American Community School Abu Dhabi

American Community School Abu Dhabi (ACS)

📍 Khalidiya, Abu Dhabi | 🏫 Established: 1972
💰 Fees: AED 47,200–85,500/year | 🎓 Grades: Pre-KG to Grade 12
🏷️ Type: Not-for-profit | 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Co-educational | 🥇 Rated: Very Good

🌍 Overview

Founded in 1972 on land donated by Sheikh Zayed, the American Community School (ACS) is one of the oldest and most respected international schools in Abu Dhabi. With over 1,200 students from 60+ nationalities, ACS retains a distinctly North American identity—64% of students are American, followed by Canadians, Indians, and a small number of Arab nationals.

ACS follows a US curriculum blended with the IB Diploma Programme, offering students a broad academic pathway with strong emphasis on the arts, athletics, and global citizenship.

📚 Curriculum

ACS offers a PK–Grade 12 American curriculum with IB Diploma (IBDP) in Grades 11–12. It follows the Common Core State Standards, is accredited by the Middle States Association, and offers SAT and Advanced Placement (AP) exams.

🧠 Arts and creativity are a central part of the curriculum across all grades, with students engaging in drama, music, visual arts, and dance.
⚽ Sports are major too, with participation in MESAC, EMAC, and ADSAC leagues covering soccer, basketball, swimming, and more.

🏫 Campus & Facilities

While not ultra-modern, the ACS campus is highly functional and vibrant with:

• 🎭 Black Box Theater & Auditorium

• 🧪 Science labs, Robotics & TV production studio

• 🎨 Dedicated Art, Music, Drama rooms

• 🏀 Two gymnasiums, heated/chilled pool & playing fields

• 🖥️ Strong tech integration across divisions

Each school division (Elementary, Middle, High) is purpose-built, with light-filled classrooms and collaborative social spaces like courtyards and rooftop play areas.

👩‍🏫 Staff & Community

ACS employs around 120 teachers and 35 assistants. With an impressively low staff turnover (11%), students benefit from stability and experienced educators, mostly from the US. The student-teacher ratio averages 1:8, allowing for individualized attention.

💸 Fees & Extras

🔹 KG1: AED 47,200
🔹 KG2–Grade 5: AED 68,600
🔹 Grades 9–12: AED 85,500

💡 Other costs: AED 3,000 re-enrollment fee + AED 18,700 one-time capital fee

🏆 Rankings

ACS is recognized as a "Best of" school by parent reviews:
⭐ #161 Best Schools in the UAE
⭐ #37 Best Schools in Abu Dhabi
⭐ #9 Best American School in Abu Dhabi
⭐ #9 Best IB School in Abu Dhabi

✅ Ideal for: North American expat families seeking a solid academic foundation, rich arts/sports programs, and a well-established international community.
🚫 Not ideal for: Families seeking low-cost schooling or Arabic-focused curriculum.