International schools in Abu Dhabi
92 international schools in Abu Dhabi. Every number comes from what schools publish and from official sources.
Talk to SamThis city at a glance
Living
Each item shows its source and the date we checked it. Check the source again before you move.
Safety
All of the UAE, including Abu Dhabi, is under a level-3 advisory
Korea's foreign ministry page for the UAE (checked 2026-10-30) shows the whole country at level 3 (leave / do not travel) since 2026-03-08 because of the Middle East situation, with safety notices continuing in October 2026. Traffic accidents are the most common incidents, and theft and fraud are reported to be rising in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Level 3 means visits should be cancelled or postponed.
- Whole UAE at level 3
- Visits should be cancelled or postponed
- Traffic accidents are common
Source:외교부 해외안전여행Official sourceChecked 2026-10-30
Schooling
Education: Abu Dhabi private schools choose from up to 14 curricula
ADEK says Abu Dhabi's private school sector offers up to 14 curricula for schools to choose from; most schools offer one, and some run separate sections for two. ADEK publishes a parent guide to curricula. As of 2026-10-30 our directory lists 92 schools in this city (still growing).
- Up to 14 curricula
- Most schools offer one
- ADEK parent guide available
Source:Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK)Official sourceChecked 2026-10-30
Family life and climate
Climate: warmest-month high 42.0°C, coolest-month low 11.8°C
Normals from the UAE National Center of Meteorology on the WMO World Weather Information Service (1982-1991): the warmest month (Jul) averages a high of 42.0°C, the coolest (Jan) a low of 11.8°C, and yearly rainfall is about 89 mm. No month averages more than 150 mm of rain. These are older normals and may differ from today's climate.
- Jul average high 42.0°C
- Jan average low 11.8°C
- About 89 mm of rain a year
Source:World Meteorological Organization (World Weather Information Service)Official sourceChecked 2026-10-30
Private tutoring
Tutoring: private tutors need a government work permit
Gulf News reports that in 2023 the UAE education ministry and MoHRE introduced a Private Teacher Work Permit to regulate private tutoring outside schools. Teachers, employees, university students and students aged 15-18 can apply free of charge, and the permit lasts two years; ask tutors whether they hold one.
- Tutor permit since 2023
- Free, valid two years
- Ask to see the permit
Source:Gulf NewsDataChecked 2026-10-30
Prices and living conditions in United Arab Emirates
Price examples
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Hamburger (McDonald's Big Mac) · Set menu | US$9.5 |
| Bibimbap · 1 serving | US$19.7 |
| Korean set meal (baekban) · 1 serving | US$11.4 |
| Shin Ramyun · 5 Packs | US$9.34 |
| Coffee (Starbucks Tall Americano) · 1 cup | US$4.35 |
| Bottled water (supermarket, lowest price) · 500ml | US$0.27 |
| Coca-Cola (supermarket, lowest price) · 500ml | US$1.03 |
| City bus fare (Dubai standard) · Base fare (single-trip ticket) | US$0.82 |
| Metro fare (Dubai) · Base fare (single-trip ticket) | US$0.82 |
| Taxi fare (Dubai) · Minimum fare | US$3.2 |
Local prices surveyed by KOTRA trade offices, in US dollars. They vary by city and shop. Source: KOTRA (Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency), data.go.kr · 2026-11-01
Living conditions
- People using safe drinking water
- 100%
- 2022
- Tuberculosis cases
- 0.63
- per 100,000 people · 2024
Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Korea, data.go.kr
In numbers
Yearly tuition range
AED 3,270 – AED 102K
≈ USD 890 – ≈ USD 27.6K
Based on 68 schools that publish fees · latest fee year 2027-28
Reference rate (2026-11-02) · Actual transfer rates depend on your bank's or provider's rate and fees.
Lowest to highest amount in the school currency. Fees vary by grade and programme, so check the grade-by-grade fees on each school page.
Curriculum mix
- British (IGCSE/A Level)41 · 45%
- American (AP)28 · 30%
- IB15 · 16%
- Australian / Canadian / NZ4 · 4%
- French2 · 2%
- Montessori / alternative2 · 2%
A school that runs several curricula is counted for each.
| schools | % | |
|---|---|---|
| British (IGCSE/A Level) | 41 | 44% |
| American (AP) | 28 | 30% |
| IB | 15 | 16% |
| Australian / Canadian / NZ | 4 | 4% |
| French | 2 | 2% |
| Montessori / alternative | 2 | 2% |
| German | 1 | 1% |
| Japanese / Chinese / Taiwanese | 1 | 1% |
Source: our data · checked 2026-11-03
| schools | % | |
|---|---|---|
| British (IGCSE/A Level) | 41 | 44% |
| American (AP) | 28 | 30% |
| IB | 15 | 16% |
| Australian / Canadian / NZ | 4 | 4% |
| French | 2 | 2% |
| Montessori / alternative | 2 | 2% |
| German | 1 | 1% |
| Japanese / Chinese / Taiwanese | 1 | 1% |
Source: our data · checked 2026-11-03
| schools | n |
|---|---|
| AED 0 – AED 8,750 | 5 |
| AED 8,750 – AED 17.5K | 9 |
| AED 17.5K – AED 26.3K | 18 |
| AED 26.3K – AED 35K | 16 |
| AED 35K – AED 43.8K | 4 |
| AED 43.8K – AED 52.5K | 6 |
| AED 52.5K – AED 61.3K | 8 |
| AED 61.3K – AED 70K | 2 |
Source: our data · checked 2026-11-03 · Reference rate (2026-11-02)
| date | events |
|---|---|
| 2026-11-04 | 1 |
| 2026-11-18 | 1 |
| 2026-11-30 | 1 |
| 2027-01-16 | 1 |
| 2027-01-27 | 1 |
Source: our data · checked 2026-11-03
Schools with the most complete information
- Abu Dhabi Grammar School CanadaAustralian / Canadian / NZ · Ages 4–18
Ajyal International School Al FalahAmerican (AP) · Ages 3–18From AED 22.3K a year
Al Najah Private SchoolIB · British (IGCSE/A Level) · Ages 4–18From AED 15.1K a year
Al Shohub Private SchoolBritish (IGCSE/A Level) · Ages 3–11From AED 27.8K a year- American International School in Abu DhabiIB · American (AP) · Ages 4–18
Bateen World AcademyIB · British (IGCSE/A Level) · Ages 4–18From AED 54K a year- Cranleigh Abu DhabiBritish (IGCSE/A Level) · Ages 3–18
Creative British SchoolBritish (IGCSE/A Level) · Ages 4–18From AED 10.1K a year
Map
Pins with a dashed ring show an approximate location.
Upcoming info sessions and open days
Dates confirmed on each school's own page. Check the school page again before attending.
- Nov4WedInfo session17:00 GST (local time)
An evening of discovery
GEMS World Academy Abu DhabiAbu DhabiChecked 2026-10-29
Check on the school's page - Nov18WedInfo session17:00 GST (local time)
Senior School Options Evening
The British International School Abu DhabiAbu DhabiChecked 2026-10-29
Check on the school's page - Nov30MonApplication deadlineAll day
General admission registration closes
Emirates Future International AcademyAbu DhabiChecked 2026-10-29
Check on the school's page - Jan16SatOpen day09:00 GST (local time)
Early Years Open Day
The British International School Abu DhabiAbu DhabiChecked 2026-10-29
Check on the school's page - Jan27WedInfo session17:00 GST (local time)
IGCSE & BTEC Level 2 Options Evening
The British International School Abu DhabiAbu DhabiChecked 2026-10-29
Check on the school's page
Guides and sources for United Arab Emirates
- Dubai schools: how to read KHDA ratingsA guide for parents comparing Dubai private schools: what KHDA's six-level ratings mean, how they link to fee increases, and how they differ from UK BSO accreditation. Treat a rating as a starting point and confirm the latest results and costs with official sources and the school.
- Assignment Family Visa Basics: Official Guidance for Thailand, Indonesia, Japan, China and the UAEFor parents preparing an overseas posting and looking at schools, this piece summarises how official bodies in Thailand, Indonesia, Japan, China and the UAE describe family accompaniment. Vietnam and the Philippines are not covered by our source notes and must be checked directly.
- What school accreditation (CIS, WASC, NEASC, Cognia, BSO) tells youAccreditation means a school meets an outside body's standards and is reviewed regularly. Methods and cycles differ, so check both the status and the latest report.
Dubai KHDA school inspections: a six-level scale
Official sourceKnowledge and Human Development Authority (Dubai)Checked 2026-10-29
Dubai private school fee increases are tied to KHDA approval and ratings
Official sourceKnowledge and Human Development Authority (Dubai)Checked 2026-10-29
UAE family residence: sponsorship from AED 4,000 a month
Official sourceThe Official Portal of the UAE GovernmentChecked 2026-10-29
Always confirm your own situation with the official authority or an immigration professional
AI panel discussions
The AI panel is a fictional panel built from parents' public experiences and official sources · not a review of any school
- AI panelA staff family arriving in Dubai with a 4-year-old: how do we check the school?Let me set up a situation to think through. A staff family is about to arrive at the Dubai office with a 4-year-old. The employee asks the HR manager, "Which school is good?" The company is wary of recommending a school, but it doesn't want the family to struggle alone either. So today we'll hear how families in Dubai and HR people check licensing and accreditation before choosing a school.
- AI panelReturning from Dubai to Korea: preparing documents and grade placementLet's think through this situation. A family in Dubai with a child in upper primary is preparing to return to Korea next spring. The school follows the British system, so the year numbers differ from Korea, and they are unsure which grade the child will join. They also don't know how to prepare the overseas school documents. Let's hear experiences on three points: documents, grade placement and school choice.
- AI panelChoosing a school within a company education allowanceFor expat families, the company's education allowance is often the starting point. But costs beyond tuition can surprise families who thought they were within the limit. Let's hear how people did the maths.
Local partners
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