About SZPAB

Why SZPAB

The Sheikh Zayed Private Academy for Boys opened in 2015 in the heart of downtown Abu Dhabi, building on the success of the girls’ academy founded in 2000 to realise the vision of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

Around 95% of our students are Emirati, and families tell us they choose SZPAB for our vision — Honoring the past. Educating for the future — and because we live it every day.

We are a blended-curriculum school: the Massachusetts State Common Core frameworks (American curriculum) alongside the UAE Ministry of Education curriculum, including UAE Social Studies and the My Identity programme.

SZPAB is accredited by CIS and NEASC, authorised by the College Board to offer Advanced Placement (AP) courses, rated Outstanding in the ADEK Irtiqaa inspection programme and rated an Outstanding school for National Identity in 2022–2023.

Outstanding National Identity Mark

SZPAB is one of a small number of Abu Dhabi schools graded Outstanding for National Identity. For us, a strong Emirati identity and a forward-looking education go hand in hand.

Heritage is lived, not just taught: celebrations, curriculum units and everyday school life all connect students with UAE traditions, so they carry that sense of belonging and pride wherever they go next.

[Add links to the National Identity report and the school inspection report.]

Apple Distinguished School

SZPAB is recognised as an Apple Distinguished School — a status awarded to schools that show sustained innovation, leadership and educational excellence with technology.

Students learn with one-to-one iPads from Grade 3, and teachers build Apple tools into lessons to encourage creativity, collaboration and personalised learning.

The goal is not technology for its own sake, but confident, creative learners ready for a digital world.

Meet the team

Darren Nicholas

Principal

Matthew Cook

Head of Early Years and Elementary

Gregory Etheridge

Head of Secondary

Early Childhood
Pre-K – Grade 1

Our early years programme gives young learners a secure foundation — academically, socially and personally — through play-based, hands-on learning indoors and outdoors.

Every child’s progress is monitored individually, with targets set so that each one reaches their potential.

Elementary
Grades 2 – 5

Teaching in the elementary years is personalised: we close gaps quickly and build on each child’s strengths, recognising that children develop at different rates.

Leading programmes in phonics, reading, writing, mathematics and science shape daily lessons, and students learn to own their learning — setting goals, reflecting on assessments and leading their own parent conferences.

Middle School
Grades 6 – 8

Middle school follows American standards with standards-based grading, so students and parents can see exactly which learning goals have been mastered and where support is needed.

Grades are live in Schoology, and students sit MAP (Measures of Academic Progress) tests in reading, language, mathematics and science through the year to benchmark progress against US norms.

Arabic, Islamic Studies and UAE Social Studies follow the Ministry of Education curriculum.

High School
Grades 9 – 12

The high school programme combines a rigorous American curriculum with local and international perspectives, preparing students for university and careers while keeping them connected to their heritage.

Students are assessed through projects, presentations, coursework and examinations, with percentage-based grades and regular reports to parents. A growing range of AP courses lets students study at college level.

Curriculum

The academies use the Massachusetts State Curriculum Frameworks, which set clear expectations for what every student should know and be able to do by the end of each year — the same high standards for every learner.

Lessons emphasise rigour, differentiation and innovation, with active learning that builds critical thinking, problem-solving and language skills. The Advanced Placement programme gives students the chance to study college-level courses, with full support towards the external AP examinations.

Robotics and LEGO suites extend learning in STEM, with robotics offered in high school.

American curriculum · Ministry of Education · 1:1 iPads

Extra Curricular Programs

Clubs and activities

SZPAB offers a wide choice of after-school activities, from fitness, swimming and LEGO clubs in elementary to sports teams that compete in the ADISSA league and ADEK Cup in secondary. Clubs include reading, the arts, leadership, enrichment and Qur’an recitation.

Community service

In partnership with the Emirates Red Crescent, secondary students join charity campaigns through the year that support communities at home and abroad.

Leadership

Secondary students can earn internationally recognised Sports Leaders qualifications, lead sports sessions for younger students and organise events for Students of Determination. The elected Student Council gives students a real voice in school life.

Student support

Counsellors provide individual and group support, and the school marks awareness days such as Anti-Bullying Week, World Mental Health Day and Safer Internet Day.

Enrichment Programs

SZPAB’s enrichment programmes help young men grow in character, skills and knowledge — and prepare them to be active citizens who are proud of their identity.

Our programmes

Arabi programme

Launched in 2022–2023 under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Arabi strengthens Arabic from KG1 to Grade 12 using research-based approaches to Arabic teaching.

Humanitarian Touch

An optional programme for secondary students, run with the UAE Red Crescent, supporting charitable initiatives locally and internationally.

Student Council

Elected elementary and secondary councils meet through the year to represent their peers and organise events.

First Aid and CPR

Compulsory training for Grade 12, delivered by ALAIN Education and approved by Sheikh Khalifa Medical City and the American Heart Association, leading to a recognised certificate.

My Identity

A programme for all students from KG to Grade 12 that builds UAE national identity and moral values.

Qur’an programme

A free optional activity for Grades 1–12, taught by instructors licensed by AWQAF.

Military programme

Compulsory for UAE students in Grades 6–12, delivered with the Support Units of the UAE Armed Forces General Command and aligned with the school’s physical education curriculum, it builds leadership and prepares students for National Service.

Eyal Zayed programme

Compulsory for Grades 6–12, run with the Saif Bin Zayed Academy for Security and Policing Sciences to build safety awareness, leadership, self-reliance and service to community and country.

Facilities

Indoor facilities

  • A 29,000 m² learning environment with capacity for 1,400 students, designed to support our one-to-one iPad programme.
  • Green-screen studios used from KG to Grade 12, digital music suites, LEGO innovation spaces and STEM areas.
  • Five science laboratories in a dedicated science wing, plus learning-support suites for small-group teaching.
  • More than a kilometre of wall art inspired by Arabic language, mathematical patterns, desert landscapes and local wildlife.
  • Award-winning design: IDA Design Awards gold (2016, institutional interiors) and the Real Estate Asia Award 2021 for best education building.

Outdoor facilities

  • Semi-Olympic swimming pool, outdoor football pitch, basketball courts, running track and climbing equipment.

Facilities Rental

Our sports, learning and performance spaces are available to rent for workshops, community events and professional gatherings, on a short- or long-term basis.

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Inclusion

SZPAB is committed to giving students of every ability the opportunity to achieve their best. Teaching is planned so that each student can aim high, and provision is adapted to meet identified needs.

Our aims

  • A broad and balanced curriculum for every student
  • Differentiated teaching matched to each student’s needs and abilities
  • Early, effective identification of students who need additional support
  • Full participation in school life and activities
  • Regular updates for parents on progress and attainment
  • Students involved in decisions about their own support

On application

Parents share any previously identified needs, together with recent reports, transfer documents and any relevant assessments or support plans. Children joining Kindergarten are invited to a stay-and-play session.

Enrolled students

Standardised and benchmark tests, ongoing classroom assessment and concerns raised by teachers or parents can all lead to a referral to the Inclusion Team.

Assessment and planning

The team gathers the views of the student, teachers and parents, may carry out assessments or seek specialist advice, and then meets with the family to plan the right support.

A student is identified as a Student of Determination when a qualified clinician has diagnosed a special educational need. Categories follow UAE Ministry of Education guidance.