Comparing 3 schools side by side in USD.
The Canadian International School sits in Khalifa City A, Abu Dhabi. Khalifa City A is a residential neighbourhood located approximately 30 km from downtown Abu Dhabi. The campus is on a modern compound with a three‑story main building, and KG 1–Grade 1 occupy the first floor, Grades 2–6 the second, and Grades 7–12 the third. The annex includes a gym, a renovated indoor pool, a music room, and a dance/drama and art studio, with on‑site playgrounds and fields.
The school provides Kindergarten 1 through Grade 12. The main building is organized by floor: KG 1–Grade 1 on the first floor, Grades 2–6 on the second floor, and Grades 7–12 on the third floor.
Private, co-educational day school.
Pupil nationality mix: around 900 students representing about 70 nationalities. The largest groups are Canadian (~22%), Emirati (~14%), American (~13%), and British (~5%).
The school offers Additional Learning Needs/SEN supports through its Student Services, which provides a range of supports to enhance student learning and targeted interventions as appropriate.
Country affiliation: Canada. The school follows the Alberta Program of Studies and is Alberta accredited.
Religious affiliation: None indicated. Islamic Studies are taught in alignment with UAE MoE requirements as part of the curriculum.
Exact start/end times and breaks are not publicly published; families receive the timetable details from admissions. The curriculum includes core subjects with UAE MoE requirements integrated where applicable.
A school bus service is provided. Details on routes and fees are published in the School Bus Transportation information as part of admissions.
Uniforms are mandatory for all CIS pupils. The school maintains an official uniform policy with grade-specific requirements published on the uniform page. Uniforms can be purchased from the CIS Uniform Store, which operates at set hours: Monday–Thursday 08:00–11:00 and 13:00–15:30, and Friday 08:00–12:00.
The CIS Abu Dhabi cafeteria offers hot meals, sandwiches, salads, fruits, smoothies and fresh juices. A hot meals voucher system is available, and there is a classroom-delivery service for KG1 and KG2 meal needs.
CIS operates a four-house system: Scorpions (Green), Caribou (Red), Wildcats (Blue) and Falcons (Yellow). Students earn house points for positive behavior and achievements, with weekly updates to the house standings.
The school is privately owned and operated by Canadian International School LLC and functions as an independent institution. It is not part of a larger international school group. The ownership is that of a private UAE‑based entity.
The Canadian International School Abu Dhabi delivers the Alberta Program of Studies to KG1–Grade 12, aligned with the UAE Ministry of Education. Alberta High School Diploma is earned by accumulating 100 credits, with Grade 12 Diploma Examinations in core subjects accounting for 30% of the final grade. The Alberta program covers English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, English Social Studies, Physical Education, Art and Music, Health, Drama, ICT and French, while Arabic, Islamic Studies and Arabic Social Studies are taught in accordance with UAE MOE specifications. The Secondary Curriculum distinguishes Grades 5–8 (Middle School) and Grades 9–12 (Secondary), with learning outcomes drawn from the Alberta framework and links to Alberta Education resources. The Alberta-accredited curriculum is delivered in coordination with the UAE MOE to provide a globally recognized pathway for further study.
Canadian International School Abu Dhabi supports Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) through its Student Services team, which collaborates with students, parents, teachers, school administration, and external specialists to support learning and well-being. The Student Services team offers a range of supports to enhance student learning and optimize successful school experiences. The school provides literacy supports and time-management resources as part of Student Services, including tools such as Jolly Phonics materials, supporting home reading, a daily momentum planner, and a time-management session. The Coping with COVID resources for Parents and Students include What's In My Control?, anxiety-management tips, mindful breathing tips, and healthy habit logs. The Inclusive Education Policy guides how diverse learners are supported within the school.
SEN are addressed through an Inclusive Education Policy and the School's Student Services Department. The Department offers Speech Therapy, Literacy Support, and Counselling, enabling inclusion for students with diverse learning needs. CIS Abu Dhabi describes its SEN approach as inclusive rather than a dedicated specialist SEN institution, providing supports within the general school structure. English language and academic support are delivered through these services as part of the broader Student Services offering. The exact list of SEN categories supported is not publicly enumerated beyond these services, and no additional specialist SEN units are identified on current public materials.
English as an Additional Language (EAL) provision is not described as a separate program on publicly available CIS Abu Dhabi materials. The Admissions information states that students are not required to be fluent in English on entry and may require an English assessment. The school indicates that it can accommodate students who need extra support, but there is no explicit description of a dedicated EAL department or EAL courses beyond general Student Services supports. Therefore, explicit EAL provision is not publicly disclosed.
Mental wellbeing is supported through the CIS Abu Dhabi Student Services resources. The Coping with COVID section provides resources for parents and students, including managing anxiety, mindful breathing tips, What's In My Control?, and healthy habit logs. The Student Services team collaborates with families and staff to promote well-being and support transitions and daily routines. The inclusive approach to wellbeing is reinforced by the Inclusive Education Policy.
CIS Abu Dhabi maintains a Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy, as well as an Anti-Bullying and Healthy Relationships Policy, listed among CIS policies. The policies are publicly available on the school's policies page and are described as currently under review. The safeguarding framework is supported by the school's broader Student Services emphasis on welfare, inclusion, and student safety.
1. Begin online enrollment. The admissions portal handles new student registration with step-by-step instructions at each stage. Registration for the new academic year opens in January, and applications are welcome throughout the school year. 2. Submit documents. Gather the required documents; all documents must be in English or Arabic, and a UAE translation is required if not. For Grades 1 and above, a Transfer Certificate or School Leaving Certificate is required and must be English or Arabic and attested. The online application must be completed, and the Admissions Application is not an offer of admission. 3. Assessment and supports. The school assesses each applicant's English ability and may require an assessment. The school provides Student Support Services, including Speech Therapy, Literacy Support, and Counselling. 4. Offer and acceptance. If a space is available, a Letter of Acceptance is issued and the Registration Stage begins. The school reserves the right to place your child in the grade level considered appropriate based on age, ability, and Ministry of Education guidelines. If accepted, you agree to the rules in the Parent/Student Handbook. 5. Enrollment and start. Upon acceptance, documents, and payment, a place is secured. The school communicates through the online admissions system and finalizes enrollment accordingly. 6. Ongoing communications. All communications regarding the application are conducted via the online admissions enrollment system, with updates provided as spaces become available or decisions are made.
Due to the high volume of applications, the admissions process may involve a waiting list. If a space becomes available for your child, CIS will contact families with next steps via the admissions system. The school communicates update information through the online enrollment platform to keep families informed about status and opportunities.
Maplewood Canadian International School is located in the Musaffah area of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The campus is listed as Musaffah - MBZC, Abu Dhabi, placing it in a corridor with residential and industrial areas and accessible from central Abu Dhabi via major roads. The school operates a transportation program with one-way and two-way options and a dedicated team to ensure safe, on-time service.
Maplewood Canadian International School offers education from KG1 to Grade 12 under the Alberta Curriculum (Canadian). Canadian-certified teachers deliver the Alberta program, and students are registered with Alberta Education as Alberta students.
The school is co-educational (mixed gender) and operates as a day school.
Not publicly published.
MCIS has a Special Educational Needs policy and an inclusive learning environment. The SEN framework includes Individual Educational Programs (IEP), Behavioral Learning Plans (BLP), and Advanced Learning Plans (ALP) managed by a Learning Support Team and a SEN Coordinator, with services such as speech and language therapy, physical therapy, and a Shadow Teacher to support inclusion.
The school follows the Alberta Curriculum (Canadian) and is Alberta Accredited International School (Canada), with registration with Alberta Education.
There is no formal religious affiliation; the curriculum includes Arabic Language, Islamic Studies, Moral Education, and UAE Social Studies as required by ADEK.
The typical school day runs from 7:30 AM to 3:30 PM.
Maplewood offers school transportation, with options for one-way or two-way travel. A dedicated transportation team oversees the service and safety, which follows relevant transport regulations to ensure reliability and on-time operation.
Uniforms must be worn during all regular classes; PE uniforms are worn for physical education; uniforms are purchased from Trutex (online at trutex.ae) using school code MWIS-0011. Primary KG1-6 wear red polo shirts with red shorts for boys or skirts/pants for girls, leggings allowed under skirts; Middle and High Grades 7-12 wear red polo shirts or light-blue long-sleeve shirts with navy trousers; swim caps are required for all students, and girls' swimsuits must be one-piece.
A canteen operates on campus. No further details about the menu or dietary options are published.
MCIS follows the Alberta Curriculum (Canadian) Education for KG1 to Grade 12, with Alberta-certified teachers and Alberta Education registration alongside ADEK. The curriculum combines core Alberta subjects—Mathematics, English Language Arts, Social Studies, Science, Physical Education, Career and Technology Studies, and Fine and Performing Arts—with ADEK-mandated Arabic Language, Islamic Studies, Moral Education, and UAE Social Studies. MAP assessments for Grades 1 to 9 occur twice yearly, SLAs begin in Grade 3 to assess literacy and numeracy, and PATs are administered annually in Grades 6 and 9. Diploma Exams (DIPs) are typically compulsory for graduation, with Social Studies 30-1/30-2 and English 30-1/30-2, and elective Diploma courses including Biology 30, Chemistry 30, Mathematics 30-1/30-2, Physics 30 and Science 30. Beyond academics, Arabic, Islamic Studies, Moral Education, UAE Social Studies and Identity Programs are integrated to support students' sense of belonging and alignment with ADEK requirements.
Treva Mahmoud serves as the High School Academic Advisor & Student Services Coordinator and acts as Maplewood's Academic Counselor, coordinating student services to support students' social and emotional development.
Maplewood has a Special Educational Needs Policy that supports inclusive education and uses Individual Educational Programs (IEP), Behavioral Learning Plans (BLP), and Advanced Learning Plans (ALP) to support students with SEN, with education delivered in the least restrictive environment.
The school does not publicly disclose an EAL policy or EAL-specific provisions in its publicly available School Policies.
Mental wellbeing is supported through the on-site Academic Counselor and Student Services Coordinator (Treva Mahmoud) and through the health nurse and social worker described in the Child Protection Policy.
MCIS has a Child Protection Policy that designates a social worker/child protection officer and a health nurse to safeguard students; staff receive child protection awareness training at the start of the school year, and suspected cases are reported to the principal and authorities as required.
1. Access the online admission portal to begin Maplewood Canadian International School admissions. Applicants are encouraged to read the information carefully before applying, click the registration link to start the process, and the admissions team will contact you to guide you through the next steps. The registration form is available via the MCIS admissions page. 2. Complete the online Application for Admission and submit it. The admissions team will contact you to guide you through the next steps, and you may meet staff for a friendly tour of the school as part of the process. The application for admission is accessible from the admissions page. 3. If transportation is needed, submit the Transportation Form to arrange bus services. Transportation is available with options for one-way or two-way service, and the admissions site provides the transportation form for this purpose. 4. Review the published tuition and fees. The structure includes a separate on-entry registration fee of AED 1,000, and total tuition varies by grade; Chromebooks are provided for Grades 2-12, and there is a corporate discount option. 5. Book a school visit or contact the admissions team to proceed with enrollment. You can book a visit via the Book a Visit link, or continue with online registration to move toward enrollment.
AGS is located in Al Zahiyah, Tourist Club Area, Abu Dhabi, UAE (P.O. Box 27161). It sits in the heart of the capital city, with easy access to major roads and city amenities. The campus serves about 1,080 students from around 50 nationalities.
AGS offers a continuous Pre-School to Grade 12 program. The elementary division runs from KGII to Grade 6, while middle and senior high cover Grades 7–12. The Nova Scotia curriculum is taught across all grades, with English as the primary language of instruction and subject options in French, Arabic, and Islamic Studies for Muslim students.
Private international school operating in the UAE. It provides Pre-School through Grade 12; boarding facilities are not indicated in the materials.
The school represents students from more than 50 nationalities. Enrollment is diverse, with about 50 nationalities noted; the most common nationality is not published, and there is no publicly stated local-to-international student ratio.
AGS provides a school guidance counsellor offering emotional, social, developmental, and academic support, plus post‑secondary planning and family coordination. ESL support is available, with in-class and pull-out options, and KG–2 classes have full-time teaching assistants. For students with special needs, the school maintains adaptations and IPPs through a School Planning Team.
Affiliated with Canada, specifically Nova Scotia. The school is accredited by the Nova Scotia Department of Education and operates in the UAE under UAE Ministry of Education authorization.
No formal religious affiliation. Islamic Studies are offered for Muslim students, and Arabic language instruction is provided as part of the curriculum.
School days run Monday through Thursday with start times at 7:45 a.m. for KG–Grade 12; KG–Grade 2 finish at 2:15 p.m. and Grades 3–12 finish at 3:15 p.m. On Fridays, both groups dismiss earlier at 11:35 a.m.
AGS provides bus transportation through Emirates Transport. Parents can choose a two-way or one-way service, with the transportation fee around 4,072 AED. Buses are supervised by certified bus monitors and meet Department of Transportation standards; real-time tracking is supported by the SALAMA School Enterprise Solution.
AGS Uniform: The uniform is supplied under a contract with ZAKS, a Canadian company based in Toronto; uniform items and a four-house team T-shirt set featuring Canadian wildlife icons are available, and a PE uniform is required for PE classes. Uniforms can be purchased at ZAKS Store in Al Mushrif Mall, with an Order Center at Al Wahda Mall for fittings and delivery.
Students can bring food from home or purchase snacks and hot meals from the school cafeteria. The canteen follows SEHA and UAE Municipality standards and regulations, and AGS maintains a nut-safe environment.
AGS uses a four-house system. Students wear AGS house team T-shirts, four in total, each featuring a Canadian wildlife icon.
AGS is a private international school operating in Abu Dhabi. It was founded by Mrs. Fatima Assad and licensed by the UAE Ministry of Education on October 1, 1994, and moved to its present location in January 2008. It is accredited by the Nova Scotia Department of Education and fulfills obligations to both education authorities.
AGS follows the Nova Scotia curriculum, accredited by the Nova Scotia Department of Education, and operates under UAE Ministry of Education licensure. The program runs from Pre-School through Grade 12, with instruction in English and courses in Arabic Language and Islamic Studies for Muslim students, plus French taught by specialists; French is compulsory from Grade 4 to Grade 9. In Elementary (KG II to Grade 6), core subjects are English Language Arts, Social Studies, Mathematics, and Science, with Visual Arts integrated; Arabic Language, Islamic Studies, Physical Education, and French Language are taught by specialists. From Grade 7 to Grade 12, learning is delivered by subject specialists, and graduation is a Nova Scotia High School Diploma with transcripts issued by the Nova Scotia Department of Education. Technology is integrated into the program, with Chromebooks required for Grades 7–12.
AGS has a School Guidance Counsellor who provides emotional, social, developmental, and behaviour support, personal and group counselling, post-secondary and academic advising, career awareness and development, and school crisis intervention, with collaboration among parents, teachers, and administrators.
SEN support is delivered by a Student Support Teacher who supports the classroom and ensures adaptations and IPPs for students with special needs, and who chairs the School Planning Team. ESL support has been offered since 2015-2016, with in-class and pull-out options.
English as a Second Language (ESL) support has been offered since 2015-2016, with in-class or pull-out options to help students engage with the curriculum.
Mental wellbeing is supported through School Guidance Counselling services, including emotional, social, developmental and behaviour support, personal and group counselling, crisis intervention, and collaboration with parents and school staff.
Safeguarding and safety provisions include a Health and Safety Policy with an Occupational Safety and Health policy and an OHS committee, and the Student Support page notes a School crisis intervention capability.
1. AGS offers the Nova Scotia curriculum for Kindergarten through Grade 12 and is located in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The school teaches in English for KG–12, with French Language, Arabic Language and Islamic Studies available for Muslim students. The school serves students from over 50 nationalities. 2. Application materials include KG-Gr1 Confidential Reference Form and Gr2-12 Confidential Reference Form. A Parent Orientation Booklet is available, and a Payment Schedule with a Withdrawal Policy is provided to help families plan enrollment. 3. Important admissions dates are published for viewing, and Application Procedures are accessible via the admissions page; Chromebooks are required for Grades 7–12 at a one-time cost of 2,150 AED.
