Abu Dhabi · American · fees published for 2026/27
Al Dhafra Private Schools – Abu Dhabi vs American Community School of Abu Dhabi
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 656,627
114% more at American Community School of Abu Dhabi
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.
Al Dhafra Private Schools – Abu Dhabi per year
AED 38,490
average across the ladder
American Community School of Abu Dhabi per year
AED 88,141
average across the ladder
Compare by
How the gap opens up
Al Dhafra Private Schools – Abu DhabiAmerican Community School of Abu Dhabi
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 | Al Dhafra Private Schools – Abu Dhabi | American Community School of Abu Dhabi | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-KG | 28,430 | 60,765 | +32,335 |
| KG1 | 28,430 | 83,960 | +55,530 |
| KG2 | 30,950 | 83,960 | +53,010 |
| Grade 1 | 33,470 | 83,960 | +50,490 |
| Grade 2 | 33,470 | 83,960 | +50,490 |
| Grade 3 | 33,470 | 83,960 | +50,490 |
| Grade 4 | 33,470 | 83,960 | +50,490 |
| Grade 5 | 41,260 | 87,768 | +46,508 |
| Grade 6 | 41,260 | 87,768 | +46,508 |
| Grade 7 | 42,520 | 87,768 | +45,248 |
| Grade 8 | 42,520 | 101,537 | +59,017 |
| Grade 9 | 45,170 | 101,537 | +56,367 |
| Grade 10 | 46,320 | 101,537 | +55,217 |
| Grade 11 | 47,680 | 101,537 | +53,857 |
| Grade 12 | 48,930 | - | - |
Side by side
| Al Dhafra Private Schools – Abu Dhabi | American Community School of Abu Dhabi | |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Mussafah, Abu Dhabi | Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi |
| Curriculum | American | American, IB |
| Inspection rating | Very Good (ADEK) | Outstanding (ADEK) |
| Tuition (per year) | AED 28,430 – 48,930 /yr | AED 60,765 – 101,537 /yr |
| Ages / years | 3 - 18 years | 4 - 18 years |
| Gender | Mixed | Mixed |
| Established | 1983 | 1972 |
| Facilities | Seven Science LaboratoriesOlympic-Sized Swimming PoolTwo Libraries1:1 iPad ProgrammeGymnasiumCollege Board AP Center | 650-Seat TheatreTwo Swimming PoolsFive Indoor Basketball CourtsFIFA-Sized Football PitchSix-Lane Running TrackWellness CentreScience WingThree-Storey Teaching GreenhouseAI, Robotics & VR LabsArt Gallery & StudiosArabic Institute of ExcellenceLibraries & Media CentresSolar-Powered Campus (Estidama Pearl 3) |
Al Dhafra Private Schools – Abu Dhabi vs American Community School of Abu Dhabi at a glance
- Al Dhafra Private Schools – Abu Dhabi publishes annual fees from AED 28,430 to AED 48,930, against AED 60,765 to AED 101,537 at American Community School of Abu Dhabi, which works out roughly 52% below American Community School of Abu Dhabi across the fee range.
- For KG1, Al Dhafra Private Schools – Abu Dhabi charges AED 28,430 and American Community School of Abu Dhabi AED 60,765, so Al Dhafra Private Schools – Abu Dhabi saves AED 32,335 a year at that stage.
- Both teach the American curriculum; American Community School of Abu Dhabi adds IB.
- Al Dhafra Private Schools – Abu Dhabi starts younger, admitting from age 3 against age 4 at American Community School of Abu Dhabi.
- American Community School of Abu Dhabi is the longer-established of the two, founded in 1972, with Al Dhafra Private Schools – Abu Dhabi following in 1983.
- Location wise, Al Dhafra Private Schools – Abu Dhabi sits in Mussafah and American Community School of Abu Dhabi in Saadiyat Island, so the school run may decide it.