American International School

American curriculum, Al Qusais First, KG1–Grade 12

Latest documents: Full Inspection Report 2023–24Source A: Full Inspection Report 2023–24, Parent Report 2023–24Source B: Parent Report 2023–24, summary only, Fees Fact Sheet 2026–27Source C: Fees Fact Sheet 2026–27

2023–24

Earlier reports

  1. 13 earlier reports, see all years

Inclusion Dubai focus area

Good

2023–24

Checked 16 September 2026.

  1. Back to text, source A

    Full Inspection Report 2023–24

    Checked 16 September 2026.

  2. Back to text, source B

    Parent Report 2023–24

    Summary only

    Checked 16 September 2026.

    Found only in the summary for parents. Answers do not use it as evidence.

  3. Back to text, source C

    Fees Fact Sheet 2026–27

    Checked 16 September 2026.

Overview

The school

Curriculum
American
Year groups
KG1–Grade 12
Gender
Co-educational Source B: Full Inspection Report 2023–24
Report wording: Boys and girls
Languages of instruction
English
Founded
2003
External examinations
California Source B: Full Inspection Report 2023–24

Students and staff

From KHDA’s 2023–24 inspection report, unless another year is named.

Students, 2024–⁠25
2,809 Source A: KHDA school directory 2024–25
Students of determination
197 Source B: Full Inspection Report 2023–24
Largest nationality group
Arab Source B: Full Inspection Report 2023–24
KHDA gives no share. Context only, never used in results.

Leadership

Principal at the 2023–⁠24 inspection
Layne Barry Hunt Source B: Full Inspection Report 2023–24
Appointed 1 Aug 2023, as the report prints it.
Principals since 2011–⁠12
3 changes of principal Source B: Full Inspection Report 2023–24
<sup>عثمان حلمي عبدالبار</sup> ي, OTHMAN ABDALBARI, 2011–12 to 2017–18 → Tiffany Brooks, 2018–19 to 2019–20 → Dr Layne Hunt-Acting, 2022–23 → Layne Barry Hunt, 2023–24

Contact

Address
Al Qusais First
Phone and email
+971 4 254 0509principal@aisschool.net
As KHDA's directory listed it on 2026-09-18. Source C: KHDA school directory 2026–27

Around the school

The map shows the streets and places around the school. The same places are counted in «Within 1 km» below.

© OpenStreetMap contributors

  1. Back to text, source A

    KHDA school directory 2024–25

    Checked 16 September 2026.

  2. Back to text, source B
  3. Back to text, source C

    KHDA school directory 2026–27

    Checked 16 September 2026.

Quality

KHDA ratings in the Full Inspection Report 2023–24. Source A: Full Inspection Report 2023–24

KHDA visits schools again from 2026–27. A full inspection gives a new rating; a shorter monitoring visit does not.Source KHDA, 3 June 2026 (opens in a new tab)

  1. OverallOverall performance

    Good

    Up from Acceptable Earlier: Acceptable in 13 reports.

  2. WellbeingStudents’ personal development and wellbeing

    Not available

    2023–24

  3. InclusionProvision for students of determination

    Good

    Up from Acceptable Earlier: Acceptable in 2 reports.

  4. LeadershipLeadership and management

    Good

    Up from Acceptable Earlier: Acceptable in 1 report.

Checked 16 September 2026.

Wellbeing, 2022–23 report: Moderate

«The quality of wellbeing provision and outcome is at a moderate level.» p. 9

In 2021-22 and 2022-23 KHDA judged wellbeing on its own scale — Very high, High, Moderate, Low — not the six inspection words, so it is shown in its own words and not compared with them.

Ratings by phase, 2023–24KHDA rates these in each phase, with no single rating for the whole school. Phases are named as the report names them.

AreaKGElementaryMiddleHigh
TeachingTeaching for effective learningGoodGoodGoodGood
AssessmentAcceptableAcceptableAcceptableAcceptable
CurriculumCurriculum design and implementationGoodGoodGoodGood
Adapting the curriculumCurriculum adaptationGoodGoodGoodGood
SafeguardingHealth and safety, including child protectionGoodGoodGoodGood

Source Source A: Full Inspection Report 2023–24

  1. Back to text, source A

KHDA in brief

KHDA’s own one-page summary of its 2023–24 inspection, written for parents, word for word. The full inspection report remains the reference. Source A: Parent Report 2023–24, summary only

Students’ achievement

In the Kindergarten, children continue to demonstrate good achievement, with improvements seen in Elementary School English and mathematics. However student progress in Islamic education and mathematics at the Middle and High School levels is not as strong as other curriculum areas. Additionally, the learning skills of Kindergarten children are steadily improving.

Personal and social development

Overall, the school sets high standards for student behaviour and they respond positively, displaying good manners and respect towards both peers and adults. While there has been a slight improvement in attendance and punctuality this year, these aspects remain areas for further enhancement, as a significant number of students still arrive late at the beginning of the school day. Middle and High School students exhibit a strong understanding of entrepreneurship, with some already engaged in business enterprises and many undertaking innovative projects.

Teaching, curriculum and care

Questioning is a relatively strong aspect of teaching across all subjects, often leading to sophisticated, insightful discussions, particularly evident in High School English. However, there is inconsistency in internal assessment processes within the school, spanning across subjects and grade levels. School leaders are actively working on improving their skills in analysing assessment data and tracking individual student progress over time.

Wellbeing

Pupils enjoy immediate access to counsellors, with each assigned a peer buddy and a staff member for personal support, fostering a nurturing environment that promotes positive outcomes through safety, empowerment, and care. Educators are deeply committed to the well-being vision, actively engaging in its realisation. The provision of thorough induction, information, and guidance enhances staff well-being and performance. Teachers significantly impact students' achievements, behaviour, and personal development, with the majority expressing contentment with the supportive work atmosphere.

Inclusion

School leaders champion inclusivity, guided by an experienced inclusion team and a strategic plan rooted in self-assessment. Additional support teachers are essential for further progress. Early, collaborative assessments pinpoint student needs, resulting in bespoke support via Individual Education Plans (IEPs) for those with pronounced needs. Learning support teachers are instrumental in delivering targeted interventions, ensuring education is personalised and accessible for every pupil.

Leadership and management

School leaders cultivate a dedicated learning community within a supportive environment that emphasises well-being. Under their direction, teachers have improved classroom dynamics and behaviour management. The Corporate Governance representative ensures senior leaders are held accountable by frequently reviewing Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) that span the entire spectrum of the school's performance. Additionally, there's a recognised and immediate need for significant updates to the school's infrastructure.

  1. Back to text, source A

    Parent Report 2023–24

    Summary only

    Page 1

    Checked 16 September 2026.

    Found only in the summary for parents. Answers do not use it as evidence.

School year

31 Aug 2026 to 2 Jul 2027 · 187 school days

First midterm break
14 Oct 2026 to 16 Oct 20263 days
National Day
2 Dec 2026 to 3 Dec 20262 days
Winter break includes New year’s day
14 Dec 2026 to 1 Jan 202719 days
Eid al-Fitr
8 Mar 2027 to 11 Mar 20274 daysexpected, subject to moon sighting
Spring break
5 Apr 2027 to 9 Apr 20275 days
Eid al-Adha
17 May 2027 to 18 May 20272 daysexpected, subject to moon sighting

Public holidays are tentative and subject to official government announcements (KHDA).

Source Source A: KHDA school directory 2026–27

  1. Back to text, source A

    KHDA school directory 2026–27

    Checked 16 September 2026.

Academics

Academic outcomes, American International School

Attainment by subject and phase, 2023–24KHDA words for each subject in each phase.

SubjectFoundation StagePrimarySecondary
Islamic EducationNot in this reportGoodGood
ArabicNot in this reportGoodAcceptable
EnglishGoodGoodGood
MathematicsGoodGoodAcceptable
ScienceGoodGoodGood

Source Source A: Full Inspection Report 2023–24

Arabic at every school in Dubai: at least 4 lessons a week from Year 2 to Year 10 for a child of non-Arab nationality. Arab children have 4 to 6 lessons to Year 13; Muslim children also study Islamic Education.Source KHDA, Guidelines on National Mandatory Subjects, page 14 (opens in a new tab)

Subjects over the years

KHDA's words in every Full Inspection Report since 2015–16, each row and phase as the reports print them.

Subjects over the years, American International School

Islamic Education, by inspection report

Rated2015–162016–172017–182018–192019–202022–232023–24
Islamic Education attainmentMiddleAcceptableAcceptableGoodGoodGoodGoodGood
Islamic Education attainmentElementaryAcceptableGoodGoodGoodGoodGoodGood
Islamic Education attainmentHighGoodGoodGoodGoodGoodGoodGood
Islamic Education progressMiddleAcceptableAcceptableAcceptableGoodGoodAcceptableAcceptable
Islamic Education progressElementaryAcceptableGoodGoodGoodGoodGoodGood
Islamic Education progressHighGoodGoodGoodGoodGoodAcceptableAcceptable

International and benchmark tests

The National Agenda section of each Full Inspection Report since 2015–16: the school's results in PISA, TIMSS, PIRLS and benchmark tests against KHDA's targets. The only results in the reports that are not an inspector's judgement.

KHDA's verdicts, 2023–24

AspectWhole schoolEmirati cohort
International and Benchmark AchievementGoodNot applicable
Leadership: International and Emirati AchievementAcceptableNot in this report
Teaching and Learning: Improving reading literacyAcceptableNot applicable
Overall school standards in the National Agenda ParameterAcceptableNot in this report

Registration requirements: Met Fully

  • The school surpassed its 2021 Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) target by 88 points.
  • The 2016 PIRLS score of 451, was below the international benchmark.
  • In 2021, the Grade 4 students score of 539 was significantly above the school target.
  • Emirati students made a gain of 40 points.
  • However, the external benchmark assessments in English, mathematics and science showed many weak judgements, particularly in Middle.

Earlier reports

  • 2022–23: Overall, the school’s progression to achieve the UAE National Agenda targets — meets expectations
  • 2019–20: Overall, the school’s progression to achieve the UAE National Agenda targets — meets expectations
  • 2018–19: Impact of Leadership — is approaching expectations
  • 2017–18: Overall, the school's provision for achieving National Agenda targets — is below expectations
  • 2016–17: Attainment based on the National Agenda Parameter benchmarks — is below expectations
  • 2015–16: Progress towards meeting the National Agenda targets — as expected

Recognised by UAE universities?

UAE universities ask for the Ministry of Education’s equivalency of the Grade 12 certificate. For this school’s curriculum, the student needs:

  • American: five approved subjects a year in Grades 10 to 12 (D or 60%), an English score (EmSAT 1100, IELTS 5.0 or TOEFL iBT 61) and a maths score (EmSAT 500 or SAT 450). Without the scores, the equivalency is limited.

Arab students also need Arabic, and Muslim students Islamic Studies, in each of the last three years.
KHDA attests the certificate first. Ask the school which body accredits it.Source Ministry of Education, equivalency service, read 24 September 2026 (opens in a new tab)

  1. Back to text, source A

School life

Sports and activities

What the school lists on its own website and what KHDA’s inspectors mention in their reports. An activity missing here may still be offered.

Music

  • Choir & singing · Choir Club

Art & design

  • Art · Art Club

Science & technology

  • Robotics
  • Coding · developing apps
  • Science & engineering club · Biology Club · Physics Club
    ·

Facilities

  • Sports hall

Mentioned in earlier KHDA reports

  • Debate & public speaking
  • Swimming
  • Drama

Also mentioned: Emirati club, Human Rights Club, Journalism, Journalism Club, Career Committee, Mad Science, Techno Innovation Club, Social and Moral Club, English club, Health club, French Club, Arabic Club

Source Source A: School website, read 2026-09-23

  1. Back to text, source A

    School website, read 23 September 2026

    Checked 23 September 2026.

What the school offers

As the 2023–24 inspection report mentions them. Inspectors name these in passing, so this is not the school's full list: something not named here may still be offered. A line's page opens the report's sentence.

Languages besides English

  • Arabic · Arabic is taught in KG1 and KG2 for 250 minutes a week divided into five lessons, with both Arab and non-Arab children taught together.

Courses after 16

  • Advanced Placement · Advanced Placement (AP)

External examinations

  • California

Facilities

  • Elementary library

Support for students of determination and the gifted

  • A well-established process ensures the early identification of students’ needs and informs the planning of interventions and accommodations. p. 18
  • The identification of gifted and talented students has improved, and support is now available to them. p. 18
  • A qualified and experienced teacher heads the inclusion team of learning support teachers and assistants. p. 19
  • Students with significant needs have individual education plans (IEPs) or behavior intervention plans (BIP) which guide personalized support and accommodations in lessons. p. 19
  • Learning support teachers (LSAs) deliver relevant and supportive interventions. p. 19

Source Source A: Full Inspection Report 2023–24

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On the school's website

What the school says about itself on aisch.ae, read on 22 September 2026. The school's own words, not checked by KHDA; a figure here is the school's own count. The site's name beside a line opens that page.

Where leavers go

Admissions

School buses

Source Source A: School website, read 2026-09-22

  1. Back to text, source A

    School website, read 22 September 2026

    Checked 22 September 2026.

Fees

Tuition across 14 year groupsNote 1

AED 13,405 to AED 21,732Source A: Fees Fact Sheet 2026–27

KG1 to Grade 12, 2026–27

Year group

Fees for American International School
Compare with

Tuition is the same as in 2025–26 for every year group.

Annual tuition by year group, American International School, 2026–27 compared with 2025–26

Year group2026–27Source A: Fees Fact Sheet 2026–272025–26Source B: Fees Fact Sheet 2025–26
Foundation Stage
KG1AED 13,405AED 13,405
KG2AED 13,405AED 13,405
Primary
Grade 1AED 14,314AED 14,314
Grade 2AED 14,314AED 14,314
Grade 3AED 14,314AED 14,314
Grade 4AED 15,422AED 15,422
Grade 5AED 15,422AED 15,422
Grade 6AED 15,422AED 15,422
Secondary
Grade 7AED 17,919AED 17,919
Grade 8AED 17,919AED 17,919
Grade 9AED 17,919AED 17,919
Grade 10AED 19,520AED 19,520
Post-16
Grade 11AED 20,653AED 20,653
Grade 12AED 21,732AED 21,732

Checked 16 September 2026.

  1. Back to text, note 1

    The range names the lowest and highest tuition on one Fees Fact Sheet. Fees are never averaged across year groups.

  2. Back to text, source A

    Fees Fact Sheet 2026–27

    Tuition for 14 year groups.

    Checked 16 September 2026.

  3. Back to text, source B

    Fees Fact Sheet 2025–26

    Tuition for 14 year groups.

    Checked 16 September 2026.

  4. Back to text, note 2

    Change compares the same year group in the two fact sheets. Fees are never averaged across year groups.

What a year costs, 2026–27

Choose a year group above to see KHDA's total for it, what the school requires you to buy, and the services you can add.

Findings

9 findings in the last report: 5 strengths, 4 development points, 2 recurring across the last 5 reports.

Group by

Checked 16 September 2026.

Early years

Note 1

1 strength

  • StrengthKG

    Children’s good achievement in KG

    Full Inspection Report 2023–24, page 5, paragraph 3

Personal development and wellbeing

2 strengths

  • Strength

    Students’ very good personal development and awareness of Islamic values

    Full Inspection Report 2023–24, page 5, paragraph 4

  • StrengthMiddle and High

    Excellent opportunities for student leadership in Middle and High

    Full Inspection Report 2023–24, page 5, paragraph 5

Parents and community

1 strength

  • Strength

    The positive partnerships with parents

    Full Inspection Report 2023–24, page 5, paragraph 6

Teaching

1 strength

  • Strength

    The good teaching across all phases

    Full Inspection Report 2023–24, page 5, paragraph 7

Attainment and progress

1 development point

  • Development required, recurring in 2 of the last 5 reportsNote 2

    Raise students’ performance in external benchmark assessments.

    Full Inspection Report 2023–24, page 5, paragraph 9

Staffing, facilities and resources

1 development point

  • Development required

    Improve the staffing, resources and facilities by: - ensuring adequate provision for science, music, art and design, digital learning and sport, - recruiting suitably US experienced and qualified staff, and - ensuring that teaching spaces are conducive to active learning.

    Full Inspection Report 2023–24, page 5, paragraph 10

Assessment

1 development point

  • Development required

    Ensure all assessment processes provide accurate measures of students’ progress and attainment.

    Full Inspection Report 2023–24, page 5, paragraph 14

Leadership and self-evaluation

1 development point

  • Development required, recurring in 4 of the last 5 reports

    Improve the school’s self-evaluation by ensuring that all judgements of its performance are accurate and form a reliable base for improvement planning

    Full Inspection Report 2023–24, page 5, paragraph 15

Findings from 1 of 11 reports

  1. Back to text, note 1

    Topics follow the order of the KHDA inspection framework, not how good or bad a finding is.

  2. Back to text, note 2

    Recurring counts the school’s last 5 reports, 2017–18 to 2023–24. Findings come only from Full Inspection Reports, never from Parent Reports.

History

14 KHDA inspection reports on file, 2008–09 to 2023–24.

History of American International School
Rating

Overall rating by academic year, newest first

  1. 2026–27Inspections resume this year. No report yet.
  2. 2024–25 and 2025–26KHDA paused full inspections. The 2023–24 rating is still the latest. About the pause
  3. 2023–24GoodUp from AcceptableNote 1Full Inspection Report 2023–24 (opens in a new tab) PDF
  4. 2022–23AcceptableSame as 2019–20Full Inspection Report 2022–23 (opens in a new tab) PDF
  5. 2020–21 and 2021–22No inspection.
  6. 2019–20AcceptableSame as 2018–19Full Inspection Report 2019–20 (opens in a new tab) PDF
  7. 2018–19AcceptableSame as 2017–18Full Inspection Report 2018–19 (opens in a new tab) PDF
  8. 2017–18AcceptableSame as 2016–17Full Inspection Report 2017–18 (opens in a new tab) PDF
  9. 2016–17AcceptableSame as 2015–16Full Inspection Report 2016–17 (opens in a new tab) PDF
  10. 2015–16AcceptableSame as 2014–15Full Inspection Report 2015–16 (opens in a new tab) PDF
  11. Six-level scale starts in 2015–16. Earlier reports used four levels.
  12. 2014–15AcceptableSame as 2013–14Full Inspection Report 2014–15 (opens in a new tab) PDF
  13. 2013–14AcceptableSame as 2012–13Full Inspection Report 2013–14 (opens in a new tab) PDF
  14. 2012–13AcceptableSame as 2011–12Full Inspection Report 2012–13 (opens in a new tab) PDF
  15. 2011–12AcceptableSame as 2010–11Full Inspection Report 2011–12 (opens in a new tab) PDF
  16. 2010–11AcceptableSame as 2009–10Full Inspection Report 2010–11 (opens in a new tab) PDF
  17. 2009–10AcceptableSame as 2008–09Full Inspection Report 2009–10 (opens in a new tab) PDF
  18. 2008–09AcceptableFirst reportFull Inspection Report 2008–09 (opens in a new tab) PDF

Checked 16 September 2026.

  1. Back to text, note 1

    Change compares each report with the school’s previous report. Years with no inspection are skipped, never counted as a change.

Snapshots by year

Students and staff by academic year, American International School

YearStudentsTeachersTeacher turnover
2024–252,809Not availableNot available
2023–242,744151Not available
2022–232,43715117%
2021–222,343Not availableNot available
2020–212,314Not availableNot available
2019–202,69617231%
2018–192,47317233%
2017–182,45017231%
2016–172,598174Not available
2015–162,48517042%
2014–152,34914337%
2013–142,301Not availableNot available
2012–132,251Not availableNot available
2011–121,794Not availableNot available
2010–111,865Not availableNot available

Not available: KHDA did not publish that figure for the year.

Sources

Every document behind this page. Official documents open on the KHDA site in a new tab.

Full Inspection Reports · PDF, English

Parent Reports · PDF, English

A shorter summary for parents. Findings and answers use the Full Inspection Report.

Fees Fact Sheets · web page, English

KHDA school directory · web page, English

KHDA school directory 2026–27 (opens in a new tab)KHDA school directory 2024–25 (opens in a new tab)KHDA school directory 2023–24 (opens in a new tab)KHDA school directory 2022–23 (opens in a new tab)KHDA school directory 2021–22 (opens in a new tab)KHDA school directory 2020–21 (opens in a new tab)KHDA school directory 2019–20 (opens in a new tab)KHDA school directory 2018–19 (opens in a new tab)KHDA school directory 2017–18 (opens in a new tab)KHDA school directory 2016–17 (opens in a new tab)KHDA school directory 2015–16 (opens in a new tab)KHDA school directory 2014–15 (opens in a new tab)KHDA school directory 2013–14 (opens in a new tab)KHDA school directory 2012–13 (opens in a new tab)KHDA school directory 2011–12 (opens in a new tab)

School website · web page, English