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United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi
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The Spanish School of Abu Dhabi was launched in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic on the orders of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan. It began with about 30–33 pupils and has grown steadily since its founding. The school is governed by a Board of Trustees, with Suaad Mohammed Alsuwaidi serving as chair, and its leadership emphasizes strengthening cultural relations between Spain and the UAE. In its early years the school served nursery through primary, and by its third year enrollment was around 140–150 students, with Emirati nationals comprising more than half. The school is described as the first and only Spanish school in the UAE and the region, delivering a Spanish-curriculum program with multilingual instruction and Spanish immersion that includes proficiency in Spanish, English, and Arabic.
SSAD describes itself as the only Spanish School in the UAE following the Spanish curriculum and as a truly multicultural and diverse community. Students learn Spanish, English, and Arabic, with Spanish immersion as the language of instruction, and Apple technology is used across the campus to support learning. The school participates in Emirati and Hispanic cultural celebrations, including UAE National Day, Día de la Hispanidad, and the Festival de Música y Arte, reflecting Spain–UAE cultural ties. The community emphasizes social–emotional learning, personal growth, leadership, and teamwork, with families actively involved in school life.
There is no formal PTA page described on the school's site; governance is carried out by a Board of Trustees, with the chair identified as Suaad Mohammed Alsuwaidi. Family engagement is organized through school-led events and communications such as Families In the Classroom, International Day, and other activities. Examples of these engagements include the Families In the Classroom session, the Year 2026 Spain trip for students in upper primary, and the Annual Year Photoshoot, all documented on the school site. Parents are also invited to participate in programs like Ingle9s para Padres (English for Parents), a course designed to support parental involvement and community-building. In addition to events, the school offers a Parents Handbook and other communications to keep families engaged throughout the year.
