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German International School Abu Dhabi

United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi

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· Reviewed by · B2C Marketing Manager

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The school at a glance
Instructs in German
Fees AED 37,570 - 56,600
Ages 4 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 400
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum German Curriculum
Typical class size 16
Introduction

German International School Abu Dhabi (GISAD) is a German‑curriculum international day school in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, providing education from Kindergarten through the gymnasiale Oberstufe and serving ages 4–18. The school follows German curricula (including Thüringian curriculum frameworks) and, since 2018/19, offers the Deutsche Internationale Abitur (DIA); the upper school delivers a bilingual emphasis with some subjects taught in English and the possibility of up to 50% instruction in a foreign language. German is the principal language of instruction; English is taught from Grade 1 and Arabic is compulsory from Grade 1 (with additional hours for native Arabic speakers). Early language support is provided through a structured DaF programme (KIKUS) in kindergarten and school. Published facilities and services include a mediothek (library), cafeteria (partnered catering), a fully equipped nurse's station, a schoolshop, an 11‑bus transport service, school social work, after‑school care, extracurricular clubs and private tutoring. The school also publishes recent programme innovations such as a Flexklasse model for Years 1–2.

23, Street 34, As Sulouf St., Al Manhal Gharb 13-02, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

The Essentials

German International School Abu Dhabi has 400 pupils, typical class sizes of 16, instruction in German.

Location
GISAD is located in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The official mailing address is P.O. Box 4150, Abu Dhabi. The campus is in central Abu Dhabi with bus routes serving multiple city zones, including Abu Dhabi City, Al Reem Island, Saadiyat Island, Mangrove Village, and surrounding areas.

Stages
GISAD offers education from Kindergarten through Upper Secondary. It includes Primary School and Lower Secondary and Upper Secondary levels, culminating in the German Abitur. Instruction includes a bilingual German-English program starting in kindergarten, with Abitur preparation in Upper Secondary.

Type
GISAD is a co-educational day school with an extensive afternoon program.

Pupil Nationality Mix
GISAD has a multinational student body. In 2025/2026 the school enrolled 544 students. About 80 Emirati students participate in the ADEK scholarship program, representing roughly 15% of the student body. Public reporting notes the school hosts students from around 17 nationalities.

Additional learning support
GISAD provides inclusive education with language integration for non-German-speaking students (DaF), an integration pathway, school social work, bilingual counseling, and private tutoring; there is a nurse on site.

Country affiliation
GISAD is affiliated with Germany as a German international school abroad; it is part of the German Schools Abroad network and awards the German Language Diploma (DSD) and Abitur.

Religious affiliation
No religious affiliation is indicated.

School day structure
Timetables are published via the UNTIS timetable app; schedules may vary by grade and are updated as needed.

Bus service
GISAD operates a school bus transport with 11 buses. Buses run in the morning and after school at 13:45 and 15:45. Pickups are at designated stops or at home, with routes adjusted at the start of each school year. Enrollment and changes are via an online portal; Zone-based annual fees apply (Zone 1: 5,500 AED; Zone 2: 6,000 AED; Zone 3: 7,000 AED; Zone 4: 8,000 AED).
Diving Deeper

Food Options
Lunch is provided for all students in collaboration with Food Nation; warm lunches are offered at GISAD.

Governance and Ownership
The school is governed by a Board of Trustees, a Steering Committee, and a Parent Council. It is part of the German international schools abroad network and receives ADEK recognition as a 'very good' school.
Fees

Annual tuition at German International School Abu Dhabi ranges from AED 37,570 to AED 56,600 for 2026/27.

Application / Admission Fees

- Admission deposit on enrolment: AED 1,000 per child (payable at school entry).

Annual tuition fees by year group (per child)

- Kindergarten: AED 36,610 per school year. A reduction of AED 2,000 is applied for early pickup where applicable.
- Primary School (Grundschule, Grades 1–4): AED 43,630 per school year.
- Secondary I (Sekundarstufe I, Grades 5–10): AED 49,270 per school year.
- Secondary II (Sekundarstufe II, Grades 11–12): AED 55,150 per school year.

Per-term / per half‑year indication (calculated)

- The school publishes annual tuition figures. For budgeting by semester/half‑year, divide the annual tuition by 2 to obtain an approximate half‑year amount (example: Kindergarten AED 36,610 ≈ AED 18,305 per half‑year). This is a straightforward division of the published annual fee to give a per‑half‑year figure.

Transport (school bus) fees

- Bus fees are charged annually by zone:
- Zone 1: AED 5,500 per year.
- Zone 2: AED 6,000 per year.
- Zone 3: AED 7,000 per year.
- Zone 4: AED 8,000 per year.

Language support and supplementary academic packages (annual)

- Kindergarten language support:
- Deutsch als Fremdsprache (DaF), 4 h/week: AED 5,000 per year.
- English Intensive Programme (EIP), 2 h/week: AED 3,000 per year.
- Primary (Grundschule):
- DaF (3 h/week): AED 5,000 per year.
- Deutsch Intensiv (DIP, 4 h/week): AED 5,000 per year.
- English Intensive (EIP, 3 h/week): AED 5,000 per year.
- Combined full‑day language package (school fees including DaF 3h & DIP 4h plus full‑day care & activities): AED 54,500 per year.
- Secondary (Sekundarstufe):
- DaF (3 h/week) for Grades 5 & 6: AED 5,000 per year.
- DaF + DIP package (Grades 5 & 6): AED 8,000 per year.
- DIP (4 h/week) from Grade 7 onward: AED 7,000 per year.
- French intensive (from Grade 7): AED 7,000 per year.
- DaF summer/winter course rates (by level):
- For kindergarten/primary: AED 150 per day / AED 700 per week.
- For secondary: AED 160 per day / AED 800 per week.

Full‑day and after‑school care options (charges shown per half‑year where indicated)

- Full‑day package (Ganztagespaket): AED 4,270 per half‑year.
- Supervision (Betreuung) per half‑year:
- 1 day/week: AED 990 per half‑year.
- 2 days/week: AED 1,980 per half‑year.
- 3 days/week: AED 2,970 per half‑year.
- 4 days/week: AED 3,960 per half‑year.
- Single extracurricular group (AG) price per half‑year: from AED 650 (varies by offering). Single day care: AED 70 per day. Ferienkurse and externally provided ECA are charged according to the provider's offer.

Other mandatory or one‑off fees

- Book deposit (Bücherkaution): AED 5,000 per child.
- Advance payment on school fees for the coming school year: 5% of the annual tuition per child.
- Returned (dishonoured) cheque fee: AED 150 per cheque.
- Issuance of a school certificate: AED 35 per certificate. Issuance of a certified copy of a transcript from the original: AED 60 per transcript.

Payment terms and billing schedule

- The school requires an admission deposit at enrolment and a separate advance payment corresponding to 5% of the next year's annual tuition (as noted above). The published fee information specifies surcharge rates for payment by instalments rather than a single payment:
- Instalment surcharge for 4–6 instalments: 2% of the billed amount.
- Instalment surcharge for 7–10 instalments: 3% of the billed amount.
- Where the school lists per‑half‑year charges (for some services), those amounts indicate a billing cadence that includes half‑year (semester) billing for those specific services; instalment plan options are published for tuition as noted above.

VAT / taxes

- All published fees are stated to include value‑added tax.

Uniforms, meals and school shop

- The school shop supplies required materials and embroidered uniform items (T‑shirts, polo shirts with the GISAD logo). Cash payments are not accepted at the shop; the published information indicates use of the Skiply app for shop payments. Costs for uniforms, materials and school meals vary by item/option and are charged separately.

Refunds and cancellations

- The published fee table lists deposits (admission deposit and book deposit) and other fees, but it does not include a detailed public refund schedule in the fee table document itself. Refunds, partial reimbursements and the specific handling of deposits on withdrawal or early leaving are governed by the school's fee policy and formal school fee guidelines. The fee table notes the book deposit and admission deposit amounts explicitly.

Other routine charges

- Single extracurricular activities, externally provided ECA and holiday course charges are set according to the specific offering and provider; the fee table lists baseline starting prices for school‑run AGs and daily care fees as above.

Accepted payment channels (published references)

- For school shop purchases the published material states that cash is not accepted and the Skiply app is to be used for payments. Instalment billing options for tuition are published (see instalment surcharges above). The fee table does not list an exhaustive set of tuition payment channels (bank transfer, card, etc.) in the fee table PDF; instalment plans and surcharges are explicitly published.

Notes

- The numerical amounts above are the school's published fees for the school year 2025/26 and the fee table is labelled with a publication/stand date. Where amounts are published as annual fees, a simple division by two can be used to estimate a half‑year (per term/semester) figure for budgeting; the school also publishes explicit per‑half‑year charges for several services (for example the full‑day package and supervision options).
Academics

German International School Abu Dhabi teaches German Curriculum for students aged 4 to 18.

Curriculum
GISAD offers education from kindergarten through the German International Abitur, with the Abitur as the school's highest qualification for university study. From kindergarten, instruction is bilingual (German and English); from Grade 1 most main classes are taught in German, with Arabic available for native speakers in kindergarten and taught as a foreign language from Grade 1, and an English Intensive Program (EIP) supports English development and Cambridge qualifications. Starting in Grade 5, students are assessed on future educational paths and may pursue Realschule or Gymnasium/Abitur tracks. The Upper Secondary curriculum follows a Thuringian-based internal scheme, aligning with Abitur exam requirements, with Grade 11 offering choices such as Chemistry or French and German, English, and Mathematics at advanced level while other subjects are at basic level. GISAD also awards the German Language Diploma (DSD KMK) and provides English-language qualification pathways via EIP and related language programs.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
GISAD offers a School Social Work service with bilingual German/English counseling, including individual and group sessions and confidential support to address personal, social, and emotional challenges; it also runs anti-bullying initiatives.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
GISAD provides School Social Work and a language integration program for diverse backgrounds, but there is no publicly listed dedicated SEN department or specialist SEN staff.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
English as an Additional Language support is provided via the English Intensive Program (EIP) for newcomers and students with limited English proficiency, and English is promoted from kindergarten within a bilingual German–English framework.

Mental Wellbeing
Mental wellbeing is supported through the School Social Work service and ongoing anti-bullying initiatives.

Safeguarding
The school does not publicly disclose information regarding safeguarding policies.
Parent Experience

History
GISAD was founded in 1976 in Abu Dhabi, marking a long-standing presence in the United Arab Emirates. In the 2006/2007 academic year, GISAD was officially recognized as part of the German overseas schools network, aligning its certificates with German standards. In 2005/2006, a donation from the ruler of the UAE supported infrastructure improvements and the Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Scholarship to include Emirati children from kindergarten onward. In 2007, through a Memorandum of Understanding, the first Emirati children were admitted to the kindergarten under the scholarship program, and GISAD moved to a new building. In 2019/2020, GISAD awarded its first Emirati graduates with the German International Abitur, signaling integration with UAE students and the broader German education pathway.

Community
GISAD's community is multinational, with staff and students from many nationalities, and German and English are the primary languages of instruction, with Arabic taught as a foreign language from Grade 1. The school marks UAE national holidays and other civic observances as part of its community life, and it hosts events such as a Winter Market and Franco-German exchanges to promote intercultural dialogue. German Language Day 2025 also showcases language-focused engagement with the wider community.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
GISAD describes an Engaged Community that emphasizes close collaboration between parents, students, and staff. An events team organizes activities throughout the year to foster involvement. Parents can engage through volunteering and participate in cultural and social events coordinated by the school and its partners. The extensive afternoon program and after-school care provide structured opportunities for parental involvement in student learning and wellbeing. Community events include UAE National Day celebrations, Commemoration Day observances, and seasonal events such as the Winter Market, with families often contributing to the organization. There are intercultural activities with partner schools, such as Franco-German exchanges and language-focused events like German Language Day.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
The German International School Abu Dhabi operates as an all-day school with after-school care. A new outdoor schoolyard provides a running track and spaces for basketball, football, volleyball, and badminton. The campus includes a cafeteria with meals provided by Food Nation and offers two bus schedules for student transport. A fully equipped medical station supports student health and safety. An extensive afternoon program offers extracurricular activities and homework assistance.

Sports Facilities
Outdoor facilities include a new schoolyard with a running track and spaces for basketball, football, volleyball, and badminton. Kindergarten participates in sports through dedicated clubs and activities. Extracurricular activities include sports as part of the extensive after-school program.

Academic Facilities
GISAD offers bilingual instruction in German and English. The school provides pathways to the German Abitur and Realschulabschluss. The German Language Diploma (DSD) is awarded by KMK. The Lateral Entry Program enables non-German-speaking children to join from kindergarten and higher grade levels. The school regularly receives ADEK 'very good' ratings.

Extra Curricular Facilities
There is an extensive afternoon program with extracurricular activities and homework assistance until 3:20 PM. Kindergarten offers a sports club and various extracurricular activities such as arts and events. The school fosters a diverse, engaged community with activities and events organized throughout the year.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
The school offers a high standard of education with a comprehensive curriculum that prepares students for academic and personal success. It provides bilingual instruction in German and English from kindergarten onward. In the primary years, English is taught in two hours per week for grades 1–2 and four hours per week for grades 3–4, with English language support continuing in the secondary years. Students graduate with the German International Abitur, and the school supports attainment of the Realschulabschluss as well as the Abitur, with some subjects taught in English as part of the Abitur program. The school is part of the German Auslandsschulen network and is authorized to issue the German language diploma (DSD) under KMK, with Deutsch als Fremdsprache (DaF) and integration programs in place. ADEK regularly awards the school a rating of “Very Good.”

Arts & Creative
After-school activities include a broad range of clubs and programs. Options cover sports, dance, gymnastics, karate and self-defense, tutoring, and music, with instruments such as guitar, bass, drums and piano offered as private lessons. Creative offerings include Art for Creative Minds and a Band Project with guitar/drums, along with other arts and craft activities. The program also includes Lego-based Baustein-Tech, Arabic for older students, and Unihockey (floorball).

Cultural & Language
The school runs a bilingual program with instruction in German and English from the start in kindergarten. An Arabic language offering (Kinderleicht Arabisch) is available for early learners, and a structured Arabic language track exists for students in higher classes. The school provides integration support (DaF) for non-German speakers and Emirati students, and it promotes a multicultural learning environment. The German language diploma (DSD) may be issued by the KMK, and the curriculum supports multilingual development across levels.

Social & Hobbies
Extracurriculars foster social interaction and teamwork, including clubs such as Games Club, Colourful & Strong (a mixed creative, movement and relaxation program), and various performance-based activities. Students can join Kunst für kreative Köpfe (art for creative minds) and Bandprojekt / Gitarre / Drums, with opportunities for group learning and performance. Students also engage in private tutoring for music and other subjects as available.

Community & Service
The school supports Emirati inclusion through scholarships, including H.H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan Scholarship for GISAD's Kindergarten, with applications open for the 2026/2027 school year and a deadline of March 15, 2026. The program emphasizes international quality, intercultural awareness and strong ties between the UAE and Germany. Information and contact details are provided for applicants and families.

Leadership & Professional
The school provides career information and internship days as part of its preparation for study and future professions, supporting student transition to higher education and the workforce.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
The Kindergarten offers a comprehensive after-school program with activities including Kinderleicht Arabisch, Sportspiele with Ines, and Tanz mit Olga, with a semester-based fee and options for additional enrichment. An English Intensiv Programm (EIP) offers courses tailored to Preschool and Grades 1–4. In addition to the full after-school plan, a Ganzheitliche Betreuung (care package) provides four days of afternoon supervision per week, and the program includes a range of wellness-oriented and development-focused activities.
Languages

Language Provision
German is the core language of instruction and English is taught from the very beginning. French and Arabic are offered as foreign languages. DaF (German as a Foreign Language) is provided to support non‑German-speaking students, coordinated with ADEK. The school awards German credentials such as Abitur and Realschulabschluss.

Bilingual Teaching
The school provides bilingual instruction in German and English. The bilingual programs are evident in early years and primary levels, supported by teachers fluent in both languages.

Immersion Programs
The English Intensive Program (EIP) offers immersive English instruction for preschool through grade 4. It comprises three courses designed for different English proficiency levels, and participation in the newcomer course is mandatory for new students with limited English proficiency.
Admissions

Admissions
1. Determine the entry level and submit the appropriate admission application. Kindergarten Admission Application is used for the Kindergarten track, while School Admission Application is used for primary and secondary levels. The admission forms are available in the Downloads section under Registrations. A Kindergarten Tour can be booked as part of the admissions process to visit GISAD. 2. Prepare and submit the required documents and pay related fees. The Downloads include documents such as Medical Record and School Regulations; the admissions process requires the Registration Fee (AED 1,000) and a Deposit for books (AED 5,000), with a Re-registration fee of 5% of the yearly school fee. Fees for tuition and transport are published in the GISAD Fees Table. 3. Review tuition, transport, and language supports and plan accordingly. Tuition is published per year by level (Kindergarten, Primary, Secondary) and bus transport fees vary by zone (AED 5,500–AED 8,000 per year). Language support options are available (e.g., German as a foreign language, English intensive) as part of the overall language packages. A Kindergarten Tour can assist families in assessing fit before finalizing enrollment. 4. Explore scholarships if eligible. The H.H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan Scholarship for the GISAD Kindergarten is available for Emirati children born in 2023, with an application deadline of March 15, 2026. There is also a Scholarship for Emirati Students offered by GISAD. These scholarships reflect GISAD's participation in the German Schools Abroad network and its commitment to Emirati eligibility programs.

Scholarships
GISAD offers scholarships including the H.H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan Scholarship for GISAD Kindergarten, available to Emirati children born in 2023 with the application deadline of March 15, 2026. There is also a Scholarship for Emirati Students at GISAD. These programs illustrate GISAD's support for Emirati families and its participation in international education programs. The school is part of the German Schools Abroad network and maintains strong ties with Emirati education initiatives.
School Events
The school has not added events
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