Families moving to Abu Dhabi can keep their children at one school from Nursery to Grade 12: Maplewood Canadian International School in Mohamed Bin Zayed City. Our sister nursery, a short walk from the school, takes children from 3 months, and the school teaches KG1 to Grade 12 on one campus. Admission is open year-round, and places are offered while seats remain in the grade you need. This page sets out how the process works from first enquiry to the first day, what the registrar will ask for, and how children arriving from British, American, Indian and other curricula are placed on the Alberta programme.
Maplewood is an Alberta accredited Canadian school in Mohamed Bin Zayed City, rated Good by ADEK, with every teacher Canadian-certified. Fourteen grades sit on one campus, so a child who joins in KG1 can stay through to the Alberta High School Diploma without changing school.
The four steps
- Book a tour. Walk the campus, meet the teachers for your child's grade and see the Alberta programme in a classroom before you commit. Choose a time here.
- Apply. Complete the registration form and send the most recent school reports. The registrar confirms which documents apply to your child's grade and country of origin.
- Assessment and placement. A short, friendly assessment confirms the right grade under the Alberta programme of studies. It is about placing your child well, not about passing or failing.
- Confirm your place. Pay the registration fee, which counts toward tuition, collect the uniform and arrange transport if you need it.
Age rules for 2026-2027
Under the UAE school entry framework for 2026-2027, a child must turn 4 by 31 December 2026 for KG1, 5 for KG2 and 6 for Grade 1. For every grade above that, placement follows the child's most recent completed year and the assessment. Because the framework is applied through each school's own readiness assessment, the registrar is the person to confirm your child's grade: call +971 2 552 4223 or WhatsApp +971 50 754 7597.
Documents you will need
- Your child's passport and visa page, and Emirates ID
- Birth certificate
- The most recent school reports
- A transfer certificate from the previous school
- Vaccination and health records
- Passport-size photographs
Families arriving from outside the UAE can begin with scanned copies and bring originals when they land. Transfer certificates from schools abroad may need attestation; the registrar will tell you exactly what applies before you pay for anything.
Moving from another curriculum
Most families joining Maplewood are moving from a British, American, Indian or Ministry curriculum school. The Alberta programme places children by age and by what they have completed, so a child leaving Year 4 of a British school or Grade 3 of an American school is normally assessed for Grade 4. Where a child is strong in one area and needs support in another, Alberta teachers adjust how they teach rather than holding the child back. English is the language of instruction; Arabic, Islamic Studies, Moral Education and UAE Social Studies are taught to every student as ADEK requires.
Mid-year entry
Admissions run through the year, not to a single closing date, so a family relocating in January or April is assessed in the same way as one joining in August. Popular grades fill early, and KG1 and Grade 1 in particular can be full months ahead of the new year, so the earlier you enquire the better the choice of place.
Before KG1
Children under four are taken by our sister nurseries: Maplewood Canadian International Nursery a short walk from the school in ME9, and Little Regent Nursery in Al Ain. Nursery children move straight into KG1 at Maplewood.
Mr. David Parsons
Principal
Principal’s message
I believe schools thrive when there is mutual respect, clear expectations and a shared commitment to high standards.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, to all grades including KG1 and KG2, one-way or two-way, run by a dedicated transport team under Department of Transport regulations. Complete the transport form during admissions.
Yes. A sibling discount of 10% applies to the second child and 5% to the youngest child. Holders of an Esaad, Fazaa, Mazaya, Homat Al Watan or Etihad Airways card receive 15%. Tell the admissions team which card you hold, or email registrar@maplewood.school with your employer details, and they will apply the discount to your account.
Yes. Maplewood Canadian International School is committed to inclusive learning environments. Where a student needs extra help, teachers put an individual plan in place and work with our Student Services Coordinator and the family to review progress.
Your child is welcomed by their class teacher, introduced to classmates and walked through the daily routine. Our Primary and Middle School Coordinators keep in touch with new families through the first weeks to make sure the transition goes smoothly.
Term fees are payable in advance and the registration fee is non-refundable, though it forms part of the total tuition. For notice periods and refund calculations on withdrawal, contact the accounts team at cashier@maplewood.school.
Students graduate with the Alberta High School Diploma, identical to the one earned by students in the Canadian province of Alberta, and recognised by universities and colleges in Canada, the USA, Europe, Australia and the UAE.