Emirates National School Abu Dhabi

At a glance

Where a detail is not officially published we mark it clearly rather than guess. Always confirm current figures with the school.

Curriculum and academics

Emirates National School blends the American curriculum through the International Baccalaureate framework, running the Primary Years, Middle Years and Diploma Programmes, with the American Common Core underpinning English, mathematics and science. Senior pupils can also take College Board Advanced Placement courses, giving strong preparation for universities in the United States and beyond.

The school was established in 2002 by presidential decree and has grown into one of the largest school networks in the emirate, with several campuses. Alongside the international programmes it delivers the Ministry of Education requirements for Arabic, Islamic Studies and UAE Social Studies, which gives it a strong national character within an international framework. Our Abu Dhabi city guide shows how it fits among the city's providers.

Because ENS operates across multiple campuses with a distinctive IB and American blend, families should confirm which programmes run at their chosen campus and stage. Parents comparing this school often also look at other American and IB options in the emirate, such as GEMS American Academy Abu Dhabi, and the best international schools in Abu Dhabi guide.

Emirates National School Abu Dhabi fees

Tuition at Emirates National School sits in the mid band of the Abu Dhabi market and varies by campus and grade, so families should check the schedule for the specific campus they are applying to. Schools in the emirate publish an approved schedule through the education regulator, so take the definitive 2026/27 figures from the school rather than a number that may have changed.

As with most Abu Dhabi schools, tuition is billed on top of registration and other charges, so the headline figure is only part of the annual cost. Our guide to international school fees in Abu Dhabi explains the bands, and the Abu Dhabi secondary fees page lines up senior figures across the market for context.

• Tuition 2026/27: mid band for the Abu Dhabi market, varying by campus and grade; confirm the approved schedule.
• Registration and deposit: charged separately; confirm the amounts and refund terms with the school.
• Extras: uniform, transport, meals, trips and some activities are usually billed in addition.
• Context: compare against the Abu Dhabi secondary fees band and other IB schools before you commit.

Admissions

The main intake follows the start of the school year in late summer, and applicants sit age appropriate assessments. As a large, established network ENS is a popular choice, so families should apply well ahead of their preferred start date and confirm the current requirements and any waiting lists at the campus they want.

Relocating families should ask directly about entry points at each stage, the assessment process, and how the IB and American blend works day to day. Confirming these details early helps parents judge whether the school fits their child.

Location and who goes there

Emirates National School runs several campuses across the emirate, including a large campus in Mohammed Bin Zayed City and a site in Abu Dhabi City, so the right choice depends on where a family lives. School transport extends the reach further, so parents should map the daily commute and check the bus routes for their chosen campus before they apply.

The community is a broad mix with a strong Emirati and regional character alongside international families, drawn to the IB and American blend. Many families comparing this school also look at the other American and IB schools in the emirate, so our Abu Dhabi city guide shows how the options line up on curriculum, stage and fee band.

Reviews

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Frequently asked questions