The Most Anticipated New School Openings in Abu Dhabi for 2026 and 2027

New School Openings in Abu Dhabi

For families considering a move to Abu Dhabi, schools are often one of the first things that determine where they eventually choose to live.

That makes the next academic year particularly interesting. Abu Dhabi is attracting several internationally recognised education brands while existing schools are investing heavily in larger, purpose-built campuses. Saadiyat Island and Jubail Island are emerging as two of the most important education hubs, which could also strengthen their appeal to family buyers and tenants.

One important update: several schools originally announced with 2026 opening dates have since shifted to 2027. Based on the latest information from the schools and operators themselves, these are the openings worth watching.

1. Harrow International School Abu Dhabi

Location: Saadiyat Island Opening: August 2027 Curriculum: British

Harrow is arguably the biggest new school name coming to Abu Dhabi.

The Saadiyat Island campus will bring the heritage of Harrow School in the UK, founded in 1572, together with UAE operator Taaleem. The school is now officially scheduled to open in August 2027, following earlier plans that had suggested a 2026 opening. harrowabudhabi.ae

Harrow places a strong emphasis on academics, leadership and character development through its core values of courage, honour, humility and fellowship. The Abu Dhabi school is planned as an all-through British education offering, expanding through the year groups as the campus develops.

The location is also significant. Saadiyat already has Cranleigh Abu Dhabi, Muna British Academy, NYU Abu Dhabi and Lycée Français International Théodore Monod, giving families an increasingly broad selection of education options within the island itself.

For buyers considering Saadiyat Lagoons, Mamsha Al Saadiyat, Saadiyat Beach or future communities around Marsa Al Saadiyat, the continued expansion of premium schools is another major point in the island's favour.

2. Gordonstoun Jubail Island

Location: Jubail Island Opening: September 2027 Curriculum: British — GCSE and A-Level pathway

Gordonstoun is another highly anticipated British school making its UAE debut.

Its first Gulf campus is now scheduled to open on Jubail Island in September 2027. International Education Holding, the school's operator, confirms that the curriculum will lead toward English GCSEs and A-Levels while placing an unusually strong emphasis on experiential learning. ieholding.ae

That is where Gordonstoun differs from many conventional British schools.

The original Scottish school is known for character education, leadership, outdoor pursuits and service. The Abu Dhabi campus intends to adapt that philosophy to its surroundings, incorporating the sea, mangroves and desert into the educational experience. ieholding.ae

For families already considering Jubail Island, this could be a major addition. One of the questions buyers often have about newer communities is whether schools and everyday infrastructure will develop alongside the homes. Having an international school of this calibre within the masterplan makes Jubail considerably more compelling as a long-term family address.

3. Cranleigh Abu Dhabi's New Prep & Senior Campus

Location: Saadiyat Island Opening: 2027–2028 academic year Curriculum: British

This is technically a relocation and expansion rather than an entirely new school, but it is one of the most important education developments underway in Abu Dhabi.

Aldar Education is investing AED 385.8 million in a new purpose-built Prep and Senior campus for Cranleigh Abu Dhabi on Saadiyat Island. The facility is scheduled to open during the 2027–28 academic year and will accommodate up to 2,178 students. Aldar

The new campus will sit beside Cranleigh's existing Pre-Prep facility, bringing more of the school together in one area.

The specification is also unusually ambitious. Plans include dedicated Biology, Chemistry and Physics laboratories incorporating AI and VR technology, advanced creative facilities and major sports infrastructure. The campus is also targeting an Estidama Pearl 5 sustainability rating. ADX API Gateway

Cranleigh already has an established reputation in Abu Dhabi, so this is less about introducing a new education brand and more about significantly increasing the quality and capacity of an existing one.

For Saadiyat, however, the effect is similar: the island's family infrastructure continues to improve alongside its residential, cultural and hospitality development.

4. Shining Star International School — Al Wathba

Location: Al Wathba South Opening: 2027–2028 academic year Curriculum: CBSE Opening year groups: KG to Grade 6

Not every important new school opening is in Abu Dhabi's ultra-prime island communities.

Shining Star International School is planning a new purpose-built campus in Al Wathba South, with the school currently targeting the 2027–28 academic year, subject to construction and regulatory approvals. ssis-alwathba.ae

The school will initially accommodate pupils from KG through Grade 6 and follows the Indian CBSE curriculum.

Its inclusion is important because Abu Dhabi's residential expansion is occurring across a much wider geographical area. Families moving into Al Wathba and neighbouring mainland communities need education options that do not require lengthy daily commutes toward central Abu Dhabi.

The new SSIS campus should help fill some of that demand while offering a more accessible alternative to the premium British schools dominating many of the headline openings.

5. Lycée Français International Théodore Monod — Al Bateen Campus

Location: Al Bateen Opening/reopening: September 2026 Curriculum: French

One of the notable education developments of the 2026–27 academic year is the reopening of Lycée Français International Théodore Monod's historic Al Bateen campus for primary pupils.

The school already operates its main modern campus on Saadiyat Island, serving more than 1,750 pupils representing dozens of nationalities. For the 2026–27 academic year, the Al Bateen site is reopening to primary students, subject to ADEK approval. Lfitm

This is particularly useful for families living in central Abu Dhabi who want access to the French curriculum without commuting to Saadiyat every day.

It is not a completely new school, but from a family-lifestyle perspective it is an important addition to central Abu Dhabi's education options.

Why so many premium schools are focusing on Saadiyat and Jubail

There is a clear connection between Abu Dhabi's residential expansion and its education strategy.

Saadiyat is developing into much more than a resort or cultural destination. With new villas, apartments and major communities planned across the island, families need schools nearby if they are expected to live there permanently.

The same applies to Jubail Island.

Luxury villas can attract buyers initially, but schools, nurseries, retail and healthcare are what turn a development into a functioning family neighbourhood.

This is why the arrival of Harrow and Gordonstoun matters to property buyers even if they do not personally have school-age children.

Strong schools contribute to the long-term desirability of a community.

Which Abu Dhabi community will have the strongest school offering?

Saadiyat Island is increasingly difficult to beat.

By 2027–28, families should have access to an unusually strong mix of British, French and international education on the island, including Cranleigh Abu Dhabi, Muna British Academy, Lycée Français International Théodore Monod and the incoming Harrow International School Abu Dhabi.

Jubail is earlier in its development cycle, but Gordonstoun gives the island an important anchor.

This could become particularly relevant for families comparing Saadiyat Island, Jubail Island, Yas Island and Hudayriyat Island. The quality and proximity of schools can easily become the deciding factor when the homes themselves are relatively comparable.

One school to watch beyond 2027: King's College School Wimbledon

Another major British name is coming, but buyers should be careful with the timing.

King's College School Wimbledon Abu Dhabi is planned for Fahid Island, with Aldar's latest reporting placing the opening in the 2028–29 academic year, rather than 2027. The planned 50,000 sqm campus will eventually accommodate up to 2,220 students. FinancialFilings

That will be particularly relevant as Fahid Island develops into a major new residential destination between Saadiyat and Yas.

The bottom line

The bigger story is not simply that Abu Dhabi is getting more schools.

It is the calibre of the institutions being introduced and where they are being built.

Harrow on Saadiyat, Gordonstoun on Jubail and eventually King's College School Wimbledon on Fahid show how closely Abu Dhabi's premium education market is becoming connected to its newest residential destinations.

For families considering a property purchase, school proximity is worth thinking about earlier than most buyers realise. A beautiful home can quickly become inconvenient if the morning school run requires crossing half the city twice a day.

And from an investment perspective, communities with strong schools nearby tend to have one advantage that is difficult to replicate: consistent family demand.

As Abu Dhabi continues to grow, education infrastructure is likely to become an increasingly important part of the investment case for Saadiyat, Jubail, Fahid and the capital's next generation of family communities.