American International School in Abu Dhabi

Reviewer

Anonymous reviewer

Comments

Our family had an incredibly disappointing experience at this school. From the day we arrived until the day we left, it felt like one problem after another. Our child attended American International School in Abu Dhabi, and unfortunately, we cannot recommend it based on what we experienced. From the very beginning, the school seemed disorganized. Communication was poor, and there was little guidance or support for new families and staff. It often felt like no one knew what was going on, and simple issues took far longer to resolve than they should have. The learning environment was one of our biggest concerns. Some classrooms had little or no natural light, and students only went outside for a short morning break. Lunch was eaten in the classroom every day. The playground was nothing more than a large concrete courtyard packed with hundreds of children. There was no meaningful play equipment or outdoor space where kids could enjoy themselves. The lack of resources was shocking for a school that promotes itself as an international institution. Teachers had to improvise with everyday household items because basic classroom materials were unavailable. Printing was tightly controlled, color printing was almost impossible, and technology such as laptops and tablets was not provided to many teachers. The curriculum relied heavily on textbooks, leaving teachers with very little flexibility to meet the individual needs of their students. Student behavior was another challenge. Classrooms were often disrupted, yet teachers appeared to receive very little support from school leadership. As a parent, it was frustrating to know that educators were expected to manage difficult situations without the backing they needed. The facilities also fell well below our expectations. We never saw a proper library, art room, athletic field, swimming pool, or age-appropriate playground that were maintained or up to date. This painted a picture of a school that invested very little in creating a quality educational environment. One issue that deeply concerned us involved student grading. We were told that teachers were discouraged from giving students grades below 80 percent, even when assignments were incomplete or students refused to participate. If that was truly the school's policy, it calls into question the accuracy and credibility of the academic reports that parents receive. Another noticeable problem was the high staff turnover. It seemed like a large number of teachers were hired every year, and many did not stay long. That instability affected students, who deserve consistency and strong relationships with the adults teaching them. Looking back, we felt that the school placed far more emphasis on maintaining enrollment than on providing a high-quality education. The administration did not inspire confidence, resources were limited, and the overall experience fell far short of what we expected from an international school. The UAE has many excellent schools, and it can be a wonderful place to raise a family. However, not every school offers the same experience. We encourage parents to research carefully, ask detailed questions during the admissions process, and speak with current or former families before making a decision. We certainly wish we had.

Questionnaire Responses

Details

Reviewee

American International School in Abu Dhabi

School

American International School in Abu Dhabi

Country

AE

State / Region

Abu Dhabi

Reporting Period

2022-2026

Submitted

April 7, 2026

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