Sharjah American International School, Abu Dhabi

The Sharjah American International School, also known as Sharjah American International Private School, is a project of Dr Aysha Ali Bin Sayyar and Dr Nawaf Mohamed Fawaz. SAIS AUH is the fourth addition to the Sharjah-based schools’ group list.

The first branch of Sharjah American International School opened in 1997 in Sharjah. However, after witnessing the school’s success, the management decided to open other branches in different emirates. The second branch, Sharjah American International School Dubai, opened in 2005. The third branch — Sharjah American International School Umm Al Quwain, opened in 2014, and in 2016, Abu Dhabi became home to the fourth campus.

Sharjah American International School of Abu Dhabi offers an engaging American curriculum from kindergarten to Grade 10. The school is based on the California State Education Framework model. Plans are underway to add grades each year organically. From KG 1 to Grade 4, children are taught in a co-educational setup. From Grade 5 and above, boys and girls are taught separately.

This Sharjah American International School Abu Dhabi guide by Bayut lists everything parents want to know to make an informed decision, including details regarding the curriculum, admission, fee structure and campus facilities.

The current location of Sharjah American International School is close to the following residential areas.

• Al Shawamekh
• Al Mafraq Industrial Area
• Baniyas North
• Zayed City (Khalifa City C)

Al Shawamekh is the nearest area that offers various lifestyle amenities. Those looking to relocate near the school can check out the below-mentioned options.

• Apartments for rent near SAIS Abu Dhabi
• Villas for rent near SAIS Abu Dhabi
• Villas for sale near SAIS Abu Dhabi

The purpose-built Sharjah American International School Abu Dhabi campus is divided into three sections: KG department, elementary school, and middle and high school, which is further divided into boys’ and girls’ sections.

You will find rooms dedicated to Music, Art, STEAM and Literature in kindergarten and elementary school. As you move on to middle and high school, a large secondary library helps students conduct independent reading or group research.

Junior and senior students have access to a fully-equipped laboratory, Art room, music room, Islamic room, and French and Arabic language classes.

Sports enthusiasts will also be thrilled to know that SAIS School Abu Dhabi has two swimming pools, volleyball and basketball courts, soccer fields, outdoor play areas, and a separate gymnasium for boys and girls.

Sharjah Private International American School is located on Al Ramz Street in the bustling Shakhbout City. Residents have access to several lifestyle facilities, including schools, mosques, commercial properties and entertainment venues.

Sharjah American International School Shakhbout City has plenty of accomplishments. It is part of a group that provides quality education in four different emirates. The education board frequently meets to discuss the school’s future while considering all invested stakeholders’ needs and requirements, such as students, parents, teachers, and the community.

Similarly, the school has established an Advisory Board that includes parents, senior students, and staff. Meetings take place every month to provide feedback and improve weak areas.

The school received an ‘Acceptable’ rating for the academic year 2018 – 2019, and it wasn’t inspected for the academic year 2020. SAIS Abu Dhabi management is working day and night to improve their position. With the right amount of improvisation, SAIS School will soon make it to the top American schools in Abu Dhabi.

SAIS in Abu Dhabi is an all-through facility that delivers the American curriculum from KG 1 until Grade 10.

Sharjah American International School in Shakhbout City offers the American curriculum based on the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) for English and Maths and NGSS standards for Science. SIAS follows the California State Education Framework.

Kindergarten

In the kindergarten section, the school follows the Desired Results Developmental Profile (DRDP), a part of the Common Core Standard KG curriculum. This technique helps teachers understand the development progress of students.

The eight core areas of development under this initiative are:

• Approaches to Learning – self-regulation
• Social and Emotional Development
• Language and Literacy Development
• English Language Development
• Cognition: Math
• Cognition: Science
• Physical Development – Health, History and Social science
• Visual and Performing Arts

Elementary School

In elementary school, apart from CCSS and NGSS framework, students are introduced to the Ministry of Education (MOE) syllabus, including Arabic, Arabic Social Studies and Islamic subjects.

Class teachers teach core subjects like English, Mathematics, Science and Social Studies, while subject specialists teach specialist classes in Arabic, Arabic Social Studies, Islamic, ICT, Music, Art, Physical Education and French.

Middle and High School

As soon as students progress to middle and then high school, they are offered a bunch of electives apart from the core subjects. In Grade 6, students can choose from French, Art or Music. Electives offered in Grades 7 and 8 allow students to study Creative Writing, Speech and Debate, Personal Finance, and Cyber Security and Engineering Technology.

In high school, students can focus more on subjects that involve critical thinking, advanced writing and creative reasoning skills. The minimum graduation credit requirement for SAIS-AUH high school students is 25 in a four-year program.

The Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) is the central regulatory authority that oversees the operation and development of both public and private schools in Abu Dhabi.

Through the Irtiqaa Program, the ADEK carries out periodic evaluations of schools to ensure consistency in the quality across six aspects, namely:

• Students’ achievement
• Students’ personal and social development and their innovation skills
• Teaching and assessment
• Curriculum
• The protection, care, guidance and support of students
• Leadership and management

Sharjah American International School Abu Dhabi’s ADEK rating is Acceptable. With the coronavirus outbreak, the school’s inspection didn’t happen in 2020.

The key strengths highlighted by the report include:

• The KG section and Arabic language showed improved achievement by students.
• Students’ personal and social development progressed nicely.
• Students have shown a remarkable understanding of Islamic values and respect for UAE heritage and culture.
• The school took good care of its students.

SAIS AUH areas that need improvement:

• Teachers need to help students improve achievement in all subjects.
• The quality of teaching needs to be updated through planned classroom lessons and the best use of assessment methods.
• Students’ achievement must be raised by developing measurable accountability goals for all leaders and teachers.

The 10-month long Sharjah American International School Abu Dhabi’s academic calendar continues from August until July. A summary of the academic calendar is presented below:

• The first term starts in the last week of August and ends in the second week of December, followed by a three-week winter break.
• The second term starts in the first week of January and ends in the last week of March, followed by a two-week spring break.
• The third term starts in the second week of April and ends in the first week of July, followed by two months of summer break.

Sharjah American International School Abu Dhabi’s admission process starts with the registration of your child. After successful registration, you have to submit the following mandatory documents:

• Two coloured copies of the valid passport of the student
• Two coloured copies of valid residence visa
• Two coloured copies of the attested birth certificate
• Six recent passport size photographs
• Two coloured copies of Emirates ID – both sides
• Original Emirates ID
• Two coloured copies of vaccination card for KG students
• The latest copy of the water or electricity bill
• Completed Admission Form
• Latest Report Card in ADEC format (ESIS Certificate) or transfer certificate
• Two coloured copies of a valid passport for parents
• Two coloured copies of a valid residence visa for parents
• Two coloured copies of Emirates ID for parents

The school website doesn’t mention details about the placement assessment. However, parents must ensure that their child meets the following age placement guidelines before enrollment.

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)

The current Sharjah American International School Abu Dhabi fee structure is mid-ranged. ADEK also approves the Sharjah American International School fee.

The total tuition fee includes the following charges.

Parents can also view terms and conditions related to tuition fees on the school website.

SAIS School Shakhbout City offers lunch facilities to students in its cafeteria. Students are served nutritious and tasty snacks and refreshments during lunchtime. Parents can also send home-packed meals with their children.

Sharjah American International School Abu Dhabi branch offers a pick-and-drop bus service. All vehicles are well-maintained and are equipped with security features. You can avail of this service for an additional AED 5,000 annually.

Students at SAIS Abu Dhabi have access to a gymnasium, football fields, volleyball and basketball courts, outdoor playing areas and two swimming pools.

Extracurricular activities offered at Sharjah International American School are:

Sharjah American International School Khalifa City B successfully tries to create a balance between learning and fun. And for this purpose, they yearly arrange various field trips to beaches, theme parks and other tourist attractions in Abu Dhabi.

You will find a well-equipped clinic in SAIS Shakhbout City that provides first-aid care and treats minor injuries. However, the doctors and the school administration will contact the parents in case of severe medical concerns.

Sharjah American International School Shakhbout City Abu Dhabi conducts parent-teacher meetings at least once every term. Parents and teachers can mutually decide how to improve students’ weak areas and maintain strong academic regions.

Other than this, you can attend several school events as a volunteer or simply cheer your child. You can always contact Sharjah American International School Abu Dhabi via the details provided below.

• Telephone Number: +971-2-586-1222
• Mobile Number: +971-56-222-7758 | +971-56-222-7759
• Emails
  • General Enquiries: info@saisabudhabi.com
• SAIS Abu Dhabi Website
• SAIS Abu Dhabi Instagram

Note that the cover image belongs to Sharjah American International School, Abu Dhabi