Muna British Academy
Key Stats
Annual Fees: US$14K - US$18K
Curriculum: British
Age Range: 3-13
Students: ~935
Location: Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi
Updated April 2026
In Brief
Muna is the right choice if you want a small-school feel on a world-class campus without paying Cranleigh prices - the Saadiyat Lagoons location and Pearl 5 facilities are genuinely impressive, but go in with your eyes open: secondary only goes to Year 7 right now, so if your child is older than 12 you will need to plan a move.
Muna occupies a distinct position among Aldar Education's Abu Dhabi schools: it is the primary-focused option on Saadiyat Island, with a long track record of Outstanding ADEK ratings going back to 2015-16 - the first school in Abu Dhabi to achieve that rating. The 2025-26 move to Saadiyat Lagoons changes the school substantially. It now sits in a Pearl 5 Estidama campus, the only school in Abu Dhabi to hold this sustainability rating, and is adding one year group annually until it reaches Year 13 in 2031-32. For families arriving now with children in FS to Year 6, this is a school building toward a full all-through offer; for those with older children, it is still a primary school with Year 7 added.
The academic record is strong for primary. TIMSS 2023 scores of 615 in maths and 603 in science place students at the Advanced International Benchmark - among the best primary results in the UAE. Class sizes cap at 25 in Foundation Stage and 27 from Year 2, and the teacher-to-student ratio runs at 1:14. From September 2025 the school grew from around 750 to 935 students as families moved across with the relocation - a 25% jump in one term, which is worth noting in terms of bedding-in the new campus. The parent rating of 4.2/5 from 14 WSA reviews is among the more positive for the Saadiyat cohort.
The transition from a central Abu Dhabi location - Al Markaziyah - to Saadiyat Lagoons is the main adjustment for existing families. Saadiyat Lagoons sits near Soul Beach and Saadiyat Grove; families in Al Reem or the main island need to account for the Saadiyat Bridge approach, which can add 10-15 minutes at peak hours. Fees at AED 50,936-66,546 are mid-market for Abu Dhabi Outstanding schools - cheaper than Cranleigh, roughly level with Yasmina. Books are included in the tuition fee.
What parents value
- –TIMSS 2023 results of 615 in maths and 603 in science place Muna students at the Advanced International Benchmark - one of the strongest primary attainment data points among Abu Dhabi international schools, and a figure that ADEK inspectors have cited explicitly.
- –Pearl 5 Estidama campus on Saadiyat Lagoons: the first school in Abu Dhabi to hold this sustainability rating, and only the third building in the emirate to achieve it. Facilities include three swimming pools, AstroTurf pitches, robotics labs, and a large auditorium.
- –Consistent ADEK Outstanding since 2015-16, through multiple inspection frameworks and now through the school's biggest transition. The rating held even during the relocation year and the addition of Year 7.
Points of consideration
- –Secondary provision is currently only to Year 7, with one year group added annually. If you are enrolling a child in Year 5 or above, you will need to plan for a school move within 2-3 years unless you are comfortable waiting for the school to expand. The full Year 13 offer does not arrive until 2031-32.
- –The school grew by nearly 200 students in a single term as families transferred with the campus move. Ask at your visit about how the new campus routines are settling, particularly for FS children adjusting to larger facilities.
- –Saadiyat Lagoons is a newer community still developing its surrounding infrastructure. Soul Beach and Saadiyat Grove are nearby, but the area feels less established than central Saadiyat Island. Budget for bus transport if you are not local to the Lagoons community - the Emirates Transport return fare is AED 5,000/year.
Annual Fees
| Year Group | Age | USDTotal Annual Fee |
|---|---|---|
| FS1 | 3 | 13,870 |
| FS2-Year 6 | 4 | 13,870 |
| Year 7 | 12 | 15,395 |
Fees converted from AED. For the most up to date and accurate figures please double check with the school.
Additional Fees
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Registration Fee (5% of annual tuition - new students) | 694 |
| Re-registration Fee (5% of annual tuition) | 694 |
Academic Results
| TIMSS 2023 Maths score | 615 (Advanced International Benchmark) |
| TIMSS 2023 Science score | 603 (Advanced International Benchmark) |
| PIRLS 2021 Reading score | 611 (High International Benchmark) |
| GL Progress Tests KS2 (2024-25) | Outstanding in English and Science |
| ADEK Rating | Outstanding (2025-26) |
Muna follows the English National Curriculum from FS1 through Year 7, with EYFS for Foundation Stage students. The school has historically focused on rigorous primary outcomes and strong international benchmark performance. As secondary expands, IGCSE and A-Level will follow from Year 10 and Year 12 respectively - but these years are not yet open.
International benchmark results are among the strongest in the Abu Dhabi primary sector. TIMSS 2023 scores of 615 in maths and 603 in science exceed global averages by a substantial margin, placing students at the Advanced International Benchmark. PIRLS 2021 reading score of 611 placed students in the High International Benchmark range. ADEK inspectors note a systematic approach to preparation through problem-solving emphasis and rigorous data-driven teaching across all year groups.
Extra Curriculars
Extra-curricular activities: 40+
Facilities: Saadiyat Lagoons campus (Pearl 5 Estidama rated) · Three swimming pools (including learner pool) · AstroTurf football and rugby pitch · Tennis and padel courts · Robotics rooms and STEM laboratories · Soundproof music practice rooms · Large auditorium · Art studios and design technology studios · Dedicated SEN counselling spaces
Extra-curricular activities span sailing, water sports, drama, dance, gymnastics, art, animation, Lego Inventors Club, and computing. Most teacher-led ECAs are free; a small number with external providers carry a charge. The school's location on Saadiyat Lagoons, near Soul Beach, adds access to outdoor and water-based activities that few Abu Dhabi schools can match.
Bus transport is provided through Emirates Transport at AED 5,000/year for a return journey. Saadiyat Lagoons is approximately 20-25 minutes from the main Abu Dhabi island in normal traffic, and 30-35 minutes from Khalifa City or MBZ City at peak hours.
Inspections & Accreditations
Inspection
Latest review: October 2025
Inspection body: ADEK
Rating: Outstanding
ADEK awarded Muna British Academy Outstanding in the October 2025 inspection, noting that the school maintained its top rating through a major campus transition and the addition of Year 7. Teaching was rated Outstanding, with particular commendation for differentiation and inclusion. TIMSS and GL Assessment outcomes were cited as evidence of sustained high attainment.
Accreditations
Accreditation details are not publicly listed.
Memberships
Membership details are not publicly listed.
Student Body
Around 935 students from over 50 nationalities as of end of Term 1 2025-26, following the school's relocation from Al Markaziyah to Saadiyat Lagoons. Approximately 15% of students are UAE nationals. Indian and Pakistani passport holders form significant cohorts alongside British, Arab, and other international nationalities.
Class sizes cap at 25 in FS and Year 1, and 27 from Year 2 to Year 7. The 1:14 teacher-to-student ratio is in line with other premium Aldar Education schools. The school has a strong inclusion programme: 36 students were registered with SEND at the most recent inspection, with additional provision for EAL and Gifted and Talented students.
Leadership
Mr Graeme Kinkead
Graeme Kinkead joined Muna British Academy in September 2020 and became Principal in January 2024. He leads the school through its most significant transition: a move to a new purpose-built campus on Saadiyat Lagoons and an expansion from primary-only to a full all-through school.