Abu Dhabi · American · fees published for 2026/27
Abu Dhabi International Private School – MBZ City vs Al Dhafra Private Schools – Al Ain
Talem publishes every year group’s fee at both schools, so the honest comparison is the whole bill, not a range.
What each costs from Pre-KG to Grade 12
Difference
AED 314,830
115% more at Abu Dhabi International Private School – MBZ City
The two schools publish a different number of year groups (15 and 14), so the totals cover different spans. The per-year figures below are the like-for-like comparison.
Abu Dhabi International Private School – MBZ City per year
AED 39,300
average across the ladder
Al Dhafra Private Schools – Al Ain per year
AED 19,619
average across the ladder
Compare by
How the gap opens up
Abu Dhabi International Private School – MBZ CityAl Dhafra Private Schools – Al Ain
Cumulative tuition, one point per year group.
Year by year
Every figure below is the fee each school publishes for that year group.
| Year group | Abu Dhabi International Private School – MBZ City | Al Dhafra Private Schools – Al Ain | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-KG | 20,000 | 13,510 | -6,490 |
| KG1 | 31,800 | 14,660 | -17,140 |
| KG2 | 31,800 | 16,830 | -14,970 |
| Grade 1 | 37,200 | 17,390 | -19,810 |
| Grade 2 | 37,200 | 17,930 | -19,270 |
| Grade 3 | 38,850 | 18,510 | -20,340 |
| Grade 4 | 38,850 | 19,190 | -19,660 |
| Grade 5 | 40,500 | 19,530 | -20,970 |
| Grade 6 | 40,500 | 21,000 | -19,500 |
| Grade 7 | 43,000 | 21,580 | -21,420 |
| Grade 8 | 43,000 | 22,260 | -20,740 |
| Grade 9 | 45,450 | 23,300 | -22,150 |
| Grade 10 | 45,450 | 23,640 | -21,810 |
| Grade 11 | 47,950 | 25,340 | -22,610 |
| Grade 12 | 47,950 | - | - |
Side by side
| Abu Dhabi International Private School – MBZ City | Al Dhafra Private Schools – Al Ain | |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Mohammed Bin Zayed City, Abu Dhabi | Al Ain, Abu Dhabi |
| Curriculum | American, IB | British, American |
| Inspection rating | Very Good (ADEK) | Very Good (ADEK) |
| Tuition (per year) | AED 20,000 – 47,950 /yr | AED 13,510 – 25,340 /yr |
| Ages / years | 3 - 18 years | 3 - 17 years |
| Gender | Mixed | Mixed |
| Established | 2015 | 1989 |
| Facilities | Science LaboratoriesRobotics & STEAM Labs859-Seat AuditoriumFootball PitchSports HallPerforming Arts Suite | Two LibrariesScience LaboratoriesComputer LabsInnovation RoomSAT/ACT/AP Test CenterShaded Playing AreasHealth ClinicCanteenLifts and RampsSchool Buses |
Abu Dhabi International Private School – MBZ City vs Al Dhafra Private Schools – Al Ain at a glance
- Abu Dhabi International Private School – MBZ City publishes annual fees from AED 20,000 to AED 47,950, against AED 13,510 to AED 25,340 at Al Dhafra Private Schools – Al Ain, which works out roughly 75% above Al Dhafra Private Schools – Al Ain across the fee range.
- Both teach the American curriculum; Abu Dhabi International Private School – MBZ City additionally offers IB while Al Dhafra Private Schools – Al Ain adds British.
- Both admit children from age 3, running through to 18 at the top end.
- Al Dhafra Private Schools – Al Ain is the longer-established of the two, founded in 1989, with Abu Dhabi International Private School – MBZ City following in 2015.
- Location wise, Abu Dhabi International Private School – MBZ City sits in Mohammed Bin Zayed City and Al Dhafra Private Schools – Al Ain in Al Ain, so the school run may decide it.