Future International Academy, the newer, more highly rated sister to Future International School, is a US curriculum school located in Al Ain.

Future International Academy has been awarded a Good rating in the 2021-22 ADEK inspection process. The report can be found under the Inspection Reports tab. An update of this review will take place in due course.

The story so far...

Future International Academy was founded in 2010, some six years after its sister school, also in Al Ain and also - somewhat confusingly - called Future International School. Both schools follow a US common core curriculum, accredited by international agency AdvancED. 

Unfortunately, the Academy's website, although helpful, is not complete, and there is very little information about its history, ownership, or indeed, a message from the Principal.  However, one fundamental difference between the sisters is that whilst FIS was rated Acceptable by ADEK in 2018, the younger FIA achieved a Good rating in the inspection in the prior year.  The school retained the Good rating in the 2021-22 ADEK inspection round.

The school is overseen by a Board of Trustees which includes members of the local community.  

The school's Vision is:

"To be a leading private school in Al Ain which provides an exemplary learning environment in line with the vision of ADEK", whilst its Mission is "To provide an exemplary learning environment which develops student abilities needed to be self-confident, world-class learners capable of meeting the challenges of the 21st century becoming productive, responsible and contributing members of society".

We very much like its rather more snappy Motto: Preserving the Past… Shaping the Future…

In 2021, when the Academy was last inspected, some 1,650 students attended the school which was then open from KG1 to Grade 12.  Classes are mixed gender from KG to Grade 4 inclusive, and then divided into separate boys and girls sections from Grade 5.  Something over 70% of students are Emirati, followed by Egyptian nationals, Syrians, and Filipino students, whose presence in the school is acknowledged through the provision of a Filipino language programme.

Students are supported by some 85 teachers and a further 14 teaching assistants, with a relatively high teacher:student ratio of 1:19.  The majority of teachers are Egyptian nationals.

What about the curriculum?

 FIA states that its staff believes that it is important to create a program that "is balanced and rich in core academic and extra-curricular activities. We strive to provide students an inspiring education in which they may excel in activities that involve leadership and global understanding. We create amazing opportunities for students and collaborate effectively with parents, who are our most valued partners. This helps us continually build on what we are doing and often takes us into new territory. We strongly promote a culture that fosters positive self-esteem and a sense of belonging by celebrating the achievement and success of each student".

Core subjects include Arabic A and B, Islamic Studies, Social Studies (Arabic), Life Skills (Moral Ed), English, Science, Maths, ICT, and PE. In addition, students study Visual Arts, and have the option of either French as an additional language or Filipino. The curriculum is aligned with the US Common Core standards and expectations for English Language, Arts and Mathematics. Internal assessments for other subjects are aligned with the California Common Core curriculum standards and expectations or AERO standards.

There appears to be rigorous testing against international standards with students from Grade 1 to Grade 11 taking standardised MAPS tests three times per year. Grade 11 and Grade 12 students sit for SAT (College Entry) and IELTS/TOEFL (English as a Foreign Language) exams.  Grade 12 students sit for the MSAT (Arabic, English, Maths, Physics, and Chemistry standardised tests).

Graduation Requirements for students include the award of the accredited High School Diploma, a SAT Math/English combined score of 440, minimum scores for IELTS 5.5 / TOEFL 173 CBT Or 61 IBT, and the EMSAT Certificate. A cumulative minimum of 24 credits across High School (Grades 9 to 12) are required to obtain the High School Diploma.

The school has growing provision for students of Determination.  The Special Education department with a full-time SENCO and team of three further specialist staff  is working to establish a well-developed system to cater to all students’ needs whether it is academic, behavioral, or social. It aims also to differentiate between students who are low achievers, and those with a learning disability that hinders his/ her academic performance. A wide range of methods and procedures have led to the identification of SEN students. 

FIA aims to provide students with a balance between education and learning, and fun intellectual activities that will allow the school to further enrich the students’ schooling experience.  ECAs generally take place on Tuesdays and include a range of creative, sports, social and recreational activities such as PE, Drawing, Painting, Sculpture, STEM, Zumba, Cooking, Healthy Food, Photography, Handicrafts, Recycling, Chess, and Holy Quran.

What about the facilities?

FIA consists of two multi-purpose buildings.  The Main Building includes the Main Admin office, classrooms for Grades 1- 4, and Grades 5-12 (Boys Section).  The second building is home to the KG Section and classrooms for Grades 5-12 (Girls Section).  Classrooms are described as spacious and well ventilated.  There are two libraries, two Science Laboratories, four ICT Laboratories, Art Rooms, and a Maker Space Room, as well as canteens in each section, two Gymnasia (one in each building) and a Certified School clinic.  Outdoor facilities include a spacious green playing field and play areas.

What the inspectors say

The achievement of a Good rating in the ADEK inspection which took place in 2016-17 was a significant milestone for FIA on its improvement journey and one that it has continued to make following the same rating have been awarded in 2018-19 and again in 2021-22.  Good is the targeted rating for all Abu Dhabi schools, and to reach this standard is a real achievement. 

If you would like to read the inspection report - and we strongly recommend that you do so in order to understand the reasons behind the ratings and those areas that require improvement - you will find it here.

The Buzz

WhichSchoolAdvisor.com has received very limited feedback to its Parent Survey.  which is insufficient for us to make any overall analysis.

If you are a parent, teacher or senior student at FIA, please share your experience and opinions with potential members of your community and complete our Survey.

What about the Fees?

Fees at Future International Academy are low to average based on ADEK's table. Starting at AED 12,350 in KG1 and rising to AED 30,350 in Grade 12, these do not include book fees, and an i-Pad fee from Grade 1 of AED 500 annually.  If FIA can continue to deliver a good or better standard of education, we believe these fees represent value for money.

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