Cities / Abu Dhabi / Horizon Private School Branch
Horizon Private School Branch
A US curriculum school in Khalifa City with a majority-Emirati student body, opened in 2008.
In brief
A US curriculum school in Khalifa City with a majority-Emirati student body, opened in 2008.
Around 65 percent of students are Emirati, with the rest drawn from Jordan, Egypt, the US and 40-plus other nationalities. Programme follows Virginia-aligned Common Core with Arabic and French embedded alongside English. Fees span a wide range from KG to senior school.
ADEK rated the school Good in 2024-25, a step down from Very Good in 2022-23. Parent surveys land around 4.3 out of 5, with strong notes on teacher quality and active parent involvement. Older teacher commentary points to discipline and behaviour management as historic challenges.
Christopher Tompkins joined as principal in August 2025 from a senior NEOM education role. Best fit for families who want strong Arabic and Islamic studies alongside an American academic pathway and prefer an Emirati-majority peer group.
Fees
Annual fees
| Year level | Age | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-KG | 3 | AED 26,160 |
| KG1 | 4 | AED 27,660 |
| KG2 | 5 | AED 29,430 |
| Grade 1 | 6 | AED 31,820 |
| Grade 2 | 7 | AED 33,090 |
| Grade 3 | 8 | AED 34,340 |
| Grade 4 | 9 | AED 36,240 |
| Grade 5 | 10 | AED 37,500 |
| Grade 6 | 11 | AED 39,770 |
| Grade 7 | 12 | AED 41,840 |
| Grade 8 | 13 | AED 43,690 |
| Grade 9 | 14 | AED 46,260 |
| Grade 10 | 15 | AED 48,920 |
| Grade 11 | 16 | AED 52,460 |
| Grade 12 | 17 | AED 55,110 |
One-time fees
| Item | Age | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Registration | AED 500 |
Reviews
The Branch campus in Khalifa City A runs a US curriculum from PreK to Grade 12, with AP courses and SAT prep on the senior track, and a student body that leans heavily Emirati. ADEK rated the school Good in 2024/25, a step down from Very Good in 2022/23. Christopher Tompkins took over as principal in August 2025, after a long stretch under the previous head.
Positives
- Curriculum and university prep. Full US programme through to AP, with 13 AP courses on offer, Cognia accreditation, and College Board authorisation. SAT and AP results are part of how the school positions its senior years.
- Community and diversity. Predominantly Emirati intake, around sixty nationalities represented, and a campus culture that long-standing parents describe as warm and low on bullying.
Considerations
- ADEK rating direction. The 2024/25 ADEK rating dropped to Good from Very Good in 2022/23. The school sat among a small group downgraded that cycle.
- Value for money. Fees run roughly AED 23,000 at PreK to AED 45,570 in Grade 12, plus transport, books and uniform. Parent surveys split on whether that represents value, with a noticeable minority openly disagreeing and a larger group sitting on the fence.
- Leadership change. Christopher Tompkins arrived as principal in August 2025 after a long-serving predecessor. His background runs through independent, boarding and international schools, most recently founding the first two NEOM schools in Saudi Arabia.
Leadership
Mr. Christopher Tompkins
As Principal, I am honored to lead a community built on trust, excellence, and partnership. Horizon is more than a place of learning — it is a vibrant, inclusive family where every child is supported to grow intellectually, emotionally, and socially. Our outstanding faculty and staff are deeply committed to high standards, cultural identity, and the success of every learner.