Manthena American School, located in the Muweilah school district, is a new US curriculum school that opened in August 2021. It is backed by the well-known MNR Educational Trust owned by Mr. M.N. Raju.

The story so far..

Located in the Muweilah School District of Sharjah, Manthena American School (MAS) is the flagship project in the UAE for MNR Educational Trust of India.  The school is owned and operated by the MNR Group under the leadership of Chairman Mr. M.N. Raju who has been involved in the educational sector for close to 50 years, his group having been established in 1974.

The group's portfolio includes 78 educational institutions and universities, consisting of medical and healthcare colleges, life and social science colleges, and high schools, mainly specialising in the medical and engineering fields, which together educate 49,000 students with 3,800 faculty members.

Manthena American School says that it has opened its doors "offering an American curriculum that is focused on imparting 21st century education skills. The school incorporates project-based learning and STEAM methodology in its educational method. With an emphasis on STEAM, students will be well equipped for the future and their aspirations as they work through the AERO standards specifically catered to American international schools. Multidisciplinary units of study will support students crosscutting concepts across different subjects. The school is purpose-built for experiential learning opportunities."

The school mission is "to develop learners as leaders, using 21st century skills collaboratively in a digital, safe and innovative environment to reach their goals." Its Vision is "to prepare our scholars for their future aspirations by creating a nurturing environment and a culture of kindness."

The school makes a number of commitments to families in terms of what they may expect:

• Digitally enhanced curriculum - We will use the latest technology to support the learning experience for all students.
• Unleashing entrepreneurs - We provide the freedom for our students to explore, experiment and unearth their hidden talents.
• US rigorous curriculum - Experienced US founding team delivering a rigorous curriculum, enhanced for the UAE.
• History of success - Our institutions are built on experience. We understand how to help each child thrive.

The school offer makes firm commitments to the values that will define the school and its community, stating that:

"We promise our community that the Manthena American School values define who we are – they are our beliefs that guide our actions and behaviors. They influence the way the whole MAS community works with each other and they are the foundation of the quality of a MNR education. Our students will graduate through our school with our values embedded in to their everyday life."

The school promises to be:

• Respectful and inclusive, celebrating diversity
• Aspirational and inspirational in pursuit of excellence
• Committed to the well-being of people and of the environment
• Open-minded, creative, resilient and reflective
• Passionate and determined in embracing and driving positive change
• Ethical in our actions and accountable for them.

The school will is open from KG1 to Grade 6 this academic year and will offer mixed-gender classes from KG1 to Grade 4, converting to single gender (separate boys' classes and girls' classes) from Grade 5 upwards.  In the first year of operation, the school will offer one class per grade initially, although additional classes may open depending on the demand for admissions.

The current students at the school come from four nationalities, with four in ten students being UAE nationals, an equal number of  Pakistani and Iranian students making up a similar proportion, and the remain 11% of students coming from Syria.  Currently, boys outnumber girls by 2:1. With an average class size of 22 students, parents can expect their children to receive personalised attention.  The maximum class size will not grow beyond 26.

All teachers are internationally qualified of whom over half have earned a Master’s Degree in Education or above.  All teachers are required to have a minimum of an education degree from an accredited university, and their years of experience, both internationally and within the UAE, are taken into account.  Teachers are supported by a number of teaching assistants (initially ten), who support the teachers in instruction and differentiation for individual students.

What about the curriculum?

Manthena American School follows the Project AERO (American Education Reaches Out) curriculum in line with National Common Core Standards, which was created specifically for international students wishing to follow a US curriculum, and is recognised by US universities and colleges.  The school offers the US Department of Education approved Next Generation Science Standards for Science and the UAE Ministry of Education curriculum for Arabic and Islamic Studies. In the future, Advanced Placement courses will be offered for high school students. 

The curriculum is designed through Project Based Units that are multidisciplinary in nature supporting connections among topics and building language acquisition skills through curriculum cross cutting concepts. The curriculum focuses on STEAM (Science, Technology, English, Art and Math) concepts and sustainability, utilising the resources of the UAE when possible. The implementation of coding and robotics allows students to problem solve through the design process. 

Core subjects within the KG section include English, math, science, Arabic, Islamic, UAE Social Studies, Discovery, music and PE. In the Elementary section, students continue with the core subjects from KG and in addition, study Innovation subjects including robotics, coding and STEAM.  From Grade 4, students will also be offered French as a Modern Foreign Language.

Key areas of focus in the Kindergarten section are:

• Guided and supportive play to enhance individual discovery and problem solving.
• Building a highly sensorial environment catering to multiple intelligences
• Using individual learning centers for language, mathematics, sciences and life skills
• Indoor – Outdoor discovery and learning areas to develop gross motor and fine motor skills.
• Using individual teachers in the areas of Arabic, art, physical education, swimming, music and library.
• Working with the children to develop an understanding and appreciation of local language, culture and traditions.
• Introduction to the Arabic language, Islamic values, and the culture of the United Arab Emirates.

The Elementary School curriculum is future focused and learning begins to extend beyond the walls of the classroom. The curriculum has a number of core subjects which form the basis of all learning in this stage:

• Literacy – The school's mission is to develop a love of reading and writing amongst students. Teachers will work with children to help understand their thoughts and feelings throughout the reading and written work, in both English and Arabic classes.
• Mathematics – Throughout the Elementary School, the focus is for students to establish and understanding of concepts in mathematical problems. This will help develop a logical mindset in the children.
• Science – The school wants students to be the innovators and inventors of tomorrow. Hands-on practical science classes will engage students and create excitement in their learning.
• Social Studies – The social studies program will develop knowledge, skills and understanding of the UAE’s history, geography and people. Students will ultimately contribute, as responsible citizens and residents of the UAE.
• Technology – Learning coding and robotics will form a core element of the technology program, providing students with the skills to succeed in a rapidly changing world. Students will use technology as a part of daily instruction; however this will be limited to avoid over-reliance.

Manthena American School intends to offering grades 7 to 12 in the near future. The Middle and High School curricula will focus on enabling students to graduate with a US High School Diploma with opportunities for taking Advance Placement (AP) courses or earning the Advanced Placement International Diploma, parallel to the US High School Diploma.

The school will have a full time University Advisor with expertise in international universities to support students in planning, goal setting and the admission process for the universities of their choice.

What about support for students of Determination, those with Gifts and Talents and English Language Learners?

In its first year, MAS will support Gifted and Talented students and those with English Language Learning requirements through differentiated learning by teachers and support from teaching assistants.  The school is required to obtain specific approval from SPEA to be able to provide support for Students of Determination and intends to arrange this for the start of the next academic year.

What about the Facilities?

The school is purpose built with naturally lit classrooms and experiential learning areas. The kindergarten section offers a Discovery Room that is completely in glass, allowing others to observe the play and creativity within. Classes have interactive monitors to support 21st Century learning. Science labs and other designed areas allow the school to be creative in its spaces as it grows. A massive multipurpose hall on the 2nd floor is designed to facilitate a competitive sports program as well as the international football field. Sand volleyball courts and a cricket pitch support sporting options for the enthusiasts. Future plans include a pool, auditorium and space center.

The facility also has an international football field, a multipurpose campus with canteens, libraries and age appropriate facilities. The space has been designed to provide indoor and outdoor areas, individual toilets for each classroom and state-of-the-art facilities in each learning space.  Innovation labs, science labs, and student discovery areas are just a few places that will allow students to learn outside of their classrooms.

The Buzz

We asked Manthena American School what it offers that would make it attractive to parents. They told WhichSchoolAdvisor.com:

"Although a new school, the passion from the educators within has each child leaving with a smile on their face. As a newly opened school, we can put families in ease with the return to education taking place face to face. Specific to this year we offer smaller teacher to student ratios and are optimizing our educational spaces."

As a  new school, WhichSchoolAdvisor.com has not yet received feedback from members of the school community but would hope to hear from them as their experience at Manthena American School unfolds.

WhichSchoolAdvisor.com invites parents, teachers and students at Manthena American School to share their experiences with other potential members of their community by our completing our surveys - you will find them here.

What about the fees?

Fees at Manthena American School are in the mid to high category as would be expected of a US curriculum school employing highly qualified staff.  The approved fees range from AED 30,000 for KG students rising to AED 33,000 for Grades 1 and 2, AED 36,000 for Grades 3 and 4, and AED 40,000 for Grades 5 and 6. 

However, in its first year of operation, the school is offering a Founders Discount of 30% resulting in reduced fees of AED 21,000 in KG, AED 23,100 in Grades 1 and 2, AED 25,200 in Grades 3 and 4 and AED 28,000 for Grades 5 and 6.

As the school opens further grades, these will range from AED 42,000 for Grades 7 and 8, rising to AED 48,000 for Grades 11 and 12.  There is an application fee of AED 500 for all grades, and uniform fees range from AED 600 to AED 1,200 depending on grade. There are also additional book fees which range from AED 1,300 in KG and Grades 1 and 2, rising to AED 1,400 in the higher Elementary grades. For Grades 6 and 7, these rise to AED 1,800, AED 2,300 in Grade 8, AED 2,600 in Grades 9 and 10,  reaching AED 2,800 in Grades 11 and 12.

Strategically placed in the Muweilah Education Zone in Sharjah, this is an ideal location for families in the North of Dubai and Ajman residents to join, in addition to residents of Sharjah. Interested parents wanting more information about Manthena American School, can visit the school website Mas-sharjah.ae, email the school at [email protected] or call its admissions team on 056 545 9072.

Are you looking for a place for your child, and want help from our school consultants? If so, click on the link below, and we will forward your request for information to the school or schools of the same type that we are confident have availability. This is a free service for our readers. Request Information