Philadelphia Private School, Dubai

Philadelphia Private School (PPS)-Dubai was founded in 2006 as a private co-educational day school (KG1 to Grade 12) where English is the main language of instruction. PPS is learner-centered and multi-national in curriculum, staff, students and range of services. The school currently has candidacy status by the New England Association of Schools & Colleges (NEASC). PPS is also a member of the LWIS Network that is managed by School Development Consultants (SDC).

Philadelphia Private School (PPS), Dubai, is accredited by the New England Association of Schools & Colleges (NEASC) and AdvancED. PPS is a member of the Learner’s World International Schools (LWIS) Network that is managed by School Development Consultants (SDC).

In fulfilling our mission, we will adhere to the following core beliefs:

• The ultimate goal of education is to cultivate in each learner a lifelong passion for learning.
• That each learner’s academic potential is most fully realized through a challenging and varied multilevel curriculum integrating the latest technologies combined with the appropriate support.
• Children learn best in a respectful, supportive community of trust where each learner’s learning needs and abilities are understood and accommodated as fully as possible.
• Intellectual growth requires not only the acquisition of knowledge, but its application in analytical, creative, and expressive ways that make learning meaningful to the learner.
• Physical and emotional health is critical to the development of each learner’s personal potential.
• Each learner’s life is enriched in a diverse community where differences among people are accepted, recognized, and celebrated.
• The school shares with families the responsibility for fostering in each learner strength of character, a sense of personal responsibility, and an attitude of faith, reverence, and acceptance of others.
• The development of moral leadership in each learner should include instilling a commitment to use one’s knowledge, skills and resources in the service of others within the community in order to promote and foster positive change.
• The transformation of teaching institutions into active and cooperative learning environments.
• Developing the school to serve as a hub for promoting educational, environmental, social and cultural awareness within the community at large.

At LWIS, we believe internationalism can be experienced even in schools that follow a national curriculum with predominantly national pupils and staff. While the provision of an international curriculum to a school population may facilitate achieving international standards, we believe that the opportunity to experience internationalism is not cultivated only by the curriculum but rather through the provision of an educational system and environment of international-mindedness.

Hence, as well as providing international education through US curricula, some of our schools follow a national curriculum which we modify and embed into our international-minded community providing these learners with exposure to and knowledge of a dual educational system.

At PPS-Dubai, the American High School program is on offer culminating with the American High School Diploma. The American curriculum is modified to include aspects of the local and international community. Advanced Placement (AP) courses are on offer in the Senior School. We believe it is crucial to implement aspects of the local and international community into everything that we do. We are driven by the U.A.E National Agenda to create a competitive edge and to compete academically on an international level while embracing and nurturing national values.

We focus on innovation and believe that students’ opinions and contributions are principal to their learning and to the development of pilot ideas and programs at school. Students participate in activities that are enhanced by the cultural diversity of the host country, the school community and international contributions. We also believe that teaching openness, communication, respect, independence, and awareness are key to building international learners.

At PPS-Dubai, we believe that a person’s success is not only measured by his or her academic achievement but also by strength of character. As such the school’s administration and staff work to create a learning environment that empowers and encourages students to actively participate in social, economic, environmental and sports events both locally and internationally as well as promotes leadership in a community that is intercultural and international.