Al Rabeeh School

Here’s a detailed snapshot of Al Rabeeh School, located in Hadbat Al Zafranah, Abu Dhabi:

🎯 Overview

Established: One of Abu Dhabi’s longstanding British curriculum schools, founded in either 1979 or 2002 (sources vary)
Student age range: FS1 (age 3) up to Year 7 (age 11–12); Al Rabeeh Academy in MBZ City extends to Year 12
Curriculum: UK National Curriculum with integrated Arabic, Islamic Studies, and UAE Social Studies from Year 1 onwards

✅ ADEK Rating & Quality

Rated “Good” in the latest ADEK inspection, with some key performance areas marked as “Very Good”
Praised for student achievements in English, Maths, and Science; strong behavior, cultural appreciation, and teacher-student relationships
To improve further, ADEK suggested upping performance in Islamic education and Arabic, and boosting independent learning skills

🧑‍🏫 Academics & Learning Experience

Early years focus on holistic development—PSED, language, physical growth, expressive arts, and phonics
From Year 1 on, curriculum broadens to include Science, Computing, Art, Music, PE, and UAE heritage alongside core subjects
Cognitive Ability Tests (CAT4) administered annually for Years 3–6; regular summative assessments in core subjects
Class sizes average around 20 students, with support staff assisting learning

🏛️ Facilities & Environment

ADEK describes classrooms and outdoor spaces as well-developed, hygienic, secure, and supportive of independent inquiry
Specialist facilities include sports areas, science labs, computer suites and well-maintained campus grounds
Families report a caring atmosphere and supportive teachers, though some mention limited extracurricular options

💬 Parent & Community Feedback

Highly praised for academics, nurturing staff, and strong emphasis on Arabic and Islamic learning
Typical reviews highlight:

“Teachers and staff are so kind, caring and attentive… feels like a big family…” edarabia.com+3international-schools-database.com+3bestthings.ae+3.
“Excellent Arabic department… invested in award-winning programs to strengthen Arabic…” ischooladvisor.com+3bestthings.ae+3international-schools-database.com+3.
Community platforms reflect strong trust—4.2–4.7 ratings overall—but a few negative voices raised concerns over inconsistency and discrimination .

💰 Fees & Admissions

Tuition fees: Roughly AED 27,680 (FS1) to AED 34,160 (Year 7); comparable mid-range pricing
Additional non-refundable registration fee between AED 1,300–1,600
School bus service is available and uniforms are required

🎓 Strengths & Considerations

✅ Strengths	⚠️ Considerations
Strong core academics (English, Maths, Science)	Currently rated “Good”, not “Very Good”
Excellent Arabic/Islamic instruction	Only caters up to Year 7 (unless using MBZ Academy)
Supportive, family-like community	Mixed reviews—some negative experiences
Mid-range pricing, well-equipped facilities	Limited extracurricular compared to larger schools

📝 Conclusion

Al Rabeeh School is a solid choice for families seeking a caring, academically strong British curriculum school with a special emphasis on Arabic and Islamic education. Ideal for early Primary years, it offers excellent teacher engagement and a supportive environment. If you're looking for a school through to secondary stage, consider transitioning to Al Rabeeh Academy or another institution offering Years 8–13.