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Yas American Academy

United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees AED 57,090 - 68,850
Ages 3 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 1136
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum American Curriculum
Typical class size 25
Introduction

Yas American Academy is a private international school on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, offering an American (Massachusetts state) curriculum delivered from Pre‑KG and KG through Grades 1–12. The school teaches the Massachusetts Common Core and NGSS frameworks and offers Advanced Placement options from Grade 10; its curriculum provision is described as play‑based in Kindergarten, inquiry‑based in elementary and project‑based in middle and high phases. English is the primary language of instruction and the school runs Arabic A and B programmes together with UAE Social Studies and Islamic Education for those required by local regulations; it maintains a formal English Language Learners (ELL/EAL) policy to support multilingual students. Facilities described on the school site include a range of sporting provision, dedicated performing‑arts spaces and a well‑resourced library, and the academy notes partnerships with Yas Island attractions and participation in projects such as F1 in Schools. The school is part of Aldar Academies and cites NEASC accreditation (2024).

Al Tahaddur St, Yas Island, YS3 05, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

The Essentials

Yas American Academy has 1,136 pupils, typical class sizes of 25, instruction in English.

Location
Yas American Academy is located on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The campus address is 19 Al Tahaddur Street, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi.

Stages
The school provides education from Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12. It follows the American Massachusetts State Curriculum and is NEASC-accredited.

Type
Yas American Academy operates as a co-educational private day school. Boarding facilities are not described or offered.

Pupil Nationality Mix
The academy serves students from over 40 nationalities. The total student body is 1,136, with 743 Emirati students (local) and about 393 international students, making Emirati the largest local group. The largest nationality groups listed for students include UAE, USA, and Jordan.

Additional learning support
The academy has an Inclusion Policy aligned with ADEK policies. It identifies Students of Determination early and provides a dedicated Inclusion team (Head of Inclusion, Inclusion Teachers, and Inclusion Assistants), with Documented Learning Plans (DLPs) for Elementary and Secondary. The policy specifies accommodations, MAP-based assessment considerations, access to therapy services, and active collaboration with parents.

Country affiliation
Affiliation to the United States is reflected in the Massachusetts State Curriculum and NEASC accreditation; the school is part of Aldar Academies in Abu Dhabi.

Religious affiliation
No religious affiliation is stated; the network welcomes students from all cultures and religions.

School day structure
The school day generally runs from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with a shorter schedule on Fridays (7:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.).

Bus service
A School Bus Service is available with GPS tracking. The school coordinates with transportation providers and supports arrangements for students with additional learning needs to access buses where required.
Diving Deeper

Uniform Requirement
All students must wear Yas American Academy's uniform. In KG1–KG2 and Grades 1–5, compulsory items include red Aldar polo shirts, black leather shoes, and appropriate shorts or skirts; a house-colour PE top is worn for house events, with swimming caps compulsory for swimming. In Grades 6–12, students wear a white shirt with a tie (the knot must cover the top button) and the standard secondary uniform; there are grade-specific rules and restrictions on jewellery and hair.

Food Options
The campus has a cafeteria and dining hall offering a diverse menu of healthy, nutritious meals, with options to cater to various dietary preferences.

House System
Pupils are grouped into four houses based on house colours: Emerald (Green), Ruby (Red), Diamond (Grey), and Onyx (Black). The house colour sports top is worn for house events, together with PE shorts or school trousers.

Governance and Ownership
Yas American Academy is part of Aldar Academies, which is owned and operated by Aldar Education. The Aldar Academies network includes numerous schools across Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, and Yas American Academy is one of its member schools.
Fees

Annual tuition at Yas American Academy ranges from AED 57,090 to AED 68,850 for 2026/27.

Application / Registration Fees

- A non-refundable registration fee equal to 5% of the annual tuition fee is payable when an offer is accepted; this amount is deductible against the final term's tuition.
- A re-registration fee equal to 5% of the annual tuition fee is payable to guarantee a place for the following academic year; this is deductible against the final term's tuition.

Tuition fees (per year and term, by year group)

- PRE-KG / KG1 / KG2: AED 57,090 per annum — Term 1 AED 22,836; Term 2 AED 17,127; Term 3 AED 17,127.
- Grade 1 – Grade 5: AED 59,330 per annum — Term 1 AED 23,732; Term 2 AED 17,799; Term 3 AED 17,799.
- Grade 6 – Grade 8: AED 63,820 per annum — Term 1 AED 25,528; Term 2 AED 19,146; Term 3 AED 19,146.
- Grade 9 – Grade 12: AED 68,850 per annum — Term 1 AED 27,540; Term 2 AED 20,655; Term 3 AED 20,655.

Billing schedule and payment terms

- Tuition is divided into three instalments and invoiced on a termly basis. Term 1 covers September–December, Term 2 covers January–March, and Term 3 covers April–June.
- Standard invoice due dates: Term 1 due 1 August; Term 2 due 1 December; Term 3 due 1 March. A full-year invoice for all three terms may be issued with a due date of 1 August upon request.
- Registration fee payment is required promptly after offer acceptance (registration fee due within seven days of offer acceptance). Re-registration deadlines and timelines may be set in advance by the school.
- The registration / re-registration fees are adjustable against the final term's tuition. Schools may collect registration fees several months prior to the start of an academic year.

Late payment / non-payment consequences

- The school issues three consecutive written warning notices (each at least one week apart) for late or non-payment. Persistent non-payment may result in short-term suspension (up to three days), withholding of examination report cards or transfer certificates, and withholding of re-enrolment until outstanding fees are settled.

Boarding fees

- Boarding is not applicable; there are no boarding fees for Yas American Academy. (The fee structure and associated materials list day-school items such as tuition, transport, uniforms and examinations but do not include boarding fees.)

Other costs and optional charges

- Uniforms: Uniforms are not included in tuition and can be purchased separately online or in person.
- Bus transport: Annual bus transport for a return journey is advertised at AED 5,000 per year (subject to change).
- Food services, examination fees (external exams), and some extra-curricular activities are not included in tuition and incur additional charges. External examination fees and certain externally delivered ECAs carry separate charges.
- Some teacher-led extra-curricular activities are included in tuition; extra activities run by external providers require additional payment directly to the provider.

Discounts, rebates and scholarships

- Sibling rebate: families enrolling three or more children receive a rebate — third child 10% off annual tuition; fourth child and above 15% off annual tuition.
- Promotional offers and scholarship details (where applicable) include specific percentage discounts for qualifying pupils (for example, a scholarship programme offering a 20% tuition reduction and targeted welcome discounts for early years enrollment). Eligibility and terms apply.

Refund information

- Registration fee refund: the registration fee is refundable for new students if written notification of withdrawal is provided at least two weeks prior to the start of the new academic year.
- Re-registration fee refund: the re-registration fee is refundable if written notification is provided on or before 30 June. The re-registration fee is non-transferable to another child.
- Tuition retention on early withdrawal: if a student attends up to part of the first week and then discontinues without sufficient written notice, the school may retain up to 5% of the annual tuition. If a student attends 1–3 weeks in a term, the school may retain one month's tuition; if attendance is over 3–6 weeks, two months' tuition may be retained; attendance over six weeks typically results in retention of the full term fee. These retention rules apply to early withdrawals.

Fee payment options

- Accepted payment methods: online payment link, bank transfer, cheque, credit card and debit card. Cash payments are not accepted. Returned cheques will incur bank charges payable by the parent.
- Instalment options: 0% interest payment plans are available through partner banks and certain credit cards (examples of partner banks include FAB, ADIB and ENBD) to spread fee payments over monthly instalments. Specific bank partner terms apply.

Notes and exclusions

- Tuition fees do not include uniform, food services, transport, examination fees or extra-curricular activities provided by external providers. All curriculum books for core activities are included within tuition, but additional materials or optional items may be charged separately.
Academics

Yas American Academy teaches American Curriculum for students aged 3 to 18.

Curriculum
The Yas American Academy curriculum is based on the American Massachusetts State Curriculum, incorporating Common Core, NGSS and SHAPE frameworks, and is delivered through play-based learning in Kindergarten, inquiry-based learning in elementary, and project-based learning in middle and high school, with Arabic instruction aligned to UAE MOE guidelines. The High School offers General and Advanced course pathways with a broad range of electives and AP courses, leading to the American High School Diploma. The diploma is the standard qualification for entry to leading US universities and is increasingly recognised by other leading higher education institutions worldwide. The academy holds NEASC accreditation and is designated a School of Character by the Jubilee Centre, with a West Yas Way values framework including Integrity, Respect, Determination, Collaboration and Innovation embedded across the curriculum. The curriculum spans Pre-KG through Grade 12, with year-group progression mapped in academy materials.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
In Yas American Academy, inclusion means all students have access to learning, feel welcome, safe, supported, and belong, with needs catered for to develop socially, emotionally and academically. The vision for inclusion states that all students are supported to reach their full potential through personalized adaptations, with well-trained staff ensuring optimal social, emotional, and academic progress. Adaptive teaching is an inclusive, flexible approach that sets high expectations, uses ongoing assessments, and provides necessary scaffolds to support all learners. A Wellbeing framework is embedded in Yas American Academy's policy, with a whole-school responsibility for wellbeing, and programs to promote positive relationships and social-emotional development. Staff receive ongoing training on recognizing signs of distress and how to act, and families are engaged to support student wellbeing.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
In Yas American Academy, inclusion embraces Students of Determination (SOD) and is implemented through a Head of Inclusion and an Inclusion Team supported by specialist teachers and assistants. The school uses Documented Learning Plans (DLPs) for students receiving Tier 2 or Tier 3 support, with termly targets and termly progress reviews; annual reviews are held for Tier 3. Identification and referral follow an Assess-Plan-Do-Review model, with Cause for Concern raised by teachers and referrals tracked in a central Inclusion register. Inclusion provision includes in-class adaptations, push-in and pull-out interventions, counselling for social-emotional needs, and therapy services in-school or through external providers. The policy requires collaboration with parents and external agencies and provides for funding considerations; ADEK policies guide any specialist provision and related fees.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
75% of Yas American Academy students are learning English as an Additional Language (EAL). The ELL policy defines a shared responsibility among all stakeholders to provide English support for students to thrive academically and socially. Students are identified using NGRT assessments and a WIDA screener to determine language needs and are monitored through progress data. The school uses a tiered provision approach (Tier 1-3) with classroom scaffolding, targeted language interventions, small-group instruction, and collaboration between ELL and content-area teachers. Foundational literacy and vocabulary development are emphasized across subjects to support reading, writing, speaking, and listening. The policy assigns specific ELL leadership roles and responsibilities to the ELL department and ELL Lead Teacher, with ongoing professional development.

Mental Wellbeing
The Well-Being Policy at Yas American Academy outlines a whole-school commitment to promoting health, wellbeing, and happiness for students, staff, and families, aligned with ADEK and UAE frameworks. Wellbeing is guided by a whole-school approach with responsibilities shared among leaders, staff, students, and families. On-campus supports include homeroom teachers, heads of grade/department, a school counsellor, a dean of students, a school nurse, senior leaders, the student council, and designated safeguarding leads. Mindfulness and resilience-building are integrated into the program, with informal lessons and a dedicated wellbeing slot to develop emotional regulation and wellbeing skills. The policy highlights staff training to recognize signs of distress and signpost to internal or external support, and active family engagement to support each student's wellbeing.

Safeguarding
The Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy establishes safeguarding as a core responsibility with zero tolerance for maltreatment and outlines a framework to keep children safe. A senior designated Child Protection Coordinator and a Child Protection Team oversee safeguarding, with ongoing staff training and annual CP training; safeguarding records are maintained, often using CPOMS, to track concerns. Staff are required to report concerns to appropriate authorities (police and UAE authorities as needed) and to communicate with parents about safeguarding issues. Student Protection Education is delivered to students to help them understand personal safety and how to report concerns, using developmentally appropriate content. All safeguarding records are confidential, with robust safe recruitment practices and clear lines of responsibility for safeguarding across the school.
Parent Experience

History
Yas American Academy began as a single 247-student facility in 2007 on Yas Island and has grown into a network serving over 9,000 students across seven Aldar Academies. It operates within Aldar Academies and follows the Massachusetts State Curriculum with General and Advanced pathways, including AP courses. It holds NEASC accreditation and is designated a School of Character by the Jubilee Centre for Character and Virtues, guided by the West Yas Way values of Respect, Determination, Integrity, Innovation and Collaboration. UAE traditions and national identity are celebrated in its curriculum alongside sustainability and service-learning initiatives.

Community
Yas American Academy hosts a diverse student body drawn from more than 40 nationalities on Yas Island. The school emphasizes UAE traditions and national identity and engages in sustainability and service-learning initiatives as part of its community values. Its extra-curricular program offers clubs and competitions such as Model United Nations, TedX, AP Calculus and coding, and includes partnerships with external providers like Manchester City for football and a range of sports squads. The campus includes facilities for traditional US sports and a well-equipped library to support a holistic community.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
A formal parent engagement channel is led by a Parent Relations Executive (PRE) who coordinates communications, tours, and open days with families. Parents can arrange visits through the PRE, via PRE@yasamericanacademy.ae. A Welcome Pack is available for parents, and Aldar's Rewards program provides parent-facing benefits through the Our Parents portal. The Our Parents resources also include access to the PARENT'S EXPERIENCE CENTRE and related programs to support parent involvement. The school hosts daily in-person tours and open days coordinated by the PRE, reinforcing ongoing parent engagement.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
Yas American Academy provides a modern learning environment designed to support academic excellence, creativity, physical fitness, and innovation. The campus features innovative classrooms with modern technology, two dedicated libraries for elementary and secondary students, and STEM and engineering labs. A Food Technology room and an E-Gaming room support practical and digital learning experiences. There are indoor and outdoor sports facilities and performing arts spaces, plus a cafeteria, student lounges, and technology-enabled learning spaces. A safe transport service with GPS-tracked buses and a secure campus with 24/7 safety measures support student well-being.

Sports Facilities
Indoor and outdoor sports arenas include a fully-equipped indoor gymnasium, a FIFA-standard football field, basketball, volleyball, and tennis courts, and running tracks. The swimming pool and aquatic center provide training and recreational opportunities with professional coaching. A dance studio, cycling room, weight lifting room, and a health and wellness clinic support students' fitness and well-being.

Academic Facilities
Academic facilities include innovative classrooms designed to foster interactive learning with Apple TVs, smartboards, and LED screens. There are dedicated libraries for elementary and secondary students. STEM and engineering labs provide hands-on experiences in robotics, AI, coding, and mechanical design. A Food Technology room supports practical cooking and nutrition education. An E-Gaming room supports digital literacy and gaming-related studies.

Extra Curricular Facilities
ECAs run from KG1 through Grade 12 with a broad range of clubs and programs. Secondary ECAs include Model United Nations, TedX, Gamesmaster, coding, and AP Calculus/Precalculus clubs. Elementary ECAs include cooking, sewing, French, Lego, and creative writing. Competitive squads for boys and girls participate in football, basketball, volleyball, swimming, touch rugby, cricket, and netball, with involvement in ADISSA, the ADEK Cup, and Jr NBA. External providers offer additional clubs such as karate, ballet, AI, and Spanish, and there are cultural clubs including Quran and Arabic reading, plus Manchester City football coaching.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
ECAs run from KG1 through Grade 12, providing growth, creativity, and learning beyond the core curriculum. In the secondary program, clubs include Model United Nations (MUN), TedX, Gamesmaster, coding, and AP Calculus and AP Precalculus. These activities support intellectual development and offer opportunities for advanced study. ECAs can occur before school, during lunch, or after school.

Arts & Creative
Elementary clubs include cooking, sewing, Lego, and creative writing. The academy has dedicated performing arts facilities to support students' creative expression. External providers offer Ballet and other arts-based activities to broaden creative experiences.

Cultural & Language
Clubs focused on cultural and religious education include Ramsetna, Quran, and Arabic reading. External providers offer Spanish language clubs. The program supports multilingual learning and cultural engagement through these language-focused activities.

Social & Hobbies
ECAs extend beyond academics to social and hobby interests, including cooking, sewing, Lego, and creative writing in elementary. Sporting squads are offered for both boys and girls across Football, Basketball, Volleyball, Swimming, Touch Rugby, Cricket, and Netball, from Under 9s to Under 19s. The school enters ADISSA competitions, the ADEK Cup, and the Jr NBA, and collaborates with external providers for additional experiences.

Leadership & Professional
MUN and TedX clubs develop leadership, critical thinking, and public-speaking skills. AP Calculus and AP Precalculus offer advanced academic pathways for interested students. A partnership with Manchester City brings football coaching, promoting teamwork and discipline.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Sports squads provide fitness and teamwork opportunities across Football, Basketball, Volleyball, Swimming, Touch Rugby, Cricket, and Netball. Teams participate in ADISSA, ADEK Cup, and Jr NBA competitions. External providers offer Karate, Ballet, swimming lessons, AI, and Spanish to enhance physical health and broader wellbeing.
Languages

Language Provision
The school follows the American Massachusetts State Curriculum, including Common Core standards, NGSS, and SHAPE. The UAE MOE requirements for Arabic, Islamic Education, and UAE Social Studies are observed. General and Advanced course pathways are offered, including AP courses in the High School.
Reputation

Awards
ACE School of Character quality mark (indicated on the site).

Accreditations
NEASC accreditation; the school is part of Aldar Academies and follows an American-curriculum framework.
Admissions

Admissions
1. Submit your enquiry online; a Parent Relations Executive will respond within 2 working days to assist you. This initial contact helps outline next steps and provides guidance on the enrolment process. 2. Schedule a tour or a meeting with our Senior Leadership team to learn more about Yas American Academy. This allows you to ask questions about the curriculum, facilities, and school culture. 3. Submit your completed application; the Admissions Team will be in touch within 2 working days. You will be guided through the next steps and timelines for assessment and decision-making. 4. Within 2 working days of a successful assessment, you will receive an offer of a place at the Academy. After you accept the offer and pay the registration fee, enrollment is confirmed.

Scholarships
Scholarship applications for the 2025-2026 Academic Year are now open. The Aldar Academies Scholarship Programme recognizes exceptional talent in Academic Achievement, Sports, Innovation & Digital Technology, Creative & Performing Arts, and Arabic Studies. The programme provides a tuition-fee reduction until graduation and is available for both new and existing students across Yas American Academy and other Aldar Academies. Available scholarship sites include Yas American Academy, Al Ain British Academy, Mamoura British Academy, and Bateen World Academy. The scholarship programme is open from Grade 6 onwards. Applicants must first secure a student place before progressing with a scholarship application, and both a place and scholarship must be applied for simultaneously. The scheme and participating schools operate within Aldar Academies, with fees regulated by ADEK.
School Events
The school has not added events
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