Frequently Asked Questions

At Raha International School, a Taaleem school, we follow the International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum.

Both campuses are located in the suburb of Khalifa City in Abu Dhabi.

The original Raha Gardens Campus is located in the middle of the Raha Gardens development, and only 7 minutes’ drive away sits the new Khalifa City Campus in the heart of Khalifa City, near Central Mall.
 

Please contact the Admissions Team for more information.

We currently have over 3,200 students comprising over 80 nationalities speaking 45 mother tongues!

The nationalities of our teaching staff are almost as varied as our students, with teachers coming from the

• United Kingdom
• United States of America
• Canada
• South Africa
• Ireland
• Australia
• UAE
• and many more!!

On Fridays, the school day ends at 12:00pm for all students, (including EY1).

In Early Years 1 and Early Years 2 there are 24 maximum per class.

In Grades 1 to 10, there are a maximum of 26 per class.

In Grades 11 and 12 class size is determined based on the subjects that the student has selected and are capped at 26 per class.
 

iSAMS

Raha uses the iSAMS Parent Portal or iSAMS Parent App to keep you up-to-date during the academic year.

This is the main source of information on general news at school, school-wide events and alerts. It also houses:

• contact information for your child's teachers
• the school calendar
• important documents and policies

iSAMS Parent Portal

Social Media

We also regularly update the official school Facebook page and other social media accounts with photographs and events happening in and around the school community.

Raha International School Stories

SchoolsBuddy

Raha also uses SchoolsBuddy for communication regarding the Extra-curricular Programme (ECP), competitive sports, excursions and event sign-ups.

SchoolsBuddy

Yes, Raha has a strict uniform policy for all students. 

You may purchase the new uniform through Zaks, located on the third floor in Al Raha Mall.

PE kits and school hoodies should be purchased online or in store at Magrudy's, Forsan Mall branch. 

Uniform

A door-to-door bus service is available to and from many areas of Abu Dhabi. This transport service incurs an additional charge of AED 5,750* per academic year and is offered by the external provider, Seven Stars School Buses Transportation. 

For more information on our school transport services, along with the answers to a number of frequently asked transport questions, please visit our Transport Page.

Transport

*subject to change pending ADEK approval

The overall language of instruction is English.

All students are taught Arabic from EY1.

From Grade 6, French and Spanish are added into the curriculum for non-native Arabic speakers, of which students select 1. 

From Grade 11 Ab Initio (beginners), Spanish is also available. 

For native Arabic speakers in Secondary, there may be an option of taking French or Spanish part-time that will give them the experience of enjoying a third language without needing to be MYP assessed. This will only be confirmed at the beginning of the academic year.

All school must teach three compulsory subjects consistent with the Ministry as follows:

• Islamic Education is a compulsory subject from Grade 1 to the end of the Secondary stage for all Muslim students and is an optional subject for non-Muslim students.
• The Arabic Language subject is a compulsory subject from Grade 1 to the end of the Secondary stage for all native Arabic speakers. The Arabic Language subject is compulsory for all students from Grade 1 to Grade 10 for non-native speakers and optional thereafter. The Arabic Language subject must be taken in Grades 11 and 12 in order to meet the equivalency requirements of the UAE's general secondary education certificate (Al Thanawiya).
• Social Studies is a compulsory subject from Grade 1 to Grade 9 for all students.
• Moral Education is a compulsory subject from Grade 1 to Grade 12 for all students.

Minimum number of instruction periods per week for Arab students

Minimum of 40 minutes per instruction period

Minimum number of instruction periods per week for non-Arab students

Minimum of 40 minutes per instruction period

Arabic, Islamic and Social Studies is not compulsory for students in Early Years 1 and 2 however, as a school we offer Arabic from these years. Students will take Islamic and Social Studies only from Grade 1.

In Early Years 1, native and non-native speakers will have one shared Arabic class a week.

In Early Years 2, native Arabic speakers will attend two Arabic classes a week. Non-native Arabic speakers will attend one class per week.

We offer an ‘English as an Additional Language’ (EAL) programme for students.

This programme is offered to students who emigrate from different countries, have English as their second or third language or have varying levels of English. Once a student reaches a ‘high-intermediate’ level they can exit the programme. Their progress is continually monitored thereafter.

The EAL programme does not incur an additional charge.

Male and female students are segregated for PE and swimming classes only from Grade 6 and above.

Yes

Please follow our admissions procedure and complete our online application form.

How to Apply