Arcadia British School marks a defining milestone with the graduation of its first cohort whose education journeys is laden with academic achievement, creativity, resilience, and real-world impact. Aariana Adnani, Aayushi Yadav, and Jimena De Mora have demonstrated how curiosity, discipline, and the right guidance can translate into meaningful futures across diverse fields, from STEM and medicine to architecture and the arts.
From an early age, Adnani demonstrated the ability to balance analytical thinking with creative expression. Studying Further Mathematics while pursuing painting and design, Adnani channelled her interests into tangible initiatives that extended beyond the classroom. Through Arcadia British School’s Arcadian Path enrichment programme, which encourages students to explore academic, creative, and social interests in parallel, Adnani founded Baked By Aari, a student-led dessert business that raised AED 15,000 for a local canine charity. She also showcased her artwork on the Artrepreneur platform, merging entrepreneurship with artistic expression.
As part of the Arcadia Education’s Forward Thinking Mentoring Programme, Adnani received personalised guidance on shaping her profile of outstanding academic results, extracurricular activities, and long-term aspirations. The programme’s one-to-one mentorship supported her in refining her university application, culminating in her securing a place at Boston College in the United States (US) to pursue a career in Management.
For Yadav, a strong interest in Science and Mathematics shaped a path grounded in both academic rigour and practical exposure. Alongside participating in local and international mathematics competitions, she sought hands-on experience to better understand her future goals and ambitions. Yadav became the first Arcadia British School student to complete a hospital observership at King’s College Hospital, a teaching hospital, gaining early insight into the realities of a medical career. She aspires to become a doctor, with a particular interest in specialising in Cardiology. This combination of academic excellence and real-world experience played a key role in her early offer to Queen Mary University of London in the United Kingdom (UK).
Jimena De Mora’s journey highlights the power of creative discipline. Excelling academically, she received the school’s High Achievers Award at GCSE level and continued her strong performance into Sixth Form, achieving a Grade A in English Literature in Year 12. Furthermore, De Mora’s commitment to music saw her perform violin with the National Youth Orchestra, including appearances with NYO Camerata and at Dubai Opera. Her talent also extended into architecture and visual arts, where her distinctive portfolio, including a Modroc mask project inspired by theme Dystopia, earned her a scholarship to IE University in Spain. Looking ahead, De Mora aspires to become an Architect, further combining her passion for creativity and performance.
Commenting on the milestone, Giles Pruett, Principal of Arcadia British School, said: “Our first graduating cohort truly embodies the values we strive to instil at Arcadia British School. The notable achievements of Aariana, Aayushi, Jimena, and all the students from the cohort, demonstrate how, when young people are inspired and supported through personalised learning, mentorship, and real-world experiences, they develop the confidence, skills, and mindset needed to step into the world prepared and set themselves apart.”
Collectively, Arcadia British School’s first graduating cohort reflects a broader commitment to developing well-rounded individuals. 63 per cent of students studied at least one STEM subject, with 67 per cent of those STEM students being female, highlighting a strong culture of inclusion and balance across disciplines. Early university offers were secured across the UK, US, Europe, and the Middle East, underscoring the impact of tailored mentorship, enrichment pathways, and personalised guidance.
As Arcadia British School looks ahead, the achievements of its first graduates set the tone for future cohorts, illustrating how education, when paired with mentorship and meaningful experiences, can prepare students not just for university, but for life beyond it. The school’s approach focuses on helping students connect their interests with purpose, whether through entrepreneurship, research, creative practice, or community engagement. For Adnani, Yadav, and De Mora, this meant transforming passion into direction, and ambition into opportunity.
For further information about Arcadia British School’s innovative curriculum, please visit: www.arcadia.sch.ae
