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Our Founding
The American International School in Abu Dhabi was established in 1995 by ESOL Education to serve the American and expatriate communities living in the UAE capital, alongside members of the local community. From day one, the school's purpose was to deliver a rigorous, American-standards education paired with an international curriculum.
AISA is one of a family of international schools in the Middle East operated by Esol Education — a network that shares a common philosophy of American-accredited, globally-minded schooling.
1995
Al Zahraa, 29th Street off Airport Road, Abu Dhabi Island
Milestones
AISA opens its doors
ESOL Education founds the American International School in Abu Dhabi to bring American-standards education to the UAE capital's international community.
First U.S. accreditation
AISA is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSA) — the school's first formal U.S. recognition.
Leading the UAE into the IB
AISA becomes the first school in the UAE to offer the IB Diploma Programme, and later the first in Abu Dhabi to be authorised for the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP).
International accreditation
AISA is accredited by the Council of International Schools (CIS), joining a global network of quality-assured international schools.
A global learning community
Around 1,380 students from roughly 75 countries study alongside a faculty drawn from more than 25 nationalities — across the U.S. Curriculum, the IB PYP (KG–5), and the IB Diploma Programme (Grades 11–12).
Programmes & Accreditations
- → U.S. Curriculum & IB PYP — KG through Grade 5, combining American standards with the IB Primary Years Programme's inquiry-led framework.
- → U.S. Curriculum — Grades 6–10, preparing students for the Diploma Programme.
- → IB Diploma Programme — Grades 11–12, the college-preparatory qualification AISA pioneered in the UAE.
- ✓ Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSA) — first accredited in October 1997.
- ✓ Council of International Schools (CIS) — accredited in January 2010.
- ✓ International Baccalaureate World School — authorised for the PYP and Diploma Programme.
- ✓ ADEK — licensed and regulated by the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge.
AISA was the first school in the UAE to offer the International Baccalaureate Diploma, and the first school in Abu Dhabi to be authorised for the IB Primary Years Programme — two milestones that shaped the country's international-curriculum landscape.
Speak AISA
Acronyms come fast at international schools. Tap each card to flip it.
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FlipIB's inquiry-led programme for KG–Grade 5.
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FlipThe IB college-prep qualification for Grades 11–12.
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FlipAISA's U.S. accrediting body since October 1997.
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FlipInternational accrediting body — AISA joined in January 2010.
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FlipThe regulator for all Abu Dhabi schools, including AISA.
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FlipThe behaviour framework behind The Lion's Way.
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FlipThe department behind this Learning Hub — your home base for PD.
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FlipAISA's subcommittee steering AI policy, ethics, and scaffolding.
Our Mission & Values
The school's official statements are maintained by the governance team; the summaries below are working drafts until they're replaced with the current wording from official AISA documents.
Mission
To provide an international curriculum in a safe, multicultural environment that inspires globally-minded, critical thinkers to take responsibility for their society.
Vision
To graduate future leaders who are ready to meet life's challenges and grasp its opportunities with confidence, compassion, and curiosity.
The Lion's Way
AISA's schoolwide behaviour and character framework, anchored by the House system and Positive Behavioural Interventions and Supports (PBIS).
The People
AISA's faculty is drawn from more than 25 countries, with the largest groups coming from the United States, South Africa, and Canada. Roughly 131 teachers serve about 1,277 students, giving AISA a student-to-teacher ratio of approximately 1:10, well below the Abu Dhabi private-school average.
From the founding team at ESOL Education to today's Board of Directors, Heads of School, and programme leaders, AISA has been shaped by educators who believe international schooling should be rigorous, inclusive, and rooted in community. Named bios, portraits, and a full leadership timeline will be added as the governance team finalises this section.
— Leadership names and photos to be added by the governance team.
Ready to join the pride?
Four quick questions to see what stuck. No grading — just bragging rights.
1. What year did AISA open?
2. AISA was the first school in the UAE to offer…
3. Roughly how many nationalities are represented at AISA?
4. What does ADEK stand for?
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