Raha International School
Raha International School Location and Connectivity
Raha International School, Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi Area Guide — IB Education Across Two Campuses
Campuses: Gardens Campus in Al Raha Gardens; Khalifa City Campus in Khalifa City
Curriculum: International Baccalaureate
Gardens Campus established: 2006
Khalifa City Campus launched: September 2020
Operator: Taaleem
Accreditation: Council of International Schools, and an IB World School
Last reviewed: November 2026
Raha International School is one of Abu Dhabi’s best-known International Baccalaureate schools. Its operator, Taaleem, describes the Gardens Campus as the first K-12 school in Abu Dhabi to achieve full IB accreditation.
The school runs two campuses. The Gardens Campus opened in 2006 in the Al Raha Gardens community and serves over 2,200 students across the full K-12 range. The Khalifa City Campus launched in September 2020, built to meet demand the first campus could not absorb.
For families choosing where to live, the school is a genuine factor. Abu Dhabi has relatively few schools offering all three IB programmes, and proximity to one shapes a lot of housing decisions on this side of the city.
This guide covers both campuses, how to check the school’s official rating, and which communities sit within a practical school run.
In short: Two IB campuses under one school — Gardens for the full K-12 route, Khalifa City for the younger years.
Quick facts
| Gardens Campus | Khalifa City Campus | |
|---|---|---|
| Established | 2006 | September 2020 |
| Location | Raha Gardens community, Khalifa City | 11 Al Mutafani Street, Khalifa City, Sector 13 |
| Ages | 3 to 19 | 3 to 15 |
| Grades | K-12 | Pre-K to Grade 9 |
| Students | Over 2,200 | Not stated by the operator |
| Campus size | 46,802 sqm | 35,035 sqm |
| Curriculum | International Baccalaureate | International Baccalaureate |
| Accreditation | Council of International Schools; IB World School | Council of International Schools; IB World School |
These figures come from Taaleem’s Integrated Annual Report for 2023-24.
Two campuses, one school
This is the first thing to get straight, because the two campuses do different jobs and sit in different places.
Gardens Campus
The original campus, established in 2006 in the Raha Gardens community. It covers the full K-12 range, ages 3 to 19, and serves over 2,200 students across 46,802 square metres.
Taaleem describes it as the first K-12 school in Abu Dhabi to achieve full IB accreditation. It is accredited by the Council of International Schools and is a member school of the International Baccalaureate Organization.
Facilities include a library, science laboratories, a performing arts auditorium with an orchestra pit, design studios, a sports hall, football pitches, a swimming pool and tennis courts.
Khalifa City Campus
Launched in September 2020, in Taaleem’s words to meet high demand for places at the Gardens Campus and growing interest in the IB curriculum. It runs Pre-K to Grade 9, ages 3 to 15, with an Early Years Centre, across 35,035 square metres.
Its facilities include an eight-lane 25-metre swimming pool, a double-size gymnasium with an indoor running track, two football pitches, science laboratories, design studios and a Diploma Programme suite.
The address is 11 Al Mutafani Street, Khalifa City, Sector 13.
In short: Gardens is the larger, older campus running the full K-12 route. Khalifa City is the newer campus covering the younger years.
What is Raha International School’s ADEK rating?
This is the question most parents arrive with, and it needs a careful answer, because Taaleem publishes more than one.
| Source | What it states |
|---|---|
| Taaleem Integrated Annual Report 2023-24 | Gardens Campus rated Very Good by ADEK; Khalifa City Campus rated Good by ADEK in its first year of eligibility |
| Taaleem schools listing | Raha International School rated Outstanding by ADEK |
Both are published by the operator. The annual report is the more specific of the two. It rates each campus separately, and it dates the Khalifa City rating to that campus’s first year of eligibility. Taaleem notes that Good is the highest rating a school can receive in that first year.
Ratings also change between inspection cycles, so any figure published in a company document reflects a particular year rather than the current position.
The reliable answer is to check the official source yourself before applying. The Department of Education and Knowledge publishes Irtiqaa ratings through the school search on the TAMM platform, and National Identity Mark results through its own portal at nationalidentity.adek.ae.
In short: Taaleem has published both Very Good and Outstanding for this school in different documents. Check the current rating on TAMM rather than relying on any published figure, including this one.
How Abu Dhabi school ratings work
Abu Dhabi private schools display two separate ratings on a performance plaque, and they measure different things. Knowing which is which makes school comparison much easier.
Irtiqaa
A five-level rating under the UAE Unified School Inspection Framework. It evaluates six standards, each with performance indicators, 17 in total.
| The six Irtiqaa standards | |
|---|---|
| Student achievement | What students actually attain |
| Personal and social development | Including innovation skills |
| Teaching and assessment | How teaching is delivered and measured |
| Curriculum | What is taught and how it is designed |
| Protection, care, guidance and support | Safeguarding and pastoral provision |
| Leadership and management | How the school is run |
The National Identity Mark
A separate four-level rating, assessed independently of Irtiqaa. It covers three domains: Culture, taking in history, heritage and the Arabic language; Values, covering respect, compassion and global understanding; and Citizenship, covering belonging, volunteering and conservation.
For a family choosing between schools, the practical point is that a school can perform differently on the two. Checking both gives a fuller picture than either alone.
In short: Irtiqaa measures academic and operational quality across six standards. The National Identity Mark measures culture, values and citizenship separately.
How to check any Abu Dhabi school properly
Published material from an operator is a starting point, not a verdict. A few checks will tell you more than any brochure, and they apply to every school in the emirate rather than just this one.
- Look up the current Irtiqaa rating on the TAMM platform rather than relying on a figure in a company document. Ratings are reassessed between inspection cycles.
- Check the National Identity Mark separately, through the ADEK portal. A school can perform differently on the two.
- Read the six Irtiqaa standards rather than the headline band. A school strong on teaching but weaker on leadership tells you something a single word does not.
- Ask which IB programmes are authorised at the specific campus your child would attend, not at the school as a whole.
- Confirm the grade range at that campus, since campuses within one school often differ and ranges extend over time.
- Ask for the current fee schedule in writing, by grade, including any one-off charges.
- Drive the route at school-run time before signing a lease. Map distance and morning reality are different things on this side of the city.
The last point is the one families most often skip and most often regret. Two communities that look equally close can be fifteen minutes apart at eight in the morning.
In short: Check the rating at source, check it per campus, and drive the run before you sign anything.
What does the IB curriculum mean here?
Taaleem states that Raha International School was the first school in Abu Dhabi authorised to offer the IB Primary Years, Middle Years and Diploma Programmes.
That matters for continuity. A family starting a child in the Primary Years Programme at the Gardens Campus can follow the same framework through to the Diploma Programme without changing school or curriculum.
The Khalifa City Campus currently runs to Grade 9 and includes a Diploma Programme suite among its facilities.
Both campuses are IB World Schools and both are accredited by the Council of International Schools, an international accreditation body separate from ADEK.
Who runs Raha International School?
The school is operated by Taaleem, which describes itself as one of the largest K-12 school operators in the UAE.
Taaleem runs 32 K-12 schools, split between 10 premium schools and 22 government partnership schools, serving around 37,930 students from 86 nationalities. Its schools are spread across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman and Ras Al Khaimah.
The company was the first private education business to list on the Dubai Financial Market, which is why its annual reports are public and quotable.
In short: A listed operator with 32 schools across five emirates, which means its figures are published and checkable.
Which areas suit families at Raha International School?
School runs shape daily life more than almost anything else, so proximity is worth planning around. Both campuses sit on the mainland side of Abu Dhabi.
Al Raha Gardens is the obvious answer for the Gardens Campus. It is a villa community with the school inside it, and Al Raha Golf Gardens sits alongside.
Khalifa City serves both campuses and is the largest established option, with its own schools, mall and university. Reportage Village is one of the newer developments within it.
Al Raha Beach is the waterfront apartment alternative, covering Al Bandar, Al Zeina and Al Muneera. Yas Island is a short drive, with villas at Yas Acres and West Yas.
Further out, Al Reef and Al Reef Villas offer value, and Shakhbout City and Mohammed Bin Zayed City are the larger villa areas towards the south. Masdar City is the newer low-rise option.
The practical test is the morning run rather than the map distance. Drive it at school-run time before committing to a lease.
In short: Al Raha Gardens and Khalifa City put you closest. For what is available in either, contact Address Point Properties.
What else is nearby?
Other schools
- Yasmina British Academy — in Al Raha Gardens, the nearest alternative.
- GEMS American Academy, Global Indian International School and Abu Dhabi University — in Khalifa City.
- GEMS United Indian School — in Mohammed Bin Zayed City.
Healthcare
- NMC Royal Hospital in Khalifa City — the nearest hospital with a 24-hour emergency department.
- Healthpoint Hospital — the specialist option for orthopaedics and sports medicine.
- Burjeel Medical Centre Al Zeina and HealthPlus Family Clinic Al Bandar — outpatient clinics in Al Raha Beach.
- Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City — the major tertiary hospital on the mainland.
Shopping
- Raha Gardens Plaza — the community retail centre in Al Raha Gardens.
- Al Raha Mall and Forsan Central Mall — the nearest malls.
- Yas Mall and Deerfields Town Square in Al Bahia.
Getting there
Airport Road and Al Raha Boulevard are the main routes serving this part of the mainland.
Clearing up the names
A few names overlap here, and one of them causes real confusion about where the school actually is.
| Name | What it is |
|---|---|
| Raha International School | The school on this page, operating two campuses |
| RIS Gardens Campus | The original 2006 campus, in the Raha Gardens community |
| RIS Khalifa City Campus | The 2020 campus, on Al Mutafani Street in Khalifa City Sector 13 |
| Al Raha Gardens | The residential community the Gardens Campus sits in |
| Al Raha Beach | A separate waterfront community, not the same as Al Raha Gardens |
| Yasmina British Academy | A different school, also in Al Raha Gardens |
| Taaleem | The operator, not the school name |
On the Gardens Campus location, Taaleem gives the address as the Raha Gardens community within Khalifa City. Both names describe the same place, which is why listings and directories use them interchangeably.
In short: Two campuses, both on the mainland. Gardens sits inside Al Raha Gardens; Khalifa City Campus is elsewhere in Khalifa City.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Raha International School?
It runs two campuses. The Gardens Campus is in the Raha Gardens community within Khalifa City. The Khalifa City Campus is at 11 Al Mutafani Street, Khalifa City, Sector 13.
What curriculum does Raha International School follow?
The International Baccalaureate. Taaleem states it was the first school in Abu Dhabi authorised to offer the IB Primary Years, Middle Years and Diploma Programmes. It also calls the Gardens Campus the first K-12 school in Abu Dhabi to achieve full IB accreditation.
What is Raha International School’s ADEK rating?
Taaleem has published different figures. Its 2023-24 annual report gives Very Good for the Gardens Campus and Good for the Khalifa City Campus in its first year of eligibility. Its schools listing gives Outstanding for the school. Ratings change between inspection cycles, so check the current position through the school search on the TAMM platform.
How many students attend Raha International School?
The Gardens Campus serves over 2,200 students, according to Taaleem’s 2023-24 annual report.
What grades does each campus cover?
The Gardens Campus covers K-12, ages 3 to 19. The Khalifa City Campus covers Pre-K to Grade 9, ages 3 to 15, with an Early Years Centre.
When did Raha International School open?
The Gardens Campus was established in 2006. The Khalifa City Campus launched in September 2020, to meet demand for places at the Gardens Campus.
Who owns Raha International School?
Taaleem, which runs 32 K-12 schools across five emirates and was the first private education company to list on the Dubai Financial Market.
What facilities does Raha International School have?
The Gardens Campus has a library, science laboratories, a performing arts auditorium with an orchestra pit, design studios, a sports hall, football pitches, a swimming pool and tennis courts. The Khalifa City Campus has an eight-lane 25-metre pool, a double-size gym with an indoor running track, two football pitches, science laboratories, design studios and a Diploma Programme suite.
Which areas are closest to Raha International School?
Al Raha Gardens surrounds the Gardens Campus. Khalifa City serves both campuses. Al Raha Beach, Yas Island, Al Reef, Shakhbout City and Mohammed Bin Zayed City are all within a practical school run.
What are school fees at Raha International School?
Fees are set by the school and reviewed by ADEK, and they vary by grade. Check directly with the school for the current fee schedule before applying.
Looking for a home near Raha International School?
Address Point Properties is an Abu Dhabi brokerage. Our agents cover Al Raha Gardens, Khalifa City and Al Raha Beach daily, and they know how the school run works from each one.
If a particular campus is driving your search, tell us which and we will focus on what is within a realistic morning drive. We can tell you what is available now, what it rents or sells for, and arrange viewings. For exact pricing, availability or handover information, speak to us directly.
- WhatsApp: +971 50 553 7226
- Area guides: Al Raha Gardens and Khalifa City
- Nearby areas: Al Raha Beach, Yas Island, Al Reef
Sources
- Taaleem Integrated Annual Report 2023-24 (taaleem.ae): the 2006 establishment of the Gardens Campus in the Raha Gardens community of Khalifa City, its description as the first K-12 school in Abu Dhabi to achieve full IB accreditation, the ages 3 to 19 range, over 2,200 students, the 46,802 sqm campus, the Very Good ADEK rating, the Council of International Schools accreditation and IBO membership, and the campus facilities. Also the September 2020 launch of the Khalifa City Campus, its Pre-K to Grade 9 range for ages 3 to 15, the Early Years Centre, the 35,035 sqm campus, the Good ADEK rating in its first year of eligibility, and its facilities. Also Taaleem’s 32 schools, around 37,930 students, 86 nationalities, the five emirates covered, and the Dubai Financial Market listing.
- Taaleem schools listing (taaleem.ae): the Outstanding ADEK rating stated for Raha International School, the Council of International Schools and New England Association of Schools and Colleges accreditations, the statement that it was the first school in Abu Dhabi authorised to offer the IB Primary Years, Middle Years and Diploma Programmes, and the grade ranges for each campus.
- Raha International School about page (ris.ae): the two campuses and their addresses, the Taaleem relationship, the IB World School status, and the extracurricular provision.
- Department of Education and Knowledge, School Performance Plaques (adek.gov.ae): the Irtiqaa five-level rating under the UAE Unified School Inspection Framework, its six standards and 17 performance indicators, the four-level National Identity Mark and its Culture, Values and Citizenship domains, and where parents can check each rating.
A note on the figures
Taaleem publishes different ADEK ratings for this school in different documents, and this guide reports both rather than choosing between them. The company’s accreditation statements also differ: its annual report cites the Council of International Schools and IBO membership, while its schools listing cites the Council of International Schools and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. Grade ranges for the Khalifa City Campus appear as Pre-K to Grade 9 in the annual report and EY1 to Grade 8 in the schools listing.
Disclaimer: This guide is published by Address Point Properties LLC for general information about the area around Raha International School. It is not an endorsement of any school, and it is not advice on school choice. Ratings, fees, grade ranges, facilities and admissions policies change, and school ratings are reassessed between inspection cycles. Figures are drawn from the sources listed above as published at the time of writing and reviewed in November 2026. Confirm the current rating through the Department of Education and Knowledge, and fees and admissions directly with the school, before making any decision.