International Schools in Abu Dhabi

Expat families looking for high-quality education will find a wealth of excellent options among the international schools in Abu Dhabi. These schools offer a wide variety of respected curricula and qualifications, such as the English National Curriculum (including Cambridge IGCSE and A-levels), the American High School Diploma and the International Baccalaureate. Cultural diversity is emphasised throughout the emirate's international school system, and most are attended by various nationalities.

International schools in Abu Dhabi are held up to a high standard by the Abu Dhabi Department of Knowledge and Education (ADEK). This government organisation conducts stringent investigations once every two years. Schools are then given a rating. Comprehensive reports are freely available, allowing parents in Abu Dhabi to select the very best international school for their family.

Admission to international schools

One commonality shared across the board is seat shortages; Indian schools, in particular, have trouble accommodating the growing number of interested students in Abu Dhabi. Primary schools are also notorious for denying students due to unavailability. Even waiting lists can be long, and though efforts have been made to open new international schools in Abu Dhabi in recent years, space is still limited.

Finding a school can easily be the highest hurdle new arrivals must overcome and, in turn, should be an issue addressed from the very beginning.

Expats should not be afraid to ask their employer to help them secure a seat for their child, especially if they’ve been lured abroad into a senior position. We recommend expats start the enrolment process as early as possible – applications and admission requirements are usually posted on school websites.

Those who cannot place their child into the school of their choice immediately should be patient, as the turnover of students is high and places become available throughout the year.

School fees

As is the case the world over, international school fees in Abu Dhabi are often extremely high.

On top of the cost of tuition, most schools in Abu Dhabi have full uniforms, and many have a school bus transport system. Along with textbooks and other equipment, expats should remember to factor in these extra costs.

It's essential to check whether a relocation package includes a school allowance; unfortunately, the days when this was a given are long gone. Also, most allowances won't be enough to cover a top school's tuition in full – so expats should make sure their salary is enough to cover the extra costs. We recommend that expats negotiate for a better school allowance in such cases, especially if they are considering a senior position.

Below is a list of some of the most well-regarded international schools in Abu Dhabi.

International schools in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi International School

The Abu Dhabi International School offers British and American education for Kindergarten through to Grade 12 students. Class sizes are limited to just 23 students who receive individual attention from teachers. The school is attended by more than 70 different nationalities. Read more

Gender: Co-educational
Curriculum: American, International Baccalaureate and British (Cambridge IGCSE and A-Levels)
Ages: 3 to 18

Abu Dhabi Grammar School Canada

The Abu Dhabi Grammar School is situated on-island in Al Zahiyah. There are more than 1,000 students of 50 different nationalities attending the school, which teaches the highly regarded Canadian curriculum from Nova Scotia. Read more

Gender: Co-educational
Curriculum: Canadian
Ages: 5 to 18

Al Ain English Speaking School

Al Ain English Speaking School is a co-educational independent school that caters for students aged from 3 to 18. The school was founded in 1978 and has been expanded and enhanced considerably since then due to its popularity with expat families. Read more

Gender: Co-educational
Curriculum: British (National Curriculum of England, Cambridge IGCSE and A-Levels)
Ages: 3 to 18

Aldar Academies, Al Ain British Academy

Al Ain British Academy opened in September 2011 and has been providing high-quality education to the region ever since. Students are taught the English National Curriculum, tailored to be meaningful to children living in Al Ain, alongside the local curriculum of Arabic, Islamic Studies and Social Studies. Read more

Gender: Co-educational
Curriculum: British (English National Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE and A-Levels)
Ages: 3 to 18

Aldar Academies, Bateen World Academy

Bateen World Academy provides high-quality education for students from the ages of 4 to 18. Facilities in the school are world-class and technologically advanced, reflecting the needs of 21st-century students. Read more

Gender: Co-educational
Curriculum: British (English National Curriculum) and International Baccalaureate
Ages: 4 to 18

Aldar Academies, Mamoura British Academy

Mamoura British Academy is a mixed primary and girls-only secondary school located near the Sea Palace off the East Ring Road. The school endeavours to enable pupils to reach their full potential and develop them into motivated, ambitious and confident lifelong learners. Read more

Gender: Co-educational
Curriculum: American and British (English National Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE and A-Levels)
Ages: 3 to 18

Aldar Academies, Al Muna Academy

Al Muna Academy opened in September 2009 and is located in the heart of the city. Popular with English-speaking expats, the school hosts an international community with families from more than 50 countries. Read more

Gender: Co-educational
Curriculum: English National Curriculum
Ages: 3 to 11

Aldar Academies, Al Yasmina Academy

Al Yasmina Academy, part of the Aldar Academies community, is one of the organisation's longest-established schools, having opened in September 2008. Children at this school are given a high-quality British education. Read more

Gender: Co-educational
Curriculum: British (English National Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE and A-Levels)
Ages: 3 to 18

Aldar Academies, The Pearl Academy

The school follows the National Curriculum for England, with additional lessons in Arabic language, Islamic Studies and Social Studies to meet the requirements of the UAE Ministry of Education and the Abu Dhabi Education Council. Read more

Gender: Co-educational
Curriculum: English National Curriculum
Ages: 3 to 11

Aldar Academies, Yas American Academy

Yas American Academy is an American curriculum school teaching the Massachusetts State Curriculum. The school is located on Yas Island and first opened its doors to students in August 2016. Read more

Gender: Co-educational
Curriculum: American
Ages: 3 to 18

American Community School of Abu Dhabi

Founded in 1972, this not-for-profit institution has a well-deserved reputation as one of the finest schools in Abu Dhabi. The school teaches the highly regarded American curriculum. There are over 1,000 students in the school, hailing from close to 60 different countries. Read more

Gender: Co-educational
Curriculum: American
Ages: 4 to 18

American International School in Abu Dhabi

The American International School is co-educational up to the end of elementary years and has boys-only and girls-only sections in secondary school. Parents can expect an American-style curriculum from Kindergarten through to Grade 12. From Grade 11 onwards, students may elect to pursue either the International Baccalaureate or the American High School Diploma. Read more

Gender: Co-educational except for secondary, which is gender-segregated
Curriculum: American and International Baccalaureate
Ages: 4 to 18

Brighton College Abu Dhabi

Brighton College Abu Dhabi is the sister school of the prestigious Brighton College UK. The school is an excellent choice for expat families seeking an authentic, high-quality British education. Read more

Gender: Co-educational
Curriculum: British (English National Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE and A-Levels)
Ages: 3 to 18 

The British School Al Khubairat

The British School Al Khubairat was established in 1971. Both academics and extra-curricular activities at the school uphold the highest standards, and the school is a member of a number of prestigious education associations. Read more

Gender: Co-educational   
Curriculum: British (English National Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, A-Levels and BTEC)
Ages: 3 to 18

British International School Abu Dhabi

The British International School Abu Dhabi has developed an accomplished reputation since it opened in 2009. The institution is part of the Nord Anglia Education group, which has vast experience in delivering excellent education to expat communities around the world. Read more

Gender: Co-educational
: English National Curriculum, Cambridge and Pearson Edexcel IGCSE, International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) and BTEC Diploma
Ages: 3 to 18

The Cambridge High School, Abu Dhabi

Part of the GEMS educational group, Cambridge High School Abu Dhabi provides high-quality education based on the National Curriculum for England to students from Kindergarten to Year 13. Outstanding teaching, a variety of opportunities and good facilities are just a few of the school's standout features. Read more

Gender: Co-educational
Curriculum: British (English National Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE and A-Levels)
Ages: 4 to 18

Cranleigh Abu Dhabi

A prestigious British curriculum school, academic life at Cranleigh is balanced with rich sporting, cultural and arts extra-curricular activities, competitions and trips. The school also places a strong focus on character development through their Moral Education: Learning for Life Programme. Read more

Gender: Co-educational
Curriculum: British (English National Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE and A-Levels)
Ages: 3 to 18

GEMS American Academy Abu Dhabi

GEMS American Academy Abu Dhabi is a modern and prestigious international school in Abu Dhabi. The academic programme gives students the best of both worlds by offering an enriched American curriculum within the International Baccalaureate framework. Read more

Gender: Co-educational
Curriculum: American and International Baccalaureate
Ages: 4 to 18

Nord Anglia International School Abu Dhabi

Officially opened in August 2023, NAS Abu Dhabi leverages classroom learning and life experiences to educate and enrich the minds of tomorrow's leaders. As a school with a strong focus on academic excellence, students benefit from learning rigorous and globally recognised curricula. Read more

Gender: Co-educational
Curriculum: British (English National Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE and A-Levels)
Ages: 3 to 18

Repton School Abu Dhabi

Welcoming families of all nationalities, Repton School Abu Dhabi offers the very best in British education within the context of an international environment epitomised by the school's philosophy of 'the best for every child'. Read more

Gender: Co-educational
Curriculum: British (English National Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE and A-Levels)
Ages: 3 to 18