Yas American Academy awarded IQM International Centre of Excellence status

September 22, 2026

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Yas American Academy has achieved IQM International Centre of Excellence status in recognition of its exemplary inclusive practice, embedded culture of inclusion and ongoing drive for improvement.

A Culture of Inclusion

Inclusion at Yas American Academy is not an initiative but a defining principle that shapes every aspect of school life. It is deeply embedded in the school’s core values of Integrity, Respect, Collaboration, Determination and Innovation, which are lived out daily across curriculum design, assessment, and teaching and learning practices.

A strong, authentic sense of community permeates the school, with inclusion championed visibly and purposefully through whole-school displays, awareness activities and celebrations of diversity.

Leadership and Collaboration

The Senior Leadership Team demonstrates a cohesive, collaborative and highly child-centred approach, with inclusion and wellbeing at the centre of its shared vision. Leaders share a unified and sophisticated understanding of inclusion, emphasising that every child must be planned for and supported holistically.

The Assistant Principal for Inclusion and Curriculum provides strong strategic direction and coherence, ensuring that inclusion remains central to school improvement plans. Middle leaders take collective responsibility for adaptive teaching, differentiation and student progress. Collaboration is central to the school’s effectiveness, with frequent opportunities for dialogue, problem-solving and shared decision-making enabling the school to continually refine and strengthen its inclusive practices.

A Responsive Curriculum

The curriculum at Yas American Academy is broad, comprehensive and firmly aligned with high-quality frameworks such as the Massachusetts State Standards and the Advanced Placement pathways. Pathways are personalised to meet individual needs, offering both Advanced and General tracks as well as opportunities for vocational learning and leadership development.

YAA’s career-focused approach is exemplified by its pioneering role as the first school to host an Inclusion University Fair specifically supporting students of determination and their parents in exploring post-school pathways.

Assessment is well-structured, coherent and highly effective in supporting student progress. Baseline assessments such as MAP and the additional use of CAT4 provide a clear picture of each learner’s starting point, enabling targeted intervention planning. The Inclusion Team’s Developmental Learning Plans are a significant strength, bringing together academic, wellbeing, attendance, behavioural and assessment information. SMART targets are clear, precise and reviewed termly.

Teaching is guided by the Yas Teaching Principles: Plan for All, Build Knowledge, Create a Positive Climate, Promote Independent Practice, and Assess Everyone’s Learning. Observed lessons demonstrated positive learning climates, effective questioning and personalised tasks, with scaffolding for learners who need it and stretch and challenge for more able students.

Student Voice and Personal Development

Student voice is a notable strength. Students feel trusted, genuinely listened to and empowered to influence positive change within the school. They describe opportunities to take risks, lead initiatives and join student groups such as Sustainability and Community Outreach. One student proudly shared that they felt confident establishing a Diversity Group because they knew staff would support and champion the initiative.

Students interacted naturally and respectfully with Students of Determination, demonstrating care, friendship and a commitment to ensuring they are fully included in every aspect of school life.

Partnership with Families and the Wider Community

Yas American Academy demonstrates highly effective and deeply embedded partnerships with parents, carers and guardians. Parents described the school as feeling like “home”, noting the strong relationships, personalised communication and visible care shown by staff. The school’s “You Said, We Did” approach demonstrates responsiveness and follow-through, reinforcing parents’ confidence that their voices shape improvement planning and daily practice.

The school has also established itself as a highly respected and trusted school within the wider Abu Dhabi community. A rich network of partnerships extends learning far beyond the classroom, while community outreach is a defining strength, with charitable initiatives, service projects, fundraising drives and cultural events building civic responsibility and compassion.

Yas American Academy’s partnerships, outreach initiatives, cultural engagement and community leadership programmes create an exceptionally strong bridge between the school and the wider world. Its inclusive ethos is a lived, embedded culture, with leadership, curriculum innovation and strong stakeholder relationships creating an environment where every learner is valued and supported.

The school’s next steps will build on these strong foundations, including expanding inclusive ECAs, developing subject-specific adaptive teaching exemplars, strengthening student voice and launching an annual Inclusion University Fair involving a wider network of schools.

Find Out More About IQM

If your school is interested in achieving the IQM Inclusive School Award, contact the IQM team on 028 7127 7857 or email admin@iqmaward.com.

To find out more about IQM and request a free information pack, visit www.iqmaward.com.