ABC Private School and Wales International School are both in Abu Dhabi, about 1 km apart. Both schools follow a British curriculum. Published annual fees are AED 18,800 - 27,500 at ABC Private School and AED 24,160 - 35,980 at Wales International School, which puts Wales International School roughly 30% higher. Both take pupils from 3 to 18. ABC Private School is the larger school, with around 2,500 pupils to Wales International School's 1,123. Both keep typical class sizes around 25.
ABC Private School is located in Al Shamkha City, Abu Dhabi, at 1st Street, Sector SH22, Plot 8. The campus is a recently built two-storey complex with gated grounds and on-site facilities. It is easily accessible via the main roads in the Al Shamkha area, a growing residential and educational hub.
Location
Wales International School is located in Al Shamkha, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (P.O. Box 6178). Al Shamkha is a residential district on the outskirts of Abu Dhabi, connected by major roads. The campus sits near the Abu Dhabi airport corridor, in a cluster of private international schools in this area. The school operates a transportation service with Global Wings as the bus provider.
Stages
Stages
The school offers Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) through Secondary education up to Year 11. The Primary School covers KG1 to Year 6, and the Secondary School covers Year 7 to Year 11, with tours and admissions aligned to this structure.
Stages
The school delivers a British curriculum from Pre-KG through A-Levels, serving students from around age 3 to 18. It accommodates both girls and boys and is explicitly described as co‑educational.
School type
School type
The school is co-educational, with facilities such as separate boys' and girls' playgrounds on campus. There is no public information indicating boarding facilities are provided; it operates as a day school.
School type
Wales International School is a private, co-educational day school in Abu Dhabi. There are no boarding facilities indicated.
Pupil nationality mix
Pupil nationality mix
The school represents a multinational student body with about 2,500 students and 47 nationalities; the gender balance is roughly 51% male and 49% female.
Pupil nationality mix
Around 810 students are reported to be enrolled, representing eight nationalities. The most common nationality is Emirati. The local-to-international student ratio is about 9:1.
Additional learning support
Additional learning support
SEN support is available, including Special Education Needs expertise and extra classes in core subjects to assist students who require additional help.
Additional learning support
Public information does not specify Additional Learning Needs (SEN) provisions or facilities. Parents should contact admissions for details on SEN arrangements.
Country affiliation
Country affiliation
The curriculum follows the English National Curriculum (England) and uses native English instruction; there is no stated formal country affiliation beyond this England-based curriculum.
Country affiliation
It is a British international school overseas in Abu Dhabi that follows the British educational framework and is listed as British Schools Overseas.
Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation
There is no formal religious affiliation indicated; Islamic Studies is offered as part of the curriculum.
Religious affiliation
There is no formal religious affiliation listed. Islamic Studies and Arabic are part of the UAE curriculum, as applicable to the local context.
School day structure
School day structure
The school day runs from 7:00 am to 2:30 pm for the school overall, with variations by level as published in school materials.
School day structure
Public materials do not publish daily start/end times. The UAE curriculum includes Arabic, Islamic Studies and UAE Social Studies, comprising about 20% of lesson time.
Bus service details
Bus service details
School transport is provided by School Transport Services (STS). Buses are equipped with GPS, electronic attendance, a sleeping-child check, seatbelts, video surveillance, and a panic button; timings are published by level (e.g., Foundation Stage arrival around 07:25, with primary and secondary departures in the afternoon). Bus fees are charged termly and registration is required; transport is allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
Bus service details
A school bus service is provided by Global Wings. The bus policy details safety, CCTV and regulatory compliance; the Bus Coordinator is Mr. Sakeef (phone +971 564115952). Inquiries can be directed to Transportation@walesschool.com.
Fees
Fees
Fee details
Fee details
Application and registration fees - Registration (application) fee: AED 500 (non‑refundable). - Re‑registration (returning students): AED 2,000 charged in the third‑term school fees invoice for existing students; this amount is offset against Term 1 of the following academic year. A 15% sibling discount applies from the third child onward (applied to tuition).
Tuition fees by year group (annual amounts) - Pre‑school / FS1: AED 18,800. - KG1 and KG2: AED 18,800. - Grade 1 and Grade 2: AED 20,740. - Grade 3 to Grade 5: AED 20,820. - Grade 6 and Grade 7: AED 22,860. - Grade 8 and Grade 9: AED 25,120. - Grade 10: AED 25,030. - Grade 11 and Grade 12: AED 27,500. (The school publishes its approved annual tuition by grade; the figures above are the published annual tuition amounts.)
Per‑term billing (billing schedule and payment terms) - Tuition is payable either as a single annual payment or in three instalments aligned with the school terms (Term 1, Term 2 and Term 3). The school issues invoices for each term; the re‑registration fee for returning students is invoiced in Term 3 and is offset against Term 1 of the following year. The registration fee paid at enrolment is applied toward the first payment. - Typical term calendar: Term 1 (Aug–Dec), Term 2 (Jan–Mar), Term 3 (Apr–Jun). Instalment dates follow the published academic term schedule.
Boarding fees - ABC Private School is a day‑school and does not offer boarding or hostel accommodation; there are no boarding fees.
Other costs and typical additional fees - School uniform: AED 290–AED 400 depending on year group and specific uniform items. - Transportation (school bus): reported annual bus fees vary by route and reporting source; common reported amounts are AED 3,750 and AED 4,873 per year. Transport is charged separately from tuition. - Examination, books, consumables and activity fees may be charged in addition to tuition; these items are billed as separate mandatory or optional fees where applicable. Specific itemised ancillary charges are published in the school's fee schedule.
Refund information - Refunds and cancellations are handled in line with the Abu Dhabi regulator (KHDA/ADEK) fee framework; the registration (application) fee is non‑refundable. Re‑registration and refund specifics follow the regulatory fee framework used by the school.
Fee payment options and bank details - Accepted payment methods include cash, cheque, bank transfer/online bank payment and the Skiply payments app. Credit‑card acceptance is not listed among the primary methods published. Bank transfer details (bank name, IBAN/SWIFT) are provided by the school for electronic payments. Parents are required to make payments by the invoiced due dates according to the chosen payment plan.
Discounts, deposits and seat reservation - A sibling discount of 15% is applied from the third child onwards and is applied to tuition fees. Places are secured only once the required deposit/initial payment and registration requirements are satisfied.
(Notes: the figures above are the school's published fee items and common ancillary charges as reported in the school's approved fee schedule and local school listings.)
Fee details
Application / Registration Fees - There is no separate application fee. The school does charge a registration or re-registration fee of AED 1,000; this amount is deducted from the approved tuition and does not exceed 5% of the tuition fee. The registration/re-registration fee is charged only when a place is offered and the student is enrolled.
Tuition fees by year group (annual and per-term) - Tuition is approved and published by the school for each year group. The annual tuition and the per-term amount (tuition ÷ 3, billed in three equal instalments) are shown below: - Pre‑KG (FS1): AED 24,160 — Per term (approx.): AED 8,053. - KG1 (FS2): AED 24,160 — Per term (approx.): AED 8,053. - KG2 / Year 1: AED 26,730 — Per term: AED 8,910. - Grade 1 / Year 2: AED 26,730 — Per term: AED 8,910. - Grade 2 / Year 3: AED 28,270 — Per term (approx.): AED 9,423. - Grade 3 / Year 4: AED 28,350 — Per term: AED 9,450. - Grade 4 / Year 5: AED 29,900 — Per term (approx.): AED 9,967. - Grade 5 / Year 6: AED 29,900 — Per term (approx.): AED 9,967. - Grade 6 / Year 7: AED 31,440 — Per term: AED 10,480. - Grade 7 / Year 8: AED 31,440 — Per term: AED 10,480. - Grade 8 / Year 9: AED 32,980 — Per term (approx.): AED 10,993. - Grade 9 / Year 10: AED 32,980 — Per term (approx.): AED 10,993. - Grade 10 / Year 11: AED 34,440 — Per term: AED 11,480. - Grade 11 / Year 12: AED 34,440 — Per term: AED 11,480. - Grade 12 / Year 13: AED 35,980 — Per term (approx.): AED 11,993.
Billing schedule and payment terms - Tuition is billed in three equal instalments each academic year: Term 1 due by 31 August, Term 2 due by 30 November and Term 3 due by 1 March. Parents are required to pay each instalment by the due date. Non-payment may result in withholding end-of-year report cards, transfer documents or re-registration until outstanding balances are settled; suspension procedures are defined for extreme cases. - The registration/re-registration fee of AED 1,000 is retained if a student attends any part of week one of the semester or if parents fail to notify the school in writing sufficiently in advance. The registration fee will be reimbursed if the school fails to register a child due to insufficient places.
Boarding - Boarding is not applicable. Wales International School operates as a day school; there are no boarding fees.
Other costs and optional services - Board/external examination fees: Board (external) examination fees are charged separately in line with regulatory requirements; these are billed in addition to tuition. A board-examination fee schedule is issued by the school. - Uniforms: A full school uniform is required (detailed items are specified for Pre‑KG through Grade 12); uniform items are purchased separately and are a parent cost. - Transportation: School bus service is available through the contracted operator; transport is optional and charged separately. Contact details for the transport coordinator are provided by the school for route and fee enquiries. - Other typical additional costs (charged separately) may include textbooks and learning resources, canteen services, optional extracurricular activities and trips; these are billed as applicable and are not included in the annual tuition. Board/exam and specific service charges are additional to the annual tuition.
Refund information and withdrawal charges - When a student leaves after the academic term has begun the school retains a portion of fees according to the attendance period: - If a student attends up to one week of the term (or fails to show without sufficient written notice), the registration/re-registration fee is retained. - If a student attends more than one week and up to three weeks in a term, the school will retain the value of one full month of tuition. - If a student attends over three weeks and up to six weeks in a term, the school will retain the value of two full months of tuition. - If a student attends over six weeks in a term, the school will retain the full-term fee. The value of one month is calculated as the annual tuition divided by ten. Transportation fees are refunded on the same basis as tuition. - Registration/re-registration fees are retained in the cases described above but will be reimbursed if the school is unable to register a child because of insufficient places.
Fee payment options and instructions - The school's published bank payment details are for electronic transfer to Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (ADIB) — Account Name: WALES INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL, Account Number: 18843723, IBAN: AE730500000000018843723. After payment, parents must send the student name, grade and bank reference to the Accounts Department by email or WhatsApp as instructed by the school. These bank-payment instructions are the published payment channel and the school requests proof of payment be sent to finance.
Notes and governance - Tuition and related fees are charged in accordance with the relevant Abu Dhabi education authority approvals and the school's published fee policy; discounts and any special concessions are applied according to the school's policy. The school's fees and policies include provisions for re-registration, discounts for large families and handling of unpaid fees as outlined in the school's fee policy documents.
Diving deeper
Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements
Boarding arrangements
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Boarding arrangements
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Uniform requirement
Uniform requirement
Foundation Stage uniform is purple-and-white striped. Girls wear a purple-and-white striped short-sleeved dress or skirt with a purple-and-white striped short-sleeved shirt, and navy sweatshirt or cardigan. Boys wear a purple-and-white striped short-sleeved shirt with navy shorts or long trousers, and a navy sweatshirt or cardigan.
Uniform requirement
Uniform is required for students in Grades 1–12. Girls wear a navy blue full-length skirt with a navy shirt, tie, blazer, and plain black shoes; boys wear navy trousers with a white shirt, tie, blazer, and plain black shoes. Pre-KG–KG2 wear navy trousers with a yellow polo shirt and jacket; makeup is not allowed, hair must be tied back neatly, and jewelry is restricted to a simple watch and small stud earrings for girls.
Food options
Food options
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Food options
The school follows a cafeteria health and safety policy that promotes nutritious, varied foods and beverages. The majority of cafeteria choices should be nutritiously valuable, beverages include water, 100% fruit juice and low-fat milk, and students may bring pre-packed lunches from home.
House system
House system
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House system
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Governance and ownership
Governance and ownership
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Governance and ownership
The school is privately owned by Mr. Hamad Musallam Almazrouei. It forms part of a private group of schools in Abu Dhabi.
Academics
Academics
Curriculum details
Curriculum details
ABC Private School in Al Shamkha, Abu Dhabi, follows the English National Curriculum from Early Years through to secondary, with Foundation Stage aligned to the 2014 Development Matters framework. In primary, the curriculum is organised into Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2, delivering core subjects such as English, Mathematics, and Science alongside Arabic (A & B), Islamic Studies (A & B), UAE Social Studies, Moral Education, PE, Computing, Art & Design, Music, Modern Foreign Languages, and Performing Arts. The school emphasizes STEAM and uses English as the language of instruction. For examinations, ABC offers GCSE and iGCSE and provides AS and A Levels through Cambridge and Edexcel boards. The secondary curriculum covers Key Stage 3 (Years 7–9) and Key Stage 4 (Years 10–11), with option subjects including Modern Foreign Languages, Geography, History, Art & Design, Computer Science, and Business Studies.
Curriculum details
Wales International School follows a British curriculum aligned with the National Curriculum of England, culminating in IGCSE and A-level examinations. All lessons are taught in English, with Arabic, Islamic Studies and UAE Social Studies comprising around 20% of lesson time as prescribed by the UAE Ministry of Education. The school serves ages 3 to 18 in mixed-gender classes. It is privately owned and funded through fees and operates under ADEK licensing. The school has British Schools Middle East (BSME) status.
Student teacher ratio
Student teacher ratio
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Student teacher ratio
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Exam results
Exam results
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Exam results
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Higher education progression
Higher education progression
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Higher education progression
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Gifted and talented
Gifted and talented
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Gifted and talented
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Academic calendar
Academic calendar
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Academic calendar
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Wellbeing & support
Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning
Social & emotional learning
ABC Private School supports social and emotional development through its Foundation Stage, where Personal, Social and Emotional Development (PSDE) and the development of positive relationships are emphasized as part of the EYFS curriculum.
Social & emotional learning
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Special educational needs (SEN)
Special educational needs (SEN)
The school does not publicly disclose information regarding Special Educational Needs (SEN) provision.
Special educational needs (SEN)
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English as an additional language
English as an additional language
The school does not publicly disclose information regarding English as an Additional Language (EAL) support.
English as an additional language
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Mental wellbeing
Mental wellbeing
Mental wellbeing is integrated into the Foundation Stage through the focus on Personal, Social and Emotional Development, self-regulation, and building relationships.
Mental wellbeing
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Safeguarding
Safeguarding
The school does not publicly disclose information regarding safeguarding and child protection policies.
Safeguarding
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Safeguarding policy
Safeguarding policy
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Safeguarding policy
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Facilities
Facilities
Facilities overview
Facilities overview
ABC Private School operates from a recently built two-storey campus that is enclosed and secure. The school has modern, technology-enhanced classrooms with interactive whiteboards, projectors, and computers in every room. It features fully equipped Physics, Chemistry, and Biology laboratories, as well as dedicated spaces for Music and Art, plus Computer Laboratories and a Robotics Laboratory. Separate shaded playgrounds serve boys and girls, and the campus includes an air-conditioned sports hall, a swimming pool, and an astro-turf football pitch. On-site health facilities include two nurse clinics, and students have access to three canteens and two libraries, with an e-library system in place.
Facilities overview
Wales International School is located in Al Shamkha, Abu Dhabi. It delivers a British Curriculum from Pre-KG to A-Levels and is privately owned. The campus features purpose-built, state-of-the-art facilities. It is BSO-accredited, a COBIS member, and designated a High-Performance Learning school. The facilities include a library, computer labs, a gymnasium, a football pitch, science labs, music rooms, a swimming pool, a canteen, and a school clinic. The owner is Mr. Hamad Musallam Almazrouei.
Sports facilities
Sports facilities
The school has an air-conditioned sports hall, a swimming pool, and an astro-turf football pitch.
Sports facilities
The campus offers sports facilities including a basketball court, football turf, swimming pool, and an athletic track, with additional indoor games and separate playgrounds for all age groups. These facilities support physical education and after-school activities.
Academic facilities
Academic facilities
Fully equipped Physics, Chemistry and Biology laboratories; Computer Laboratories; a Robotics Laboratory; two libraries and an e-library system; interactive whiteboards, projectors, and computers in every classroom.
Academic facilities
There are well-equipped science labs for Chemistry, Physics, Biology and Computer studies. Labs are designed with international standard equipment and materials to support practical learning. A library and computer labs are part of the academic facilities.
Extra curricular facilities
Extra curricular facilities
The school offers clubs such as Soccer, Basketball, Volleyball, Karate and Jiu Jitsu, as well as a Book Club.
Extra curricular facilities
Sports facilities support extracurricular activities on campus. Arts and crafts classes are offered to nurture creativity. The campus supports practical projects and presentations through well-equipped labs and collaborative learning spaces.
Parent experience
Parent experience
History
History
ABC Private School began on the Abu Dhabi Island campus and relocated to a brand-new facility in Al Shamkha in September 2015, marking a major milestone in its development. The move reflected a commitment to growth and to serving a growing student population in a purpose-built campus. The school serves around 2,500 students from 47 nationalities with about 180 teachers and maintains a 14:1 student-teacher ratio. The school blends British educational traditions with UAE culture and heritage within an inclusive, values-driven approach.
History
Wales International School is privately owned and located in Al Shamkha, Abu Dhabi. It opened in August 2016 to provide a high-quality British curriculum for local children and now serves pupils aged 3 to 18 (girls and boys). It adheres closely to the National Curriculum of England, with IGCSE and A‑level examinations as eventual milestones. All lessons are taught in English, with Arabic, Islamic Studies and UAE Social Studies making up about 20% of lesson time under Ministry of Education guidelines. The school is funded by fees and operates under ADEK licensing; the owner is Mr. Hamad Musallam Almazrouei.
Community
Community
ABC Private School has a multinational student body, currently representing 47 nationalities. It maintains an active events calendar, including UAE National Day celebrations, STEM exhibitions, and sports weeks. Family engagement is supported through parent forums and social events, reinforcing a sense of belonging. The community emphasizes inclusion and diversity as core values.
Community
WIS maintains an active school community with events such as Open Day and a Book Club. Social media and site updates highlight ongoing student activities including morning fitness, trips and competitions, and assemblies. The school also publishes a parent newsletter (e.g., Newsletter | Term 2 – Week 17) and uses social channels to share updates on campus life.
Parent teacher association
Parent teacher association
ABC Private School maintains a formal Parents Council comprising current parents and alumni. The Council serves as a representative body between parents and school management and liaises with the leadership to address issues and contribute knowledge and expertise on various aspects of the school's operations. The school holds three Parents-Teacher meetings each year, typically scheduled before term exams, to review progress and discuss concerns. The Council also supports volunteer initiatives and helps coordinate parent involvement in events and initiatives. The Council advocates for parental input on policy, communications, and school practices to ensure ongoing and transparent dialogue with administrators.
Parent teacher association
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Extra-curricular
Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual
Academic & intellectual
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Academic & intellectual
The school serves students aged 3 to 18 (Pre-KG to A-Levels) and offers a British curriculum closely aligned with the English National Curriculum, leading to IGCSE and A-level examinations. The school emphasizes independent, differentiated learning and uses assessment for learning strategies to track progress.
Arts & creative
Arts & creative
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Arts & creative
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Cultural & language
Cultural & language
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Cultural & language
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Social & hobbies
Social & hobbies
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Social & hobbies
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Community & service
Community & service
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Community & service
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Leadership & professional
Leadership & professional
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Leadership & professional
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Lifestyle & wellbeing
Lifestyle & wellbeing
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Lifestyle & wellbeing
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Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
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Language provision
The school caters for ages 3 to 18. All lessons are taught in English, apart from Arabic, Islamic Studies and UAE Social Studies, which comprise approximately 20% of lesson time as prescribed by the Ministry of Education. English is the official language of the school. The school adheres to the English National Curriculum and prepares students for IGCSE and A-Level examinations.
Bilingual teaching
Bilingual teaching
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Bilingual teaching
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Immersion programs
Immersion programs
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Immersion programs
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Reputation
Reputation
Awards
Awards
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Awards
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Accreditations
Accreditations
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Accreditations
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Admissions
Admissions
Admissions
Admissions
1. Enquire and Enroll Online. The Registrar is available to answer individual admissions queries. Enroll online by completing the online application form. An online application does not guarantee a place.
2. Documents Required. Provide a copy of your child's passport plus residency visa or UAE entry stamp, and Emirates ID for the child and both parents. Include 4 recent passport photographs and copies of the last two school reports for Year 1 and above. Include the transfer certificate and any details of special educational needs or related reports, and one copy of the birth certificate (attested where required). A non-refundable AED 500 registration fee is required.
3. Assessments and Interviews. ABC evaluates the whole child during assessments. Stay & Play assessments for FS2/KG1 to Year 1/KG2 are based on observation of the child at play and conversation to assess development. For Years 2/Grade 1 to Year 6/Grade 5, assessments involve basic mathematics and writing, with a paper assessment as appropriate. For Secondary, students are baselined with a paper assessment, typically taking about 30 minutes, and may include an interview with the Inclusion and Pastoral Heads if required.
4. Age Placement. Age placement follows Abu Dhabi regulatory guidelines to determine the correct year group for each child. The school uses the placement test results to confirm the proposed year group. Age placement is considered alongside the child's development and readiness.
5. Transfer Certificate and Attestation. Every student must provide a Transfer Certificate from the last school, as required by UAE MOE law to register with ADEK. The Transfer Certificate should include the child's full name, date of enrolment, date of birth, leaving grade, school stamp and principal's signature, and curriculum used. For transfers from outside the EU or GCC, the original Transfer Certificate should be attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and UAE Embassy.
6. Overseas Families and Visas. For families coming from overseas, UAE residency visas and Emirates IDs are not required at the time of application but must be submitted to ABC when available.
7. Admission Decision and Inclusion. Admission is not guaranteed; regular communication with the Registrar is advised to check the status. ABC is committed to inclusion and supports emotional, social, and academic needs, in line with the Inclusion Policy.
