Finding the perfect school for their children is one of the most important decisions parents make. It influences the child’s social skills and academic knowledge and plays an important role in shaping their personality and how well they adapt to the world around them. For families living in the UAE’s capital city Abu Dhabi, there is a wide selection of schools to choose from, which provide a high-quality and well-rounded education. Here are some of the best schools in Abu Dhabi for your offspring to attend.
It’s important to remember to apply early on for schools admissions in Abu Dhabi to make sure that your children get into the schools you have shortlisted. Most parents opt to apply a year ahead or sometimes even earlier to secure admissions for their children.
10 BEST SCHOOLS IN ABU DHABI
Here is a list of best private schools in Abu Dhabi, which offer a range of curricula to suit your child’s needs!
The British School Al Khubairat
Often referred to as one of the best British schools in Abu Dhabi, this non-profit institution is one of the oldest schools in the emirate, established in 1968. Boasting high teaching standards, the British School Al Khubairat features a mix of nationalities when it comes to its large student population. The school follows the National Curriculum of England in the primary school and secondary school, with students sitting for A-Level exams in the sixth form. As one of the top schools in Abu Dhabi, this institution places an emphasis on holistic learning for its students, with a range of arts, music, sports and recreational clubs to take part in. It’s also renowned for fostering an environment of mutual respect and producing conscientious students.
- Curriculum: British
- Fees: FS1 to Year 13: AED 43k – AED 70.6k
- Location: Off Airport Road, Al Mushrif
- Contact: 02-204-0200
Brighton College, Abu Dhabi
The sister school to Brighton College in the UK, this is one of the most well-managed and premier educational institutes in Abu Dhabi and is home to more than 1,800 students. It’s one of the top schools with British curriculum in Abu Dhabi and provides a learning environment that challenges and encourages its students. With state-of-the-art facilities in a purpose-built campus like sports halls, shaded play areas, music practice rooms, photography and dance studios and a 600-seat theatre, parents can be rest assured that children will have the opportunity to pursue their interests and passions. Students of Brighton College have gone to highly respected international universities including Utrecht, Purdue, Colorado Boulder and Florida Institute of Technology. One of the best schools in Abu Dhabi, Bright College is located close to the upscale rental villas in Bloom Gardens.
For those living in Al Ain, Brighton College also has a sister school out there, which is one of the top schools in Al Ain, too.
- Curriculum: British
- Fees: FS1: TBC, FS2 – Year 13: AED 50.8k – AED 77.7k
- Location: Bloom Gardens, Near Khalifa Park
- Contact: 02-815-6500
Cranleigh Abu Dhabi School
One of the newer Abu Dhabi schools, Cranleigh Abu Dhabi School mirrors the upscale neighbourhood of Saadiyat Island that it calls home. The school follows an England and Wales-based curriculum with students taking EYFS and IGCSEs. Along with A-Levels, students in the sixth form also complete the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ), which is also gaining traction in the UK. The school has recently attained an ‘Outstanding’ rating from ADEK, which is commendable considering that it opened its doors only in 2014. Cranleigh is an exclusive school with fees to match, and it has among the highest school fees in Abu Dhabi.
- Curriculum: British
- Fees: FS1 to Year 13: AED 65k to AED 93k
- Location: Off the Abu Dhabi-Al Falah Road, Near Manarat Saadiyat, Saadiyat Island
- Contact: 02-497-0000
Raha International School, Abu Dhabi
Easily one of the most picturesque schools in Abu Dhabi, Raha International School has also earned a reputation for world-class academics and qualified teaching team. Located in Khalifa City A, this is one of the best Abu Dhabi schools also accessible by other residential communities such as Al Raha Gardens and Al Raha Beach. It has been previously awarded the highly coveted ‘Outstanding’ rating by ADEK and has alumni studying in Ivy League institutions such as Dartmouth and Oxford.
One of the most prestigious IB schools in Abu Dhabi, Raha International announced in 2019 that work had been initiated on a second campus, to be located in the heart of Khalifa City. Located a short 7-minute drive from the school’s Gardens Campus, the new Khalifa City Campus was to comprise state-of-the-art facilities and world-class teaching departments. Phase 1 of the expansion was successfully completed and opened its doors to students in September of 2020, with phase 2 scheduled to open in September 2021. Designed by the award-winning ‘Architects CPG’ from Singapore, the Raha International School’s Khalifa City Campus will eventually cater for 3,000 students.
- Curriculum: International Baccalaureate (IB)
- Fees: EY1 to Grade 12: AED 39.3k to AED 61.9k
- Location: Khalifa City A
- Contact: 02-556-1567
Al Muna Academy
Another one of the Aldar Academies, Al Muna Academy is one of the top schools in the Abu Dhabi city area, ideal for those living in nearby areas like Madinat Zayed. Following the National Curriculum of England, Al Muna encourages children to be independent and curious learners and thinkers. This is one of the Abu Dhabi schools in the heart of the main island, with top-of-the-line facilities, including the latest technology in the classrooms and an array of sports facilities. However, parents interested in enrolling their child here should know that Al Muna Academy only caters to students until Year 6.
- Curriculum: British
- Fees: FS2 – Year 6: AED 45.2k
- Location: Zayed the First Street
- Contact: 02-813-2118
The British International School, Abu Dhabi
Part of education provider Nord Anglia, which has a network of 61 schools worldwide, The British International School is focused on developing confident and compassionate global citizens. It’s also one of the schools with British curriculum in Abu Dhabi, where students appear for IGCSEs in Year 11, after which they pursue the rigorous and comprehensive IB Diploma. Aside from a purpose-built campus with excellent facilities and an experienced leadership team, this Abu Dhabi school’s motto ‘Be Ambitious’ ensures that your child will be equipped with the skills and knowledge to succeed in today’s rapidly-changing world.
- Curriculum: British, IB
- Fees: FS1 to Year 13: AED 52k to AED 68.7k
- Location: Off the Abu Dhabi – Al Ain Road, Behind Abu Dhabi University
- Contact: 02-510-0176
GEMS World Academy
Looking for the best IB schools in Abu Dhabi? GEMS World Academy, part of the renowned GEMS Education, could very well be the perfect choice for your child. Catering to students until Grade 5, the IB Primary Years Programme is combined with Common Core Standards from the US to ensure comprehensive education for students. It’s also one of the top international schools in Abu Dhabi that has students from over 60 nationalities and uses an inquiry-based learning approach to engage children. They also have the benefit of top-of-the-line facilities and teaching staff and as one of the GEMS schools in Abu Dhabi, many of the students have gone on to study at the world’s leading universities.
- Curriculum: International Baccalaureate (IB)
- Fees: KG1 to Grade 5: AED 41.9k – AED 61.3k
- Location: Fatima Bint Mubarak Street, Al Dhafrah
- Contact: 02-641-6333
Repton Abu Dhabi
A sister school of the renowned Repton School in Dubai, this is one of the top schools in Abu Dhabi. A truly cosmopolitan school with more than 40 nationalities, Repton School Abu Dhabi is an excellent choice for those residing in the rental villas and apartments on Al Reem Island. With world-class amenities and a teaching staff recruited primarily from the UK, Repton School Abu Dhabi appears set to replicate the success of the school in Dubai and its parent institute in Derbyshire, UK. Those interested in sending their children to one of the best British curriculum schools in Abu Dhabi can take a closer look at the Al Reem Island community to see if it could be their next home!
- Curriculum: British
- Fees: FS1 to Year 13: AED 56.9k to AED 74k
- Location: Shams Abu Dhabi, Al Reem Island
- Contact: (Rose Campus) 02-508-1900 / (Fry Campus) 02-507-4800
Private International English School
One of the best Indian CBSE schools in Abu Dhabi, Private International English School is managed by Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, which has schools across the Middle East. The school is recognised by the Central Board of Secondary Education (New Delhi) and accredited by ADEK. The professional teaching staff ensure that students are comfortable and adapt well to the learning environment, and equip them with skills that help them excel both academically and socially! If you’re looking for an Indian CBSE school in Mussafah for your child, Private International is an ideal choice.
- Curriculum: CBSE
- Fees: KG1 to Grade 12: AED 9.7k – AED 17k
- Location: Sector 9, Musaffah, MBZ City
- Contact: 02-559-1777
GEMS American Academy
Our final mention for the best schools in Abu Dhabi is GEMS American Academy. Students at this American school in Khalifa City A study the Primary Years Programme, followed by the Common Core Standards in secondary school and ultimately pursue the IB Diploma. To ensure the social and physical development of your child, there are a variety of after-school activities and clubs for students to take part in. It’s also part of many athletic and activities conferences, which allows students to take part in inter-school tournaments and competitions. GEMS American Academy is also one of the top American curriculum schools in Abu Dhabi that works to include students of determination, including any disabilities or special education needs.
- Curriculum: American, IB
- Fees: KG1 to Grade 12: AED 52.8k to AED 73k
- Location: 16th Street, Khalifa City A
- Contact: 02-557-4880
Below are some of the other private schools to consider for your child, which include Indian schools in Abu Dhabi:
- Al Yasmina Academy Abu Dhabi
- The American International School
- The Pearl Academy Abu Dhabi
- The Sheikh Zayed Private Academy
- Lycee Louis Massignon
- Merryland International School
- Gems United Indian School
- Bright Riders School
And that brings an end to MyBayut’s picks for the best private schools in Abu Dhabi! We hope this article helps you make an informed decision when picking a school for your child. Make sure to contact this list of schools in Abu Dhabi to find out more about their admission procedures and cut-off dates for form submissions. Moving to Dubai? Take a look at some of the top schools in Dubai, that offer American, British, IB and Indian curricula. And stay tuned to MyBayut for more articles on education in the UAE.
