Al Ittihad National Private School – Shakhbout City vs Sama International School

	A Al Ittihad National Private School – Shakhbout City Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates	S Sama International School Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year AED 28,160 - 44,430	Fees / year AED 30,065 - 53,380
Age range	Age range 4 - 17 years	Age range 4 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum American Curriculum, Advanced Placement (AP)	Curriculum IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IBCP (International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme), American Curriculum
Pupils	Pupils —	Pupils —
Typical class size	Typical class size —	Typical class size —
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened 2018	Opened —
Bus service	Bus service No	Bus service Yes
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location INPS-Shakhbout is located at MFW25 Al Ihsan Street, Shakhbout City, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The postal address is P.O. Box 148483. The school is located in Shakhbout City, Abu Dhabi. The address is on Al Ihsan Street.	Location —
Stages	Stages Kindergarten through Grade 12	Stages —
School type	School type —	School type —
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix —
Additional learning support	Additional learning support Student Support services address students' academic, emotional, and personal needs; counselors and advisors provide guidance on academic planning, career choices and personal well-being.	Additional learning support —
Country affiliation	Country affiliation United Arab Emirates	Country affiliation —
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation —	Religious affiliation —
School day structure	School day structure —	School day structure —
Bus service details	Bus service details Bus service is available with two-way and one-way options. Two-way: 5,000 for two semesters; 4,150 for one semester. One-way: 4,150 per semester.	Bus service details —
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Application / Registration fee - New student registration: 5% of the school's annual tuition fee (payable to reserve the seat; this amount is deductible from the tuition). - Existing student re‑registration: 5% of the school's annual tuition fee (deductible from the tuition). Annual tuition fees (AED) by year group — 2025–26 published schedule - KG1: AED 28,160.00. - Installments (payment schedule applies: 33% / 33% / 34%): AED 9,292.80 \| AED 9,292.80 \| AED 9,574.40. - KG2: AED 28,260.00. - Installments: AED 9,335.80 \| AED 9,335.80 \| AED 9,588.40. - Grade 1: AED 35,900.00. - Installments: AED 11,847.00 \| AED 11,847.00 \| AED 12,206.00. - Grade 2: AED 35,900.00. - Installments: AED 11,847.00 \| AED 11,847.00 \| AED 12,206.00. - Grade 3: AED 35,900.00. - Installments: AED 11,847.00 \| AED 11,847.00 \| AED 12,206.00. - Grade 4: AED 36,250.00. - Installments: AED 11,962.50 \| AED 11,962.50 \| AED 12,325.00. - Grade 5: AED 36,250.00. - Installments: AED 11,962.50 \| AED 11,962.50 \| AED 12,325.00. - Grade 6: AED 39,620.00. - Installments: AED 13,074.60 \| AED 13,074.60 \| AED 13,470.80. - Grade 7: AED 40,120.00. - Installments: AED 13,239.60 \| AED 13,239.60 \| AED 13,636.80. - Grade 8: AED 40,120.00. - Installments: AED 13,239.60 \| AED 13,239.60 \| AED 13,636.80. - Grade 9: AED 40,120.00. - Installments: AED 13,239.60 \| AED 13,239.60 \| AED 13,636.80. - Grade 10: AED 44,430.00. - Installments: AED 14,661.90 \| AED 14,661.90 \| AED 15,104.20. - Grade 11: AED 44,430.00. - Installments: AED 14,661.90 \| AED 14,661.90 \| AED 15,104.20. - Grade 12: AED 44,430.00. - Installments: AED 14,661.90 \| AED 14,661.90 \| AED 15,104.20. (Values above are the published annual totals; the three installment amounts are calculated using the school's stated payment split: 33% in August, 33% on 1 December and 34% on 1 February.) Billing schedule and payment terms - Annual tuition is payable in three installments: first installment (33%) due in August, second installment (33%) due on 1 December, third installment (34%) due on 1 February. The second and third installments must be provided as two post‑dated cheques dated 1 December and 1 February and submitted with the first installment. - Registration / re‑registration fees (5% of annual tuition) are required to secure or retain a seat and are deductible from the tuition total. The student will not be accepted / re‑registered without payment of these fees and settlement of outstanding tuition. - Where an employer or third party will pay fees, an undertaking form from the employer is required by the Registration & Accounts Department. - 5% VAT is applied to all fees except tuition, books and transportation. A sibling discount structure is applied to tuition: 5% for the second and third child, 10% for the fourth child and above (applies to tuition). Boarding - The school operates as a day school; there are no boarding facilities or boarding fees. Transportation is arranged via the school bus service for which separate charges apply. Transport / bus fees - Bus service is optional and charged separately. Published transport fees (per the school schedule): - Two‑way / two semesters: AED 5,000. - Two‑way / one semester: AED 4,150. - One‑way / one semester: AED 4,150. - One‑way / two semesters: AED 4,150. Other costs and fees - Books: book charges are included in the published “tuition and books” figures shown in the fee schedule for each grade. - School uniform: uniform must be purchased through the school's approved supplier (online supplier link / official supplier arrangement). The uniform is charged separately from tuition; specific item prices are handled by the supplier. - External / examination fees: Advanced Placement (AP) exam fees and related charges are payable in USD to the exam board and passed to parents' accounts: USD 120 per AP subject (cancellation and late‑registration penalties also apply — e.g., a USD 40 cancellation fee and an additional USD 40 late registration surcharge per subject in the stated late period). Exact AP scheduling and penalty dates are set for the exam year. - Field trips, extracurricular activities and some optional services may carry additional charges; these are invoiced separately when applicable. - 5% VAT will be applied on fees where VAT is stated to be applicable. Refunds and withdrawal deductions - Registration fee (new students): refundable in full if the parent provides written notice at least two weeks prior to the start of the new academic year. Re‑registration fees are not refundable for students enrolled in the previous academic year who do not attend the following year. - Withdrawal during the start of the academic year: - If a student attends up to part of the first week and then discontinues without written notification, the registration fee will not be refunded. - Attendance between one week and three weeks: one month's fees will be deducted. - Attendance between three weeks and six weeks: two months' fees will be deducted. - Attendance for more than six weeks: one semester's fees will be deducted. - Book fees are refundable only if the student did not attend and the refund request is made before the beginning of the academic year. - Transportation fees follow the same refund / deduction rules as tuition. - The official withdrawal date is the date on the parent's written Withdrawal Request; refunds/deductions are calculated from that date. Payment methods and options - Payments accepted include payment by cheque (post‑dated cheques required for the December and February installments) and other standard methods processed by the school's Finance / Accounts Department. An employer undertaking form is required where an employer will cover fees. VAT is applied where stated. (Specific in‑person payment channels such as bank transfer or card acceptance are managed by the school's accounts office.) Notes - The published grade‑by‑grade figures above are the school's stated annual totals (tuition and books where shown). Installment amounts are calculated using the school's stated 33%/33%/34% payment split and are presented for billing clarity.	Fee details —
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements —	Boarding arrangements —
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement —	Uniform requirement —
Food options	Food options —	Food options —
House system	House system —	House system —
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership —	Governance and ownership —
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details The school follows an international American curriculum, and the Ministry of Education curriculum for Arabic, Islamic Studies, and Social Studies.	Curriculum details —
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio —	Student teacher ratio —
Exam results	Exam results —	Exam results —
Higher education progression	Higher education progression The University Fair 2025-2026 connected Grade 11-12 students and their parents with leading universities and educational centers.	Higher education progression —
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 —
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) —	Special educational needs (SEN) —
English as an additional language	English as an additional language —	English as an additional language —
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing —	Mental wellbeing —
Safeguarding	Safeguarding —	Safeguarding —
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview —	Facilities overview —
Sports facilities	Sports facilities —	Sports facilities —
Academic facilities	Academic facilities —	Academic facilities —
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities —	Extra curricular facilities —
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History —	History —
Community	Community —	Community —
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association —	Parent teacher association —
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual —	Academic & intellectual —
Arts & creative	Arts & creative —	Arts & creative —
Cultural & language	Cultural & language —	Cultural & language —
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies —	Social & hobbies —
Community & service	Community & service —	Community & service —
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional —	Leadership & professional —
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing —	Lifestyle & wellbeing —
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 —
Accreditations	Accreditations —	Accreditations —
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions Admission procedures: Seats are limited and allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Priority is given to applicants who submit a complete registration with all required documents. An email notification is sent to the addresses provided in the registration. Students are not officially registered until all registration procedures are completed, including payment of the registration fee. If there is no opening in a specific grade level, applicants are placed on the waiting list. Admission policy: The school seeks to actively recruit and retain students while preparing them to be global thinkers; the admission, registration, and placement policies align with Federal Law No. (29) of 2006 on the Rights of People of Determination. Fees and payments: The school's fees are described as transparent, with a 5% sibling discount for the second and third child and a 10% discount for the fourth child and above on tuition; 5% VAT applies to all fees except tuition, books, and transportation. New student registration fee equals 5% of annual tuition; existing student re-registration fee is 5%; tuition fees are paid in three installments (33% in August, 33% on 1 December, and 34% on 1 February), with the second and third installments payable by post-dated cheques. An employer-pay Tuition Fees form may be required if a third party pays tuition. The Tuition Fees Refund Policy exists and ADEK guidelines are referenced for further details. Enrollment process: The enrollment process comprises four steps: (1) Initial Online Form; (2) School Contact to schedule an interview for KG or an entrance exam for Grades 1–11; (3) Document submission with listed documents (recent photo; Emirates IDs for student and parents; passport copies; birth certificate; vaccination record; transfer certificates; equivalency certificates where applicable); (4) On-site formalities with notification to complete remaining formalities and payment of the seat reservation fee within one week of the interview result. Registration process: The registration process uses an online portal with step-by-step guidance and has an admissions team available to assist; contact options include registration@inpsshakhbout.com and 02-555-8333. Location: MFW25 Al Ihsan Street - Shakhbout City, Abu Dhabi, UAE. Admissions team contact: 02-555-8333.	Admissions —
Scholarships	Scholarships —	Scholarships —
Waitlist	Waitlist If there is no opening in a specific grade level, applicants are placed on the waiting list.	Waitlist —
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