SchoolThe Model School Abu Dhabi, also known as New Indian Model School Abu Dhabi, is a part of the NIMS Group of schools. The school first opened its door in 1987 as a branch of the New Indian Model School Dubai. Currently, the school educates over 5,000 students, predominantly Indian, alongside students from other nationalities such as Pakistani and Bangladeshi backgrounds.
Like its sister schools, it follows the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) through to Grade 12. In addition, students in Grade 8 have the option to switch to the Kerala Board, which is also offered until Grade 12. The teacher-to-student ratio is 1:17, in line with the average for schools in the UAE.
Besides studies, students can participate in many extra-curricular activities. These activities are supported by school facilities inside a purpose-built campus. The academic prowess and variety of enrichment activities have made The Model School Musaffah one of the best Indian Schools in Abu Dhabi.
The school is in Mussafah — a small industrial area in the outskirts of Abu Dhabi. The community has grown into a mix-used development with residential and commercial opportunities. The area has several amenities, including schools and educational institutes. The school is close to the following residential communities:
Mohammed Bin Zayed City is closest to the Model School Abu Dhabi. It is a peaceful and serene residential community on the edge of Abu Dhabi with mostly villas.
The Model School Abu Dhabi has a spacious, purpose-built campus in Mussafah. The campus has extensive school facilities for students. Classrooms are bright, spacious and airy. They are equipped with furniture and other facilities to aid students’ learning.
| Science laboratories | Computer labs |
| Library | Outdoor play area |
| Indoor multipurpose hall | Outdoor practice area |
The Model School is located at the intersection of 28th Street and Al Yad’ah Street in the Musafah Community.
The Model School Abu Dhabi is a part of the reputable NIMS Group of Schools, which has been delivering quality education for decades. The Model School Abu Dhabi is serving the Indian community for over 30 years with high-end education and other school amenities. The environment here is positive and supports the social, emotional and personal development of students.
As an Indian school, it follows the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and the Kerala Board Curriculum. Both curricula are academically rigorous and focus on the all-round development of students. The CBSE curriculum is well regarded in the international community for its structured approach. Every student studies the syllabus based on the CBSE curriculum until Grade 8. Afterwards, students can continue their education following the CBSE curriculum or opt for the Kerala Board Curriculum.
The experienced teaching body at The Model School Abu Dhabi is another strength of this school. The school has over 350 teachers that have relevant educational background. This is important, as parents trust the school to deliver the curriculum to students by their best teachers. The average teacher to student ratio ensures students receive enough attention and care. Also, the staff turnover rate at this school is 10%. It is lower than most schools in the UAE and shows that most teachers at this school are part of this institution for years.
It is a K-12 school that educates children aged 3 to 18 years old. The school’s education system is split into four sections:
| Stage | Grade |
|---|---|
| Pre-Primary | Kindergarten and Preparatory |
| Primary | Grade I to Grade VII |
| Secondary School | Grade VIII to Grade X |
| Higher Secondary School | Grade XI and Grade XII |
The curriculum followed at The Model School Abu Dhabi is broad and balanced. It is based on the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), an internationally acclaimed curriculum, and Kerala Board of Curriculum.
The curriculum focuses on building the foundation skills, such as reading, writing, speaking and listening skills in the early grades. Once these skills are developed, students enter the primary stage and study the following key subjects:
| English | Science |
| Mathematics | Arabic |
| Social Studies | Islamic Education |
Arabic, Social Studies and Islamic Education are included as per the guidelines set by the Ministry of Education (MOE).
The difficulty level increases gradually with each grade. The school also introduced new subjects in higher grades to prepare students for the external examinations. It uses formative and summative assessment techniques to gauge students’ progress. Students entering the secondary stage have the option of the CBSE based syllabus or Kerala Board Curriculum. Both academic programmes are rigorous and fully support the academic, social and emotional development.
Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) is a governmental entity that regulates the education sector of Abu Dhabi, Al Dhafra and Al Ain. It aims to improve and sustain the quality of the educational institutes in the regions mentioned above. ADEK started the Irtiqaa Programme through which it inspects the performance of educational institutes every 18 to 24 months. It inspects the performance of schools by judging against the following six performance standards:
The 6-point rating scale ranges from outstanding (best) to very weak (worst) rating. The brief explanation of each rating is as follows:
The current ADEK rating for The Model School Abu Dhabi is Good.
The academic year at The Model School Abu Dhabi starts in April and ends in March. The year is split into three terms.
| Key milestones | Dates |
|---|---|
| First Term | 1st April to 30th June |
| Summer Break | 1st July to 24th August |
| Second Term | 25th August to 15th December |
| Winter Break | 16th December to 3rd January |
| Third Term | 4th January to 14th March |
For more information, contact the school.
The admission process at The Model School Abu Dhabi is straightforward and easy. To apply, submit the completed admission form available on the school’s website. Students have to pass the entrance test to get admission. Those completing the entrance test are informed via the contact details mentioned in the admission form. If there is no seat available, applicant's name will be placed on the waiting list.
The document required for admission are:
If any of your children are already studying in The Model School Abu Dhabi, the following documents are required:
For more information, read the admission process at The Model School Abu Dhabi.
| Grade/Year | Minimum Entry Age | Maximum Entry Age | Minimum Entry Age for Overseas Transfers* |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Grade/Year Pre-KG/Foundation Stage 1 |
Minimum Entry Age 3 |
Maximum Entry Age 4 |
Minimum Entry Age for Overseas Transfers* – |
|
Grade/Year Kindergarten 1/Foundation Stage 2 |
Minimum Entry Age 4 |
Maximum Entry Age 5 |
Minimum Entry Age for Overseas Transfers* – |
|
Grade/Year Kindergarten 2/Year 1 |
Minimum Entry Age 5 |
Maximum Entry Age 6 |
Minimum Entry Age for Overseas Transfers* – |
|
Grade/Year Grade 1/Year 2 |
Minimum Entry Age 6 |
Maximum Entry Age 8 |
Minimum Entry Age for Overseas Transfers* – |
|
Grade/Year Grade 2/Year 3 |
Minimum Entry Age 7 |
Maximum Entry Age 9 |
Minimum Entry Age for Overseas Transfers* 6 |
This is based on the age of the applicant on 31st July (for schools beginning in April). Source: KHDA
* This is to cater to students transferring from systems that admit students of a younger age.
The annual tuition fee at The Model School is as follows:
| Grade | Tuition Fee (AED) |
|---|---|
| KG1 - Grade 2 | 4,920 |
| Grade 3 - Grade 7 | 4,990 |
| Grade 8 and Grade 9 | 5,320 |
| Grade 10 | 5,240 |
| Grade 11 and Grade 12 | 6,770 |
| Other Service | Fee (AED) |
|---|---|
| Transporatation | 4,037 |
| Book | 337 - 723 |
| Uniform | 278 - 499 |
The school provides a safe and efficient transport service with a fleet of well-maintained buses equipped with modern safety features. ransport fees are charged annually at AED 4,037 and can be paid by cash or cheque.
The school has limited sports facilities at the campus. There is an outdoor play area used for assemblies and other outdoor activities. The indoor multipurpose hall has facilities for basketball and other indoor games. Additionally, the campus has an outdoor practice area for students interested in cricket and an outdoor basketball court.
Students at The Model School Abu Dhabi participate in different extracurricular activities. These activities allow students to learn different skills and develop all-round skills. Some of the noteworthy extra-curricular activities at the school are:
|
Field Trip |
Flag Day Celebration |
Moral Value Day |
|
Arabic Assembly |
Sports day |
Storytelling Competition |
|
Show and Tell |
Patriotic Song Competition |
Maths Club |
|
Science Exhibition |
Math Exhibition |
Colouring Competition |
Field trips are an important part of the extra-curricular programme at The Model School Abu Dhabi. Students were taken to various places such as Emirates Park Zoo and Umm Al Emarat Park.
There are no special after-school programme for students at the Model School Abu Dhabi. Some of the extra-curricular programme are offered as after-school activities.
Several modes of communication are available for students at The Model School Abu Dhabi. There is a school portal on the official website that gives parents easy access to key information, such as attendance records, academic performance and much more. Additionally, parents can also download TMS Parent App on their mobile devices. The application is available on the Android platform through Google Play Store.
The official school website is another information resource for parents. It is updated regarding admission, curriculum and other school-related information. Here, parents can also find news and events to check out the current and upcoming events. Feedback forms for parents are also available on the school website.
Other modes of communication at this school are the social media pages and grade-specific WhatsApp groups. The WhatsApp group is an excellent source for urgent enquiry as the teachers and parents of the students studying in the same classrooms are part of these groups.
Please note that the cover image belongs to The Model School Abu Dhabi
The school is located in Musaffah, Mohamed Bin Zayed City, Abu Dhabi.
Annual school fees range from AED 4,920 to AED 6,770, depending on the grade.
The school offers the CBSE curriculum as well as the Kerala syllabus.
The school is co-educational until Grade 4, after which classes are segregated.
The school caters to students from KG 1 through to Grade 12.