ADNOC Schools – Sas Al Nakhl vs Sama International School
ADNOC Schools – Sas Al Nakhl and Sama International School are both in Abu Dhabi, about 5 km apart. Both schools offer American programmes. ADNOC Schools – Sas Al Nakhl also offers Advanced Placement (AP), and Sama International School also offers IB and IBCP. Published annual fees are close, at AED 28,710 - 54,430 for ADNOC Schools – Sas Al Nakhl and AED 30,065 - 53,380 for Sama International School. Both take pupils from 4 to 18.
IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IBCP (International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme), American Curriculum
Pupils
Pupils
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Pupils
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Typical class size
Typical class size
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Typical class size
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Instruction language
Instruction language
English
Instruction language
English
Opened
Opened
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Opened
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Bus service
Bus service
No
Bus service
Yes
Essentials
Essentials
Location
Location
ADNOC Schools – Sas Al Nakhl Campus is located in Sas Al Nakhl, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The campus comprises an Elementary Campus offering KG1 and KG2, and a Female Campus that houses Grades 6–12 (Grades 6–8 and 9–12). There is no separate Male Campus at this branch; Grade 5 students transfer to Grade 6 on other ADNOC School campuses in Ruwais as needed. Bus transport is provided by Emirates Transport for ADNOC Schools, with Abu Dhabi Campus inquiries directed to EmiratesTransportSAN@adnoc.sch.ae.
Location
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Stages
Stages
Elementary (KG1–KG2) and Secondary (Grades 6–12) on the Sas Al Nakhl Campus; the Female Campus covers Grades 6–12, while a separate Male Campus is not applicable at this branch.
Stages
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School type
School type
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School type
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Pupil nationality mix
Pupil nationality mix
29 nationalities represented.
Pupil nationality mix
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Additional learning support
Additional learning support
ADNOC Schools are a fully inclusive academic provider offering special education services in the least restrictive environment; students with mild to moderate disabilities receive appropriate support and interventions in age-appropriate classes.
Additional learning support
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Country affiliation
Country affiliation
United Arab Emirates
Country affiliation
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Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation
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Religious affiliation
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School day structure
School day structure
School days run Monday to Friday. Sas Al Nakhl Campus timings: KG1–KG2 7:45 AM–1:30 PM (Monday–Thursday) and 7:45 AM–11:15 AM (Fridays); Grades 1–12 7:45 AM–2:40 PM (Monday–Thursday) and 7:45 AM–11:30 AM (Fridays).
School day structure
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Bus service details
Bus service details
Emirates Transport operates the ADNOC Schools bus network. Abu Dhabi Campus bus inquiries: EmiratesTransportSAN@adnoc.sch.ae; Madinat Zayed: transportationmz@adnoc.sch.ae; Ghayathi: emiratestransportghy@adnoc.sch.ae; Ruwais: emiratestransportrw@adnoc.sch.ae.
Bus service details
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Fees
Fees
Fee details
Fee details
Application / Registration Fees
- Registration fee (initial, payable after offer): 5% of the annual tuition fee. The registration fee is deductible from the total tuition for the academic year and is non-refundable if not cancelled in writing at least two weeks before the start of the new academic year. Re‑registration for returning students: 5% of the annual tuition; this is deductible from the total tuition and is non-refundable.
2026/27 Tuition, Book and Transportation Fees (annual) — Sas Al Nakhl Campus
Tuition invoicing: per term amounts (calculated from the school's 10-month charging basis)
Tuition is charged evenly over ten months per academic year. Term invoices are issued as follows: Term 1 covers September–December (4 months); Term 2 covers January–March (3 months); Term 3 covers April–July (3 months). For each grade the term amounts below are calculated from the published annual tuition divided by 10 (monthly rate) multiplied by months in the relevant term.
- KG1 (AED 28,710 per year): Term 1 = AED 11,484; Term 2 = AED 8,613; Term 3 = AED 8,613. - KG2 (AED 30,210): Term 1 = AED 12,084; Term 2 = AED 9,063; Term 3 = AED 9,063. - Grade 1 (AED 31,700): Term 1 = AED 12,680; Term 2 = AED 9,510; Term 3 = AED 9,510. - Grade 2 (AED 33,210): Term 1 = AED 13,284; Term 2 = AED 9,963; Term 3 = AED 9,963. - Grade 3 (AED 35,580): Term 1 = AED 14,232; Term 2 = AED 10,674; Term 3 = AED 10,674. - Grade 4 (AED 37,840): Term 1 = AED 15,136; Term 2 = AED 11,352; Term 3 = AED 11,352. - Grade 5 (AED 40,080): Term 1 = AED 16,032; Term 2 = AED 12,024; Term 3 = AED 12,024. - Grade 6 (AED 43,080): Term 1 = AED 17,232; Term 2 = AED 12,924; Term 3 = AED 12,924. - Grade 7 (AED 43,820): Term 1 = AED 17,528; Term 2 = AED 13,146; Term 3 = AED 13,146. - Grade 8 (AED 44,690): Term 1 = AED 17,876; Term 2 = AED 13,407; Term 3 = AED 13,407. - Grade 9 (AED 45,320): Term 1 = AED 18,128; Term 2 = AED 13,596; Term 3 = AED 13,596. - Grade 10 (AED 48,320): Term 1 = AED 19,328; Term 2 = AED 14,496; Term 3 = AED 14,496. - Grade 11 (AED 51,320): Term 1 = AED 20,528; Term 2 = AED 15,396; Term 3 = AED 15,396. - Grade 12 (AED 54,430): Term 1 = AED 21,772; Term 2 = AED 16,329; Term 3 = AED 16,329.
Billing schedule and payment terms
- Annual payment option: pay full annual tuition on or before the start of the academic year in August. - Instalment option: tuition may be paid in three equal instalments according to the school schedule. - Term invoice timing and due dates: Term 1 invoice (Sept–Dec) due 1 August; Term 2 invoice (Jan–Mar) due 1 December; Term 3 invoice (Apr–Jul) due 1 March. - Book fees are payable with the Term 1 invoice. - Tuition invoices are calculated on a 10‑month charging basis (see per‑term amounts above).
Boarding
- Boarding is not applicable; no boarding fees are listed for Sas Al Nakhl.
Optional transport (bus) and other costs
- School bus (optional) annual fee: AED 5,000 for all grade levels. Bus service must be requested via the Bus Service Request Form and coordinated with the Transportation Officer; bus fees are subject to the school's bus registration procedures. - Book fees: listed per grade above; payable with Term 1 fees. - Uniforms: uniforms are available for purchase from Magrudy's (Forsan Central Mall) and online vendors referenced by the school; uniform costs are paid separately to the uniform supplier. - Returned-cheque and bank charge liabilities: parents are liable for bank charges and must settle returned cheque amounts.
Refund, withdrawal and new-starter / leaver rules
- Registration and re‑registration fees are non-refundable. - New starters / leavers: if a student attends 1–3 weeks in a term, the school retains the value of one full month of tuition; if attendance is over 3 and up to 6 weeks, the school retains two months of tuition; if attendance is over 6 weeks in a term, the school retains the full term's tuition. Book fees will be charged if already received by the student. Any part of a week is considered a full week; these rules apply to tuition and bus fees.
Fee payment methods and instructions
- Accepted methods: bank deposit / bank transfer to the school bank account; bank cheques; bank payment via the Payit app (First Abu Dhabi Bank). - Proof of bank deposits or transfers must be emailed to the school finance email address (FinanceAD@adnoc.sch.ae). - Cash and credit‑card payments are not accepted at the school. - The school provides bank account details (First Abu Dhabi Bank, IBAN AE09...) for transfers and requests the student name and ID as payment reference.
Non-payment consequences
- Non-payment may result in warning notices, suspension, withholding of report cards and transfer certificates, and blocking of eSIS and re-registration until outstanding balances are settled. The school will follow ADEK regulations and may commence suspension procedures after a sequence of notifications. Parents experiencing payment difficulty should contact school finance to discuss options.
Fee details
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Diving deeper
Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements
Boarding arrangements
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Boarding arrangements
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Uniform requirement
Uniform requirement
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Uniform requirement
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Food options
Food options
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Food options
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House system
House system
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House system
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Governance and ownership
Governance and ownership
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Governance and ownership
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Academics
Academics
Curriculum details
Curriculum details
The ADNOC Sas Al Nakhl curriculum uses high-level American standards for each subject. The American Curriculum is based on the Massachusetts Framework, with MOE Arabic and Islamic Studies integrated. Common Core Standards guide Math and English, Next Generation Science Standards guide Science, and SHAPE standards guide Physical Education. Social Studies follows Maryland State Standards and incorporates cross-curricular English. The High School program offers AP-level courses in the senior year and a broad range of electives. Starting in grade 10, PSAT and SAT testing is administered, with Sas Al Nakhl serving as a testing center for nearby schools, and the program aims to prepare every learner for admission to colleges and universities of the highest standing locally and worldwide.
Curriculum details
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Student teacher ratio
Student teacher ratio
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Student teacher ratio
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Exam results
Exam results
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Exam results
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Higher education progression
Higher education progression
Graduates are prepared for admission to colleges and universities of the highest standing both locally and worldwide. The school emphasizes college-preparatory instruction and AP-level coursework to support higher education progression. The goal is to equip students with the academic and critical thinking skills needed for success at institutions of higher education globally.
Higher education progression
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Gifted and talented
Gifted and talented
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Gifted and talented
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Academic calendar
Academic calendar
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Academic calendar
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Wellbeing & support
Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning
Social & emotional learning
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Social & emotional learning
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Special educational needs (SEN)
Special educational needs (SEN)
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Special educational needs (SEN)
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English as an additional language
English as an additional language
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English as an additional language
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Mental wellbeing
Mental wellbeing
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Mental wellbeing
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Safeguarding
Safeguarding
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Safeguarding
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Safeguarding policy
Safeguarding policy
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Safeguarding policy
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Facilities
Facilities
Facilities overview
Facilities overview
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Facilities overview
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Sports facilities
Sports facilities
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Sports facilities
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Academic facilities
Academic facilities
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Academic facilities
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Extra curricular facilities
Extra curricular facilities
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Extra curricular facilities
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Parent experience
Parent experience
History
History
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History
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Community
Community
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Community
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Parent teacher association
Parent teacher association
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Parent teacher association
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Extra-curricular
Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual
Academic & intellectual
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Academic & intellectual
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Arts & creative
Arts & creative
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Arts & creative
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Cultural & language
Cultural & language
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Cultural & language
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Social & hobbies
Social & hobbies
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Social & hobbies
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Community & service
Community & service
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Community & service
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Leadership & professional
Leadership & professional
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Leadership & professional
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Lifestyle & wellbeing
Lifestyle & wellbeing
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Lifestyle & wellbeing
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Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
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Language provision
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Bilingual teaching
Bilingual teaching
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Bilingual teaching
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Immersion programs
Immersion programs
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Immersion programs
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Reputation
Reputation
Awards
Awards
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Awards
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Accreditations
Accreditations
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Accreditations
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Admissions
Admissions
Admissions
Admissions
1. Online Application. ADNOC Schools open admissions in November each year for the next academic year. All applications are digital and submitted online through the online application system; there are no paper applications. Applicants provide general information about the child, parents, contact details, background and attachments, and a confirmation of receipt/ review is sent within 5 business days. If a seat is available, the application moves to Step 2; if no seat is available, the application is placed on the waiting list until the start of the academic year, and applicants are advised to reapply for each year if no openings occur.
Admissions
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Scholarships
Scholarships
SAS Al Nakhl Campus currently offers no discounts. Western Region Campuses (Ruwais, Madinat Zayed, and Ghayathi) offer scholarship discounts based on eligibility, subject to terms and conditions.
Scholarships
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Waitlist
Waitlist
My child is on the waiting list. The Admissions Team provides updates on enrollment, but you will only be contacted when a seat becomes available. The waiting list remains active until ADEK closes the school transfer screen in the region. In some cases, parents may be asked to sign an undertaking in advance to begin enrollment early; once a seat becomes available, payment may be requested to expedite processing. We do not assign specific numbers on the waiting list; priority is given to siblings of current students and to children of ADNOC employees, with all other applications considered afterward.
