GEMS American Academy, Abu Dhabi

Welcome to GEMS American Academy – Abu Dhabi. We invite you to join us on a journey. This journey begins when a child and family join our school community, but it does not end with graduation. This is a journey of exploration and growth, where exceptional teachers and world-class facilities support the fullest development of every child’s potential. All the richness and rigor of the subject-area disciplines are here to be discovered, and a wide range of extra-curricular experiences allow young people to pursue individual interests and gain the confidence to make their unique contributions to the community. Along the way there are support systems for every student, whether their challenge is learning English for the first time or learning to swim. At GEMS American Academy, student and family join an inclusive international learning community that inspires engagement, conviction, and high achievement. GEMS American Academy is a diverse and caring international learning community offering a rigorous, relevant and holistic education.We develop global citizens who have the confidence and conviction to pursue their dreams and impact the world. At GEMS American Academy (GAA) we provide each student with a holistic, inquiry based, engaging program of studies. We prepare each student to be an internationally minded citizen who takes action to contribute positively to their community and the world. Our program brings together the best curricula in the world incorporating International Baccalaureate (IB) Scope and Sequence, Project AERO (American Education Reaches Out/Common Core), National Arts Standards, and the UAE Ministry of Education.

We are proud to be an IB World School offering the Primary Years Programme and Diploma Programme accredited by the Council of International Schools (CIS) and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC); guided by the Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEK) At GEMS American Academy – Abu Dhabi, we value choice and opportunity for our students. That’s why, through advanced and personalized learning, we’re proud to offer our seniors an unrivalled choice of high school pathways and qualifications. It’s this choice – the largest among all schools in Abu Dhabi – that enables us to truly find the best-fit pathway for each unique induvial through American Common Core, Advance Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) and a Hybrid stream. At GAA, we pride ourselves on our Culture of Kindness. It is more than just a motto, but rather a way of living. It is something that you feel when you walk through our halls, something you see on the playground, and something you hear in the classrooms. The Culture of Kindness is an expectation of all students, teachers, parents, administrators, support staff, in fact the whole school community. Supported by the IB Learner Profile and the ADEK Student Competence Framework (SCF), our homeroom classes in the elementary school and advisory program in the secondary school provide opportunities for students to learn about and practice using the character traits and values that foster a Culture of Kindness. Summary of ADEK Inspection GEMS American Academy School provides a very good education and has some areas of outstanding provision. Senior leaders, almost all of whom have been appointed since the last inspection, and staff present a common vision and show commitment and energy in their drive for continuous improvement.

Teachers and administrators come together to ensure students experience a rich and innovative curriculum. The parent community is very supportive and active in the life of the school. Parents recognize and appreciate the culture of ‘kindness’ modelled by the staff in their day-to-day contact with students. A large minority of students start school having had little exposure to the English language. They make very good progress in developing their social and communication skills. Attainment is generally close to curriculum expectations in the early years and most students make very good progress as they move through the school. Students make outstanding progress in English and science and very good progress in many other areas of learning. By the time they reach secondary age, a large majority are above expected levels in most subjects School’s strengths Commitment of the senior leadership team has contributed to significant improvements since the last inspection The outstanding progress made by students in their spoken and written English skills The levels of maturity displayed by the students in their behaviour and the excellent relationships with their peers from a wide range of different cultures and ethnicities The outstanding provision for the protection, care, guidance and support of students; the school is highly effective in promoting an ethos of kindness and empathy among its students that is modelled effectively by the staff Excellent relationship with parents; they are very supportive and active in the life of the school.