GEMS American Academy Abu Dhabi

GEMS American Academy is located in Khalifa City A, Abu Dhabi, at the corner of 16th and 3rd Street, next to SEHA - Abu Dhabi Health Services. The campus sits in a residential area of Khalifa City A and is accessible by road. For directions, call +971 2 2019 555.

Kindergarten; Elementary School (Grades 1–5); Secondary School (Grades 6–12).

Co-educational day school.

GAA provides inclusion and learning support through its KG–12 team, including Instructional Coaches for ELL Support and Learning Support; GAA describes itself as an inclusive school and has an Inclusion Policy for 2024–2025.

The school follows an American curriculum orientation with US Common Core Standards in the secondary years and offers IB Diploma Programme or AP options; there is no formal country affiliation stated.

No formal religious affiliation is stated. Arabic, Islamic Studies and UAE Social Studies are taught in line with UAE ADEK requirements.

The school day starts at 7:45am for most grades. On Fridays, all students finish at 11:30am. Mon–Thu timings: PreK, KG1–KG2 7:45am–2:45pm; Grades 1–5 7:45am–2:45pm; Grades 6–8 7:45am–2:55pm; Grades 9–12 7:45am–3:00pm. Morning supervision begins at 7:30am.

A school bus network is available. Transportation is operated by Bright Bus Transport (BBT). Details on pick‑up/drop‑off and arrangements are provided by the school, and inquiries can be sent to [email protected].

Application and Registration Fees

- New admissions: a fee equivalent to 5% of the annual tuition is due upon acceptance of the Offer Letter and confirmation of enrolment. This fee is non-refundable and non-transferable but is adjustable against the first term tuition once the student joins. The 5% fee is refundable only if written notice of withdrawal is given before the beginning of the academic year, in line with ADEK policy.

- Re-enrolment: to secure a place for the next academic year, a non-refundable re-enrolment fee of 5% of the annual tuition is required; this fee is adjustable against the first term fees. Students with outstanding fee balances or missing documentation may be prevented from re-enrolling.

Tuition fees by year group (per term and annual amounts; AED)

- Pre-K (age 3): Term 1 AED 23,140; Term 2 AED 17,355; Term 3 AED 17,355; Annual tuition AED 57,850.

- KG1 (age 4): Term 1 AED 23,140; Term 2 AED 17,355; Term 3 AED 17,355; Annual tuition AED 57,850.

- KG2 (age 5): Term 1 AED 23,140; Term 2 AED 17,355; Term 3 AED 17,355; Annual tuition AED 57,850.

- Grade 1 (age 6): Term 1 AED 32,240; Term 2 AED 24,185; Term 3 AED 24,185; Annual tuition AED 80,610.

- Grade 2 (age 7): Term 1 AED 32,240; Term 2 AED 24,185; Term 3 AED 24,185; Annual tuition AED 80,610.

- Grade 3 (age 8): Term 1 AED 32,240; Term 2 AED 24,185; Term 3 AED 24,185; Annual tuition AED 80,610.

- Grade 4 (age 9): Term 1 AED 32,240; Term 2 AED 24,185; Term 3 AED 24,185; Annual tuition AED 80,610.

- Grade 5 (age 10): Term 1 AED 32,240; Term 2 AED 24,185; Term 3 AED 24,185; Annual tuition AED 80,610.

- Grade 6 (age 11): Term 1 AED 32,240; Term 2 AED 24,185; Term 3 AED 24,185; Annual tuition AED 80,610.

- Grade 7 (age 12): Term 1 AED 32,240; Term 2 AED 24,185; Term 3 AED 24,185; Annual tuition AED 80,610.

- Grade 8 (age 13): Term 1 AED 32,240; Term 2 AED 24,185; Term 3 AED 24,185; Annual tuition AED 80,610.

- Grade 9 (age 14): Term 1 AED 32,240; Term 2 AED 24,185; Term 3 AED 24,185; Annual tuition AED 80,610.

- Grade 10 (age 15): Term 1 AED 32,240; Term 2 AED 24,185; Term 3 AED 24,185; Annual tuition AED 80,610.

- Grade 11 (age 16): Term 1 AED 32,240; Term 2 AED 24,185; Term 3 AED 24,185; Annual tuition AED 80,610.

- Grade 12 (age 17): Term 1 AED 32,240; Term 2 AED 24,185; Term 3 AED 24,185; Annual tuition AED 80,610.

Billing schedule and payment terms

- Tuition is invoiced prior to attendance and is payable in advance of attendance at the start of each term. Payment of the first term's fees is due on or before the first day of the academic year. Tuition will be invoiced from the time of admission to ensure payments are processed before the start of term.

Boarding fees

- Boarding: Not applicable. The school does not list boarding provision or boarding fees.

Other costs and fees

- Uniforms: uniforms are not included in tuition; parents are responsible for uniform costs.

- Lunches: school lunches are not included in tuition and are charged separately.

- Transport: school bus service operates on a fee-for-service basis and is charged in addition to tuition. Contact the school accounts/administration for bus route and fee details.

- Examinations: Grade 11–12 AP exams and Grade 12 IB exams incur additional charges per exam taken.

- Inclusive items: tuition includes textbooks (on loan), supplementary books (on loan), and materials including school supplies in Elementary years.

- Sibling discount: sibling discounts are offered starting from the third child; details and eligibility are managed by the Accounts office.

Refund information and withdrawal rules

- Notice: a written notice of withdrawal and application for a tuition refund must be made in writing to the Principal or Registrar at least thirty (30) days in advance.

- Refunds prior to the start of the academic year:
- If the parent/guardian initiates the withdrawal, the balance of the first term fee paid will be refunded except the Registration/Re-enrolment Fee.

- Refunds during the term (term-paying students) — amounts the school may retain:
- If a student attends any part of week one of the term (or fails to show without sufficient written notice), the school may retain the registration or re-enrolment fee.
- If a student attends from one week and up to three weeks in a term, the school may retain the value of one full month of tuition fees.
- If a student attends over three weeks and up to six weeks in a term, the school may retain the value of two full months of tuition fees.
- If a student attends over six weeks in a term, the school may retain the full term fee.

- Refund approvals are administered by the Accounts Officer and require School Support Center approval and original receipt production.

Fee payment options

- Accepted methods of payment: cash; current-dated cheque (made payable to GEMS American Academy, Abu Dhabi); credit card; wire transfer (bank details available from the accounts department). Payment timing: first term payment due on or before the first day of the academic year; subsequent term payments are due in advance at the start of each term.

The school represents about 80 nationalities. There are 1,846 students in total, of whom 1,047 are Emirati, making Emirati the largest single nationality group. The international student total is about 799, giving a local-to-international ratio of roughly 1.3:1. 80 nationalities are represented in the student body.