GEMS American Academy Abu Dhabi
- American
- AP
- IB Diploma
- IB PYP
Per yearabout USD 15.8K–21.9K
AED 57.9K–80.6K · 2026-27 school year · Source: school website (checked 2026-10-28)
About
American and IB school in Khalifa City, Abu Dhabi, serving Kindergarten to Grade 12 with an American curriculum, Advanced Placement courses and the IB Diploma Programme.
Key facts
Source: Read from the school's website
- Run directly by GEMS Education. See all 54 schools of GEMS Education
Info checked 2026-11-06 · Fees 2026-27
Curriculum
American · AP · IB Diploma
Ages
Ages 3–17
Language
English
Type
International school
Fee level
- Founded
- 2011
- Selectivity
- Moderately selective
- School day
- 07:45-14:45
- School bus
- Yes
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 |
|---|---|
| Pre-K | AED 57,850≈ USD 15.8K |
| KG1 | AED 57,850≈ USD 15.8K |
| KG2 | AED 57,850≈ USD 15.8K |
| Grade 1 | AED 80,610≈ USD 21.9K |
| Grade 2 | AED 80,610≈ USD 21.9K |
| Grade 3 | AED 80,610≈ USD 21.9K |
Show fee charts
| per year | |
|---|---|
| Pre-K | AED 57,850 (about USD 15.8K) |
| KG1 | AED 57,850 (about USD 15.8K) |
| KG2 | AED 57,850 (about USD 15.8K) |
| Grade 1 | AED 80,610 (about USD 21.9K) |
| Grade 2 | AED 80,610 (about USD 21.9K) |
| Grade 3 | AED 80,610 (about USD 21.9K) |
| Grade 4 | AED 80,610 (about USD 21.9K) |
| Grade 5 | AED 80,610 (about USD 21.9K) |
| Grade 6 | AED 80,610 (about USD 21.9K) |
| Grade 7 | AED 80,610 (about USD 21.9K) |
| Grade 8 | AED 80,610 (about USD 21.9K) |
| Grade 9 | AED 80,610 (about USD 21.9K) |
| Grade 10 | AED 80,610 (about USD 21.9K) |
| Grade 11 | AED 80,610 (about USD 21.9K) |
| Grade 12 | AED 80,610 (about USD 21.9K) |
Source: school website (gemsaa-abudhabi.com) · checked 2026-10-28 · Reference rate (2026-11-06)
| min | max | |
|---|---|---|
| GEMS American Academy Abu Dhabi (this school) | AED 57,850 (about USD 15.8K) | AED 80,610 (about USD 21.9K) |
| Abu Dhabi Grammar School Canada | AED 23,350 (about USD 6.36K) | AED 49,190 (about USD 13.4K) |
| The International School of Choueifat Abu Dhabi Khalifa City | AED 23,420 (about USD 6.38K) | AED 41,370 (about USD 11.3K) |
| Pearl British Academy | AED 44,480 (about USD 12.1K) | AED 46,030 (about USD 12.5K) |
| Yas American Academy | AED 57,090 (about USD 15.5K) | AED 68,850 (about USD 18.7K) |
| American International School in Abu Dhabi | AED 32,950 (about USD 8.97K) | AED 59,900 (about USD 16.3K) |
Source: school website (gemsaa-abudhabi.com) · checked 2026-10-28 · Reference rate (2026-11-06)
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 (2026-11-06). Source: school website (checked 2026-10-28)
Admissions
Source: Read from the school's website
- Entry process
- Interview, English maths assessment
- Sibling discount
- Offered starting from the third child
Curriculum and academics
Source: Read from the school's website
Curricula, explainedIB PYP · IB 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 PYPOffered
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
- STEM
- Performing arts
- Service
- Languages
Campus and school life
Source: Read from the school's website
Facilities
- Swimming pool
- Gym
- Theatre
- Sports field
- Library
- Makerspace
- Track
- Clinic
- Auditorium
- Science labs
Sports
- Basketball
- Swimming
- Tennis
- Athletics
Arts
- Visual
- Theatre
- Music
- Dance
After-school activities
- Athletics
- Internal ECAs
- External ECAs
Request a school tour
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Sign in to requestAccreditation and memberships
Source: Read from the school's website
- Accreditations
- CIS, NEASC, IB
- Memberships
- COIS
More details
Source: Read from the school's website
The essentials
School day structure
Mon-Thu runs 7:45am to 2:45pm for KG and Grades 1-5, later for older grades. Fridays end at 11:20am.
School website · Checked 2026-11-06
Academics
Curriculum
Based on the American curriculum, with AP courses and the IB Diploma Programme. Elementary students learn through PYP units of inquiry.
- American curriculum
- Advanced Placement
- IB Diploma Programme
- PYP units of inquiry
School website · Checked 2026-11-06
Academic calendar
Open linkSchool website · Checked 2026-11-06
Wellbeing
Mental wellbeing
An on-site health clinic is equipped to handle medical emergencies at school.
School website · Checked 2026-11-06
Parent experience
History
The Khalifa City A campus opened in 2011.
School website · Checked 2026-11-06
Community
Parent volunteer groups, the Booster Club and the parent association, run events and support students and families.
School website · Checked 2026-11-06
Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
The GAA parent association is a volunteer-led group that supports school events and activities.
School website · Checked 2026-11-06
Facilities
Facilities overview
Has science labs, a makerspace, libraries, an auditorium and indoor and outdoor sports facilities.
School website · Checked 2026-11-06
Sports facilities
Has basketball courts, two pools, a weight room, a running track and tennis and basketball courts.
- Sports hall
- 2 swimming pools
- Weight room
- Running track
- Tennis/basketball courts
School website · Checked 2026-11-06
Academic facilities
Six cross-discipline science labs, a makerspace, a design lab and three libraries.
- 6 science labs
- Makerspace
- Design Lab
- 3 libraries
School website · Checked 2026-11-06
Extra-curricular facilities
Includes a 500-seat auditorium, a black box theatre and a dance studio.
- 500-seat auditorium
- Black Box Theater
- Dance studio
School website · Checked 2026-11-06
Extra-curricular activities
Arts and creative
Students from Grade 1 are encouraged to join arts activities, supported by band, choir and performing arts rooms.
- Band
- Choir
- Performing arts
- Digital music
School website · Checked 2026-11-06
Languages
Language provision
From Grade 6, students are encouraged to choose French or Spanish and continue it through secondary school.
- French
- Spanish
School website · Checked 2026-11-06
Location
Source: Read from the school's website
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- The Sheikh Zayed Private Academy for Girls
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Bateen World AcademyIB Career-related · IB Diploma · IB PYP
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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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