German International School Abu Dhabi (Deutsche Internationale Schule Abu Dhabi, GISAD) is a private, co-educational German-curriculum school in the Al Zaab district of Abu Dhabi, founded in 1976 and one of the oldest German schools in the UAE. It is a recognised "Deutsche Auslandsschule" (German School Abroad) supported by the German Federal Republic through the ZfA and certified by the KMK, with several teachers seconded from the German government. Teaching follows the State of Thüringen / KMK curriculum, delivered bilingually in German and English from Kindergarten to Grade 12, with intensive German-as-a-Foreign-Language support and Arabic and Islamic Education per the UAE MoE. Leaving qualifications include the German International Abitur (offered since 2018/19), the Realschulabschluss and the Deutsches Sprachdiplom (DSD) — GISAD being the only school in the region to offer the DSD. Rated Very Good by ADEK across multiple cycles, it is a small, close-knit school of around 430 students (about 20% Emirati) with a very low student-teacher ratio.
German
Kindergarten – Grade 12
+3
1976
Fees for 2025/2026, per year group. Excludes registration, uniform, and transport.
2025/26 official fee table, banded by stage (Kindergarten / Grades 1-4 / 5-10 / 11-12). Materials and books are covered by the refundable book deposit. Transport by zone: AED 5,500 (Zone 1) to AED 8,000 (Zone 4).
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ADEK 2025–2026 inspection
Play- and competency-based early years with German immersion and German-as-a-Foreign-Language support.
The German primary curriculum: German, Mathematics, Sachunterricht (general science/social), English, plus Arabic and Islamic Education (UAE MoE).
Lower secondary (Thüringen/KMK): German, English, Mathematics, the sciences, Geography and History, with French from Grade 6. Leads to the Hauptschulabschluss, Realschulabschluss / MSA and the DSD (Deutsches Sprachdiplom).
The Oberstufe culminating in the German International Abitur (Deutsches Internationales Abitur, offered since 2018/19): German, English and Maths at advanced level, Geography taught in English and Biology bilingually, with a choice of Chemistry or French at Grade 11.
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.
Schulleiter (Principal)
Schulleiter (Principal) of the German International School Abu Dhabi, leading the recognised German School Abroad through its sustained ADEK Very Good rating.
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Al Zaab District, PO Box 4150, Abu Dhabi, UAE
