Canadian International School - Abu Dhabi

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.

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.