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
Overall rating
Earlier reports
Wellbeing Dubai focus area
Inclusion Dubai focus area
Checked 16 September 2026.
- Back to text, source A
Full Inspection Report 2023–24
Checked 16 September 2026.
- 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.
- 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
- Languages of instruction
- English
- Founded
- 1973
- External examinations
- AP Source B: Full Inspection Report 2023–24
- Accreditation
- MSA Source B: Full Inspection Report 2023–24
- Extra-curricular activities
- Football, Basketball, Volleyball, Swimming and more, 22 confirmed
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
- Teachers
- 169 Source B: Full Inspection Report 2023–24
- Students of determination
- 161 Source B: Full Inspection Report 2023–24
- Emirati students
- 29 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.
- Guidance counsellors
- 13 Source B: Full Inspection Report 2023–24
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
- Back to text, source A
KHDA school directory 2024–25
Checked 16 September 2026.
- Back to text, source B
Full Inspection Report 2023–24
Page 3
Checked 16 September 2026.
- 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)
OverallOverall performance
Same as 2022–23 Earlier: Good in 13 reports.
WellbeingStudents’ personal development and wellbeing
First rated in 2023–24
InclusionProvision for students of determination
Same as 2022–23 Earlier: Very good in 2 reports.
LeadershipLeadership and management
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.
| Area | KG | Elementary | Middle | High |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TeachingTeaching for effective learning | ||||
| Assessment | ||||
| CurriculumCurriculum design and implementation | ||||
| Adapting the curriculumCurriculum adaptation | ||||
| SafeguardingHealth and safety, including child protection |
- Back to text, source A
Full Inspection Report 2023–24
Page 6
Checked 16 September 2026.
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.
- 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).
- Back to text, source A
KHDA school directory 2026–27
Checked 16 September 2026.
Academics
Attainment by subject and phase, 2023–24KHDA words for each subject in each phase.
| Subject | Foundation Stage | Primary | Secondary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Islamic Education | Not in this report | ||
| Arabic | Not in this report | ||
| English | |||
| Mathematics | |||
| Science |
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 DubaiIslamic Education, by inspection report
| Rated | 2015–16 | 2016–17 | 2017–18 | 2018–19 | 2019–20 | 2022–23 | 2023–24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Islamic Education attainmentMiddle | |||||||
| Islamic Education attainmentElementary | |||||||
| Islamic Education attainmentHigh | |||||||
| Islamic Education progressMiddle | |||||||
| Islamic Education progressElementary | |||||||
| Islamic Education progressHigh |
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
| Aspect | Whole school | Emirati cohort |
|---|---|---|
| International and Benchmark Achievement | ||
| Leadership: International and Emirati Achievement | Not in this report | |
| Teaching and Learning: Improving reading literacy | ||
| Overall school standards in the National Agenda Parameter | Not 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)
- Back to text, source A
Full Inspection Report 2023–24
Page 6
Checked 16 September 2026.
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
- 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
- Back to text, source A
Full Inspection Report 2023–24
Page 3
Checked 16 September 2026.
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
- «Grades PreK – 2 have a homeroom teacher plus an instructional assistant for each class.» asdubai.org on the school's website, opens in a new tab
- «Grades 3-5 share instructional assistants.» asdubai.org on the school's website, opens in a new tab
- «The Elementary School maintains a classroom size between 16 and 22, with six sections for each grade.» asdubai.org on the school's website, opens in a new tab
- «The Middle School maintains a maximum of 24 students per class, and the High School maintains a maximum of 24 students per class.» asdubai.org on the school's website, opens in a new tab
Admissions
- «Applications for the 27-28 school year will open on September 15, 2026.» asdubai.org on the school's website, opens in a new tab
- «Application Deadline for PreK-K2: October 31, 2026» asdubai.org on the school's website, opens in a new tab
- «Admission Decision Notifications: December 9, 2026» asdubai.org on the school's website, opens in a new tab
- «Application Deadline for Grades 1-12: January 31, 2027» asdubai.org on the school's website, opens in a new tab
- 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
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 group | 2026–27Source A: Fees Fact Sheet 2026–27 | 2025–26Source B: Fees Fact Sheet 2025–26 |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation Stage | ||
| Pre-KG | AED 60,571 | AED 60,571 |
| KG1 | AED 64,092 | AED 64,092 |
| KG2 | AED 69,961 | AED 69,961 |
| Primary | ||
| Grade 1 | AED 89,319 | AED 89,319 |
| Grade 2 | AED 89,319 | AED 89,319 |
| Grade 3 | AED 89,319 | AED 89,319 |
| Grade 4 | AED 89,319 | AED 89,319 |
| Grade 5 | AED 89,319 | AED 89,319 |
| Grade 6 | AED 89,319 | AED 89,319 |
| Secondary | ||
| Grade 7 | AED 89,319 | AED 89,319 |
| Grade 8 | AED 89,319 | AED 89,319 |
| Grade 9 | AED 89,319 | AED 89,319 |
| Grade 10 | AED 89,319 | AED 89,319 |
| Post-16 | ||
| Grade 11 | AED 89,319 | AED 89,319 |
| Grade 12 | AED 89,319 | AED 89,319 |
Checked 16 September 2026.
- 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.
- Back to text, source A
Fees Fact Sheet 2026–27
Tuition for 15 year groups.
Checked 16 September 2026.
- Back to text, source B
Fees Fact Sheet 2025–26
Tuition for 15 year groups.
Checked 16 September 2026.
- 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.
Teaching
Note 12 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
- Back to text, note 1
Topics follow the order of the KHDA inspection framework, not how good or bad a finding is.
- 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 DubaiOverall rating by academic year, newest first
- 2026–27Inspections resume this year. No report yet.
- 2024–25 and 2025–26KHDA paused full inspections. The 2023–24 rating is still the latest. About the pause
- 2023–24Same as 2022–23Note 1Full Inspection Report 2023–24 (opens in a new tab)
- 2022–23Same as 2019–20Full Inspection Report 2022–23 (opens in a new tab)
- 2020–21 and 2021–22No inspection.
- 2019–20Same as 2018–19Full Inspection Report 2019–20 (opens in a new tab)
- 2018–19Same as 2017–18Full Inspection Report 2018–19 (opens in a new tab)
- 2017–18Same as 2016–17Full Inspection Report 2017–18 (opens in a new tab)
- 2016–17Same as 2015–16Full Inspection Report 2016–17 (opens in a new tab)
- 2015–16Same as 2014–15Full Inspection Report 2015–16 (opens in a new tab)
- Six-level scale starts in 2015–16. Earlier reports used four levels.
- 2014–15Same as 2013–14Full Inspection Report 2014–15 (opens in a new tab)
- 2013–14Same as 2012–13Full Inspection Report 2013–14 (opens in a new tab)
- 2012–13Same as 2011–12Full Inspection Report 2012–13 (opens in a new tab)
- 2011–12Same as 2010–11Full Inspection Report 2011–12 (opens in a new tab)
- 2010–11Same as 2009–10Full Inspection Report 2010–11 (opens in a new tab)
- 2009–10Same as 2008–09Full Inspection Report 2009–10 (opens in a new tab)
- 2008–09First reportFull Inspection Report 2008–09 (opens in a new tab)
Checked 16 September 2026.
- 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
| Year | Students | Teachers | Teacher turnover |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024–25 | 2,058 | Not available | Not available |
| 2023–24 | 2,061 | 169 | Not available |
| 2022–23 | 2,026 | 169 | 14% |
| 2021–22 | 1,990 | Not available | Not available |
| 2020–21 | 1,829 | Not available | Not available |
| 2019–20 | 1,842 | 187 | 15% |
| 2018–19 | 1,822 | 187 | 15% |
| 2017–18 | 1,811 | 188 | Not available |
| 2016–17 | 1,795 | 181 | 13% |
| 2015–16 | 1,780 | 149 | 15% |
| 2014–15 | 1,627 | 147 | 17% |
| 2013–14 | 1,811 | Not available | Not available |
| 2012–13 | 1,666 | Not available | Not available |
| 2011–12 | 1,646 | Not available | Not available |
| 2010–11 | 1,338 | Not available | Not 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
- Full Inspection Report 2023–24 (opens in a new tab)
- Full Inspection Report 2022–23 (opens in a new tab)
- Full Inspection Report 2019–20 (opens in a new tab)
- Full Inspection Report 2018–19 (opens in a new tab)
- Full Inspection Report 2017–18 (opens in a new tab)
- Full Inspection Report 2016–17 (opens in a new tab)
- Full Inspection Report 2015–16 (opens in a new tab)
- Full Inspection Report 2014–15 (opens in a new tab)
- Full Inspection Report 2013–14 (opens in a new tab)
- Full Inspection Report 2012–13 (opens in a new tab)
- Full Inspection Report 2011–12 (opens in a new tab)
- Full Inspection Report 2010–11 (opens in a new tab)
- Full Inspection Report 2009–10 (opens in a new tab)
- Full Inspection Report 2008–09 (opens in a new tab)
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)