About the ACS Auditorium

In 1969, ACS’ first school building, with 27 students and 3 teachers, serving students in Grades 1-8. By 1972, the American Community School of Abu Dhabi was officially established as a fully independent school governed by a volunteer, elected Board of Trustees. The school grew to include 8 teachers and 50 students, mainly from families of the United States Embassy and major oil companies like Phillips Petroleum and Schlumberger.

ACS reflects the capital’s expansive growth with over 600 students from more than 40 countries. In 1989, the current President of the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan granted the adjacent land to accommodate ACS’ annually increasing enrollment, introducing modern science and computer labs, a gymnasium, a 25-meter swimming pool, and a performing arts and music center. With the addition of Grades 10-12, ACS evolved into a U.S. accredited, college-preparatory institution. In 1993, ACS graduated its first class of Seniors. Looking carefully you can see the previous history in the auditorium of its previous life as a school gymnasium.

In 2001, ACS adds a new Elementary School building, the Sheikh Khalifa Elementary Building in honor of the generous additional grant of land. In 2016, built with reserves from annual surpluses from better than expected annual enrollment, ACS opened the Grade 4/5 building to add 150 additional seats to serve its maximum capacity.

In June 2018, the Board announces that the leadership of Abu Dhabi has granted ACS land to build a new, state-of-the-art campus on Saadiyat. In 2020, ACS opened an award-winning Elementary School Innovation Lab, recognized by the International Schools Awards for its innovative technology programs for students ages 5-10 and joined the Global Online Academy consortium of schools.

Today, every available space on our current campus is fully utilized for our culturally-diverse student body of 1,200 students ages 4 to 18, representing more than 60 nationalities. ACS continues to provide excellence in academics, the arts, athletics, and service learning.The Auditorium was updated, and transformed into the theatre space and multipurpose room, conference space and currently the Covid Testing center. The ACS Auditorium is a well used and busy location.

Today and Onward

Building an innovative, environmentally sustainable campus reflects our position as a globally leading American international school. It also furthers our mission of excellence in academics, the arts, athletics, and service to others, for the next 50 years and beyond.

NEW CAMPUS HIGHLIGHTS

Doubles the size of the current campus, offering much-needed space for our academics, arts, athletics and service-learning programs
Improves infrastructure, parking, security and green space
Is located in one of the most desirable locations in Abu Dhabi, close to NYU Abu Dhabi and the newly developing cultural district
Gives ACS the ability to compete on a more equal footing for the most accomplished faculty
Sets the standard for environmentally sustainable educational facilities in the region
Provides inspired, flexible, and innovative learning spaces across a more sustainable and technologically-advanced campus
Allows for a larger student population, enabling expanded programmatic offerings while maintaining a close sense of community

Artists vision of the view from the back of the house

Artists vision of the view from Stage Left

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