Emirates National Schools, Al Ain

Emirates National Schools Al Ain in Al Towayya is one of the five campuses operated by the Emirates National Schools (ENS) network. Other campuses are located in Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah.

Emirates National Private School Al Ain follows the American curriculum combined with IB (International Baccalaureate) programmes. The IB programme includes Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP) and the Diploma Programme (DP).

The school currently has around 2,544 students. You will also find 11 students of determination. There are 181 teachers and 58 teaching assistants, making the teacher-to-student ratio 1:14.

ENS Al Ain follows a co-educational system in kindergarten and primary school until Grade 4. From Grade 5 onwards, boys and girls are taught separately. Nevertheless, the school successfully provides quality education from kindergarten until Grade 12.

The current Emirates National Schools ADEK rating is ‘Very Good,’ which is an improvement from the previous year’s ‘Good’ rating. Emirates National Schools Al Ain is one of the top schools in Al Ain. You can also read our school guides on:

• Emirates National Schools – Al Nahyan
• Emirates National Schools, MBZ
• Emirates National Schools, Ras Al Khaimah

• Location: Al Towayya
• School fees: AED 20,200 - AED 51,510
• Curriculum: American / International Baccalaureate
• Co-ed or segregate: Co-ed until Grade 4 | Segregate from Grade 5 and above
• ADEK rating: Very Good
• Years offered: Pre-KG to Grade 12

Located in the busy locality of Al Towayya, the school is close to a few family-friendly neighbourhoods like:

• Al Dahma
• Al Khabisi
• Al Ameriya
• Al Jimi
• Oud Bin Sag-Han

Approximately a 3-minute drive from the school, Al Khabeesi is the nearest town. Various lifestyle amenities, including schools, supermarkets, mosques and offices, are present in the neighbourhood. Also, families looking for housing options can choose between apartments and villas.

Families who want to stay near the school can consider the following:

• Apartments for rent near Emirates National Schools Al Ain
• Villas for rent near Emirates National Schools Al Ain
• Villas for sale near Emirates National School Al Ain

Five Emirates National School campuses deliver primary and secondary education to children. Emirates National Schools Al Ain campus facilities are well-maintained.

The purpose-built school building facilitates students with physical disabilities. Classrooms provide a nurturing environment to accelerate the learning process. The use of innovative technologies ensures that students can fully concentrate during lessons.

Other ENS Al Ain campus facilities include science laboratories, an ICT lab, separate libraries for primary and secondary sections and a theatre. Furthermore, students can use a canteen during morning breaks and recess while a school clinic maintains each student's medical records.

Since physical education and pursuits are equally significant for nurturing students, the school boasts a multi-purpose sports hall that can also be used as a gymnasium, a basketball court, and a playground.

You can buy Emirates National Schools Al Ain uniforms from the vendors listed below:

• Technical Scissors Company
• Emirates Industries LLC
• 101 Computer Embroidery
• Red Castle Tailoring

Emirates National Schools Al Ain location is adequately populated with residential and commercial properties in Al Towayya. The school is situated close to the Dubai – Al Ain Road.

Emirates National Schools first opened in Mohammed Bin Zayed City in Abu Dhabi. Over the years, the school network expanded to other cities, including Al Ain. The two other emirates home to ENS schools are Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah.

The first campus opened in 2002. After two decades, ENS schools have generated a solid reputation backed by very good ratings by ADEK and other relevant educational authorities.

Emirates National Schools in Al Ain City is relatively new and provides world-class facilities to enhance the learning experience. A plethora of extracurricular and after-school activities ensure the well-rounded development of students.

The school is served by an eight-member management board that brings forward vast experience, skill set and knowledge required to improve the quality of education provided.

The school follows the core US curriculum with the IBDP programme framework in primary, middle and secondary school. Children can select Advanced Placement (AP) courses to increase the likelihood of admission into reputable universities in the USA and Canada.

Similarly, the school serves students from kindergarten until high school, which is convenient for parents looking for a quality American curriculum school in Al Ain City. 

This Emirates National Schools Al Ain review will further highlight the features and reasons why parents must trust the school with their child’s education early on.

Since Emirates National Schools Towayya offers a combination of core US and IB curricula, the age placement guideline is divided into three sections:

Emirates National Schools curriculum is based on the American Curriculum Core Standards for English, Maths and Science. On the other hand, the UAE Ministry of Education (MOE) programme is implemented for Arabic Studies, Islamic Education and Social Studies.

However, the programme is delivered under the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) framework for PYP, MYP and DP.

Primary Years programme

The PYP programme is implemented from KG to Grade 5 at the ENS Al Ain City campus. The primary aim of the programme is to develop students to become inquirers. The key areas and interdisciplinary skills that teachers focus on include:

• Addressing a student’s academic, emotional and social development.
• Encouraging students to be responsible and independent in their coursework and personal life.
• Assisting students while they understand the real world and their functions and responsibilities as global citizens.
• Helping students develop personal values as a foundation upon which international-mindedness will flourish.

Six subjects identified under PYP include Arabic, English, Social Science, Science, Mathematics, Arts and Physical Education.

Middle Years Programme.

Emirates National Schools Al Ain curriculum encourages students to be critical, creative and reflective thinkers. Students are challenged to connect the traditional subjects they have been taught and the real world.

Children must study two languages, individuals and societies, sciences, mathematics, arts, physical and health education and design. Similarly, a personal project is handed to children in Grade 10. The project demonstrates the development of skills. Knowledge and information that the students have acquired in the past several years. Likewise, the personal project also helps students learn new skills that will benefit them for the IB Diploma Programme.

IB Diploma Programme

The IB Diploma Programme prepares students for higher education at universities and beyond. This stage covers Grades 11 and 12, where students obtain a high school diploma. The three main components of this program are:

• Extended essay: Here, students are encouraged to carry out independent research tasks through an in-depth study of the question asked in a subject.
• Theory of Knowledge: Children develop a coherent understanding of learning that integrates academic subjects.
• Creativity, Action, Service (CAS): Students are provided with various activities alongside academics.

The Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) was formed in 2005 to expand and improve the capital’s education sector. The agency is responsible for inspecting and supervising both private and public schools in Abu Dhabi. ADEK aims to establish the capital as a regional and international educational hub.

Furthermore, the organisation has formed the Irtiqaa Programme to inspect schools periodically. It rates schools based on six parameters: quality of teaching and assessment, curriculum, students’ achievement, students’ social development, leadership and management, and care and guidance provided to children.

The picture below explains the six-point scale ranging from ‘Outstanding’ to ‘Very Weak.’

Emirates National Schools Al Towayya has been rated ‘Very Good’ by the ADEK. Previously, ENS was rated ‘Good’, indicating an improvement in the school's overall performance.

According to the Irtiqaa report, the school covers all its bases quite well; hence, the ‘Very Good’ rating. One notable improvement in the quality of teaching is in the student’s achievement.

Furthermore, children have consistently shown a positive attitude and behaviour towards learning and the new opportunities presented by the school over the past few years. Similarly, the senior leadership team is working hard to improve the day-to-day school life while simultaneously setting a vision for the school’s future.

Students’ health, safety and guidance are a top priority of Emirates National Schools in Al Ain.

However, there is still a void that the school needs to bridge to achieve the ultimate rating. The report underlines two key areas where focused and maintained efforts are required.

First, the school needs to sustain the academic progress achieved by students across all subjects. Second, students should be provided with learning technologies.

Like other international schools in Abu Dhabi, Emirates National School Al Ain academic calendar starts in August and ends in June. The calendar is split into four quarters with various national and Islamic holidays.

ENS Al Ain offers seats to students on merit. Children from diverse groups are welcome to start the Emirates National Schools Al Ain admission process. To register your child, you need to fill out an application form and provide the following documents:

• A copy of the applicant’s passport (UID number for locals and residence visa for expats)
• The applicant’s and both parents’ Emirates ID card
• The applicant’s birth certificate
• The applicant’s immunisation card
• 2 passport-sized photos of the applicant
• Previous year’s school report card (if applying for admissions in January, then report card for the first term of the year)
• Previous two grades’ school report cards for new students applying to the IB Diploma Programme (Grade 10 and 12)

Admission of your child into the school is dependent on the following:

• Completion of the ENS registration documents (Application Packet).
• Successfully completing the entrance exam in English, Mathematics and Arabic and meeting the minimum required marks.
• Interview with the campus director or designee for the admission decision.
• Students transferring from other schools and applying for Grade 10 onwards will need their transcripts reviewed for credit transfer or equivalency evaluation by the campus director or designee for the admission decision.
• Down payment of registration and tuition fees (annual or in instalments).

The final decision regarding the admission will be communicated to parents through a call or an email. To secure admission, parents must submit a registration deposit which will be adjusted against the first term’s fee.

Parents must ensure that their child meets the following age placement guideline.

This is based on the age of the students on 31st March (for schools beginning in April) and 31st August (for schools beginning in September).

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

The fee schedule of Emirates National Schools Al Ain falls in the mid-range. Below is a breakdown of the annual tuition fees:

Additional information for parents to note is as follows:

• Education resources fee amounting to AED 1,100 is included in the term 1 fee.
• The registration fee for new students is AED 1,000 (non-refundable but will be adjusted against tuition fees).
• Parents employed at specific organizations or students having siblings enrolled will receive a discount on the Term 3 fee.
• You’ll receive a discount on the tuition fee if it is paid within 30 days of the due date.

Keita Catering LLC has collaborated with the school to provide lunch. The food is prepared with fresh ingredients and is preservative-free. Hygiene and cleanliness are the top priorities of the catering service provider.

Parents who send lunch from home must ensure that the food is healthy and nutritious. They must avoid unhealthy foods and drinks, including crisps, sweets, candies and fizzy drinks.

Emirates National Schools Al Ain has outsourced transport facility to Hafilat School Transportation LLC for an annual fee of AED 5,000 per child. However, in the first academic year, you’ll get a 20% discount on the transport fee, equating to AED 4,800.

Since the school has partnered with various sports service providers, students can sign up with these organisations for holiday camps during winter, spring and summer breaks.

Sports facilities provided by ENS Al Towayya include a multi-purpose hall that can also be used as a gymnasium, a basketball court and a playground. Students have achieved national success in various sports, including swimming, rugby, football and handball.

Many extracurricular activities are offered to students to enhance their mental and physical capacity. Students are encouraged to participate in competitions and events held throughout the year.

However, Emirates National Schools Al Ain City students have shown great sports and creative arts achievements.

Children participate in various educational and entertainment trips where they can create wonderful memories with their peers and enhance their classroom learning.

The school has teamed with multiple service providers who offer a variety of sporting activities after school hours. If your child is interested in after-school ventures, you must visit the campus to discuss the activities offered and fill in the registration form. After-school activities are offered from 03:30 pm to 04:30 pm.

As per the instructions from the Department of Health Abu Dhabi, the school operates an on-site medical facility. A trained and experienced professional runs the clinic to provide first-aid treatment.

The medical record of each child is maintained for future reference. However, students with special medical conditions must provide an updated immunisation report. Parents must also provide their active personal contact information so ENS Al Ain School can reach them on time in an emergency.

Emirates National Schools has an app to facilitate two-way communication: School Voice.Parents can access it via mobile to contact teachers and other staff members.

Through this application, you can remain posted about your child’s education, receive instant notifications from the school, send replies in a matter of seconds and save time.

However, parents who prefer the traditional means of communication can look at the Emirates National Schools Al Ain contact details posted below. You can also remain updated about current events happening at the school through social media links.

• Telephone Number: +971-3-761-6888
• Toll-Free: 800-2008
• Emails:
  • General Enquiries: info@ctr.ens.sch.ae
  • For Feedback and Suggestions: suggest@ctr.ens.sch.ae
• Emirates National Schools Website
• Emirates National Schools Facebook
• Emirates National Schools Twitter
• Emirates National Schools Instagram
• Emirates National Schools YouTube

Note that the cover image belongs to Emirates National Schools, Al Ain