American Academy for Girls

American curriculum, Al Mizhar First, Pre-KG–Grade 12

Latest documents: Full Inspection Report 2023–24Source A: Full Inspection Report 2023–24, Parent Report 2023–24Source B: Parent Report 2023–24, summary only, Fees Fact Sheet 2026–27Source C: Fees Fact Sheet 2026–27

2023–24

Earlier reports

  1. 12 earlier reports, see all years

Wellbeing Dubai focus area

Good

2023–24

Inclusion Dubai focus area

Good

2023–24

Checked 16 September 2026.

  1. Back to text, source A

    Full Inspection Report 2023–24

    Checked 16 September 2026.

  2. Back to text, source B

    Parent Report 2023–24

    Summary only

    Checked 16 September 2026.

    Found only in the summary for parents. Answers do not use it as evidence.

  3. Back to text, source C

    Fees Fact Sheet 2026–27

    Checked 16 September 2026.

Overview

The school

Curriculum
American
Year groups
Pre-KG–Grade 12
Gender
Girls only Source B: Full Inspection Report 2022–23
Report wording: Girls
Languages of instruction
English
Founded
2005

Students and staff

From KHDA’s 2022–23 inspection report, unless another year is named.

Largest nationality group
Emirati Source B: Full Inspection Report 2022–23
KHDA gives no share. Context only, never used in results.

Leadership

Principal at the 2022–⁠23 inspection
Lisa Ranae Johnson Source B: Full Inspection Report 2022–23
Appointed 12 Jan 2019, as the report prints it.
Principals since 2012–⁠13
3 changes of principal Source B: Full Inspection Report 2022–23
Delicia Ann Scotto, 2012–13 → Delice Ann Scotto, 2013–14 → Bridget Justen, 2014–15 to 2018–19 → Lisa Ranae Johnson, 2022–23

Contact

Address
Al Mizhar First
Phone and email
+971 4 288 7250principal@americanacademy.ae
As KHDA's directory listed it on 2026-09-18. Source C: KHDA school directory 2026–27

Around the school

The map shows the streets and places around the school. The same places are counted in «Within 1 km» below.

© OpenStreetMap contributors

  1. Back to text, source A

    KHDA school directory 2024–25

    Checked 16 September 2026.

  2. Back to text, source B
  3. Back to text, source C

    KHDA school directory 2026–27

    Checked 16 September 2026.

Quality

KHDA ratings in the Full Inspection Report 2023–24. Source A: Full Inspection Report 2023–24

KHDA visits schools again from 2026–27. A full inspection gives a new rating; a shorter monitoring visit does not.Source KHDA, 3 June 2026 (opens in a new tab)

  1. OverallOverall performance

    Good

    Same as 2022–23 Earlier: Good in 12 reports.

  2. WellbeingStudents’ personal development and wellbeing

    Good

    First rated in 2023–24

  3. InclusionProvision for students of determination

    Good

    Same as 2022–23 Earlier: Good in 1 report.

  4. LeadershipLeadership and management

    Good

    Same as 2022–23 Earlier: Good in 1 report.

Checked 16 September 2026.

Ratings by phase, 2023–24KHDA rates these in each phase, with no single rating for the whole school. Phases are named as the report names them.

AreaKGElementaryMiddleHigh
TeachingTeaching for effective learningVery goodVery goodGoodGood
AssessmentVery goodVery goodGoodGood
CurriculumCurriculum design and implementationVery goodVery goodVery goodVery good
Adapting the curriculumCurriculum adaptationVery goodVery goodGoodGood
SafeguardingHealth and safety, including child protectionOutstandingOutstandingOutstandingOutstanding

Source Source A: Full Inspection Report 2023–24

  1. Back to text, source A

KHDA in brief

KHDA’s own one-page summary of its 2023–24 inspection, written for parents, word for word. The full inspection report remains the reference. Source A: Parent Report 2023–24, summary only

Students’ achievement

Children in Kindergarten (KG) perform better in science than English and mathematics. The large majority of KG students make better than expected progress in all these three subjects. The majority of elementary students achieve above curriculum standards in all subjects in middle and high school. The progress of students is variable, with the large majority of them making better than expected progress in mathematics, science Islamic Education and Arabic as an additional language in elementary and high school. A majority of students in middle school make better than expected progress across all subjects.

Personal and social development

Across all grade levels, students have very positive attitudes towards each other and in their approach to learning activities. Students are well-behaved while learning in climates of mutual respect. Students understand that it’s important to keep healthy with a focus on emotional health. Students have a secure understanding and appreciation of Islamic values and UAE heritage and culture. They are enthusiastic participants in school and student directed programs to promote sustainability, recycling, and conservation.

Teaching, curriculum and care

Most teachers at the school exhibit solid subject knowledge and adept pedagogical skills, effectively promoting collaborative and independent learning among students. Across all educational phases and subjects, teachers are wellacquainted with their students' needs and strengths, maintaining high expectations, particularly at kindergarten and elementary levels. They encourage critical thinking, employing higher-order questioning techniques to facilitate meaningful learning. Formal, internal testing is closely aligned with the curriculum, enabling precise assessment of student learning.

Wellbeing

Wellbeing is part of the climate and culture across the school. Leaders and teachers model good well-being practice, and a well-qualified, skilled and experienced well-being team supports students experiencing challenges. Surveys to collect data to measure the well-being climate across the school is in place but not yet fully developed. Students, as well as parents, feel they belong at the American Academy, and they look on the school as an extension of their own family where there are high levels of positivity.

Inclusion

An inclusion governor and the inclusion leads drive the promotion of inclusion across the school. Students are assessed on admission to KG which leads to accurate identification and appropriate intervention where required. Parents and students are involved in ILP reviews. School communications are regular and informative. The school adapts provision for students of determination, promoting engagement across subjects. Curriculum modifications develop independence and interventions, like pull-out sessions, foster confidence and resilience.

Leadership and management

The principal and senior leadership team establish a unifying vision and promote UAE national priorities. They embrace Islamic values in all aspects of the school daily life. They exhibit strong curriculum knowledge and effective teaching and learning practices and work closely with the middle leaders to develop their capacity. The operations of the school runs very smoothly. School is well equipped with resources that are effectively used in all subjects. The excellent communication with parents support the school in its initiatives.

  1. Back to text, source A

    Parent Report 2023–24

    Summary only

    Page 1

    Checked 16 September 2026.

    Found only in the summary for parents. Answers do not use it as evidence.

School year

31 Aug 2026 to 2 Jul 2027 · 185 school days

First midterm break (MoE Schools)
12 Oct 2026 to 16 Oct 20265 days
National Day
2 Dec 2026 to 3 Dec 20262 days
Winter break includes New year’s day
14 Dec 2026 to 1 Jan 202719 days
Eid al-Fitr
8 Mar 2027 to 11 Mar 20274 daysexpected, subject to moon sighting
Spring break
5 Apr 2027 to 9 Apr 20275 days
Eid al-Adha
17 May 2027 to 18 May 20272 daysexpected, subject to moon sighting

Public holidays are tentative and subject to official government announcements (KHDA).

Source Source A: KHDA school directory 2026–27

  1. Back to text, source A

    KHDA school directory 2026–27

    Checked 16 September 2026.

Academics

Academic outcomes, American Academy for Girls

Attainment by subject and phase, 2023–24KHDA words for each subject in each phase.

SubjectFoundation StagePrimarySecondary
Islamic EducationNot in this reportGoodGood
ArabicNot in this reportGoodGood
EnglishGoodGoodGood
MathematicsGoodGoodGood
ScienceVery goodGoodGood

Source Source A: Full Inspection Report 2023–24

Arabic at every school in Dubai: at least 4 lessons a week from Year 2 to Year 10 for a child of non-Arab nationality. Arab children have 4 to 6 lessons to Year 13; Muslim children also study Islamic Education.Source KHDA, Guidelines on National Mandatory Subjects, page 14 (opens in a new tab)

Subjects over the years

KHDA's words in every Full Inspection Report since 2015–16, each row and phase as the reports print them.

Subjects over the years, American Academy for Girls

Islamic Education, by inspection report

Rated2015–162016–172017–182018–192022–232023–24
Islamic Education attainmentMiddleGoodGoodGoodGoodGoodGood
Islamic Education attainmentElementaryGoodGoodGoodGoodGoodGood
Islamic Education attainmentHighGoodGoodGoodGoodGoodGood
Islamic Education progressMiddleGoodGoodGoodGoodGoodGood
Islamic Education progressElementaryGoodGoodVery goodVery goodVery goodVery good
Islamic Education progressHighGoodVery goodVery goodVery goodVery goodVery good

International and benchmark tests

The National Agenda section of each Full Inspection Report since 2015–16: the school's results in PISA, TIMSS, PIRLS and benchmark tests against KHDA's targets. The only results in the reports that are not an inspector's judgement.

KHDA's verdicts, 2023–24

AspectWhole schoolEmirati cohort
International and Benchmark AchievementVery goodVery good
Teaching and Learning: Improving reading literacyGoodGood

Registration requirements: Met Fully

  • Students' progression in their benchmark assessments in English, mathematics and science is very good, with gains of two levels or more in some year groups, across all subjects.

Earlier reports

  • 2022–23: Progress in international assessment — meets expectations
  • 2018–19: The impact of leadership — is approaching expectations
  • 2017–18: Overall, the school's provision for achieving the National Agenda targets — meets expectations
  • 2016–17: Overall, the school’s improvement towards achieving its National Agenda targets — meets expectations
  • 2015–16: no verdict read

Recognised by UAE universities?

UAE universities ask for the Ministry of Education’s equivalency of the Grade 12 certificate. For this school’s curriculum, the student needs:

  • American: five approved subjects a year in Grades 10 to 12 (D or 60%), an English score (EmSAT 1100, IELTS 5.0 or TOEFL iBT 61) and a maths score (EmSAT 500 or SAT 450). Without the scores, the equivalency is limited.

Arab students also need Arabic, and Muslim students Islamic Studies, in each of the last three years.
KHDA attests the certificate first. Ask the school which body accredits it.Source Ministry of Education, equivalency service, read 24 September 2026 (opens in a new tab)

  1. Back to text, source A

School life

Sports and activities

What the school lists on its own website and what KHDA’s inspectors mention in their reports. An activity missing here may still be offered.

Ball sports

  • Football · Football Club
  • Basketball
  • Netball
  • Volleyball
  • Rugby

Water sports

  • Swimming · Swimming Club · compulsory part of our PE curriculum in Pre-KG through to Grade 7

Racket sports

  • Badminton · Badminton Club

Individual sports

  • Gymnastics · Trampolining Club · Advanced Gymnastics

Theatre

  • Drama · Drama Club

Music

  • Instrument lessons · playing the keyboard

Art & design

  • Art · Painting

Science & technology

  • Robotics

Debate & strategy

  • Debate & public speaking · Public Speaking
  • Model United Nations · Model United Nations (MUN)

Facilities

  • Swimming pool
    ·
  • Playing field
  • Sports hall
    ·
  • Music rooms
    ·
  • Theatre or auditorium
  • Art studio
    ·
  • Makerspace

Mentioned in earlier KHDA reports

  • Yoga & fitness
  • Chess

Also mentioned: Cooking/Baking, Rounders, Book Club, Fundraising Falcon club, Mental Health club, House Student Forums, ECO ambassadors, Sugar Gram Entrepreneurship Business Showcase, Internship Program

Source Source A: School website, read 2026-09-23

  1. Back to text, source A

    School website, read 23 September 2026

    Checked 23 September 2026.

What the school offers

As the 2023–24 inspection report mentions them. Inspectors name these in passing, so this is not the school's full list: something not named here may still be offered. A line's page opens the report's sentence.

Languages besides English

  • Arabic · Arabic is taught in KG by one teacher for four lessons per week and in accordance with the standards set by the Ministry of Education (MoE).

Courses after 16

  • Advanced Placement · Advanced Placement (AP) courses

External examinations

  • AP

Support for students of determination and the gifted

  • There are effective systems for identifying students of determination including those who are gifted and talented. p. 4
  • There are systems for identifying students of determination including those who are gifted and talented. p. 21
  • The inclusion leaders and teaching staff are committed to early identification and to designing interventions which are appropriately challenging to assist students’ progress. p. 21
  • The school adapts provision for students of determination, promoting engagement across subjects. p. 22
  • Curriculum modifications are helping to develop independence and interventions, and pull-out sessions foster confidence and resilience. p. 22

Source Source A: Full Inspection Report 2023–24

  1. Back to text, source A

On the school's website

What the school says about itself on americanacademy.ae, read on 22 September 2026. The school's own words, not checked by KHDA; a figure here is the school's own count. The site's name beside a line opens that page.

Admissions

School buses

Source Source A: School website, read 2026-09-22

  1. Back to text, source A

    School website, read 22 September 2026

    Checked 22 September 2026.

Fees

Tuition across 15 year groupsNote 1

AED 45,618 to AED 71,113Source A: Fees Fact Sheet 2026–27

Pre-KG to Grade 12, 2026–27

Year group

Fees for American Academy for Girls
Compare with

Tuition is the same as in 2025–26 for every year group.

Annual tuition by year group, American Academy for Girls, 2026–27 compared with 2025–26

Year group2026–27Source A: Fees Fact Sheet 2026–272025–26Source B: Fees Fact Sheet 2025–26
Foundation Stage
Pre-KGAED 45,618AED 45,618
KG1AED 45,618AED 45,618
KG2AED 45,618AED 45,618
Primary
Grade 1AED 53,671AED 53,671
Grade 2AED 53,671AED 53,671
Grade 3AED 53,671AED 53,671
Grade 4AED 53,671AED 53,671
Grade 5AED 63,062AED 63,062
Grade 6AED 63,062AED 63,062
Secondary
Grade 7AED 63,062AED 63,062
Grade 8AED 63,062AED 63,062
Grade 9AED 71,113AED 71,113
Grade 10AED 71,113AED 71,113
Post-16
Grade 11AED 71,113AED 71,113
Grade 12AED 71,113AED 71,113

Checked 16 September 2026.

  1. Back to text, note 1

    The range names the lowest and highest tuition on one Fees Fact Sheet. Fees are never averaged across year groups.

  2. Back to text, source A

    Fees Fact Sheet 2026–27

    Tuition for 15 year groups.

    Checked 16 September 2026.

  3. Back to text, source B

    Fees Fact Sheet 2025–26

    Tuition for 15 year groups.

    Checked 16 September 2026.

  4. Back to text, note 2

    Change compares the same year group in the two fact sheets. Fees are never averaged across year groups.

What a year costs, 2026–27

Choose a year group above to see KHDA's total for it, what the school requires you to buy, and the services you can add.

Findings

11 findings in the last report: 4 strengths, 7 development points, 5 recurring across the last 5 reports.

Group by

Checked 16 September 2026.

Attainment and progress

Note 1

1 strength, 1 development point

  • StrengthKG and Elementary

    Students’ outcomes in the KG and Elementary as a result of effective teaching, learning and use of assessment.

    Full Inspection Report 2023–24, page 5, paragraph 5

  • Development required, recurring in 3 of the last 5 reportsNote 2Middle school

    Improve students’ outcomes in all subjects in the middle school.

    Full Inspection Report 2023–24, page 5, paragraph 13

Health, safety and safeguarding

1 strength

  • Strength

    The health and safety and the pastoral care and support for students

    Full Inspection Report 2023–24, page 5, paragraph 6

Parents and community

1 strength

  • Strength

    The school’s excellent partnership with parents and the community

    Full Inspection Report 2023–24, page 5, paragraph 7

Leadership and self-evaluation

1 strength, 2 development points

  • Strength

    The effective day-to-day management of the school

    Full Inspection Report 2023–24, page 5, paragraph 8

  • Development required, recurring in 3 of the last 5 reports

    Improve the understanding of wellbeing by all leaders and staff to ensure that it is an integral part of the school’s day-to-day life.

    Full Inspection Report 2023–24, page 10, paragraph 9

  • Development required, recurring in 3 of the last 5 reports

    Consider combining the existing mission and vision statements, programs, and wellbeing initiatives into one succinct policy with clearly identified targets.

    Full Inspection Report 2023–24, page 10, paragraph 10

Teaching

1 development point

  • Development required, recurring in 5 of the last 5 reports

    Implement a school wide approach to: - identifying best practices in teaching, learning, assessment, and curriculum modification, and - disseminating the best practices across the different subjects and phases to improve students’ outcomes.

    Full Inspection Report 2023–24, page 5, paragraph 10

Reading and literacy

1 development point

  • Development required

    Enhance the reading abilities of all students across all subjects to support their understanding of the taught curriculum.

    Full Inspection Report 2023–24, page 5, paragraph 14

Assessment

1 development point

  • Development required, recurring in 2 of the last 5 reports

    Immediately analyze the results from the reading tests and then ensure that interventions are enacted swiftly to enable students to improve their overall scores.

    Full Inspection Report 2023–24, page 9, paragraph 4

External benchmark tests

1 development point

  • Development required

    Further improve students’ performance in external benchmark tests.

    Full Inspection Report 2023–24, page 9, paragraph 5

Findings from 1 of 9 reports

  1. Back to text, note 1

    Topics follow the order of the KHDA inspection framework, not how good or bad a finding is.

  2. Back to text, note 2

    Recurring counts the school’s last 5 reports, 2016–17 to 2023–24. Findings come only from Full Inspection Reports, never from Parent Reports.

History

13 KHDA inspection reports on file, 2008–09 to 2023–24.

History of American Academy for Girls
Rating

Overall rating by academic year, newest first

  1. 2026–27Inspections resume this year. No report yet.
  2. 2024–25 and 2025–26KHDA paused full inspections. The 2023–24 rating is still the latest. About the pause
  3. 2023–24GoodSame as 2022–23Note 1Full Inspection Report 2023–24 (opens in a new tab) PDF
  4. 2022–23GoodSame as 2018–19Full Inspection Report 2022–23 (opens in a new tab) PDF
  5. 2019–20 to 2021–22No inspection.
  6. 2018–19GoodSame as 2017–18Full Inspection Report 2018–19 (opens in a new tab) PDF
  7. 2017–18GoodSame as 2016–17Full Inspection Report 2017–18 (opens in a new tab) PDF
  8. 2016–17GoodSame as 2015–16Full Inspection Report 2016–17 (opens in a new tab) PDF
  9. 2015–16GoodSame as 2014–15Full Inspection Report 2015–16 (opens in a new tab) PDF
  10. Six-level scale starts in 2015–16. Earlier reports used four levels.
  11. 2014–15GoodSame as 2013–14Full Inspection Report 2014–15 (opens in a new tab) PDF
  12. 2013–14GoodSame as 2012–13Full Inspection Report 2013–14 (opens in a new tab) PDF
  13. 2012–13GoodSame as 2011–12Full Inspection Report 2012–13 (opens in a new tab) PDF
  14. 2011–12GoodSame as 2010–11Full Inspection Report 2011–12 (opens in a new tab) PDF
  15. 2010–11GoodSame as 2009–10Full Inspection Report 2010–11 (opens in a new tab) PDF
  16. 2009–10GoodSame as 2008–09Full Inspection Report 2009–10 (opens in a new tab) PDF
  17. 2008–09GoodFirst reportFull Inspection Report 2008–09 (opens in a new tab) PDF

Checked 16 September 2026.

  1. Back to text, note 1

    Change compares each report with the school’s previous report. Years with no inspection are skipped, never counted as a change.

Snapshots by year

Students and staff by academic year, American Academy for Girls

YearStudentsTeachersTeacher turnover
2024–25569Not availableNot available
2023–24548Not availableNot available
2022–234985114%
2021–22495Not availableNot available
2020–21488Not availableNot available
2019–20572Not availableNot available
2018–196065831%
2017–18633Not availableNot available
2016–176005014%
2015–166404940%
2014–15664Not availableNot available
2013–14672Not availableNot available
2012–13668Not availableNot available
2011–12622Not availableNot available
2010–11546Not availableNot available

Not available: KHDA did not publish that figure for the year.

Sources

Every document behind this page. Official documents open on the KHDA site in a new tab.