Affordable American Schools Dubai 2026: Fees & Ratings
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American
20K - 26K AED
Shakhbout City
Last updated · Sources: ADEK inspection reports · methodology
California American School is an American school located in Shakhbout City. The school provides education following the US curriculum framework, offering students opportunities to engage in project-based learning and extended activities that encourage critical thinking and creativity.
The school operates as a coeducational institution, welcoming both boys and girls. Students benefit from an extended school day designed to support individual academic growth and personal development.
California American School follows a constructivist approach in its early years programme, where young learners explore language, art, music, science and mathematics through hands-on activities. The curriculum emphasizes independent learning skills and prepares students to become self-directed learners ready for future academic pursuits.
Annual tuition fees range from AED 20,300 to AED 26,180 depending on grade level. The campus is conveniently accessible for families residing in Khalifa City B, MFW-31 and the surrounding Shakhbout City communities.
The 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| KG1/FS22026-2027 (year unverified) | 20,300 AED | ~1,692 AED | - |
| KG2/Y12026-2027 (year unverified) | 21,000 AED | ~1,750 AED | - |
| G1/Y22026-2027 (year unverified) | 22,050 AED | ~1,838 AED | - |
| G2/Y32026-2027 (year unverified) | 22,400 AED | ~1,867 AED | - |
| G3/Y42026-2027 (year unverified) | 22,750 AED | ~1,896 AED | - |
| G4/Y52026-2027 (year unverified) | 23,450 AED | ~1,954 AED | - |
| G5/Y62026-2027 (year unverified) | 23,800 AED | ~1,983 AED | - |
| G6/Y72026-2027 (year unverified) | 24,360 AED | ~2,030 AED | - |
| G7/Y82026-2027 (year unverified) | 25,860 AED | ~2,155 AED | - |
| G8/Y92026-2027 (year unverified) | 26,000 AED | ~2,167 AED | - |
| G9/Y102026-2027 (year unverified) | 26,180 AED | ~2,182 AED | - |
ADEK rated California American School "Acceptable" in its 2022-2023 inspection, its third consecutive "Acceptable". The school has been inspected 6 times since 2012-2013.
This small Abu Dhabi school remains acceptable overall. English, mathematics and science attainment are weak, and curriculum adaptation is weak across phases. Leadership has been unstable, with several principals and high staff turnover, while self-evaluation, governance accountability, and support for students with additional needs need improvement.
Source: ADEK inspection report 2022-2023 (PDF, pages 2–37), inspected 21 to 23 May 2024. Restated by BestSchool.ae.
Of the 59 performance indicators rated in both reports, 0 improved, 12 declined and 47 kept the same rating.
and 4 more
| Indicator | Phase | 2021-2022 | 2022-2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Students' achievement | |||
| Islamic Education — Attainment | KG | Acceptable | Acceptable |
| Islamic Education — Attainment | Cycle 1 | Acceptable | Acceptable |
| Islamic Education — Attainment | Cycle 2 | Acceptable | Acceptable |
| Islamic Education — Attainment | Cycle 3 | Acceptable | Acceptable |
| Arabic as a first language — Attainment | KG | Acceptable | Acceptable |
| Arabic as a first language — Attainment | Cycle 1 | Acceptable | Acceptable |
| Arabic as a first language — Attainment | Cycle 2 | Acceptable | Acceptable |
| Arabic as a first language — Attainment | Cycle 3 | Acceptable | Acceptable |
| UAE Social Studies — Attainment | Cycle 1 | Acceptable | Acceptable |
| UAE Social Studies — Attainment | Cycle 2 | Acceptable | Acceptable |
| UAE Social Studies — Attainment | Cycle 3 | Acceptable | Acceptable |
| English — Attainment | KG | Weak | Weak |
| English — Attainment | Cycle 1 | Weak | Weak |
| English — Attainment | Cycle 2 | Weak | Weak |
| English — Attainment | Cycle 3 | Weak | Weak |
| Mathematics — Attainment | KG | Acceptable | Acceptable |
| Mathematics — Attainment | Cycle 1 | Weak | Weak |
| Mathematics — Attainment | Cycle 2 | Weak | Weak |
| Mathematics — Attainment | Cycle 3 | Weak | Weak |
| Science — Attainment | KG | Acceptable | Acceptable |
| Science — Attainment | Cycle 1 | Acceptable | Weak |
| Science — Attainment | Cycle 2 | Acceptable | Weak |
| Science — Attainment | Cycle 3 | Acceptable | Weak |
| Islamic Education — Progress | KG | Acceptable | Acceptable |
| Islamic Education — Progress | Cycle 1 | Acceptable | Acceptable |
| Islamic Education — Progress | Cycle 2 | Acceptable | Acceptable |
| Islamic Education — Progress | Cycle 3 | Acceptable | Acceptable |
| Arabic as a first language — Progress | KG | Acceptable | Acceptable |
| Arabic as a first language — Progress | Cycle 1 | Acceptable | Acceptable |
| Arabic as a first language — Progress | Cycle 2 | Acceptable | Acceptable |
| Arabic as a first language — Progress | Cycle 3 | Acceptable | Acceptable |
| UAE Social Studies — Progress | Cycle 1 | Acceptable | Acceptable |
| UAE Social Studies — Progress | Cycle 2 | Acceptable | Acceptable |
| UAE Social Studies — Progress | Cycle 3 | Acceptable | Acceptable |
| English — Progress | KG | Acceptable | Acceptable |
| English — Progress | Cycle 1 | Acceptable | Acceptable |
| English — Progress | Cycle 2 | Acceptable | Acceptable |
| English — Progress | Cycle 3 | Acceptable | Acceptable |
| Mathematics — Progress | KG | Acceptable | Acceptable |
| Mathematics — Progress | Cycle 1 | Acceptable | Weak |
| Mathematics — Progress | Cycle 2 | Acceptable | Acceptable |
| Mathematics — Progress | Cycle 3 | Acceptable | Weak |
| Science — Progress | KG | Acceptable | Acceptable |
| Science — Progress | Cycle 1 | Acceptable | Weak |
| Science — Progress | Cycle 2 | Acceptable | Weak |
| Science — Progress | Cycle 3 | Acceptable | Weak |
| Learning Skills | KG | Acceptable | Acceptable |
| Learning Skills | Cycle 1 | Acceptable | Acceptable |
| Learning Skills | Cycle 2 | Acceptable | Acceptable |
| Learning Skills | Cycle 3 | Acceptable | Acceptable |
| UAE Social Studies — Attainment | KG | — | N/A |
| UAE Social Studies — Progress | KG | — | N/A |
| Teaching and assessment | |||
| Teaching | Foundation Stage/KG | Acceptable | — |
| Teaching | Primary/Elementary/Cycle 1 | Acceptable | — |
| Teaching | Secondary/Middle/Cycle 2 | Acceptable | — |
| Teaching | Post-16/High School/Cycle 3 | Acceptable | — |
| Assessment | KG | Acceptable | Acceptable |
| Assessment | Cycle 1 | Acceptable | Acceptable |
| Assessment | Cycle 2 | Acceptable | Acceptable |
| Assessment | Cycle 3 | Acceptable | Acceptable |
| Teaching for effective learning | KG | — | Acceptable |
| Teaching for effective learning | Cycle 1 | — | Acceptable |
| Teaching for effective learning | Cycle 2 | — | Acceptable |
| Teaching for effective learning | Cycle 3 | — | Acceptable |
| Protection, care, guidance and support | |||
| Health and safety | Foundation Stage/KG | Good | — |
| Health and safety | Primary/Elementary/Cycle 1 | Good | — |
| Health and safety | Secondary/Middle/Cycle 2 | Good | — |
| Health and safety | Post-16/High School/Cycle 3 | Good | — |
| The protection, care, guidance and support of students | |||
| Care and support | KG | Good | Acceptable |
| Care and support | Cycle 1 | Good | Acceptable |
| Care and support | Cycle 2 | Good | Acceptable |
| Care and support | Cycle 3 | Good | Acceptable |
| Health and safety, including arrangements for child protection/safeguarding | KG | — | Acceptable |
| Health and safety, including arrangements for child protection/safeguarding | Cycle 1 | — | Acceptable |
| Health and safety, including arrangements for child protection/safeguarding | Cycle 2 | — | Acceptable |
| Health and safety, including arrangements for child protection/safeguarding | Cycle 3 | — | Acceptable |
| Leadership and management | |||
| Effectiveness of leadership | Whole school | Acceptable | — |
| Self-evaluation and improvement | Whole school | Acceptable | — |
| Partnerships with parents | Whole school | Acceptable | — |
| Governance | Whole school | Acceptable | Acceptable |
| Management | Whole school | Acceptable | — |
| The effectiveness of leadership | Whole school | — | Acceptable |
| School self-evaluation and improvement planning | Whole school | — | Acceptable |
| Parents and the community | Whole school | — | Acceptable |
| Management, staffing, facilities and resources | Whole school | — | Acceptable |
| Students' personal and social development | |||
| Personal Development | KG | — | Acceptable |
| Personal Development | Cycle 1 | — | Acceptable |
| Personal Development | Cycle 2 | — | Acceptable |
| Personal Development | Cycle 3 | — | Acceptable |
| Understanding of Islamic values and awareness of Emirati and world cultures | KG | — | Acceptable |
| Understanding of Islamic values and awareness of Emirati and world cultures | Cycle 1 | — | Acceptable |
| Understanding of Islamic values and awareness of Emirati and world cultures | Cycle 2 | — | Acceptable |
| Understanding of Islamic values and awareness of Emirati and world cultures | Cycle 3 | — | Acceptable |
| Social responsibility and innovation skills | KG | — | Weak |
| Social responsibility and innovation skills | Cycle 1 | — | Weak |
| Social responsibility and innovation skills | Cycle 2 | — | Weak |
| Social responsibility and innovation skills | Cycle 3 | — | Weak |
| Curriculum | |||
| Curriculum design and implementation | KG | — | Acceptable |
| Curriculum design and implementation | Cycle 1 | — | Acceptable |
| Curriculum design and implementation | Cycle 2 | — | Acceptable |
| Curriculum design and implementation | Cycle 3 | — | Acceptable |
| Curriculum adaptation | KG | — | Weak |
| Curriculum adaptation | Cycle 1 | — | Weak |
| Curriculum adaptation | Cycle 2 | — | Weak |
| Curriculum adaptation | Cycle 3 | — | Weak |
This ADEK inspection rated California American School Acceptable overall for 2021-2022. English attainment was weak across all phases and Mathematics weak in most phases, while health and safety and care and support were rated Good. Leadership, self-evaluation, governance, management and parent partnerships were all rated Acceptable.
Source: ADEK inspection report 2021-2022 (PDF, pages 1–8), inspected 01-Feb-2022 to 03-Feb-2022. Restated by BestSchool.ae.
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