Quick summary of key school information
School details
Number of students |
1400+ |
Number of nationalities represented in the school |
More than 75. |
Most common nationality |
Emirati |
Ratio of local students to international students |
29% local : 71% international |
Native English speaking teachers |
Most of the teachers are from North America. The school has a few from the UK. Arabic-language teachers are from the Middle East. |
Language support for students not fluent in English |
English Language Learning (ELL) is a program that supports students within the early stages of English acquisition. The ELL Specialists work with small groups and occasionally one-on-one as needed. They also collaborate closely with homeroom teachers. Although the time-frame varies, typical ELLs develop their language skills and, by the time they reach a certain level of proficiency that allows them to have more independent social and academic success, they exit the program. The ELL Specialists are a great resource for teachers when it comes to supporting the language development of all students. Students entering Grades 6-12 must be able to demonstrate at least intermediate proficiency in English. |
Additional language classes offered by the school |
Arabic for native and non-native Arabic speakers is mandatory . French is offered in Middle and High School and Spanish is offered in the IB Diploma Program. |
Max. number of students per class |
21 |
Average number of students per class |
18 |
Does the school employ teaching assistants? |
Yes |
Use of technology in the classroom |
Teachers at AISA are effectively integrating technology into the curriculum and instruction in order to enhance student learning process and outcomes. Students in grades 2-6 are using iPads and older students use a Macbook. Technology provides students with the opportunity to develop skills that are essential for lifelong learners, such as research, collaboration, communication, critical thinking, and problem solving. Technology integration also assists students in acquiring information, media, and technology literacy, which is crucial for our rapidly changing media and technology driven world. To learn more about AISA's Educational Technology, please visit www.aisa.sch.ae. |
Is the school ready to use virtual classrooms when needed? (e.g. teaching lessons online if the school is closed, e.g. during COVID-19 closures) |
Students are learning remotely in our virtual and collaborative learning environments. |
Do students practice religion at the school? What religion? |
Secular school |
External examinations or assessments available |
IB Diploma
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Results in these examinations |
Average Scores for the class of 2020
1073/1400 1090/1470 1000/1230 |
Do teachers assign homework to their students? |
No |
Approximate hours of homework given |
As a rough guide, Middle School students should be completing up to 90 minutes of homework per night. Grade 9 and 10 students should be completing 90 to 120 minutes of homework per night. Grade 11 and 12 school students should allocate 2 to 3 hours (120-180 minutes) per night. |
Dedicated staff/programs for students with special learning needs |
Yes |
Learning support offered |
The learning support specialists at AISA assist students in grades K1-5 in reaching their academic goals through individual or small group support in and out of the classroom. The specialists closely collaborate with class teachers to help provide differentiated instruction for students who may be exhibiting difficulties in meeting classroom expectations. The learning support specialists also partner with parents to develop strategies and to provide support. |
Student access to education psychologist |
A counselor is available on campus |
Entry evaluation for students |
We do placement assessments when needed |
Brief description of entry evaluation required |
Yes, students from Grades 1-12 are tested in English and Math.KG1 and KG2 applicants will be invited to playdates to learn more about our school and meet our early years’ teachers. |
Waiting list |
Depends on the grade level. |
Deadline for registration (new academic year) |
We have a rolling admissions process. Students are accepted on a space available basis throughout the school year. |
Students can join after academic year begins |
Yes |
School start time |
7:45 am |
School finish time |
For KG1:
|
Supervised care before/after school |
Our Elementary activities are created with a Science Technology Engineering Arts Music (STEAM) approach. They are scheduled to accommodate students in KG2 to Grade 5. Students at each grade level have a variety of activities to choose from. Examples include; coding club, basketball, soccer, minecraft club, drama club , singing club, and Arabic playgroups, are some of our most popular activities. Sign-up is completed by the parent two weeks before the term begins. |
School bus service available |
Yes |
School provided lunches |
AISA’s canteen is open during the school day. Students from Grades 1-12 are welcome to purchase food from the cafeteria or to bring their own lunch. Kindergarten students must bring their own lunch. |
Uniform required |
Yes. School uniforms are also sold on campus Sundays to Thursdays from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Parents should purchase uniforms before the first day of school. |
Extracurricular activities or clubs offered |
AISA offers a full range of activities, with most of them taking place after school. You can find more detail on the following pages but be assured that there will be something which will attract your child – sports, drama, music, arts, crafts, Model United Nations, service activities! |
Sports activities included |
The AISA Lions Athletic Program has represented the school for the last 25 years. The program has gone from strength to strength. We have age group teams starting in Elementary school, as well as Under 14, Junior Varsity (Under 16) and Varsity teams.
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Sports teams or sport competitions available for students |
AISA is a member of three organized leagues: Junior Emirates Athletic Conference (JEAC) – A collection of six American schools in Dubai and Abu Dhabi providing activities for Grade 4 to 6 students in the UAE.
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Sports facilities at the school |
2 Swimming pools, 2 gymnasium, 2 outdoor basketball courts, 2 indoor courts, and a regulation gross soccer field. |
Qualities and characteristics best defining the school |
The American International School in Abu Dhabi is celebrating its 25th anniversary, having been established in 1995 to provide local and expatriate residents of Abu Dhabi with high quality American education, based on American standards and an international curriculum. AISA received its first accreditation in October 1997 from the Middle States Association of Schools and Colleges (MSA), and in January 2010 was accredited by the Council of International Schools (CIS). AISA offers education from Kindergarten to Grade 12. It was the first school to offer the International Baccalaureate Diploma in the UAE and later became the first school in Abu Dhabi to be authorized to offer the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP). In keeping with local regulations, the Secondary School is gender segregated. |
Teaching approach of the school |
AISA offers an American curriculum, tied to the demanding Common Core State Standards in English and math and the AERO (American Education Reaching Out) standards in other subjects. AISA is also an International Baccalaureate World School, offering the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) and the IB Diploma Programme (DP). These IB programs are student-centered and inquiry-based. All students in KG1 to grade 5 are enrolled in the PYP. More details can be found on the elementary school pages. In grades 6 to 9, AISA’s curriculum follows best international practice, while being linked to US standards. In grade 10, students can choose to start working towards the IB Diploma, with and IB Prep year in grade 10 followed by the IBDP itself in grades 11 and 12. Those who choose not to do the IBDP can work towards a regular US High School Diploma. |