GEMS World Academy, Abu Dhabi
Key Stats
Annual Fees: US$15K - US$20K
Curriculum: IB
Age Range: 3-18
Students: ~1,000
Location: Al Reem Island, Abu Dhabi
Updated April 2026
In Brief
GEMS World Academy Abu Dhabi is the only full IB Continuum school on Al Reem Island, and the new campus is genuinely impressive - if you are IB-committed and island-based, it is worth a visit; just go in aware that the school is still growing its secondary cohort and the 3.6/5 parent rating reflects a school still finding its stride at secondary level.
GEMS World Academy Abu Dhabi sits in a specific niche: it is Abu Dhabi's full IB Continuum school on Al Reem Island, offering PYP, MYP, Diploma and Career-related Programme from FS1 through Year 13. The school relocated to its current purpose-built Al Reem Island campus in 2022 and has been building its secondary cohort year by year since. Raha International School in Khalifa City is the other full IB Continuum option in the emirate; WAA's advantage is its island location and newer facilities. Fees at AED 55,420-73,890 include textbooks - a meaningful saving versus schools that charge separately.
The IB approach here combines the inquiry-based PYP and MYP frameworks with the structure of the English National Curriculum content from Year 2 upwards - the school describes this as a 'bespoke' blend. The campus facilities are rated Outstanding by ADEK inspectors: six-court multipurpose hall, 25-metre pool, Innovation studio with robotics and AI, and specialist arts and music rooms. ADEK overall rating is Very Good (2024-25). The parent rating of 3.6/5 from 18 WSA reviews is lower than the inspection outcome might suggest, with some families citing value for money concerns. 86% would still recommend the school.
The school is still growing: capacity of 1,866 students; current roll around 1,000. This means secondary classes are smaller than at a mature school, which some families prefer and others find limiting for peer group and co-curricular breadth. Mrs Shahina Ahmad OBE joined as Principal in August 2025, bringing new leadership to a school in a critical phase of its secondary expansion. Al Reem Island geography suits families living in Shams Abu Dhabi, City of Lights, or Marina Square - the school is 10 minutes from central Abu Dhabi.
What parents value
- –Full IB Continuum from FS1 to Year 13 on one island campus: PYP, MYP, DP and the Career-related Programme. This is one of only two schools in Abu Dhabi offering the complete IB pathway, alongside Raha International School. Fees include textbooks at all year levels.
- –Purpose-built 2022 campus with Outstanding ADEK rating for facilities: six-court sports hall with permanent stage, 25-metre pool, Innovation studio covering robotics, AI, augmented and virtual reality, and dedicated specialist spaces across arts and sciences.
- –Al Reem Island location with short commutes for families in Shams, City of Lights, and Marina Square. Wide roads and limited congestion compared with older Abu Dhabi districts make drop-off and pick-up straightforward.
Points of consideration
- –Very Good ADEK rating (2024-25) rather than Outstanding puts the school a tier below Cranleigh, BSAK, ACS, and Muna for inspection purposes. Ask specifically about 2024-25 inspection findings and what has changed since the school's relocation - the narrative of a young school building its reputation is fair, but the inspection rating is the relevant benchmark.
- –Parent rating of 3.6/5 includes concerns from a minority around disciplinary policy implementation and value for money. Around 25% of WSA respondents noted concerns about bullying handling and 50% only partially agree on value for money at these fee levels. Worth probing these directly at a school tour.
- –Secondary cohort is still building, which means year groups from Year 7 upwards are smaller than at a school operating at full capacity. If peer breadth and a large co-curricular programme matter at secondary level, ask how many students are in each secondary year group and what the CCAs look like for older students.
Annual Fees
| Year Group | Age | USDTotal Annual Fee |
|---|---|---|
| FS1 | 3 | 15,091 |
| FS2-Year 1 | 4 | 16,210 |
| Year 2-Year 6 | 7 | 17,884 |
| Year 7-Year 10 | 12 | 18,445 |
| Year 11-Year 13 | 16 | 20,120 |
Fees converted from AED. For the most up to date and accurate figures please double check with the school.
Additional Fees
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Admission Fee (5% of annual tuition - new students) | 755 |
Academic Results
| ADEK Rating (2024-25) | Very Good |
| IB Programmes | PYP, MYP, DP, CP (full continuum) |
GEMS World Academy Abu Dhabi runs the IB PYP from FS1 through Year 5, transitioning to the IB MYP combined with the English National Curriculum from Year 6. The Diploma Programme (DP) and Career-related Programme (CP) cover Years 12 and 13 - giving students two post-16 IB pathways. ADEK Very Good (2024-25) was the outcome of the most recent inspection; the school held Very Good across the 2018 and 2021 inspection rounds as well. Academic results data is not publicly disclosed; contact the school for university placement and IB score statistics.
ADEK inspectors in previous rounds noted Outstanding provision for protection, care and support, and Outstanding parent partnerships. Students' attainment and progress in English, Maths and Science were Very Good, with Arabic and Islamic Education rated Good - a pattern common to international schools transitioning to a full bilingual curriculum.
Extra Curriculars
Extra-curricular activities: 20+
Facilities: Al Reem Island purpose-built campus (2022) · Six-court multipurpose hall with permanent stage · 25-metre six-lane swimming pool and learner pool · Innovation studio (Robotics, AI, AR, VR) · Science labs (Chemistry, Physics, Biology) · Music rooms and practice studios · Art rooms and library · Parent cafe lounge and bookshop · Football pitch and outdoor/indoor play areas
Extra-curricular activities include teacher-led options (sports, board games, arts and crafts, cooking, music performance) that are generally free, plus paid partner activities including tennis, capoeira, karate, rugby, and football. The Innovation studio is a genuine differentiator for STEM-interested families, with student participation in FIRST LEGO League, Formula Ethara and Greenpower competitions.
Al Reem Island is a 10-minute drive from central Abu Dhabi and well-connected via the bridges from Abu Dhabi island. The campus sits within a residential hub in Najmat - families in Shams Abu Dhabi and Marina Square can walk or have very short drives. The school runs a bus service for families further afield.
Inspections & Accreditations
Inspection
Latest review: 2024-25
Inspection body: ADEK
Rating: Very Good
ADEK awarded GEMS World Academy Abu Dhabi Very Good in the 2024-25 inspection round. Facilities and management were rated Outstanding. Students' attainment in English, Maths and Science was Very Good. The school was commended for outstanding parent partnerships and safeguarding. Arabic and Islamic Education attainment was rated Good, consistent with prior inspections.
Accreditations
Accreditation details are not publicly listed.
Memberships
Membership details are not publicly listed.
Student Body
Around 1,000 students from over 70 nationalities, with Indian, Emirati, American, Jordanian, Canadian, Russian and South Korean nationalities among the largest cohorts. No single nationality dominates. The school relocated from its original site in 2022 and has been growing its student body on the new campus since.
Class sizes are appropriate to a school still growing toward its 1,866-student capacity: secondary year groups are smaller than at established full schools. The school has a dedicated inclusion department with specialist support for SEND and EAL students, rated highly by ADEK inspectors for pastoral care.
Leadership
Mrs Shahina Ahmad OBE
Shahina Ahmad OBE became Principal of GEMS World Academy Abu Dhabi in August 2025, succeeding Mr Kelvin Hornsby who had led the school through its relocation to Al Reem Island. She brings extensive international school leadership experience to a school still embedding its expanded secondary provision.