At a glance
GEMS World Academy Abu Dhabi is the IB flagship of GEMS Education in the capital, an all through IB World School that grew from a smaller IB primary into a full age range school. It moved to a new campus on Al Reem Island in 2022, which gave it expansive facilities including laboratories, design hubs, a theatre and a sports complex. The school is rated Very Good by the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge and draws a community of more than eighty nationalities. Set it against the wider market of international schools in Abu Dhabi through our city hub.
| Detail | Summary |
|---|---|
| Curriculum and exam boards | IB continuum (PYP, MYP) over the National Curriculum for England; IB Diploma, IBCP, BTEC, A Level |
| Stages | FS1 to Year 13 (ages 3 to 18) |
| Founded | Not published; Al Reem Island campus opened 2022 |
| Accreditation | Authorised IB World School; rated Very Good by ADEK; part of GEMS Education |
| Fee band | Premium (see the Abu Dhabi fees guide) |
| Campus area | Al Reem Island, central Abu Dhabi |
Curriculum and academics
GEMS World Academy blends the Early Years Foundation Stage with the IB Primary Years Programme in the junior years, the IB Middle Years Programme through the middle school, and a broad senior offer that includes the IB Diploma Programme, the IB Career-related Programme, BTEC qualifications and A Levels, all underpinned by the content of the National Curriculum for England. That spread makes it one of the more flexible IB schools in Abu Dhabi at sixth form, since families can pick the full Diploma or a more applied route. The school reports an IB Diploma average well above the global figure, though we do not republish unverified outcome data. Graduates progress to universities in the United Kingdom, North America, Europe and across the Gulf. Ask the academy for its most recent IB results and university destinations for the fullest picture.
GEMS World Academy Abu Dhabi fees
GEMS World Academy Abu Dhabi fees sit in the premium band for the capital, in line with the established island schools. Published annual tuition for 2025/26 runs from roughly AED 55,420 in FS1 to about AED 73,890 in Years 11 to 13, rising by year group, approved by ADEK and inclusive of textbooks and materials. 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, uniform, lunches and optional transport, none of which are included in the headline figure.
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Admissions
Admission runs on a rolling basis across the academic year, which starts in late August. On Al Reem Island, where demand is high, the early years and the sixth form are the most competitive entry points, and waiting lists form ahead of time, so families relocating to central Abu Dhabi should register as soon as a place is foreseeable. Assessment is age appropriate: a settling session for the youngest children and curriculum based assessment in English and mathematics, with school reports and references, for older applicants. Entry to the IB Diploma stream carries subject specific expectations, and the school will guide families on the best senior pathway.
Location and who goes there
The campus is on Al Reem Island, an inner city island community linked by bridge to central Abu Dhabi, popular with professional families who want a short commute and high rise living close to the corniche. The international intake of more than eighty nationalities reflects the island's mix of finance, government and professional households. The IB continuum and the central location make the academy a natural choice for globally mobile families who value the IB framework. 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 GEMS World Academy 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 GEMS World Academy Abu Dhabi fees?
GEMS World Academy Abu Dhabi fees sit in the premium band for the capital. Published annual tuition for 2025/26 runs from roughly AED 55,420 in FS1 to about AED 73,890 in Years 11 to 13, approved by ADEK. Budget separately for registration, a deposit, examination entry, uniform and optional transport.
Is GEMS World Academy Abu Dhabi a good school?
GEMS World Academy Abu Dhabi is rated Very Good by ADEK and reports IB Diploma averages well above the global figure. Whether it suits your child depends on budget, stage and proximity to Al Reem Island.
What curriculum does GEMS World Academy Abu Dhabi follow?
It is an IB World School running the IB Primary Years and Middle Years Programmes over the National Curriculum for England, then the IB Diploma, IB Career-related Programme, BTEC and A Levels in the sixth form, as part of GEMS Education.
When do GEMS World Academy Abu Dhabi applications open?
Admission is rolling across the academic year, which starts in late August, but the early years and the sixth form are competitive on Al Reem Island, so register as soon as a place is foreseeable.
Where is GEMS World Academy Abu Dhabi located?
The school is on a campus on Al Reem Island, an inner city island community close to central Abu Dhabi, where it moved in 2022.
