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What to Know When Applying to School in Abu Dhabi

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Sofia Williams
What to Know When Applying to School in Abu Dhabi

If you and your family are moving to Abu Dhabi, you might be wondering what to expect when applying to a school in Abu Dhabi and how to spot the best schools in Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi has 185 private schools, but seats at the best schools tend to fill up fast. Here is everything you need to know when applying to the school in Abu Dhabi:

How do I find the right school for my child?

When deciding on the best school in Abu Dhabi for your child, you should first make a list of schools that genuinely fit your child's educational needs. Choose a curriculum and make an appointment to visit schools. Make sure that when you visit those schools, you ask them about their success rate in decisive exams, extracurricular activities, staff turnover, class sizes, and any specific needs that your child has. It's super important to do your research when choosing the right school for your child. You should also consult school inspection reports from the Department of Education and Knowledge in Abu Dhabi to find the best schools.

How do I choose the right curriculum?

How exactly do you choose the right curriculum for your child? Parents should determine whichever curriculum would best fit their child if you were to return to their home country before they graduated. It would help if you also looked into what each of the different curriculums entails. For example, the International Baccalaureate or IB program is often considered the universal donor of education. It is highly transferable for any families that choose to move around to different countries. So if you are planning on moving back to your child's home country or another country, the International Baccalaureate program is probably one of the best curricula out there for you and your child.

How do I find a school that fits my budget?

Education institutions in Abu Dhabi can undoubtedly vary when it comes to school fees. The top schools can be costly, but prices at some schools have fallen over the past year. Keep in mind that a Grade 12 student at the Bright Riders School in Abu Dhabi tends to pay about $5,000, while a Grade 12 student at Cranleigh Abu Dhabi will probably pay about $26,000. Many school websites list their school fees for each grade.

How to apply to the school of your choice

Once you have landed at the right school for your child, it's time to apply to your chosen school. First, you should complete the online application form. You need to provide the required documents that have been requested by the school, then make an appointment for your child's assessment and pay any necessary application fees. But keep in mind that you should be wary of any school that offers a place for your child on the spot because this can be a sign that the school is merely desperate to boost numbers. 

After your child has been assessed and you receive the acceptance letter, a deposit is usually required to reserve your child's seat. Your child's place cannot usually be held until that payment has been received, so please send the payment in as quickly as you can.

Where to find a school's admission criteria

If you are wondering where to find the school's admission criteria, you can ask the school directly or even find the regulators' websites' information. Keep in mind that some schools will probably be at full capacity and no longer accepting students, while the most popular schools will likely have waiting lists.

What should my child expect from the admission test?

Are you wondering what to tell your child to expect from the school's admission test? Admission tests usually depend on your child's grade and curriculum. These tests generally cover common subjects like science, mathematics, and English. Children are typically accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis in Abu Dhabi, and these tests help determine the grade level of your child.

What is the timetable for admissions?

Wondering what the timetable is for admissions? If you want your child to be admitted to a school right now, the best schools are most likely already full. But schools that have places available will continue taking kids until September. For British and American curriculum schools, admissions for the next academic year open up around the beginning of March, and the earlier you apply, the better. For families that arrive late in the year, there is no quick and easy way to figure out which schools still have places. You will need to speak to each school that matches your criteria.

What documents do I need?

You will likely need a school application form, copies of the passports of you and your child and you and their UAE visa pages, Emirates ID, eight passport size photos, a copy of your child's birth certificate, school records for the past two years, immunization records and a school transfer certificate.

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