Sama International School vs Yasmina American School

	S Sama International School Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates	Y Yasmina American School Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year AED 30,065 - 53,380	Fees / year AED 32,000 - 48,000
Age range	Age range 4 - 18 years	Age range 3 - 11 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IBCP (International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme), American Curriculum	Curriculum American Curriculum
Pupils	Pupils —	Pupils 425
Typical class size	Typical class size —	Typical class size 28
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened —	Opened 2025
Bus service	Bus service Yes	Bus service Yes
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location —	Location The school is located in Khalifa City A, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The campus sits on Al Mireef Street in Khalifa City, within Al Raha Gardens near the Khalifa City area. It occupies the former Yasmina British Academy site and serves families in the Khalifa City and Al Raha Gardens communities. The area is residential and family-friendly, with convenient access from major road networks.
Stages	Stages —	Stages Yasmina American School will open in August 2025 for Pre-KG to Grade 5, with plans to grow through Grade 12 in the future. The current program structure focuses on early childhood and elementary grades, building toward higher grades over time.
School type	School type —	School type The school is a private educational institution that is part of the Aldar Academies network. It offers an American curriculum and operates within Aldar Education's portfolio.
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix Not disclosed.
Additional learning support	Additional learning support —	Additional learning support Not specified. There is no public listing of Additional Learning Needs (SEN) provisions on the current materials.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation —	Country affiliation Located in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation —	Religious affiliation Not specified.
School day structure	School day structure —	School day structure The school day runs from 7:30 AM to 3:30 PM, Monday to Thursday, with a shorter day on Friday from 7:30 AM to 12:00 PM.
Bus service details	Bus service details —	Bus service details A bus service is available to all students and is charged as a fixed fee per student per academic year. The Admissions Team will confirm the fee for each school and the routes they follow.
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details —	Fee details Application & Registration Fees - Registration fee (new students): 5% of the yearly tuition fee, payable after an offer is accepted and deductible from the final tuition installment (Term 3). The seat is reserved only once the registration fee is received and confirmed by school finance. The registration fee is refundable for new students if written notification is provided at least two weeks prior to the start of the new academic year. - Re‑registration fee (returning students): 5% of the yearly tuition fee, payable at time of re‑enrolment and deductible from the final tuition installment. Schools may collect re‑registration fees up to 4 months before the start of the academic year. The re‑registration fee is refundable if written notification is provided on or before 30 June; the re‑registration fee is non‑transferable to another child. Tuition fees by year group (annual and term breakdown) — Academic Year 2025/2026 - FS 1: ADEK Approved Fee AED 40,000; Founding Discount AED 8,000; Tuition Fee AED 32,000. Term 1 AED 12,800; Term 2 AED 9,600; Term 3 AED 9,600. - FS 2: ADEK Approved Fee AED 40,000; Founding Discount AED 8,000; Tuition Fee AED 32,000. Term 1 AED 12,800; Term 2 AED 9,600; Term 3 AED 9,600. - Y 1: ADEK Approved Fee AED 40,000; Founding Discount AED 8,000; Tuition Fee AED 32,000. Term 1 AED 12,800; Term 2 AED 9,600; Term 3 AED 9,600. - Y 2: ADEK Approved Fee AED 44,000; Founding Discount AED 8,800; Tuition Fee AED 35,200. Term 1 AED 14,080; Term 2 AED 10,560; Term 3 AED 10,560. - Y 3: ADEK Approved Fee AED 44,000; Founding Discount AED 8,800; Tuition Fee AED 35,200. Term 1 AED 14,080; Term 2 AED 10,560; Term 3 AED 10,560. - Y 4: ADEK Approved Fee AED 44,000; Founding Discount AED 8,800; Tuition Fee AED 35,200. Term 1 AED 14,080; Term 2 AED 10,560; Term 3 AED 10,560. - Y 5: ADEK Approved Fee AED 44,000; Founding Discount AED 8,800; Tuition Fee AED 35,200. Term 1 AED 14,080; Term 2 AED 10,560; Term 3 AED 10,560. - Y 6: ADEK Approved Fee AED 44,000; Founding Discount AED 8,800; Tuition Fee AED 35,200. Term 1 AED 14,080; Term 2 AED 10,560; Term 3 AED 10,560. - Y 7: ADEK Approved Fee AED 46,000; Founding Discount AED 9,200; Tuition Fee AED 36,800. Term 1 AED 14,720; Term 2 AED 11,040; Term 3 AED 11,040. - Y 8: ADEK Approved Fee AED 46,000; Founding Discount AED 9,200; Tuition Fee AED 36,800. Term 1 AED 14,720; Term 2 AED 11,040; Term 3 AED 11,040. - Y 9: ADEK Approved Fee AED 46,000; Founding Discount AED 9,200; Tuition Fee AED 36,800. Term 1 AED 14,720; Term 2 AED 11,040; Term 3 AED 11,040. - Y 10: ADEK Approved Fee AED 48,000; Founding Discount AED 9,600; Tuition Fee AED 38,400. Term 1 AED 15,360; Term 2 AED 11,520; Term 3 AED 11,520. - Y 11: ADEK Approved Fee AED 48,000; Founding Discount AED 9,600; Tuition Fee AED 38,400. Term 1 AED 15,360; Term 2 AED 11,520; Term 3 AED 11,520. - Y 12: ADEK Approved Fee AED 48,000; Founding Discount AED 9,600; Tuition Fee AED 38,400. Term 1 AED 15,360; Term 2 AED 11,520; Term 3 AED 11,520. - Y 13: ADEK Approved Fee AED 48,000; Founding Discount AED 9,600; Tuition Fee AED 38,400. Term 1 AED 15,360; Term 2 AED 11,520; Term 3 AED 11,520. Billing schedule and payment terms - Academic year tuition is invoiced in three instalments (termly). Term 1 covers Sep–Dec (4 months); Term 2 covers Jan–Mar (3 months); Term 3 covers Apr–Jun (3 months). Term due dates are: Term 1 — 1 August; Term 2 — 1 December; Term 3 — 1 March. Parents may request a full‑year invoice with a single due date of 1 August. - Registration fee due timing: registration payment is required within seven days upon offer acceptance. Re‑registration fee due date is set in the fee policy calendar (example due dates shown for the 2025/2026 cycle). Full‑year invoice option has a due date of 1 August for that cycle. - Late payment / non‑payment consequences: the school issues three consecutive warning notices (each at least one week apart) for late/non‑payment. The school is authorized to suspend a student for up to three days in response to late/non‑payment (after issuing the three warnings) and may withhold examination report cards, transfer certificates or block transfer on eSIS, and may withhold re‑enrolment until outstanding fees are settled. Schools will inform parents in writing at least three months before the end of the academic year if outstanding fees place re‑enrolment at risk. Boarding fees - Boarding is not listed as part of the fee schedule; no boarding fees are included in the published fee policy. (Fees and inclusions/exclusions specify tuition does not include items such as uniform, food services, transport, examination fees or extra‑curricular activities.) Other costs and exclusions - Uniforms: not included in tuition; uniform costs are charged separately. Tuition explicitly excludes uniform costs. - Food services / school meals: not included in tuition; meal plans or catering are separate charges. - Transport (school bus): transport is not included in tuition. Bus service is available at a fixed annual fee per student; the bus fee amount varies by route. - Examination fees and extra‑curricular activities outside school hours: these are not included in tuition and may incur additional charges. Refund information (withdrawal and refund rules) - Registration fee refund (new students): refundable if written notification is provided at least two weeks prior to the start of the academic year. Re‑registration fee refundable if written notification is provided on or before 30 June. - Early withdrawal / prorated retention: if a student attends up to part of the first week of a term and then discontinues without sufficient written notice, the school may retain up to 5% of the annual tuition (equivalent to the registration/re‑registration fee). If a student attends between one week and three weeks in a term, the school retains the value of one full month of tuition. If attendance is over three weeks and up to six weeks in a term, the school retains the value of two full months of tuition. If attendance exceeds six weeks in a term, the school may retain the full term fee plus registration/re‑registration fee.
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements —	Boarding arrangements —
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement —	Uniform requirement —
Food options	Food options —	Food options —
House system	House system —	House system —
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership —	Governance and ownership The school is part of Aldar Academies (Aldar Schools network) and is located in Khalifa City A, Abu Dhabi. It is operated by Aldar Academies.
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details —	Curriculum details The Yasmina American School offers a rigorous American curriculum from Pre-KG through Grade 5, aligned with the U.S. CCSS for English Language Arts and Mathematics and NGSS for Science; the early years (Pre-KG and Kindergarten) follow the U.S. Early Learning Standards in a play-based, inquiry-driven program. The Elementary program (Grades 1–5) covers core subjects—English, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies—supplemented by Art, Music, Physical Education, and STEAM, with project-based learning and a focus on 21st-century skills. Instruction is differentiated to meet diverse learners and uses an integrated STEAM approach to develop critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving through inquiry. The school plans to expand to Middle & High School with Advanced Placement (AP) courses to offer college credit opportunities in the future; currently, the curriculum covers Pre-KG to Grade 5. The program emphasizes personal growth and development, fostering confident, compassionate learners in a joyful, inquiry-based environment.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio —	Student teacher ratio —
Exam results	Exam results —	Exam results —
Higher education progression	Higher education progression —	Higher education progression —
Gifted and talented	Gifted and talented —	Gifted and talented —
Academic calendar	Academic calendar —	Academic calendar —
Wellbeing & support	Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning	Social & emotional learning —	Social & emotional learning Yasmina American School emphasizes social-emotional development from the early years; in Pre-KG, the curriculum integrates social-emotional development as part of a play-based, inquiry-driven approach. The Elementary curriculum also centers on personal and social growth, alongside core academic learning, to foster resilience, collaboration, and curiosity. The school describes its learning community as caring and inclusive, supporting students' belonging and personal growth. Parental engagement is actively pursued through workshops and events to strengthen home–school partnerships and support student wellbeing. The admissions materials highlight a supportive and engaging environment intended to help students thrive academically and socially.
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) —	Special educational needs (SEN) —
English as an additional language	English as an additional language —	English as an additional language There is no explicit, publicly described EAL program on Yasmina American School's pages; the materials focus on delivering an American curriculum aligned with CCSS and on general language instruction within that framework. The curriculum overview references English Language Arts and Mathematics aligned to CCSS, indicating English instruction as the core language of instruction, but it does not detail separate EAL support services. There is no published information about dedicated EAL staff, assessments, or pull-out/in-class supports. Families can use standard contact channels (Admissions or MyExperience) for questions about language support. Public materials do not describe a distinct EAL program, staff, or eligibility criteria.
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing —	Mental wellbeing Mental wellbeing is addressed through the curriculum's emphasis on social-emotional development in the early years and the explicit focus on personal and social skills in the program. The Pre-KG description highlights fostering social, emotional, cognitive, and physical growth, underscoring a holistic approach to wellbeing. Yasmina American School also presents itself as an inclusive and caring community, which supports students' emotional safety and sense of belonging. Parental engagement and home–school partnerships are used as mechanisms to bolster student wellbeing through ongoing communication and joint activities. For wellbeing-related inquiries, parents are encouraged to contact the school via standard channels (Admissions or MyExperience).
Safeguarding	Safeguarding —	Safeguarding —
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview —	Facilities overview Yasmina American School is located in Khalifa City A, Abu Dhabi, on the former Yasmina British Academy campus. The campus features age-appropriate classrooms, state-of-the-art facilities, and outdoor playgrounds. It emphasizes advanced technology infrastructure to support learning. The school offers an American curriculum from Pre-KG to Grade 5, with plans to grow to Grade 12. Extracurricular activities include STEAM, arts, and sports programs.
Sports facilities	Sports facilities —	Sports facilities —
Academic facilities	Academic facilities —	Academic facilities The campus provides age-appropriate classrooms and a focus on interactive, hands-on learning. It is supported by advanced technology infrastructure to enhance academic work.
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities —	Extra curricular facilities Extracurricular activities include STEAM, arts, and sports programs.
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History —	History Yasmina American School was launched by Aldar Education and opened in August 2025 in Khalifa City A, Abu Dhabi. The founding principal is Amal Shahine, a veteran educator who previously led Horizon Private School/American Branch. The school is part of Aldar Education's growing portfolio, created to provide accessible, high-quality American education. It began with Pre-KG to Grade 5, with plans to expand to Grade 12 in the near future. The campus is located on Al Mireef Street in Khalifa City, within the Al Raha Gardens area.
Community	Community —	Community Yasmina American School describes its community as inclusive and caring. Parental engagement is a core element, supported through open communication, regular workshops, and interactive events. The school calendar includes cultural observances such as Prophet's Birthday on September 4, 2025, and Commemoration Day and National Day on December 2–3, 2025. The school emphasizes a home–school partnership and family involvement as part of its community approach.
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association —	Parent teacher association Parental engagement at Yasmina American School is formalized as a core part of the school community. A dedicated Parent Relations Executive coordinates contact with families and supports the enrollment process. The engagement program emphasizes open communication, regular workshops, and interactive events to involve parents in their child's learning journey. Families are invited to participate in school life through events and collaborative activities that accompany classroom learning. The school describes its community as inclusive and caring, aligning parental involvement with a broader home–school partnership. The school is part of Aldar Education's network, emphasizing accessible, high-quality education and family engagement.
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual —	Academic & intellectual The school provides a high-quality American curriculum aligned with the CCSS for English Language Arts and Mathematics and the NGSS for Science. The school serves Pre-KG to Grade 5, with a plan to grow through Middle and High School and offer AP courses in the future. Early Childhood (Pre-KG and Kindergarten) uses a play-based, inquiry-driven program that integrates literacy, numeracy, and social-emotional development. The Elementary Curriculum (Grades 1–5) focuses on core subjects—English, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies—and is complemented by Art, Music, Physical Education, and STEAM, with project-based learning and a emphasis on 21st-century skills. The Middle and High School expansion is planned for the future, expanding opportunities for advanced coursework and college preparation.
Arts & creative	Arts & creative —	Arts & creative Art and Music are part of the Elementary Curriculum, and STEAM is integrated across subjects. Extracurricular activities include STEAM, arts programs, and sports. The program emphasizes project-based learning and creative collaboration across arts and STEAM.
Cultural & language	Cultural & language —	Cultural & language —
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies —	Social & hobbies —
Community & service	Community & service —	Community & service —
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional —	Leadership & professional —
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing —	Lifestyle & wellbeing The school is located in Khalifa City A, Abu Dhabi and is part of the Aldar Academies network. The campus offers age-appropriate classrooms, state-of-the-art facilities, playgrounds, and resources for academics and extracurriculars. Hours are Monday–Thursday, 7:30 AM–3:30 PM, and Friday, 7:30 AM–12:00 PM. Address: Al Mireef Street, Khalifa City, Al Raha Gardens, Abu Dhabi.
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision —	Language provision —
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching —	Bilingual teaching —
Immersion programs	Immersion programs —	Immersion programs —
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards —	Awards No awards listed on the page.
Accreditations	Accreditations —	Accreditations Aldar Academies network member; no specific external accreditation details provided on the page.
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions —	Admissions 01. Submit your enquiry online; a Parent Relations Executive will get back to you within 2 working days to assist you. Enquiries are accepted for the 2025-2026 academic year. This initial contact begins the admissions process. 02. Schedule a tour or a meeting with our Senior Leadership team to learn more about Yasmina American School. Tours and meetings can be arranged via the provided links. The visit helps you understand the school's programs, facilities, and overall environment. 03. Submit your completed application; the Admissions Team will be in touch within 2 working days after submission. The application is processed through the admissions system linked on the site. This step advances your candidacy toward assessment. 04. Within 2 working days of a successful assessment, you will receive an offer of a place at our School. Once this is accepted and the registration fee is paid, enrollment is completed.
Scholarships	Scholarships —	Scholarships —
Waitlist	Waitlist —	Waitlist —
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