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Italian International School

United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English, Italian
Fees AED 30,065 - 53,380
Ages 3 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 225
Type Co-educational
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum Advanced Placement (AP), Italian Curriculum
Taught languages Italian, Arabic
Typical class size 7
Strengths Sport, Visual and Creative Arts, Languages
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language
Stages Early Years, Preschool, Primary School, Middle School, Secondary School
Introduction

Located in Khalifa City A, Abu Dhabi, Sama International School – formerly Italian International School – serves students aged 3 to 17. The campus is the founding site of Sama International Schools, part of expansion preserving its Italian identity. The school delivers an American Curriculum aligned with California/Common Core within the IB framework, taught in English and reinforced by a multilingual approach including Arabic and Italian. The Italian language department offers two pathways: Language A for mother-tongue Italian speakers and Language B for Italian learners; Language A enables Italian graduation through the IB Diploma Programme at higher or standard level. The IB continuum covers PYP and MYP, with the Career-related Programme as a candidate arriving 2026–2027, with final authorization planned for May 2026. Facilities include 100% smart classrooms and 21st-century learning spaces, plus culinary programs and sport academies. Extras include over 20 ECAs, such as Chess, Coding, Swimming, and Arts initiatives.

Khalifa City, SE44, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

The Essentials

Italian International School has 225 pupils, typical class sizes of 7, instruction in English, Italian.

Location
Italian International School is located in Khalifa City A, Abu Dhabi, UAE. The campus address is Khalifa City A, South East 44, Block 10. Khalifa City A is a residential district with convenient access to major roads linking central Abu Dhabi and Yas Island, and it is served by local transport options suitable for families.

Stages
The school is an IB World School offering Primary Years Programme (PYP) for younger students and Middle Years Programme (MYP) for older students. PYP serves students roughly aged 3–12, and MYP covers approximately ages 11–16. The school has been authorized to deliver both programmes as part of its IB framework.

Type
Co-educational, day school. Boarding facilities are not offered.

Pupil Nationality Mix
Nationals represented: 48 nationalities. The most common nationality is not publicly disclosed, and the local-to-international student ratio is not publicly disclosed.

Additional learning support
The school provides English as an Additional Language (EAL) support and Special Educational Needs (SEN) support. It emphasises small class sizes and a holistic 360º care and support approach.

Country affiliation
There is no formal country affiliation stated; the curriculum combines IB with Italian language and culture enrichment.

Religious affiliation
No religious affiliation is indicated.

School day structure
School days run from 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday to Friday. The campus includes a canteen offering chef‑prepared meals daily.

Bus service
A school bus service is available with an annual fee of 5,000 AED. Bus routes cover Khalifa City A and areas such as Al Raha, Al Reef, Yas Island, Shakhbout City, Al Riyadh City, Al Shamkah, Airport Road, Zayed Sports City, Rabdan, and MBZ.
Diving Deeper

Uniform Requirement
The SIS uniform is mandatory for all students. New uniform designs for all grade levels will be available from 10 August 2025; students may continue wearing the current uniform during the 2025/2026 academic year, with the new designs becoming mandatory from the 2026/2027 academic year. Uniform items feature the SIS emblem and include KG1–KG2 polo dresses or polo shirts with skirts/shorts, Grades 1–6 polo shirts with skirts/shorts/trousers, and Grades 7–10 formal shirts, trousers/skirts, ties and blazers, plus a new PE uniform. Uniforms can be purchased online via the SIS site or in-store at Raha Mall (2nd floor, next to Orange Wheels Edutainment), open Monday to Saturday from 10:00 to 19:00.

Food Options
La Cucina is the official school canteen, offering snacks and daily lunches. A minimum 12-week subscription is recommended in some cases to ensure continuous service. Meal subscriptions are available at 650 AED per month, 1,900 AED for three months, or 5,800 AED for the full academic year, with payments via the Zenda app; subscriptions can be arranged via Toddle App, email, or WhatsApp.

Governance and Ownership
SIS Khalifa City is part of Sama International Schools (SIS). It transitioned from Italian International School to Sama International Schools in January 2026 as part of an expansion. The school is governed by a Board of Governors/Trustees with defined responsibilities (adherence, accountability, budgeting, safeguarding, etc.), and ownership is held by Sama International School, a sole proprietorship LLC. The SIS group and the Khalifa City campus are explicitly identified as part of the Sama International Schools network.
Fees

Annual tuition at Italian International School ranges from AED 30,065 to AED 53,380 for 2026/27.

Tuition — annual totals (after listed discounts)
- AED 30,065 — Preschool (special 30% discount applied).
- AED 40,120 — KG1.
- AED 40,120 — KG2.
- AED 44,115 — Grade 1.
- AED 44,115 — Grade 2.
- AED 44,115 — Grade 3.
- AED 44,115 — Grade 4.
- AED 44,115 — Grade 5.
- AED 48,535 — Grade 6.
- AED 48,535 — Grade 7.
- AED 48,535 — Grade 8.
- AED 48,535 — Grade 9.
- AED 53,380 — Grade 10.
- AED 53,380 — Grade 11.
- AED 53,380 — Grade 12.

Tuition — per-term breakdown (school term months: Term 1 = 4 months, Term 2 = 4 months, Term 3 = 2 months; annual tuition is split on that basis)
- Preschool (AED 30,065): Term 1 AED 12,026; Term 2 AED 12,026; Term 3 AED 6,013.
- KG1 / KG2 (AED 40,120): Term 1 AED 16,048; Term 2 AED 16,048; Term 3 AED 8,024.
- Grade 1–5 (AED 44,115): Term 1 AED 17,646; Term 2 AED 17,646; Term 3 AED 8,823.
- Grade 6–9 (AED 48,535): Term 1 AED 19,414; Term 2 AED 19,414; Term 3 AED 9,707.
- Grade 10–12 (AED 53,380): Term 1 AED 21,352; Term 2 AED 21,352; Term 3 AED 10,676.

Application / registration fees
- A non-refundable registration (or re-registration) fee is charged for new and returning students. If a student remains on the waiting list and a place cannot be offered, the registration / re-registration fee will be refunded; no refund is given when a parent voluntarily withdraws a child. Specific registration fee amounts are charged at the time of application and are processed through the school's enrolment/registration procedures.

Billing schedule and payment terms
- Term payment due dates: Term 1 due 01/09/2025 (covers 4 months); Term 2 due 01/12/2025 (covers 4 months); Term 3 due 01/03/2026 (covers 2 months). Tuition is collected according to these term dates.
- Fee deduction policy based on attendance: no-show or present less than 1 week — registration/re-registration fee only; attendance over 1 week up to 3 weeks in a term — one full month's tuition; over 3 weeks up to 6 weeks — two full months' tuition; over 6 weeks of the term — full term tuition.

Banking and payment methods
- Payment methods accepted: bank transfer, credit card payment at the school accounts counter, cash at the accounts counter, or cheque at the accounts counter.
- Bank account details for bank transfers:
- Account name/title: Italian International School.
- Account number: 4031005609765001.
- IBAN: AE410354031005609765001.
- Bank: First Abu Dhabi Bank (SWIFT NBADAEAAXXX).

Boarding
- The school operates as a day school; boarding facilities do not apply.

Other compulsory or commonly charged items
- Transportation: AED 5,000 per year for school bus service (specific routes covered are defined by the school).
- Canteen: Mandatory three-month canteen meal subscription; special rate AED 1,900 for 3 months (discounted from AED 2,050). Parents can choose any three months within the academic year for this subscription.
- Uniform: Purchased separately (online from the school's official supplier). Uniform costs are charged separately at point of purchase.
- Books and external-provider ECAs: Charged separately when applicable; costs vary by provider.
- Device requirement: Students from Grade 3 are required to supply their own device; associated costs are borne by parents.
- MYP / Grade 10 examination fees: MYP board/examination fees apply for Grade 10 students; IB exam and registration fees are charged in line with the IB billing schedule and applicable examination fees.

Refunds and credits
- Registration / re-registration fee: refundable only when a student is on the waiting list and a place cannot be offered; otherwise non-refundable for voluntary withdrawal.
- Tuition refunds/credits on withdrawal are governed by the school's attendance-based fee deduction policy (see Billing schedule and payment terms). Specific pro rata refunds or charges are applied according to the period of attendance within the term as stated in the fee deduction policy.

Notes on discounts and special cases
- A flat 15% new-registration discount is applied to the listed tuition amounts for new registrations for Academic Year 2025–2026; other discounts (cardholder, employee, community partner and grade-specific) may apply as defined in the school's discount policy. Grade 10 students have a specific 25% founders discount for Academic Year 2025–2026 where applicable.

Contact for fee queries and payments
- Finance contact: Mr. Jithu Mohanan, Finance Manager (email provided by the school for fee and payment queries). Bank remittance instructions require sending a scanned copy of the remittance advice with the student ID to the school's finance contact to allow reconciliation.
Academics

Italian International School teaches Advanced Placement (AP), Italian Curriculum for students aged 3 to 18.

Curriculum
The Italian International School (IIS) Khalifa City, Abu Dhabi is an IB World School with English as the language of instruction and Italian language and culture integrated throughout its programme. It is authorized to offer the Primary Years Programme (PYP) and the Middle Years Programme (MYP) within the IB continuum, with IB authorizations recorded in early 2025. The Italian language department combines the Italian Ministry of Education curriculum with IB guidelines, offering Language A for Italian mother-tongue learners and Language B for non-native learners across KG1 through Grade 12, with Italian available as a Diploma Programme study option within the Language A track. Language learning is embedded across the curriculum, with English, Arabic, and Italian vocabulary integrated across subjects and close collaboration between language departments to foster multilingualism. The school reports a 1:7 staff-to-student ratio and offers over 20 extracurricular options to support holistic development. As of January 2025, IB authorizations cover PYP and MYP for IIS Khalifa City; there is no Diploma Programme authorization listed for this school in the IB information system. } }? The extra characters may be extra. Wait there is extraneous closing braces. I need to fix. The final should be a valid JSON object with a single key
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The Italian International School in Khalifa City A, Abu Dhabi supports social and emotional learning through safeguarding and welfare policies, a designated team for student safety, and a school counsellor who provides social, emotional, and wellbeing support; the campus is now Sama International School as of December 2025.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
Public materials describe 360º Care and Support and an inclusive, student-centred community, but explicit SEN provisions or a specialist SEN department are not publicly disclosed.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
The language of instruction is English and Arabic, Italian language is taught as part of the curriculum, and there is no publicly disclosed dedicated EAL program.

Mental Wellbeing
Mental wellbeing is supported through wellbeing provisions, including a designated school counsellor, Ms. Walaa Nasredin, and training for staff and students.

Safeguarding
Safeguarding is central, with policies aligned to ADEK regulations, zero tolerance for bullying and cyberbullying, training for staff and students, and a designated team to monitor safety and welfare.
Parent Experience

History
Italian International School (IIS) Khalifa City A, Abu Dhabi, was the founding campus of Sama International Schools, offering an IB World School experience with English instruction enriched by Italian language and culture. Janet Des Jardins served as the founding principal, guiding IIS from its early development. The school has established partnerships with Juventus Abu Dhabi Football Academy, Abu Dhabi Chess Club, and Mind Games to support cocurricular programs and student development. In January 2025, IIS transitioned to Sama International Schools as part of a strategic expansion, with the branding and legacy affiliations continuing under the SIS umbrella. The IB World School status was formalized for the campus in January 2025.

Community
The school fosters a multilingual community with Italian, English, and Arabic used in daily learning. A rich calendar of events and trips engages the broader school community throughout the year. The IIS Parent Group provides avenues for family involvement through Coffee Mornings, workshops, and theme days such as World Book Day, National Day, Culture Day, and Pink Day. The campus emphasizes partnerships and community connections to support student well-being and learning.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
The school maintains an active Parent Group that functions as its PTA, with a formal policy and membership framework. Parents participate as partners in wider school life, contributing to events and supporting student learning. The PTA organizes and supports events such as Coffee Mornings, workshops, and theme days including World Book Day, National Day, Culture Day, and Pink Day. The PTA materials include a policy document and membership sections labeled \"IIS PTA POLICY\" and \"IIS PTA MEMBERS.\" The school encourages ongoing parent involvement to enrich learning and community well-being.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
The Khalifa City campus features 21st-century facilities designed to support IB learning. Classrooms have high-speed connectivity and interactive whiteboards to integrate multimedia resources. The campus includes libraries, laboratories, and multiple multi-purpose spaces for group work and activities. There is an on-site cafeteria providing meals for students. The facilities support a broad program of sports and creative spaces, aligning with a holistic education approach.

Sports Facilities
The school provides extensive sports facilities, including an indoor swimming pool, a football pitch, a gymnasium, and a basketball court. A padel tennis court on campus is noted as Abu Dhabi's first, with multiple athletic spaces to support school-level sports programs.

Academic Facilities
Academic facilities include libraries and science laboratories, with all classrooms equipped with high-speed connectivity and interactive whiteboards. The school emphasizes technology-enabled learning across subjects, with smart classroom capabilities.

Extra Curricular Facilities
More than 20 extracurricular options are available, complemented by partnerships with international sport academies and other activity providers.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
The school is an IB World School delivering the IB curriculum. English is the language of instruction, and Italian language and culture are integrated into learning. Learning is multilingual, with Italian, English, and Arabic embedded across the curriculum.

Cultural & Language
A tri-lingual pathway is central to learning, with Italian, English, and Arabic coexisting in meaningful learning. Italian language and culture are integrated into the curriculum. Multilingual learning includes Italian, English, and Arabic embedded across learning.

Social & Hobbies
More than 20 extracurricular options are available. Chess Academy is a dedicated program. Swimming and diving classes are offered. Culinary programs and padel tennis are part of the school's sports and life-skills offerings.

Community & Service
The school maintains partnerships focused on community wellbeing and the success of future generations. The IIS Parent Group provides opportunities for parent involvement through events and workshops, including World Book Day, National Day, Culture Day, and Pink Day. The school emphasizes community engagement through partnerships.

Leadership & Professional
Leaders Inspiring Tomorrow's Leaders motivates students to develop leadership abilities. The school emphasizes holistic development and leadership as core elements of its approach to learning. A leadership transition occurred in January 2026 with a new principal joining the leadership team. The school aims to shape future leaders through its integrated IB framework.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Nutrition is a focus for optimal learning. Facilities include 21st-century classrooms and sports facilities, including indoor swimming pools and a padel tennis court. Swimming and diving classes are offered. Wellbeing and safeguarding are integrated into school life.
Languages

Language Provision
The school provides a tri-lingual pathway to cultural identity with Italian, English, and Arabic integrated into learning.

Bilingual Teaching
The school has a tri-lingual learning environment with Italian, English, and Arabic embedded across learning.
Admissions

Admissions
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Scholarships
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School Events
The school has not added events
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