• Applicant Photo
• Copy of Student's Passport
• Copy of Parents’ Passports
• Nursery/School Report (if applicable)
• Additional documents, if applicable, including Speech and Language/Occupational Therapy reports, Individualized Education Plans (IEPs), Academic Program Accommodations (504 plans), Behavior Modification Plans, or Psychological-Educational Evaluations
• Recommendation Forms from the current school year principal and/or teacher are required. We recommend that applicants wait until October to request these forms from their current school to ensure the most up-to-date feedback. All recommendation forms must be received by November 15
• Questionnaire
• Introductory Family Video
  • The family introduction video is a valuable opportunity for us to learn more about your family and your child. Please follow the instructions below to help you create a clear and engaging video submission
    • Length: Maximum of 2-3 minutes 
    • Recording: May be filmed on any device and uploaded directly to the application portal
    • File size: Must not exceed 200MB (tip: turn off HD settings when filming on phone or tablet)
    • Style: We encourage genuine and authentic interactions rather than polished or scripted video
    • Content: Focus on a typical family activity, such as reading together, playing a board or card game, or sharing a conversation during a meal

As part of the admissions process, we aim to meet applicants in person whenever possible to better understand each student's readiness for our Early Learning program. During the visit, we observe development across key areas, including fine and gross motor skills, cognitive development, social & emotional growth, and English language ability. Students who complete their applications by the deadline will be invited to a campus visit in mid-November. For families applying from overseas who are unable to attend in person, a virtual meeting will be arranged. Please contact the Admissions Team for additional details.

• Applicant Photo
• Copy of Student's Passport
• Copy of Parents’ Passports
• Previous End-of-Year Report Cards (for the past 2 school years)
• Current School Year Term Report (when available)
• Additional documents, if applicable, including Speech and Language/Occupational Therapy reports, Individualized Education Plans (IEPs), Academic Program Accommodations (504 plans), Behavior Modification Plans, or Psychological/Educational Evaluations
• Recent Writing Sample completed for English class with teacher comments and/or rubric. For Grade 1, submissions may include an illustration with a 2-3 sentence description and the student's name; for Grades 2-5, submissions may include a short story, essay, or creative written response
• Recent Leveled Reading assessment and Math chapter/unit test scores (Grades 1-2). You may request these from your child’s teacher
• Standardized Test scores for Reading and Math, such as the MAP, GL assessment, STAR, SSAT, or similar (Grades 3-5)
• If the assessments/test scores listed above are not available, you can sign up for one of our MAP testing days (Grades 1-5). Please contact the Admissions Team for details.
• CAT IV (for UAE transfers)
• Introductory Video. This is a wonderful opportunity for ASD to get to know applicants and their families. The video should be 2-3 minutes in length and recorded by the student, then upload it to the application portal:
  • Introduction: Tell us your name, age, and where you are from
  • Personal Strength: What are three things you really like about yourself?
  • Interests: What do you enjoy doing outside of school (arts, athletics, hobbies, etc)?
  • School Experience: Share a school experience (project, book, activity, etc) that you especially enjoyed and explain why. 
  • Friendship: How do you go about making new friends?
  • ASD Interest: What excites you most about applying to ASD?
  • Inspiration: Who is your hero?
• Recommendation Forms from the current school year principal and/or teacher are required. We recommend that applicants request these online through the application portal after November 1. All recommendation forms must be received by February 15.

• Applicant Photo
• Copy of Student's Passport
• Copy of Parents’ Passports
• Last Two End-of-Year Report Cards
• Current School Year Term Report (when available)
• Standardized Test scores such as the MAPs, GL assessment, STAR, SSAT, or a comparable assessment. If these results are not available, please contact us. For families applying from overseas whose child does not have any of the above assessments, the SSAT is required. Register here to take the test either at home or at a testing center site
• CAT IV (Required for UAE transfer)
• Introductory Video. This is a wonderful way for ASD to get a chance to know its applicants and their families. Students will record a video and upload it to the application portal. Tips:
  • Keep the video 2–3 minutes long
  • Record in a quiet, well-lit space
  • Dress neatly, as you would for an in-person interview
  • Look directly at the camera as if speaking to the Admissions Team
  • Be yourself. Authenticity matters more than perfection
  • Consider what will set you apart from other applicants. This is your chance to showcase who you are and what you could add to the ASD community 
  • Suggested Topics:
    • “What will I bring that will make the community stronger?”
    • “Why do I believe this school is the right place for me?”
    • “What role do I play in making my community better?”
    • “When have I stepped up to lead or support others?”
    • “How do I use my passions to make a difference?”
    • “What am I passionate about that I want others to see?”
    • “What is a time I pushed myself to learn something new or difficult, and what did I discover about myself?”
    • “What story best shows the kind of person I am?”
    • “What is something about me that people notice right away?”
    • “If I had 30 seconds to introduce myself to someone new, how would I want them to remember me?”
    • “If I could leave you with one final thought about me, it would be…” 
• Character Skills Snapshot
  • Please go to the Character Skill Snapshot Link to create an account, complete the assessment, and get all your questions answered.  Make sure to upload the screenshot of the results once you receive them.
• Recommendation Forms from the current school year teacher, principal/counselor are required. We recommend that applicants request them online through their application portal after November 1.  The deadline to receive the forms is February 15.

• Applicant Photo
• Copy of Student's Passport
• Copy of Parents’ Passports
• Last Two End-of-Year Report Cards
• Current School Year Term Report (when available)
• Official High School Transcript (Applying for grades 10-12)
• Standardized Test scores such as the MAPs, GL assessment, STAR, SSAT, or a comparable assessment. If these results are not available, please contact us. If you are applying from overseas and your child does not have any of the above testing scores, we only accept the SSAT assessment. Please register here to take the test either at home or at a testing center site.
• CAT IV (Required for UAE transfer)
• Introductory Video. This is a wonderful way for ASD to get a chance to know our applicants and their families. Students will record a video and upload it to the application site. Tips:
  • Keep the video 2–3 minutes long
  • Record in a quiet, well-lit space
  • Dress neatly, as you would for an in-person interview
  • Look directly at the camera as if speaking to the Admissions Team
  • Be yourself. Authenticity matters more than perfection
  • Consider what will set you apart from other applicants. This is your chance to showcase who you are and what you could add to the ASD community
  • Suggested Topics:
    • “If I could leave you with one final thought about me, it would be…”
    • “What will I bring that will make the community stronger?”
    • “Why do I believe this school is the right place for me?”
    • “What role do I play in making my community better?”
    • “When have I stepped up to lead or support others?”
    • “How do I use my passions to make a difference?”
    • “What am I passionate about that I want others to see?”
    • “What is a time I pushed myself to learn something new or difficult, and what did I discover about myself?”
    • “What story best shows the kind of person I am?”
    • “What is something about me that people notice right away?”
    • “If I had 30 seconds to introduce myself to someone new, how would I want them to remember me?”
• Character Skills Snapshot
  • Please go to the Character Skill Snapshot Link to create an account, complete the assessment, and get all your questions answered. Make sure to upload the screenshot of the results once you receive them.
• Recommendation Forms from the current school year teacher, principal/counselor are required. We recommendthat applicants request online through your application portal after November 1. The deadline to receive the forms is February 15.

What are the demographics of the students?
Current enrollment exceeds 2000 students from more than 80 countries. More than 70% of our students hold North American passports.

Does ASD help with a new student's transition?
There are programs in ELC, Elementary, Middle, and High School to help ease a new family and student's transition to school. ASD conducts a new student and parent orientation, parent workshops, and transition programs from the Counseling Offices.

How long is the school day?
Classrooms open at 8:10 a.m. and learning begins at 8:20 a.m. On Monday to Thursday, PreK students finish their day at 1:00 p.m., K1 students at 2:00 pm, and K2-Grade 12 students at 3:20 p.m. On Fridays, all students finish at 11:30 a.m. School holidays for the current academic year are listed on the internal ASD School Calendar.

Where do ASD families live?
ASD families live in various residential areas in Dubai, ranging from Jebel Ali, Jumeirah, to Arabian Ranches, and even Sharjah. Many families live in Al Barsha, Umm Suqeim, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Marina, Motor City, and the Meadows.

Does ASD provide a bus service?
ASD's bus transportation provider is School Transport Services. ASD encourages the use of bus services to support the reduction of traffic congestion and as a means to better our environment. 

Are students required to wear uniforms?
Yes. Students wear a school uniform that can be purchased from an official local vendor. Students also wear PE uniforms starting in Grade 1, which are available for purchase at the ASD School Store.

Is ASD affiliated with any other schools?
ASD has no “sister schools" but is a part of the Near East South Asia Council of Overseas Schools (NESA). ASD collaborates with other NESA schools in a variety of areas.

What are ASD's age requirements for PreK-Grade 1 admission?
ASD’s PreK–Grade 1 curriculum is designed for children who reach the required age by December 31* of the academic year for which they are applying. In line with KHDA policy, applicants must meet the following age requirements:

• 3 years of age – PreK
• 4 years of age – K1
• 5 years of age – K2
• 6 years of age – Grade 1

After a student is admitted and offered a seat, additional enrollment documents are required to register students with the UAE Ministry of Education.

*Effective for SY 27/28

Does ASD only admit students at the beginning of the school year?
High school students are typically only admitted at the beginning of each semester, but the final decision is subject to credit and course selection analysis. In Middle and Elementary school, students can enter when a space is available. The last intake of students is at spring break.

Is there a deadline for applications?
November 10 - Deadline for PreK-K2 (Decisions on December 10)
February 10 - Deadline for Grades 1-12 (Decisions on March 6)

How are PreK/K1 places allocated?
Spaces are not offered on a first-come, first-served basis. All applications are given the same consideration regardless of the date of application.

Is there a fee to apply?
No, there is no fee with the application.

Is there a corporate seat policy?
The Board of Trustees has authorized the sale of 64 additional corporate seats. The conditions are as follows:

1. Corporate seats are sold for a 20-year term.
2. The one-time Capital Fee of AED 22,000 is waived for each Corporate Seat purchase.
3. The annual Facility Fee, currently set at AED 12,120, is waived for the 20-year tenure of the Corporate Seat.
4. Corporate Seat holders are expected to internally maintain the following allocation as the minimum standard dedicated to serving the North American community; 60% (North American) and 40% (Non-North American).

What happens after my child's application is submitted?
After a completed application is submitted, the Admissions team processes and reviews the application. An email is sent acknowledging receipt of the application and will contain information about the next steps.

Will my child be assessed for admission?
All potential candidates will be assessed during the admissions process, and this may include taking an entrance and/or placement test. Assessment and selection criteria include a review of report cards, grades, transcripts, recommendations, and standardized test results from the current and recent academic years.

Does ASD have a waitpool?
Yes. If a student meets ASD admissions requirements but is applying for enrollment in a grade level that is full, the student will be placed in our waitpool (waitlist).  Movement from the waitpool is not determined by the date of application.

How is my child's grade-level placement determined?
Grade-level placement depends on the child's current curriculum and grade level, academic ability, and overall developmental readiness. See the Admissions Policies page for more information.

How can I schedule a tour?
We are offering tours. Please visit Our Campus to register.

Are there additional expenses aside from tuition and fees?
Yes, beyond expenses associated with uniforms, school supplies, and personal laptops for Grades 6-12, ASD offers several required and/or optional learning experiences that families should plan for. Examples include 

• Week Without Walls trips for Middle School students
• INSPIRE trips for High School students
• School trips for arts, athletics, and additional activities for students.

What curriculum does ASD offer?
ASD is an independent not-for-profit U.S. curriculum that offers what is the best about American education to provide learning experiences designed to promote the maximum potential of its students.

ASD designs a PreK-12 curriculum based on established US curriculum standards. These standards describe what students should know, understand, and be able to do. ASD uses Standards-Based Grading and Reporting (SBGR) to provide students with feedback on academic achievement in relation to the standards. SBGR also provides feedback on how a student's learning habits (learner development) support achievement.

Graduates earn an American high school diploma. Advanced Placement courses are offered in Grades 10-12. ASD does not offer an International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma.

My child has specific learning needs. What services does ASD offer?
ASD accepts students with specific learning needs on an individual basis. Visit Learning Support Services for more information.

What is the background and credentials of ASD teachers?
ASD faculty are certified to teach a North American curriculum and have many years of international teaching experience, and 71 percent hold a master's degree.

What is the average class size?
ASD enjoys the benefit of personalized classroom instruction through small classroom sizes. Grades PreK – 2 have a homeroom teacher plus an instructional assistant for each class. Grades 3-5 share instructional assistants. Middle and High School classes enjoy additional science and art instructional assistants.

The Elementary School maintains a classroom size between 16 and 22, with six sections for each grade. The Middle School maintains a maximum of 24 students per class, and the High School maintains a maximum of 24 students per class.

Does ASD have an Arabic program?
Arabic is offered as part of the World Language Program at ASD in the ELC, Elementary, Middle, and High Schools.

What is the general schedule for the ASD School Year?
The ASD school year typically runs from August to June in two semesters (made up of two quarters), with a winter holiday that starts in December and a spring break, which is usually in March/April. Details of our calendar are available to those in the ASD Community.