American School of Dubai

Address: Intersection of First Al Khail and Hessa Street, Al Barsha, Dubai, UAE

Website: www.asdubai.org

Email: registrar@asdubai.org

Telephone: +971 4 395 0005

Gender: Co-educational

Teaching language: English

Curriculum: American

Ages: 3 to 18

Background

The American School of Dubai (ASD), previously the Jumeirah American School, relocated from Jumeirah to a new location in Al Barsha in 2010. Founded in 1966 to meet the needs of the North American expat community, the first of its kind, the school has become one of the most well-known American schools in the Emirates. It currently has some 1,900 students on roll. The sprawling new campus covers an area almost twice the size of the old campus and includes beautiful landscaped gardens, water features, modern buildings, and state-of-the-art facilities including wireless connectivity, two libraries, an auditorium, a theatre, music rooms, athletic tracks, a soccer field, other large playing fields, separate elementary and secondary gyms, two swimming pools, elementary play areas and two cafeterias.

Curriculum

The American School of Dubai follows a curriculum comprised of a programme of core required subjects to prepare students for entrance into US colleges. Students also take a number of electives which are designed to enhance the core programme and allow them to discover and nurture their unique abilities and interests.

What the school says

“The American School of Dubai, an independent, non-profit organization, offers what is best about American education in order to provide an educational experience designed to promote the maximum potential of its students. The school will challenge and assist students to become intellectually adept, thoughtful, and ethical contributors to a global society.”

What the inspectors say

"The quality of teaching is very high, as is the assessment of learning. The provision for the protection, care, guidance and support of students is of very high quality. Students' personal and social development continue to be outstanding in all phases of the school. Their understanding of Islamic values and Emirati culture ranges from good to very good. Their social responsibility and innovation skills are outstanding from the KG to Grade 12."

– Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), January 2018

Fees

For the 2018/2019 school year, annual fees are up to 59,255 AED for Kindergarten 1; 76,211 AED for Kindergarten 2; and 93,844 AED for Grades 1 to 12. From Kindergarten 2 upwards, there is an additional seat-rental fee of 12,484 AED a year, unless the parent's company has already reserved a seat for their child. There is also a once-off 22,000 AED capital fee for non-corporate seat holders which is paid when their child joins the school.

Location

The school is located at the intersection of Al Mafraq Road (316th Street) and Hessa Street (331st Street), opposite the Saudi German Hospital in Al Barsha.

From the superintendent

“The American School of Dubai was established over 40 years ago to serve the needs of the North American families and other expatriate populations of Dubai. ASD was the first American-curriculum school established in Dubai and to this day, we are still the only non-profit American school located in the Emirate. All resources, tuition and endowments go directly towards the benefit and education of our children. ASD is fully accredited in the United States by Middle States Association of Schools and Colleges. Our mission is clear; we challenge and assist students to become intellectually adept, thoughtful and ethical contributors to society.”

– Dr Harold Fleetham, Superintendent