Compare IB Curriculum International Schools in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Abu Dhabi International School (AIS) operates across two campuses, the Abu Dhabi Campus at 121 Hadfah St, Al Manhal, and the MBZ Campus in Mohamed Bin Zayed City. Catering to students aged 3 to 18, AIS delivers three curricula under one private, coeducational K-12 umbrella: the British Program (IGCSE and A Levels) at the Abu Dhabi Campus; the American Program with Advanced Placement (AP) at the MBZ Campus; and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) also at MBZ for grades 11–12. The American track aligns English and Math with the Common Core, Science with NGSS, and Arabic with UAE Ministry standards. The High School offers Engineering, Medicine & Health Sciences, Economics & Business, and Liberal Arts tracks. Facilities span two campuses with libraries, theatres, laboratories, and sports grounds, plus spaces for co-curricular activities. AIS fosters nationalities (about 60) and a spectrum of clubs in science, arts, sports, service, and sustainability.

Abu Dhabi International School (AIS) operates across two campuses, the Abu Dhabi Campus at 121 Hadfah St, Al Manhal, and the MBZ Campus in Mohamed Bin Zayed City. Catering to students aged 3 to 18, AIS delivers three curricula under one private, coeducational K-12 umbrella: the British Program (IGCSE and A Levels) at the Abu Dhabi Campus; the American Program with Advanced Placement (AP) at the MBZ Campus; and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) also at MBZ for grades 11–12. The American track aligns English and Math with the Common Core, Science with NGSS, and Arabic with UAE Ministry standards. The High School offers Engineering, Medicine & Health Sciences, Economics & Business, and Liberal Arts tracks. Facilities span two campuses with libraries, theatres, laboratories, and sports grounds, plus spaces for co-curricular activities. AIS fosters nationalities (about 60) and a spectrum of clubs in science, arts, sports, service, and sustainability.

Al Najah Private School (ANPS) is a private international school in Mohammed Bin Zayed City, Abu Dhabi, operating from FS2 through Year 13. The school follows the English National / British curriculum across its primary and middle phases and prepares students in Years 10–11 for IGCSE; in Years 12–13 it offers a choice of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme or International Advanced Levels. English is the language of instruction; Arabic and French are taught as part of the languages programme. The school's published provision includes structured primary and middle‑school curricula, science laboratories, a school library, a clinic and sports facilities, and a Student Internship Programme that places older students in supervised roles across laboratories, library, clinic and sports operations. ANPS also describes pastoral support, STEM and robotics activities, and an emphasis on extracurricular clubs, community service and university‑preparation alongside its external examination pathways.

The American Community School of Abu Dhabi (ACS) is a non‑profit, U.S.-accredited, co‑educational day school located on Saadiyat Island in Abu Dhabi, serving KG1 through Grade 12 (ages 4–18). ACS follows an American standards‑based curriculum across the school and offers Advanced Placement courses and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme in the upper grades; Grades 9–10 follow a standards‑based programme that prepares students for the IB, AP or ACS high‑school pathways. English is the language of instruction; the school operates a World Languages programme offering Arabic, French and Spanish (elementary pupils have daily Arabic instruction and secondary pathways extend to IB Arabic options). ACS opened a new, larger and environmentally sustainable campus on Saadiyat in January 2024, expanding learning, arts and athletics facilities and providing flexible innovation spaces (including an Innovation Lab). The school highlights an integrated service‑learning focus and an experiential learning programme for older students (Viper Venture).

The American International School in Abu Dhabi (AISA) is an international K–12 school located on Street 29, Airport Road, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. AISA publishes that it delivers an American curriculum aligned to Common Core standards alongside International Baccalaureate programmes (Primary Years Programme, Middle Years Programme and Diploma Programme), serving students from early years through Grade 12 (ages 4 to 18). The school states that English is the language of instruction, with Arabic, French, Spanish and Islamic Studies taught as additional language or curriculum subjects and an English Language Learning (ELL/ELL) programme to support learners. AISA describes campus facilities including science and technology laboratories, two libraries (over 20,000 books and e‑books), an athletic complex with a regulation grass soccer field, two swimming pools, indoor and outdoor basketball courts and two gymnasiums, and a BYOD policy for secondary students. The school also notes use of MAP assessments and holds international and US accreditations and UAE Ministry of Education approval.

Aspen Heights British School is a co-educational British international school in Al Bahyah, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, serving children aged 3 to 18. The school follows the National Curriculum for England through to IGCSE and offers Sixth Form pathways including the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme and BTEC Level 3 Extended Diplomas; instruction is English-medium. Arabic is taught in line with UAE Ministry requirements and the school reports a multilingual pathway in which students also study French and Spanish. Campus facilities described on the school website include specialist ICT and robotics rooms, music and recording studios, art and design workshops, a hydroponic garden lab and animal areas, two swimming pools, an indoor sports hall, a padel court and a multi‑use games arena. The school highlights sustainability and hands‑on eco learning, a broad extra‑curricular programme, and links to the International Schools Partnership's life‑competencies and global opportunities.

Bateen World Academy is a co-educational day school in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, serving children aged 4 to 18. The school's programme is based on an adapted English National Curriculum and moves through the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme in primary, a broad middle‑school curriculum with I/GCSE in Years 10–11 (and MYP provision referenced in the school's IB documentation), and the IB Diploma (and IB Career‑related) options in senior school. English is the primary language of instruction; the school provides mandatory Arabic, UAE Social Studies, Moral Education and (for Muslim students) Islamic Studies and offers modern language options such as French and Spanish, with mother‑tongue support described in its language policy. Notable facilities listed by the academy include an indoor swimming pool, a full‑size astroturf football pitch, ICT laboratories, dedicated art and ceramics spaces, dance and drama studios and science laboratories. The primary sources for these details are the school website and its published curriculum and policy documents.

Emirates National School (Sharjah) is a private international day school located in Al Rahmaniya Suburb, Shaghrafa 3, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. The campus offers the International Baccalaureate continuum—Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP) and Diploma Programme (DP)—alongside an American curriculum pathway that implements US Common Core and related standards for core subjects. It serves children from early years through secondary (typically ages 4 to 18). The campus identifies English and Arabic as languages of instruction and follows UAE Ministry curricula for Arabic, Islamic Education and UAE social studies. Published facilities include specialist language and science laboratories, a school library, a spacious gymnasium, four AstroTurf football pitches, a 25-metre semi-Olympic swimming pool and a 900+‑seat auditorium. The school's programme is described as delivering American standards within the IB inquiry-based framework and is authorised by the IB for PYP, MYP and DP on the Sharjah campus.

GEMS American Academy – Abu Dhabi is a co‑educational international day school located in Madinat Khalifa A (Khalifa City A), Abu Dhabi, serving Pre‑K/Kindergarten through Grade 12 (ages 3–18). The school delivers an American college‑preparatory curriculum aligned to AERO/Common Core standards, offers Advanced Placement courses and provides the International Baccalaureate Primary Years framework in the elementary years and the IB Diploma Programme in Grades 11–12. English is the medium of instruction; students study Arabic (native and non‑native pathways) to meet ADEK requirements and may choose a world language (French or Spanish) from Grade 6. The campus lists extensive facilities including multiple science labs and makerspaces, a design lab, a 500‑seat auditorium and black‑box theatre, three libraries, indoor and outdoor sports facilities (two pools, running track, courts, sports field, weight room and gym) plus dedicated early years outdoor learning zones. The school publishes information on student support (ELL/EAL provision and WIDA assessment) and ADEK‑aligned Arabic/Islamic/UAE social studies requirements.

GEMS World Academy – Abu Dhabi is an international day school on Al Reem Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The school delivers the International Baccalaureate Primary Years and Middle Years Programmes and the IB Diploma Programme, and also offers the IB Career-related Programme pathway while integrating IGCSE within the MYP, serving learners aged 3 to 18 across Early Years, primary, middle and senior phases. English is the primary language of instruction; the school promotes Arabic (with dedicated Arabic and Islamic education provision) and provides English B and other language support for non-native speakers. The purpose-built campus includes specialist science laboratories (biology, chemistry, physics), an Innovation Studio with robotics and digital technologies (AI, AR/VR), music and art studios, an extensive library, a six-court multipurpose sports hall, a full-size football pitch and a 25-metre swimming pool, with further specialist labs, fitness and arts spaces included in a planned campus expansion. The curriculum blends IB inquiry with the Early Years Foundation Stage and the National Curriculum for England and emphasises personalised, high-performance learning.

International Community Schools — Khalifa City campus (SE 38, Khalifa City A, Abu Dhabi) is an English‑medium international school serving pre‑KG/FS1 to Grade 12 (the ICS group refers to Grade 12/Year 13 on some campuses). The Khalifa branch follows the American curriculum while the ICS group also operates British and IB pathways at other branches. The school's curriculum policy states that English is the primary medium of instruction, with Ministry of Education national subjects (Arabic, Islamic Education and UAE Social Studies) taught in their approved languages and additional world‑language options such as French offered. Published information lists science and IT laboratories with interactive boards, multi‑purpose rooms, temperature‑controlled gymnasiums, outdoor sports pitches, courts and running tracks, and extensive computer resources. The curriculum documentation records accreditation and assessment affiliations (Cognia, NWEA and College Board) and notes plans for Advanced Placement courses; the Khalifa City campus is shown with an ADEK rating of “Good.”

Raha International School — Gardens Campus is an IB World School located in Khalifa City A, Al Raha Gardens, Abu Dhabi. The campus is authorised to deliver the International Baccalaureate Primary Years, Middle Years and Diploma Programmes and admits children from Early Years 1 (entry from age 4) through the Diploma years (typically up to 18). The primary language of instruction is English; Arabic is taught from EY1 and Arabic, Islamic and UAE Social Studies are delivered in line with local requirements. From Grade 6 non‑native Arabic speakers choose between French and Spanish, and Spanish ab initio is available in the Diploma years; an English as an Additional Language (EAL) support programme is provided. The campus occupies a landscaped site with spacious classrooms and specialist facilities, including libraries, chemistry/physics/biology laboratories, design‑technology and ICT suites, visual‑arts and music studios, multiple gymnasia, tennis courts, a 25‑metre pool, multi‑sport and football pitches, dining and health centres and a 600‑seat theatre. The Gardens Campus holds Council of International Schools accreditation and offers a broad extra‑curricular programme (sports, arts, language clubs, Duke of Edinburgh's Award).

Raha International School (RIS) is an IB Continuum school in Khalifa City, Abu Dhabi, part of the Taaleem education group. The Gardens Campus is Abu Dhabi's first IB Continuum school, and the nearby Khalifa City Campus offers state-of-the-art facilities. RIS fosters global citizens with a lifelong love of learning through inquiry-based and collaborative education. The school has a close-knit community with a comprehensive extracurricular programme spanning culture, sports, visual and performing arts, and general activities.

Sama International School, located in the Al Shamkha community of Abu Dhabi, provides education from Kindergarten through Grade 12. The school implements the American curriculum, aligning its English Language Arts and Mathematics with the California Common Core State Standards, alongside the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) for its science courses. Students also take Arabic language, Islamic studies, and social studies to satisfy United Arab Emirates Ministry of Education requirements. Campus facilities include science laboratories, computer rooms, an indoor gymnasium, an outdoor playing field, and a dedicated library. A signature offering at the school is its intensive focus on English and Arabic dual-literacy development from the early kindergarten stages, ensuring students build strong communication skills in both languages. The school operates as a co-educational day school, providing daily bus transportation options for families living across the Abu Dhabi region.

The Australian School of Abu Dhabi (ASAD) is a co-educational IB World School in Abu Dhabi that delivers the IB Primary Years, Middle Years and Diploma Programmes (and the IB Career-related Programme) alongside elements of the Australian Curriculum, serving Kindergarten to Grade 12 (ages c.4–18). The medium of instruction is English; Arabic language lessons begin in Kindergarten and Ministry-mandated subjects (Arabic, UAE Social Studies and Islamic Education for eligible students) are taught in Arabic, with French and advanced Arabic offered as elective language options in the MYP and DP. The school publishes a range of notable facilities including a library, a 27-m indoor heated swimming pool with a shallow training pool, an indoor gym, a full-size football/soccer field, a 620-seat auditorium, a masjid/prayer room, cafeteria services and organised school transport. ASAD's published policies emphasise inclusion, a formal EAL provision for multilingual learners, and the integration of UAE national identity within its IB-based curriculum.

The British International School Abu Dhabi is a co-educational international day school in Zayed City, Abu Dhabi, serving children aged 3–18 (Early Years 3–5, Primary 5–11, Secondary 11–16 and Senior School 16–18). It delivers a British-based pathway (Early Years Foundation Stage and the English National Curriculum) through to Cambridge IGCSEs, and offers post-16 routes including the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme and the BTEC International Level 3; school records and file data also list the IB Primary and Middle Years Programmes as part of its international provision. All lessons are taught in English and the school teaches additional languages including Arabic, French, Spanish and German; Muslim students follow an Islamic Studies programme based on the UAE Ministry curriculum. Facilities published on the school site include dance and music suites, science labs, a Creative Technology Zone, auditorium, indoor swimming pools, air-conditioned sports halls, extensive outdoor playing fields, libraries of over 15,000 books and an Eco Edventure, and the school highlights collaborations with MIT, The Juilliard School, UNICEF and IMG Academy alongside a large co‑curricular and expedition programme.