British Curriculum (GCSE/A-Level)
The most popular choice, with 40 schools. Students follow the UK National Curriculum, taking GCSEs at 16 and A-Levels at 18.
Browse British Schools →Every private school. Real Irtiqaa ratings and ADEK-approved fees — in one place.
225 schools match these filters
Communities
Start with a community, then compare the nearby schools using the same 1.3 km search model on every guide.
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Curricula
Every major curriculum in Abu Dhabi, side by side — with pupil counts, fees and Irtiqaa verdicts.
EYFS → A-Level. GCSEs at 16, A-Levels at 18 — the classic UK pathway.
Rising fast IBPYP → MYP → DP. International-leaning, strong for university-bound all-rounders.
US pathway AmericanK-12 with AP and SAT. Strong sports, lots of extracurriculars, shorter school day.
Value pick IndianRigorous academics, rich culture, popular with Indian expat families across Abu Dhabi.
National MoEThe Ministry of Education curriculum — Arabic-first, with a strong national identity focus.
Alternative Montessori • SENMontessori nurseries and specialist SEN schools — inclusion-first environments for every learner.
Irtiqaa ratings
Every Abu Dhabi private school is inspected under ADEK's Irtiqaa programme. Here's what each verdict means — and roughly how many schools sit in each band.
12 schools
Exceptional in every area of provision. Consistent “quality of leadership, teaching and outcomes” judgments.
47 schools
Above the expectations of the UAE — often with one or two Outstanding strands in leadership or outcomes.
100 schools
Meeting expectations. The largest band — varied trajectory, with many steadily improving.
66 schools
Minimum acceptable level, alongside schools rated Weak or Very Weak and 13 schools awaiting a first Irtiqaa inspection. Worth looking at trend data and specific strand ratings before deciding.
Source: ADEK (Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge) Irtiqaa school inspection reports. Data refreshed August 2026.
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Ratings, fees, rating history and enrolment — every school in a single quiet table. Decide calmly, not from gut feel.
Abu Dhabi offers a diverse education market with 12 curricula. Here's what parents need to know:
The most popular choice, with 40 schools. Students follow the UK National Curriculum, taking GCSEs at 16 and A-Levels at 18.
Browse British Schools →15 schools follow the IB as their main curriculum, with more offering the Diploma alongside British qualifications. International-leaning and strong for university-bound all-rounders.
Browse IB Schools →70 schools follow the US system with AP courses and SAT preparation. Popular with families planning US university applications.
Browse American Schools →29 schools serve the large Indian expat community. Often the most affordable option, with average fees starting from AED 3,270.
Browse Indian Schools →Beyond the current Irtiqaa verdict, we track how every school has been rated over time:
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