The 2026 International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma results have once again highlighted the strength of UAE schools in delivering world-class education. Across Dubai and Abu Dhabi, students have achieved exceptional academic outcomes while earning places at some of the world’s most respected universities.
For parents considering the IB pathway, this year’s results offer further evidence of the programme’s ability to prepare students for higher education through academic rigour, independent thinking and personal development. Ambassador International Academy and Bateen World Academy have both reported results well above global averages, reflecting not only student achievement but also the quality of teaching, pastoral support and personalised learning available within UAE schools.
Ambassador International Academy Records Exceptional First IB Cohort Success
Ambassador International Academy (AIA) Dubai Al Khail has celebrated a landmark achievement as its first International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme cohort graduated with outstanding results. The school achieved an impressive average Diploma score of 36.31 points, comfortably exceeding the global average, while every Diploma Programme student successfully earned their IB Diploma, resulting in a 100 per cent pass rate.
Additionally, 85 per cent of students scored 35 points or above and more than 92 per cent achieved at least 30 points, demonstrating consistently strong performance across the entire graduating class.
The school’s highest score was 42 points, achieved by Anusha Talwalkar. Geofrie Koithara earned 40 points, while Zunairah Mehreen and Christina Arun each achieved 39 points. School Valedictorian Kyna Nair completed the programme with an impressive 38 points.
These results are particularly significant because they represent the school’s first ever Diploma Programme graduating class, establishing a strong foundation for future cohorts.
Kamal Kalwani, CEO and Vice Chairman of Bridge Education said,
“These outstanding IB Diploma results are a proud milestone for Ambassador International Academy and reinforce our position amongst Dubai’s leading IB schools. Achieving a 100% pass rate, an average diploma score of 36.31 and exceptional subject outcomes reflects the collective dedication of our students, teachers and parent community. Our vision has always been to provide an education where academic excellence is balanced with wellbeing, innovation and personalised learning. Seeing our students achieve such remarkable success while developing into confident, compassionate and globally minded young people is the greatest measure of that vision. I congratulate every member of our graduating class on this exceptional achievement and wish them every success as they embark on the next chapter of their academic and professional journeys.”
Located in Al Khail Gate, Ambassador International Academy offers the full IB continuum from Nursery to Grade 12. Furthermore, the school has earned a Good rating from KHDA, with Very Good features and a Very Good DSIB rating. Its educational approach combines personalised learning with a STREAM curriculum designed to encourage creativity, critical thinking and innovation.
Students Reflect on Their IB Journey
Anusha Talwalkar said,
“I feel proud of myself for all that I’ve achieved in the past two years and the effort I’ve put into ensuring that I get the results I desire. As this chapter comes to an end, I can’t help but feel excited to begin building my career although I will greatly miss all the experiences I’ve had in school. To all the teachers and counsellors at AIA, who supported me throughout my academic journey, thank you for showing me that mistakes are a part of the learning process and for believing in my potential. You have made me a better learner.”
Geofrie Koithara said,
“The IB has been an intense, defining journey for us all, and it is a privilege to celebrate what our cohort has achieved together. Closing this chapter is a bittersweet milestone, but we leave with a shared strength that will serve us well. I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to our teachers, families, and friends as your unwavering support and belief in us were the true foundation of this experience.”
Zunairah Mehreen said,
“I am grateful to see my hard work reflected in this result. As I close this chapter, I look forward to the opportunities and experiences that lie ahead. I sincerely thank my parents, teachers, friends, and everyone who supported me on this journey.”
Christina Arun said the results felt surreal. While she was relieved that the exams and assignments were finally over, she admitted it was also emotional to see this chapter come to an end. She reflected that she would miss seeing her friends and classmates every day, describing them as a second family over the past few years. Christina expressed her gratitude to everyone who supported her throughout the journey, thanking the school leadership team and her teachers for always believing in the students and encouraging them to do their best. She also thanked her family and friends for standing by her through every challenge, adding that she genuinely could not have achieved her success without their support.
Kyna Nair said she was delighted with her IB results and viewed them as much more than numbers. For her, they represented two years of hard work, resilience, personal growth and unforgettable memories. She reflected that every late night, deadline, mock examination and challenge had contributed to this achievement. Kyna explained that the IB had pushed her beyond her limits and helped shape the person she had become. Although she had looked forward to completing the programme, she admitted she would miss the journey more than she had expected. She said she was leaving school with far more than a diploma, taking with her lifelong friendships, treasured memories and a stronger sense of self.
Christina Arun, Ambassador International Academy
Anusha Thalwalkar, Ambassador International Academy
Geofrie Koithara, Ambassador International Academy
Geofrie Koithara, Ambassador International Academy
Zunairah Mehreen, Ambassador International Academy
Bateen World Academy Continues to Outperform Global IB Averages
Meanwhile, Bateen World Academy in Abu Dhabi has continued its strong IB tradition by exceeding global averages for the fourth consecutive year. The Class of 2026 achieved an average Diploma score of 34.3 points, improving on last year’s results, while 18 per cent of students scored 40 points or above. Additionally, 39 per cent achieved at least 35 points, an increase from 31 per cent in 2025.
Jennifer Sabatini achieved the maximum possible score of 45 points. Jana Suliman and Sumedha Zope both followed with outstanding scores of 43 points. Moreover, the school’s average subject grade increased to 5.4 out of seven, representing its strongest performance across the past three years.
The academy’s graduates have secured university offers from prestigious institutions across the United Kingdom, the United States, Europe, Australia, Hong Kong and the UAE. Destinations include Imperial College London, Columbia University, the University of Manchester, NYU Abu Dhabi, Northeastern University and Khalifa University.
Students will study a wide range of disciplines including medicine, engineering, biomedical sciences, politics, computer science and design.
Neal Dilk, Principal of Bateen World Academy said,
“I am incredibly proud of what this cohort has achieved. Their results reflect years of curiosity, perseverance and a willingness to challenge themselves academically. Success in the IB is never measured by examination outcomes alone; it is built over time through consistent effort, exceptional teaching and a culture that encourages every student to think independently, lead with confidence and embrace ambitious goals. It is great to see our graduates leaving with exceptional results, a strong sense of purpose and the confidence to make their mark at leading universities and beyond.”
Sahar Cooper, CEO of Aldar Education, said the achievements of this year’s cohort were particularly noteworthy and reflected a year of learning that extended beyond the traditional classroom. She said the organisation was incredibly proud of Bateen World Academy’s Class of 2026, adding that their success demonstrated not only individual excellence but also the strength of an educational model that nurtures ambition, resilience and a genuine love of learning. She added that seeing students progress to some of the world’s leading universities across such a diverse range of disciplines reflected Aldar Education’s commitment to developing future-ready graduates while strengthening Abu Dhabi’s reputation as a global destination for world-class education.
Students Celebrate Hard Work and Resilience
Jennifer Sabatini said she was proud of how much she had grown throughout her IB Diploma journey. While balancing academics, Creativity, Activity and Service (CAS), and school events had been challenging, she said the experience had taught her valuable time management skills, resilience and the importance of appreciating the support of those around her. Reflecting on her journey from beginning to end, Jennifer said she now felt more confident, resilient and ready for the next stage of her education.
Jana Suliman said the past two years had transformed her in many ways, particularly by encouraging her to step well outside her comfort zone. Although she described the experience as a rollercoaster, she said she was grateful for every high and low because it had made her more confident, capable and adaptable. Jana added that the experience had taught her she was capable of achieving more than she had imagined and that stepping outside her comfort zone had revealed her true potential.
Sumedha Zope said completing the IB Diploma Programme at Bateen World Academy had given her a great sense of confidence. She reflected that she had changed significantly since joining the Year 12 cohort in 2024 and believed the programme had helped her develop both personally and academically.
Further high achievers included Jacqueline Sabatini and Yassien AlBassam, who both achieved 42 points, while Muhammad Hamdan Mueen secured 41 points with top grades in Higher Level Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics.
Beyond academic performance, Bateen World Academy continues to stand out for its diverse community of more than 65 nationalities and its broad co-curricular programme, including sport, performing arts and Creativity, Activity and Service. Rated Outstanding by the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge, it remains Abu Dhabi’s only school offering both the British curriculum and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme.
Muhammad Mueen, student of Bateen World Academy
Sumedha Zope, student of Bateen World Academy
Yaseen AlBassam, student of Bateen World Academy
Jacqueline Sabatini, student of Bateen World Academy
Jana Suliman, student of Bateen World Academy
Jennifer Sabatini, student of Bateen World Academy
A Strong Signal for Families Exploring the IB Pathway
For parents exploring senior school pathways, these results reinforce the UAE’s growing reputation for delivering internationally recognised education. High IB scores not only reflect strong academic preparation but also open doors to leading universities across the world.
Equally important, both schools demonstrate that successful IB outcomes are supported by personalised teaching, student wellbeing and opportunities beyond the classroom. As more families choose the IB pathway, results such as these provide valuable insight into how UAE schools continue to help students thrive academically while preparing them for university and future careers.
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Further Reading
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