School improvement and school effectiveness research has consistently shown that the best learning outcomes for students are achieved in schools that are managed by excellent leaders and staffed with highly skilled teachers. These are schools where families and community are engaged, the curriculum is relevant, broad and deep and where there is a positive ethos underpinned by constructive relationships and an ethical framework. In addition, sufficient resources and personnel, effective administrative processes, and infrastructure that is safe, comfortable and fit for purpose are in place. In these schools, students benefit in knowledge and skills, and acquire the values and attitudes that shape and prepare them to navigate and thrive in their future lives. All Aga Khan schools aspire to be such places. They provide curricula that embrace intellectual, social, physical, artistic and emotional learning domains underpinned by moral values. In order to meet its mandate to provide effective places of learning, AKES has drawn on the latest research, leading practices internationally and the advice of experts from across AKDN. In addition, over one hundred AKES educational leaders came together over a 12-month period to reflect and consider how to measure the quality of their schools against international standards, and to pilot review and improvement processes. The result is the AKES Quality Standards for Schools.