American School of Dubai, known locally as ASD, is among the founding institutions of the city's international sector. Established in 1966, before the United Arab Emirates itself was formed, it is a not for profit school teaching a United States college preparatory programme to around 1,900 pupils on a purpose built campus in Al Barsha. It is one of the most established American curriculum schools in the Dubai international schools market and a long standing first choice for North American expatriate families.
This profile covers the American programme and Advanced Placement offer, the fee band, the admissions calendar and the community around the school. GlobalSchoolGuide is independent and no school pays to be listed, so what follows is an editorial reference rather than a promotion.
American School of Dubai at a glance
| Curriculum and exam boards | United States curriculum, Advanced Placement, US High School Diploma |
|---|---|
| Stage range | Pre Kindergarten to Grade 12 (ages 3 to 18) |
| Founded | 1966 |
| Accreditation | Accredited in the United States (Middle States Association); not for profit |
| Fee band | Upper mid to premium tier (see Dubai fees guide) |
| Campus area | Al Barsha 1, off Hessa Street and First Al Khail Road |
Curriculum and academics
American School of Dubai delivers a United States standards based curriculum from Pre Kindergarten through to the High School Diploma. The high school programme is built around core courses in English, mathematics, science, social studies and world languages, with an unusually wide Advanced Placement offer of more than twenty courses and the AP Capstone Diploma, a research focused qualification only a small number of schools worldwide are authorised to award. Graduates progress mainly to universities in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.
The school holds United States accreditation through the Middle States Association, the recognition that allows its diploma to be read directly by American admissions offices. Families weighing the US route against other systems can read our guide to the American curriculum schools in Dubai, which explains how the High School Diploma, the GPA and Advanced Placement work together for university entry.
Want to know what American School of Dubai will really cost?
Our Dubai fee calculator estimates total cost of place including tuition, capital fees, transport and the extras parents forget to budget for.
American School of Dubai fees
| Stage | Annual tuition |
|---|---|
| Pre-K (KG1) | AED 60,571 |
| K1 (KG2) | AED 64,092 |
| K2 | AED 69,961 |
| Grades 1 to 12 | AED 89,319 |
Source: American School of Dubai (asdubai.org). Tuition only. A mandatory annual facility fee of about AED 12,984 applies from KG2, plus a one-time capital fee for new pupils. Fees are the most recent published figures and exclude one-off costs such as registration, deposits and capital levies. Always confirm current fees directly with the school.
American School of Dubai sits in the upper part of the Dubai market, spanning the upper mid and premium tiers. Published tuition runs from roughly AED 60,000 in the early years to around AED 89,000 in the senior high school grades, which places it just below the very top British and IB schools but well above the value and mid tiers mapped in our Dubai school fees guide. As a not for profit school, fee income is reinvested rather than returned to shareholders.
Budget for the line items that sit on top of tuition. ASD charges an annual facility fee of around AED 13,000 and a single capital payment of around AED 22,000 for new students, alongside the usual registration charge, transport if required, and Advanced Placement examination entry fees in the senior grades. Across the premium Dubai schools, total cost of place typically runs 22 to 28 per cent above the headline tuition once these extras are added.
Admissions and intake
American School of Dubai runs an August to June academic year and admits mainly at Pre Kindergarten and Kindergarten, with places at other grades subject to availability. The school is frequently full at its most popular entry points, so families relocating to Dubai are advised to apply as early as the published window allows. Admission is based on prior school reports, age appropriate assessment and, in the upper grades, evidence that the applicant can access an English medium academic programme.
Applications are made online and require the child's recent report cards, passport and visa documentation and, for transfers, a transfer certificate. Because ASD prioritises continuity of the American programme, applicants moving from another US curriculum school often find the transition straightforward. Plan around the school's waiting lists at the busiest grades rather than assuming a place will be available on arrival.
Location and who goes there
The campus is in Al Barsha 1, at the intersection of Hessa Street and First Al Khail Road, a central western district within easy reach of Dubai Marina, Jumeirah, Emirates Hills and the Springs and Meadows villa communities where many of its families live. The location puts it among a cluster of well known schools in the Al Barsha and Umm Suqeim corridor, which keeps commutes manageable for the North American, European and professional expatriate households that form the core of the parent body.
For the wider picture of how the American sector sits alongside the British, IB and Indian schools across the emirate, see the Dubai schools hub.
American School of Dubai reviews
No verified parent reviews of American School of Dubai have been submitted to GlobalSchoolGuide yet. We hold back from publishing a star rating until we have enough verified first hand accounts to represent the school fairly, and we never fabricate ratings. If your family attends or has attended ASD, please consider sharing your experience through our school reviews page to help other relocating families.
Frequently asked questions
How much are American School of Dubai fees?
Published tuition at American School of Dubai runs from roughly AED 60,000 in the early years to around AED 89,000 in senior high school, placing it in Dubai's upper mid to premium band. Add an annual facility fee of about AED 13,000 and a single capital payment of about AED 22,000 for new students.
Is American School of Dubai a good school?
American School of Dubai is one of the oldest and most established US curriculum schools in the emirate, founded in 1966, with United States accreditation and a broad Advanced Placement offer. Suitability depends on whether the American pathway fits your child's university plans.
What curriculum does American School of Dubai follow?
ASD follows a United States standards based curriculum from Pre Kindergarten to the High School Diploma, with more than twenty Advanced Placement courses and the AP Capstone Diploma.
When do American School of Dubai applications open?
ASD runs an August to June year and opens admissions ahead of each session, admitting mainly at Pre Kindergarten and Kindergarten with other grades subject to availability. Apply early because popular grades fill quickly.
Where is American School of Dubai located?
American School of Dubai is in Al Barsha 1, at the intersection of Hessa Street and First Al Khail Road, close to Dubai Marina, Emirates Hills and the Springs and Meadows communities.
