YAA students experience hands-on learning that connects education with purpose
PARTNER CONTENT: What does it mean to be a truly future-ready school? At Yas American Academy (YAA), learning isn’t confined to the classroom, it’s lived, experienced, and applied.
Through partnerships with leading UAE and international organisations such as Abu Dhabi Police, Hilton Hotels through Miral, SeaWorld, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, and Formula One, students gain first-hand insight into the professional world around them.
The American curriculum at YAA is rooted in making learning tangible and meaningful. Collaborations with the UAE’s catalyst industries give students experiences that bridge knowledge with purpose. From marine biology to sustainable food systems, each partnership helps students understand not just what they’re learning, but why it matters.
Education with context and connection
Associate Assistant Principal Michele Bahadar emphasises the value of these real-world links: “We’re preparing students for a more hands-on, skills-based future. That means giving them access to real workplaces and real problems to solve. When they graduate from YAA, they are not just knowledgeable, they are capable.”
YAA’s collaboration with Miral opens doors to Yas Island landmarks such as the Yas SeaWorld Research and Rescue Centre, where students study biodiversity, conservation, and applied science alongside marine biologists. For many, these experiences spark ambitions in sustainability and innovation.
Similarly, a partnership with Hilton Hotels brings sustainability into food technology. Working alongside Hilton chefs, students experiment with produce from the school’s garden, learning how to reduce waste and cook with purpose.
“It’s about a real-life approach: how to feed a family well, avoid waste, and think sustainably,” Bahadar explains. “Even YAA parents have asked to join.”
Interdisciplinary thinking and innovation
Real-world connections are woven throughout YAA’s curriculum. “We integrate everything,” says Thomas Nelson, Head of Middle and High School. “Maths connects with engineering; art connects with science. When students build a Formula One car model, they’re calculating speed, designing prototypes, and thinking creatively. It’s interdisciplinary learning at its best.”
Students also participate in international STEM and sustainability competitions, from the First Lego League to the World Scholars Cup. Projects range from designing AI-driven water conservation systems to building sustainable bee colonies — making YAA one of the UAE’s first schools with a functioning apiary.
“The American curriculum gives us space to be creative,” Bahadar adds. “We meet international standards but tailor them to the UAE context using local examples, industries, and priorities. That’s what makes learning real for our students.”
Building character and competence
At YAA, the school’s values form the foundation of its culture. “We’re shaping humans, not just students,” Bahadar says. “Our children talk about empathy and resilience the same way they talk about science or sport.”
This values-based culture complements strong academic outcomes. YAA offers 18 Advanced Placement (AP) courses, one of the widest ranges in Abu Dhabi, with results consistently above global averages.
“Success isn’t just measured in grades,” Bahadar continues. “It’s seen in how our students think, lead, and contribute.”
A sense of place and purpose
Partnerships with organisations such as Louvre Abu Dhabi and Mohammed Bin Zayed University allow students to learn from those shaping the UAE’s future. Forensic science workshops, art collaborations, and sustainability initiatives spark curiosity and pride.
“It’s not about ticking a box for national identity,” Bahadar explains. “It’s about living it, making it part of who they are and who they’ll become.”
Both Emirati and international students engage with heritage projects through the Department of Culture and Tourism and Al Ain History Museum, deepening their sense of belonging and global awareness.
Sustainability in action
Sustainability runs through every strand of school life. Students learn that it extends beyond recycling, encompassing financial literacy, digital wellbeing, and environmental stewardship. Each year, YAA Global Awareness Week brings these ideas to life through student-led exhibitions and talks on biodiversity, mental health, and innovation.
“Creating a culture where sustainability becomes second nature is key,” Bahadar explains. “Our students are learning to live consciously, for themselves, their community, and their planet.”
Real-world learning, real-world impact
YAA transforms education from theory into action. By linking the American curriculum with the UAE’s industries and sustainability goals, the school nurtures capable, creative, and compassionate young people who understand how learning connects to life.
“Education is about helping students build the future,” Bahadar reflects. “When they see that what they learn has purpose, they don’t just become better learners; they become better people.”
For more on Yas American Academy and how it’s shaping the next generation of innovators and changemakers, visit Yas American Academy
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