International Community Schools - Khalifa

ICS Khalifa's school fees 2026 position it firmly in the mid-range of Abu Dhabi private schools - and at the accessible end of the American curriculum segment specifically. Tuition fees run from AED 26,000 for Pre-KG and KG through to AED 33,700 for Grades 10-12, with a meaningful step up at Grade 6 (AED 30,980) reflecting the transition to secondary provision. These are ADEK-regulated fees for AY2025-2026. Additional costs are transparent and itemised: books range from AED 300 in Pre-KG/KG1 to AED 3,850 in Grade 12; uniforms are a flat AED 350 across all year groups; and two-way school transport is AED 5,000 per year. A non-refundable registration fee of AED 1,000 applies to all new and returning students, adjusted against Term 1 fees. Notably, the admissions page confirms that school materials and most co-curricular activities are included in the tuition fee - and secondary exam fees are also covered - which reduces the true additional cost burden compared to schools that charge separately for these items. A 5% sibling discount is available for families with multiple children enrolled. Payment flexibility is genuine: parents may choose full upfront payment (due 30 August), two equal instalments (30 August and 3 January), or three equal instalments (30 August, 1 December, and 4 April). Accepted payment methods include bank transfer, card payment, and cheques drawn on UAE banks. Compared to peer American curriculum schools in Abu Dhabi, ICS Khalifa is positioned at the value end of the spectrum - schools offering comparable American pathways with Cognia accreditation in Abu Dhabi frequently charge AED 40,000-60,000+ at the secondary level. For families prioritising an American curriculum Abu Dhabi pathway without the premium price tag, ICS Khalifa represents genuine value, particularly given the included co-curricular activities and exam fees. The caveat: value is only real if academic outcomes justify the investment, and the external assessment data warrants scrutiny.