24. American Community School of Abu Dhabi
Type of school: Not-for-profit
Curriculum: American
Age of children: All-through
School size: 1213
Location: Al Khalidyah, Abu Dhabi
An “Ivy League” not-for-profit the American Community School of Abu Dhabi is one Abu Dhabi’s historic schools with, in our view, a very well deserved reputation for its provision – academic and whole child. the school stands out in many ways – but we really like its approach to the International Baccalaureate which inclusively opens courses to all students – and then supports them to achieve. It’s a really interesting alternative to AP Provision, something that generally we insist should be integral to any US education given the accepted placement of the more standard graduating High School Diploma at the level of IGCSE provision in the British system. This limits students in many other US schools, without AP, or in this case IB course provision, to very restrictive choices in pursuing top Tier university slipstreams outside the US.
This academic inclusiveness is reflective and telling of a school that is built around meeting the needs, ambitions, potential and abilities of individual children – with the highest teacher-student ratio of any school in Dubai and Abu Dhabi (1:7 at KG Phases, 1:8 from Year/Grade 1 – 12). This is genuine investment in children. That it comes with fee levels under AED 80,000 at Year 12 is astonishing – and so telling of the force for good that comes with its not-for-profit ability and commitment to invest all revenue back into the school and families.
It’s frustrating that Arabic subject provision lets the school down. It’s a common theme of so many schools, even those, as here, that are outstanding in other respects. We hope the day will come when all schools recognise the really opportunities for children of an appreciation of Arabic context and history – and the real career opportunities presented later in Arabic language acquisition.
Nevertheless The American Community School of Abu Dhabi is a tremendously happy, vibrant, compassionate and hugely nurturing school to boot. We like the implicit story told by the abundance of flowers instead of the bells and whistles of chrome and windows that greet parents and surround the children. This is not a showy school. Yes, it has all the facilities any child could aspire to – but the beauty is not skin deep. It’s very real.
Ratings
Independent feedback: *****
Care of children: *****
Leadership and Vision: *****
Whole and Individual child provision: ****
Facilities (relative to fees): *****
Parental engagement and community: *****
Happiness: *****
‘Bangs for the buck’: *****
KHDA/ADEC rating: Very Good with Outstanding Features
SchoolsCompared.com full review: Here
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