AGE PLACEMENT GUIDE ACADEMIC YEAR 2025-2026
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 25/26)
| Age | Year | Grade | Birth From | To |
| 3-4 | FS1 | Pre-KG | 01 September 2021 | 31 August 2022 |
| 4-5 | FS2 | KG1 | 01 September 2020 | 31 August 2021 |
| 5-6 | Year 01 | KG2 | 01 September 2019 | 31 August 2020 |
| 6-7 | Year 02 | Grade 01 | 01 September 2018 | 31 August 2019 |
| 7-8 | Year 03 | Grade 02 | 01 September 2017 | 31 August 2018 |
| 8-9 | Year 04 | Grade 03 | 01 September 2016 | 31 August 2017 |
| 9-10 | Year 05 | Grade 04 | 01 September 2015 | 31 August 2016 |
| 10-11 | Year 06 | Grade 05 | 01 September 2014 | 31 August 2015 |
| 11-12 | Year 07 | Grade 06 | 01 September 2013 | 31 August 2014 |
| 12-13 | Year 08 | Grade 07 | 01 September 2012 | 31 August 2013 |
| 13-14 | Year 09 | Grade 08 | 01 September 2011 | 31 August 2012 |
| 14-15 | Year 10 | Grade 09 | 01 September 2010 | 31 August 2011 |
| 15-16 | Year 11 | Grade 10 | 01 September 2009 | 31 August 2010 |
| 16-17 | Year 12 | Grade 11 | 01 September 2008 | 31 August 2009 |
| 17-18 | Year 13 | Grade 12 | 01 September 2007 | 31 August 2008 |