Abu Dhabi · American · fees published for 2026/27
Al Ittihad National Private School – Shakhbout City 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 KG1 to Grade 12
Difference
AED 632,630
124% 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 Ittihad National Private School – Shakhbout City per year
AED 36,303
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 Ittihad National Private School – Shakhbout CityGEMS 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 Ittihad National Private School – Shakhbout City | GEMS American Academy Abu Dhabi | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| KG1 | 31,110 | 57,850 | +26,740 |
| KG2 | 31,110 | 57,850 | +26,740 |
| Grade 1 | 34,250 | 57,850 | +23,600 |
| Grade 2 | 34,250 | 80,610 | +46,360 |
| Grade 3 | 34,250 | 80,610 | +46,360 |
| Grade 4 | 34,250 | 80,610 | +46,360 |
| Grade 5 | 34,250 | 80,610 | +46,360 |
| Grade 6 | 37,620 | 80,610 | +42,990 |
| Grade 7 | 37,620 | 80,610 | +42,990 |
| Grade 8 | 37,620 | 80,610 | +42,990 |
| Grade 9 | 37,620 | 80,610 | +42,990 |
| Grade 10 | 41,430 | 80,610 | +39,180 |
| Grade 11 | 41,430 | 80,610 | +39,180 |
| Grade 12 | 41,430 | 80,610 | +39,180 |
GEMS American Academy Abu Dhabi publishes 1 further year group that Al Ittihad National Private School – Shakhbout City does not, so those rows have no counterpart above.
Side by side
| Al Ittihad National Private School – Shakhbout City | GEMS American Academy Abu Dhabi | |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Shakhbout City, Abu Dhabi | Khalifa City, Abu Dhabi |
| Curriculum | American, UAE MoE | American, IB |
| Inspection rating | Very Good (ADEK) | Very Good (ADEK) |
| Tuition (per year) | AED 31,110 – 41,430 /yr | AED 57,850 – 80,610 /yr |
| Ages / years | 4 - 14 years | 3 - 18 years |
| Gender | Mixed | Mixed |
| Established | 2018 | 2007 |
| Facilities | Science LaboratoriesInnovation CentreTwo Libraries1:1 iPad ProgrammeSports HallSpecial-Needs SupportSEN Support | 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 Ittihad National Private School – Shakhbout City vs GEMS American Academy Abu Dhabi at a glance
- Al Ittihad National Private School – Shakhbout City publishes annual fees from AED 31,110 to AED 41,430, against AED 57,850 to AED 80,610 at GEMS American Academy Abu Dhabi, which works out roughly 48% below GEMS American Academy Abu Dhabi across the fee range.
- For KG1, Al Ittihad National Private School – Shakhbout City charges AED 31,110 and GEMS American Academy Abu Dhabi AED 57,850, so Al Ittihad National Private School – Shakhbout City saves AED 26,740 a year at that stage.
- Both teach the American curriculum; Al Ittihad National Private School – Shakhbout City additionally offers UAE MoE while GEMS American Academy Abu Dhabi adds IB.
- GEMS American Academy Abu Dhabi starts younger, admitting from age 3 against age 4 at Al Ittihad National Private School – Shakhbout City.
- GEMS American Academy Abu Dhabi is the longer-established of the two, founded in 2007, with Al Ittihad National Private School – Shakhbout City following in 2018.
- Location wise, Al Ittihad National Private School – Shakhbout City sits in Shakhbout City and GEMS American Academy Abu Dhabi in Khalifa City, so the school run may decide it.