Cities / Abu Dhabi / GEMS World Academy Abu Dhabi
GEMS World Academy Abu Dhabi
Full IB Continuum school (PYP, MYP, DP, CP) on Al Reem Island, FS1-Y13, ADEK Very Good (2024-25). 2025-2026 fees AED 55,420-73,890/year including textbooks; new campus opened 2022 with capacity for 1,866 students.
In brief
A premium IB through-school on Al Reem Island, run by GEMS, rated Very Good by ADEK and CIS-accredited.
Opened in 2011 and moved to a purpose-built Reem Island campus in 2022. Around 1,000 students across 80-plus nationalities, with no dominant group. The full IB continuum sits over the National Curriculum for England in primary, with IGCSE woven into MYP at secondary. The Diploma and Career-related Programme are scheduled to launch from August 2026, so current senior years are still building out.
Parents talk about strong international community, attentive teachers and engaged leadership. Inspection signal flags maths and science attainment as Good rather than Very Good across most phases, which families benchmarking against Cranleigh or BSAK should weigh.
Fees sit firmly in the premium bracket. Best fit for globally mobile families who actively want IB continuity rather than a UK or US qualification.
Fees
| Fee | Age | Type | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| FS1 | 3 | Annual | AED 55,420 |
| FS2-Year 1 | 4 | Annual | AED 59,530 |
| Year 2-Year 6 | 7 | Annual | AED 65,680 |
| Year 7-Year 10 | 12 | Annual | AED 67,740 |
| Year 11-Year 13 | 16 | Annual | AED 73,890 |
| Admission Fee (5% of annual tuition - new students) | One-time | AED 2,771 |
Reviews
- Mixed-to-cautious online reputation. ADEK rated it Very Good in May 2024, with Outstanding in personal development, social responsibility, safeguarding and parents-and-community.
- Maths and science attainment was flagged at Good rather than Very Good across most phases, and ADEK noted students of determination making weak progress in English-medium subjects.
- , 86% of parents would recommend the school. Around a quarter of respondents flagged concerns about disciplinary policy and bullying.
- International Schools Review carries a average from teacher reviews, which sneakpeekbot has surfaced multiple times. One r/dubai commenter recalled the original launch as overhyped, saying the Abu Dhabi opening "blew up badly".
- Parent testimony on the school's own marketing and on iSchoolAdvisor leans warm, particularly on pastoral care and an internationally diverse community.
Head of school
Shahina Ahmad OBE
Mrs Shahina Ahmad OBE brings over three decades of exceptional educational leadership to her role as Principal of GEMS World Academy Abu Dhabi. Recognised nationally for her service to education, she was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for her outstanding contribution to improving student outcomes and leading transformative change across schools in the UK. Her career began as an English teacher in Newham, London, before moving to Waltham Forest, where she held a number of senior leadership roles, including Vice Principal at Norlington School for Boys. Her success in raising achievement led to her appointment as an English Adviser with Waltham Forest Education Authority, where she supported multiple underperforming schools. In 2014, Mrs Ahmad became the founding Principal of Eden Girls’ School, Waltham Forest, part of the Star Academies Trust. Under her leadership, the school was rated ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted at its first inspection and went on to rank among the top-performing state schools in England, placing 13th nationally for pupil progress in the 2019 government league tables. Mrs Ahmad is known for establishing ambitious, high-performing school cultures rooted in care, aspiration and integrity. She has also contributed to national school improvement strategies by mentoring other school leaders across the Star Academies network. At GEMS World Academy Abu Dhabi, Mrs Ahmad leads with a clear focus on academic excellence, student wellbeing and preparing young people to thrive in a global context.
Accreditations
- Council of International Schools 01
Academic results
- ADEK Rating (2024-25) Very Good
- WSA parent rating 3.6/5 (18 reviews)