Al Dhafra Private School

United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi

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The school at a glance

Instructs in English

Fees AED 28,700 - 51,180

Ages 3 - 18 years

Pupil numbers 2800

Bus Service No

Availability Not shared by this school

Academic offering

Curriculum British Curriculum, American Curriculum

Typical class size 20

Mohammed Bin Zayed City, ME9, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

www.dhafraschools.com

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Vibes and Culture

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The Essentials

Location

Al Dhafra Private Schools – Abu Dhabi is located in Mohammed Bin Zayed City (MBZ City), Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The campus is positioned in MBZ City along the local streets and is accessible by car; nearby public transit serves the area. Public bus routes 930 and 970 stop within walking distance of the campus at nearby streets such as Khaled Ibn Sultan Street and Zayed Al Awwal Street.

Stages

The Abu Dhabi campus operates from Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12. School phases are: Kindergarten (Pre-KG to KG2), Elementary (Grade 1–5), Middle School (Grade 6–8), and High School (Grade 9–12).

Type

The school is private and co-educational; from Middle School onward, boys and girls are taught in separate classes.

Pupil Nationality Mix

The school serves a diverse international student body, with more than 1,300 students across KG to Grade 12 reported for the Abu Dhabi campus. Publicly available data do not publish a detailed breakdown of nationalities or the local-to-international student ratio.

Additional learning support

A School Clinic system operates with three clinics (main clinic for primary and female secondary, a male clinic for Grade 6–12 boys, and a KG clinic) staffed by registered nurses and a visiting DOH- Abu Dhabi doctor. Public information does not specify a dedicated SEN program; families should inquire for details on additional learning support.

Country affiliation

The school offers an American Curriculum at the Abu Dhabi campus, with UK and/or US curriculum options available across campuses.

Religious affiliation

No religious affiliation is stated.

School day structure

Regular days begin around 7:30–7:50 AM with an assembly. Pre-KG to KG2 dismissal is around 1:00 PM; Elementary and Secondary dismissal is around 2:15 PM on regular days. Fridays operate on a half-day schedule with earlier dismissal.

Bus service

A school bus service is available, with annual fees typically in the range of AED 4,000 to AED 4,500 depending on the route. The service is provided for student travel and routes are established through the school's transportation arrangements.

Diving Deeper

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Fees

Application / Registration fees

- A registration (re‑registration) deposit is charged to confirm a place and is deductible from the annual tuition. The registration/re‑registration amount is set at up to 5% of the annual tuition fee.

Tuition fees by year group (annual and per term)

The school charges tuition per academic year. Fees are commonly collected in a minimum of three instalments; the per‑term figures below show each annual tuition divided into three equal instalments for clarity.

- PREKG: AED 24,000 per year (AED 8,000.00 per term).
- KG1: AED 25,520 per year (AED 8,506.67 per term).
- KG2: AED 27,780 per year (AED 9,260.00 per term).
- Grade 1: AED 30,040 per year (AED 10,013.33 per term).
- Grade 2: AED 30,040 per year (AED 10,013.33 per term).
- Grade 3: AED 30,040 per year (AED 10,013.33 per term).
- Grade 4: AED 30,040 per year (AED 10,013.33 per term).
- Grade 5: AED 37,040 per year (AED 12,346.67 per term).
- Grade 6: AED 37,040 per year (AED 12,346.67 per term).
- Grade 7: AED 38,170 per year (AED 12,723.33 per term).
- Grade 8: AED 38,170 per year (AED 12,723.33 per term).
- Grade 9: AED 40,540 per year (AED 13,513.33 per term).
- Grade 10: AED 41,570 per year (AED 13,856.67 per term).
- Grade 11: AED 42,800 per year (AED 14,266.67 per term).
- Grade 12: AED 43,930 per year (AED 14,643.33 per term).

These tuition figures are the school's approved fee amounts and appear in the school's published fee schedule. Per‑term amounts above are annual divided by three to reflect the standard three‑instalment billing structure.

Mandatory and additional charges

- Books and learning resources: charged in addition to tuition; amounts vary by grade (examples range from around AED 1,000 in early years up to AED 3,300–3,500 in senior grades).
- Transportation (bus): a single annual bus charge is applied where used (the school's published figure for transport is AED 4,950 for the Abu Dhabi campus; other breakdowns commonly show a range of AED 4,000–5,000 depending on route and grade).
- Uniform: a one‑off uniform cost is charged (typical ranges shown are AED 90–120).
- External/exam fees and other course‑specific charges: charged separately where applicable (for example, board/entrance/exam fees for college‑board or external exam sessions).

These ancillary charges are billed in addition to the tuition line and vary by grade and by service selected.

Billing schedule and payment terms

- Fees are payable in a minimum of three instalments per academic year. Typical instalment timing is: first instalment at registration or at the start of the first term (August/September), second instalment in December, and third instalment in March. Instalment timing and exact due dates follow the school's published fee calendar.
- The registration/re‑registration deposit is deductible from the tuition and is normally applied against the final instalment (the school adjusts the registration deposit into the tuition schedule).
- The school follows the private school policy guidance on instalments and deposits; instalment proportions and any alternative payment plans (for example monthly plans where offered) are subject to the school's accounts office terms.

Boarding fees

- Boarding is not applicable. Al Dhafra Private Schools operate as day schools and do not publish boarding charges.

Other one‑off or recurring costs

- Application or assessment fees: small one‑time application/assessment fees may be required when applying (amounts and whether these are refundable depend on the school's admissions procedures).
- Re‑registration fees: charged annually to hold a place for the following academic year and are deductible from that year's tuition (subject to the 5% rule above).
- Activity, co‑curricular and remedial fees: charges for optional activities, clubs, and certain intervention programmes are additional.
- Insurance/medical and consumables: occasional charges may apply for insurance, trips, or consumable materials.

These additional costs vary by student choices and grade and are billed as applicable.

Refund information

- The registration/re‑registration deposit is deductible from tuition. The school follows the regulator's rules on refunds; registration/re‑registration deposits are generally non‑refundable except in limited circumstances allowed under the regulator's guidance (for example approved relocation or other extenuating cases). If a refund is required, the school applies the regulatory refund calculation rules for tuition already paid and for the period of enrolment.

Fee payment options and payment administration

- Accepted payment methods include bank transfer (wire), cash payment at the accounts office, credit/debit card payments at the school payment counter, and post‑dated cheques submitted to cover later instalments.
- Returned cheque penalties and bank charges apply if a cheque is dishonoured; a returned‑cheque administrative fee commonly published is AED 250.
- Receipts are issued for every payment; the accounts office provides bank account details and invoice breakdowns on request. Late payment may attract penalties in line with the school's accounts policies.

Notes and practical points for parents

- Registration deposit: expect to pay a deposit equal to up to 5% of the annual tuition to secure a place; that amount will normally be deducted from the annual tuition.
- Instalments: plan for three instalments across the academic year (first instalment at registration/start of term, second in December, third in March).
- Ancillary costs (books, bus, uniform, exams) are charged separately and should be budgeted on top of the tuition figures listed above.

(Referenced sources used for the fee figures and terms: the Al Dhafra Abu Dhabi and Al Ain school fee schedules and ADEK/AUH approved fee schedule documents, plus recent independent school‑guide summaries.)

Academics

Curriculum

The Al Dhafra Private Schools offer a UK and/or US curriculum across campuses in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, with English as the primary language of instruction. Arabic-language subjects, including Islamic Studies, UAE Social Studies, and Arabic language, are taught in Arabic in accordance with UAE Ministry of Education guidelines. The schools serve students from Kindergarten through Grade 12, with the MBZ City campus explicitly listing KG to Grade 12. In upper grades, Advanced Placement courses are offered to provide college-level study options, and standardized testing such as SAT and TOEFL is supported to aid university admissions. Curriculum enhancements emphasize STEM and robotics, with digital learning and a 1:1 device program from Grade 3 onward.

Wellbeing

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Parent Experience

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Facilities

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Extra-Curricular Activities

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Languages

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Reputation

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School Events

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FAQs

Where is Al Dhafra Private School located and what ages does it serve?

Al Dhafra operates two campuses: Abu Dhabi in Mohammed Bin Zayed City for ages 3–18 (Pre-K to Grade 12) and Al Ain in the Manaseer Area for ages 3–18. The Abu Dhabi campus follows an American Curriculum, while Al Ain offers English National Curriculum up to Grade 8 and English or American Curriculum through Grade 12. The school is co‑educational, with David Evans as head of the Abu Dhabi campus and Roger Mcduff as principal for Al Ain.

WhatCurricula are offered at each campus?

Abu Dhabi delivers a US‑style Pre‑K to 12 American Curriculum with English as the medium of instruction and Arabic subjects (Islamic Education, Arabic Language, UAE Social Studies) taught in Arabic as required by MOE. Al Ain offers the English National Curriculum up to Grade 8, and an English- or American‑focused pathway through Grade 12.

Is Al Dhafra Private School a day school or boarding school?

It is a day school; boarding is not offered.

What are the tuition fees by year group, and how are they billed?

Annual tuition ranges from AED 24,000 (Pre‑K) to AED 43,930 (Grade 12). Fees are billed in three installments with typical due dates in August/September, December, and March. A registration/de‑registration deposit of up to 5% of annual tuition is deductible from tuition.

What is the admissions process and what documents are required?

Applications can be made online or in person. You'll need passport copies for both parents and student, birth certificate, immunisation record, four passport photos, ADEK bill (colored), Emirates IDs, health insurance card, transfer certificate (ADEK‑stamped or embassy/ministry attestation if from abroad), original report card (ADEK‑stamped or attested), and a behavior report from the previous school.

Are scholarships available?

No scholarships are listed in the provided information.

What academic pathways and exams are available on campus?

The school offers three pathways—General, Advanced, and Elite—within its American curriculum. AP courses are available (including Calculus AB, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Computer Science Principles, Psychology, Human Geography, Macroeconomics, and English Literature & Composition), and exams such as SAT, ACT, AP, and EmSAT are offered on site.

What higher‑education outcomes can families expect for graduates?

Graduates have attended universities worldwide (e.g., Virginia Tech, University of Alberta, University of Manchester, UAEU, UCLA, NYU Abu Dhabi, Khalifa University, Indiana University Bloomington, University of Calgary, University of Birmingham, and more). The school provides Career and University Guidance and uses Unifrog to help with university searches, applications, and UAE equivalency guidance.

Is there a Gifted and Talented program?

Yes. In Al Ain, there is a Gifted and Talented program with rigorous, engaging learning drawn from both American and British curricula, including activities and competitions.

What facilities or campus features stand out?

The Abu Dhabi campus emphasizes technology integration, with a Chromebook‑driven approach and partnerships with technology providers as part of a digital strategy. The Al Ain campus follows the English National Curriculum up to Grade 8 and offers English or American pathways through Grade 12.

What extracurricular activities and enrichment options exist?

Beyond core subjects, the school offers Music Education and Art Education, a range of AP courses, and leadership/creative opportunities through career and university guidance, STEM fairs, industry visits, and university talks to broaden learning beyond the classroom.

How does the school support leadership and university preparation?

Career and University Guidance helps with post‑secondary planning, uses Unifrog to compare universities and manage applications, and provides UAE‑specific admissions guidance. There are orientation sessions, university talks, and one‑on‑one guidance for students and parents.

What wellbeing and safeguarding provisions does the school have?

The school has a Safeguarding and Wellbeing Policy and operates a School Clinic with three clinics staffed by nurses and a licensed doctor. Health records are maintained, immunizations coordinated with SEHA, and there are emergency procedures to safeguard students.

What language provisions exist beyond English instruction?

English is the medium of instruction for all courses. Arabic Language, Islamic Education, and UAE Social Studies are taught in Arabic as required by MOE, and Moral Education is taught in Arabic.

What is the school day like and is there a Friday half‑day?

A typical day starts around 07:30–07:50. KG finishes around 12:45–01:00, while elementary and secondary finish around 14:00–14:15. Friday is a half‑day with dismissal around 11:30.

Who governs the school?

Al Dhafra Private Schools are governed by a Board of Trustees within Dhafra Private Schools. The Chairman is Sultan Al Hameli; the Vice Chairman is Ahmed Sultan Al Hameli. Principals are Roger Mcduff (Al Ain) and David Evans (Abu Dhabi).

What is the house system like?

The school runs a house system with four houses: Falcons (Blue), Camels (Green), Stallions (Red), and Scorpions (Yellow).

What about uniforms and dress code?

All students must wear the DPS uniform for school and school events, with the PE kit worn only on PE days.

What is the school's history and expansion to multiple campuses?

Al Dhafra opened its first school in Abu Dhabi in 1983 and expanded to Al Ain in 1989, followed by a third school in Al Ain and a nursery. The group now offers UK and/or US curricula across campuses and emphasizes a supportive, globally minded learning community.

Are there any accreditations or awards listed for the school?

No accreditations or specific awards are listed in the provided information.

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