Al Dhafra Private Schools – Abu Dhabi is a private, co-educational American-curriculum school in Mohammed Bin Zayed City, founded in 1983 and one of the emirate's longest-running American schools (it moved to its purpose-built MBZ City campus in 2012). It runs a US curriculum from Pre-KG to Grade 12, leading to the US High School Diploma (Standard and Advanced Studies) with Advanced Placement, and is a US College Board AP testing center. The school is co-educational in the early years and teaches in single-gender classes from Grade 5. Accredited by Cognia — and named a Cognia "School of Distinction" in 2024 — it is rated Very Good by ADEK (2024/25), with Protection, Care, Guidance & Support rated Outstanding. It serves around 1,320 students, roughly 70% of them Emirati, and reports close to 100% university acceptance.
American
Pre-KG – Grade 12
+1
1983
Fees for 2025/2026, per year group. Excludes registration, uniform, and transport.
2025/26 schedule (WhichSchoolAdvisor; the operator's Al Ain campuses use separate schedules). Transport ~AED 5,000/year (two-way); books ~AED 1,000-3,500/year; uniform ~AED 90-120/item. Registration/application fees are confirmed by the school on application.
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ADEK 2024–2025 inspection
Co-educational, American early years (US standards) with Arabic.
American elementary curriculum with UAE MoE Arabic, Islamic Studies and Social Studies. Single-gender classes begin in Grade 5.
Single-gender American middle-school programme in dedicated laboratories.
The US High School Diploma — Standard (Grade 11) and Advanced Studies (Grade 12) — with Advanced Placement in Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Human Geography. SAT preparation and IELTS for all students; a US College Board AP testing center.
Complete the online registration form and pay the registration fee.
Applicants sit an age-appropriate assessment where required.
Meet the admissions team and tour the campus.
Accept the offer and pay the deposit to secure the place.
Reach the admissions team directly to book a visit or ask about places.
Principal
Principal of Al Dhafra Private Schools – Abu Dhabi since 2019, leading the American-curriculum school through its ADEK Very Good rating and Cognia School of Distinction award.
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ME09 Mohammed Bin Zayed City, PO Box 25801, Abu Dhabi, UAE
