Affordable American Schools Dubai 2026: Fees & Ratings
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American
26K - 44K AED
Mohammed Bin Zayed City (MBZ)
Last updated · Sources: ADEK inspection reports · methodology
Al Dhafra Private Schools is an American school located in Mohamed Bin Zayed City, Abu Dhabi. First opening its doors in 1983, the school relocated to a purpose-built campus designed to support modern learning across all grade levels.
The school serves approximately 1,200 boys and girls from Pre-KG through Grade 12. Students benefit from a culturally diverse environment where staff and peers work together in a supportive and inclusive setting.
Al Dhafra follows the American curriculum and holds accreditation from Cognia. The school has received positive inspection reports from the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK). Graduates achieve a 100% university acceptance rate, with approximately one-third choosing to pursue studies abroad.
Annual tuition fees range from AED 25,520 to AED 43,930. The campus is conveniently accessible for families residing in MBZ City, Mussaffah, and Shabiya 12.
Facts reported by the school on its own channels, summarised by BestSchool.ae with a link to each source.
The school congratulated its high school students who earned AP Scholar Awards from the College Board this year, recognising their performance in rigorous college-level Advanced Placement coursework.
Source: InstagramThe academic year of some recorded fees has not been verified against its source. Confirm current rates with the school before using them.
| Grade Level | Annual Fees (recorded) | Est. Monthly | Fact Sheet |
|---|---|---|---|
| FS12026-2027 (year unverified) | 25,520 AED | ~2,127 AED | - |
| KG1/FS22026-2027 (year unverified) | 25,520 AED | ~2,127 AED | - |
| KG2/Y12026-2027 (year unverified) | 27,780 AED | ~2,315 AED | - |
| G1/Y22026-2027 (year unverified) | 30,040 AED | ~2,503 AED | - |
| G2/Y32026-2027 (year unverified) | 30,040 AED | ~2,503 AED | - |
| G3/Y42026-2027 (year unverified) | 30,040 AED | ~2,503 AED | - |
| G4/Y52026-2027 (year unverified) | 30,040 AED | ~2,503 AED | - |
| G5/Y62026-2027 (year unverified) | 37,040 AED | ~3,087 AED | - |
| G6/Y72026-2027 (year unverified) | 37,040 AED | ~3,087 AED | - |
| G7/Y82026-2027 (year unverified) | 38,170 AED | ~3,181 AED | - |
| G8/Y92026-2027 (year unverified) | 38,170 AED | ~3,181 AED | - |
| G9/Y102026-2027 (year unverified) | 40,540 AED | ~3,378 AED | - |
| G10/Y112026-2027 (year unverified) | 41,570 AED | ~3,464 AED | - |
| G11/Y122026-2027 (year unverified) | 42,800 AED | ~3,567 AED | - |
| G12/Y132026-2027 (year unverified) | 43,930 AED | ~3,661 AED | - |
ADEK rated Al Dhafra Private Schools "Very good" in its 2022-2023 inspection, its second consecutive "Very good". The school has been inspected 5 times since 2012-2013.
Al Dhafra Private Schools - MBZ retained its Very Good overall rating. Health and safety, care, and KG achievement remain strong, and leadership shows clear vision. However, attainment regressed in several core subjects across phases, and the report calls for more challenge, differentiation, and consistent feedback to raise achievement further.
Source: ADEK inspection report 2022-2023 (PDF, pages 2–38), inspected 07 to 10 Oct 2024. Restated by BestSchool.ae.
Of the 63 performance indicators rated in both reports, 7 improved, 18 declined and 38 kept the same rating.
and 10 more
Of the 6 recommendations made in 2021-2022, 3 can be checked against the 2022-2023 ratings: 1 show an improvement, 1 a mixed picture, 1 a decline.
Arabic as a first language — Attainment (KG): Good → Very good · Arabic as a first language — Attainment (Cycle 1): Very good → Good · Arabic as a first language — Attainment (Cycle 2): Very good → Good · Arabic as a first language — Attainment (Cycle 3): Very good → Good
Learning Skills (Cycle 1): Very good → Good
Islamic Education — Progress (Cycle 2): Good → Very good · UAE Social Studies — Progress (Cycle 2): Good → Very good
| Indicator | Phase | 2021-2022 | 2022-2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Students' achievement | |||
| Islamic Education — Attainment | KG | Very good | Good |
| Islamic Education — Attainment | Cycle 1 | Very good | Good |
| Islamic Education — Attainment | Cycle 2 | Good | Good |
| Islamic Education — Attainment | Cycle 3 | Very good | Very good |
| Arabic as a first language — Attainment | KG | Good | Very good |
| Arabic as a first language — Attainment | Cycle 1 | Very good | Good |
| Arabic as a first language — Attainment | Cycle 2 | Very good | Good |
| Arabic as a first language — Attainment | Cycle 3 | Very good | Good |
| Arabic as a second language — Attainment | Cycle 1 | Good | Good |
| Arabic as a second language — Attainment | Cycle 2 | Good | Good |
| Arabic as a second language — Attainment | Cycle 3 | Good | Very good |
| UAE Social Studies — Attainment | Cycle 1 | Very good | Good |
| UAE Social Studies — Attainment | Cycle 2 | Good | Good |
| English — Attainment | KG | Very good | Very good |
| English — Attainment | Cycle 1 | Very good | Good |
| English — Attainment | Cycle 2 | Very good | Good |
| English — Attainment | Cycle 3 | Very good | Good |
| Mathematics — Attainment | KG | Very good | Very good |
| Mathematics — Attainment | Cycle 1 | Very good | Good |
| Mathematics — Attainment | Cycle 2 | Very good | Good |
| Mathematics — Attainment | Cycle 3 | Very good | Very good |
| Science — Attainment | KG | Very good | Very good |
| Science — Attainment | Cycle 1 | Very good | Good |
| Science — Attainment | Cycle 2 | Very good | Good |
| Science — Attainment | Cycle 3 | Very good | Very good |
| Islamic Education — Progress | KG | Very good | Very good |
| Islamic Education — Progress | Cycle 1 | Very good | Very good |
| Islamic Education — Progress | Cycle 2 | Good | Very good |
| Islamic Education — Progress | Cycle 3 | Very good | Very good |
| Arabic as a first language — Progress | KG | Good | Very good |
| Arabic as a first language — Progress | Cycle 1 | Very good | Good |
| Arabic as a first language — Progress | Cycle 2 | Very good | Very good |
| Arabic as a first language — Progress | Cycle 3 | Very good | Very good |
| Arabic as a second language — Progress | Cycle 1 | Good | Good |
| Arabic as a second language — Progress | Cycle 2 | Good | Very good |
| Arabic as a second language — Progress | Cycle 3 | Good | Very good |
| UAE Social Studies — Progress | Cycle 1 | Very good | Very good |
| UAE Social Studies — Progress | Cycle 2 | Good | Very good |
| English — Progress | KG | Very good | Very good |
| English — Progress | Cycle 1 | Very good | Good |
| English — Progress | Cycle 2 | Very good | Very good |
| English — Progress | Cycle 3 | Very good | Very good |
| Mathematics — Progress | KG | Very good | Very good |
| Mathematics — Progress | Cycle 1 | Very good | Good |
| Mathematics — Progress | Cycle 2 | Very good | Very good |
| Mathematics — Progress | Cycle 3 | Very good | Very good |
| Science — Progress | KG | Very good | Very good |
| Science — Progress | Cycle 1 | Very good | Very good |
| Science — Progress | Cycle 2 | Very good | Good |
| Science — Progress | Cycle 3 | Very good | Very good |
| Learning Skills | KG | Very good | Very good |
| Learning Skills | Cycle 1 | Very good | Good |
| Learning Skills | Cycle 2 | Very good | Very good |
| Learning Skills | Cycle 3 | Very good | Very good |
| Arabic as a second language — Attainment | KG | — | N/A |
| Arabic as a second language — Progress | KG | — | N/A |
| UAE Social Studies — Attainment | Cycle 3 | — | Good |
| UAE Social Studies — Progress | Cycle 3 | — | Very good |
| Teaching and assessment | |||
| Teaching | Foundation Stage | Very good | — |
| Teaching | Primary | Very good | — |
| Teaching | Secondary | Very good | — |
| Teaching | Post-16 | Very good | — |
| Assessment | KG | Very good | Very good |
| Assessment | Cycle 1 | Very good | Very good |
| Assessment | Cycle 2 | Very good | Very good |
| Assessment | Cycle 3 | Very good | Very good |
| Teaching for effective learning | KG | — | Very good |
| Teaching for effective learning | Cycle 1 | — | Good |
| Teaching for effective learning | Cycle 2 | — | Very good |
| Teaching for effective learning | Cycle 3 | — | Very good |
| Protection, care, guidance and support | |||
| Health and safety | Foundation Stage | Outstanding | — |
| Health and safety | Primary | Outstanding | — |
| Health and safety | Secondary | Outstanding | — |
| Health and safety | Post-16 | Outstanding | — |
| Care and support | KG | Outstanding | Outstanding |
| Care and support | Cycle 1 | Outstanding | Outstanding |
| Care and support | Cycle 2 | Outstanding | Outstanding |
| Care and support | Cycle 3 | Outstanding | Outstanding |
| Health and safety, including arrangements for child protection/safeguarding | KG | — | Outstanding |
| Health and safety, including arrangements for child protection/safeguarding | Cycle 1 | — | Outstanding |
| Health and safety, including arrangements for child protection/safeguarding | Cycle 2 | — | Outstanding |
| Health and safety, including arrangements for child protection/safeguarding | Cycle 3 | — | Outstanding |
| Leadership and management | |||
| Effectiveness of leadership | Whole school | Very good | — |
| Self-evaluation and improvement | Whole school | Very good | — |
| Partnerships with parents | Whole school | Very good | — |
| Governance | Whole school | Very good | Very good |
| Management | Whole school | Very good | — |
| The effectiveness of leadership | Whole school | — | Very good |
| School self-evaluation and improvement planning | Whole school | — | Very good |
| Parents and the community | Whole school | — | Very good |
| Management, staffing, facilities and resources | Whole school | — | Very good |
| Students' personal and social development | |||
| Personal Development | KG | — | Very good |
| Personal Development | Cycle 1 | — | Very good |
| Personal Development | Cycle 2 | — | Very good |
| Personal Development | Cycle 3 | — | Very good |
| Understanding of Islamic values and awareness of Emirati and world cultures | KG | — | Good |
| Understanding of Islamic values and awareness of Emirati and world cultures | Cycle 1 | — | Good |
| Understanding of Islamic values and awareness of Emirati and world cultures | Cycle 2 | — | Good |
| Understanding of Islamic values and awareness of Emirati and world cultures | Cycle 3 | — | Good |
| Social responsibility and innovation skills | KG | — | Good |
| Social responsibility and innovation skills | Cycle 1 | — | Good |
| Social responsibility and innovation skills | Cycle 2 | — | Good |
| Social responsibility and innovation skills | Cycle 3 | — | Good |
| Curriculum | |||
| Curriculum design and implementation | KG | — | Very good |
| Curriculum design and implementation | Cycle 1 | — | Very good |
| Curriculum design and implementation | Cycle 2 | — | Very good |
| Curriculum design and implementation | Cycle 3 | — | Very good |
| Curriculum adaptation | KG | — | Very good |
| Curriculum adaptation | Cycle 1 | — | Very good |
| Curriculum adaptation | Cycle 2 | — | Very good |
| Curriculum adaptation | Cycle 3 | — | Very good |
Inspectors rated Al Dhafra Private Schools Very Good overall. Students' outcomes improved across almost all phases and subjects, with very good teaching and assessment, and outstanding health, safety, care and support. Leadership is committed and effective, though Arabic as a second language, Islamic education in Phase 3, and gifted and talented identification still need improvement.
Source: ADEK inspection report 2021-2022 (PDF, pages 1–53), inspected 11-Oct-2021 to 14-Oct-2021. Restated by BestSchool.ae.
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