ACS Opens the Doors of a World-Class New Campus on Saadiyat Island

American Community School of Abu Dhabi Opens the Doors of a World-Class New Campus on Saadiyat Island

With the support of the Abu Dhabi government, the American Community School of Abu Dhabi (ACS) proudly opened the doors of its landmark new campus on Saadiyat Island, following a relocation from Al Bateen where ACS called home for 50 years. Today, more than 1,200 students returned to school after their winter break, stepping into innovative new facilities designed to expand and accelerate whole-child learning experiences.

As the only nonprofit American school in Abu Dhabi, ACS plays a unique role in shaping the educational landscape of the region. Located 400 meters from New York University Abu Dhabi, the purpose-built, state-of-the-art school provides the space to serve up to 1,550 students from Kindergarten to Grade 12. The new campus, designed by award-winning international architectural firm Broadway-Malyan, provides a globally-leading learning and teaching environment reflective of ACS’s holistic education approach and strong sense of community. In addition to inspiring learning spaces, the new campus features world-class technology facilities focused on robotics, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and virtual reality, a fully-equipped science wing, a 650-seat theater and an expansive art gallery. State-of-the-art athletic facilities include two swimming pools, five full-sized indoor basketball courts, a FIFA-sized football pitch, a six-lane running track and a wellness center.

”Watching our students discover their new learning spaces brings joy to our hearts and marks a transformative step forward in our pursuit of excellence,” said Matt Ayoub, chair of the ACS Board of Trustees. “We are deeply grateful for the dedicated efforts of our community and the unwavering support of a range of Abu Dhabi entities that helped turn our dreams into reality.”

Designed with an Estidama Pearl 3 sustainability rating, the new campus represents a seamless integration of technology and sustainability. This alignment gives students an immersive environment to delve deeper into hands-on experiences, including developing a 3-story teaching greenhouse and learning about sustainable energy through the school’s solar panels, which generate approximately 35 percent of the school’s energy consumption. Additionally, the new campus includes an Arabic Institute of Excellence to pioneer new approaches to teaching Arabic and offer training opportunities to educators globally.

“This new chapter in our 50-year history represents our commitment to providing an unparalleled educational experience, fostering growth and nurturing the aspirations of every student who walks through these doors,” said Monique Flickinger, ACS superintendent. “Our new facility provides an exciting opportunity for teachers and students to explore their passions and realize their fullest potential.”

In advance of the first day of school on its new campus, ACS hosted a community open event for its families to preview the new campus and explore the surrounding Saadiyat area. Nearly 1,500 community members, including current students and their families, former board chairs and Parent Teacher Association presidents from the last decades, attended the event.