Abu Dhabi · American · fees published for 2026/27
GEMS American Academy Abu Dhabi vs Summit International School
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 695,439
156% more at GEMS American Academy 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.
GEMS American Academy Abu Dhabi per year
AED 76,058
average across the ladder
Summit International School per year
AED 31,817
average across the ladder
Compare by
How the gap opens up
GEMS American Academy Abu DhabiSummit International School
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 | GEMS American Academy Abu Dhabi | Summit International School | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-KG | 57,850 | 23,500 | -34,350 |
| KG1 | 57,850 | 24,500 | -33,350 |
| KG2 | 57,850 | 28,424 | -29,426 |
| Grade 1 | 80,610 | 28,424 | -52,186 |
| Grade 2 | 80,610 | 30,694 | -49,916 |
| Grade 3 | 80,610 | 30,694 | -49,916 |
| Grade 4 | 80,610 | 33,487 | -47,123 |
| Grade 5 | 80,610 | 33,487 | -47,123 |
| Grade 6 | 80,610 | 33,487 | -47,123 |
| Grade 7 | 80,610 | 33,487 | -47,123 |
| Grade 8 | 80,610 | 35,150 | -45,460 |
| Grade 9 | 80,610 | 36,699 | -43,911 |
| Grade 10 | 80,610 | 36,699 | -43,911 |
| Grade 11 | 80,610 | 36,699 | -43,911 |
| Grade 12 | 80,610 | - | - |
Side by side
| GEMS American Academy Abu Dhabi | Summit International School | |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Khalifa City, Abu Dhabi | Al Danah, Abu Dhabi |
| Curriculum | American, IB | American |
| Inspection rating | Very Good (ADEK) | Very Good (ADEK) |
| Tuition (per year) | AED 57,850 – 80,610 /yr | AED 23,500 – 36,699 /yr |
| Ages / years | 3 - 18 years | 4 - 18 years |
| Gender | Mixed | Mixed |
| Established | 2007 | 2013 |
| Facilities | 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 | Science & ICT LabsLibrarySwimming PoolGymnasiumTheatre / AuditoriumUS Diploma (MSA-accredited) |
GEMS American Academy Abu Dhabi vs Summit International School at a glance
- GEMS American Academy Abu Dhabi publishes annual fees from AED 57,850 to AED 80,610, against AED 23,500 to AED 36,699 at Summit International School, which works out roughly 130% above Summit International School across the fee range.
- For KG1, GEMS American Academy Abu Dhabi charges AED 57,850 and Summit International School AED 23,500, so Summit International School saves AED 34,350 a year at that stage.
- Both teach the American curriculum; GEMS American Academy Abu Dhabi additionally offers IB.
- GEMS American Academy Abu Dhabi starts younger, admitting from age 3 against age 4 at Summit International School.
- GEMS American Academy Abu Dhabi is the longer-established of the two, founded in 2007, with Summit International School following in 2013.
- Location wise, GEMS American Academy Abu Dhabi sits in Khalifa City and Summit International School in Al Danah, so the school run may decide it.