At a glance
The American International School in Abu Dhabi was founded in 1995 and teaches around 1,380 pupils from roughly seventy five nationalities, from preschool to Grade 12. It blends a standards based American curriculum with International Baccalaureate programmes, an unusual combination that gives families both a familiar American route and the option of the IB Diploma. 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 curriculum (Common Core, NGSS, AERO), IB Primary Years Programme, IB Diploma; High School Diploma |
| Stages | Preschool to Grade 12 (ages 3 to 18) |
| Founded | 1995 |
| Accreditation | Accredited by the Middle States Association and the Council of International Schools; IB World School; rated Good by ADEK |
| Fee band | Mid to premium (see the Abu Dhabi fees guide) |
| Campus area | Near the United States Embassy, Abu Dhabi |
Curriculum and academics
AISA structures learning across three phases. From kindergarten to Grade 5 all pupils follow the IB Primary Years Programme, grounded in inquiry based learning. In Grades 6 to 10 the school delivers the American curriculum, anchored by Common Core standards in English and mathematics, the Next Generation Science Standards and AERO standards for social studies and world languages. In the senior school pupils choose between the United States High School Diploma and the IB Diploma, so the academic route opens out rather than narrows. AISA is accredited by the Middle States Association and the Council of International Schools and is an authorised IB World School, which is a robust external record. Families should ask the school for recent IB and diploma results and university destinations to judge outcomes in detail.
American International School in Abu Dhabi fees
American International School in Abu Dhabi fees sit in the mid to premium band for the capital, below the most expensive American flagship but firmly above the value schools. Annual tuition rises by grade, with the senior 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. Beyond tuition, budget for a registration or assessment fee, a seat deposit, examination entry fees in the senior years, books and optional transport. Our fee calculator brings these line items into one budget so you can compare the true cost against other offers.
Working out the real cost of a place?
Use our fee calculator to add tuition, registration, deposit and bus into one budget. Free, independent, no school pays to appear.
Admissions
Admission runs across the academic year, which begins in late August. The early years and the start of the IB Diploma are popular entry points, so families relocating to the central districts should register early. Assessment is age appropriate, with the Primary Years Programme intake assessed through observation and readiness, and curriculum based testing in English and mathematics for older applicants. Previous school reports are requested as part of the application, and entry to the senior pathways is guided by prior grades and subject prerequisites that the school confirms during the process.
Location and who goes there
The campus is in central Abu Dhabi, close to the United States Embassy, which makes it convenient for families living on Abu Dhabi island and the central districts who want a school within the city rather than out toward the suburbs or the islands. The community is broad and international, with North American, European, Arab, Asian and other expatriate families well represented, reflecting around seventy five nationalities on roll and the international staffing the IB programmes attract. 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 International School in 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 International School in Abu Dhabi fees?
American International School in Abu Dhabi fees sit in the mid to premium tier for the capital. Tuition rises by grade, with the senior school the most expensive stage. Budget separately for registration, a deposit, examination fees, books and optional transport. The school issues current rates to applicants.
Is the American International School in Abu Dhabi a good school?
AISA is an IB World School founded in 1995, accredited by the Middle States Association and the Council of International Schools and rated Good by ADEK, offering the American curriculum alongside the IB Primary Years Programme and IB Diploma. Whether it suits your child depends on budget, the pathway you want and proximity to the central campus.
What curriculum does the American International School in Abu Dhabi follow?
It follows a standards based American curriculum with the IB Primary Years Programme from kindergarten to Grade 5 and, in the senior school, a choice between the United States High School Diploma and the IB Diploma.
When do American International School in Abu Dhabi applications open?
Admission runs across the August to June year. The early years and the start of the IB Diploma are popular entry points, so register early.
Where is the American International School in Abu Dhabi located?
The school is in central Abu Dhabi, close to the United States Embassy, convenient for families on Abu Dhabi island and the central districts.
