phase by:
  • Keeping the focus on the recently extended leadership team and board of governors for continuing to raise attainment
  • Identifying and sharing the teaching practice to accelerate students’ progress across all subjects effectively
  • Planning curriculum to consistently promote innovation and critical thinking of students in lessons through creative, extended and challenging projects
  • Ensuring strong representation in Arabic medium curriculum at all levels of leadership

Like other American schools in Abu Dhabi, the school calendar for Al Dhafra Private School Abu Dhabi starts in late August and ends in July of the following year.

30th August marks the beginning of Term 1. Students go on a winter break from 13th December to 31st December. The school reopens on 3rd January for Term 2. The half-term lasts from 16th to 18th February. Students get a spring break from 28th to March to 8th April. 1st July is the last of the academic year.

Parents interested in Al Dhafra Private School admissions can either apply online or visit the school campus. Parents who visit the school are referred to the admission office, where they are given more details.

Once you submit the form and mandatory documents, the school gives the assessment date. This entrance test will include the basic three subjects – Mathematics, English and Arabic. Upon passing the placement test in these three core subjects and reviewing the previous academic records, the school will accept the admission if the seat is available.

Some documents have to be submitted with the application form to complete the admission process.

Required Documents

• Copy of the birth certificate (A4 size, if from abroad, attested from the UAE Embassy and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
• Coloured copy of passports of student and both parents
• Immunisation copy (A4 size and coloured)
• Four recent passport size photographs of student
• Coloured copy of water and electricity bills (ADEK requirement)
• Copy of student and parents’ Emirates ID card (coloured copy and both side as per ADEK requirement)
• Copy of health insurance card (A4 and coloured)
• Original transfer certificate (stamped from ADEK; if from abroad, attested from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
• Original report card (stamped from ADEK; if from abroad, attested from embassy and Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
• Behaviour report from the previous school

Here is the breakdown of Al Dhafra Private School fees:

Registration fee is deductible from the tuition fees and must not be more than 5% of the annual tuition fee.

Parents must pay the mentioned fee in three instalments:

• The first payment is due when registration is renewed or in September
• The second payment is due in December
• The third payment is due in March

There is a canteen in the school where children can buy snacks, salads and sandwiches. All the items range from AED 6 to AED 10.

Al Dhafra Private School offers a school bus service for students and it is charged from AED 4,000 to AED 4,500.

The school organises various sports events to keep students involved in physical activities.

Students enjoy a range of extracurricular activities and events at Al Dhafra. They participate in fairs, expos, talent shows, workshops and drama. They enjoy special days such as Flag Day, National Day, and Sports Day.

Students enjoy various trips throughout the academic year, including expos and cyber week trips.

The school offers after-school activities for students.

Health and safety are considered a priority at Al Dhafra Private School, so it has three clinics. The main clinic caters to the medical needs of female primary and secondary students. Another clinic is for boys of Grade 6 to Grade 12. KG clinic caters to students in KG 1 and KG 2.

All clinics are well-staffed with registered nurses and visiting doctors licensed by the Department of Health (DOH) – Abu Dhabi.

The school nurse is responsible for providing first aid and emergency care to students during school and after-school activities. She administers medicines and can refer students for a follow-up with a medical practitioner if needed.

Al Dhafra School Abu Dhabi also focuses on preventative healthcare and participates in health campaigns in collaboration with well-known hospitals.

Before admission, parents are requested to complete and submit health records. The health record form is available on the Al Dhafra Private School Abu Dhabi website.

If a child needs any medication during school hours, DOH standards of school medication policy for prescription and non-prescription medications are followed. The contact number of nurses are available on the school website should parents require any further information.

In Kindergarten, parents are welcomed into the classroom in the morning, plus they are given regular updates about their child’s development and progress. Al Dhafra School also organises coffee mornings where parents can discuss activities and events for the academic year.

• Telephone: +971-2-610-8400 | +971-2-610-8401
• Email: administration@dhafraschool.com
• Al Dhafra Private School Abu Dhabi Website
• Al Dhafra Private School Abu Dhabi Facebook
• Al Dhafra Private School Abu Dhabi Instagram

Cover image belongs to Al Dhafra Private School, Abu Dhabi.