A guide to the nine top private schools in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi’s nine top private schools include some ranked in the top 100 in the world and an affordable school designed to prepare future rocket scientists.

All but one of the nine private schools rated excellent by the Abu Dhabi Ministry of Education and Knowledge follow the British curriculum.

The inspection ratings for private schools in Abu Dhabi were last published in 2019, before the Covid-19 pandemic.

Schools are judged on a number of categories, including student achievement, personal and social development, innovative skills, teaching and assessment, and school leadership and management. While a very good school exceeds expectations, an excellent school greatly exceeds expectations.

National The highest ranked schools in Abu Dhabi are listed, in no particular order:

British School Al Khubairat

Course: UK

Location: Al Mushrif

Cost: AED 43,160 for base stage to AED 70,630 for year 13

This British School Al Khubairat It has long been considered one of the best schools in the country and has been celebrated in the country for over 50 years.

British School Al Khubairat (BSAK) Since 1968after Sheikh Zayed, the UAE’s founding father, donated a piece of land as its seat.

It was formerly known as Al Khubairat Community School, which was later renamed British School – and Al Khubairat (BSAK) in 1980. It is one of the oldest schools in Abu Dhabi.

Over the years, the school has hosted many special visits from dignitaries such as Queen Elizabeth II.

The school takes the well-being of children and staff very seriously, and its mental health program has won global acclaim.

Alumni of the school have been admitted to some of the most prestigious universities, including Stanford, Harvard, Oxford and Cambridge.

Brighton Academy Abu Dhabi

Course: UK

Location: 175 Das Street, Abu Dhabi

Cost: AED 48,900 for Kindergarten to AED 77,720 for Year 13

Brighton College Abu Dhabi has been named one of the top 100 schools in the world in the 2021 Speer School Index.

The school is committed to ensuring that students develop a love of learning and grow into well-educated, respectful, intellectually curious and confident individuals.

Students at the school go on to study at Oxford University, Imperial College London, St Andrews and the University of Warwick.

While many of their students choose to further their studies in the UK, the school is seeing more and more students choose the US or Europe.

Brighton College was established in 1845 and the Abu Dhabi School is part of the Brighton family.

Cranley School Abu Dhabi

Course: UK

Location: Saadiyat

Cost: AED 65,000 for base stage to AED 96,333 for year 13

September 2020, Cranley Abu Dhabi Named as One of the best 100 private schools Ranked #1 in the world in the inaugural Spear’s Schools Index. The purpose of the index is to help parents choose the best schools for their children.

The school was also named New British International School of the Year 2017. The award was presented at the British International Schools Awards Ceremony in London.

The school places great emphasis on student well-being, sustainability and community.

With over 150 years of history in England, Cranleigh was founded in the UAE with a vision to create something unique for the region. Cranleigh Abu Dhabi celebrates the country’s many cultures.

Merlot International School

Course: UK

Location: Musafa

Cost: AED 23,850 for Kindergarten to AED 42,500 for Year 12

Merryland International School in Mussafa achieved its first excellent ranking in 2018, proving that schools can provide a quality education without charging huge fees. Annual school fees start from Dh23,850.

The school aims to train future astronauts and rocket scientists with a 3D laboratory, robotics laboratory and weather station.

The school is accredited by the University of Cambridge and offers Cambridge Primary, Cambridge IGCSE and Cambridge AS & A level courses.

The school is focused on providing equal opportunity and preparing students for the future.

Yasmina College

Course: UK

Location: Khalifa City

Cost: AED 42,900 for base stage to AED 61,150 for year 13

Al Yasmina Academy in Abu Dhabi produced some Best I/GCSE and A Level results in the UAE.

Al Yasmina Academy is operated by Aldar Education, which owns and operates 20 schools in the UAE.

The school has a new state-of-the-art campus covering 180,000 square meters in Khalifa City.

Kindergarten and Foundation Stage 2 students will transition to the new campus in August 2022.

The school’s current campus will currently be active and students will relocate to the new campus in August 2024.

The school’s new campus includes a large auditorium for performances and conferences, a series of swimming pools, specialist science laboratories, a state-of-the-art computer suite and audio, film and television recording studios.

Pearl Institute

Course: UK

Location: Muro Road

Cost: AED 41,700 for the basic stage to AED 43,150 for the sixth year

This elementary school prides itself on its family atmosphere and is committed to developing adaptable and creative future leaders.

This inclusive British primary school is located on Murul Road in the heart of Abu Dhabi.

Students at the school have priority access to secondary schools at Aldar Education.

almuna college

Course: UK

Location: Zayed 1st Street

Cost: AED 43,500 for the basic stage to AED 45,260 for the sixth year

Al Muna Academy encourages children to reach their potential and asks staff to be innovative in their teaching.

The school has a multi-purpose gymnasium, swimming pool and netball court.

Raha International School

Course: International Baccalaureate

Location: Khalifa City

Fee: Dh39,330 for early years to Dh61,900 for Year 12

Raha International School is the only top-ranked school in the emirate offering the International Baccalaureate.

The school has more than 2,800 students from more than 80 countries.

The school has teachers from countries such as the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, the United Arab Emirates and Ireland.

The school, run by Taaleem, one of the largest school developers in the UAE, says it focuses on inspiring, imaginative teaching that is learner-centred.

Brighton College Al Ain

Course: UK

Location: Al Ain, Abu Dhabi

Cost: AED 51,404 in base stage to AED 81,370 in year 13

Ayn Brighton College is part of the global Brighton College family.

This school is the only school in Al Ain to be rated as excellent by ADEK.

The school aims to nurture intellectual curiosity, while promoting confident debate and engaging students in a wide variety of activities.

Brighton College Al Ain said it believed in celebrating the skills and talents of every student.

Updated: July 1, 2022 11:54 AM