FAQs

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FAQs

Below are Frequently Asked Questions about the ACS admissions process, academics and community. For additional questions, please contact fd@acs.sch.ae

 

Frequently Asked Questions About ACS Admissions

FAQs

Once the completed online application and application fee are received by the Admissions Office, we prepare the file for review by the division-level admissions committee. Depending on the time of year and number of applications, this can take some time. Once a decision has been made, parents will receive a response from ACS. Applications are either approved, declined, or require further review.

Please note that an approved application does not guarantee admission for the child. For August entry, grade level capacity is assessed in March and we make seat offers to as many approved applicants as possible. Offers of admission are sent via email. If a grade level is full, those applicants that were approved (but not admitted) remain on the waiting list.

Many current ACS families will not know if they are moving until the summer months. Thus, we typically see changes in enrollment right up through the first week or two of school.

If you complete your application close to a school holiday, it may take up to 5-7 weeks to process it and respond.

For KG1: Your child must be 4 years old before September 1 in the year in which they will enroll (no exceptions).

For KG2: Your child must be 5 years old before September 1 in the year in which they will enroll (no exceptions).

For Grade 1: Your child must be 6 years old before September 1 in the year in which they will enroll (no exceptions).

For Grades 2 - 12: ACS has guidelines for each grade level. Our Admissions team is happy to review your child’s completed file to help make a determination on the best fit for your child.

United Arab Emirates Ministry of Education, Abu Dhabi Educational Zone, License #19/ 1
Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSA)
Near East South Asia Council of Overseas Schools (NESA)
Council of International Schools (CIS)
Overseas Association of College Admissions Counselors (OACAC)
American School Counselor’s Association (ASCA)
Association for the Advancement of International Education
Middle East South Asia Conference (MESAC)

Grades KG2 - 12
8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

KG1
8:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. or 3:30 p.m.

On Fridays, all grades dismiss at noon.

Definitely! ACS parents are an important part of our community. The ACS PTA is instrumental in building bridges between all members of the ACS community and embraces its role in welcoming new families to school.

This depends on the age at which your child will be entering ACS. The older the student, the more important it becomes that they have a certain mastery of English. Having said that, ACS has students from over 60 countries and many of our youngest students are not fluent in English when they arrive. Our teachers are skilled at making these students feel comfortable in class. Based on your application, ACS may require an assessment to ascertain your child’s proficiency in English.

ACS provides learning support to a managed number of students in a balanced service delivery model including consultative support, accommodations, small group instruction, some in-class support and Learning Labs at the Middle and High School. 

No. In many cases, children may enroll as soon as a seat is available. However, we must abide by any rules set by the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK).

Note: Typically, High School students must join us at the beginning of the year or at the semester break. Due to the COVID-19 situation, we will be as flexible as possible with enrollment dates.

ACS does offer a busing service. Some parents drive their children to and from school each day. Other families have private arrangements for a van from their compound or neighborhood. A number of our students walk or ride a bike/scooter to school.

If you want your child to start school at the beginning of the academic year (typically in late August), we strongly suggest that you submit a complete application before the end of February. This will allow ACS to finish the review process before the first cycle of seats is released.

Applications received after February 28 are considered after our first wave of seat offers is made.