American International School, Abu Dhabi

American International School Abu Dhabi is an American school established in 1995. Located in Al Aman, AISA is a popular International Baccalaureate (IB) and US curriculum school in Abu Dhabi. It is a part of the Educational Services Overseas Limited (ESOL) group, which provides education in Lebanon, Cyprus, Nicosia and the UAE. It is one of the oldest American schools in the capital city offering the IB programme to its students. Over time, the school introduced the Primary Year Programme (PYP), an IB related syllabus for the elementary stage.

It educates around 1,400 students enrolled from kindergarten to Grade 12. These students belong to 80 nationalities and speak over 30 languages. The teaching force has approximately 131 full-time teachers and 18 teaching assistants, resulting in a teacher to student ratio of 1:10. The low teacher to student ratio ensures plentiful individual attention and support. It is a co-education school where boys and girls study together until the elementary stage. Afterwards, they are segregated into separate classes.

Besides academics, there are provisions for extracurricular and sports activities that allow well-rounded students. It also offers a caring and protective environment where students can thrive and prosper. This results in the development of a communal environment where teachers contribute to the overall growth and development of students.

Read this guide by Bayut to learn more about the education, facilities, extracurricular provisions and other information on American International School.

• Location: Al Aman
• School fees: AED 31,870 - AED 57,940
• Curriculum: American/IB
• Co-ed or segregate: Co-ed
• ADEK rating: Very Good
• Years offered: KG1 - Grade 12

The school is situated in Al Aman, a suburb of the Al Sa’adah Zone 1 Abu Dhabi. Several residential communities surround the school, making it an attractive option for residents of Abu Dhabi. These communities are:

• Al Mushrif
• Al Maqtaa
• Al Bateen

Al Mushrif, a central residential spot in Abu Dhabi, is the closest to American International School. It is ideally located and allows easy access to the major attractions in the capital. It is one of the most sought-after residential spots in the city with a mixture of villas and rental apartments.

• Apartments for rent near American International School

AISA School is located on a spacious plot that houses two sections: ‘KG and Elementary school’ and ‘Middle and High School’. The facilities on the campus are relatively older than other schools in Abu Dhabi. However, they fully support the educational programme at the school. The entire campus is bright and the walls of the classrooms and corridors are decorated with students’ artwork.

The American International School of Abu Dhabi has two libraries: the main library and an ECE library. These libraries are well-stocked with academic books, magazines, fictional novels, periodicals and other reading materials. These libraries are well-lit and have comfortable seating arrangements with tables to enhance the environment. It also provides high-speed Wi-Fi internet connections to students.

The major facilities at the campus include a well-stocked library, computer labs, six science labs and art rooms. American International School also has facilities for sports that include:

• Medium-sized swimming pool
• Gymnasiums
• Soccer field
• Outdoor basketball courts

American International School is at the intersection of Al Aman Street and Baghdad Street in Al Aman, Al Sa’adah. It is in a prime location in Abu Dhabi and is easily accessible by most parts of the city. Those interested in visiting the school can access it through Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Street, Rabdan Street and Sultan Bin Zayed the First Street.

American International School is a prestigious American school in Abu Dhabi. Established in 1995, the school offers top-notch education to students aged 3 to 18 years old. In the year 2020, the school celebrated its 25 years of excellence in offering high-quality education to students. It is a part of the reputable ESOL, an educational group with several schools in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean countries. The following bodies accredit this school:

• Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools
• Council of International Schools (CIS)
• Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge – rated as very good
• European Council of International Schools (ECIS)
• Near East South Asian Council of Overseas Schools (NESA) – full-time member

It offers the International Baccalaureate (IB) programme in the elementary and subsequent stages. Students completing their school education from AISA School receive an IB diploma that opens a new world of opportunities for them. IB is a renowned educational programme that focuses extensively on practical and vocational knowledge as compared to other mainstream curricula. AISA also offers education based on the US curriculum in the middle and high school stages. It also follows a strict regimen to employ teachers. It only hires professional educators that have a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree. The school also prefers teachers with at least two years of experience with a teaching certificate.

American International School Abu Dhabi is a truly international school that promotes a multicultural communal environment. It accepts admission applications of all that can adhere to the curricular standards of the school. The students’ force currently represents 80 nationalities and speaks over 30 languages.

Besides academic rigour, the school also provides athletic and other non-academic activities to students. Its diverse extra-curricular programme focuses on building non-academic skills that are beneficial in modern-day society. It includes an after-school programme that runs thrice a year.

AISA School is a K12 educational institute that offers education to children aged 3 to 18. The schooling system is split into the following phases:

American International School Abu Dhabi follows both American and International Baccalaureate (IB) curricula. In elementary school, it follows the Primary Year Programme (PYP), which is an IB curricular option. Students in the middle school study a syllabus based on the US curriculum. While students in the high school have the option to continue the US curriculum or opt for the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme. The main key points of the educational programme for each phase are:

Elementary School

In elementary school, the PYP programme is followed. It is an inquiry-based programme targeting the inquisitive nature of children. The programme is based on six units that are interconnected via transdisciplinary themes. The level of complexity grows with each grade and all subjects expected in the US curriculum are part of the syllabus. It is aligned with the following standards of education:

• US Common Core State Standards
• Next Generation Science Standards
• C3 framework for social studies state standards

The six themes of the PYP programme are:

The elementary students take weekly specialist classes that complement the core subjects of the PYP curriculum. The specialist subjects are:

Technology as a subject deals with the development of critical thinking, collaboration, creativity and communication skills among teachers. Art as a subject deals with music, plastic art, drama and dance.

Besides these, students also study Arabic, Social Studies and Islamic Education.

Middle School Curriculum

In middle school, the school follows the US curriculum based on CCSS and NGSS. The core subjects in the middle phase are:

The syllabus involves a great deal of literature in English and humanities. For literacy, the school teaches mathematics and science. Both subjects are taught via the inquiry-based approach, where students are encouraged to ask questions and develop a deeper understanding of concepts. It aims to develop metacognition skills among students to solve real-world problems. Technology is well-incorporated in the syllabus as the school follows the BYOD policy. It further provides interactive whiteboards to aid students’ learning.

The subjects taught by specialists are:

Other subjects at AISA School are:

Please note that AFL is for native Arabic speakers, while ASL is for non-Arabic students. While Islamic Studies is mandatory for all Muslim students either in English or Arabic.

High School Curriculum

In the High school phase, AISA Abu Dhabi School follows the IBDP programme. It is a secondary education equivalent programme covering Grade 9 to Grade 12 education. It is an academically challenging yet balanced programme that allows provisions for extra-curricular activities. Those applying for the IBDP programme need to study six courses over 2 years (Grade 11 and Grade 12). Additionally, full diploma students need to complete the following to be eligible for receiving a diploma:

• Theory of Knowledge (TOK)
• Creativity, Action and Service (CAS)
• Extended Essay (EE)

The subjects offered to students in high school are:

English

Elective Courses: English

Mathematics

Elective Courses: Mathematics

Science

Science Electives

Social Studies

Elective Courses: Social Studies

Visual and Performing Arts

Language

Elective Courses: Language

Physical/Health Education

Education Technology

Besides, students also have the option of elective courses. For more information, view the High School course prospectus of American International School Abu Dhabi.

The Abu Dhabi Department of Knowledge and Human Development is a governmental body established in 2005. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the ruler of Abu Dhabi, established it to improve the quality of education in Abu Dhabi. It inspects the performance of schools every two years and offers a judgement based on a specifically designed scale. It is a six-point scale varying from outstanding to very weak. Here is a brief explanation of each rating on the scale:

In the latest inspection report by ADEK, the overall performance of American International School was observed to be ‘Very Good’. They also received the same rating in the previous inspection for the academic year 2015 – 2016. It further received a very good rating for all the six performance standards of ADEK.

The positives reported in the latest inspection report are:

• The ability and commitment of leaders to improve the school
• Personal and social development of students, and their understanding of Islamic values and culture of the UAE
• Students’ high attainments in subjects such as English, Science, Islamic Studies and mathematics
• The school environment that is caring and protective
• High-level engagement and learning skills of students

Nevertheless, it can work on the following:

• To raise the level of attainment in Social Studies and Arabic.
• To further develop the American Diploma programme for improved learning.

The academic year at AISA School, Abu Dhabi, starts in August and ends in June. Classes resume in the last week of August till the second week of December. After that, students go on a three-week winter break till the end of December. Classes resume again in the first week of January till the fourth week of March. This is followed by a two-week spring break till the second week of April. After that, classes resume for the last time till the third week of June.

Please note that the school remains closed on many religious, national and international events. The exact dates of some events are subjected to moon sightings or government announcements. For more information, check out the academic calendar of the American International School of Abu Dhabi.

American International School Abu Dhabi is a truly inclusive school that accepts admission requests from all. The admission opens from the beginning of November. The school currently answers all the queries and questions via video calls, emails and phone calls. Send an email to admissions@aisa.sch.ae for a personalised virtual meeting with the staff.

The school strictly adheres to the age-grade guidelines provided on the website. Parents are advised to select the most suitable grade for their child based on the candidate’s age. Here are the age-grade guidelines of AISA School:

This is based on the age of the students on 31st August (for schools beginning in September). Source: AISA

* This is to cater to students transferring from systems that admit students of a younger age)

The admission requirement for Grade 6 to Grade 12 is based on previous academic records, forms and the decision taken by the middle school and high school admission committee.

To apply, fill the online application form. The following documents are required along with the admission form:

A copy of the previous academic record of the candidate (current and previous two years)

• AISA recommendation form for KG and Grade 1-12 (available here)
• Standardised test scores
• Documents revealing the special educational needs
• A copy of the candidate’s valid passport
• A copy of the candidate’s birth certificate (English or Arabic)

Please note that the submitted applications are screened and only shortlisted applications are approached. The school contacts the parents to bring their child for an assessment. The assessment includes formal testing for admission in Grade 1 and above. Whereas for admission in the kindergarten phase, a non-formal play-based assessment is conducted.

An offer letter is emailed to the parents of successful candidates. To secure admission, parents need to pay a non-refundable advance deposit of AED 2,000 within five days of the offer. This fee is demanded once and is adjusted in the tuition fee for the first term. The following documents are required to complete the registration process:

• Completed transport form (if transport service is required)
• Completed AISA health form along with copies of vaccination record
• Completed AISA consent form for photograph and policies
• Three recent passport-size photographs
• A copy of passports and UAE residence visa of both parents
• A copy of the candidate’s UAE residence visa and Emirates ID card (both sides)

During the first week of a student at AISA, the following documents are required:

• Original report for the previous grade
• Original transfer/school leaving certificate

For those applying from other schools in Emirates, parents need a letter from the Registrar’s office that has AISA’s ESIS number. The school will automatically transfer the children to AISA School.

Those applying from the UAE (outside Abu Dhabi) need to provide a transfer certificate issued by the previous school.

Students applying from outside UAE need to provide an attested transfer certificate that is signed and stamped by the last school. The certificate must be attested by the:

• Ministry of Education
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• UAE Embassy in the previous country

For more information, read the admission process at American International School of Abu Dhabi.

The American International School fees are given below:

The school accepts payment in the following three methods:

• Cash
• Cheque
• Bank transfer

The bank information is as follows:

• Title: American International School
• Bank Name: Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank
• Branch: Commercial Banking Sector, Abu Dhabi, UAE
• SWIFT Code: ADCBAEAA
• Account Number: 11749439920002
• IBAN: AE960030011749439920002

Credit card payments are not accepted. For further information, view the fee structure of the American International School.

The school does not provide any scholarships at the moment.

There is a canteen at school available to students throughout the day. Students of Grade 1 to Grade 12 can purchase snacks or lunch items of their choice from the canteen. Kindergarten students need to bring home-packed lunch boxes.

American International School offers transport services to students in need. It manages an excellent fleet of buses with safety and security features. To apply, fill out the transport form available at the accounts office. Students need to pay a registration fee of AED 500 for school transport service before the start of each academic year. The transport service charges are:

The outside Abu Dhabi routes covered by the school transport service include the following areas:

For more information, contact the school’s transport department.

AISA School Abu Dhabi is a day-only school and does not offer any boarding facility to students.

American International School of Abu Dhabi offers holiday camps to its students. The camps usually occur during the summer break.

AISA offers excellent sports facilities to its students. These facilities include a medium-sized swimming pool where students learn and practice the art of swimming under the supervision of professionals. There are also gymnasiums where students can work on their athletic skills, gymnastic abilities and fitness. There is also a full-sized grass-based soccer field where children play football. Other sports facilities include outdoor basketball courts and athletic tracks.

The school offers a diverse extra-curricular programme involving a range of extra-curricular activities. These activities are classified as follows:

Athletics

The athletic programme named as AISA Lions Programme is carried out for the last 19 years. Students interested in sports are encouraged to be a part of this programme where they play in age-group teams.

Students take part in a variety of sports, including:

Students are trained in the aforementioned sports by professional trainers. The calendar for athletic activities provides a detailed overview of sports fixtures.

Performing and Fine Arts

The extra-curricular activities at AISA School Abu Dhabi offer several performing and fine arts activities to its students. These activities are split into elementary and secondary groups. Some noteworthy extra-curricular activities for the elementary stage include:

In the secondary stage, students are exposed to a wide variety of arts-related activities. Additionally, it also offers performing and fine arts activities as after-school care. The noteworthy activities include:

Students Organisation

Students’ organisation is another source of extra-curricular activities at the American International School. Students in the Elementary and High Schools have the opportunity to be elected as the president, vice president, secretary, chief of communications, treasure and historian.

The elementary student council consists of students from Grade 3 to Grade 5 with Grade 5 students elected in the top six positions. Students that are interested in organising and managing events and other activities at the school are welcomed to be a part of the student organisation.

There also exists a secondary stage student organisation body with similar functions and purposes.

Field trips are an important part of the extra-curricular programme at AISA Abu Dhabi. The school has arranged several trips to help students learn beyond the walls of classrooms. Some noteworthy field trips for students of American International School are Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital and Louvre Museum Abu Dhabi.

The school provides a range of after-school activities dedicated to the development of well-rounded students. These activities are split into elementary and middle-high school phases. Each term has a different set of activities to ensure that students are exposed to as many activities as possible. The activities include:

The school has one medical clinic on-campus with 2 full-time nurses: one head nurse and one assistant nurse.

Several modes of communication are available for teachers and parents to communicate with each other. The most commonly used mode of communication among teachers, students and parents is the AISA community portal. The portal provides access to important information such as teachers’ feedback, attendance record, news and events notifications and circulars, etc.

AISA Parent is a parents-oriented body that establishes a strong link between parents and senior leadership. The body represents parents of current and pass-out students that support parents and the school. The members of AISA Parents help the school through volunteering services, providing educational opportunities to students and running fund-raising activities.

Other modes of communication at the school are the school’s website, social media platforms and school designated WhatsApp groups.

• American International School Abu Dhabi Address: AISA School, Al Aman Street, Al Aman, Abu Dhabi, UAE.
• Telephone number: +971 2 2072 999 or +971 2 4444 333
• Email Address: admissions@aisa.sch.ae (for admissions) and contactus@aisa.sch.ae (for general inquiries)
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Note that the cover image belongs to American International School