At a glance
Glenelg School of Abu Dhabi was founded in 2008 by the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company and has since been rebranded as ADNOC Schools, so families researching either name are looking at the same institution. It is an American curriculum school built on the model of Glenelg Country School in Maryland, adapted for the UAE, and is regulated by the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge. The network has grown from the original capital campus to further sites in the Western Region. Set it against the wider market of international schools in Abu Dhabi through our city hub.
| Detail | Summary |
|---|---|
| Curriculum and exam boards | American curriculum, Massachusetts curricular framework |
| Stages | Kindergarten to Grade 12 (ages 4 to 18) |
| Founded | 2008 (now ADNOC Schools) |
| Accreditation | Regulated by ADEK; operated as ADNOC Schools |
| Fee band | Mid (see the Abu Dhabi fees guide) |
| Campus area | Sas Al Nakhl near Umm Al Nar; campuses also in Ruwais, Madinat Zayed and Ghayathi |
Curriculum and academics
The school follows an American curriculum based on the Massachusetts curricular framework, a benchmarked course of study used by US curriculum schools around the world, with English as the medium of instruction and Arabic and Islamic studies delivered per the UAE Ministry of Education. The Glenelg heritage means the academic model was drawn from an established American independent school and localised for the Gulf. Senior students follow the standard American high school progression toward a US diploma, which is recognised by universities in the United States, Canada and across the Gulf, with Advanced Placement courses common in American schools at this level. Because the network exists primarily to serve a sponsoring organisation, the social mix and the joining route differ from a typical open enrolment international school. Ask the school for its most recent results and university destinations, since we do not republish unverified outcome figures.
Glenelg School of Abu Dhabi fees
| Stage | Annual tuition |
|---|---|
| KG1 (lowest) | AED 27,970 |
| Grade 12 (top) | AED 53,040 |
Source: ADNOC Schools, Sas Al Nakhl (via WhichSchoolAdvisor). American curriculum. Published endpoints shown; intermediate grades sit between these. Plus AED 5,000 annual fee and 5% registration. 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.
Glenelg School of Abu Dhabi fees sit in the mid band for American schools in the capital, broadly in the region of AED 28,000 to AED 53,000 a year depending on grade, with a separate book fee on top. The school revises its schedule each year, so treat our band as a guide and confirm the live figure with the school, and you can sense check it against our guide to international school fees in Abu Dhabi. Beyond tuition and books, budget for a registration fee, transport and uniform. Because places are weighted toward families connected to the sponsoring organisation, the effective cost and eligibility can differ from an open market school.
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Admissions
Admission runs on a rolling basis across the academic year, which starts in late August, but the joining route is not the same as a typical open enrolment school. Priority is given to families connected to the sponsoring organisation, so the first step for most applicants is to confirm eligibility before assessing a place. Where places are available, assessment is age appropriate, with curriculum based assessment in English and mathematics, school reports and references for older applicants. Families relocating to the capital who are not connected to the sponsor should treat this school as one to enquire about rather than assume access, and keep alternatives in view.
Location and who goes there
The main campus is in the Sas Al Nakhl area near Umm Al Nar, east of central Abu Dhabi, with further campuses in the Western Region at Ruwais, Madinat Zayed and Ghayathi that serve the energy sector communities there. The intake is weighted toward Emirati nationals and families connected to the sponsoring organisation, which gives the school a different community profile from the open market internationals on the islands. For most relocating expatriate families the school is worth understanding for context, but the open enrolment options elsewhere in the capital will usually be the practical route. For the wider picture of where families settle, 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 Glenelg 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 Glenelg School of Abu Dhabi fees?
Glenelg School of Abu Dhabi fees sit in the mid band for American schools in the capital, in the region of AED 28,000 to AED 53,000 a year depending on grade, with a separate book fee. Budget separately for registration, transport and uniform.
Is Glenelg School of Abu Dhabi a good school?
Glenelg School of Abu Dhabi, now ADNOC Schools, is an established American curriculum school regulated by ADEK and built around the Massachusetts framework. Whether it suits your child depends on eligibility, budget and proximity to its campuses.
What curriculum does Glenelg School of Abu Dhabi follow?
It follows an American curriculum based on the Massachusetts curricular framework, with English as the medium of instruction and Arabic and Islamic studies per the UAE Ministry of Education.
When do Glenelg School of Abu Dhabi applications open?
Admission is rolling across the academic year, which starts in late August. Priority is given to families connected to the school's sponsoring organisation, so confirm eligibility and register early.
Where is Glenelg School of Abu Dhabi located?
The main campus is in the Sas Al Nakhl area near Umm Al Nar, east of central Abu Dhabi, with further campuses in the Western Region at Ruwais, Madinat Zayed and Ghayathi.
