American International School in Abu Dhabi

The American International School in Abu Dhabi is located on the 29th Street of Airport Road in Abu Dhabi, opposite the Pepsi-Cola Plant. The mailing address is P.O. Box 5992, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The campus sits along a major Abu Dhabi corridor with ready road access and nearby residential communities. The school can be reached by telephone at (971) 2 2072 999 or (971) 2 4444 333.

AISA serves students from Kindergarten through Grade 12. It offers the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme for the elementary years and the IB Diploma Programme for the high school, alongside an American curriculum.

The school operates as a co-educational institution in the elementary years, with a gender-segregated model in the secondary years.

The student body includes students from more than 80 countries and totals over 1,300 students. While the overall multinational mix is public, a detailed breakdown by nationality and the local-to-international ratio is not published.

Learning Support (LS) helps students with identified learning needs, with specialists working in small groups or individually and, where applicable, a Student Success Plan with goals and accommodations. English language learning support is provided through an English Language Learning (ELL) program for non-native speakers.

AISA follows an American curriculum and is fully accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSA-CESS). It is an International Baccalaureate World School authorized for the Primary Years Programme and the Diploma Programme.

There is no formal religious affiliation. The UAE context is reflected in the Arabic & Islamic program offered to Muslim students, including Islamic Studies and Arabic language instruction as part of the school's UAE curriculum.

KG1 begins at 7:30 a.m. and ends at 1:30 p.m. (KG2–12 start at 7:30 a.m. and end at 2:45 p.m.). A canteen operates during the school day, with lunch options available and pre-ordering for younger students via the Spare app; older students may purchase lunch in the canteen.

AISA provides bus service for students needing transportation. A transportation form must be completed and submitted to the Accounts office to arrange service. For queries, contact the Transport Coordinator, Mr. Jay Kumar (JKumar@aisa.sch.ae).

AISA offers the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) for KG1–Grade 5 and an American-curriculum pathway for Grades 6–12 that integrates IB Approaches to Teaching and Learning, culminating in an American diploma; students in Grades 11–12 may also pursue the IB Diploma Programme with preparation beginning in Grade 10. The Elementary level implements the PYP and aligns English and Math with the Common Core State Standards, Science with Next Generation Science Standards, and Social Studies with the C3 Framework. In Middle School (Grades 6–8), core courses are English, Humanities, Mathematics, and Science, with inquiry-based learning, and a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policy requiring Grade 6 to bring a device and Grade 7+ to bring a laptop. In High School, the program maintains the CCSS/NGSS framework and IB Approaches to Teaching and Learning, offering the IB Diploma Programme in Grades 11–12 alongside the American diploma. AISA is an IB World School authorized for PYP and DP and is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools and the Council of International Schools, with UAE MOE approval and ADEK rating of Good.

AISA provides a counseling program centered on social-emotional development as a core element of student support. School Counselors act as student advocates and work in partnership with students, administrators, staff, and families. The counseling program aims to help each student realize maximum potential in three areas: social-emotional, academic, and university/career development. Counselors assist students in developing the skills, mindsets, and behaviors needed to become successful students, responsible global citizens, and lifelong learners. This approach aligns with AISA's Guiding Statements, which emphasize Learning, Belonging, and global citizenship as integrated into the learning experience.

Learning Support (LS) is a program designed to support students with identified learning needs. LS specialists work with students in small groups or individually, in the classroom or in a quiet space. They are a resource to all teachers, providing a wide range of strategies to meet the academic needs of different learners. For students with external assessments, a Student Success Plan is created, including goals, differentiation strategies, and accommodations such as assistive technology and testing modifications. A Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) is described in the Student Services framework, with Tier 1 general support, Tier 2 targeted interventions, and Tier 3 SSPs for intensive support.

English Language Learning (ELL) program supports students within the early stages of English acquisition. The ELL Specialists work with small groups and occasionally one-on-one as needed. They collaborate closely with homeroom teachers. Although the time frame varies, typical ELLs develop their language skills to a level that allows more independent social and academic success, at which point they exit the program. The ELL Specialists are a great resource for teachers when it comes to supporting the language development of all students.

Mental wellbeing is addressed through the Counseling program, which centers on social-emotional development as part of student support. AISA Counselors are student advocates who work in partnership with students, administrators, staff and families. The Counseling program aims to help students realize maximum potential in three key areas: social/emotional, academic, and university/career domains. Counselors assist students in acquiring the skills, mindset, and behaviors needed to become successful students, responsible global citizens, career-ready employees, and lifelong learners. This approach aligns with the Guiding Statements emphasizing Learning and Belonging, reflecting a holistic approach to well-being and intercultural learning.

Safeguarding: AISA states alignment with the International Taskforce on Child Protection in its recruitment practices, reflecting a commitment to safeguarding. This alignment signals a formal emphasis on safeguarding within staffing and school operations. Counseling and MTSS-based supports are among the welfare structures described on publicly accessible pages, contributing to student safety and wellbeing. The English Language Learning and Learning Support programs also support safeguarding by ensuring inclusive access and ongoing monitoring of student welfare.

1. How to Apply. Admissions are open for the next academic year. Apply to the exact grade using the age guidelines. The MOE circular issued January 26, 2021 sets the 31 August cut‑off for KG1, KG2, and Grade 1. The age guidelines map ages to grades and help determine appropriate placement. 2. Submit Your Application. For the initial application, the following documents are required: a completed AISA application form; a copy of the student's current year report and the previous two years' final reports OR Nursery Reports; an AISA recommendation form; standardized test scores; specialist reports supporting the Learning Resources & Health Information section on the application; a copy of the student's valid passport; and a copy of the student's birth certificate translated into English or Arabic. Complete applications are processed; incomplete applications will not be processed. The admissions team reviews complete applications. 3. Upon Acceptance. Upon acceptance, an email is sent to the email addresses provided on the applications. Provide email addresses that are always accessible. A one-time, non-refundable advanced tuition fee will be due in five to ten working days from the date of the offer to secure a place for the student. After one week, AISA reserves the right to offer this seat to another student. 4. Completing the Student File. If bus service is required, complete the Transport Application Form and submit it to the Transport Coordinator; for KG1 students, confirm bus availability to the location before accepting the offer. Complete the AISA health form with copies of immunization records. Complete AISA Policies consent form after reading AISA's Mobile Device & Acceptable Use and AISA's Communications policies. Complete AISA Photo consent form. Provide a digital recent passport-size photo. Provide copies of the mother and father's passports and UAE residency visas, and provide the student's Emirates ID (both sides). Payment of the enrollment fee cannot be made unless these documents are delivered to the admissions office. For students living abroad, UAE documents can be presented on arrival to Abu Dhabi. If the student is accepted into Grade 11 and is interested in the IB Diploma Program, additional Math, English, and Science placement tests are required; results and past transcripts are reviewed by the DP Coordinator to determine acceptance into the IBDP. 5. Grade 11 IB Diploma Program Placement Tests. If accepted into Grade 11 and interested in the IB Diploma Program, Math, English, and Science placement tests must be taken. These results, along with past transcripts, are reviewed to determine acceptance into the IBDP. 6. Documents Required at Start of School Year. During the first week of the new school year, End of Year report card and transfer certificate/letter are required. For transfers within Abu Dhabi, ask the Registrar's Office for the ESIS number to transfer to AISA; for transfers within UAE outside Abu Dhabi, provide a transfer certificate from the last school attended; for transfers from outside the UAE, provide an attested transfer letter signed and stamped by the last school attended. Attestation exemptions apply to North America, Western Europe, Australia, and New Zealand; GCC countries require attestation from the Ministry of Education.