With more families than ever choosing Abu Dhabi as their long-term base, education is increasingly front of mind. Alongside local, British and IB schools, American-curriculum institutions are seeing a steady rise in demand, particularly among families seeking a broad, liberal arts-style education with strong ties to top-tier US and international universities. What sets the American system apart is its flexibility. Unlike the British A-Level track or the structured focus of CBSE, American schools offer a credit-based system that allows students to explore a wider range of subjects – from AP Calculus and Biology to Media Arts, Debate and Environmental Science – while still meeting core academic requirements. The result is a more holistic, student-led approach that values critical thinking, creative inquiry and leadership development just as highly as standardised exam results.
For internationally mobile families, particularly those with their sights set on US Ivy Leagues, this pathway can be invaluable, mirroring the broader ethos of liberal arts education: breadth before specialisation, curiosity before credentials. Below, we explore some of the most respected American schools in Abu Dhabi.
1. American Community School of Abu Dhabi (ACS)
Founded in 1972, the American Community School of Abu Dhabi (ACS) is one of the capital’s most established and academically rigorous American schools. It follows a US-accredited curriculum through to Grade 12, with the option to pursue the IB Diploma in the final years. ACS offers a broad range of core AP modules alongside a creative, community-led suite of extracurriculars, from choir and band to robotics and Girl Scouts.
There’s also a strong emphasis on global citizenship, which shows up in everything from Model UN conferences to sustainability projects and peer-led leadership programmes. Located in Al Bateen, the campus has seen major upgrades in recent years, with standout facilities including a dedicated STEAM wing, a theatre, and one of the city’s best school athletics centres.
With just over 1,200 students from more than 60 nationalities, the school is international but tight-knit, with a slight majority of American students (51%). It holds an “Outstanding” rating from ADEK, and its graduates regularly land places in the Ivy League, Oxbridge, and other renowned institutions.
Annual fees begin at AED 56,526 in KG1, rising to AED 99,060 for Grades 9-12. In January, ACS also opened a brand-new six-hectare campus on Saadiyat Island, marking an exciting new chapter for one of Abu Dhabi’s most trusted American schools.
2. The Sheikh Zayed Private Academies (Girls & Boys)
The prestigious Sheikh Zayed Private Academies balance American-curricular learning with a commitment to Emirati heritage, Arabic language and Islamic values. With separate campuses for girls (Al Mushrif) and boys (Al Khalidiya), the schools are designed to nurture students who are both globally literate and grounded in their local identity.
Both academies follow a US-accredited curriculum from KG to Grade 12, with AP courses offered in the senior years. English, maths and science are taught to American Common Core standards, while Arabic, Islamic Studies and UAE Social Studies are woven throughout the academic journey. Standout facilities include STEAM labs, black box theatres, robotics hubs and extensive outdoor green spaces. Co-curricular life is particularly enriching, spanning everything from coding and athletics to Quran recitation, poetry and traditional arts.
Both campuses hold an “Outstanding” rating from ADEK, with inspectors praising student behaviour, leadership skills and a sense of belonging. Annual fees range from AED 58,000 in KG to AED 78,000 in Grade 12.
3. Abu Dhabi International School (AIS)
With over 30 years of history, Abu Dhabi International School (AIS) is one of the most established private schools in the city – and among the most inclusive. It delivers a comprehensive American curriculum (with IGCSE and IB tracks available in the upper years), but what truly sets AIS apart is its long-standing commitment to accessibility. Five percent of its student body is reserved for students with special educational needs, supported by a dedicated inclusion team and tailored learning plans.
The main campus in Al Rowda has a 97% pass rate with a strong emphasis on core academic subjects, particularly in the sciences and humanities. The newer Mohammed Bin Zayed campus mirrors the same curriculum and ethos with upgraded facilities, including cutting-edge science labs, performance spaces, art studios and sporting grounds. With over 60 nationalities represented and a student population of more than 4,000, AIS is large but well-structured.
Annual fees start at approximately AED 33,000 in KG and rise to AED 47,000 in the senior years, making it one of Abu Dhabi’s more affordable American-curriculum options.
4. GEMS American Academy Abu Dhabi (GAA)
One of the most familiar names in the UAE, GEMS American Academy in Khalifa City brings a flexible approach to American education, with the option for students to graduate with either the American High School Diploma or the IB Diploma. Opened in 2011 under the GEMS Education network, the school now welcomes students from over 70 nationalities, creating a buzzy international campus culture that still feels grounded and community-oriented.
What stands out here is the facilities. GAA has one of the largest school libraries in Abu Dhabi, a 500-seat auditorium, two indoor swimming pools, a dance studio, expansive athletic facilities, and more. The school also invests heavily in student wellbeing and post-school planning: college counselling is integrated from Grade 9 onwards, with tailored guidance for US, UK and global university pathways.
GAA has an ADEK rating of “Very Good”, with “Outstanding” recognition for protection and support. Annual fees range from AED 57,850 in KG1 to AED 80,610 from Grade 9 onwards.
5. American International School Abu Dhabi (AISA)
Founded in 1995, the American International School in Abu Dhabi (AISA) was the first school in the UAE to offer the IB Diploma Programme, and the first in the capital to introduce the IB Primary Years Programme. Operated by Esol Education and accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, it offers two graduation pathways – the American High School Diploma and the IB Diploma – with AP courses available for those staying on the US track.
AISA has a more traditional academic culture than some of the city’s newer campuses, with smaller class sizes and an emphasis on writing, structure, and university preparation. Nurturing and aspirational, the campus includes spacious art studios, high-tech science labs, two swimming pools, and a grassy football pitch. Rated “Very Good” by ADEK, annual fees begin at AED 33,000 in KG1 and rise to AED 59,900 in Grade 12.
