AMERICAN COMMUNITY SCHOOL OF ABU DHABI (ACS)

Fundraising for New Arzanah Campus as of January 2010

1) Background

ACS has reached capacity on its existing campus with 1,000 students. With Abu Dhabi’s population growing and the city center moving away from the Corniche, the Board of Trustees has been working with the ACS community and government on plans to build a second campus to ensure our status as a top-tier school and to keep the diversity in our student body. The second campus will be for grades 6-12, while the existing campus will be devoted to grades K-5. The goal is to open the new campus in August 2012.

2) Where will the new campus be located?

The government of Abu Dhabi has granted ACS land in Arzanah, a new real estate development located on the current Zayed Sports City grounds. This is highly valuable property and we are very thankful for this gift. ACS is the only school to receive land and a license from the government to build on the Island in the last decade.

View New Arzanah Campus Location

3) What is the status of the building plans?

ACS has hired a program management consultant, begun conceptual design, and plans to start Phase I construction in 2010. The goal is to have the new campus open in August 2012, to accommodate 1,000 students from grades 6 to 12. With a capacity of 800 students on the existing campus our overall school capacity will be 1,800 students. Phase I includes significant infrastructure to support future expansions up to 3,000 students.

4) How much will this cost?

ACS needs $75 million to be used over the construction period. The ACS fundraising plan is a combination of donations, the sale of Priority Admission Licenses (PALs), which give preference admission to sponsors, tuition increases, and a bank loan with the help of corporations providing loan guarantees.

5) What are the fundraising results to date?

Thanks to collaborative efforts with key ACS community business leaders, a number of companies have pledged considerable support. They include Lockheed Martin, Mubadala, ExxonMobil and Gulf Alliance Company - A Perot Company. Companies, parents and alumni are all encouraged to support the fundraising campaign to make our goal of opening a second campus by August 2012.

6) How can companies and individuals contribute?

a) Donating Funds:  Click on Benefactor Donor Levels for details regarding benefits of cash donations.  In June 2009, ACS proudly announced that Lockheed Martin donated $3 million.

b) Purchasing Priority Admission Licenses (PALs):  Click on PALs for an overview of prices and terms.  For full details contact Jan Al-Hafi, ACS Finance Director, at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  

c) Providing Loan Guarantees:  Interested companies should contact Jan Al-Hafi, ACS Finance Director. 

7) Additional Information

If you would like to donate money, help back a loan guarantee, purchase PALs or have any questions about the fund raising campaign, please feel free to contact any member of the ACS Board Fundraising Committee or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

ACS Board Fundraising Committee

Drew Nieman – Chair
Hanan Worrell