Canadian International School, Abu Dhabi
Key Stats
Annual Fees: US$11K - US$14K
Curriculum: Canadian
Age Range: 4-18
Students: ~500
Location: Mohammed Bin Zayed City, Abu Dhabi
Updated April 2026
In Brief
If you want a small, tight-knit school with genuinely affordable fees and an ADEK Outstanding rating, CIS is one of Abu Dhabi's most overlooked options - it's worth a visit if the Canadian curriculum makes sense for your family's onward plans.
Canadian International School is Abu Dhabi's only Alberta-curriculum school, which makes it a niche but specific fit: families returning to Canada, families already using the Alberta curriculum, or parents who want the AP pathway at upper school without paying IB Diploma fees. At around 500 students, it's small enough that every child is known by name - which shows in the ISD rating of 4.9/5 from parent reviews, among the highest of any Abu Dhabi international school.
Fees run from AED 39,010 to AED 51,820 and include books - one of the few Abu Dhabi international schools where the headline fee is genuinely all-in for most year groups. ADEK Outstanding is held, which gives the school regulatory credibility well above what its size and profile might suggest. The Alberta curriculum delivers a solid academic foundation from KG1, and AP courses from Grade 10 provide a recognised university-preparation pathway.
The school's smallness is both its strength and its limit. Families who thrive in a community-feel environment with cross-year relationships and approachable staff consistently report a positive experience. Families expecting the breadth of sports, performing arts, and co-curricular choice you'd find at a school of 2,000+ will likely find CIS stretched. It's located in MBZ City rather than the central island or Khalifa City A, so the commute from Saadiyat or Al Reem is a factor.
What parents value
- –Among the most affordable ADEK Outstanding schools in Abu Dhabi: AED 39,010-51,820/year with books included. The gap between this and BSAK's AED 45,560-74,560 - at similar Outstanding rating - is substantial for self-funding families.
- –ISD parent rating of 4.9/5 is the highest in this review set. The consistent theme across reviews is the caring, family-feel culture and teacher commitment to individual students. Long-standing families across multiple children are common.
- –Alberta curriculum with AP in senior school. For families with Canadian ties or a return plan, keeping children on the Alberta system avoids curriculum transition at Grade 10-12.
Points of consideration
- –At ~500 students, the co-curricular and sports provision is limited by headcount. If your child is serious about competitive sport, large ensemble music, or drama production, CIS will feel modest compared to schools three times its size.
- –MBZ City location adds commute time from central Abu Dhabi, Al Reem Island, and Saadiyat. Map the drive before visiting - depending on traffic on the E22 corridor it can reach 35-40 minutes from the island.
- –The Canadian curriculum is the right choice if it matches your family's trajectory - but it is niche in Abu Dhabi. If you move on to a country where the Alberta system is less recognised, ask the school specifically about how AP results and transcripts translate for university entry elsewhere.
Annual Fees
| Year Group | Age | USDTotal Annual Fee |
|---|---|---|
| KG1 | 4 | 10,622 |
| KG2 | 5 | 11,303 |
| Grade 1-3 | 6 | 12,310 |
| Grade 4-5 | 9 | 12,278 |
| Grade 6-9 | 11 | 13,135 |
| Grade 10-12 | 15 | 14,110 |
Fees converted from AED. For the most up to date and accurate figures please double check with the school.
Academic Results
| ISD parent rating | 4.9/5 (8 reviews) |
| ADEK rating | Outstanding |
CIS follows the Alberta (Canadian) curriculum from KG1 through Grade 12. The Alberta programme is well-regarded internationally, with a structured progression from foundational literacy and numeracy through to specialist subject study in senior school. AP courses are available from Grade 10 as a university-preparation pathway, providing a recognised credential for university applications in Canada, the UK, US, and elsewhere.
The school has held ADEK Outstanding, a strong regulatory endorsement for a school of its size. Duke of Edinburgh Award is available in the senior school. The small cohort means class numbers are low, which families consistently report as a positive for teacher-student contact.
Extra Curriculars
Facilities: MBZ City campus · Alberta curriculum classrooms · Duke of Edinburgh Award programme · AP courses (Grade 10-12)
Co-curricular provision is proportional to the school's size. Duke of Edinburgh Award and AP subjects give senior students structured enrichment options beyond the core curriculum. The small campus means the co-curricular menu is selective rather than extensive.
MBZ City is accessible from the Abu Dhabi Airport corridor and the E22 Al Ain Road. Families in Khalifa City B or MBZ City itself have a short commute; those coming from the island should budget 30-40 minutes each way in peak traffic.
Inspections & Accreditations
Inspection
Latest review: Current
Inspection body: ADEK
Rating: Outstanding
Canadian International School Abu Dhabi holds an ADEK Outstanding rating. The school follows the Alberta curriculum under ADEK supervision as an international school.
Accreditations
Accreditation details are not publicly listed.
Memberships
Membership details are not publicly listed.
Student Body
Around 500 students from KG1 to Grade 12. The cohort is genuinely multicultural - Canadian, British, Emirati, and a wide range of Arab and Asian nationalities - with a significant proportion of long-term students who have attended since early years.
The small school size means year groups are compact, which makes the pastoral and academic structure more visible. Many families report children staying from KG through to Grade 12, which gives the senior school unusual continuity.
Leadership
School Leadership
Contact the school for current principal details.