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Our History

Abu Dhabi International School > Our History

Our journey to becoming one of the top schools in Abu Dhabi

It all began with a dream. As a young, idealistic teacher working in Abu Dhabi, Mrs. Jihan Nasr was unsatisfied with the school systems she saw. She began to dream about founding a school with a difference. It would go on to become one of the top schools in Abu Dhabi.

Mrs. Nasr was convinced that a true education must create more than just academic success; it should build individuals with strong character, who would make an impact on the world and design their lives with integrity and joy.

We are one of the only private international schools in Abu Dhabi to be run by our dedicated founder even today. Thanks to her strong conviction, AIS students today are visibly different in their approach to learning and tend to be more stable, participative, and confident than students from other systems.

Photo of Mrs Jihan Nasr, founder of the Abu Dhabi International School, from the 1980s

Mrs. Jihan Nasr opens a private, fully licensed coeducational K-12 school in a charming villa. In this school, students learn under a positive approach that engages cognitive abilities with love and responsibility.

Students playing sports at the first campus of Abu Dhabi International School in the 1990s

AIS opens its Abu Dhabi Campus. The student list fills almost as soon as it is announced, and in no time, the playground is buzzing. And while it may look sophisticated, AIS is still a hub of joyous collaboration. Mrs. Nasr establishes a formal Parent Committee. Staff members, principal, and parents work together to design one of the top schools in Abu Dhabi.

Students in the lab of Abu Dhabi International School in the early 2000s

Under the patronage of His Excellency Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, then the benevolent Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, the school and its leaders receive praise for furthering academic excellence in the region. Sensing a shift in the world, Mrs. Nasr introduces subjects like sustainability, diversity, and tolerance so that students are prepared for the world into which they will emerge.

Kindergarten classroom of Abu Dhabi International School

AIS expands again, opening the doors to a plush new campus in MBZ. Students from around the region flock to fill the seats at AIS MBZ. As technology progresses in leaps and bounds, AIS introduces courses in Robotics, Coding, Social Media, and new sciences. Across the board, course offerings are evolved and enriched with best practices and international standards.

Classroom of students at Abu Dhabi International School in the 1990s

Under her thoughtful supervision, her students bloom. Reports from parents start to flow in — their children are happier, more curious, and more creative at home. The doors are thrown open to students with special needs and teachers who are trained to work with them. The school grows to over 300 students and fills two villas, but it keeps growing

The winning Under 19 Boys Soccer team of Abu Dhabi International School from the 1990s

Not even ten years have passed since inception and AIS begins to win awards for top performing students, in academia and in sports. The Under 19 Boys Soccer Team wins tournaments, beating other schools in the region two years in a row. Students from graduating classes of AIS are accepted into highly ranked universities such as Harvard University, Columbia University, New York University (NYU), and University of California, Berkeley, amongst others.

Students in the lab of Abu Dhabi International School in the early 2000s

AIS develops and formalizes a style of blended learning, in which the school is an extension of the warm, positive atmosphere of home. When children can make a seamless transition between the two, they naturally continue learning. As AIS grows, the Parent Committee and the Board of Trustees play a significant part in guiding the school’s expansion.

Photo of Mrs Jihan Nasr, founder of the Abu Dhabi International School, at a graduation ceremony

As AIS continues to grow, we look forward to announcing the upcoming Al Saadiyat campus soon. With every growing year, the school expands. Today our students and staff hail from over 70 different nationalities, but we come together with respect and tolerance to be a part of the AIS family that we love so much!