21-07-2025
Outstanding Adek-Rated Private Schools in Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi offers parents an impressive selection of private schools, with more than 200 nurseries and schools delivering a variety of curriculums. If you're looking for the best of the best, the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (Adek) makes it easier by regularly inspecting schools under its Irtiqaa evaluation programme.
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These inspections, usually conducted every two years, assess schools based on:
Students' achievement
Personal and social development with innovation skills
Quality of teaching and assessment
Curriculum quality
Leadership and management
Schools are rated on a scale: Outstanding, Very Good, Good, Acceptable, Weak, or Very Weak. Schools are also required to display their rating at the entrance for transparency.
If you're searching for an Outstanding school for your child, here are the 13 private schools in Abu Dhabi that currently hold this top rating (as of their latest inspections).
1. American Community School, Saadiyat Island
Curriculum: American
Fees: AED56,526 (KG1) – AED99,060 (Grade 12)
Last rating: Outstanding (2022–2023)
After 50 years at Bateen, the school moved to Saadiyat Island in 2024.
2. Cranleigh School, Saadiyat Island
Curriculum: British
Fees: AED71,500 (Pre-school) – AED105,980 (Year 13)
Last rating: Outstanding (2022–2023)
Part of Aldar's education portfolio, Cranleigh opened in 2014.
3. Repton Foundation School, Al Reem Island
Curriculum: British
Fees: AED63,740 (FS1) – AED70,700 (Year 2)
Last rating: Outstanding (2024–2025)
Covers FS1 to Year 1, with its sister school rated Very Good for Years 2–13.
4. Muna British Academy, Al Danah
Curriculum: British
Fees: AED50,936 (FS1) – AED56,538 (Year 7)
Last rating: Outstanding (2022–2023)
Currently a primary school, with plans to expand to Year 13.
5. Bateen World Academy, Al Manhal
Curriculum: British / IB
Fees: AED54,000 (FS1) – AED75,310 (Year 13)
Last rating: Outstanding (2024–2025)
Offers both IB and English National Curriculum, under Aldar Education.
6. The Sheikh Zayed Private Academy for Boys, Al Khalidiyah
Curriculum: American
Fees: AED45,000 (Pre-school) – AED78,050 (Grade 12)
Last rating: Outstanding (2024–2025)
Part of the Sheikh Zayed Academies group, transitioning boys after Grade 3.
7. The Sheikh Zayed Private Academy for Girls, Al Manhal
Curriculum: American
Fees: AED33,910 (Pre-school) – AED78,160 (Grade 12)
Last rating: Outstanding (2024–2025)
Sister school to the boys' academy, following Massachusetts State and MOE curriculum.
8. The British School Al Khubairat, Al Mushrif
Curriculum: British
Fees: AED51,410 (FS1) – AED74,560 (Year 13)
Last rating: Outstanding (2022–2023)
A non-profit founded in 1968, also known as the 'Embassy School'.
9. Canadian International School, Khalifa City
Curriculum: Canadian (Alberta)
Fees: AED39,010 (KG1) – AED51,820 (Grade 12)
Last rating: Outstanding (2023–2024)
Blends Canadian Alberta curriculum with UAE Ministry of Education standards.
10. Merryland International School, Al Musaffah
Curriculum: British
Fees: AED26,200 (KG1) – AED46,220 (Grade 12)
Last rating: Outstanding (2022–2023)
Follows Cambridge International Curriculum for core and English National for others.
11. The British International School, Zayed City
Curriculum: British / IB
Fees: AED54,204 (FS1) – AED76,952 (Year 13)
Last rating: Outstanding (2021–2022)
Part of the prestigious Nord Anglia Education group.
12. Yasmina British Academy, Khalifa City
Curriculum: British
Fees: AED49,740 (FS1) – AED67,270 (Year 13)
Last rating: Outstanding (2022–2023)
Also rated Outstanding by British Schools Overseas (BSO), part of Aldar Academies.
13. Brighton College Al Ain (Bloom Academy)
Curriculum: British
Fees: AED55,090 (FS1) – AED90,630 (Year 13)
Last rating: Outstanding (2022–2023)
A Bloom Education school, also awarded Outstanding by BSO in 2023.
How Are Fees Regulated?
The fees mentioned are based on school websites or Tamm and cover tuition only, excluding transport, registration, and other charges. Any fee increase must first be approved by Adek, and schools must display fees and payment plans clearly online.
You can view each school's full inspection report and even filter schools by rating, fees, and grade through the Tamm app.
If you want the best education for your child in Abu Dhabi, these Outstanding-rated private schools set the standard high, combining strong academics, holistic development, and excellent leadership.
