Best schools in Abu Dhabi

Education in Abu Dhabi is overseen by the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK), which regulates a diverse range of schools serving the emirate’s communities. Overall, the quality and breadth of provision continue to improve.

Historically, families have gravitated towards a small number of well-established schools, many of which remain extremely popular and oversubscribed, with waitlists across most year groups. However, parental choice is expanding steadily with several new schools in development, including those with well-recognised international names.

Location plays an important role. Many expat families tend to live on islands or within residential communities close to their chosen school, meaning daily commutes are relatively short and traffic manageable. While most schools operate on a for-profit basis, many are backed by strong educational groups, ensuring continued investment in school facilities, staff and student outcomes.

Since 2008, ADEK has conducted regular inspections of all private schools in the emirate. Inspections take place every 18 to 24 months, with detailed inspection reports published every two years, providing families with a clear framework for evaluating school quality.

Visiting schools in person, as well as spending time in their surrounding neighbourhoods, is essential. Many schools are closely linked to specific communities, so school choice and where you live often go hand in hand.

Demand across the top schools is consistently high, but persistence can pay off. Due to the transient nature of the expat population, places do become available throughout the academic year.

Curriculum is another key consideration. British, International Baccalaureate (IB), and American programmes are among the most popular choices. Not-for-profit schools are rare, and while the long-established British School Al Khubairat remains the clear leader in this category, it continues to operate at full capacity, accepting applications primarily for waitlisted places.

Demand across the top schools is consistently high, but persistence can pay off. Due to the transient nature of the expat population, places do become available throughout the academic year. Looking ahead, the outlook is positive, with several highly regarded British schools confirmed to open in the coming years. These include Gordonstoun Abu Dhabi on Jubail Island, expected to open in September 2026; Harrow International School Abu Dhabi on Saadiyat Island, also scheduled for September 2026; and King’s College School Wimbledon Abu Dhabi on Fahid Island, anticipated to open in September 2028. Together, these additions represent some of the most exciting new options for families considering a move to the emirate.

As with much of the UAE, the key message for parents is to be prepared for change. With the holy month of Ramadan moving forward by around 11 days each year, the academic calendar shifts regularly, and school holidays rarely align with those in the UK, apart from Christmas and the summer break. That said, the Ministry of Education has now introduced a unified UAE academic calendar, which has brought greater consistency, particularly for families with children attending different schools across the country.

The school week runs from Monday to Friday, with early starts designed to accommodate the warmer climate. Registration typically begins at around 7.40am, meaning some pre-school sports training sessions can start as early as 6.30am. While this may sound daunting, most children adapt quickly, and living close to the school can make a noticeable difference, allowing for those extra minutes in bed. The school day also finishes earlier than many parents may be used to, and consequently children have time to take part in external clubs. These clubs often offer a high standard of provision across sports, music and the arts, and many families choose to supplement school-led extracurriculars in this way; however, it does mean children are very busy and have long days.

In terms of curriculum, many schools follow an adapted British programme in which core subjects are contextualised to reflect UAE culture and values. While pupils are unlikely to study traditional British topics such as the monarchs of England, familiar themes like the Romans and Vikings remain, alongside learning about significant figures from the UAE and the wider region who have contributed to global achievements. Non-Arab students are required to study Arabic up to year 10, and many go on to take IGCSE or GCSE Arabic, which is compulsory in some schools.

Inclusion is actively promoted across the UAE, and schools in Abu Dhabi demonstrate an increasingly strong commitment to supporting students with special educational needs (SEN). SEN provision forms a key component of ADEK’s inspection framework, with schools assessed annually against clearly defined regulations and policies.

In response, schools develop tailored support plans for individual students and provide ongoing assistance throughout their educational journey. In most cases, this support is delivered through inclusive, in-class provision, although external specialists and providers are also called upon where appropriate.

From the 2026/2027 academic year, children must be 3 years old by 31 December to enter foundation stage 1, replacing the previous September cut-off. In practice, this adjustment has limited impact on nursery provision.

Nurseries in Abu Dhabi typically accept children from as young as 3 months up to 6 years of age, offering families considerable flexibility in the early years. Many families with younger children choose to keep them in nursery for longer, opting to start school in foundation stage 2 or even year 1. While this can suit individual developmental needs, it is worth noting that delayed entry may reduce the chances of securing a place at a preferred school or benefiting from sibling priority.

Abu Dhabi offers a wide range of nursery options, including Montessori, bilingual, British, and eco-focused settings. Highly regarded nurseries include Redwood Nursery (Montessori), Bright Beginnings (British/Australian), Odyssey Nurseries (formerly Yellow Submarine, following a Reggio Emilia approach), and Ichiban Nursery, which blends Japanese, Finnish, and modern Montessori philosophies. These nurseries are located across the city, with several operating multiple campuses, reinforcing the importance of considering both school choice and residential location when deciding.