We have the lowdown on the best private schools in Khalifa City
Khalifa City is one of Abu Dhabi’s best-established family communities, conveniently located between Abu Dhabi city centre and Zayed International Airport.
Spacious villas, parks and one of the capital’s broadest selections of international schools continue to make it a popular choice for families.
Parents can choose from British, American, International Baccalaureate (IB), and Canadian curricula, offering a wide range of educational pathways to suit different learning styles and ambitions.
Whether you’re relocating to Khalifa City or exploring nearby schools, this guide compares 12 of the area’s leading private schools, covering their curricula, ADEK ratings and what makes each unique.
Private schools in Khalifa City: curriculum, ages and ADEK rating
| School | Curriculum | Ages | ADEK rating* |
| British International School Abu Dhabi | British + IB Diploma + BTEC | 3–18 | Outstanding |
| Yasmina British Academy | British | FS1–Year 13 | Outstanding |
| Canadian International School Abu Dhabi | Canadian (Alberta) | KG–Grade 12 | Outstanding |
| GEMS American Academy Abu Dhabi | American + IB + AP | Pre-KG–Grade 12 | Very Good |
| Raha International School – Gardens Campus | IB Continuum | KG1–Grade 12 | Very Good |
| Raha International School – Khalifa City Campus | IB Continuum | Pre-K–Grade 12 | Good |
| International School of Choueifat – Khalifa City | SABIS® Educational System | KG–Grade 12 | Very Good |
| Al Ittihad National Private School | American | KG–Grade 12 | Very Good |
| Horizon Private School | American | KG1–Grade 12 | Good |
| International Community Schools (ICS) – Khalifa City | American | KG–Grade 12 | Good |
| SAMA International Schools – Galileo Campus | American curriculum delivered through the IB framework | Pre-KG–Grade 12 | Not yet inspected |
| Yasmina American School | American | Pre-KG–Grade 5 (expanding annually) | Not yet inspected |
*ADEK Irtiqa ratings are correct at the time of writing
Why choose a private school in Khalifa City?
Khalifa City offers one of Abu Dhabi’s broadest selections of international schools, with options ranging from long-established Outstanding schools to newly opened campuses.
Whether families prioritise curriculum, teaching style or specialist facilities, the area offers a wide range of educational pathways within a well-established community.
International curricula in Khalifa City
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to choosing the right school. Alongside curriculum, parents should also consider teaching style, pastoral care, extracurricular opportunities and the environment in which their child is most likely to thrive.
Families living in and around Khalifa City can choose:
- British curriculum
- American curriculum
- International Baccalaureate (IB)
- Canadian (Alberta) curriculum
- SABIS® Educational System
- Multilingual education
- Several Outstanding and Very Good-rated schools
- Purpose-built campuses with extensive sports and specialist facilities
Private schools in Khalifa City: schools in detail
British International School Abu Dhabi (BIS Abu Dhabi)
Curriculum: British (IGCSE, IBDP, BTEC)
Ages: 3–18
ADEK rating: Outstanding
Part of the Nord Anglia Education group, BIS Abu Dhabi is one of the capital’s leading British schools.
Students follow the English National Curriculum through IGCSEs before choosing either the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) or BTEC qualifications in Sixth Form.
Rated Outstanding by ADEK, the school is recognised for its strong academic outcomes, personalised learning and Nord Anglia’s exclusive collaborations with MIT, The Juilliard School and UNICEF.
For more information, visit nordangliaeducation.com
Yasmina British Academy (YBA)
Curriculum: British (IGCSE, A Level)
Ages: FS1–Year 13
ADEK rating: Outstanding
One of Abu Dhabi’s highest-performing British schools, YBA is part of Aldar Education and holds Outstanding ratings from both ADEK and British Schools Overseas (BSO).
The school relocated to a purpose-built Khalifa City campus in 2025, featuring specialist STEAM facilities, creative arts spaces, and extensive sports provision.
High Performance Learning (HPL) underpins its educational approach, helping students develop academic excellence alongside the confidence and skills to succeed.
For more information, visit yasminabritishacademy.ae
Canadian International School Abu Dhabi (CIS)
Curriculum: Canadian (Alberta)
Ages: KG–Grade 12
ADEK rating: Outstanding
CIS is the emirate’s leading Alberta curriculum school. Rated Outstanding by ADEK, it combines strong academic standards with a broad programme of sport, robotics, leadership and extracurricular activities.
Welcoming students from a wide range of nationalities, the school has also been recognised as a PISA Mentor School, reflecting its consistently high academic performance.
For more information, visit cisabudhabi.com
GEMS American Academy (GAA)
Curriculum: American (US Common Core), IBDP, AP
Ages: Pre-KG–Grade 12
ADEK rating: Very Good
GAA offers one of the capital’s broadest academic pathways, combining the American curriculum with the IB Primary Years Programme, the IB Diploma Programme and Advanced Placement (AP) courses.
Accredited by CIS and NEASC, the school is recognised for its strong university destinations, modern facilities and broad co-curricular programme.
For more information, visit gemsaa-abudhabi.com
Raha International School, Gardens Campus (RIS GCC)
Curriculum: IB Continuum (PYP, MYP, IBDP)
Ages: KG1–Grade 12
ADEK rating: Very Good
Abu Dhabi’s first IB Continuum school, RIS GC, offers the Primary Years, Middle Years and Diploma programmes.
Set on a purpose-built 14-acre campus, relationships, inclusion and wellbeing are central to the school’s ethos, supported by landscaped gardens, urban farming, extensive sports facilities and inspiring creative learning spaces.
Known for consistently strong IB outcomes, RIS GC remains one of Abu Dhabi’s most established and highly regarded IB schools.
For more information, visit risgc.ae
Raha International School, Khalifa City Campus (RIS KCC)
Curriculum: IB Continuum (PYP, MYP, IBDP)
Ages: Pre-K–Grade 12
ADEK rating: Good
Opened in 2020, RIS KCC is an authorised IB World School offering the full IB Continuum from Pre-K to Grade 12.
The school features innovation labs, creative arts spaces and a broad co-curricular programme that promotes inquiry, wellbeing and global citizenship.
Rated Good by ADEK in its first full inspection—the highest possible outcome for a school’s initial inspection—the campus has quickly established a strong reputation, extending the distinctive Raha experience to families in Khalifa City.
For more information, visit riskcc.ae
International School of Choueifat – Khalifa City
Curriculum: SABIS® Educational System
Ages: KG–Grade 12
ADEK rating: Very Good
One of Abu Dhabi’s largest international schools, the International School of Choueifat – Khalifa City is part of the global SABIS® Network.
The school follows the SABIS® Educational System, placing a strong emphasis on English, mathematics, science and languages.
Students prepare for internationally recognised qualifications, including IGCSEs, A Levels and Advanced Placement (AP). Rated Very Good by ADEK, it is a popular choice for families seeking a rigorous, multilingual education with clear university pathways.
For more information, visit isckhalifacity.sabis.net
Al Ittihad National Private School
Curriculum: American
Ages: KG–Grade 12
ADEK rating: Very Good
Opened in 1992, Al Ittihad National Private School combines an American curriculum with a strong emphasis on Arabic language, Islamic values and UAE heritage.
Rated Very Good by ADEK, the school is recognised for its inclusive community, modern campus and balanced approach to academic achievement, character development and extracurricular opportunities.
For more information, visit arabian-edu.com
Horizon Private School
Curriculum: American
Ages: KG1–Grade 12
ADEK rating: Good
A well-established community school in Khalifa City, Horizon Private School follows an American curriculum aligned with Common Core standards.
Students also benefit from early exposure to English, Arabic and French, alongside a broad co-curricular programme and Advanced Placement (AP) courses in the senior years.
Rated Good by ADEK, the school is recognised for its supportive community, personalised approach to learning, and strong relationships among staff, students, and families.
For more information, visit horizonprivateschool.com
International Community Schools – ICS Khalifa City
Curriculum: American
Ages: KG–Grade 12
ADEK rating: Good
Part of the International Community Schools (ICS) group, ICS Khalifa City delivers an American curriculum accredited by Cognia.
The school combines technology-driven learning with a strong focus on leadership and student wellbeing, supported by modern facilities and a growing co-curricular programme.
Rated Good by ADEK, it offers families a smaller, community-focused learning environment from KG through to Grade 12.
For more information, visit khalifa.icschools.ae
SAMA International Schools – Galileo Campus
Curriculum: American curriculum delivered through the IB framework
Ages: Pre-KG–Grade 12
ADEK rating: Not yet inspected
Formerly the Italian International School, SAMA International Schools – Galileo Campus is an IB World School in Khalifa City.
It delivers an American curriculum aligned with California/Common Core standards through the IB framework and is authorised to offer the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP) and Career-related Programme (CP).
With learning delivered in English, Arabic and Italian, the school offers a distinctive multilingual environment with a strong international outlook.
For more information, visit https://sischools.ae
Yasmina American School
Curriculum: American
Current provision: Pre-KG–Grade 5 (expanding annually)
ADEK rating: Not yet inspected
The newest addition to the Aldar Education family, Yasmina American School, brings a comprehensive American curriculum to Khalifa City.
Opened in 2025 on the former Yasmina British Academy campus, the school is expanding year by year to become a full Pre-KG to Grade 12 school.
High Performance Learning (HPL) underpins its educational approach, supported by specialist STEAM, arts and sports facilities designed to foster creativity, collaboration and academic success.
As a newly opened school, it has not yet received an ADEK Irtiqa inspection rating.
For more information, visit yasminaamericanschool.com
