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'Defining moment': Ras Al Khaimah school gets first 'outstanding' rating
Several other schools moved up performance bands in a development officials describe as a turning point for the local education sector
- PUBLISHED: Sat 28 Feb 2026, 7:45 AM
One school in Ras Al Khaimah achieved ‘outstanding’ status for the first time ever as private schools across the emirate recorded improvements in their latest quality inspections.
Several other schools moved up performance bands in a development officials describe as a turning point for the local education sector.
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The Ras Al Khaimah Department of Knowledge (RAKDOK) revealed that in the first phase of 2026 evaluations, five schools improved from “acceptable” to "good", two advanced from “good” to “very good", and one school climbed from “very good” to the coveted “outstanding” category.
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The standout achievement came from RAK Academy Al Hamra branch, which secured an “outstanding” rating, a milestone moment for education in the emirate and the first time a private school has reached the top tier under the current evaluation cycle.
Two other schools, The International School of Choueifat and GEMS Westminster School, advanced from “good” to “very good", while Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Charitable School, Indian Public High School, and St Mary Private High School all progressed from “acceptable” to "good".
The results mean that out of 34 licensed private schools in Ras Al Khaimah, the emirate now has one “outstanding” school, two rated “very good", and 10 rated "good", reflecting what authorities describe as a steady upward trajectory in standards.
Dr Abdulrahman Al Shayeb Al Naqbi, Board Member of RAKDOK, said the ratings represent “a defining moment for education in Ras Al Khaimah", highlighting a collective commitment to raising standards in every classroom.
“Our focus is not only on achieving higher ratings but on building a culture of continuous improvement that strengthens outcomes and expands opportunity for every child,” he said, adding that the department will continue providing guidance, evaluation, and partnership to ensure excellence becomes the norm.
Dr Steven Reissig, Executive Director of RAKDOK, described the improvement of 10 private schools as a significant achievement and a testament to the efforts of leaders, staff, and parents, as well as the department’s mission to enhance educational quality across the emirate.
In a strategic move this year, the Government of Ras Al Khaimah outsourced all private school quality evaluations to Etio Global to ensure independent assessment.
Inspections are conducted under the unified UAE School Inspection Framework, which aligns standards across all emirates and strengthens quality assurance systems.
Between January and February 2026, 23 private schools offering UK, US, IB, SABIS, and UAE Ministry of Education curricula underwent inspections during Term 2.
Schools following the Indian, Pakistani, and Bangladeshi curricula are scheduled for evaluation between September and November.
RAKDOK, established just over two years ago as the emirate’s dedicated educational regulator, oversees more than 35,000 students across nine curricula, including UK, US, IB, UAE MoE, Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, SABIS, and Philippine systems.
Officials say the strong inspection outcomes coincide with rising enrolments and growing interest from reputable operators seeking to open new campuses in Ras Al Khaimah, positioning the emirate as an emerging educational hub in the region.
The department extended congratulations to all schools and reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring every child in Ras Al Khaimah has access to high-quality education.
Azza Al Ali is a reporter from Ras Al Khaimah, dedicated to sharing stories that bring the community’s voices to life. She’s passionate about connecting with people and highlighting what truly matters to them.