GEMS Modern Academy

GEMS Modern Academy was established in 1986 and grew rapidly when it moved to a campus located near Mazaya Center in Sheikh Zayed Road. Now, it is based in Nad Al Sheba area and offers education to mainly Indian students comprising the student population.

The school has over 3800 students, with over 230 teachers, 70 support teachers and a teacher-student ratio of 1:17.

Over 30 years, the school has evolved into one of the leading educational institutions in Dubai. Rated ‘Outstanding’ for the last 8 years, Modern offers world-class education with the CISCE curriculum from Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 12, and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (DP) option for Grade 11 and Grade 12.

Under ‘World Class Facilities’ you may mention

• Five ICT Suites
• Four Computer trolleys
• T.E.M Lab
• Budhayana – The Spark Lab – Makers Space Innovation Centre
• Discovery Centre
• Meditation Garden
• Planter’s Patch
• Sensorial Garden
• My Learning – The Learning Management System
• Infrastructure provision for Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)
• Four Basketball courts
• Two Football Fields
• A Cricket pitch
• Volleyball court
• 8 lane synthetic track with areas for field events like long jump, Shot put, Discus throw and javelin throw
• Two 25 meters swimming pools  (one for Primary Students and a main pool with facilities for water polo)
• Five Cricket nets with flood lights
• Three Tennis courts
• A Multipurpose hall with markings for Badminton and Basketball
• A fully equipped Gym
• A Cycling and roller skating track

Summary of school inspection findings 2018-19

Student Outcomes
Students’ academic achievements have been maintained at a high level in almost all respects. Children make rapid progress in Kindergarten (KG), especially in their language and social development. Student’s learning skills, and their numeracy and English literacy skills, continue to be very well developed. The development of students’ Arabic language skills, and investigative skills in science, are variable. Students’ knowledge and understanding of Islam remains good.

Students across the school are polite, hardworking, mature and confident. They are always ready to help others. They are respectful and knowledgeable about others’ beliefs and cultures. They actively care for and improve their school environment, and work hard to solve problems and make life better for themselves and others in the community. Their leadership skills are excellent. Almost all arrive on time for school and attendance rates are very high.

Provision for Learners
Teachers know their students very well. Overall, the quality of teaching is highly effective in engaging students and in facilitating their learning. A few inconsistencies are often the result of teachers being prepared to try new strategies. Against this background, the effectiveness of teaching over time underpins students’ successful learning, their high levels of achievement and their outstanding personal development.

The curriculum is very well established in KG, middle and secondary phases, and is evolving into an inquiry-based approach in the primary phase. It is rich, balanced, and compliant with Emirati and national requirements. It offers students choice, and is highly innovative with a particular emphasis on solving real-life problems. Regular reviews ensure that it continues to meet the needs of all groups of students.

The school remains highly effective in protecting students and in caring for their health and well-being. Buildings and facilities are maintained in excellent condition. Regular checks are made to reduce risk. Good behavior, positive attitudes and regular attendance are promoted exceptionally well. Support for students of all abilities is highly effective, as is guidance for their personal development and career pathways.

Leadership and Management
The Principal and other school leaders share a vision of inclusion for all. Partnerships with parents and organizations across the globe make a significant contribution to school improvement. Leaders encourage and empower others to solve problems using a wide range pf strategies and resources. Governors hold them accountable for their work. Buildings, facilities and resources are of the highest quality.

School Strengths

• The leadership team’s unrelenting commitment to a vision for excellence and continuous improvement, through action research and innovation that is shared by the whole school community.
• Students’ confidence, politeness, work ethic, respect and care for others, and their positive but risk-taking approach to learning.
• The very good outcomes in KG as a result of the focus on developing learning skills, resilience, self-confidence and creativity.
• The evolutionary process of reviewing provision and support to ensure that students’ diverse and ever-changing needs are met effectively.
• The extensive and positive partnerships with parents, families and local and global communities.