Abu Dhabi International School - MBZ vs Virginia International Private School

	A Abu Dhabi International School - MBZ Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates	V Virginia International Private School Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year AED 26,275 - 51,850	Fees / year AED 27,880 - 45,230
Age range	Age range 3 - 18 years	Age range 3 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type —
Curriculum	Curriculum American Curriculum, Advanced Placement (AP), British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels, IB (DP)	Curriculum American Curriculum
Pupils	Pupils 3,500	Pupils 1,312
Typical class size	Typical class size 22	Typical class size 15
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened 1992	Opened —
Bus service	Bus service No	Bus service —
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location —	Location Virginia International Private School is located in Shakhbout City, Abu Dhabi, in Khalifa City B (MFW-31). The P.O. Box is 7732. The area is a residential neighbourhood with convenient road access, reachable via 33 Street and Sheikh Maktoum Bin Rashid Road and near 7 Street Shakhbout City.
Stages	Stages —	Stages The school serves Pre-KG through Grade 12, making it an all-through institution. It currently accepts students from Kindergarten through Grade 12, and has been an all-through school since 2021.
School type	School type —	School type The school is co-educational (mixed gender).
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix The school has a total enrolment of 1,312 students. Emirati students number 1,158, making Emirati the largest nationality group; other represented nationalities include Jordanian and Yemeni. There are 71 students of determination.
Additional learning support	Additional learning support —	Additional learning support Virginia International Private School follows the ADEK Inclusion Policy (2024). It staffs an inclusion framework with a Head of Inclusion, an inclusion team, and inclusion assistants to support students with Additional Learning Needs, including those identified as Students of Determination. The school also provides Student Services to assist pupils with information, guidance and non-academic enquiries.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation —	Country affiliation The school operates within the UAE educational framework and offers an American-based curriculum with NEASC accreditation; it does not have a formal country affiliation beyond its American curriculum positioning.
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation —	Religious affiliation There is no formal religious affiliation stated; Islamic education is provided as part of the UAE curriculum where applicable, with emphasis on Islamic values and UAE culture.
School day structure	School day structure —	School day structure The school day typically runs from 8:00 to 16:00. On Fridays, attendance commonly ends earlier (about 12:30), per local school practices observed in Abu Dhabi listings.
Bus service details	Bus service details —	Bus service details A school bus service is provided by Emirates Transport. Buses are DoT-approved, with staff trained in first aid and safety; the school coordinates transportation through Emirates Transport and a dedicated bus coordinator.
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details —	Fee details Application / Registration Fees - Registration fee: 5% of the annual tuition fee, payable after an offer is accepted and deductible from the Term 3 tuition balance. - Re‑registration fee (to hold a place for the following academic year): 5% of the annual tuition fee, payable at re‑enrolment and deductible from the Term 3 tuition balance. Tuition fees (per grade, term breakdown and total) — amounts in AED - Pre‑KG: Total tuition AED 27,880 — Term 1: AED 11,152; Term 2: AED 8,364; Term 3: AED 8,364. Book fee: AED 1,817. Uniform: AED 529. Bus (optional): AED 5,000. - KG1: Total tuition AED 27,880 — Term 1: AED 11,152; Term 2: AED 8,364; Term 3: AED 8,364. Book fee: AED 1,817. Uniform: AED 529. Bus (optional): AED 5,000. - KG2: Total tuition AED 27,880 — Term 1: AED 11,152; Term 2: AED 8,364; Term 3: AED 8,364. Book fee: AED 1,910. Uniform: AED 529. Bus (optional): AED 5,000. - Grade 1: Total tuition AED 32,530 — Term 1: AED 13,012; Term 2: AED 9,759; Term 3: AED 9,759. Book fee: AED 2,506. Uniform: AED 556. Bus (optional): AED 5,000. - Grade 2: Total tuition AED 33,660 — Term 1: AED 13,464; Term 2: AED 10,098; Term 3: AED 10,098. Book fee: AED 2,525. Uniform: AED 556. Bus (optional): AED 5,000. - Grade 3: Total tuition AED 34,790 — Term 1: AED 13,916; Term 2: AED 10,437; Term 3: AED 10,437. Book fee: AED 2,881. Uniform: AED 556. Bus (optional): AED 5,000. - Grade 4: Total tuition AED 35,930 — Term 1: AED 14,372; Term 2: AED 10,779; Term 3: AED 10,779. Book fee: AED 2,982. Uniform: AED 556. Bus (optional): AED 5,000. - Grade 5: Total tuition AED 37,180 — Term 1: AED 14,872; Term 2: AED 11,154; Term 3: AED 11,154. Book fee: AED 2,965. Uniform: AED 556. Bus (optional): AED 5,000. - Grade 6: Total tuition AED 38,310 — Term 1: AED 15,324; Term 2: AED 11,493; Term 3: AED 11,493. Book fee: AED 2,939. Uniform: AED 556. Bus (optional): AED 5,000. - Grade 7: Total tuition AED 39,440 — Term 1: AED 15,776; Term 2: AED 11,832; Term 3: AED 11,832. Book fee: AED 2,995. Uniform: AED 556. Bus (optional): AED 5,000. - Grade 8: Total tuition AED 40,580 — Term 1: AED 16,232; Term 2: AED 12,174; Term 3: AED 12,174. Book fee: AED 2,978. Uniform: AED 556. Bus (optional): AED 5,000. - Grade 9: Total tuition AED 41,820 — Term 1: AED 16,728; Term 2: AED 12,546; Term 3: AED 12,546. Book fee: AED 3,045. Uniform: AED 556. Bus (optional): AED 5,000. - Grade 10: Total tuition AED 42,960 — Term 1: AED 17,184; Term 2: AED 12,888; Term 3: AED 12,888. Book fee: AED 3,707. Uniform: AED 556. Bus (optional): AED 5,000. - Grade 11: Total tuition AED 44,100 — Term 1: AED 17,640; Term 2: AED 13,230; Term 3: AED 13,230. Book fee: AED 4,035. Uniform: AED 556. Bus (optional): AED 5,000. - Grade 12: Total tuition AED 45,230 — Term 1: AED 18,092; Term 2: AED 13,569; Term 3: AED 13,569. Book fee: AED 4,085. Uniform: AED 556. Bus (optional): AED 5,000. Billing schedule and payment terms - Annual tuition is split into three termly instalments. Term lengths are: Term 1 (Sep–Dec, 4 months), Term 2 (Jan–Mar, 3 months), Term 3 (Apr–Jun, 3 months). - Standard due dates for term invoices: Term 1 due 1 August; Term 2 due 1 December; Term 3 due 1 March. A full‑year invoice may be raised on request with a due date of 1 August. Registration fee is due within seven days of offer acceptance; re‑registration fees are collected at the re‑enrolment time (key re‑registration date given as 1 May in the fee policy). - Late / non‑payment process: the school issues up to three consecutive warning notices (at least one week apart), may suspend a student for up to three days for late payment (only once per term after warnings), and may withhold report cards, transfer certificates or re‑enrolment until outstanding fees are settled. Boarding - Boarding provision is not listed in the fee policy or fee schedule; there are no boarding fees included in the published fee schedule. Other costs and optional charges - Book fees: charged per grade as listed above and payable in full with the Term 1 invoice (due by 1 August). Book fees are refundable if written notice is provided at least two weeks prior to the start of the new academic year and the items have not been used. - Uniform: listed per grade above; uniform fees will not be refunded if the items have been used, altered, or are outside original packaging. Uniforms are collected after payment. - Transport (bus): standard bus charge AED 5,000 (optional). - External examination fees and any extra‑curricular activities outside school hours are charged separately and are not included in tuition. Specific exam fees are published separately. Refund information - Registration fee for new students is refundable if parents provide written notification at least two weeks before the start of the new academic year. Re‑registration fee is refundable if written notification is provided on or before 30 June. - Pro‑rata retention policy when a student leaves during term: if a student attends up to part of the first week and then discontinues without sufficient written notice, the school may retain up to 5% of the annual tuition (equivalent to the registration/re‑registration fee). Attendance of one to three weeks: school retains one month's tuition plus registration; attendance over three up to six weeks: two months' tuition plus registration; attendance over six weeks in a term: the full term fee plus registration. Books and uniform are refundable only under the conditions described above. Fee payment options - Accepted payment methods: Aldar Live Mobile App, online payment link, bank transfer, cheque or credit card. Cash payments are not accepted. Parents are liable for bank charges on returned cheques. - 0% instalment options: interest‑free credit card instalment plans are available through partner banks (examples listed include FAB, ADIB and ENBD) to spread payments monthly. Notes and exclusions - Tuition figures do not include uniform, food/canteen charges, transport, examination fees, or extra‑curricular activities outside school hours; these are billed separately as outlined above.
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements —	Boarding arrangements —
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement —	Uniform requirement Students must wear the school uniform at all times; a PE uniform is worn on PE days. For cold days, a thermal undershirt may be worn under the uniform; hair should be tidy and tied back if long, and girls may wear an abaya over the uniform; makeup is not permitted. The uniform is available from Zaks Store.
Food options	Food options —	Food options The canteen serves hot, fresh meals daily and offers fresh and nutritious options, including salads, pulses, fruits, and desserts. There are two dining halls and lunch is supervised; the program emphasizes healthy eating.
House system	House system —	House system —
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership —	Governance and ownership Virginia International Private School is owned by Aldar Properties and operates under Aldar Education, Aldar's education division. Aldar acquired VIPS in July 2023 as part of expanding its education portfolio; the school is NEASC-accredited and ADEK rated Good. This places VIPS within Aldar's network of schools.
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details —	Curriculum details The school offers an American-based curriculum.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio —	Student teacher ratio —
Exam results	Exam results —	Exam results —
Higher education progression	Higher education progression —	Higher education progression The school provides access to SATs and is a College Board registered member, enabling access to universities across the UAE and around the world.
Gifted and talented	Gifted and talented —	Gifted and talented —
Academic calendar	Academic calendar —	Academic calendar —
Wellbeing & support	Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning	Social & emotional learning —	Social & emotional learning Virginia International Private School (VIPS) provides a student-centered environment that supports academic, extracurricular, and personal goals while promoting civility, respect, integrity, and equity. The VIPS Learner Profile defines dispositions such as Empathetic, Honest, Respectful, Responsible, Citizens, Communicators, Creative, and Collaborative to guide social-emotional development. The School's behavior policy aims to promote student well-being and happiness and uses restorative approaches, including a Restorative Reflective Report Card to support self-regulation. Students' rights and responsibilities emphasise a safe, inclusive community where individuals are treated with respect and fairness. Student life and activities, including co-curricular, sports, and arts, support personal growth and collaboration as part of social-emotional learning.
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) —	Special educational needs (SEN) Virginia International Private School follows Aldar Education's Inclusion Policy, which identifies Additional Learning Needs (ALN) including Students of Determination, and recognises Multi-language learners and Gifted and Talented students. The policy establishes an Inclusion leadership structure with a Head of Inclusion, an Inclusion Teacher per cycle, and Inclusion Assistants, with additional Individual Assistants where needed, and requires annual staff training on inclusion and safeguarding. Admissions for ALN are prioritised, require sharing relevant assessments, provide accommodations for admissions assessments, and consider appropriate placement, with an ‘Inability to Accommodate' notification if the school cannot meet a student's needs. The policy calls for a multi-disciplinary approach, involving families and other professionals to identify needs and coordinate support, including transitions between settings. It also supports Universal Design for Learning and differentiated instruction to ensure equitable access for learners with ALN, multi-language learners, and Gifted and Talented students.
English as an additional language	English as an additional language —	English as an additional language The school describes itself as offering an American-based curriculum with western teachers. There is no explicit EAL program publicly described; EAL considerations are addressed within the Inclusion Policy's coverage of multi-language learners. The Aldar Inclusion Policy explicitly includes multi-language learners as a group requiring support and inclusion. The policy advocates a range of teaching strategies and Universal Design for Learning to support diverse learners, including those with language needs. It also emphasises parental and inter-agency involvement in identifying, assessing, and supporting learners with language needs to ensure equitable access to education. EAL provision specifics beyond the inclusive framework are not publicly disclosed on VIPS materials.
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing —	Mental wellbeing Safeguarding and child protection are central to promoting students' mental wellbeing, with a zero-tolerance approach to maltreatment and a duty of care for all staff toward pupils. The safeguarding framework commits to creating safe and supportive environments and to educating stakeholders about safeguarding issues, including digital spaces. The policy states that all students have access to support and counselling when needed. Safeguarding education is integrated across the curriculum and regularly updated to reflect emerging risks, including technology-related concerns. The network uses the CPOMS safeguarding platform for risk-informed safeguarding, with confidentiality strictly maintained and data shared only with authorised individuals.
Safeguarding	Safeguarding —	Safeguarding Aldar Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, with safeguarding and child protection as a central responsibility for all adults and a zero-tolerance stance toward maltreatment. Policies require a positive safeguarding culture, clear whistleblowing procedures, and confidential reporting channels to protect students from harm in both physical and digital spaces. The safeguarding framework assigns roles such as a Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and Deputy DSLs, supported by a safeguarding committee and specialized staff (e.g., mental health leads, social workers) to coordinate safeguarding activities. Staff, parents, and students are empowered to raise concerns, and there are formal liaison mechanisms with external agencies (regulators, police, and child protection authorities) to support safeguarding. The policy is publicly communicated through the school framework and includes a student-friendly version to ensure understanding by all stakeholders.
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview —	Facilities overview Two shaded playgrounds are designed for KG1 and KG2. KG1 has spacious classrooms designed and equipped for that age group. The school includes a spacious indoor PE room and an Imagination room for active and imaginative play. A library supports early literacy and a well-stocked array of music rooms and art rooms along with a gym. A new building expansion adds 3 labs, 13 classrooms, a learning hub, a multi-purpose hall and a semi-Olympic swimming pool.
Sports facilities	Sports facilities —	Sports facilities The school has an indoor PE room for physical education. There is a gym on campus. A semi-Olympic swimming pool is part of the new building expansion. The multi-purpose hall is available for indoor sports and events.
Academic facilities	Academic facilities —	Academic facilities The school has well-resourced classrooms with smart board technology and access to online learning materials. It uses American textbooks designed to engage students. Native English teachers provide instruction for core subjects. A well managed program delivery supports classroom lessons and a rich assortment of learning materials for teachers and students. The campus includes a well stocked library, music rooms, art rooms and a gym, and STEAM is integrated across the program with high coordination across grades.
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities —	Extra curricular facilities The extracurricular program offers a wide range of offerings designed for the overall development of students. Individual and group projects are developed in a student-centered model with opportunities for whole-school and community events throughout the year. The program mirrors the academic program and emphasizes STEAM programming to support student success.
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History —	History Virginia International Private School opened in 2015 in Shakhbout City, Abu Dhabi, during the UAE's Year of Innovation. The school offers an American-based curriculum and aims to foster a learning environment that emphasizes collaboration and inquiry. It is NEASC-accredited and ADEK rated Good, reflecting recognized quality within the UAE's education system. In July 2023, Aldar Education acquired VIPS as part of its expansion of its education portfolio, integrating VIPS into the Aldar Education group's Abu Dhabi offering.
Community	Community —	Community VIPS aims to create a student-centered environment that promotes civility, respect, integrity, and equity, with involvement in activities helping students form lasting friendships and career connections. General Events include Annual Day, Sports Day, a Christmas Carnival, and other cultural activities, providing opportunities for student and family participation. Parents are encouraged to participate as volunteers in daily activities, with roles such as guest readers, library support, or classroom presenters, and opportunities vary by interest and availability. Virginia is a College Board SAT Testing Center, reflecting its engagement with the wider academic community.
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association —	Parent teacher association There is no formally named PTA described on VIPS's site; instead the school actively invites parents to participate in daily activities and volunteer roles. Volunteer opportunities include guest readers, library support, and classroom presentations, with participation varying by parent interest and availability. The school notes that active parent and community participation can improve student outcomes. Large events such as Annual Day, Sports Day, and Christmas Carnival provide structured contexts for parent engagement. VIPS also provides a Parent Student Handbook and other policies to guide parent involvement. The College Board SAT Testing Center status illustrates broader community ties and access to external educational resources.
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual —	Academic & intellectual Virginia International Private School follows an American-based curriculum and is NEASC accredited, based in Shakhbout City, Abu Dhabi. ADEK rated Good. The school provides access to SATs and is a College Board registered member. The program emphasizes a STEM-focused approach within its curriculum and serves students from Pre-KG through Grade 12.
Arts & creative	Arts & creative —	Arts & creative —
Cultural & language	Cultural & language —	Cultural & language —
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies —	Social & hobbies —
Community & service	Community & service —	Community & service Together with community partners, VIPS is creating a better world through education.
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional —	Leadership & professional Virginia International Private School develops young learners into community leaders. The school promotes leadership as an essential value alongside character building. It aims to develop leadership, academic excellence, and social skills.
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing —	Lifestyle & wellbeing Facilities include two new shaded playgrounds for KG1 and KG2; spacious classrooms; an indoor PE room; and a library. The Imagination room supports imaginative play, and the school uses positive reinforcement with character education certificates. It aims to create a safe and stimulating environment.
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision —	Language provision —
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching —	Bilingual teaching —
Immersion programs	Immersion programs —	Immersion programs —
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards —	Awards Not disclosed on the site
Accreditations	Accreditations —	Accreditations NEASC accreditation; ADEK rating Good (2024/2025)
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions —	Admissions 1. Application and initial assessment. Admission is based on an informal assessment of your child and seat vacancy. The school records the date and time of each parent's submission of registration forms and documents to guide placement. Submissions are expected in person at the school. 2. Required documents. In-person submission is required for a completed and signed student application form and copies of the requested documents. These include copies of both parents' passports with UAE residence for non-Emirati parents, a copy of the child's passport with UAE residence for non-Emirati students, immunization records, a copy of the child's UAE ID (both sides) or a copy of the UAE ID application, and a copy of the birth certificate or an acceptable birth document. For students transferring from another country, the previous marks report is required; for transfers within the UAE, the transfer certificate and report card are also required. Birth and transfer documents from outside the UAE must be attested by the UAE Ministry of Health, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the embassy of the issuing country; for births issued in UAE, Canada, USA, Western Europe, Australia or New Zealand, attestation requirements for the transfer certificate differ. Two recent color photographs of the child (4 × 6 cm) are required. 3. Age placement and Year/Grade system. The school provides an age-placement guide that explains the difference between the Year System (Foundation Stage 1 through Year 13) and the Grade System (Pre-KG through Grade 12). The guidance helps align placement with national and ADEK expectations when moving between curricula. Parents and students are advised to review the age-placement information for specific mappings and criteria. 4. Transfer considerations. If transferring from another school, the transfer certificate and report card are required documents for enrollment. Attestation requirements apply as noted for birth and transfer certificates, with certain exceptions based on country of issue. The process uses the documented dates and times to determine appropriate placement and ensure correct grade/year alignment.
Scholarships	Scholarships —	Scholarships —
Waitlist	Waitlist —	Waitlist —
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