Abu Dhabi · American · fees published for 2026/27
Al Dhafra Private Schools – Al Ain 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 FS2 to Year 13
Difference
AED 866,200
315% more at GEMS American Academy Abu Dhabi
The two schools publish a different number of year groups (14 and 15), so the totals cover different spans. The per-year figures below are the like-for-like comparison.
Al Dhafra Private Schools – Al Ain per year
AED 19,619
average across the ladder
GEMS American Academy Abu Dhabi per year
AED 76,058
average across the ladder
Compare by
How the gap opens up
Al Dhafra Private Schools – Al AinGEMS 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 – Al Ain | GEMS American Academy Abu Dhabi | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| FS2 | 13,510 | 57,850 | +44,340 |
| Year 1 | 14,660 | 57,850 | +43,190 |
| Year 2 | 16,830 | 57,850 | +41,020 |
| Year 3 | 17,390 | 80,610 | +63,220 |
| Year 4 | 17,930 | 80,610 | +62,680 |
| Year 5 | 18,510 | 80,610 | +62,100 |
| Year 6 | 19,190 | 80,610 | +61,420 |
| Year 7 | 19,530 | 80,610 | +61,080 |
| Year 8 | 21,000 | 80,610 | +59,610 |
| Year 9 | 21,580 | 80,610 | +59,030 |
| Year 10 | 22,260 | 80,610 | +58,350 |
| Year 11 | 23,300 | 80,610 | +57,310 |
| Year 12 | 23,640 | 80,610 | +56,970 |
| Year 13 | 25,340 | 80,610 | +55,270 |
GEMS American Academy Abu Dhabi publishes 1 further year group that Al Dhafra Private Schools – Al Ain does not, so those rows have no counterpart above.
Side by side
| Al Dhafra Private Schools – Al Ain | GEMS American Academy Abu Dhabi | |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Al Ain, Abu Dhabi | Khalifa City, Abu Dhabi |
| Curriculum | British, American | American, IB |
| Inspection rating | Very Good (ADEK) | Very Good (ADEK) |
| Tuition (per year) | AED 13,510 – 25,340 /yr | AED 57,850 – 80,610 /yr |
| Ages / years | 3 - 17 years | 3 - 18 years |
| Gender | Mixed | Mixed |
| Established | 1989 | 2007 |
| Facilities | Two LibrariesScience LaboratoriesComputer LabsInnovation RoomSAT/ACT/AP Test CenterShaded Playing AreasHealth ClinicCanteenLifts and RampsSchool Buses | 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 – Al Ain vs GEMS American Academy Abu Dhabi at a glance
- Al Dhafra Private Schools – Al Ain publishes annual fees from AED 13,510 to AED 25,340, against AED 57,850 to AED 80,610 at GEMS American Academy Abu Dhabi, which works out roughly 72% below GEMS American Academy Abu Dhabi across the fee range.
- Both teach the American curriculum; Al Dhafra Private Schools – Al Ain additionally offers British while 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 – Al Ain is the longer-established of the two, founded in 1989, with GEMS American Academy Abu Dhabi following in 2007.
- Location wise, Al Dhafra Private Schools – Al Ain sits in Al Ain and GEMS American Academy Abu Dhabi in Khalifa City, so the school run may decide it.
- GEMS American Academy Abu Dhabi lists the larger facilities set on Talem, 21 against 10.