Manor Hall International School

Manor Hall International School is an all-through school in Al Ain offering classes from KG to Grade 12. Established in 2007, it follows the US curriculum and has a co-educational setup.

The school currently has 615 students belonging to 43 different countries, but UAE nationals make up the majority. The school does not enrol non-English speaking students in Grade 1 onwards. Some students have SEN requirements.

The faculty includes 59 certified teachers and 19 teaching assistants. Manor Hall has a maximum of twenty students in each kindergarten class (KG1 or KG2) and 25 kids from Grades 1 to 12.

The school is close to several residential communities. The closest ones include:

• Al Jimi
• Al Maqam
• Al Qattarah
• Al Mutawah

Al Jimi is close to Abu Dhabi and offers detached villas and apartments for rent. The area is also home to the Civic Centre, a well-known commercial district of the city. Al Maqam is a small neighbourhood and offers direct access to the main Abu Dhabi –Al Ain Truck Road. Residential options in the area include apartments and villas for rent. Al Mutawa is a historical development that is home to museums and the Al Ain Gold Souk.

Those looking to settle near the Manor Hall International School campus can consider:

• Apartments for rent near Manor Hall International School
• Villas for rent near Manor Hall International School

Manor Hall School Al Ain campus has all the basic facilities to support effective learning, including a well-equipped computer lab, an art room, a music room, a drama room and plenty of sports facilities. There is a big auditorium in the school where indoor events are held. All classrooms have interactive whiteboards. MHIS has a fully functional robotics lab and programme. Students interested in sports can use the cricket pitch, school gymnasium and swimming pool.

The school is part of the Falaj Hazza community. Based on Al Rayhani Street in Al Ain, the campus is close to Khalid Bin Sultan Street. The nearest landmark is Al Wadi Park and Falaj Hazza Park for Women and Children.

Manor Hall International School claims to be the first school in the neighbourhood to get awarded the WASC (Western Association of Schools and Colleges) accreditation. The school is proud to be an institution that provides a unique and caring school atmosphere connecting students to their passion and purpose.

Manor Hall International School (MHIS) values creativity and an educational program that supports learning. The school has built a warm, safe and nurturing environment.

The teaching staff at Manor Hall School Al Ain is highly qualified and has professional training to provide quality education. They are committed to delivering high standards of service, and the school ensures to create a motivating learning atmosphere for students of all age groups.

The mission statement of the school includes helping students achieve their social and character development. Key values of Manor Hall School are:

• Integrity
• Tolerance
• Responsibility
• Generosity
• Confidence
• Respect

The school encourages students to take part in National Honor Society initiated activities. NHS is an organisation that recognises the academic achievement of students. Through the National Honor Society, students of Manor Hall International School complete individual and group service projects. They can also apply for scholarships through this initiative.

At Manor Hall, engineering starts in Kindergarten and continues until Grade 6. The EIE curriculum created by the Boston Museum of Science enhances problem-solving skills and encourages students to apply them to other disciplines, including Maths and Science.

STEM, Coding and Programming, Design Technology and Entrepreneur skills are an important part of the school program. They are introduced to students in the elementary stage of the school. Students are encouraged to figure out their interest and passion.

There is a Students Government Association at Manor Hall School to represent the voice of high school students. This association revolves around students’ interests and helps develop unity amongst different student groups. The program also helps develop communication and leadership skills. Student Association is also welcomed to provide feedback and suggest required amendments in school policies to create a nurturing atmosphere for students.

Students can participate in music, 2D Art, 3D art, ceramics, arts and crafts, and the digital arts. Those taking part in the Digital Arts programme must complete design projects for real clients within the school or the community.

Manor Hall School offers classes from Pre-K to Grade 12. All classes are divided into Elementary and Secondary sections.

MHIS follows the AERO curriculum approved by the US government for international American schools. For Secondary sections, the curriculum is based on the Common Core Standards, Next Generation Science Standards and United National Sustainable Development Goals for Social Studies.

The Elementary School curriculum uses a variety of traditional and modern approaches.

Subjects taught in Elementary School include:

• Language
• Arts
• Phonics
• Arabic
• Math
• Physical Education
• Computer
• Music
• Science
• Social Studies

In Middle School, students follow a combination of Life Science, Earth Science, and Physical Science courses besides Math and English Language Arts, Technology and Arabic. Social Studies curriculum includes History, Geography, Economics, and Politics. The High School curriculum consists of World Geography, World History, US History, Comparative Politics, Economics, Maths and English. All Social Studies classes incorporate UAE History, culture, and heritage.

Science subjects include:

• Biology
• Chemistry
• Physics
• Biology 2
• AP Biology
• AP Chemistry
• AP Physics

Students are encouraged to take up coursework in Design Technology, Entrepreneurship, Coding, Psychology and Philosophy.

MHIS offers Advanced Placement courses to students who want to advance their skills. The list includes AP Chemistry, AP Biology, AP Human Geography, AP Literature, AP Language, AP Calculus, and AP Physics.

Other than the curriculum, developing habits and skills (ELSRs) and focusing on particular behaviour and values are critical aspects. These include:

• Literacy, numeracy and technology skills
• Accessing and Analysing Information
• Effective communication
• Collaboration and Leadership
• Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
• Curiosity and Imagination
• Initiative and Entrepreneurialism, and Adaptability

Coding, Programming, STEM and Design Technology are offered as additional courses.

Programming and Coding introduces the fundamentals of the python programming language. Python is a world-wide acknowledged programming language used by YouTube and Dropbox. Students get a basic understanding of programming, including building an MVP and exploring innovation boundaries.

Students gain expertise in good design practices on digital platforms in Design and Technology courses while working as per industry standards and expectations.

The Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) program at Manor Hall School Al Ain throughout the elementary school is about innovation. STEM is used to motivate students to find their passion and build their competencies and skills to become responsible citizens. Under the STEM Innovation program students can opt for the following courses:

• Social Media Marketing
• Engineering
• Physics
• Entrepreneurship
• Personal Branding

Students at Manor Hall can benefit from vocational guidance assessment for university admission related to ACT, SAT, PSAT, IELTS, Em-SAT.

The PSAT program is offered to all students in Grades 9 to 11 to determine their strengths and develop a plan for appearing in SAT and ACT exam. A curated selection of Advanced Placement (AP) courses is offered to students in Grades 11 and 12 to prepare them for the university better.

ADEK inspected Manor Hall International School from 12th February to 15th February 2018 and rated it ‘Acceptable.’

The overall school performance is acceptable and has a high staff turnover since the last inspection. As per the Manor Hall International School ADEK rating and report, the school governors believe that they have reached relative stability.

As per the inspection report, students’ achievement is acceptable. However, it is weak in Islamic education and Arabic during the Primary Phase. KG Children show good progress in English and Arabic. The school assessment data shows outstanding students’ attainment in all subjects.

Students show acceptable social and personal development. They show acceptable behaviour and their punctuality and attendance are good. Students show a clear understanding of Islamic values. They appreciate Islam’s influence on UAE society and culture. However, their critical thinking and innovation skills have to be efficiently developed in lessons.

Quality of teaching and assessment is acceptable, overall. Teachers plan lessons effectively and record assessment data systematically. It should be used consistently to plan particular learning, especially students who are identified as Gifted and Talented.

Manor School curriculum is acceptable, broad and balanced. The curriculum creates cross-curricular links to make learning more meaningful for students. The school has made adequate modifications in the curriculum but it does not meet the needs of the more able students.
Students get acceptable protection, care, support and guidance. Manor School Al Ain has appropriate child protection and approach in place.

Students’ well-being and personal development is appropriately monitored.
The quality of leadership is overall acceptable. The school principal is leading the school with a clear vision. However, self-evaluation methods and school improvement plans are not sufficiently aligned to raise the school standards effectively. Manor School is managed efficiently on a day-to-day basis.

School leaders recognise the need for professional development when it comes to teaching and learning. They understand that there is the capacity to improve further.

The detailed ADEK report mentions that all classrooms are equipped with interactive whiteboards that are used during lessons. Teachers, however, need to present new information and show relevant videos to support students’ learning.

Key areas of strength of Manor Hall International School are:

• School’s identification and support for students with special educational needs (SEN)
• Kindergarten students’ achievement in Arabic, Art and English
• Positive relationships that result in promoting learning and social development
• The way students respect the culture and heritage of the UAE

Key areas of improvement at Manor Hall International School include:
Improving achievement in all subjects of Primary phase, especially in Arabic medium subjects by:

• Giving written feedback to students
• Effectively using assessment data to identify students’ learning needs
• Carrying out lesson planning
• Providing regular opportunities during lessons to practice reading and writing skills

Providing challenges to more able students by:

• Having confidence and asking open-ended questions to deepen students’ thinking and understanding regularly
• Including additional challenges in medium terms and long term planning
• Giving opportunities to students for developing enquiry, critical thinking skills and approach to independent learning

Aligning self-evaluation methods with school development plans and ensuring the impact across all subjects by:

• Including representation of Arabic language in the school’s leadership team
• Providing training to staff for ensuring they are equipped to deliver the targets for which they should be accountable
• Monitoring the school progress for implementing the actions regularly
• Ensuring all lessons are observed while focusing on evaluating the quality of learning progress of students
• Working to improve the accuracy and rigour of school leaders’ evaluations

Developing strategies of teaching for enhancing students’ critical and higher-level thinking skills by:

• Regularly reviewing the critical problem-solving skills and making sure they are included within the curriculum
• Observing and sharing best practices in other school and within the school
• Reviewing the timetable for providing longer periods for collaborative projects and research and reporting

The first day of school for students is 30th August. They go on a mid-term/half-term break from 18th October until 22nd October. National Holidays are scheduled from 1st December to 3rd December. Winter break starts on 13th December. School resumes on 3rd January. Half-term/mid-term break is scheduled from 14th to 16th February. Spring break begins on 28th March. School resumes after spring break on 11th April. From 20th to 24th June school-wide exams are scheduled. 1st July is the last day of school.

Manor Hall International School calendar is available on their official website.

Parents interested in Manor Hall School admissions can complete the online application form available on the school’s official website. The school recommends parents visit the school with their child before registration to become familiar with school facilities. Manor Hall School does not discriminate based on ethnicity, cultural background or race. Similarly, MHIS does not deny or reject students with chronic health conditions and offers appropriate support as per the student’s needs.

Once the application form has been filled and submitted, the school calls the student for the entrance exam/assessment. If the candidate clears the entrance test, the school asks parents to submit registration fee and tuition fee along with mandatory documents. If no seat is available, the student is placed on the waiting list.

Students who are non-native English speakers must undergo diagnostic testing of their English skills and proficiency to determine if they are capable of learning in an English language environment.

Manor Hall International Private School has specific age requirements for admissions across all grades. The school will admit the child according to their age.

Manor School has admission priorities. If seats are available, the school gives preference to:

• Students who have attended the school previously
• Students who currently have siblings in the school
• Children of the school staff

Some documents are required at the time of admission; they are:

• Complete health information form
• A transcript or copy of school report cards from the previous school
• Copy of student’s passport and National ID card
• Immunisation card ( for new student only)

Manor Hall School fee structure is divided into three instalments.

• The first instalment is due on September 1
• The second instalment must be paid until December 1
• The third instalment is due on March 1

Here’s a breakdown of the fees to give you a better idea.

Manor Hall International School Al Ain is committed to providing a well-rounded education to students. Being healthy and active is important at school. Athletics/sports are incorporated in students’ schedules at Manor Hall School.

The school is the founder of the Al Ain Private School Athletic Conference (AAPSAC). MHIS students can become part of the:

• Soccer- boys team
• Soccer- girls team
• Basketball -boys team

They also compete in inter-school athletics against other private schools in Al Ain. MHIS students have also participated in the American University of Dubai (AUD) high school tournaments.

Throughout the year, the school organises various sports championships, such as:

A fitness program is also offered at the school where students can identify their weaknesses and strengths. Physical Education departments play an essential role in this regard. They develop strategies and sports components to introduce students with sports such as kickball, four square, dodgeball and badminton. Sports days are also organised during the academic year.
Other sports in which students compete include:

The school offers extracurricular programs after school dismissal. Some activities are offered with special emphasis, including The Fine Arts program. The school firmly believes that Fine Arts has a unique role in developing students’ creativity, practical autonomy, empathy and critical judgement.

Other extracurricular activities at MHIS include theatre, robotics and music.

After-school clubs are formed at the beginning of each semester for students in grades KG -12. Some popular clubs and activities that scheduled after-school dismissal include:

Manor Hall School has a well-equipped medical clinic on campus.

Parent-Teacher conferences are arranged throughout the academic year. These conferences are organised to keep parents updated regarding their child’s strengths and weaknesses. Parent-Teacher conferences are scheduled twice in an academic year.

Parents can work closely with the Counseling Department to make appropriate decisions for their child, leading to more success and enjoyment during their university experience.

• Telephone: +971-3-781-0891 |+971-3-781-0892
• Email: info@manorhallschool.com
• Manor Hall School Website
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Please note that the cover image belongs to Manor Hall International School