At a glance
Raha International School was established in 2006 and was the first school in the capital to win authorisation for the full International Baccalaureate continuum, a distinction that still anchors its reputation. It is part of Taaleem, one of the largest school groups in the country, and teaches a continuous age range from the early years through to Grade 12 from a campus in Al Raha Gardens. The intake is broadly international and the school carries the UAE Ministry of Education subjects in Arabic, Islamic studies and social studies that the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge requires of every private school. Set it against the wider market of international schools in Abu Dhabi through our city hub.
| Detail | Summary |
|---|---|
| Curriculum and exam boards | Full IB continuum (PYP, MYP, DP); MoE Arabic, Islamic and social studies |
| Stages | Early years to Grade 12 (ages 3 to 18) |
| Founded | 2006 |
| Accreditation | Authorised IB World School; licensed by ADEK; part of Taaleem |
| Fee band | Premium (see the Abu Dhabi fees guide) |
| Campus area | Al Raha Gardens, eastern Abu Dhabi |
Curriculum and academics
Raha runs all three International Baccalaureate programmes, the Primary Years Programme in the junior school, the Middle Years Programme through the middle years and the Diploma Programme in the sixth form, which makes it one of the more committed IB schools in Abu Dhabi. The continuum approach means a child can move through inquiry led primary learning into the more structured Diploma without changing educational philosophy, which appeals to globally mobile families who value the consistency of the IB framework wherever they move next. Graduates typically progress to universities in the United Kingdom, North America, Europe and the Gulf. The school does not publish IB averages in a form we can independently verify, so we do not republish unverified outcome data. Ask the school for its most recent Diploma results and university destinations for the fullest picture.
Raha International School fees
| Stage | Annual tuition |
|---|---|
| Early Years 1 | AED 41,960 |
| Early Years 2 | AED 44,060 |
| Grades 1 to 6 | AED 57,710 |
| Grades 7 to 12 | AED 66,030 |
Source: Raha International School (risgc.ae). IB World School (ADEK), Gardens campus. Grade 12 IB exam fee extra. Fees are the most recent published figures and exclude one-off costs such as registration, deposits and capital levies. Always confirm current fees directly with the school.
Raha International School fees sit in the premium band for the capital, in line with the established IB schools. Published annual tuition runs from roughly AED 41,960 in the earliest year to about AED 66,030 in Grade 12, rising steadily by year group. You can sense check the band against our guide to international school fees in Abu Dhabi. Beyond tuition, budget for a registration or assessment fee, a seat deposit, examination entry fees in the Diploma years, uniform, lunches and optional transport, none of which the headline figure includes.
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Admissions
Admission runs on a rolling basis across the academic year, which begins in late August. The early years and the Diploma years are the most competitive entry points at an established IB school, and waiting lists form ahead of time, so families relocating to the eastern suburbs should register as soon as a place is foreseeable. Assessment is age appropriate, with a settling session for the youngest children and curriculum based assessment in English and mathematics, with school reports and references, for older applicants. Entry to the Diploma stream carries subject specific expectations, and the school will guide families on the best senior pathway.
Location and who goes there
The campus is in Al Raha Gardens, a villa community on the eastern side of the capital between central Abu Dhabi and the airport, popular with professional and corporate families who want family housing and a manageable commute. The international intake reflects that catchment, drawing globally mobile households who specifically want the IB continuum and the portability it offers between countries. For the wider picture of where families settle across the capital and how the catchments compare, return to the Abu Dhabi city hub.
Reviews
No verified reviews yet. GlobalSchoolGuide is independent and no school pays to be listed, so we publish parent reviews only once they are verified. If your child attends or has attended Raha International School, you can submit a review to help other relocating families. We never display a star rating without real, checked reviews behind it.
Frequently asked questions
How much are Raha International School fees?
Raha International School fees sit in the premium band for Abu Dhabi. Published annual tuition runs from roughly AED 41,960 in the early years to about AED 66,030 in Grade 12, rising by year group. Budget separately for registration, a deposit, examination entry, uniform and optional transport.
Is Raha International School a good school?
Raha International School was the first school in Abu Dhabi authorised to offer the full IB continuum and is an established premium IB choice. Whether it suits your child depends on budget, stage and your commute to Al Raha Gardens.
What curriculum does Raha International School follow?
It is an IB World School running all three IB programmes, the Primary Years Programme, the Middle Years Programme and the Diploma Programme, alongside the UAE Ministry of Education subjects required by ADEK.
When do Raha International School applications open?
Admission runs on a rolling basis across the academic year, which starts in late August. The early years and the Diploma years are the most competitive, so families relocating to Al Raha should register as soon as a place is foreseeable.
Where is Raha International School located?
The school is in Al Raha Gardens, a villa community on the eastern side of Abu Dhabi between the city and the airport.
