American Community School of Abu Dhabi
- American
- IB Diploma
- AP
Per yearabout USD 16.5K–27.6K
AED 60.8K–102K · 2026-27 school year · Source: school website (checked 2026-10-29)
About
Nonprofit American standards-based curriculum school serving approximately 1,315 students from KG1 to Grade 12, who represent more than 80 countries. Offers IB Diploma Programme and Advanced Placement courses. Moved to a new campus on Saadiyat Island in January 2024.
Key facts
Source: Read from the school's website
Curriculum
American · IB Diploma · AP
Ages
Ages 4–18
Students
1,315
Type
International school
Fee level
- Nationalities
- 80
- Founded
- 1972
- Ownership
- Non-profit
- Accreditations
- IB
Fees
Source: Read from the school's website
2026-27 school year
Age on the first day of the school year (usually 1 September). Cut-off dates differ by school.
| Grade | Per year |
|---|---|
| KG1 | AED 60,765≈ USD 16.5K |
| KG2 - Grade 5 | AED 83,960≈ USD 22.9K |
| Grade 6 - 8 | AED 87,768≈ USD 23.9K |
| Grade 9 - 12 | AED 101,537≈ USD 27.6K |
Show fee charts
| per year | |
|---|---|
| KG1 | AED 60,765 (about USD 16.5K) |
| KG2 - Grade 5 | AED 83,960 (about USD 22.9K) |
| Grade 6 - 8 | AED 87,768 (about USD 23.9K) |
| Grade 9 - 12 | AED 101,537 (about USD 27.6K) |
Source: school website (acs.sch.ae) · checked 2026-10-29 · Reference rate (2026-11-09)
| min | max | |
|---|---|---|
| American Community School of Abu Dhabi (this school) | AED 60,765 (about USD 16.5K) | AED 101,537 (about USD 27.6K) |
| Ajyal International School Al Falah | AED 22,340 (about USD 6.08K) | AED 44,680 (about USD 12.2K) |
| Yas American Academy | AED 57,090 (about USD 15.5K) | AED 68,850 (about USD 18.7K) |
| Al Najah Private School | AED 15,060 (about USD 4.1K) | AED 32,300 (about USD 8.8K) |
| The Sheikh Zayed Private Academy for Girls | AED 33,910 (about USD 9.23K) | AED 78,160 (about USD 21.3K) |
| American International School in Abu Dhabi | AED 32,950 (about USD 8.97K) | AED 59,900 (about USD 16.3K) |
Source: school website (acs.sch.ae) · checked 2026-10-29 · Reference rate (2026-11-09)
One-off costs
- Application fee
- AED 630
- Capital levy
- AED 27,000
As published by the school. Amounts change with the school year and exchange rates; please confirm with the school before applying. Converted amounts use the reference rate of the date shown. Reference rate (2026-11-09). Source: school website (checked 2026-10-29)
Admissions
Source: Read from the school's website
- Deadline
- Mid February 2027 (first wave of seats for 2027-2028)
- Entry process
- Interview
Curriculum and academics
Source: Read from the school's website
Curricula, explainedIB DP (Diploma) · American curriculum · AP
The IB's four programmes
Schools often run only some of the four. Highlighted boxes are the ones this school offers.
- IB PYPNot here
Early years to primary · Ages 3–12
The IB's primary programme. Children learn through questions and units of inquiry rather than separate subjects.
- IB MYPNot here
Middle years (ages 11–16) · Ages 11–16
The IB's middle-years programme: eight subject groups taught with links between them, ending with a personal project.
- IB DP (Diploma)Offered
Last 2 years of school · Ages 16–19
The IB's university-entrance qualification — what people usually mean by "the IB". Six subjects plus the Extended Essay, TOK and CAS, scored out of 45.
- IB CP (Career-related)Not here
Last 2 years of school · Ages 16–19
The IB's career-related route for the same ages as the DP: at least two DP courses plus a career-related study chosen by the school.
Last two years: DP or CP
American curriculum
Kindergarten to Grade 12 · Ages 5–18
Grade-by-grade like US schools; students graduate by earning course credits, often with AP courses in high school.
AP
High school, by subject · Ages 15–18
College Board's university-level courses that high-school students choose subject by subject, with exams scored 1–5 each May.
Ages are the usual bands; schools can differ.Curriculum basics guide
Strengths
- Academics
- Sport
- Service
Student support
Source: Read from the school's website
- English support (EAL)
- Yes
- School bus
- Yes
Campus and school life
Source: Read from the school's website
After-school activities
- Roots & Shoots
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More details
Source: Read from the school's website
The essentials
Additional learning support
Runs a tiered learning support system. Students get individual plans with goals, teaching strategies and accommodations, referred by teachers, parents or admissions.
- Tiered support
- Accommodation plans
- Small group support
- Co-taught classes
School website · Checked 2026-11-06
Bus service
Bus service run with Imperial Transport, featuring GPS monitoring and trained drivers. Carpools, walking and cycling are also supported, with separate gates for car and bus drop-off.
School website · Checked 2026-11-06
Diving deeper
Governance and ownership
An independent, not-for-profit school with a Board of Trustees. Gifts from parents, alumni and corporate partners support its programmes alongside tuition.
School website · Checked 2026-11-06
Academics
Curriculum
Follows an American standards-based curriculum, offering the IB Diploma Programme and Advanced Placement courses, with emphasis on creativity and self-expression.
School website · Checked 2026-11-06
Wellbeing
Social and emotional learning (SEL)
Offers a defined social emotional curriculum through scheduled classes and advisory periods from KG through Grade 12.
School website · Checked 2026-11-06
Special educational needs (SEN)
Tiers 2 and 3 offer specialist services such as speech, occupational therapy, ABA therapies, psychological assessment and professional intervention for specific or intensive needs.
- Speech therapy
- Occupational therapy
- ABA therapies
- Educational psychological assessments
School website · Checked 2026-11-06
English as an additional language (EAL)
English language learners are immersed in language-rich environments and receive Tier 1 and Tier 2 support in class and through Student Support Services.
School website · Checked 2026-11-06
Mental wellbeing
Counselors and a school psychologist support student wellbeing, and the Health Office delivers the school health programme and responds to health needs during the day.
School website · Checked 2026-11-06
Safeguarding
The school psychologist also serves as Child Protection Officer, overseeing student safeguarding and referring students to outside services when needed.
School website · Checked 2026-11-06
Parent experience
History
Founded in 1972 and operated on the Al Bateen campus for 50 years before opening the new Saadiyat Island campus in January 2024.
School website · Checked 2026-11-06
Community
An engaged community of students, parents, teachers, alumni and partners, with community-wide events considered a cherished tradition.
School website · Checked 2026-11-06
Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
A volunteer organisation that all parents automatically join. It runs welcome events, school events and support for student activities and families.
School website · Checked 2026-11-06
Facilities
Facilities overview
The new six-hectare campus is double the old size, with improved parking, security and green space, designed as an environmentally sustainable facility.
School website · Checked 2026-11-06
Extra-curricular activities
Community and service
All grades take part in service learning. High school students complete service credits and a portfolio as a graduation requirement.
- Roots & Shoots
- Service learning portfolio
School website · Checked 2026-11-06
Admissions
Admissions
Admissions are open for KG1 through Grade 12, with the application process described on the school's admissions pages.
School website · Checked 2026-11-06
Location
Source: Read from the school's website
Similar schools
- The Sheikh Zayed Private Academy for Girls
American · AP · Own curriculum
AED 33.9K–78.2K (about USD 9.23K–21.3K)
Yas American AcademyAmerican · AP
AED 57.1K–68.8K (about USD 15.5K–18.7K)
- American International School in Abu Dhabi
American · IB PYP · IB Diploma
AED 33K–59.9K (about USD 8.97K–16.3K)
Virginia American SchoolAmerican · AP
AED 27.9K–45.2K (about USD 7.59K–12.3K)
Schools in the same city with a similar curriculum and fee level. Not a ranking.
More in this city · Abu DhabiUpdated 2026-11-06
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