
“After 8 years at Diyafah, I can confidently say it was the best decision for my education. From late-night study sessions to lifelong friendships, every moment shaped who I am today - not just academically, but as a person.”
— Year 13 Graduate“After 11 years in Abu Dhabi, choosing Diyafah International School for our children was the best decision. The school offers strong academic support and a range of enrichment activities, ensuring equal opportunities for all. The caring teachers help children flourish.”
— Primary School Parent (11 years at DIS)Teaching, Assessment, and student attainment in English, Mathematics, and Sciences are all rated Acceptable in the Foundation Stage (FS/KG phase). This is the school's most significant academic gap and warrants attention from parents of young children.
PS6.2 (Self-Evaluation and Improvement) was rated Acceptable - the lowest leadership indicator. The school needs to develop more rigorous, evidence-based internal review processes to sustain and accelerate improvement without dependence on external inspection cycles.
Diyafah International School offers a British curriculum education in Abu Dhabi, with tuition fees for the 2026–27 academic year ranging from AED 23,000 for FS1 through to AED 45,170 for Years 12 and 13. Notably, the fees charged by the school are set below the ADEK-approved maximum at every year group, representing a meaningful saving for families — particularly in the Foundation Stage, where FS1 fees are nearly AED 5,000 below the approved ceiling. This positions Diyafah as a competitively priced option within the British curriculum private school sector in Abu Dhabi.
The school's fee structure covers tuition and curriculum textbooks and notebooks, which are issued by class teachers within the first week of school at no additional charge. Transport is managed through an external provider (Bright Bus Transport), and Co-Curricular Activities under the Personal Enrichment Programme (PEP) may carry additional charges when delivered by external providers. A registration fee of 5% of the annual tuition is payable upon acceptance of a new application, and an equivalent re-registration fee applies each April for continuing students — both are adjustable against first-term fees but non-refundable upon withdrawal.
Board examination fees apply to students in Years 11, 12, and 13 on a cost-recovery basis, invoiced individually based on subject selections. Families with multiple children enrolled may benefit from a sibling discount, and the school offers flexible payment options including online payment via the Diyafah Parent Portal, cash, cheque, or credit/debit card at the school fee counter. Post-dated cheques are accepted for Term 2 and Term 3 payments, making the fee structure accessible to a wide range of families.
Families seeking an affordable, full British curriculum education from FS1 through A Level in Mohamed Bin Zayed City, who prioritise a warm, community-oriented school culture, diverse nationalities, and a stable teaching team over premium facilities or elite academic branding.
Parents seeking an Outstanding-rated school with published exam results and a wide A Level subject menu, or those whose young children (FS1-FS2) require the highest quality early years teaching - Foundation Stage is the school's weakest phase per ADEK inspection.
Our son arrived from France at the age of 5 and joined Diyafah International School in Year 1. Beginning school in a new language was a big step for him, but the EAL lessons he started in Year 2 made such a positive difference. He learnt many new words and gained so much confidence.