AGE PLACEMENT GUIDE ACADEMIC YEAR 2026-2027
Difference between the Year and the Grade system
- The Year System refers to a system which starts at Foundation Stage 1 and continues through Year 13. The British Schools generally adopt this system.
- The Grade System refers to a system which starts in Pre-Kindergarten and continues to Grade 12. Such as UAE Federal System, Canadian and American.
Grade to Year Placement
If your child is transferring from a grade curriculum to a year curriculum at one of our English curriculum schools, please note that Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) have clarified which Year/Grade students transfer to when moving between schools with different year group systems.
As an example: If Grade 2 is completed in 2024-2025, the child moves to Year 4 in 2025-2026 (Year 4 = Grade 3).
Year to Grade Placement
If your application is for Yas American and your child is transferring from a year curriculum to the grade curriculum.
As an example: If Year 2 is completed in 2024-2025, the child moves to Grade 2 in 2025-2026 (Grade 2 = Year 3).
Year to Year Placement
If your child is transferring from a “year” system to one of Aldar Academies English curriculum (Year curriculum) schools.
As an example: If Year 2 is completed in 2024-2025, the child moves to Year 3 in 2025-2026.
Equivalency
As per ADEK, all students must complete Year 13 for “Al-Thanawiya” (equivalent to Grade 12).
Please refer to the table below for Year to Grade Equivalency (AY 26/27)
The updated admissions age cut-off applies to students who are not currently registered in any school system, to ensure there is no disruption to academic progression.
To view the Admission Age Guide for KG and Grade 1, please click here.
| Year | Grade | Birth From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| FS1 | Pre-KG | 01-Jan-23 | 31-Dec-23 |
| FS2 | KG1 | 01-Jan-22 | 31-Dec-22 |
| Year 01 | KG2 | 01-Jan-21 | 31-Dec-21 |
| Year 02 | Grade 01 | 01-Jan-20 | 31-Dec-20 |
| Year 03 | Grade 02 | 01-Jan-19 | 31-Dec-19 |
| Year 04 | Grade 03 | 01-Jan-18 | 31-Dec-18 |
| Year 05 | Grade 04 | 01-Jan-17 | 31-Dec-17 |
| Year 06 | Grade 05 | 01-Jan-16 | 31-Dec-16 |
| Year 07 | Grade 06 | 01-Jan-15 | 31-Dec-15 |
| Year 08 | Grade 07 | 01-Jan-14 | 31-Dec-14 |
| Year 09 | Grade 08 | 01-Jan-13 | 31-Dec-13 |
| Year 10 | Grade 09 | 01-Jan-12 | 31-Dec-12 |
| Year 11 | Grade 10 | 01-Jan-11 | 31-Dec-11 |
| Year 12 | Grade 11 | 01-Jan-10 | 31-Dec-10 |
| Year 13 | Grade 12 | 01-Jan-09 | 31-Dec-09 |