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Abu Dhabi Schools With Spare Capacity 2026

161 Abu Dhabi schools below 95% of capacity. Where you have negotiating leverage on entry timing and, sometimes, fees.

161
Schools with spare seats
102
Under 80% full
223
Verified figures
Home › Best Schools › Schools With Spare Capacity

How we computed capacity. 223 Abu Dhabi schools publish a verified maximum-pupil capacity (column marked ✓). Where no licensed cap is published, we use peak-ever enrolment as a lower-bound proxy (marked "est." in the table). A school that hit 2,000 students in any year demonstrably has space for at least 2,000 — actual licensed capacity may be higher.

Spare capacity matters for two reasons: you can usually start mid-year, and at the deeper end of the spectrum (under 80% full), some schools negotiate on registration fees, sibling discounts, or even tuition. Always ask.

#SchoolADEKStudents / Capacity% FullSpare seatsCurriculumAvg Fee
1 Future Leaders International Private School - Rabdan Acceptable 127 / 1,740 ✓ 7% 1,613 US AED 26,437
2 California American School Acceptable 79 / 653 ✓ 12% 574 US AED 24,606
3 Emirates National Very Good 15 / 100 ✓ 15% 85 IB AED 56,135
4 Arzana Private School Weak 227 / 1,450 ✓ 16% 1,223 US AED 28,021
5 Al Maharat Private School Good 364 / 1,998 ✓ 18% 1,634 UK AED 25,318
6 International Academic School Acceptable 265 / 1,450 ✓ 18% 1,185 US AED 35,422
7 Sabis International School - Yas Good 742 / 4,000 ✓ 19% 3,258 Other AED 51,500
8 Future Leaders International Private School - Baniyas Acceptable 492 / 2,098 ✓ 23% 1,606 US AED 32,779
9 Knowledge International School - L.L.C Not Yet Inspected 152 / 550 ✓ 28% 398 US AED 24,997
10 Liwa International School - Qattarah Good 695 / 2,514 ✓ 28% 1,819 US AED 28,406
11 Al Marfa International School Acceptable 133 / 440 ✓ 30% 307 MOE AED 6,286
12 Pinnacle American School Acceptable 231 / 720 ✓ 32% 489 US AED 24,220
13 Japanese School Very Good 121 / 375 ✓ 32% 254 Other AED 34,395
14 Universal Philippine School Weak 267 / 777 ✓ 34% 510 Other AED 9,372
15 Italian International School Not Yet Inspected 568 / 1,620 ✓ 35% 1,052 Other AED 54,527
16 Philippine Emirates Private School Acceptable 412 / 1,109 ✓ 37% 697 Other AED 10,559
17 Al Yahar Private School And Kg Acceptable 192 / 509 ✓ 38% 317 US AED 19,816
18 Alia International Private School Acceptable 314 / 805 ✓ 39% 491 US AED 16,540
19 Australian School Of Abu Dhabi Acceptable 561 / 1,380 ✓ 41% 819 IB AED 24,961
20 Maplewood Canadian International School Good 479 / 1,156 ✓ 41% 677 Other AED 41,143
21 Baraem Al Ain Private Schools - Muwaiji Acceptable 456 / 1,077 ✓ 42% 621 MOE AED 8,031
22 Adnoc Schools - Ghayathi Good 252 / 590 ✓ 43% 338 US AED 32,907
23 International Community Schools - Khalifa Good 652 / 1,480 ✓ 44% 828 US AED 29,667
24 Sharjah American International School Good 793 / 1,800 ✓ 44% 1,007 US AED 35,923
25 Manar Al Ilm School Acceptable 441 / 988 ✓ 45% 547 UK AED 17,420
26 Aspen Heights British School Good 23 / 50 ✓ 46% 27 IB AED 62,570
27 Wales International School Good 1,128 / 2,444 ✓ 46% 1,316 UK AED 30,127
28 Abu Dhabi International School Very Good 41 / 88 ✓ 47% 47 IB AED 47,970
29 Al Shohub Private School Good 498 / 1,057 ✓ 47% 559 UK AED 38,023
30 International Community Schools - Falah Acceptable 670 / 1,400 ✓ 48% 730 US AED 38,499
31 Yasmina British Academy Outstanding 1,209 / 2,520 ✓ 48% 1,311 UK AED 56,602
32 International School Of Choueifat - Mushrif Very Good 1,603 / 3,340 ✓ 48% 1,737 Other AED 28,912
33 Al Yahar Private School And Kg Acceptable 1,008 / 2,077 ✓ 49% 1,069 MOE AED 7,474
34 Abdulla Bin Al Zubair Private School Acceptable 241 / 491 ✓ 49% 250 UK AED 35,350
35 Al Najah Private School Good 30 / 60 ✓ 50% 30 IB AED 31,205
36 Gems American Academy Llc Very Good 42 / 80 ✓ 53% 38 IB AED 80,610
37 American National School Acceptable 439 / 820 ✓ 54% 381 US AED 22,085
38 Baniyas International Private School Good 661 / 1,232 ✓ 54% 571 US AED 23,422
39 Abu Dhabi International Pvt Very Good 139 / 256 ✓ 54% 117 UK AED 26,230
40 Abu Dhabi Island International Private School Good 464 / 850 ✓ 55% 386 US AED 23,033
41 Raha International School - Khalifa Good 1,674 / 3,060 ✓ 55% 1,386 IB AED 57,537
42 Emirates National Schools - Al Nahyan Good 719 / 1,300 ✓ 55% 581 US AED 42,313
43 Emirates National Schools - Manhal Very Good 810 / 1,460 ✓ 55% 650 US AED 28,736
44 Emirates National School Very Good 45 / 80 ✓ 56% 35 IB AED 54,985
45 German International School Very Good 426 / 750 ✓ 57% 324 Other AED 47,092
46 Adnoc Schools - Madinat Zayed Acceptable 1,352 / 2,380 ✓ 57% 1,028 US AED 34,660
47 Excel International School Acceptable 366 / 636 ✓ 58% 270 UK AED 23,954
48 Ain Al Khaleej Private Good 352 / 600 ✓ 59% 248 US AED 16,524
49 Abu Dhabi International Private School - Mbz Very Good 1,973 / 3,357 ✓ 59% 1,384 US AED 39,656
50 Horizon Private School (Moe) - Khalifa Acceptable 1,517 / 2,569 ✓ 59% 1,052 MOE AED 11,923
51 Future Leaders International Private School - Madinat Zayed Good 587 / 990 ✓ 59% 403 US AED 26,571
52 British Oak Montessori Kg Not Yet Inspected 45 / 75 ✓ 60% 30 UK AED 34,000
53 The Philippine School Acceptable 562 / 933 ✓ 60% 371 Other AED 7,058
54 Global English School Acceptable 1,111 / 1,800 ✓ 62% 689 UK AED 21,567
55 Adnoc Schools - Ruwais - Branch 2 Good 1,144 / 1,825 ✓ 63% 681 US AED 34,017
56 Aldar Academies-West Yas School Good 1,136 / 1,800 ✓ 63% 664 US AED 62,319
57 Abu Dhabi International Private School - Karamah Very Good 1,192 / 1,886 ✓ 63% 694 US AED 26,280
58 Al Nahda National School For Boys Good 1,105 / 1,730 ✓ 64% 625 UK AED 24,686
59 Ibn Khaldoun Private Science Acceptable 703 / 1,100 ✓ 64% 397 MOE AED 7,391
60 Sunrise International School Acceptable 4,756 / 7,360 ✓ 65% 2,604 Indian AED 10,137
61 Al Falah Academy Al Jimi Not Yet Inspected 1,125 / 1,728 ✓ 65% 603 MOE AED 4,000
62 Noya British School Not Yet Inspected 880 / 1,340 ✓ 66% 460 UK AED 38,400
63 Lebanon First School And Kg Acceptable 662 / 981 ✓ 67% 319 MOE AED 7,964
64 Al Tafawwuq Al Ilmi Private School Acceptable 563 / 833 ✓ 68% 270 MOE AED 6,719
65 Universal Private School Acceptable 254 / 374 ✓ 68% 120 MOE AED 10,934
66 International Jubilee Private School Good 914 / 1,339 ✓ 68% 425 US AED 25,039
67 Al Nahda National - Boys Good 1,176 / 1,700 ✓ 69% 524 US AED 23,407
68 The Russian School Of Abu Dhabi Not Yet Inspected 346 / 500 ✓ 69% 154 Other AED 37,100
69 Crescent International Private School Acceptable 291 / 420 ✓ 69% 129 UK AED 15,273
70 Al Marfaa International Acceptable 215 / 309 ✓ 70% 94 Indian AED 3,932
71 Al Dhafra Private Schools - Mbz Very Good 1,324 / 1,897 ✓ 70% 573 US AED 38,490
72 Liwa International School For Girls Very Good 859 / 1,230 ✓ 70% 371 US AED 38,376
73 Al Ittihad National Private School - Falaj Hazza Good 1,114 / 1,590 ✓ 70% 476 US AED 24,183
74 Repton Foundation School Outstanding 401 / 570 ✓ 70% 169 UK AED 67,220
75 Al Seddique Private School Acceptable 348 / 494 ✓ 70% 146 MOE AED 6,138
76 International Private School Acceptable 848 / 1,196 ✓ 71% 348 MOE AED 8,857
77 Raha International School - Gardens Very Good 2,175 / 3,060 ✓ 71% 885 IB AED 58,028
78 Al Bateen Scientific Private School Good 879 / 1,235 ✓ 71% 356 US AED 20,999
79 Garden City British School Good 534 / 746 ✓ 72% 212 UK AED 26,919
80 Ajyal International School - Falah Good 2,279 / 3,175 ✓ 72% 896 US AED 34,774
81 The American International School Very Good 1,232 / 1,706 ✓ 72% 474 US AED 49,740
82 Bait Al Maqdes International Private School Good 1,416 / 1,956 ✓ 72% 540 MOE AED 7,963
83 Al Manara Private School - Mbz Acceptable 1,116 / 1,500 ✓ 74% 384 MOE AED 14,873
84 The Philippine Global School Acceptable 1,276 / 1,701 ✓ 75% 425 Other AED 7,258
85 Al Ekhlass Private School Acceptable 1,244 / 1,657 ✓ 75% 413 MOE AED 10,173
86 Oasis International School Good 1,799 / 2,380 ✓ 76% 581 Indian AED 9,920
87 Summit International School Good 1,613 / 2,132 ✓ 76% 519 US AED 33,418
88 Ashabal Al Quds Secondary Private School Good 1,656 / 2,171 ✓ 76% 515 MOE AED 11,755
89 Bateen World Academy Very Good 536 / 702 ✓ 76% 166 UK AED 72,433
90 Future International Academy Good 1,482 / 1,936 ✓ 77% 454 US AED 22,197
91 Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Bangladesh Islamia Private School Weak 762 / 995 ✓ 77% 233 Other AED 4,037
92 Emirates Future International Academy Good 2,012 / 2,626 ✓ 77% 614 Indian AED 12,488
93 The Spanish School Of Abu Dhabi Acceptable 302 / 392 ✓ 77% 90 Other AED 38,955
94 Baraem Al Ain Private School Very Good 1,336 / 1,720 ✓ 78% 384 MOE AED 13,400
95 Ryan International School Acceptable 1,067 / 1,370 ✓ 78% 303 Indian AED 16,807
96 Good Will Children Private School Acceptable 518 / 665 ✓ 78% 147 UK AED 28,788
97 Al Murooj Scientific Private School Acceptable 869 / 1,115 ✓ 78% 246 UK AED 23,384
98 Al Falah Academy Bani Yas Not Yet Inspected 1,476 / 1,889 ✓ 78% 413 MOE AED 4,000
99 Tawam Private Model School Good 814 / 1,034 ✓ 79% 220 MOE AED 8,097
100 Al Manara Private School - Shamkhah Acceptable 2,374 / 3,000 ✓ 79% 626 MOE AED 15,363
101 Al Falah Academy - Khibeesi Not Yet Inspected 1,362 / 1,715 ✓ 79% 353 MOE AED 4,000
102 Al Falah Academy - Al Danah Not Yet Inspected 781 / 980 ✓ 80% 199 MOE AED 4,000
103 American Community School Outstanding 1,338 / 1,659 ✓ 81% 321 US AED 75,992
104 Horizon Private School - Branch Very Good 1,657 / 2,049 ✓ 81% 392 US AED 35,286
105 Rawafed Private School Good 1,451 / 1,794 ✓ 81% 343 US AED 29,833
106 Yasmina British Academy Br Not Yet Inspected 2,223 / 2,745 ✓ 81% 522 UK AED 55,153
107 Mohammed Bin Khalid Al Nahyan Generations School Good 501 / 612 ✓ 82% 111 US AED 15,953
108 United Private School - Yahar Good 755 / 922 ✓ 82% 167 US AED 23,758
109 Our Own English High School Good 431 / 525 ✓ 82% 94 UK AED 15,075
110 Al Dhabiania Private School Good 1,114 / 1,355 ✓ 82% 241 MOE AED 13,951
111 International Indian School Good 1,686 / 2,050 ✓ 82% 364 Indian AED 16,408
112 Rosary Private School Very Good 2,630 / 3,194 ✓ 82% 564 MOE AED 11,983
113 Zakher Private British Acceptable 340 / 412 ✓ 83% 72 UK AED 12,096
114 Lycee Francais International Theodore Monod - Sadiyaat Very Good 1,490 / 1,800 ✓ 83% 310 French AED 46,790
115 Gems American Academy Very Good 1,867 / 2,250 ✓ 83% 383 US AED 76,058
116 Emirates Falcon International Private School Good 1,449 / 1,735 ✓ 84% 286 US AED 23,727
117 Sabis International School - Ruwais Good 2,491 / 2,981 ✓ 84% 490 Other AED 37,499
118 Al Yasat Private School Good 1,265 / 1,513 ✓ 84% 248 US AED 43,119
119 Ajyal International School - Mbz Good 1,493 / 1,780 ✓ 84% 287 UK AED 43,089
120 Virginia International Private School Good 1,301 / 1,550 ✓ 84% 249 US AED 36,678
121 Cranleigh School Abu Dhabi Outstanding 676 / 800 ✓ 85% 124 UK AED 74,253
122 Al Ain American Private School Good 871 / 1,026 ✓ 85% 155 US AED 23,101
123 Al Falah Academy - Mbz Not Yet Inspected 1,457 / 1,715 ✓ 85% 258 MOE AED 4,000
124 Adnoc Schools - Sas Al Nakhl Good 3,139 / 3,689 ✓ 85% 550 US AED 40,594
125 Ain Al Khaleej Private School Good 406 / 472 ✓ 86% 66 MOE AED 10,361
126 Rowad Al Dhafra British Acceptable 151 / 175 ✓ 86% 24 UK AED 14,770
127 Al Muneera Private School Good 643 / 745 ✓ 86% 102 MOE AED 18,611
128 The Sheikh Zayed Private Academy For Girls Very Good 1,540 / 1,770 ✓ 87% 230 US AED 56,421
129 Al Saad Indian School Good 775 / 890 ✓ 87% 115 Indian AED 12,245
130 Emirates Private School - Muwaiji Good 349 / 400 ✓ 87% 51 MOE AED 10,539
131 Abc Private School Good 2,488 / 2,840 ✓ 88% 352 UK AED 22,422
132 Al Dar Private School Good 487 / 554 ✓ 88% 67 MOE AED 8,004
133 Emirates National Schools - Mbz Very Good 4,327 / 4,912 ✓ 88% 585 US AED 35,719
134 Emirates Private School - Baniyas Acceptable 1,284 / 1,457 ✓ 88% 173 MOE AED 5,419
135 Al Bateen School-Al Mushrif Very Good 478 / 542 ✓ 88% 64 IB AED 66,051
136 Future International School Good 746 / 835 ✓ 89% 89 US AED 19,649
137 Gems Founders School Ad Not Yet Inspected 987 / 1,100 ✓ 90% 113 UK AED 32,900
138 Sabis International School - Al Bateen - L.L.C - S.P.C Not Yet Inspected 700 / 780 ✓ 90% 80 Other AED 59,467
139 Canadian International School Outstanding 940 / 1,044 ✓ 90% 104 Other AED 44,759
140 Yas Academy School Acceptable 690 / 763 ✓ 90% 73 MOE AED 9,839
141 Al Manhal International Private School Good 2,369 / 2,604 ✓ 91% 235 MOE AED 12,524
142 Al Nahda National - Girls Good 1,527 / 1,674 ✓ 91% 147 US AED 21,677
143 The British International Ad Outstanding 219 / 240 ✓ 91% 21 IB AED 76,950
144 Al Minhaj Private School Good 1,083 / 1,186 ✓ 91% 103 MOE AED 12,866
145 Al Najah Private School Good 2,184 / 2,383 ✓ 92% 199 UK AED 21,332
146 Emirates Private British Good 1,003 / 1,094 ✓ 92% 91 UK AED 9,912
147 Al Bashair Private School Very Good 1,223 / 1,333 ✓ 92% 110 MOE AED 21,133
148 Lycee Louis Massignon Very Good 1,740 / 1,895 ✓ 92% 155 French AED 38,846
149 Grace Valley Indian School Good 1,566 / 1,700 ✓ 92% 134 Indian AED 10,701
150 Asian International Private School - Madinat Zayed Acceptable 1,350 / 1,463 ✓ 92% 113 Indian AED 5,671
151 Asian International Private School - Ruwais Good 2,206 / 2,385 ✓ 92% 179 Indian AED 8,567
152 Al Dhafra Private Schools - Muwaiji Good 1,954 / 2,100 ✓ 93% 146 UK AED 19,619
153 The Sheikh Zayed Private Academy For Boys Outstanding 1,307 / 1,400 ✓ 93% 93 US AED 67,617
154 Al Nahda National School For Girls Good 2,618 / 2,800 ✓ 94% 182 UK AED 22,909
155 Pakistani Islamic Private School Good 940 / 1,005 ✓ 94% 65 Other AED 4,559
156 Al Ittihad National Private School - Shakhbout Very Good 1,830 / 1,954 ✓ 94% 124 US AED 36,303
157 Merryland International School Outstanding 2,517 / 2,685 ✓ 94% 168 UK AED 33,685
158 Al Khalil International Private School Good 1,129 / 1,200 ✓ 94% 71 MOE AED 9,261
159 Dunes International School Good 1,501 / 1,587 ✓ 95% 86 Indian AED 17,555
160 The Gulf International Private Academy Good 1,051 / 1,111 ✓ 95% 60 US AED 18,909
161 Al Ain Juniors Private School Good 1,639 / 1,731 ✓ 95% 92 UK AED 12,086
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Frequently Asked Questions

Does spare capacity mean the school is bad?

No. Several schools on this list are ADEK Outstanding or Very Good and have spare seats simply because they expanded their physical campus faster than enrolment caught up. Newer schools commonly run below full capacity in their first years. That's an opportunity for parents — same school, more attention, sometimes more flexible terms.

Why do most Abu Dhabi schools not publish capacity?

ADEK's licensing structure requires a maximum-pupil ceiling, but the figure isn't always made public in the inspection report. Many schools choose to report a ceiling that reflects the latest expansion phase rather than current physical limit. We only include schools where the ratio of students to a published capacity figure is verifiable.

Can I really negotiate fees at a school with spare seats?

Sometimes — especially on registration and uniform/transport bundles, and especially mid-year. Tuition itself is capped by ADEK's fee framework so don't expect a discount on the headline number. But sibling discount tiers, friend referral schemes, and one-off "settling-in" fees are often softer than the website suggests when there are seats to fill.

What about waitlists?

A school can be 80% full overall and still have a waitlist for specific year groups (especially FS1, Year 7, Year 12). Always ask about the year group you actually need.