American School Dubai

American curriculum, Al Barsha Second, Pre-KG–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

Wellbeing Dubai focus area

Very good

2023–24

Inclusion Dubai focus area

Very 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
Pre-KG–Grade 12
Gender
Co-educational Source B: Full Inspection Report 2023–24
Report wording: Boys and girls
Languages of instruction
English
Founded
1973

Students and staff

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

Students, 2024–⁠25
2,058 Source A: KHDA school directory 2024–25
Students of determination
161 Source B: Full Inspection Report 2023–24
Largest nationality group
American Source B: Full Inspection Report 2023–24
KHDA gives no share. Context only, never used in results.

Leadership

Principal at the 2023–⁠24 inspection
Stephen Lawrence Druggan Source B: Full Inspection Report 2023–24
Appointed 8 Jan 2022, as the report prints it. The current principal is under Contact.
Principals since 2011–⁠12
4 changes of principal
Dr. Harold Fleetham, 2011–12 → Dr. Brent Mutsch, 2012–13 to 2016–17 → Dr. Paul Richards, 2017–18 to 2019–20 → Stephen Lawrence Druggan, 2022–23 to 2023–24 → Jennifer Lynn Sparrow, in KHDA's directory on 2026-09-18

Contact

Address
Al Barsha Second
Phone and email
+971 4 395 0005superintendent@asdubai.orgPrincipal: Jennifer Lynn Sparrow
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

    Same as 2022–23 Earlier: Good in 13 reports.

  2. WellbeingStudents’ personal development and wellbeing

    Very good

    First rated in 2023–24

  3. InclusionProvision for students of determination

    Very good

    Same as 2022–23 Earlier: Very good in 2 reports.

  4. LeadershipLeadership and management

    Acceptable

    Same as 2022–23 Earlier: Acceptable in 1 report.

Checked 16 September 2026.

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 learningOutstandingOutstandingOutstandingOutstanding
AssessmentOutstandingVery goodVery goodVery good
CurriculumCurriculum design and implementationOutstandingGoodWeakWeak
Adapting the curriculumCurriculum adaptationOutstandingVery goodVery goodVery good
SafeguardingHealth and safety, including child protectionOutstandingOutstandingOutstandingOutstanding

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

Students' achievements span from weak to outstanding across key subjects, with notable strengths in English, mathematics, and science. However, weaknesses are identified in outcomes for Arabic and Islamic education. Almost all lessons see highly engaged students collaborating effectively, applying their learning to real-world scenarios, and making connections between different areas of study. The diverse range of achievements and active engagement reflect a dynamic learning environment.

Personal and social development

Students exhibit positive attitudes towards learning and their school. Their behavior is consistently strong in lessons and on campus. They showcase a strong understanding of Islamic values, UAE culture, and global cultures. The school's strength lies in students' social contribution and environmental awareness. Students take the initiative to lead projects that make a positive impact on the environment and the lives of others.

Teaching, curriculum and care

Teaching quality is exceptional across all phases, with teachers providing numerous opportunities for students to engage with technology in projects and group work. The school efficiently collects and analyses various types of assessment data, enabling teachers to use this information effectively in lesson planning and delivery. This cohesive approach significantly enhances the educational experience.

Wellbeing

Well-being is a high priority, deeply ingrained in the school's ethos and culture. Leaders actively prioritize and model well-being principles. A targeted professional development program enhances capacity for continuous improvement. The school's commitment to an aspirational well-being vision is evident. Comprehensive staff induction and personalized guidance contribute to high retention rates and job satisfaction. Curricular and extra-curricular programs support the well-being of both students and staff. Most students feel a strong sense of belonging and express high levels of positivity within the school community.

Inclusion

The principal and governing board foster a highly inclusive ethos, reflected in sustained investment in special needs. The well-qualified head of inclusion leads an adept team. On-entry assessments effectively identify learning needs. Targeted interventions significantly enhance learning outcomes. Most parents actively participate in developing their child's personalized program. Skillful personalized learning support enables students to overcome barriers. However, students relying on subject teacher support may experience variability in the quality of assistance. Samples of work and teacher assessments indicate better-than-expected progress for almost all students.

Leadership and management

The school principal communicates a clear vision and mission to all stakeholders. While improvement plans have made limited progress in addressing the last inspection report recommendations, strong partnerships with parents have been established. Governors, familiar with the school, hold leaders accountable but have not ensured meeting all statutory requirements. The school boasts excellent resources and staffing, supporting high-quality teaching and learning.

  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 · 185 school days

First midterm break
12 Oct 2026 to 16 Oct 20265 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 School Dubai

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

SubjectFoundation StagePrimarySecondary
Islamic EducationNot in this reportWeakWeak
ArabicNot in this reportWeakWeak
EnglishOutstandingOutstandingOutstanding
MathematicsOutstandingOutstandingOutstanding
ScienceOutstandingOutstandingOutstanding

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 School Dubai

Islamic Education, by inspection report

Rated2015–162016–172017–182018–192019–202022–232023–24
Islamic Education attainmentMiddleWeakWeakWeakWeakWeakWeakWeak
Islamic Education attainmentElementaryWeakWeakWeakWeakWeakWeakWeak
Islamic Education attainmentHighWeakWeakWeakWeakWeakWeakWeak
Islamic Education progressMiddleWeakWeakWeakWeakWeakWeakWeak
Islamic Education progressElementaryWeakWeakWeakWeakWeakWeakWeak
Islamic Education progressHighWeakWeakWeakWeakWeakWeakWeak

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 AchievementVery goodGood
Leadership: International and Emirati AchievementVery goodNot in this report
Teaching and Learning: Improving reading literacyVery goodGood
Overall school standards in the National Agenda ParameterVery goodNot in this report

Registration requirements: Met Fully

  • With an average score of 621, the school just exceeded its set target in PIRLS 2021 (Progress in International Reading Literacy Study).
  • In benchmark assessments, students sustained an outstanding level in English, mathematics, and science over two years.
  • The school's most recent reading literacy skills assessment shows that a large majority of students’ reading literacy scores are above age-related expectations.

Earlier reports

  • 2022–23: Overall, the school’s progression to achieve the UAE National Agenda targets — is above expectations
  • 2019–20: Overall, the school’s progression to achieve its UAE National Agenda targets — is above expectations
  • 2018–19: Overall, the schools progress toward achieving the UAE's National Agenda targets — meets expectations
  • 2017–18: Overall, the school's provision for achieving its National Agenda targets — meets expectations
  • 2016–17: Overall, the school’s improvement towards achieving its National Agenda targets — meets expectations
  • 2015–16: no verdict read

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.

Ball sports

  • Football · Soccer · Season 2
  • Basketball · Season 2
  • Volleyball · Season 1

Water sports

  • Swimming · Season 1 · Aquatics program

Racket sports

  • Tennis · Season 2
  • Badminton · Season 3
  • Table tennis

Individual sports

  • Athletics · Cross-Country · Season 2
  • Climbing · Climbing Club
  • Golf · Season 1, Grade 8
  • Yoga & fitness · Fitness Club

Theatre

  • Drama · Middle School students · Thespian Society
  • Musicals · Full-scale Musical Productions

Music

  • Choir & singing · Choir · Middle School students
  • Orchestra & bands · Band · Middle School students

Art & design

  • Photography & film · Film · Middle School students
  • Design & fashion · Design Club

Science & technology

  • Coding · Computer Engineering
  • Science & engineering club · Mu Alpha Theta (Math Honor Society) · Science Club

Debate & strategy

  • Debate & public speaking · Debate Club
  • Model United Nations · Model United Nations (MUN)
  • Chess · Chess Club

Facilities

  • Sports courts
  • Swimming pool
    ·
  • Makerspace
  • Theatre or auditorium
  • Sports hall
  • Art studio
  • Playing field
  • Music rooms

Mentioned in earlier KHDA reports

  • Art
  • Scouts & guides

Also mentioned: Wrestling, Baseball, Softball, Rollerblading, Food Revolution Cooking Club, World Scholar's Cup, Edible Education, Roots & Shoots, SEENAH, Global Issues Network, Sustain Our World, Global Issues in Action

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 · Children in KG have five 25-minute periods of Arabic per week. Arabs and non-Arabs are combined and taught the same content.

Courses after 16

  • Advanced Placement · AP courses

External examinations

  • AP

Facilities

  • Libraries
  • Laboratories
  • Sporting facilities

Support for students of determination and the gifted

  • Excellent systems enable the swift identification of students of determination and those with gifts and talents. p. 18
  • Specialist staff and a school-based educational psychologist use carefully selected assessments to identify accurately the specific needs of most students of determination. p. 19
  • Targeted and expertly delivered interventions significantly improve student learning outcomes. p. 19

Source Source A: Full Inspection Report 2023–24

  1. Back to text, source A

On the school's website

What the school says about itself on asdubai.org, 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.

Class size

Admissions

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 15 year groupsNote 1

AED 60,571 to AED 89,319Source A: Fees Fact Sheet 2026–27

Pre-KG to Grade 12, 2026–27

Year group

Fees for American School Dubai
Compare with

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

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

Year group2026–27Source A: Fees Fact Sheet 2026–272025–26Source B: Fees Fact Sheet 2025–26
Foundation Stage
Pre-KGAED 60,571AED 60,571
KG1AED 64,092AED 64,092
KG2AED 69,961AED 69,961
Primary
Grade 1AED 89,319AED 89,319
Grade 2AED 89,319AED 89,319
Grade 3AED 89,319AED 89,319
Grade 4AED 89,319AED 89,319
Grade 5AED 89,319AED 89,319
Grade 6AED 89,319AED 89,319
Secondary
Grade 7AED 89,319AED 89,319
Grade 8AED 89,319AED 89,319
Grade 9AED 89,319AED 89,319
Grade 10AED 89,319AED 89,319
Post-16
Grade 11AED 89,319AED 89,319
Grade 12AED 89,319AED 89,319

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 15 year groups.

    Checked 16 September 2026.

  3. Back to text, source B

    Fees Fact Sheet 2025–26

    Tuition for 15 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

7 findings in the last report: 4 strengths, 3 development points, 2 recurring across the last 5 reports.

Group by

Checked 16 September 2026.

Teaching

Note 1

2 strengths

  • StrengthKindergarten (KG)

    Teachers’ excellent practices in the Kindergarten (KG) leading to children’s strong achievement

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

  • Strength

    The highly effective teaching and learning in most subjects and high achievement in English, mathematics and science

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

Parents and community

1 strength

  • Strength

    The very strong partnerships with parents and the community, and the high quality of care and support provided for all students

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

Personal development and wellbeing

1 strength

  • Strength

    Students’ exceptional personal and social development and their contributions to the school and the wider community

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

Islamic Education

2 development points

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

    Ensure that the provision of Islamic Education and Arabic, as an additional language, is fully compliant with the MoE statutory requirements.

    Full Inspection Report 2023–24, page 5, paragraph 8

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

    Improve the quality of teaching and raise students’ achievement in Islamic Education and Arabic as a first, and as an additional language.

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

Assessment

1 development point

  • Development required

    Ensure that assessments are more closely aligned with the expectations of the UAE Inspection Framework.

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

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 School Dubai
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. 2023–24GoodSame as 2022–23Note 1Full Inspection Report 2023–24 (opens in a new tab) PDF
  4. 2022–23GoodSame as 2019–20Full Inspection Report 2022–23 (opens in a new tab) PDF
  5. 2020–21 and 2021–22No inspection.
  6. 2019–20GoodSame as 2018–19Full Inspection Report 2019–20 (opens in a new tab) PDF
  7. 2018–19GoodSame as 2017–18Full Inspection Report 2018–19 (opens in a new tab) PDF
  8. 2017–18GoodSame as 2016–17Full Inspection Report 2017–18 (opens in a new tab) PDF
  9. 2016–17GoodSame as 2015–16Full Inspection Report 2016–17 (opens in a new tab) PDF
  10. 2015–16GoodSame 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. 2014–15GoodSame as 2013–14Full Inspection Report 2014–15 (opens in a new tab) PDF
  13. 2013–14GoodSame as 2012–13Full Inspection Report 2013–14 (opens in a new tab) PDF
  14. 2012–13GoodSame as 2011–12Full Inspection Report 2012–13 (opens in a new tab) PDF
  15. 2011–12GoodSame as 2010–11Full Inspection Report 2011–12 (opens in a new tab) PDF
  16. 2010–11GoodSame as 2009–10Full Inspection Report 2010–11 (opens in a new tab) PDF
  17. 2009–10GoodSame as 2008–09Full Inspection Report 2009–10 (opens in a new tab) PDF
  18. 2008–09GoodFirst 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 School Dubai

YearStudentsTeachersTeacher turnover
2024–252,058Not availableNot available
2023–242,061169Not available
2022–232,02616914%
2021–221,990Not availableNot available
2020–211,829Not availableNot available
2019–201,84218715%
2018–191,82218715%
2017–181,811188Not available
2016–171,79518113%
2015–161,78014915%
2014–151,62714717%
2013–141,811Not availableNot available
2012–131,666Not availableNot available
2011–121,646Not availableNot available
2010–111,338Not 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.