How UAE schools work
KHDA and ADEK ratings, compulsory subjects, the school calendar and the paperwork for UAE schools.
5 guides
- 01KHDA school ratings explainedWhat Outstanding to Very weak mean, what inspectors judge, and the 2026-27 inspection changes.
- 02ADEK school ratings explainedHow Abu Dhabi's Irtiqa'a inspections rate private schools, with the latest results, and who rates Sharjah schools.
- 03Is Arabic compulsory in UAE schools?Arabic, Islamic Education and MSC: who takes what, and KHDA's weekly lessons by year group.
- 04UAE school calendar 2026-27Term dates, mid-term, winter and spring breaks for 2026-27, plus the next two years.
- 05British vs American curriculum in the UAEYear groups, exams, grades and university routes side by side, and where the IB fits.