Australian School of Abu Dhabi
International Baccalaureate School in Shakhbout City, Abu Dhabi
Last updated
Curriculum
International Baccalaureate
ADEK
Good
Location
Abu Dhabi, Shakhbout City
Fees
AED 16K - 37K
The Executive Summary
The Australian School of Abu Dhabi (ASAD) occupies a genuinely distinctive niche in the Abu Dhabi education landscape: it is one of only a handful of schools in the emirate offering the full International Baccalaureate (IB) continuum - PYP, MYP, and DP - from KG1 through Grade 12, and it does so at school fees that sit well below most IB peers in Shakhbout City and across Abu Dhabi. With an ADEK rating of Good (2024 Irtiqa inspection), the school has made a meaningful jump from its previous Acceptable rating, reflecting genuine progress under current leadership. For families in the Shakhbout City corridor seeking an inquiry-based, globally oriented education without the premium price tag of Abu Dhabi's top-tier IB schools, ASAD deserves serious consideration - but with clear eyes about where it still has ground to cover. The school's strongest performance is concentrated in the IB Diploma Programme (Phase 4), where science attainment reached Very Good and overall results are consistently Good to Very Good. Standardised MAP assessment scores in the lower and middle phases remain a concern, with Phase 2 and Phase 3 results rated Weak to Very Weak in English and mathematics - a gap the school acknowledges and is actively working to close through targeted interventions including Khan Academy for mathematics and structured reading programmes. School fees ranging from AED 15,600 to AED 37,030 make this the most accessible full-IB option in Abu Dhabi education. The honest verdict: ASAD is a school on an upward trajectory, best suited to families who value the IB philosophy, appreciate a genuinely inclusive and community-oriented environment, and understand that the school is building - not yet arrived - at the level of Abu Dhabi's elite IB providers.
Full IB Continuum PYP-MYP-DPADEK Good 2024Most Affordable IB in Abu DhabiImproved from Acceptable
“My children go to school and feel happy about education there because it gives them the opportunity to express themselves and make them feel self-confident. I love the IB curriculum - it teaches students to obtain information through research and exploration, not by memorisation.”
— Year 3 Parent, Mrs. Shaima Hussain Aly HussainAcademic Framework & Learning Style
ASAD's defining academic identity is its commitment to the complete IB World School continuum. The Primary Years Programme (PYP) frames learning around six transdisciplinary themes, encouraging young learners to ask questions, investigate, and reflect - a methodology that culminates in the PYP Exhibition, a collaborative inquiry project presented to the school community. The Middle Years Programme (MYP) bridges primary and secondary across eight subject groups, with explicit teaching of Approaches to Learning (ATL) skills - critical thinking, research, communication, social, and self-management - and a Personal Project that allows students to pursue an area of genuine interest. The Diploma Programme (DP) rounds out the continuum, requiring students to study six subjects at Higher or Standard Level, complete a 4,000-word Extended Essay (EE), engage in Theory of Knowledge (TOK), and fulfil Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) requirements. This is a genuinely rigorous framework that universities worldwide recognise and value. The 2024 ADEK Irtiqa report provides the most granular available picture of academic performance. Science is the standout subject: attainment reached Very Good in Phase 4 (Grades 11-12) and Good in Phases 2 and 3, with progress rated Very Good in Phase 4 across the board. English attainment improved from Acceptable to Good in Phase 3 and remains Good in Phase 4, though it remains Acceptable in Phases 1 and 2. Mathematics is the area of greatest concern: attainment and progress are both rated Acceptable in Phases 1 through 3, with Good only achieved in Phase 4. The ADEK report specifically flags the need for more word-problem focus and greater challenge in mathematics lessons across the middle phases. Standardised MAP assessment results from AY2023/24 reinforce this picture: English Reading scores for Phases 2 and 3 were rated Very Weak to Weak, and mathematics scores were similarly below international norms. PISA 2022 scores - reading 355.85, mathematics 386.5, science 386 - all sit below international averages, though the school has identified these gaps and built targeted actions into its development plan. The IB Learner Profile underpins all teaching: students are encouraged to be inquirers, thinkers, communicators, and principled global citizens. EAL support is provided through specialist staff, and an EAL Policy is published on the school website. The school's Inclusion Policy addresses students of determination, though the ADEK report notes that the number of formally identified students with additional needs remains low and that gifted and talented provision is less consistent. Arabic as a first language shows strong internal assessment data - Outstanding across all phases internally - though external benchmarking remains limited to Phase 4 MoE exams. The school offers French and advanced Arabic as secondary electives. A dedicated Career and University Guidance Policy is in place, though specific university destination data is not publicly disclosed.
Very Good
Science Attainment & Progress - Phase 4 (DP)
ADEK Irtiqa 2024 - strongest subject in the school
355.85
PISA 2022 Reading Score
Below international average of 476; school target 457.5
425.94
TIMSS 2023 Grade 4 Mathematics Score
Below international average of 503; school target 438.95
484.27
PIRLS 2021 Grade 4 Reading Score
International benchmark participation result
Extracurricular Activities (ECAs)
ASAD's extracurricular offering reflects its IB philosophy of developing the whole child beyond the academic classroom. The school's Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) component of the IB Diploma Programme ensures that senior students engage meaningfully in arts, physical activity, and community service as a formal graduation requirement - not an optional add-on. The school's physical education programme runs from KG1 through Grade 12 in a fully air-conditioned indoor gym, with primary students engaging in games, dance, tumbling, and movement activities, while senior students access supervised weight training and fitness equipment. The soccer field serves as the hub for competitive sport, and the school's basketball team notably won a Bronze Medal at the Abu Dhabi School Champions Basketball competition - a tangible competitive achievement the school highlights with pride. The indoor heated 27-metre swimming pool supports both physical education lessons and swimming development across all year groups, with a separate shallow training pool for the youngest learners. The school's 620-seat auditorium with a professional control room for lights and sound provides a genuine performance venue for orchestral productions, choir, theatre, and drama presentations. The library actively supports extracurricular reading culture: the school participates in the Arab Reading Challenge, organises an annual Book Day and Book Fair, and facilitates student visits to the Abu Dhabi Book Fair. Students are required to read for at least 20 minutes daily, tracked through the Read Theory app. The school's Islamic Studies programme and Masjid on Level 2 support spiritual development and congregational prayer, reflecting the school's predominantly Emirati community. Community engagement and environmental projects are noted in the ADEK report as areas where students demonstrate good awareness. Innovation skills are identified as still developing, particularly in the lower phases, which is an honest gap in the current ECA ecosystem. The school's Sustainability Policy signals an intention to embed environmental responsibility more formally.
620
Auditorium Seating Capacity
Full production control room for lights and sound
Basketball Bronze Medal ChampionsArab Reading Challenge27m Heated Indoor Pool620-Seat AuditoriumCAS Community ServiceAbu Dhabi Book Fair Visits
Pastoral Care & Well-being
ASAD's pastoral framework is one of the areas where the school's community-oriented identity shines most clearly. The 2024 ADEK Irtiqa inspection rated Personal Development as Good across all phases - KG through Cycle 3 - with inspectors noting generally positive student attitudes and good attendance overall, though some disengagement and classroom management issues were observed in isolated lessons. The school's Student Wellbeing Policy, Student Behaviour Management and Wellbeing Policy, and Student Protection Policy are all published on the school website and were updated in 2025, reflecting active governance of student welfare. A Student-Friendly version of the Protection Policy is also available, indicating genuine effort to make safeguarding accessible and understood by students themselves. The school operates a zero-tolerance anti-bullying stance, articulated through a dedicated Anti-Bullying Policy (updated 2025) and prominently featured on the school's homepage. The ADEK report confirms that health and safety arrangements, including child protection and safeguarding, are rated Good across all phases. The school's Masjid on Level 2 provides a space for congregational prayer and spiritual reflection, which is particularly meaningful for the school's large Emirati student community. The Care and Support strand, however, is rated Acceptable across all phases in the ADEK report - the one pastoral area where the school has clear room to grow. Inspectors specifically recommend reviewing emergency evacuation protocols, strengthening identification of students with additional learning needs, and reinforcing healthy eating education. The school's cafeteria provides supervised breakfast and lunch for all students from KG1 to Grade 12, with dietary requirements accommodated through the school nurse. Parents are informed of their child's progress through termly reports, parent-teacher meetings, and informal email communication, with a Parents' Council providing additional community engagement. The school's Parent Engagement Policy (2025) formalises this relationship.
“I have seen a huge difference and improvement in my children's level of education and communication skills. The school has shown great care and responsibility toward our children throughout the year, which encourages parents and children to focus on education.”
— Year 5 Parent, Eisa Al Naumi's MotherCampus & Facilities
ASAD's campus is located at the corner of Streets 11 and 32 in Shakhbout City (also known as Khalifa City B), a growing residential community in Abu Dhabi positioned conveniently close to Abu Dhabi International Airport. The school has occupied its permanent building since 2007, having opened in temporary accommodation in 2005. The campus serves 608 students and 54 teaching staff across KG1 through Grade 12. The facilities inventory is solid for a mid-range IB school, anchored by several genuinely notable assets. The indoor heated 27-metre swimming pool - with a main pool depth of 250cm and a separate shallow training pool at 65cm for the youngest learners - is a standout provision that many schools at this fee level cannot match. The 620-seat auditorium with a dedicated control room for professional lighting and sound management provides a genuine performance and assembly venue. The school library holds 20,000 books - 14,000 in English, approximately 5,880 in Arabic, and 120 in French - and has been specifically expanded to support the MYP and DP curriculum requirements, UAE National Identity resources, and the ADEK reading standards. The librarian is noted in the ADEK report as passionate and proactive in supporting reading development across both English and Arabic. The indoor fully air-conditioned gym serves all year groups from KG1 to Grade 12, with age-appropriate equipment including bench press machines and weights for senior students. A dedicated soccer field supports PE classes and competitive sport. Science laboratories, an art room, a music room, a drama room, and a cafeteria round out the core academic and enrichment spaces. A Masjid (prayer room) on Level 2 serves the school's Muslim community. The school's transport network covers an extensive geographical catchment - from Baniyas and Al Nahda to Yas Island, Al Reef Village, and Musafah - with bus transport available at AED 4,428 per year. The ADEK report notes that resources are sometimes scarce, and that additional practical resources are particularly needed for younger classes. Technology infrastructure is developing, with Microsoft Teams used for educational technology communication and an edtech team in place.
20,000
Library Books (14,000 English, ~5,880 Arabic)
Expanded for MYP and DP IB curriculum support
27m
Indoor Heated Swimming Pool Length
Plus separate 65cm shallow training pool for youngest learners
27m Heated Indoor Pool20,000-Book Library620-Seat AuditoriumAir-Conditioned GymMasjid on CampusExtensive Bus Network
Teaching & Learning Quality
The 2024 ADEK Irtiqa inspection rated Teaching for Effective Learning as Good across all four phases - an improvement from the previous cycle - and Assessment was similarly rated Good across KG through Cycle 3. This is a meaningful step forward and reflects the positive impact of sustained leadership focus on pedagogical development. Inspectors noted that teachers demonstrate good knowledge and understanding of the IB curriculum and its pedagogy, and that all teachers have access to a wide range of assessment data, including diagnostic assessment outcomes. The distinction the report draws, however, is important: Phase 4 (Diploma Programme) teachers are more skilled at using assessment data to tailor work to individual student needs, while teachers in lower phases are still developing this capacity. The school has invested in specific resources to support learning: Khan Academy for mathematics and science kits for Phase 2 students are cited as positive additions. Students are encouraged to demonstrate learning through projects, presentations, models, and posters - consistent with IB inquiry-based methodology. Learning skills improved from Acceptable to Good across Phases 1, 2, and 3, with stronger collaboration and real-world connections noted by inspectors. The ADEK report identifies several areas where teaching quality needs to strengthen: consistently high teacher expectations across all subjects and phases (particularly English and mathematics), better lesson differentiation to meet the needs of all student groups, more effective use of assessment data to adapt lessons in real time, and more consistent constructive feedback with opportunities for students to respond. Self and peer assessment practices need further embedding. The school's staff complement of 54 teachers and 4 teaching assistants serves 608 students, giving a teacher-to-student ratio of approximately 1:11 - a favourable ratio that should, in principle, support personalised learning. Teacher nationalities include Egyptian, Indian, and Jordanian professionals. A Staff Wellbeing Policy and professional development culture are in place, with the ADEK report recommending higher-quality professional development aligned to international best practices. Teacher turnover data is not publicly disclosed, though the ADEK report notes that the school development planning process is still maturing.
Good
Teaching for Effective Learning - All Phases
ADEK Irtiqa 2024 - improved from previous inspection cycle
1:11
Teacher-to-Student Ratio
54 teachers serving 608 students - favourable for personalised learning
Good
Assessment Quality - All Phases (KG-Cycle 3)
ADEK Irtiqa 2024
Leadership & Management
ASAD is led by Principal Waleed Khalid Bamirny, who joined the school in early 2019 and has overseen the school's progression from an Acceptable to a Good ADEK rating - a tangible and hard-won improvement. The school's overall leadership and management were rated Good in the 2024 ADEK Irtiqa inspection, with the effectiveness of leadership specifically improved from Acceptable to Good. The school operates under the umbrella of the Australian International Academy (AIA), one of four member schools - the others located in Australia - providing an international network context, though the Abu Dhabi campus operates with significant local autonomy. The school's Director, Adel Salman, is publicly visible and has published a message emphasising the school's commitment to continuous improvement and the IB philosophy. The school's vision - fostering globally minded graduates through inclusive education - and its mission of providing a diverse curriculum with global perspectives are coherently articulated and reflected in the published policy suite of over 25 documents, all updated in 2025. Communication with parents is handled through termly reports, parent-teacher meetings, email, and a Parents' Council. The school also uses Microsoft Teams for educational technology communication and has a dedicated edtech contact. The ADEK report notes that self-evaluation and improvement planning remain Acceptable - the one leadership area not yet at Good - with the School Evaluation Form (SEF) needing to be more focused and analytical, and the School Development Plan (SDP) requiring more measurable, outcome-focused actions. Governance is also rated Acceptable, with the governing body aware of school challenges but noted as needing stronger mechanisms to hold leaders accountable and broader stakeholder representation. Parents and community relations are rated Good, reflecting the positive communication culture the school has built.
ADEK Inspection Results (Irtiqa - Decoded)
The February 2025 ADEK Irtiqa inspection of ASAD (covering AY 2024/25) delivered an overall rating of Good - a significant and meaningful improvement from the previous Acceptable rating. This is not a marginal upgrade; it reflects genuine, broad-based progress across teaching, student development, curriculum, and leadership. The inspection covered the period 10 to 13 February 2025 and assessed the school across six performance standards. The headline finding is that progress has improved across almost all subjects and phases, even where attainment has been harder to shift. Science is the school's brightest spot, with Very Good attainment and progress in Phase 4 - the IB Diploma cohort. Learning skills improved from Acceptable to Good in Phases 1, 2, and 3. Personal and social development is Good across all phases. Curriculum design and implementation, and curriculum adaptation, are both rated Good across all phases. The areas requiring the most focused attention are: mathematics attainment and progress in Phases 1-3 (both Acceptable), standardised MAP assessment scores (Weak to Very Weak in English and mathematics for Phases 2 and 3), and PISA/TIMSS scores which remain below international averages and school targets. Care and support is rated Acceptable across all phases - the one pastoral strand not yet at Good. Self-evaluation, improvement planning, and governance remain Acceptable. The rating history shows a school that was rated Acceptable for multiple consecutive cycles before this Good breakthrough, which gives the current trajectory genuine credibility. The school's own homepage acknowledges the Good rating and frames it as a waypoint toward further improvement - an honest and constructive public position.
Science Excellence at Diploma Level
Science attainment and progress both reached Very Good in Phase 4 (IB Diploma Programme), the highest rating achieved by any subject in the school. This is a genuine strength that provides a strong platform for science-oriented university applications.
Strong Student Personal Development
Personal development is rated Good across all phases - KG through Cycle 3. Students demonstrate positive attitudes, good attendance, and a clear understanding of UAE heritage, Islamic values, and global cultures. Community engagement and environmental projects are active.
Improved Teaching and Curriculum Quality
Teaching for effective learning and assessment are both rated Good across all phases. Curriculum design, implementation, and adaptation are Good across all cycles. Teachers demonstrate solid IB pedagogical knowledge, and learning skills improved from Acceptable to Good in lower and middle phases.
Mathematics Attainment Across Lower and Middle Phases
Mathematics attainment and progress remain Acceptable in Phases 1 through 3, and MAP standardised assessment scores in mathematics for Phases 2 and 3 were rated Weak to Very Weak in AY2023/24. The ADEK report specifically recommends more focus on word problems, greater lesson challenge, and embedding enquiry-based learning strategies in mathematics.
Care, Support, and Inclusion Provision
Care and support is rated Acceptable across all phases - the one pastoral strand not at Good. The identification of students with additional learning needs remains underdeveloped, gifted and talented provision is inconsistent, and emergency evacuation protocols need strengthening. The ADEK report recommends fully implementing rigorous identification systems and strengthening intervention programmes for low attainers.
Inspection History
2024/25
Good
2018/19
Acceptable
2016/17
Acceptable
Fees & Value for Money
The Australian School of Abu Dhabi (ASAD) offers an International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum for the 2025–2026 academic year, with annual tuition fees ranging from AED 15,600 for KG1 and KG2 through to AED 37,030 for Grades 11 and 12. The fee structure is tiered across three broad phases — Early Years, Primary, and Secondary — reflecting the increasing resources and programme complexity at each stage. This positions ASAD competitively within the IB school landscape in Abu Dhabi.
AED 15,600
Annual Fees From
AED 37,030
Annual Fees To
Year / GradeAnnual Fee
KG1
AED 15,600KG2
AED 15,600Grade 1
AED 19,270Grade 2
AED 19,270Grade 3
AED 20,800Grade 4
AED 20,920Grade 5
AED 22,310Grade 6
AED 25,320Grade 7
AED 27,340Grade 8
AED 27,340Grade 9
AED 30,850Grade 10
AED 30,770Grade 11
AED 37,030Grade 12
AED 37,030In addition to tuition, families should budget for transport (AED 4,428 per year), uniform costs of AED 500 for KG–Grade 5 and AED 700 for Grades 6–12, and books ranging from AED 1,500 in the lower years to AED 2,500 in secondary. These additional costs are clearly published and consistent across the school, allowing families to plan comprehensively from the outset.
ASAD's fee structure reflects its commitment to inclusive, globally minded education delivered through the full IB continuum — PYP, MYP, and DP. The school's transparent fee schedule, verified by ADEK for the 2025–2026 academic year, provides families with confidence that costs are regulated and aligned with the quality of education offered.
Additional Costs
Transport (Bus)4,428(annual)
Uniform500(annual)
Uniform700(annual)
Books & Materials1,500(annual)
Books & Materials2,500(annual)
The Final Verdict: Who Is This School For?
The Australian School of Abu Dhabi is a school that has earned its Good rating through genuine, measurable progress - and that matters. For families in the Shakhbout City corridor and surrounding communities who want their children to experience the rigour and global recognition of a full IB continuum education without paying premium IB school fees, ASAD is the most compelling option in Abu Dhabi. The school's inclusive, community-oriented culture - where students feel safe, valued, and encouraged to express themselves - is a real and consistent strength, confirmed by both the ADEK inspection and parent voices. The IB Diploma Programme, in particular, delivers Good to Very Good outcomes, with science reaching Very Good. The honest caveats are equally important: standardised test scores in the middle phases remain below international benchmarks, mathematics provision across Phases 1-3 needs strengthening, and the school is still building the systems - in self-evaluation, inclusion support, and governance - that would take it to Very Good and beyond. This is not a school for families seeking a proven track record of elite university placements or top-decile international assessment scores. It is, however, a school with a clear upward trajectory, an authentic commitment to the IB philosophy, and a fee structure that makes the IB genuinely accessible to a broader range of Abu Dhabi families.
THE “RIGHT FIT”
Families residing in Shakhbout City, Khalifa City, MBZ City, or surrounding communities who value the IB philosophy of inquiry-based, student-centred learning; parents who want a full PYP-MYP-DP continuum at mid-range fees; and families from the UAE Emirati community who appreciate a school with deep local roots and a strong Islamic values framework.
THE “WRONG FIT”
Families whose primary criterion is elite university placement data or top-ranking international assessment scores; parents seeking a school with fully mature inclusion and gifted-and-talented provision; or those comparing ASAD directly to Abu Dhabi's Outstanding-rated IB schools and expecting equivalent academic outcomes at a lower price point.
“
The relationship is not just teachers and students - it starts from the school principal, teachers, and entire administration. My children go to school and feel happy because it gives them the opportunity to express themselves.
— Year 4 Parent, Mrs. Shaima Hussain Aly Hussain
Strengths
- Only full IB continuum (PYP-MYP-DP) school at this price point in Abu Dhabi
- ADEK rating improved from Acceptable to Good in 2024 inspection
- Science attainment rated Very Good at IB Diploma level
- Indoor heated 27-metre pool - rare at mid-range fee levels
- 620-seat auditorium with professional lighting and sound control
- 20,000-book library expanded for IB MYP and DP curriculum
- Extensive bus network covering most Abu Dhabi residential areas
- Strong inclusive culture with Good personal development across all phases
Areas for Improvement
- MAP standardised scores in English and mathematics rated Weak to Very Weak in Phases 2 and 3
- PISA and TIMSS scores below international averages and school targets
- Care and support strand rated Acceptable - inclusion and G&T provision underdeveloped
- Self-evaluation, improvement planning, and governance remain Acceptable
- No publicly available university destination data or IB Diploma score statistics