Abu Dhabi International Private School, MBZ City

Abu Dhabi International Private School, MBZ City campus, opened in 2015 as the second branch of the renowned Abu Dhabi International School established in 1992. The private, co-educational school was headed by the Principal and the Vice-Principal of the Abu Dhabi International School (Al Rowda branch) to ensure stability in the newly launched facility.

Presently, Abu Dhabi International Private School MBZ City offers classes from KG until Grade 12 based on the American curriculum in a co-educational setup. Common Core State Standards are followed for English and Mathematics, while the Next Generation Science Standards are implemented for Science. All Arabic subjects are taught based on the Ministry of Education Curriculum. International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) is available for students in Grades 11 and 12.

There are over 2,300 students, 179 teachers and 41 teaching assistants. The student to teacher ratio is 1:13 to ensure that every child gets adequate attention during the lessons. 4% of the students enrolled at the campus are identified to have Special Education Needs (SEN).

Abu Dhabi International Pvt School MBZ managed to secure a ‘Very Good’ rating during the ADEK inspection in 2018. The school’s mission is to help students achieve their highest potential for personal development.

• Location: Mohammed Bin Zayed City
• School fees: AED 31,300 - AED 46,400
• Curriculum: American Curriculum
• Co-ed or segregate: Co-education
• ADEK rating: Very Good
• Years offered: KG to Grade 12

Popular residential communities near AIS MBZ campus are:

• Al Mafraq
• Mussafah
• Zayed City
• Al Maqtaa

Mussafah initially was a small industrial area on Abu Dhabi’s outskirts. But it later expanded rapidly, resulting in the addition of plenty of affordable residential options. Al Maqtaa is another massive community mainly dominated by villas. One can also spot a few apartment buildings in the area.

Zayed City, also known as Khalifa City C, is an emerging area in the UAE capital. Presently, it has residential and commercial plots for rent and sale. However, soon there will be plenty of apartment buildings.

Families looking to settle down near the school campus can consider:

• Apartments for rent near Abu Dhabi International Pvt. School MBZ
• Villas for rent near Abu Dhabi International Pvt. School MBZ
• Villas for sale near Abu Dhabi International Pvt. School MBZ

The purpose-built Abu Dhabi International Private School Mohammed Bin Zayed City Campus has excellent facilities for kindergarten, elementary and high school sections, including:

• Theatre with a capacity of 800 individuals
• Performing Arts Facilities
• Science Labs
• Design Studio
• Technology Studio
• ICT Labs
• Robotics Labs
• Football Pitch
• Basketball Court
• Volleyball Court
• A 200-metres Running Track
• Indoor Sports Hall
• Kindergarten Gym
• Sensory Room
• Occupational Therapy Room
• Library
• Cafeteria

Abu Dhabi International Pvt. School is based in Zone 17 Sector 01 on Al Aqsa Street, close to 63rd Street in MBZ City.

Other popular schools in the vicinity are Bright Riders School and Merryland International School Abu Dhabi. One can also find Al Ain University Abu Dhabi Campus in proximity to the AIS MBZ.

Abu Dhabi International School in MBZ City encourages students to become lifelong learners. besides the academically challenging curriculum, the school has designed extensive extracurricular programs to promote academic excellence as well as physical well-being.

Students at Abu Dhabi International School MBZ City study the widely recognised American curriculum from KG until Grade 12. The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme is available for students in Grades 11 and 12 provided their application is approved by the IBDP selection committee.

The friendly school culture promotes good habits and global awareness. Abu Dhabi International Pvt School MBZ engages the management and teachers in improving the quality of education. Its affiliation with international educational organisations and institutes make it a popular choice amongst parents looking for quality American schools in Abu Dhabi. The school is accredited by the American International Accreditation Association (AIAA).

AIS MBZ offers classes from KG until Grade 12. The school is divided into four sections:

AIS MBZ campus follows the American curriculum based on the Common Core Standards and the Next Generation Science Standards. The UAE Ministry of Education Curriculum is followed for Arabic subjects.

Additional courses such as Performing Arts, Visual Arts, French, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and Physical & Health Education are effectively incorporated into the academic program to enrich all students’ overall learning experience at AIS MBZ.

The school successfully prepares high school students to clear assessments, including AP, IELTS, TOEFL, SAT and other achievement tests.

The International Baccalaureate Diploma Program offered at the Mohammed Bin Zayed City Campus is highly competitive, and there are limited seats. Interested candidates must show proficiency in relevant academic fields, especially in Mathematics and English, fluency in oral and written communication and interest sports, creative endeavours and community service. You can contact the IBDP coordinator at the campus for more information.

Those interested in American schools in the capital city can check out Bayut’s list of best American schools in Abu Dhabi.

• Student’s achievement
• Students’ personal and social development and their innovation skills
• Teaching and assessment
• Curriculum
• Protection, care, guidance and support of students
• Leadership and management

ADEK inspected the school from 1st to 4th November in 2021 and rated it "Very Good."

According to the ADEK report, students’ attainment in English, Mathematics, Science and Islamic Education is very good. Their progress in English is outstanding in KG and it is very good in other phases. Learning skills overall are very good throughout all phases.

Teaching and assessment were found to be very good throughout the school. Health and safety provisions are outstanding and students study in a safe environment. Students get outstanding care and support at the school.

When discussing leadership and management of the school, ADEK mentions the effectiveness of leadership to be very good. The school’s partnership with parents and the school’s governance is outstanding. Abu Dhabi International School’s management and effectiveness of its leadership is very good.

Abu Dhabi International School MBZ City academic calendar is divided into three terms. You can view the detailed calendar with exams and holiday dates on the official website.

The first day of school is on 29th August. The mid-term break is from 19th to 21st October. The exams last from 29th November to 10th December. Students get winter break from 12th to 30th December.

Term 2 starts from 2nd January and students go on midterm break from 16th February to 17th February. Spring break lasts from 27th March to 7th April. Term 3 begins on 10th April and ends on 29th June.

Application form is available on the school’s website, but parents can collect the same from the school’s reception. Once the application form is submitted and accepted, the applicant must pass the placement test or interview held at the school campus. Parents are requested to bring the duly completed application form, letter of recommendation and required documents for the interview. They must also call the school for an appointment before showing up for the interview.

Abu Dhabi International School offers admission without any discrimination. Students with special needs and learning disabilities get entry based on their application, assessment and report. Students with severe learning issues or disabilities are not accepted if the school cannot meet their needs.

Candidates with special needs and their parents must meet the special education specialist for assessment and discuss the specific requirements. Parents usually receive assessment test results via email.

If the admission is granted, parents must pay the application fee of AED 500 at the school account department. This amount is deducted from tuition fees.

Here is the list of documents that parents have to submit at the time of admission:

• Completed Student Application Form
• Student Recommendation Form in an official, sealed envelope
• Two Recent Passport-Sized Photos of the Applicant: Full-face view directly facing the camera in front on a white or off-white background
• Copy of the Applicant’s Passport Information Page and Visa Page
• Copy of the Applicant’s valid Emirates ID Card: if student already lives in the UAE, otherwise submit at the time of enrolment.
• Copy of the Applicant’s Birth Certificate
• Copy of the Applicant’s Vaccination Record: Make sure the student’s name is visible
• Copy of Sponsoring Parent’s Passport Information Page and Visa Page
• Copy of Sponsoring Parent’s valid Emirates ID Card: this is if the student lives in the UAE, otherwise he/she can submit at the time of enrolment.
• Copy of the water and electricity bill is needed to get the premises ID for those residing in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.
• Progress report and the latest year and report cards for the last year and the latest academic for all applicants is submitted. This is also required for KG1 and Prep applicants if they are currently enrolled in nursery or preschool.
• Students with any medical condition have to submit a medical report as the school clinic will review their case. Students with chronic medical conditions are only denied admission if the school cannot provide the necessary support.
• It is a requirement for students with special needs to provide the school with academic, psychological, or medical assessments for completing the application process. This also includes Individualized Education Plans (IEPs), Academic Program Accommodations, Behaviour Modification Plans, Psychological/Educational Evaluations. If parents fail to submit these documents with the application, they may have to withdraw the student’s application.

All applicants must meet the following age criteria to secure a place.

Admission to Abu Dhabi International School is managed on a first-come, first-serve basis. However, priority is given to the following:

• Siblings of current students
• Children of School’s faculty members
• Former students and children of former students
• All other students who are meeting admission requirements

In case the seat is unavailable, the students will be placed on the waiting list. The school contacts the parents once the spot becomes available.

Admission to the Students Supports Services Department for students with special needs is granted based on the student application and any further assessments required by the Admissions Committee.

Admission is open from KG1 to Grade 12. Graduating students must pass at least Grade 11 and 12 at the school.

Here’s the fee structure for Abu Dhabi International Private School MBZ campus:

The above-mentioned fee does not include

• Special Education Services charges – depend on the support provided
• Bus transportation – AED 4,500 for a two-way trip
• Non-refundable registration fee – AED 1500
• Uniform – AED 300

The book fee is mentioned here:

AIS-MBZ Campus fee can be paid in three installments:

• The first installment is due in August
• The second installment is due in December
• The third instalment is due in March

The tuition fee, including charges for books and uniform, must be fully paid at the time of registration and cleared before August.

The second tuition fees instalment must be submitted along with the first installment by a post-dated check dated for December or before.

The third tuition fee must be submitted along with the first installment by a post-dated check dated for March or before.

Parents are encouraged to send healthy snacks from home. Junk food, lollipops and soft drinks are prohibited in school. Students are not allowed to bring food for sharing with other students unless approved by the Principal.

Parents who choose to use the school bus for their child’s commute should register for the bus transportation service.

The first step is to fill and submit the bus transportation application form available on the school’s official website. This form can also be collected from the bus supervisor at AIS MBZ. The bus registration fee is AED 500 (non-refundable); it must be paid by the accounts department. The annual bus service fee is AED 4,500. The registration is done for an annual basis.

One-way bus service is not provided by the school bus. Bus service for PS, KG and Prep students are separate from Grade 1 to Grade 12 students for afternoon trips.

For a change of address and bus service cancellation, parents are requested to contact the bus supervisor in writing or via email at busmbz@aisuae.com

Parents and students who choose school bus service should comply with the following rules.

• Students should be seated throughout the journey
• Students should reach the bus stop 5 minutes before their scheduled pickup as the bus does not wait at the stop.
• Parents have to arrange transportation for their kids in case their kid misses the school bus.
• Students should wear seat belts throughout the journey.
• Eating and drinking are not allowed on the bus.
• Students should obey the bus driver and the bus assistant.

AIS-MBZ bus services are available for the following areas:

Sports teams and PE departments are an important part of the Abu Dhabi International School. All sports teams students are trained at least once every week after school timings on a weekday.

AIS MBZ sports team proudly plays an active role in the Abu Dhabi schools community and across the UAE. The team has participated in numerous tournaments and competitions.

The educational program of AIS MBZ is incomplete without extracurricular activities. These activities are updated every year to promote and develop students’ skills.

Students have to register for the extracurricular program and slots are offered on a first-come, first-serve basis.

ECAs for KG to Grade 5 include:

ECAs for Middle and High School kids include:

AIS-MBZ campus also has an extensive co-curricular program to support academic learning. These activities are scheduled during school hours within the school premises.

Kindergarteners can take part in:

At AIS MBZ, Primary and Middle Schools kids can participate in:

High School clubs include:

Sports, musicals, and environmental events are hosted at AIS MBZ City to ensure students’ well-rounded development.

Students are taken on field trips and local and international conferences for educational purposes. AIS MBZ High school students were part of the world future energy summit. Students were taken to Nepal on a service trip. They also enjoyed canoying activities.

The school nurse handles medical issues, injuries and accidents that occur on school premises. If the school nurse thinks any students need further medical care, their parents and legal guardians are notified immediately. Students are taken to Sheikh Khalifa Medical Centre or New Medical Centre in MBZ city in medical emergencies.

Students who are not feeling well are advised to visit the school nurse with their clinic pass. Children diagnosed with contagious illnesses can only return with a licensed physician, and the school nurse’s written consent. School should be notified during admission if a student suffers from any chronic disease such as asthma, epilepsy and migraine.

Parents have to notify the school nurse if their child has to take any medicine during school hours. It should be supported by a doctor’s prescription with the mentioned dosage. The school nurse only administers medication.

AIS School MBZ is proud of parents who voluntarily choose to join the Parents’ Committee because of their strong belief in the school mission. This Parents’ Committee serves as the advisory board to the school administration and actively participates in achieving its goals.

The main objectives of the parents’ committee include

• Encouraging parents to get involved in school events and activities
• Developing programs to promote a strong sense of school community
• Providing student career orientation programs
• Organising fund-raising for students who need financial aid for education purposes
• Actively discussing administration matters
• Collaborating with management and school faculty in decision making

Parents are considered partners at the school, and they play a vital role in a child’s academic progress. They are invited to volunteer at school events and field trips.

AIS School MBZ established effective communication methods to ensure that parents are updated regarding school policies and school events without delays. Parents are kept well-informed through the school website, parent portal, emails and letters.

Seesaw and Edmodo apps are used to notify parents regarding their child’s progress. The school ensures parents are aware of their children’s academic and behavioural performance.

• Telephone: +971-2-205-7999
• Email: admin@aisuae.com
• Abu Dhabi International Private School Website
• Abu Dhabi International Private School Facebook
• Abu Dhabi International Private School Instagram

Note that the cover image belongs to Abu Dhabi International Private School MBZ

What are the timings of the school?

The school is operational from 8 am to 3 pm.

How many grades are there in the school?

KG to Grade 12.

Does the school follow a co-education model?

Yes, Abu Dhabi International School MBZ has a co-education model.

How many students are currently studying in the school? How many nationalities are represented?

Abu Dhabi International School has 1,900 students and most of them are Emirati nationals.

Please describe the academic calendar of the school.

The school year starts in August and ends in June.

Does the school conduct mid-term examinations?

Yes, the school conducts mid-term exams in November, March and June.

Please mention the range of the tuition fee charged by the school.

AED 31,300 to AED 46,400.

How does the school communicate with parents?

For smooth communication with parents, the school has its official website, parents portal, emails and newsletter. Edmono and Sisu apps are also effective mode of communication between parents and schools.

Does the school have a cafeteria or a canteen on campus?

Yes, Abu Dhabi School, MBZ has a cafeteria.

Does the school arrange field trips?

Yes, the school takes students on field trips.

How many teachers are currently teaching in the school?

Abu Dhabi International School has 129 teachers and 17 assistant teachers.