Arada has awarded a AED128 million main construction contract to build Raffles World Academy at Aljada, the AED35 billion mixed-use megaproject in Sharjah.
The contract has been awarded to Al Rehab Al Arabi Building Contracting Co. LLC, a Sharjah-based contractor. Developed in partnership with Innoventures Education, Raffles World Academy, Aljada will be a premium K-12 international school offering both the International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum and the US High School Diploma. The campus, located on a 480,000-square-foot plot in the north-west corner of Aljada, is scheduled to open for the 2026–2027 academic year.
The new school will serve a fast-growing community that already has around 20,000 residents. It will offer the full IB programme – Primary Years, Middle Years, Diploma and Career-related – alongside the US High School Diploma, providing multiple pathways to higher education for students across the Northern Emirates.
Ahmed Alkhoshaibi, Group CEO of Arada, said the contract reflects Arada’s long-term investment in Sharjah’s community infrastructure. “This award highlights our ongoing commitment to creating high-quality educational and community facilities at Aljada,” he said. “We look forward to delivering another school that offers best-in-class education and amenities to families in Sharjah.”
Poonam Bhojani, CEO of Innoventures Education, said: “We are delighted to open our first school in Sharjah, offering a full IB programme in line with our existing Raffles World Academy in Dubai, along with the US High School Diploma. Our aim is to empower students with a holistic, rigorous and international education that prepares them for success in a changing world.”
Raffles World Academy, Aljada will be one of the first major developments on West Boulevard, the second main avenue within Aljada, which mirrors the design and retail success of East Boulevard.
Facilities will include two swimming pools, a full-size football pitch, an athletics track, gymnasiums, basketball and tennis courts, as well as a large auditorium, library and dedicated learning studios.
Around 30 per cent of Aljada’s 25,000 homes have now been completed, along with several attractions including SABIS International School–Aljada, East Boulevard’s retail and dining district, and two phases of Madar, the family entertainment zone designed by Zaha Hadid Architects.
Spanning 24 million square feet, Aljada is Sharjah’s largest development to date and includes residential, commercial, hospitality, education and leisure components connected through green, walkable urban design.
