At a glance
The American Community School of Abu Dhabi opened in 1972, which makes it the oldest American school in the capital, and in January 2024 it moved to a purpose built campus on Saadiyat Island near New York University Abu Dhabi. It teaches around 1,315 pupils from more than eighty nationalities, from kindergarten to Grade 12. You can place it within the wider market of international schools in Abu Dhabi through our city hub.
| Detail | Summary |
|---|---|
| Curriculum and exam boards | American standards based curriculum, Advanced Placement, IB Diploma; High School Diploma |
| Stages | Kindergarten to Grade 12 (ages 4 to 18) |
| Founded | 1972 |
| Accreditation | Accredited by the Middle States Association; authorised IB World School; licensed by the UAE Ministry of Education |
| Fee band | Premium (see the Abu Dhabi fees guide) |
| Campus area | Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi |
Curriculum and academics
ACS delivers a standards based American curriculum taught in English and leading to the American High School Diploma. In the senior school it runs two advanced pathways side by side: Advanced Placement courses, offered since 2018, and the IB Diploma, offered since 2007, so families can choose the route that fits their child and their onward university plans. The school is accredited by the Middle States Association, one of the long standing United States regional accreditors, and is an authorised IB World School. With more than fifty years in the capital and a genuinely international cohort, ACS carries a depth of institutional history few schools in the emirate can match. Ask the school for recent AP and IB results and university destinations to judge outcomes in detail.
American Community School of Abu Dhabi fees
American Community School of Abu Dhabi fees sit in the premium band for the capital, reflecting its new Saadiyat Island campus, its dual AP and IB Diploma offer and its long record. Annual tuition rises by grade, with the high school the most expensive stage. We do not print a single headline figure here because the school revises fees each year and issues the current schedule to applicants, and you can sense check the band against our guide to international school fees in Abu Dhabi. As a not for profit school, fee income is reinvested rather than distributed. Beyond tuition, budget for a registration or assessment fee, a seat deposit, examination fees in the senior years and optional transport.
Weighing this school against another offer?
Put up to three Abu Dhabi schools side by side on fees, curriculum, stages and location. Free, independent, no school pays to appear.
Admissions
Admission runs across the academic year, which starts in late August, with the main intake at the start of the year. As a well regarded school on a new campus, places at popular grades are competitive, so families relocating to Abu Dhabi should register as early as possible. Assessment is age appropriate, with curriculum based testing in English and mathematics for older applicants and previous school reports requested as part of the application. Entry to the AP and IB Diploma pathways in the senior school is guided by prior grades and subject prerequisites, which the school sets out during the process.
Location and who goes there
The campus is on Saadiyat Island, the cultural district of Abu Dhabi that is home to the Louvre Abu Dhabi, New York University Abu Dhabi and a growing cluster of villa and apartment communities. The location suits families living on Saadiyat, Al Reem, Yas Island and the central city who want a modern campus close to the islands. The community is broad and international, with North American, European, Arab, Asian and other expatriate families well represented, reflecting more than eighty nationalities on roll. For the wider picture of where families settle across the capital, return to the Abu Dhabi city hub.
Reviews
No verified reviews yet. GlobalSchoolGuide is independent and no school pays to be listed, so we publish parent reviews only once they are verified. If your child attends or has attended the American Community School of Abu Dhabi, you can submit a review to help other relocating families. We never display a star rating without real, checked reviews behind it.
Frequently asked questions
How much are American Community School of Abu Dhabi fees?
American Community School of Abu Dhabi fees sit in the premium tier for the capital. Tuition rises by grade, with high school the most expensive stage. As a not for profit school, fee income is reinvested. Budget separately for registration, a deposit, examination fees and optional transport. The school issues current rates to applicants.
Is the American Community School of Abu Dhabi a good school?
ACS is the longest established American school in the capital, founded in 1972, accredited by the Middle States Association and an authorised IB World School offering both Advanced Placement and the IB Diploma. Whether it suits your child depends on budget, the pathway you want and proximity to Saadiyat Island.
What curriculum does the American Community School of Abu Dhabi follow?
It follows a standards based American curriculum leading to the High School Diploma, with Advanced Placement courses and the IB Diploma offered side by side in the senior school.
When do American Community School of Abu Dhabi applications open?
Admission runs across the August to June year with the main intake at the start of the year. Places at popular grades are competitive, so register as early as possible.
Where is the American Community School of Abu Dhabi located?
The school is on Saadiyat Island, the cultural district of Abu Dhabi, near New York University Abu Dhabi, having moved to its purpose built campus in January 2024.
