A place where every child can thrive

When the Amundson family switched schools in Abu Dhabi, they weren’t just looking for better academics. They were looking for something more personal. A place where teachers noticed when a child needed extra help. A school where progress meant more than just grades.

That’s what they found at The British International School Abu Dhabi.

“We wanted the kids to be challenged in a positive learning environment, so we switched, and we found that here at BIS Abu Dhabi,” says Sarah Amundson.

For all three of her children - Emma, Carter, and Olivia - the change was immediate. “They have all progressed academically, emotionally, socially,” she says. “Before we got here, they were below average, either in one or two subjects… and it's the help, the guidance of the teachers that really either got them to the standard, if not above, that very first year we were here.”

Her daughter Emma, now in Year 11, shares, “What I like about this school is how involved the teachers are with your learning, and how they're always trying to get you to push yourself and learn new things.”

For Carter, the journey took a bit longer, but support was always there. “It was with the help of Ms. Doran, Year 6 Teacher at BIS Abu Dhabi, who really noticed that he needed a little extra support and help,” Sarah says. “She really guided that emotion for him. Just that really boosted his confidence and carried on through the following years.”

Individual support makes the difference

That kind of attention to each child’s needs is something many BIS Abu Dhabi parents highlight.

The Coquand family arrived from France in 2024 with two sons who spoke only a few words of English. Less than a year later, dad Christophe was hearing them correct his grammar in the car. “They start with a few words in English… now they know how to write, how to read, how to understand. It's amazing,” he says.

His son Romuald, now in Year 7, adds, “I have EAL class… and I can help some of my friends during the EAL class. Even sometimes I say, I don't need EAL, I just want to do it by myself.”

At BIS Abu Dhabi, growth like this is made possible by teachers who know their students well and celebrate their efforts at every stage. “The teacher involvement… that's not something we got at our previous school,” Sarah explains. “The communication was better at BIS Abu Dhabi.”

Beyond academic support, the school gives children the space to find what they love. Emma discovered her passion for drama through school productions and dance events. Carter joined the BSME golf team and placed third in a Dubai tournament. These experiences build more than skills. They build self-belief.

Carter shining in the school production of Grease

And it all starts early. Esther Depose, whose daughter Sophia began in FS1, says those early creative experiences made a lasting impact. “Looking back, I feel like the Abu Dhabi Early Years programme has laid the foundation for my daughter to have the confidence, be assertive, [and] collaborative. It set her up for success in life,” she says. “I feel lucky for the team that has been working with my daughter.”

Whether a child is joining in the Early Years or stepping into Secondary, families find the support they need to grow. At BIS Abu Dhabi, it’s not just about where students are today. It’s about who they are becoming.

Watch the Amundson family’s video to hear how they found the supportive and challenging learning environment they were searching for. For them, BIS Abu Dhabi isn’t just a school, it’s a community that builds confidence, nurtures talent, and creates lasting memories.