Merryland International School

Merryland International School in Abu Dhabi traces its origins to founder Mrs. Susheela George, an educationist whose long career shaped the school's approach and leadership. The first school opened in April 1978 as Merryland Kindergarten with seven children, and it grew rapidly as a center for primary education. Over time, Sherwood Academy (CBSE) and an O‑level division were added, and in 2009–2010 the school relocated from villa campuses to a new Mussafah site completed in 2010 after ADEK tightened regulations on residential schools. From September 2012, AS and A Levels were introduced to continue an international curriculum, and the institution expanded further under Mrs. George's leadership. The school has earned formal recognition, with ADEK naming it an outstanding school and Cambridge branding it as its pilot school for outstanding performance in the Middle East; today the MIS community serves thousands of pupils and a large staff body.

The MIS Abu Dhabi community is diverse, with pupils from sixty nations. The school supports a broad program of clubs, competitions, and performances, including the MACE Club (Chemists) and the Kings cricket team, as well as annual arts and photography competitions. The MIS calendar features notable community and cultural activities such as the Zayed Sustainability Prize recognitions, Make‑A‑Wish fundraising, UAE National Day events, and various student projects and exhibitions. Investiture ceremonies and active student councils illustrate student leadership and campus life, with ongoing updates about clubs and competitions through the MIS portal.

A formal Parent Teacher Association (PTA) is not described on the site. Parent involvement is organized through the The Parent Handbook (COMPASS) and a Parent Contract, with updates and resources available via the PARENT-PORTAL and circulars section. The Parent Handbook was updated for the 2025–26 year and provides the official parent contract and signatures process, underscoring required parent–school agreements. The PARENT-PORTAL lists parent-facing updates such as Investiture ceremonies, public speaking and club activities (e.g., MACE Club, Cookery Club), and student‑led initiatives like the Make‑A‑Wish bake sale managed by the Merryland Student Council. Circulars and the Parents section indicate ongoing communication channels for parental involvement. In practice, MIS emphasizes parent engagement through these formal channels rather than a separately named PTA, while still hosting and supporting activities like Investiture, student councils, and club registrations that involve families.