The first campus was founded in 1972, near the Japan Oil Company off Sheikh Zayed the First Road, by the US diplomatic mission and representatives of major oil companies. In 1975 the campus moved to its current location on Sultan bin Zayed Street - a site donated by President Sheikh Khalifa and further extended by him in 1989. This allowed ACS to add a high school and more extra-curricular offerings, including media centers, a theatre, a dance studio and multipurpose rooms. The school is a facility consisting of several classrooms equipped with computers. Buildings include two libraries, a cafeteria and snack bar, music rooms, science labs, IT centers, a TV production studio, two indoor gymnasiums and two fields. The outdoor facilities include a soccer, football and softball field and a swimming pool. Cramer Field, located behind the school gym, is constructed of Astroturf, an artificial grass. Because of its capacity, ACS hosts several athletic tournaments, particularly those of the Middle East South Asia Conference.
Programs
The school is split into three divisions. Elementary School is from Kindergarten to grade 5. Middle School consists of grades 6 to 8. High School consists of grades 9 to 12. Middle School offers core subjects and two to four electives that the students choose. In High School, starting in 2007, ACS started to offer the IB Diploma program consisting of a wide variety of International Baccalaureate classes. Since 2018, ACS offers a selection of AP classes. Students are also given a wide range of elective courses to choose from. All High School students must complete 10 hours of community service each year. To graduate from ACS, students must have at least 25 credits at the end of four years. Along with the general requirement of 25 credits, students are required to obtain a certain number of credits in particular areas of study as well as complete 10 hours of community service each year of High School. Community service at ACS is extensive, and includes a wide range of student-driven and organized efforts, as well as a number of established organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, Doctors Without Borders, Roots & Shoots, and Palestine Children's Relief Fund. 5,000+ hours of service are contributed annually by ACS students in grades 1-12.
Students
The student body consists of approximately 1,200 students from 56 nationalities. About 58% of the students are from the United States, 8% from Canada, and 4% from the UAE itself.
Shafali Jashanmal, owner of Selvatika Foods, daughter of Mohan Jashanmal of Jashanmal Group
Luka Peroš, Croatian actor best known for the role of Marseille in Money Heist
Nadia Sehweil, Owner Co-Founder of Bodytree Wellness Studio
Famous visitors
In 1975, Santa Claus arrived at ACS by helicopter; coming down to the school campus. Soon after the event, a popular celebration was created known as "Breakfast With Santa" starting at the beginning of each December, every year. Breakfast with Santa has been a tradition at ACS ever since.
Extra curricular activities include music, art, drama, choir, robotics, soccer, volleyball, basketball, baseball, softball, badminton, swimming, cross country, track & field, golf, fitness training, digital photography, multimedia, Model United Nations, debate & forensics, academic games, audio production, and a wide variety of other activities based upon student interests ACS is a member of MESAC, a regional conference allowing its students to meet and compete against students from other MESAC schools in both athletic and non-athletic events. The school was formerly a member of the Eastern Mediterranean Activities Conference. ACS has also hosted The MS Arts Invitational, featuring band, drama, choir and art.
