Aldar Education, the leading education provider in Abu Dhabi and one of the most prominent education groups in the UAE, has reported more than 10 per cent increase in student enrolment across its owned schools for the 2026/27 academic year, crossing 19,750 students. The increase reflects sustained demand for high-quality education driven by the UAE’s population growth and its status as one of the world’s best places to live.
Aldar Education welcomed more than 38,000 students across its 27 owned and managed schools this academic year, up from 36,000 in the previous academic year. The growth comes as more than 1.27 million students returned to classrooms across the UAE according to the Ministry of Education, underscoring the country’s standing as a global hub for education.
The increase also reflects sustained demand across Aldar Education’s established and newly opened schools, supported by continued investment in capacity, facilities and teaching talent. Enrolment growth has been particularly strong across Noya British School, Yasmina American School, Cranleigh Abu Dhabi, Muna British Academy and Yasmina British Academy, with 5,100 new students joining Aldar Education’s network of schools this academic year.
Sahar Cooper, Chief Executive Officer of Aldar Education, said: “This growth is a clear reflection of the trust families place in Aldar Education as a reliable education partner, and of continued confidence in the UAE as a destination of choice for those looking to live, work and raise a family. As the country continues to attract talent and families from around the world, education plays a critical role in sustaining that momentum. Our responsibility is not simply to expand capacity, but to match that growth with access to future-ready education benchmarked against global standards, outstanding educators and advanced learning environments that prepare young people to thrive while remaining deeply connected to the UAE’s values, culture and ambitions.”
The new academic year also marked the debut of Rugby School Dubai, Aldar Education’s first Dubai campus, acquired in 2023, and the first UAE campus of the historic British school founded in 1567. Guided by Rugby’s ethos, ‘The Whole Person, The Whole Point’, the campus is designed to develop confident, curious and capable young people through an integrated experience spanning academics, elite sport, creativity and technology.
Located in Nad Al Sheba, the campus reflects a significant investment in a future-ready educational environment, combining advanced learning spaces, a new 17,300 sqm sports complex and a state-of-the-art AI and Technology Lab, designed to give pupils meaningful, hands-on experiences with emerging technologies from an early age. The facility includes an immersive aviation environment with a flight simulator, providing Rugby School pupils with a unique opportunity to explore the engineering and technology that powers the aviation industry.
In Abu Dhabi, Muna British Academy has expanded its provision to Year 9, while Yasmina American School has extended to Grade 8, to meet the growing demand while enabling more students to continue their educational journey within their existing school communities.
Across the wider network, Aldar Education has also introduced more elite sports and AI education provisions through industry partnerships with renowned entities such as Dubai Rugby Sevens and Manchester City Football Club among others, as part of an ongoing investment programme designed to support future-ready learning, student wellbeing and broader opportunities in sport, the arts, technology and innovation.
The group is also progressing a wider pipeline of education investment designed to expand access to premium learning environments across the UAE. This includes Cranleigh Abu Dhabi’s Prep and Senior campus relocation to a new purpose-built complex on Saadiyat Island. Scheduled to open during the 2027/28 academic year, the development will strengthen capacity for premium British education while further enhancing the breadth and quality of the student experience. The Group also announced that King’s College School Wimbledon will open its Abu Dhabi campus on Fahid Island for the 2028/29 academic year, and Al Ghadeer British School will open for the 2030/31 academic year. Together, these investments reflect a long-term commitment to placing high-quality education at the heart of growing communities across the UAE.
