GEMS World Academy (Dubai)

GEMS World Academy – Dubai
Al Barsha South

Dubai

United Arab Emirates
Information
School typePrivate international school
Established2007
StatusOpen
AuthorityKHDA
Head of school
Mr. Heath Monk
GradesPre-K–Grade 12
GenderCo-educational
Enrollment2,500
Education system
International Baccalaureate
LanguageEnglish
Websitegemsworldacademy-dubai.com

GEMS World Academy – Dubai is a private international school located in Al Barsha South, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Operated by GEMS Education, the school opened in 2008 and delivers all four programmes of the International Baccalaureate (IB) from Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 12. As of 2026, it operates 45 schools in the UAE with 146,000 students.[1]

History

The academy was established in 2007 and launched in 2008 as part of GEMS Education's expansion in premium international schooling.[2] It earned phased IB authorization as follows:

By 2019, the school employed 184 teachers representing 27 countries.[4] In 2022, its students achieved an average IB Diploma score of 34.2, with 95% gaining admission to their first-choice universities.[5]

Campus

Situated on a 50,125 m² site, the school has both academic and athletic facilities.[6]

Educational facilities include a library and research center, planetarium and science labs, 604-seat auditorium and symphony center, language institute, innovation hubs and educational gardens.[7] For athletics, the school has a 400-meter athletics track and artificial pitch, Olympic-size and training pools, tennis courts, squash courts, a climbing wall, junior and senior gymnasiums, and a fitness center.[8]

Curriculum

GEMS World Academy delivers the complete IB continuum:

ProgrammeGradesDescription
PYPPre-K–5Emphasizes inquiry-based learning across core subjects
MYP6–10Focuses on interdisciplinary teaching, critical thinking
DP11–12College-prep programme with six subject groups and core components
CP11–12Combines academic and vocational elements

IB Diploma Subject Groups

The academy has a range of courses across IB groups:

  • Group 1: English Language and Literature, Literature
  • Group 2: French, Arabic, Spanish, English B
  • Group 3: History, Economics, Global Politics, Psychology
  • Group 4: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Design Technology, Nature of Science
  • Group 5: Mathematics AA, Mathematics AI, HL, SL, Studies
  • Group 6: Visual Arts, Theatre, Music

Co-curricular activities

A Week Without Walls is a mandatory programme where students engage in international service trips or local sustainability projects. It contributes toward CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service) and MYP’s Service as Action outcomes.[9]

The school has various team and individual sports.

Inspection and ratings

The KHDA evaluates private schools in Dubai. GEMS World Academy's KHDA performance rating improved after ratings began in 2008:[10]

YearRating
2008–09Acceptable
2009–17Good
2017–19Very Good

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Dubai's GEMS sees dip in UAE school registrations, but growth plans intact". Reuters.
  2. ↑ "GEMS Education History". GEMS Education. Retrieved 2025-05-05.
  3. ↑ "GEMS World Academy - School Profile". International Baccalaureate Organization. Retrieved 2025-05-05.
  4. ↑ "UAE School Rankings: GEMS World Academy". SchoolsCompared.com. 2019-11-15. Retrieved 2025-05-05.
  5. ↑ "95% of GEMS World Academy graduates admitted to first-choice universities". Gulf News. 2022-07-20. Retrieved 2025-05-05.
  6. ↑ "GEMS World Academy Dubai unveils new facilities". Gulf News. 2021-09-25. Retrieved 2025-05-05.
  7. ↑ "Campus Tour". GEMS World Academy. Retrieved 2025-05-05.
  8. ↑ "Sport Facilities at Top UAE Schools". Education UAE. 2022-03-10. Retrieved 2025-05-05.
  9. ↑ "UAE students learn valuable life skills during Week Without Walls program". The National. 2020-02-10. Retrieved 2025-05-05.
  10. ↑ GEMS World Academy - KHDA Report 2018-19 (Report). KHDA. 2019.

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