Novana Index
Liwa International School logo

Liwa International School

Part of Liwa Education

Updated July 2026

Curriculum

US Common Core

Liwa Education is an established provider of high-quality, American curriculum education across Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, serving students from KG through Grade 12. The group is recognized for its commitment to academic excellence, critical thinking, and the development of future-ready skills.

Teaching approach

Liwa Education aims to produce confident, resilient, and courageous leaders by combining an American curriculum with Emirati values. The educational approach focuses on developing critical thinkers who possess an international mindset grounded in local understanding and appreciation. Sustainability is a core component of the school's ethos, integrated into both academics and daily operations.

Programmes

The school offers a broad-based American curriculum spanning Kindergarten (up to 4 years), elementary (4-11 years), middle school (11-13 years), and high school (13-18 years). The academic program focuses on core competencies including literacy, numeracy, science, technology, well-being, and creativity, alongside the application of Islamic and citizenship principles. High school students benefit from readiness programs that assist with university and career path planning.

Outcomes

Graduates are prepared for both national and global challenges, with alumni pursuing studies in fields such as medicine and engineering at universities worldwide. The school tracks student progress through advanced digital platforms, and in 2019, 99% of students met the ADEK-required IELTS score. Since 2017, students have gone on to attend 50 different universities globally.

Student support

EAL support
Unknown
Learning support
Dedicated department

Learning support

The school maintains dedicated Special Educational Needs (SEN) teams tasked with supporting, nurturing, and progressing students regardless of their ability. This support extends to students with learning difficulties and physical disabilities, as well as a program designed to identify and challenge gifted and talented students.

Tuition & fees

No published fee schedule was found for this school.

About the campus

The school utilizes digital classrooms, e-books, and interactive teaching resources accessible through school portals. Learning is supported by platforms such as Google Classroom, Google Apps, Smart Suite, Class Dojo, and MS Teams. Additionally, the school has a history of environmental initiatives, having been recognized as the first green and environmentally-friendly school in the UAE.

Co-curriculars

The school places a strong emphasis on co-curricular activities to support the personal and social development of its students. These activities are designed to help students become adaptable, forward-thinking individuals equipped with the skills necessary for a fast-changing work environment.

  • Dr. Ali Saeed Bin Harmal AldhaheriChairman

    Dr. Ali Aldhaheri is a distinguished business leader with over three decades of experience spanning education, IT, finance, tourism, and real estate. He holds an MBA from the American University in Washington, D.C., and a PhD from Durham University, where his research focused on cultural intelligence and adaptive leadership. He currently holds several senior positions, including Chairman and Founder of Abu Dhabi University and Chairman of NEMA Education.

  • Dr. Shereen Gobran
    Dr. Shereen GobranCEO, Director of Schools

    Dr. Shereen Gobran is the founding Principal of Liwa International School, a role she has held since 1992. She has over three decades of leadership experience in education and has served on the founding committee of Abu Dhabi University and as a member of the AdvancED Global Council. She is known for her expertise in quality systems, school audits, strategic planning, and educational innovation.

  • Kevin WallisDeputy CEO

    Kevin Wallis is a senior education leader with over 20 years of global experience, having worked across the UK, US, Middle East, and Asia as a Government Advisor, Director, School Inspector, and Senior Consultant. He holds a First-Class Honours degree in Mathematics and Economics and a Postgraduate Certificate in Education from the University of Cambridge. In the UAE, he has supported national initiatives and led the development of professional learning curricula for teachers and school leaders.

  • Margaret Ann Haynes
    Margaret Ann HaynesDirector of Schools

    Margaret brings over 30 years of leadership in UK and UAE education, overseeing academic alignment, regulatory compliance, and instructional quality across all campuses. A former Principal and Executive Principal, she is a certified accountant and a UK Peer and Tribal Inspector. She holds a BA in Psycholinguistics, a PGCE in Secondary English, and an NPQH.

  • Ms. Diana Wardeh
    Ms. Diana WardehDirector of Nurseries

    Diana Wardeh is the Director of Nurseries at Liwa Education, bringing over 20 years of experience in early childhood education, leadership, and large-scale nursery operations. She leads both private and public nurseries portfolios, including strategic projects in partnership with government entities across Abu Dhabi.

More international schools in Al Ain City