Future Leaders International Private School – Baniyas vs Sama International School
Future Leaders International Private School – Baniyas and Sama International School are both in Abu Dhabi, about 18 km apart. Both schools offer American programmes. Future Leaders International Private School – Baniyas also offers Bespoke, and Sama International School also offers IB and IBCP. Published annual fees are AED 25,800 - 39,800 at Future Leaders International Private School – Baniyas and AED 30,065 - 53,380 at Sama International School, which puts Sama International School roughly 27% higher. Future Leaders International Private School – Baniyas takes pupils from 4 to 17, and Sama International School from 4 to 18.
IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IBCP (International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme), American Curriculum
Pupils
Pupils
2,500
Pupils
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Typical class size
Typical class size
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Typical class size
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Instruction language
Instruction language
English, Arabic
Instruction language
English
Opened
Opened
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Opened
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Bus service
Bus service
No
Bus service
Yes
Essentials
Essentials
Location
Location
Baniyas East, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Location
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Stages
Stages
KG1 to Grade 12
Stages
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School type
School type
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School type
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Pupil nationality mix
Pupil nationality mix
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Pupil nationality mix
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Additional learning support
Additional learning support
Inclusive education with a social support framework; A Social Worker/Section Supervisor assists with social and emotional concerns and supports students.
Bus service is available; bus fees listed as 5,000 AED per year.
Bus service details
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Fees
Fees
Fee details
Fee details
Application & Registration Fees
- Registration / assessment fee: AED 1,000 payable after the admissions assessment; this amount is deducted from the school's annual tuition. - Re‑enrolment / re‑registration fee for existing students (to confirm placement for the next academic year, KG2 to Grade 11): AED 1,000; this amount is deducted from the school's annual tuition. - The registration fee is non‑refundable and is paid following the admissions test.
Tuition fees by year group (annual amounts) and additional per‑student charges
- KG 1: Tuition AED 25,800; Tuition after discount AED 19,350; Books AED 535; Uniform AED 430; Bus AED 5,000. - KG 2: Tuition AED 25,800; Tuition after discount AED 19,350; Books AED 1,715; Uniform AED 430; Bus AED 5,000. - Grade 1: Tuition AED 29,500; Tuition after discount AED 25,075; Books AED 1,810; Uniform AED 430; Bus AED 5,000. - Grade 2: Tuition AED 29,500; Tuition after discount AED 25,075; Books AED 1,280; Uniform AED 430; Bus AED 5,000. - Grade 3: Tuition AED 29,500; Tuition after discount AED 25,075; Books AED 1,455; Uniform AED 430; Bus AED 5,000. - Grade 4: Tuition AED 29,500; Tuition after discount AED 25,075; Books AED 1,190; Uniform AED 430; Bus AED 5,000. - Grade 5: Tuition AED 29,500; Tuition after discount AED 25,075; Books AED 1,845; Uniform AED 430; Bus AED 5,000. - Grade 6: Tuition AED 35,100; Tuition after discount AED 29,835; Books AED 2,740; Uniform AED 430; Bus AED 5,000. - Grade 7: Tuition AED 35,100; Tuition after discount AED 29,835; Books AED 2,840; Uniform AED 490; Bus AED 5,000. - Grade 8: Tuition AED 35,100; Tuition after discount AED 29,835; Books AED 2,840; Uniform AED 490; Bus AED 5,000. - Grade 9: Tuition AED 35,100; Tuition after discount AED 29,835; Books AED 3,720; Uniform AED 490; Bus AED 5,000. - Grade 10: Tuition AED 39,800; Tuition after discount AED 33,830; Books AED 3,720; Uniform AED 590; Bus AED 5,000. - Grade 11: Tuition AED 39,800; Tuition after discount AED 33,830; Books AED 3,720; Uniform AED 590; Bus AED 5,000. - Grade 12: Tuition AED 39,800; Tuition after discount AED 33,830; Books AED 3,720; Uniform AED 590; Bus AED 5,000.
Per‑term tuition (installment calculation)
- Tuition is payable in three instalments due on the dates listed in the billing schedule. Therefore, the per‑term tuition amount can be calculated as one‑third of the annual tuition and one‑third of the discounted annual tuition where the discounted figure applies. Example per‑term amounts (annual ÷ 3): - KG 1 / KG 2: AED 8,600.00 per term (full tuition) / AED 6,450.00 per term (after discount). - Grade 1–5: AED 9,833.33 per term (full tuition AED 29,500) / AED 8,358.33 per term (after discount AED 25,075). - Grade 6–9: AED 11,700.00 per term (full tuition AED 35,100) / AED 9,945.00 per term (after discount AED 29,835). - Grade 10–12: AED 13,266.67 per term (full tuition AED 39,800) / AED 11,276.67 per term (after discount AED 33,830). - Books and uniform charges are payable with Term 1 fees and are not eligible for instalment conversion.
Billing schedule and payment terms
- Tuition is payable in three instalments with the following due dates for the 2026/2027 academic year: 1st instalment — 1 August 2026; 2nd instalment — 1 December 2026; 3rd instalment — 1 March 2027. - Books and uniform fees must be paid together with the first term payment; they cannot be deferred into subsequent instalments. - Bus service is a two‑way service only; availability is subject to seat availability and route feasibility. Bus charges are listed as an annual fee per student.
Boarding
- Boarding is not offered; the school provides a two‑way bus service only.
Other costs and one‑off charges
- Books: grade‑specific book charges are listed above and are payable with Term 1. - Uniform: grade‑specific uniform charges are listed above and are payable with Term 1. - Bus: annual bus fee is shown per grade above; bus service is two‑way and is subject to route feasibility and seat availability.
Refund information
- A part of fees may be refunded in accordance with ADEK regulations if a student transfers from the school or discontinues bus services; refunds are handled according to ADEK's Private Schools Policy and Guidance Manual (Policy 39). - The registration fee (AED 1,000) is non‑refundable.
Fee payment options and bank details
- Accepted payment methods: Cash, Cheque, Card and Bank Transfer. Payments can be accepted in person during school office hours (07:30–16:00). - Bank transfer details (account for fee payments): - Account Name: Future Leaders International Private School. - Bank: First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB). - Account No: 4031005620463001. - IBAN: AE590354031005620463001. - SWIFT: NBADAEAAXXX. - Email a scanned copy of the remittance advice to accounts@futureleaders.sch.ae to enable tracing of payments.
Notes
- All amounts are shown in AED (United Arab Emirates Dirham).
Fee details
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Diving deeper
Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements
Boarding arrangements
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Boarding arrangements
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Uniform requirement
Uniform requirement
Core uniform is compulsory for KG to Grade 12 and includes a white short-sleeve shirt or white polo T-shirt with dark grey full-elastic trousers; shoes must cover the toes and be black, blue, or white, and sandals are not allowed. PE days require the PE uniform with suitable sports shoes, and swimming days require a cap and towel. The uniform can be purchased at the FLIS Rabdan campus, with store hours Monday–Thursday and Sunday 9:00 AM–3:00 PM and Friday 8:00 AM–12:00 PM; Kindergarten students should bring an extra labeled set of clothes, and the navy blue unisex winter jacket is part of the uniform.
Uniform requirement
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Food options
Food options
FLIS Rabdan has a Nutrition Policy that promotes healthy eating and prohibits nuts and foods containing nuts. Lunches must align with healthy eating guidelines; nuts, peanuts, peanut butter, and peanut oils are banned. Unhealthy items such as cookies, sweets, chips, and fizzy drinks are not permitted at school; sharing food with other students is not allowed; families with children on special diets should provide a medical letter or dietitian's note.
Food options
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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
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Academics
Academics
Curriculum details
Curriculum details
American curriculum reinforced by NGSS and AP Standards; adheres to the Virginia State Standards of Learning and the UAE MOE National Curriculum.
Curriculum details
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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
Prepares students for college and beyond.
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
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Social & emotional learning
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Special educational needs (SEN)
Special educational needs (SEN)
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Special educational needs (SEN)
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English as an additional language
English as an additional language
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English as an additional language
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Mental wellbeing
Mental wellbeing
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Mental wellbeing
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Safeguarding
Safeguarding
The school has Safeguarding Policy 2025-26 and Student Protection Policy 2025-26. The Technology, Health & Safety Policy states that every student has the right to protection from harm regardless of age, gender, religion, culture, or physical abilities. Parents/guardians work closely with the school to protect children and provide an ICT-safe environment. The policy also governs the use of technology and the management of electronic communication technologies.
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
The school is organized around Learning Communities, with every 3 to 6 classrooms sharing facilities such as breakout spaces, learning shaded areas, flexible classrooms, playfields, a library, and a dining area. A summarized list presents the facilities and the benefits related to each. The facilities include Smart Classrooms, Labs, Playfields, Swimming Pool & Gym, Multipurpose Halls, Libraries & Learning Areas, and Other Facilities. This layout supports collaborative and varied learning activities across the school's campuses.
Facilities overview
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Sports facilities
Sports facilities
Playfields provide outdoor spaces for sports and physical education. A Swimming Pool & Gym supports swimming, fitness, and PE activities. Multipurpose Halls support indoor sports and school events.
Sports facilities
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Academic facilities
Academic facilities
Labs provide spaces for practical experiments and hands-on learning. Libraries & Learning Areas offer spaces for reading, research, and study. Smart Classrooms enable technology-enhanced instructional experiences. Other Facilities cover additional spaces that support academic activities.
Academic facilities
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Extra curricular facilities
Extra curricular facilities
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Extra curricular facilities
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Parent experience
Parent experience
History
History
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History
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Community
Community
Three Abu Dhabi campuses exist: Baniyas East (Baniyas), Rabdan, and Madinat Zayed. The school describes itself as a distinctive, culturally-diverse, knowledge-based international school that motivates each student to learn and to become a 21st-century global-minded citizen and leader. The learning approach includes iPadic Classrooms Integration, a Student-Centered Teaching and Learning Environment, and a STEM–STEAM Philosophy of Learning. The community emphasizes extracurricular activities (30+ options) and serves 2,500+ students with 90% of teachers classified as highly qualified.
Community
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Parent teacher association
Parent teacher association
The Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) at Future Leaders International Private School fosters a strong partnership between families and educators, organizes events, supports school programs and new initiatives, and facilitates open communication between parents and the school. The PTA is guided by an elected Executive Board consisting of a president, vice-president, head of committees, and members. Families are encouraged to get involved; volunteering opportunities are available via a Volunteer Form.
Parent teacher association
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Extra-curricular
Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual
Academic & intellectual
iPadic Classrooms Integration is used across the school. Students' Centered Teaching and Learning Environment focuses on student engagement. STEM–STEAM Philosophy of Learning guides inquiry-based learning. Three campuses across Abu Dhabi serve over 2,500 students, with about 90% of teachers highly qualified.
Academic & intellectual
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Arts & creative
Arts & creative
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Arts & creative
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Cultural & language
Cultural & language
UAE Integration is part of the Academics program.
Cultural & language
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Social & hobbies
Social & hobbies
Extracurricular Activities exceed 30 programs.
Social & hobbies
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Community & service
Community & service
Students Council is part of the school's activities.
Community & service
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Leadership & professional
Leadership & professional
Career is listed in the site's navigation, indicating career development opportunities.
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
Arabic is a mandatory MOE subject. Islamic, Social Studies and Moral Education are also required MOE subjects. French is offered as a language option. Arabic is taught to both native and non-native students.
Language provision
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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
An experienced admissions team supports applicants to ensure that admission applications meet ADEK documentation requirements. The school reserves the right to refuse admission based on seat availability and other non‑academic issues such as missing documents. To apply, complete the Student Application Form and provide all required documents. The applicant and their parent or guardian will meet with the registrar within 2–3 business days after submission to discuss admission requirements, followed by an interview with the section head to assess character, skills, and commitment to a successful academic and personal life. After these steps, the applicant sits for aptitude tests in English, Arabic, and Mathematics, which also assess higher‑order skills such as writing, critical thinking, and problem solving to help establish a personalized education portfolio. Parents are informed of the results within 2–3 business days of the test date via email, with an academic support plan if needed. ADEK directives require the following ages for admission to each grade: KG1 four years, KG2 five, Grade 1 six, Grade 2 seven, Grade 3 eight, Grade 4 nine, Grade 5 ten, Grade 6 eleven, Grade 7 twelve, Grade 8 thirteen, Grade 9 fourteen, Grade 10 fifteen, Grade 11 sixteen, Grade 12 seventeen. Admissions are open for 2025–2026 in Abu Dhabi for the Baniyas and Madinat Zayed campuses, and applications can be made online.