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American Community School of Abu Dhabi

United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees AED 56,526 - 99,060
Ages 4 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 1500
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP), American Curriculum
Typical class size 9
Introduction

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).

Al Saadiyat Island, Saadiyat Promenade, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

The Essentials

American Community School of Abu Dhabi has 1,500 pupils, typical class sizes of 9, instruction in English.

Location
The American Community School of Abu Dhabi (ACS) is located on Saadiyat Island in the Saadiyat Marina District, Abu Dhabi, near New York University Abu Dhabi. The Saadiyat campus opened in January 2024 after relocating from Al Bateen, and the site is close to the cultural district and NYU Abu Dhabi. The campus covers six hectares and offers modern facilities designed for ACS's programs.

Stages
ACS serves KG1 through Grade 12, organized into Elementary School (KG1–Grade 5), Middle School (Grades 6–8) and High School (Grades 9–12).

Type
ACS is a co-educational, nonprofit school operating an American standards-based curriculum.

Pupil Nationality Mix
Students represent more than 80 nationalities; ACS describes a multi-national student body, but publishes no detailed local-to-international ratio.

Additional learning support
ACS provides learning support to a managed number of students through a balanced service delivery model, including consultative support, accommodations, small-group instruction, some in-class support and Learning Labs at the Middle and High School levels.

Country affiliation
Affiliation: United States (ACS uses an American standards-based curriculum; it is not affiliated with a government body).

Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation: Not specified.

School day structure
The school day runs from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. for all grades; Fridays dismiss at noon.

Bus service
ACS offers a bus service. Imperial Transport is the official provider, with GPS tracking, electronic attendance, seat belts, and a dedicated ACS representative; current families can register via the Veracross Parent Portal.
Diving Deeper

Boarding Arrangements
ACS Abu Dhabi operates as a day school with no boarding facilities on campus. The Saadiyat Island campus is designed for day students, and relocating families should plan housing and living arrangements in Abu Dhabi accordingly. Boarding is not offered as part of the school program.

Uniform Requirement
The UAE Ministry of Education requires a school uniform, and all students KG1–Grade 12 wear the official ACS uniform daily. The uniform consists of a collared shirt or polo with the ACS logo and bottoms in black or khaki; KG1–Grade 5 may wear a collared dress, and KG2–Grade 12 wear a PE uniform for PE classes. Uniform tops and other logoed items must be purchased from the school uniform supplier; fittings can be booked on campus, and online orders are available through Trutex with the code ACSAD-0019.

Food Options
ACS has three on-campus food providers: Food Nation (the cafeteria), Café '72 managed by La Cuisine de Manou (in the Athletics Complex and M/HS Building), and Nectar (in the M/HS building). Students may also bring lunch from home. Purchases are made using ID badges via Spare, the cashless campus app; Food Nation offers pre-booked hot lunches for KG2–Grade 5, and students in Grades 6–12 can select options via Spare.

Governance and Ownership
ACS is a nonprofit organization governed by a parent-led Board of Trustees. The board provides strategic oversight and ensures the school's long-term viability, with committees such as Building, Finance, Governance, Institutional Advancement, and Policy, and the Superintendent responsible for day-to-day operations. The nonprofit status is reflected in ACS's governance structure and mission.
Fees

Annual tuition at American Community School of Abu Dhabi ranges from AED 56,526 to AED 99,060 for 2026/27.

One‑off and application fees

- Application fee: AED 630 (includes 5% VAT). This fee is non‑refundable.
- Reservation fee: AED 3,000. Payable in March each year to reserve a seat for the following school year; new students pay the same fee within seven days of notice of acceptance. The reservation fee is applied toward annual tuition, must be paid before a student may attend class, and is 50% refundable if written notice is received by the Admissions Office by May 1 (non‑refundable after May 1).
- Capital fee (new students only): AED 27,000, one‑time, non‑refundable and non‑transferable; paid in full during the student's first academic year and not prorated.

Annual tuition fees by grade (annual amount and per‑installment breakdown)

Tuition can be paid as a single annual payment or in three installments. The installment schedule is 35% (due June 1), 30% (due September 1) and 35% (due December 1). Amounts below show the annual tuition followed by the three installment amounts (rounded to whole dirhams) corresponding to those percentages.

- KG1: Annual tuition AED 56,526 — Installments: AED 19,784 (35% due June 1), AED 16,958 (30% due September 1), AED 19,784 (35% due December 1).
- KG2 – Grade 5: Annual tuition AED 81,912 — Installments: AED 28,669 (35% due June 1), AED 24,574 (30% due September 1), AED 28,669 (35% due December 1).
- Grade 6 – Grade 8: Annual tuition AED 85,627 — Installments: AED 29,969 (35% due June 1), AED 25,688 (30% due September 1), AED 29,970 (35% due December 1).
- Grade 9 – Grade 12: Annual tuition AED 99,060 — Installments: AED 34,671 (35% due June 1), AED 29,718 (30% due September 1), AED 34,671 (35% due December 1).

Billing schedule and payment terms

- Standard due date for annual or first installment payments: June 1. Payment for new students joining after the school year starts is due within 14 days of invoicing and before the student's first day. Late payments will be considered overdue and may result in exclusion from classes until payment is made. Parents remain personally responsible for timely payment regardless of employer arrangements. Invoices are issued to returning students after re‑enrollment; new students are invoiced upon acceptance.
- Installment schedule (if paying by installments): 1st installment 35% due June 1; 2nd installment 30% due September 1; 3rd installment 35% due December 1. The same 35/30/35 percentages are used to determine amounts due when a student enrolls partway through the year.

Boarding fees

- Boarding is not applicable. ACS operates as a day school and does not charge boarding fees.

Other required or possible additional costs

- Student Support Services fee (for students receiving ongoing services): AED 5,505 (annual).
- School lunch (estimated): AED 10–25 per day.
- IB and AP examination fees: AED 440–490 per subject.
- MESAC (competitive teams) per trip: AED 600–3,000.
- Viper Venture (Middle & High School experiential learning): AED 0–15,000 depending on activity.
- Uniforms (Grades 5–12 and others as required): estimated AED 600–1,000.
- Apple laptop (Grades 5–12): estimated AED 4,200.

Refunds and withdrawal billing

- Reservation fee refund: 50% refundable if written notice is received by Admissions by May 1; otherwise the reservation fee is non‑refundable after May 1.
- Tuition refunds: Refunds may be granted where full annual tuition has been paid and the student leaves before the end of the school year. Refunds require 30 days written advance notice and will be made upon receipt of a written request from the paying individual or organization. Refunds are calculated on the basis of quarters; the tuition allocation by quarter is 35% (first quarter), 30% (second quarter), 25% (third quarter) and 10% (fourth quarter). For example, if a student attends only the first quarter, 35% of annual tuition is charged and the remaining 65% may be refunded; if a student attends the first two quarters, 65% is charged and 35% may be refunded, and so on. Other fees follow their specific refund terms.

Payment methods and practical details

- Wire transfer (Dirhams) to the school's First Abu Dhabi Bank account: account and IBAN details are provided by the school; all wire transfer charges are the responsibility of the payer.
- Dirham check drawn on a local (UAE) bank payable to American Community School.
- Credit card: credit card payments are available; requests for credit card payment should be sent to the school contact indicated for payments (email address provided by the school's billing office).

Notes and practical points

- The reservation fee is applied toward annual tuition and must be paid before a student may attend class. New students who enroll partway through the year will be invoiced at acceptance and follow the installment structure for amounts due at enrollment. Late payments may affect a student's ability to attend classes until payment is made.
Academics

American Community School of Abu Dhabi teaches IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP), American Curriculum for students aged 4 to 18.

Curriculum
The American Community School of Abu Dhabi delivers an American standards-based curriculum taught in English, organized into Elementary (KG1–Grade 5), Middle School (Grade 6–8), and High School (Grade 9–12). The school offers both the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB DP) and Advanced Placement (AP) courses, with a focus on personalized learning across the grade levels. In Grades 9 and 10, courses are designed to prepare students for IB DP, AP, or general high school study in Grades 11 and 12, with a typical Grade 9 schedule including English 9, Integrated Mathematics, Science 9, World History 9, Physical Education/Health 9, World Language, and two electives. In Grades 11 and 12, students may enroll in the IB Diploma Programme, Advanced Placement courses, or ACS High School courses, with a minimum of seven credit-bearing courses required. Graduation requires 25 credits earned across English, Math, Science, Social Studies, World Language (two credits in the same language), Creative Arts, Physical Education & Health, and Electives, plus Arabic/Islamic Studies requirements under UAE MOE as applicable. Service Learning is integrated into the curriculum, and the High School features an experiential learning program called Viper Venture that undertakes yearly field experiences in Abu Dhabi and beyond.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
ACS Abu Dhabi supports Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) through a tiered counseling system across all grade levels, prioritizing social-emotional wellness and a safe, inclusive school environment; counselors partner with students, educators and families to provide individual guidance and classroom-based programs, and the K-12 School Psychologist also acts as the Child Protection Officer responsible for safeguarding.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
ACS provides Learning Support through a tiered system across Elementary, Middle and High School, with a Learning Support team that advocates for students and develops goals, instructional strategies and accommodations; English language learners are fully immersed in language-rich environments within this framework, but ACS is not described as a dedicated SEN specialist institution in the publicly available materials.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
English as an Additional Language (EAL) is supported within ACS's Learning Services, with English language learners immersed in language-rich environments and receiving Tier 1 and Tier 2 support in the classroom and through Student Support Services.

Mental Wellbeing
Mental wellbeing is addressed through social-emotional learning and counseling services across grade levels, with elementary group SEL instruction and ongoing counseling support in middle and high school.

Safeguarding
Safeguarding is supported by the School Psychologist, who serves as the Child Protection Officer, and by formal safeguarding practices such as the Middle School Child Protection Handbook that guides safety and security procedures.
Parent Experience

History
ACS began as a small community school, with 27 students in 1969 and 50 students by 1972, and was established in 1972 as a fully independent nonprofit. A new campus on land donated by the late Founder of the UAE, Sheikh Zayed, opened for the 1975 school year. Between 1985 and 1993 the school grew to over 600 students from more than 40 countries, and Grades 10-12 were added, with the first senior class graduating in 1993. ACS expanded with a 2001 Elementary Building and a 2016 Grade 4-5 building to increase capacity, and in 2018 the leadership secured Saadiyat Island land for a larger, modern campus. The Saadiyat campus opened in January 2024, and ACS now serves approximately 1,315 students from more than 80 countries.

Community
ACS is a multinational, engaged community of students, teachers, parents, alumni and partners. Community-wide events are cherished traditions celebrated by students, teachers, grandparents, alumni and other supporters. The ACS community includes an active alumni network and programs such as New Family Welcome Committee and Buddy Family. Since relocating to Saadiyat Island in January 2024, ACS has continued to host events and campaigns such as the annual Gala.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
The PTA is the heart of the ACS community; all ACS families are automatically members. PTA volunteers can join committees or sign up to help with events and enrichment programs. New Family Welcome Committee and Buddy Family program help new families integrate into the ACS community. PTA organizes and supports Fall Festival, Holiday Extravaganza, International Day, Used Book Sales, Snow Cone Sales and Staff Appreciation, among other activities. Viper Club functions as the boosters for athletics and the arts, operating Viper Bites concession and directing proceeds to ACS programs. Eight PTA-elected Trustees sit on the ACS Board of Trustees; the PTA President, the Superintendent and a U.S. Ambassador-appointed representative are non-voting members.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
The ACS campus on Saadiyat Island opened in January 2024. It is a six‑hectare, state‑of‑the‑art facility designed to support whole‑child learning and is located near NYU Abu Dhabi. The campus serves up to 1,550 students from Kindergarten through Grade 12 and includes a fully equipped science wing, robotics, artificial intelligence, machine‑learning and virtual reality laboratories, a 650‑seat theater and an expansive art gallery. It features a three‑story teaching greenhouse, the Arabic Institute of Excellence, and solar panels that provide about 35% of the school's energy as part of an Estidama Pearl 3 sustainability rating.

Sports Facilities
The athletic facilities include a 25‑meter, six‑lane competition‑size swimming pool, five full‑sized indoor basketball courts, a FIFA‑size football pitch, a six‑lane running track and a wellness center. The school supports year‑round swimming and operates ACS Vipers Swim Club for students beyond the regular season, with more than 50 teams available for Grades 4–12.

Academic Facilities
Academic facilities include a fully equipped science wing with design‑technology labs and spaces focused on robotics, artificial intelligence, machine learning and virtual reality. A three‑story teaching greenhouse supports hands‑on learning in sustainability and science, aided by solar energy generating about 35% of the campus energy. The Arabic Institute of Excellence pioneers new approaches to teaching Arabic. The library system includes Elementary and Secondary libraries with approximately 10,000 titles in the Middle/High Library, plus a robust digital library with access to SORA, JSTOR, Questia School and EBSCO Explora and free access to The New York Times Online (remote access 24/7). The school also operates a 1:1 Digital Device Program for Grades 4–12, with all students expected to provide an Apple MacBook Pro or MacBook Air, and more than 500 student and staff devices across the network. The school offers IB Diploma Programme and Advanced Placement courses and has over 100 academic programs (IB/AP).

Extra Curricular Facilities
Extra‑curricular options include after‑school programs such as Mini Vipers for Elementary and Fun After School for Middle School, with dozens of activity options per session; the ACS Vipers Swim Club provides year‑round training and competition. There are more than 30 student‑led clubs in Middle and High School, and the school participates in MESAC, EAC and JEAC/MESAC conferences, hosting and competing in regional events. In the Arts, band, choir, theatre and visual arts programs run throughout the year, with annual events such as a Senior Fine Arts festival and regional exchanges; a 650‑seat theater, performing arts opportunities, and art exhibitions are part of the program. The school is near NYU Abu Dhabi and incorporates robust performing and visual arts opportunities, exhibitions and international exchanges to extend learning beyond the classroom.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
ACS follows a standards-based American curriculum with English instruction. The high school program prepares students to pursue the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB DP) or Advanced Placement (AP) courses, or general high school pathways in Grades 11 and 12. Beginning in 2018, an experiential learning program was integrated into the academic program to broaden curricular and co-curricular opportunities. The school is guided by four pillars: academics, the arts, athletics and service learning.

Arts & Creative
ACS offers a broad arts program across visual and performing arts. High school courses include IB Visual Arts SL/HL; Theatre I and II; Stagecraft; Dance I; Concert Band; Chamber Orchestra; Mixed Choir and Chamber Choir. Elementary and secondary programs emphasize the arts as a core pillar of learning.

Cultural & Language
World languages include French and Spanish offerings; Arabic language education is a focus with the Arabic Institute of Excellence to enhance Arabic language learning; the Institute supports K-12 Arabic certification and advisory council partnerships with institutions such as AUB, NYU Abu Dhabi and AUC. ACS is an English-language IB World School.

Social & Hobbies
ACS provides a range of after-school and extracurricular activities across arts, athletics and service projects. The high school program includes arts ensembles such as Concert Band, Chamber Orchestra, Mixed Choir and Chamber Choir, along with theatre and dance options. Service learning and experiential experiences are core to student life.

Community & Service
Service learning is a core pillar at ACS, with opportunities integrated across grade levels. The school emphasizes community engagement and civic contributions through service activities and partnerships. The ACS PTA connects families with the school to support the community.

Leadership & Professional
Students develop leadership and professional skills through experiential learning and service programs, and through opportunities to engage in projects and collaborations across grade levels. The high school program supports preparation for university admission and career paths through collaboration with teachers and peers. ACS fosters leadership through service-learning initiatives and project-based experiences.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
ACS supports lifestyle and wellbeing through sports, fitness and outdoor activities as part of the physical education/health program; the school day runs 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with Friday dismissal at noon, and the Saadiyat Island campus enables active learning and athletics. The school participates in MESAC athletic competition as part of its athletics program.
Languages

Language Provision
Language of instruction is English. The Arabic language program is a core focus, supported by the Arabic Institute of Excellence advancing Arabic education. Language offerings within the IB Diploma Programme include Arabic, French, Spanish, German, Russian, Hebrew and Dutch at varying levels across KG1 through Grade 12.
Reputation

Awards
The school presents a regional and international program; not specified here.

Accreditations
The school is a nonprofit, U.S.-accredited college preparatory school.
Admissions

Admissions
1. Age requirements. ACS serves KG1 through Grade 12. A child must be 4 years old before September 1 to enroll in KG1, 5 for KG2, and 6 for Grade 1. Grades 2–12 have age guidelines and the admissions team reviews files to determine the best fit for the student.

2. Pre-Application. Begin with a Pre-Application to ACS, creating an online profile in the Veracross system. The Veracross system sends a username and a link to create a password; do not re-start the Pre-Application if you navigated away.

3. Application Form. Log in to the Application Form and complete the required sections; you can move in and out of the form as you work. All required sections must be marked completed before review, and the non-refundable application fee must be paid.

4. Required documents. Submit Report Cards for the previous two years, any standardized test scores, and Confidential Assessment Forms from your current school. High school transcript for Grades 10-12 when available; include additional documents such as IEPs, 504 plans, or psychological/educational evaluations if relevant. Upload PDFs in the Additional Documents section.

5. Schedule a visit. Schedule a campus tour (ACS offers tours Monday–Wednesday at 9 a.m.); a confirmation email is sent when the tour is confirmed. Virtual tours are also available.

6. Admissions timeline and review. Applications for the 2026-27 school year are open. The Admissions Timeline outlines waves of applications and when admissions decisions are typically communicated. Completed applications are time-stamped and Admissions Office staff will verify each document before determining if they are ready for review.
School Events
The school has not added events
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