Abu Dhabi · American · fees published for 2026/27
Al Dhafra Private Schools – Abu Dhabi vs GEMS American Academy 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 563,520
98% more at GEMS American Academy Abu Dhabi
Compare by
How the gap opens up
Al Dhafra Private Schools – Abu DhabiGEMS American Academy 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 | GEMS American Academy Abu Dhabi | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-KG | 28,430 | 57,850 | +29,420 |
| KG1 | 28,430 | 57,850 | +29,420 |
| KG2 | 30,950 | 57,850 | +26,900 |
| Grade 1 | 33,470 | 80,610 | +47,140 |
| Grade 2 | 33,470 | 80,610 | +47,140 |
| Grade 3 | 33,470 | 80,610 | +47,140 |
| Grade 4 | 33,470 | 80,610 | +47,140 |
| Grade 5 | 41,260 | 80,610 | +39,350 |
| Grade 6 | 41,260 | 80,610 | +39,350 |
| Grade 7 | 42,520 | 80,610 | +38,090 |
| Grade 8 | 42,520 | 80,610 | +38,090 |
| Grade 9 | 45,170 | 80,610 | +35,440 |
| Grade 10 | 46,320 | 80,610 | +34,290 |
| Grade 11 | 47,680 | 80,610 | +32,930 |
| Grade 12 | 48,930 | 80,610 | +31,680 |
Side by side
| Al Dhafra Private Schools – Abu Dhabi | GEMS American Academy Abu Dhabi | |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Mussafah, Abu Dhabi | Khalifa City, Abu Dhabi |
| Curriculum | American | American, IB |
| Inspection rating | Very Good (ADEK) | Very Good (ADEK) |
| Tuition (per year) | AED 28,430 – 48,930 /yr | AED 57,850 – 80,610 /yr |
| Ages / years | 3 - 18 years | 3 - 18 years |
| Gender | Mixed | Mixed |
| Established | 1983 | 2007 |
| Facilities | Seven Science LaboratoriesOlympic-Sized Swimming PoolTwo Libraries1:1 iPad ProgrammeGymnasiumCollege Board AP Center | Six Science LaboratoriesMakerspaceDesign HubThree Libraries500-Seat AuditoriumBlack Box TheaterRecording StudioBand and Choir RoomsDance StudioArt ClassroomsKitchen LabPlanetariumTwo Indoor Swimming PoolsSports HallFour Tennis and Basketball CourtsOutdoor Pitch and Running TrackWeight RoomFour Shaded PlaygroundsSchool ClinicCafeteria and Family CafeSchool Transport |
Al Dhafra Private Schools – Abu Dhabi vs GEMS American Academy Abu Dhabi at a glance
- Al Dhafra Private Schools – Abu Dhabi publishes annual fees from AED 28,430 to AED 48,930, against AED 57,850 to AED 80,610 at GEMS American Academy Abu Dhabi, which works out roughly 44% below GEMS American Academy Abu Dhabi across the fee range.
- For Pre-KG, Al Dhafra Private Schools – Abu Dhabi charges AED 28,430 and GEMS American Academy Abu Dhabi AED 57,850, so Al Dhafra Private Schools – Abu Dhabi saves AED 29,420 a year at that stage.
- Both teach the American curriculum; GEMS American Academy Abu Dhabi adds IB.
- Both admit children from age 3, running through to 18 at the top end.
- Al Dhafra Private Schools – Abu Dhabi is the longer-established of the two, founded in 1983, with GEMS American Academy Abu Dhabi following in 2007.
- Location wise, Al Dhafra Private Schools – Abu Dhabi sits in Mussafah and GEMS American Academy Abu Dhabi in Khalifa City, so the school run may decide it.