doris
doris
Find Schools
Events
Saved schools
My account
Parent Guide Parent testimonials Community Transparency Charter About For Schools
Currency
T

The Spanish School of Abu Dhabi

United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi

Save school
Share
Navigate

· Reviewed by · B2C Marketing Manager

Independently researched by doris.
Not yet claimed by the school
Claim your profile
The school at a glance
Instructs in Spanish
Fees AED 26,875 - 29,175
Ages 3 - 14 years
Pupil numbers 220
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum Spanish Curriculum
Typical class size 18
Introduction

The Spanish School of Abu Dhabi (Al Bateen, Abu Dhabi) is a private school delivering the Spanish national curriculum across early years, primary and secondary stages and (as provided) accepts children aged 3 to 14. The school states that Spanish is the language of instruction and that students also learn English and Arabic; non‑Spanish speakers may be placed in a Spanish Language Immersion Programme (SLIP). The school publishes that it is recognised by the Spanish Ministry of Education and by Abu Dhabi authorities (ADEK) and describes a trilingual, multicultural programme with structured pastoral support. Notable elements on the school website include a dedicated STEM area, use of digital technologies (interactive whiteboards, tablets and Apple devices across campus) and a phased “one‑to‑one” device programme from Grade 7, plus a range of extracurricular and well‑being provisions. The school's admissions pages set out preschool placement by age (Preschool Y1–Y3) and its approach to assessment and entry.

King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud Street, 6 Al Faye St, Al Bateen, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

The Essentials

The Spanish School of Abu Dhabi has 220 pupils, typical class sizes of 18, instruction in Spanish.

Location
The Spanish School of Abu Dhabi is located in Al Bateen, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The campus is in central Abu Dhabi with views toward the Emirates Palace and the Corniche, and is accessible from major roads serving the Al Bateen area. The address is Al Bateen, Abu Dhabi.

Stages
SSAD presently offers Nursery through Grade 6. Learning is organized into Early Years (Nursery) and Primary programs; there is no secondary provision at this time.

Type
Co-educational.

Pupil Nationality Mix
The student body represents 43 nationalities. The school describes itself as multicultural, with Emirati locals among the mix and many international families; about 35% of students come from Spanish-speaking families, with the remainder from Emirati and other nationalities. The precise breakdown by individual nationalities or the local-to-international ratio is not publicly published.

Additional learning support
A Spanish Language Immersion Program (SLIP) is available for non-Spanish-speaking students, enrolled through an assessment process and integrated with the full academic program when admitted.

Country affiliation
Spain; the school follows the Spanish national curriculum and is registered with the Spanish Ministry of Education as a Spanish school.

Religious affiliation
No explicit religious affiliation is published by the school.

School day structure
School days run Monday to Friday. Early Years operate 8:00am–2:00pm (Monday to Thursday) and 8:00am–12:00pm (Friday). Primary runs 8:00am–4:00pm (Monday to Thursday) and 8:00am–12:00pm (Friday).

Bus service
A school transportation service is offered with routes in Zone 1: Al Reem Island; Zone 2: Abu Dhabi City; Zone 3: Al Raha; Zone 4: Center. For route details and schedules, contact the school.
Diving Deeper

Uniform Requirement
The school requires a uniform for all pupils. Pre-School & Primary uniform is a white polo shirt with red and navy details, paired with navy shorts or a skirt. The PE uniform is white and red sportswear designed for comfort and mobility. Uniforms can be ordered online through the official uniform provider or purchased in-store at Mushrif Mall.

Food Options
The school offers catering via Food Nation to provide nutritious meals prepared for students. There is an on-site SSAD cafeteria option and a lunch program; students may also bring a lunch box.
Fees

Annual tuition at The Spanish School of Abu Dhabi ranges from AED 26,875 to AED 29,175 for 2026/27.

Application / Registration Fee
- Registration (application/administration) fee: AED 2,250. This amount is collected to confirm a place and is adjustable against tuition. The school's published fee schedule lists the AED 2,250 registration amount; the school's published fees policy also describes conditions under which a registration payment may be refundable (for example if the school cannot accommodate the student or if written withdrawal is provided within the stated notice period).

Tuition and Educational Resource Fees (annual) and three‑installment billing (amounts and due dates)
- General payment structure: fees are payable in UAE dirhams (AED). The school offers payment of fees for the full year, or on semester or quarter schemes; a standard three‑installment schedule is published with these due dates: First installment due 1 August 2025, Second installment due 1 December 2025, Third installment due 1 March 2026. The Board of Trustees determines the annual fees.

- Pre‑KG (Preschool):
- Tuition fee (annual): AED 24,375.
- Educational Resource Fee (annual): AED 2,500.
- Total School Fees (annual): AED 26,875.
- Registration payment: AED 2,250 (collected in advance and adjustable as stated above).
- Three‑installment amounts (as published):
- 1st installment (due 1 Aug 2025): AED 9,875 (comprised of AED 7,375 tuition portion + AED 2,500 educational resource fee).
- 2nd installment (due 1 Dec 2025): AED 7,375.
- 3rd installment (due 1 Mar 2026): AED 7,375.

- KG1 & KG2:
- Tuition fee (annual): AED 24,375.
- Educational Resource Fee (annual): AED 2,500.
- Total School Fees (annual): AED 26,875.
- Registration payment: AED 2,250.
- Three‑installment amounts:
- 1st installment (due 1 Aug 2025): AED 9,875 (AED 7,375 tuition portion + AED 2,500 educational resource fee).
- 2nd installment (due 1 Dec 2025): AED 7,375.
- 3rd installment (due 1 Mar 2026): AED 7,375.

- Grades 1 to 6 (Primary):
- Tuition fee (annual): AED 25,675.
- Educational Resource Fee (annual): AED 2,500.
- Total School Fees (annual): AED 28,175.
- Registration payment: AED 2,250.
- Three‑installment amounts:
- 1st installment (due 1 Aug 2025): AED 10,500 (AED 8,000 tuition portion + AED 2,500 educational resource fee).
- 2nd installment (due 1 Dec 2025): AED 8,000.
- 3rd installment (due 1 Mar 2026): AED 7,425.

- Grades 7 & 8 (Lower Secondary):
- Tuition fee (annual): AED 25,675.
- Educational Resource Fee (annual): AED 3,500.
- Total School Fees (annual): AED 29,175.
- Registration payment: AED 2,250.
- Three‑installment amounts:
- 1st installment (due 1 Aug 2025): AED 11,500 (AED 8,000 tuition portion + AED 3,500 educational resource fee).
- 2nd installment (due 1 Dec 2025): AED 8,000.
- 3rd installment (due 1 Mar 2026): AED 7,425.

Billing schedule and payment terms (summary)
- Standard three‑installment schedule with published due dates: 1 August 2025 (1st), 1 December 2025 (2nd), and 1 March 2026 (3rd). The educational resource fee is due in full with the first (Term 1) tuition installment. Other payment plans (annual/semester/quarter or bespoke arrangements) must be approved in advance by the Headmaster/Finance Department. Fees are charged and collected in AED; foreign currency payments are converted to AED at the day of payment. The Board has announced a subsidy covering 35% of tuition fees for students enrolled for the 2025–2026 academic year.

Boarding
- Boarding: not applicable. No boarding provision or boarding fees are listed in the school's published fee schedule and services.

Other costs and optional services
- Transportation (optional school bus service): AED 5,000 per child per year (arranged through Emirates Transport as an optional service).
- Food / Catering (optional): the school uses an external food provider (Food Nation); food service is optional and fees for catering are arranged through the external provider (no fixed catering price published in the school fee schedule).
- Uniforms: required; uniforms are purchased from the school's designated supplier or uniform store (prices set by the supplier and not listed in the school's published fee schedule).
- Extracurricular / activity / examination fees: listed generally as possible additional costs in the school's fees policy; specific optional activity or exam fees are charged when applicable and will be announced in advance.

Refund information (summary of published policy)
- Registration fee (AED 2,250): the fee schedule lists the registration payment amount and describes it as adjustable against tuition. The school's formal Fees Policy sets out refund conditions in detail: registration payments may be refundable in defined circumstances (for example if the school cannot accommodate the student, or if written withdrawal notice is given within the stated notice period); otherwise different rules apply for returning students who do not attend. Tuition and resource refunds are governed by the school's refund tables (pro‑rata retained amounts tied to attendance duration) and by the Fees Policy's stated rules for educational resource fees, transportation and other charges. Refunds are processed to the original payor and require a written request; the Fees Policy specifies timeframes and conditions for processing.

Fee payment options (methods accepted)
- Accepted payment methods published by the school and in its Fees Policy include: cheque (payable to the school), cash (at the school accounts department), credit card (on‑site or via secure online payment link), online payment through the school's secure payment provider (PayTabs links are used on the school payment page), and bank transfer (bank details available on request). A bounced cheque penalty and other administrative terms are set out in the Fees Policy. Fees must be paid in AED; foreign currency payments are converted to AED at the exchange rate on the day of payment.
Academics

The Spanish School of Abu Dhabi teaches Spanish Curriculum for students aged 3 to 14.

Curriculum
The Spanish School of Abu Dhabi provides the Spanish National Curriculum from Nursery through Grade 6, with Early Years (ages 3–5) and Primary (ages 6–11) stages, and is officially recognized by the Spanish Ministry of Education and by ADEK and UAE's Ministry of Education. In Early Years, instruction is a trilingual program (Spanish, Arabic, and English) delivered through play-based learning, differentiated for individual needs, with active methods such as cooperative learning, gamification, and project work, and with a dedicated teacher assistant per group plus an Arabic-language assistant. In Primary, the school maintains the trilingual approach and a multicultural community (over 40 nationalities), with school days from 8:00 to 15:30 and after-school activities until 16:30; staff provide differentiated, competency-based learning through active methodologies. Primary staff are fully qualified and licensed to teach primary education in the UAE and within the Spanish/international systems; there are specialist assistants for Arabic, and additional support teachers in Mathematics, Spanish, and English, plus a strong emphasis on Technologies for Learning and a dedicated STEM area. Spanish is the language of instruction, with Arabic and English used as needed, and non-Spanish-speaking students may join an immersion track to develop language proficiency. The school currently offers Nursery (Early Years) through Grade 6 (Nursery to Grade 6).
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The Spanish School of Abu Dhabi implements a Social Emotional Growth Program to address students' emotional and social needs, with a focus on developing self-awareness, empathy, communication, and relationship-building. The wellbeing approach centers on promoting a sense of belonging and community while respecting individual differences. The Inclusion Department collaborates with every other department to provide academic guidance, social-emotional learning, and personalized interventions for students. Wellbeing is described as at the heart of the school's work, with holistic support extending across academics and extracurriculars. The school also emphasizes nurturing social and emotional learning across its challenging curriculum, aiming to foster personal growth and resilience. Verónica Montoro is listed as Head of Inclusion, indicating formal leadership for inclusion and related student support.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
The school maintains an Inclusion Department and a Head of Inclusion, signaling formal structures to support students with diverse needs. A dedicated Student Support Services function exists within the school's contact directory, indicating formal pathways for assistance. Public materials describe inclusive practices and personalized interventions across departments, rather than detailing a specialist SEN unit. The absence of a published list of specific Special Educational Needs categories or a dedicated SEN facility is noted in public materials. Non-Spanish-speaking students may participate in a Spanish Language Immersion Program (SLIP) as part of language support, which is language-focused rather than a described SEN service. These elements reflect an inclusive approach, but there is no publicly disclosed designation as a specialist SEN institution.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
Spanish, English, and Arabic are taught as part of SSAD's language program, with language immersion integrated into the curriculum. Public materials do not disclose a dedicated EAL program or staffed EAL department; language support for multilingual learners appears to be handled within broader inclusion provisions. The Admissions Policy notes that non-Spanish-speaking students may be enrolled in a Spanish Language Immersion Program (SLIP), which supports language development rather than a separate EAL pathway. A Head of Inclusion & Guidance is listed on the team page, suggesting inclusion-led support for multilingual learners as part of general student services. The school emphasizes multilingualism and language integration as part of its mission, but there is no explicit, publicly disclosed EAL program.

Mental Wellbeing
Mental wellbeing is described as central to SSAD's approach, with a focus on the overall wellbeing of students. The Social Emotional Growth Program addresses emotional and social needs, supporting skills such as self-awareness, empathy, and communication. The Inclusion Department, together with other departments, provides academic guidance, social-emotional learning, and personalized interventions, contributing to students' mental wellbeing. The school promotes a sense of belonging and a positive, inclusive environment that supports personal growth, leadership, and teamwork through co-curricular activities. Public materials emphasize a holistic, wellbeing-centered education across the school's programs. A Head of Inclusion and Guidance is listed among the leadership, indicating formal oversight of wellbeing-related support.

Safeguarding
SSAD's policies include Health and Safety, Attendance, Code of Conduct, and an Anti-Bullying Policy, indicating a safeguarding framework. The School Policies page notes these policies and states that policies are reviewed and updated annually. A Contact Directory lists Student Support Services, signaling formal safeguarding-related support channels for students and families. There is no publicly disclosed standalone safeguarding policy page, beyond the general policy suite described on the site. The admissions process and language-immersion provisions further demonstrate structured procedures and safety considerations within school operations.
Parent Experience

History
The Spanish School of Abu Dhabi was launched in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic on the orders of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan. It began with about 30–33 pupils and has grown steadily since its founding. The school is governed by a Board of Trustees, with Suaad Mohammed Alsuwaidi serving as chair, and its leadership emphasizes strengthening cultural relations between Spain and the UAE. In its early years the school served nursery through primary, and by its third year enrollment was around 140–150 students, with Emirati nationals comprising more than half. The school is described as the first and only Spanish school in the UAE and the region, delivering a Spanish-curriculum program with multilingual instruction and Spanish immersion that includes proficiency in Spanish, English, and Arabic.

Community
SSAD describes itself as the only Spanish School in the UAE following the Spanish curriculum and as a truly multicultural and diverse community. Students learn Spanish, English, and Arabic, with Spanish immersion as the language of instruction, and Apple technology is used across the campus to support learning. The school participates in Emirati and Hispanic cultural celebrations, including UAE National Day, Día de la Hispanidad, and the Festival de Música y Arte, reflecting Spain–UAE cultural ties. The community emphasizes social–emotional learning, personal growth, leadership, and teamwork, with families actively involved in school life.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
There is no formal PTA page described on the school's site; governance is carried out by a Board of Trustees, with the chair identified as Suaad Mohammed Alsuwaidi. Family engagement is organized through school-led events and communications such as Families In the Classroom, International Day, and other activities. Examples of these engagements include the Families In the Classroom session, the Year 2026 Spain trip for students in upper primary, and the Annual Year Photoshoot, all documented on the school site. Parents are also invited to participate in programs like Ingle9s para Padres (English for Parents), a course designed to support parental involvement and community-building. In addition to events, the school offers a Parents Handbook and other communications to keep families engaged throughout the year.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
The Spanish School of Abu Dhabi is located in Al-Bateen, Abu Dhabi, with views of the Emirates Palace and Corniche beach. The campus integrates Apple technology across the learning environment. There are dedicated spaces for learning and creative activities including spaces for music, STEAM, art, and a library. An auditorium and other flexible spaces support performances, assemblies, and exhibitions. Prospective families can take a virtual tour to see the campus layout.

Sports Facilities
Indoor and outdoor play areas are part of the SSAD campus sports facilities and are described as premium sports resources on campus profiles.

Academic Facilities
Apple technology is integrated across the campus to support digital learning. Dedicated spaces for STEAM learning, including Aula STEAM and a STEAM lab or Hall Primaria, support hands-on science and technology activities. A library space (Biblioteca) is available as part of the learning environment.

Extra Curricular Facilities
SSAD offers extracurricular activities across Arts & Crafts, Performing Arts, Music, Sports, Technology, and more. Spaces for extracurricular activities include dedicated rooms such as Aula Música (music), Aula Arte (art), Aula STEAM, and Biblioteca (library).
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
The school offers Nursery to Grade 6. The curriculum is based on the Spanish Curriculum. Spanish is the language of instruction; English and Arabic are also taught. Apple technology is used across the campus and technology is integrated into teaching.

Arts & Creative
The school offers Arts & Crafts, Performing Arts, and Music as part of extracurricular activities. A wide range of extracurricular activities includes technology and sports.

Cultural & Language
Spanish is the language of instruction and the medium for the SSAD curriculum. In addition to Spanish, students learn English and Arabic. The school emphasizes multilingual proficiency and aims for graduates proficient in Spanish, English, and Arabic.

Social & Hobbies
Extracurricular offerings include sports, Arts & Crafts, Performing Arts, Music, and Technology. A wide range of educational visits and excursions is organized to support learning.

Leadership & Professional
The school fosters leadership and teamwork as part of personal growth. The mission emphasizes developing leadership and teamwork among students.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Sports and outdoor activities are part of the extracurricular program. The mission emphasizes a safe, positive environment that supports personal growth and well-being.
Languages

Language Provision
The school follows the Spanish curriculum. In addition to Spanish, students learn English and Arabic.
Reputation

Accreditations
The school is registered as an accredited Spanish school with the Spanish Ministry of Education.
Admissions

Admissions
1. Fill the online application for enrollment. Applications are accepted at all times during the school year and must be completed online through the school site. After processing, you receive a receipt and a letter indicating whether your child has been placed on the Enrollment List. If places are not available, the application is placed on the waiting list. 2. Invitation to assessment / tour. When a place becomes available, the school contacts the first eligible applicant and invites them to attend an assessment, if this has not yet been done. 3. Decision. The school decides to admit, reject, or place the applicant on a waiting list. 4. Enrollment fee payment. Enrollment is completed once all admission requirements are met and the enrollment fee payments have been arranged. The school provides a Spanish-language education and assessments can be conducted in Spanish, English, or both languages if needed. From Grade 2 onwards, Spanish speakers have preference for enrolling. Staff children receive one scholarship covering full tuition fee. The board also supports most students with substantial subsidies for the 2025–2026 academic year.

Scholarships
Staff children receive a full-tuition scholarship. The board provides subsidies covering 35% of tuition fees for students enrolled for the 2025–2026 academic year.

Waitlist
If no places are available, the application is placed on the waiting list. Applications on the waiting list are not automatically moved to the next academic year and applicants must re-apply for each year.
School Events
The school has not added events
Search for more schools
Search schools in United Arab Emirates View all schools in Abu Dhabi View all schools in United arab emirates Open days & tours in Abu Dhabi View all schools Search all schools