The GLENELG School of Abu Dhabi

The Glenleg School of Abu Dhabi was founded in 2008 by the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC). It is one of the educational entities and is part of ADNOC’s educational family of learning institutions, including the Petroleum Institute, the ADNOC Technical Institute, and ADNOC Achievers Oasis.

The primary goal of GSAD is to create and conduct a challenging and rigorous secondary academic curriculum and program for highly qualified students from the UAE and other countries.



The program of instruction is based on the successful model of American independent schools of the highest quality and will be delivered in English (with the exception of Arabic Language and Social Studies, Islamic Studies, and World Languages). The founding and setting up of the school is being based on a collaboration with the Glenelg Country School, a leading independent school in the USA. The goal of the school is to prepare every school graduate for admission into colleges and universities of the highest standing both here and throughout the world.



The curriculum of the school is American-based and leads towards the Advanced Placement (AP) examinations as the school develops and evolves. The Advanced Placement program comprises college-level courses in all academic disciplines which are developed and maintained by the College Board in the US. Each Advanced Placement course follows a prescribed syllabus which culminates in an external public examination. As an external qualification, the Advanced Placement is recognized by many universities throughout the world and is used for acceptance and placement into many of the world’s leading universities.



In September 2008, GSAD opened for grades seven through eleven. Since then, GSAD has seen growth and continues to expand to meet the needs of the communities of the UAE.



In September 2009 the campus in Abu Dhabi was extended to include grades six and twelve completing the middle and high school program.



In September 2010 a Kindergarten and elementary campus was open in Abu Dhabi for students in KG1 through grade five. Another campus was opened in Ruwais for students in KG1 through grade six.

In September 2011 the school in Ruwais will extend its campus to include grades seven through ten. In addition an elementary new campus will open in Madinat Zayed for students in KG 1 through grade five.



The long-term goals of GSAD are as follows:



•to become a premier school in the Middle East, with an emphasis on technology, science, math, and the arts

•to closely follow the model of International Independent Schools provided by the Glenelg Country School in Maryland while meeting ALL criteria established by the United Arab Emirates Ministry of Education

•to offer the full Advanced Placement (AP) Curriculum

•to remain a fee-paying, not-for-profit school

The Glenelg School of Abu Dhabi is also committed to:



•small class sizes

•program delivery in English

•academic and college counseling services

•recruiting and retaining highly-qualified and experienced teachers

The long-term goals of The Glenelg School of Abu Dhabi are as follows:



•to become a première school in the Middle East, with an emphasis on technology, science, mathematics, and the arts

•to closely follow the model of international independent schools provided by the Glenelg Country School in Maryland while still meeting all criteria established by the UAE Ministry of Education

•to offer the full Advanced Placement (AP) Curriculum once the school has reached enrollment capacity.