Principal

Horizon Private School (American Branch), in Abu Dhabi, is part of the AlephYa Group of Schools. AlephYa owns and operates schools across the GCC with a core focus on nurturing global citizens who have a strong connection to their heritage and the world they live in. AlephYa schools provide a high-quality education that is affordable and accessible to every child. The name AlephYa was inspired by the first and last letters of the Arabic language alphabet.

Founded in 2008, Horizon Private School (American Branch) is coeducational throughout and provides an inclusive American education, adopting the Common Core State Standards, for students aged 4 to 18, most of whom speak Arabic as a first language. Horizon Private School (American Branch) is an integral part of everyday life in Khalifa City. Maintaining a deep respect for the vision, history, and traditions of their host country, more than 60% of their students are Emirati and the rest of their students represent 47 countries throughout the world. Consequently, the local community is undoubtedly enriched by the cultural diversity of their student body.

The school provides a student-centred approach at every level, and this is defined by the manner in which they educate, mentor, and encourage their students and provide them with an exceptional learning experience that is inspiring and empowering. The school is a community in the heart of Khalifa City and was rated ‘Very Good’ during its most recent Irtiqaa /ADEK inspection. The school encourages students to reach for their dreams, try something new, be ambitious, and above all, be lifelong learners and distinguished global citizens.

Providing an inclusive education from Pre-KG up to Grade 12, while valuing students for whatever talents they possess, is at the heart of everything the school does. As an American school with an international outlook, they empower their students with the skills they need to face the challenges of the future while promoting a global perspective and digital fluency. This global perspective is supported through the learning of three different languages – English, Arabic, and French – starting from KG1.

Following a broad and balanced American curriculum, Horizon Private School (American Branch) welcomes students who value morals and education while upholding a sense of fairness, kindness, and personal responsibility. They set high expectations for effort and behaviour, and their students always rise to meet this challenge.

So much of this evolves from their unique culture, which provides the ethos, environment, and framework for the enduring values, practices, and approaches that underpin an education. They focus on the real needs of their students, resulting in a happy and thriving school.

The Board of Governors is seeking to appoint a Principal to commence in August 2025, to succeed the school’s founding Principal, Ms Amal Shahine following her many years of dedication to the school. The successful candidate will be a visionary and inspirational leader, with demonstrable experience of successfully leading international schools, ideally with experience in the Middle East, with a track record of improving provision, building relationships and setting high expectations.