GEMS World Academy, Abu Dhabi

GEMS World Academy Abu Dhabi follows the International Baccalaureate in combination with the English National Curriculum and offers classes from Kindergarten until Grade 7. Established in 2011, it was the smallest GEMS school in Abu Dhabi catering to students aged 4 to 12 years until its relocation. It now has plans to become full EYFS to Year 13 school. The school was previously located on Fatima Bint Mubarak Street and it relocated to Al Reem Island in 2022.

Presently, GEMS World Academy has 664 students belonging to 67 different nationalities. Most students are Indian while others are American, Emirati and Pakistani. The faculty has 29 teachers with the majority belonging to the UK, Australia, Canada and New Zealand. All teachers are trained to offer the International Baccalaureate Primary Year Programme. There are 27 teaching assistants to support the teaching process and the teacher-to-student ratio is 1:11. GEMS World Academy Abu Dhabi is especially praised for its English as an additional language program and the support provided to students with special educational needs (SEN).

• Location: Al Reem Island
• School fee: AED 54,000 - AED 66,000
• Curriculum: International Baccalaureate Curriculum
• Co-ed or segregate: Co-education
• ADEK rating: Very Good
• Years offered: Pre-KG to Grade 7

Situated on Al Reem Island, GEMS World Academy is surrounded by many popular residential communities. Families settled in the following neighbourhoods can easily access the school campus:

• Al Maryah Island
• Navy Gate
• Al Nahyan
• Al Salam Street

Al Maryah Island was known as Sowwah Island. It is a mixed-use residential, commercial and leisure development. Al Nahyan enjoys a central location in Abu Dhabi and is one of the most popular neighbourhoods in the capital city for renting apartments. Al Salam Street, also known as Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Street (E10), is one of the main roads in Abu Dhabi. This boulevard offers residential and commercial units.

Families looking to settle near the school can consider:

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GEMS World Academy Abu Dhabi has a well-facilitated campus. There are separate learning sections for Arabic and Islamic Education. Students can find a variety of books in the well-stocked library. The school has an ICT suite, a music room and an art room. GWA has included Digital Citizenship in the IT curriculum.

Technology is an integral part of the learning process at GEMS World Academy, Abu Dhabi. All classrooms have interactive Promethean boards and computers. A ceiling-mounted projector is used to enhance the learning experience. The school has state-of-the-art internet services. Staff and students can get healthy snacks at the canteen. GEMS World Academy has an Innovation studio that includes facilities for robotics, artificial intelligence, augmented reality and virtual reality. 

The school has exceptional sports facilities, such as a six-court multipurpose hall with audio-visual equipment. Students also get access to the football pitch, a 25-metre and six-lane swimming pool and a learner pool. There are also indoor and outdoor play areas.

Presently, the GEMS World Academy Abu Dhabi location is Al Reem Island, Najmat. The school is close to Al Ghazal Street and those living in the centre of the city can easily reach the school through Umm Yifeenah Bridge

As an integral part of the GEMS schools in Abu Dhabi, GEMS World Academy provides quality education. The school strives to maintain a nurturing, comfortable learning environment. GEMS World Academy Abu Dhabi believes education shouldn’t be limited to classrooms.

The school helps students understand the importance of their language and culture. Thanks to the balanced International Baccalaureate Organization Primary Years Program, young students learn to respect multiculturalism and diversity. The inquiry program enhances students’ understanding, concepts and skills.

The curriculum is developed in a way to help students consistently build on their knowledge and skills. During the Early Years, students learn through play-based activities and symbolic exploration. They are made familiar with the different learning tools. KG1 and KG2 students enjoy uninterrupted play classes twice a day. Students of Grade 1 have one play class a day. They can smoothly transition into the primary grades where the learning process is more structured.

The school follows the internationally recognised International Baccalaureate (IB) Middle Years curriculum and the National Curriculum for England. GEMS World Academy Abu Dhabi became a fully authorised IB World School in 2014. The syllabus has the quality of inquiry-led learning of the IB and the tried-and-tested British curriculum.

During the Early Years, the EYFS and IP Primary Year Programme ensure a child-centred environment. The main areas of study are communication, language literacy, numbers and understanding the world. Overall, the focus is on reading and phonics, entrepreneurial framework and local context that connects with the UAE traditions and culture. 

Middle Years Programme is for students aged 11 to 16 and aims to develop active learners. It builds internationally-minded young people who can empathise with others and pursue lives of purpose and meaning. Students can choose from the pathways, including MYP certificate, IBCP, BTEC, IBDP and A-levels.

More details on the curriculum are available on the school website.

ADEK is the regulatory authority that inspects both public and private education in the capital city. 

ADEK inspected GEMS World Academy, Abu Dhabi from 11th to 15th November 2021 and rated it as “Very Good.” Students’ attainment and progress in English, Mathematics and Science are very good. Their progress and attainment in Islamic Education and Arabic are good. The teaching is very good throughout the school. As per the report, health and safety procedures are outstanding at GEMS World Academy, Abu Dhabi. Students get very good care and support at the school and GEMS World Academy has outstanding partnerships with parents. The effectiveness of leadership, governance and management of the school are very good.

29th August is the first day of the academic calendar. The midterm break is scheduled from the 17th to the 21st of October. Term 1 ends on 9th December, after which students get winter break till 1st January. The school resumes for Term 2 on 2nd January and ends on 24th March. Students get spring break from 27th March to 7th April. Term 3 starts on 10th April and ends on 29th June.

Parents can initiate the admission process via online enquiry/application. They can also visit the school campus. Once an enquiry is submitted, the school’s admission team contacts parents within 24 hours to confirm the appointment. Once the admission is successfully granted, parents receive a conditional offer letter. Parents are requested to submit all the mandatory documents with the application. The school’s government relations executive reviews and approves documentation. Once the admission is approved by the relation executive officer, parents receive an official offer letter. 5% of the annual tuition fee is payable once parents acknowledge and accept the offer letter. This fee is non-transferable and non-refundable but can be adjusted in the first term tuition fee.

Parents should submit these documents with the application form:

• Child’s passport copy
• Recent school report (must be in English with a school stamp).

Gems World Academy follows the age requirements approved by ADEK. Students must meet the set age (as shown in the table below) by 31st August to be granted an offer.

Applicants must complete the appropriate level assessment test. If needed, the school might request students to appear for an additional test and interview upon recommendation by school personnel. GEMS World Academy critically observes all new students for at least three weeks to ensure that it has placed them in a suitable class. The school reserves the right to cancel a student’s admission if the placement is inappropriate or doesn’t follow the school’s placement rule.

Students must have adequate English language proficiency to participate in the school’s instructional program fully. It is also compulsory for all new students to submit and provide all official documentation related to the previously attended school. Please note that these documents must be in English.

For all new admissions, 5% of the annual tuition fee will be due on acceptance of the offer letter and confirmation of enrollment in the applicable academic year. This fee is non-refundable and non-transferable but can be adjusted in the first term tuition fee.

Applicants of KG1 and KG2 have to complete the online application and meet the school’s admission officer. The school will guide parents about the KG programming information and criteria. It will assess students seeking admission in Grade 1 in basic literacy and numeracy skills. GWA also assesses their emotional and social behaviour at this stage.

Those seeking admissions in Grades 2 to 7 will be assessed in numeracy and literacy. The school conducts assessments using the MAPS (Measure of Academic Progress) test. It is a computer-based testing programme systematically built on 30 years of research to evaluate reading, general knowledge, science, mathematics and language usage skills.

Based on the information gathered through assessment, the school may ask parents to meet the school’s counsellor to gain more information about the student’s skills and how they can benefit from the school curriculum.

Documents required to proceed with the admission process include the following:

• Transcripts from the previous school
• Report card
• Test score

As stated earlier, these documents must be in English. GWA may request translation certification from the country's consulate to meet the admission requirements.

GEMS school does not offer special education resources for students with an IEP (Individualized Education Plan) from the last attended school. Therefore, students should be successful with moderate assistance. Otherwise, they may not be eligible to continue.

Parents can book a tour of the GEMS World Academy, Al Raha Island campus, to observe the classroom environment and know more about the resources and facilities that GEMS World Academy Abu Dhabi offers.

GEMS World Academy fee structure is as follows:

The quoted fee includes the cost of:

• Textbooks
• Supplementary books and materials

The tuition fee does not include the charges related to:

• Uniform
• Lunch
• Transport

GEMS Education offers the biggest scholarship programme in the UAE. The merit-based GEMS scholarship programme rewards students who perform exceptionally well in Academics, Creative & Performing Arts, Sports, Innovation & Digital Technology and Arabic Studies.

GEMS Education reserves the right to update the criteria, procedure and requirements of any category of the scholarship programme. All scholarships result in a concession of the GEMS World Academy Abu Dhabi fees. The scholarship award is not exchangeable for cash (in part or full) and is awarded for a single academic year. Students can request annual renewals depending on their academic progress.

To know more about the scholarships, download the online GWA Abu Dhabi scholarship form from the official website.

A school canteen is where students can buy food or eat their home-packed lunch.

Children can purchase lunch from the canteen. Packed lunch from home should be healthy and consumed only during scheduled breaks. The school has partnered with Slices to develop a wide range of healthy hot and cold snacks, lunch items and beverages. The menu is available on GEMS Parent Portal and is featured in the school newsletter. 

Parents can top up the balance through a Slices account or make cash payments.

KG1 students eat lunch in their classrooms, but they can buy snacks from the school canteen. Consumption of soda, chips, junk food, chocolate-covered biscuits, sweets and pastries is strictly prohibited. Dairy foods, wholegrain bread, pasta and rice, vegetable and lean fresh meat, and fish are essential to children’s lunches.

Students can use the school bus service that operates in partnership with Bright Bus Transport (BBT). Each bus has seat belts, CCTV cameras, GPS tracking and sleep check buttons. A bus monitor is present in each vehicle to ensure a safe commute. Parents can submit the registration form available on the school website to start using the school transport service.

Students who opt for school transport services must follow these rules:

• Demonstrate respect for the driver and the bus monitor.
• Students must remain seated and wear their seat belts throughout the journey.
• They should not litter the bus.
• Students are not allowed to eat or drink on the bus; they can drink water.
• If there is enough space on the bus, enrolled students can take another child with them. In case of inappropriate behaviour, parents are informed. After three similar incidents, the student will be stopped from using the bus for one day. In the case of extreme misbehaviour, the principal reviews the case and takes appropriate action.

The school works with external providers to offer tennis, capoeira, karate, rugby and football facilities. East Sports Management coaches are approved by ADEK.

Students are encouraged to develop skills in a wide range of sports. To further enhance interest in physical activity, GWA Abu Dhabi students have access to the following:

• Artificial grass field
• Shaded games field
• Gymnasium
• A 25-metre pool
• A learner's pool
• Climbing wall

GEMS World Academy, Abu Dhabi, believes that exploring and identifying students’ interests early is important for developing their skills. Students excel physically, emotionally and socially through extracurricular activities. GWA Abu Dhabi has an enriched extra-curricular programme.

Presently, extra-curricular activities offered to students include:

| Board Games | Arts & Crafts |
| Cooking | Music |

These activities change each session and students must confirm their participation at the beginning of the academic year.

Field trips are considered an important component of the educational programme of inquiry at GEMS World Academy, Abu Dhabi. Field trips to local places, historical spots and places with cultural value, such as museums and theatres, are scheduled during the academic year as a vital part of the curriculum. Students are strongly encouraged to take part in these activities.

Comprehensive risk assessment is carried out to ensure the health and safety of students. ADEK approves all field trips from GEMS World Academy Abu Dhabi.

Parents must sign and return the permission form to the school within the specified date. Students must pay the charges related to transportation, guided tours and entrance fees unless otherwise communicated.

GWA offers after-school activities throughout the school year. Most after-school activities are free; however, some have a minor charge related to the materials used. Some activities are offered in partnership with East Sports Management (ESM). East Sports Management offers athletic activities under professional and experienced coaches. A fee is charged for each class.

After-school activities are open to students of KG2 onwards. KG students are allowed to take part in one activity each trimester. From grade 1 onwards, children are eligible for two activities per trimester. Classroom teachers or teaching assistants monitor students enrolled in after-school activities from 02:45 pm to 02:55 pm. All activities start at 03:00 pm and end at 04:00 pm.

School transport is not provided for students enrolled in after-school activities. Some activities are offered off-campus at different times.

Parents who want to enrol their child for after-school activities receive a link for online sign-up. If a student remains absent for three days, they may lose their spot in the after-school activities programme.

GEMS World Academy has five teacher-led activity sessions. These activities change every year, and students must apply for them at the beginning of the new academic year.

Students’ health, safety and well-being are paramount at GEMS World Academy Abu Dhabi. The school undergoes periodic inspections and fully complies with the regulatory authorities. Parents are informed about the Health and Safety and Child Protection policy at the start of the academic year.

A registered and licensed school nurse is present during school hours to assist students who need medical help. She is responsible for coordinating and caring for students diagnosed with chronic illnesses.

Parents are requested to fill out the medical forms at the beginning of the year and keep the school nurse well-informed if their child has a medical condition.

GEMS World Academy contacts the parents if a student is unwell during school hours. First-aid kits are kept at the school's health clinic and front office. Several staff members have valid First-Aid certifications.

The Department of Health has strict regulations in place when it comes to administering medication during school hours. A doctor should prescribe such medications for acute and chronic conditions or emergencies. Medicines to be dispensed during school hours must be in their original container. Also, the container should have clear instructions for administration and dosage.

GEMS World Academy Abu Dhabi maintains a strong relationship with parents and sends a family events calendar at the start of the academic year.

GEMS World Academy Abu Dhabi suggests parents use Seesaw for smooth communication. Digital portfolios are shared with students and teachers; students can share documents to ensure a smooth learning process. Parents are suggested to access Seesaw regularly and check their child’s journal.

Seesaw messages are used instead of sending emails to parents. Teachers usually respond to messages within 24 hours. You will receive the reply for messages sent on Thursday latest by Sunday.

GEMS Parent Portal has updated information that parents can access. The Parent Relations Executive provides further details regarding the GEMS World Academy Abu Dhabi Parent Portal.

Important and urgent information is shared through the Parent Relations Executive via SMS and email. It is recommended that parents share accurate emergency contact information with the school.

The bi-monthly school newsletter has information regarding current events. GWA's Facebook page and Twitter feed also have updates, videos and photos related to school events.

• Telephone: +971-2-659-5959
• Email: info_waa@gemsedu.com
• GEMS World Academy Abu Dhabi Website
• GEMS World Academy Abu Dhabi Facebook
• GEMS World Academy Abu Dhabi Twitter

Note that the cover image belongs to GEMS World Academy Abu Dhabi.

What are the timings of the school?

The school is operational from 07:00 am to 03:30 pm.

How many grades/years are there in the school?

FS to Year 7.

Does the school follow a co-education model?

Yes, GEMS World Academy, Abu Dhabi, has a co-education model.

How many students are currently studying in the school?

The school has 664 students.

Please describe the academic calendar of the school.

The school year starts in August and ends in June.

Please mention the range of the tuition fee charged by the school.

The tuition fee ranges from AED 54,000 to AED 66,000.

Does the school offer scholarship programmes to needy and deserving students?

Yes, students can benefit from the merit-based GEMS scholarship programme.

How does the school communicate with parents?

Parents get access to the parents portal, and they can also use the Seesaw app to communicate with teachers. The parents' relations coordinator communicates essential information to parents via SMS or email. Other sources of information are newsletters, the school’s official website and social networking pages.

Does the school have a cafeteria or a canteen on campus?

Yes, GEMS World Academy, Abu Dhabi, has a canteen and dining area for students.

Does the school have any special education programmes or learning plans for students of determination?

 Yes, GEMS World Academy is an inclusive school that fully supports students of determination.

Does the school arrange field trips?

Yes, the school takes students on field trips.

How many teachers are currently teaching in the school?

The school has 29 teachers and 27 teaching assistants.