ALZUHAIR, DIMA2019-02-122019-02-122018-102016101027https://bspace.buid.ac.ae/handle/1234/1335This study examined five school leaders across the UAE, to have an understanding of the strategies they implemented for school improvement. Schools in UAE are being closely monitored by the local authorities, including the Abu Dhabi Education Council in Abu Dhabi, Knowledge and Human Development Authority in Dubai, and most recently, Sharjah Council in Sharjah. The UAE National Agenda for the year 2021 is striving to achieve first-grade education system across the country. Accordingly all schools are striving to meet the UAE National Agenda targets through school improvement strategies. This research was formalized using a grounded theory methodological approach to learn about the experiences of five school leaders from the different Emirates in UAE, and from this derive a contribution to a theoretical understanding of the most effective practices that school leaders implemented to achieve school improvement. The data analysis adopted the constant comparative method of the grounded theory. Schools in the study used school improvement strategies that leaders in international schools in the UAE implemented in their efforts to meet the National Agenda targets. Results suggest that promoting collaboration between school staff and school leadership, hiring high quality experienced teachers and leaders, and the continuous training and evaluation of the circular process, were considered as successful strategies by these leaders.enSchool improvement programs.international schoolsschool improvementUnited Arab Emirates (UAE)school leadersschool improvementschool leadershipDissertation