Cranleigh, Abu Dhabi
Key Stats
Annual Fees: US$19K - US$29K
Curriculum: British
Age Range: 3-18
Students: ~1,300
Location: Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi
Updated April 2026
In Brief
If ADEK Outstanding, BSO Outstanding, and genuinely small classes matter to your family, Cranleigh is hard to beat on Saadiyat Island - though fees at AED 106K for sixth form put it at the premium end of the Abu Dhabi market.
Cranleigh sits at the entrance to Saadiyat's Cultural District, minutes from the Louvre Abu Dhabi and NYU. That address is intentional - the school draws on the cultural cluster around it and has built a reputation as one of Abu Dhabi's most academically serious British schools. Class sizes capped at 18 are smaller than most Abu Dhabi competitors at this fee level, and the school has held ADEK Outstanding since 2018-19 and BSO Outstanding simultaneously.
Exam results in 2024 put 28% of IGCSE grades at the top band and 42% of A-Level entries at A* or A. Those are solid numbers for a school of this size in Abu Dhabi, though families comparing results should check the cohort size rather than percentages alone. Parent feedback on WhichSchoolAdvisor sits at 3.5/5 across 31 reviews, which is lower than BSAK's 4.4 - worth speaking to current families about day-to-day experience beyond the inspection reports.
The fee structure is the main trade-off. At AED 88,010 for Years 5-9 and AED 105,980 for Years 10-13, Cranleigh runs 40-50% higher than BSAK for similar year groups. If your package covers fees without a cap, the location and class sizes are compelling. Self-funding families should run the numbers carefully before committing.
What parents value
- –ADEK Outstanding and BSO Outstanding simultaneously - a combination very few Abu Dhabi schools hold. Class sizes capped at 18 give teachers genuine room to know your child.
- –Saadiyat Island location within the Cultural District gives the school a distinct identity. NYU Abu Dhabi and the Louvre are neighbours, which shapes the sixth form culture and university preparation.
- –Strong exam results for the cohort size: 28% IGCSE grade 9 and 42% A-Level A*-A in 2024. Owned by Aldar Education, which provides operational stability.
Points of consideration
- –Parent ratings of 3.5/5 (31 reviews) are lower than rival BSAK. Ask current parents specifically about communication and how the school handles issues when things go wrong.
- –Fees at AED 105,980 for sixth form make this one of Abu Dhabi's most expensive day schools. Re-registration costs AED 3,000 annually on top of tuition.
- –Saadiyat Island traffic at drop-off and pick-up is worth factoring in. If you're based in Al Reem Island or central Abu Dhabi, the commute can run 25-35 minutes in peak hours.
Annual Fees
| Year Group | Age | USDTotal Annual Fee |
|---|---|---|
| FS1-Y1 | 3 | 19,469 |
| Y2-Y4 | 7 | 22,467 |
| Y5-Y9 | 10 | 23,965 |
| Y10-Y13 | 15 | 28,858 |
Fees converted from AED. For the most up to date and accurate figures please double check with the school.
Additional Fees
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Registration Fee (5% of annual tuition) | 973 |
| Re-registration Fee | 817 |
Photos
Academic Results
| IGCSE Grade 9 (2024) | 28% |
| A-Level A*-A (2024) | 42% |
Cranleigh runs the British National Curriculum from FS1 through IGCSE, then A-Level and BTEC in the sixth form. The 2024 results put 28% of IGCSE entries at grade 9 and 42% of A-Level entries at A* or A.
University destinations span UK Russell Group, US universities, and European institutions. The sixth form is small enough that teachers know every student by name at the point of university applications.
Extra Curriculars
Facilities: 7-hectare campus · Saadiyat Island Cultural District location · Sixth form centre · Sports facilities · Performing arts spaces
The campus spreads across seven hectares on Saadiyat Island, designed to reflect the cultural ethos of the surrounding district. Co-curricular provision spans sport, performing arts, and academic enrichment, with the sixth form having access to the wider Saadiyat campus and NYU partnership events.
The house system and boarding-style pastoral structure from Cranleigh UK translates into a strong community feel for a day school. Families on Saadiyat Island find the campus well-integrated into the neighbourhood.
Inspections & Accreditations
Inspection
Latest review: 2025-2026
Inspection body: ADEK / BSO
Rating: Outstanding
Cranleigh Abu Dhabi has held ADEK Outstanding since the 2018-19 inspection cycle and BSO Outstanding concurrently. The 2025-26 ADEK Irtiqaa inspection confirmed the Outstanding rating.
Accreditations
Accreditation details are not publicly listed.
Memberships
Membership details are not publicly listed.
Student Body
Around 1,300 students from FS1 to Year 13, with a student body spanning multiple nationalities typical of Saadiyat Island's international community.
Class sizes capped at 18 across the school mean the student experience is genuinely smaller-group than many Abu Dhabi competitors, even at this enrolment size.
Leadership
Tracy Crowder-Cloe
Tracy Crowder-Cloe became Principal of Cranleigh Abu Dhabi in August 2023, having previously held senior leadership roles at British international schools across the UAE.