Global Indian International School, Dubai

Global Indian International School group was founded in 2002 in Singapore. Since then, the network has spread across 7 countries and owns 23 campuses. You will find Global Indian International School campuses in the UAE, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, India, Japan and Thailand.

The newest addition to the group is Global Indian International School (GIIS) in Dubai. The school was in Al Barsha until 2021. It was then relocated to Meydan Street on Al Quoz - a prominent residential area and home to a few tourist attractions and malls.

GIIS Dubai opened its doors in 2017 as a Montessori school offering Pre-KG, KG 1 and KG 2 classes. The school now offers classes until Grade 11, initially it planned to add a grade each year until Grade 12. GIIS is a co-educational school.

As of now, there are over 200 students enrolled in the campus, while the total capacity of the school is around 2,200. Also, GIIS, Dubai is a member of the Global Schools Foundation.

Interestingly, the Global Indian International School, Dubai is authorised to offer a dual curriculum. The primary curriculum is the Indian Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) from Grade 1 to 12. The school has plans to introduce International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) for higher grades in the future.

Since the school opened in 2017, the first KHDA inspection was expected to take place in the 2019 – 2020 academic session. However, due to the pandemic KHDA inspection was not carried out on the designated dates.

• Location: Al Quoz
• School fees: AED 16,500 - AED 34,824
• Curriculum: CBSE
• Co-ed or segregate: Co-education
• Years Offered: PreKG - Grade 11

Since its relocation to a prime spot on Meydan Road in Al Quoz, Global Indian International School has become easily reachable from different parts of the city. Some nearest residential communities are:

• Al Safa
• Downtown Dubai
• Nad Al Sheba

Al Safa is part of central Dubai and is divided into Al Safa 1 and Al Safa 2. It is popular as home to Al Safa Park. Downtown Dubai is the most popular tourist attraction and has a lot to offer - from restaurants and malls to luxurious residential options.

Parents looking to move to an area near the school can consider:

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Global Indian International School Dubai campus is well-equipped with state-of-the-art infrastructure. Facilities provided assist students in academic as well as co-curricular activities in its state-of-the-art campus.

The campus is distinctively designed to minimise the carbon footprint and has optimal mix of modern facilities. GIIS, Dubai campus ensures maximum usage of sunlight and green spaces.

Special areas are dedicated to robotics, Science and computer labs, immersion centre, library, music studio, safe play area, auditorium and dance studio.

For sports, kids can make the most of an outdoor play area, a KG pool, a kiddy gym and a room for role-play activities.

As for middle and secondary school, students have studios reserved for Music, Arts and Photography (Nikon). Also, there is an immersion centre, GCIE – Robotics and Maker Space and ICT, Science and Maths laboratories. Students of determination can carry out several activities in the inclusion room. The school offers a day-care facility.

Since physical education is a large part of students’ all-rounded development, GIIS has built some world-class sports facilities on site. You will find courts for tennis, basketball, badminton and squash, a cricket net, a competition-sized swimming pool and a full-sized football ground.

Global Indian International School is in Al Quoz 1 on Meydan Road.

Al Quoz 1 is near Sheikh Zayed Road, E11 to the test of Business Bay. It is the most affordable sub-community of Al Quoz and offers a range of villas.

Despite being a new school in Dubai, GIIS has an admirable international reputation. Global Indian International network has over 15,000 students receiving quality education at the 23 campuses.

One of the most laudable features of the school is the adoption of Nine GEMS ™ or 9GEMS TM. This is a holistic framework where well-rounded development of students is given special attention.

The nine fields in this framework are Academic Excellence, Personality Development, Universal Values & Ethics, Sports Excellence, Creativity & Innovation, Community & Care, Visual & Performing Arts, Entrepreneurship & Leadership and Skill Development.

In addition to this, Global Indian International School, UAE plans to add classes until Grade 12. This means your child can have access to quality education from Montessori Level to senior years.

Parents will be pleased to notice that the school has designed several value-added programmes that involve and trust parents to be a significant part of their child’s academic journey. Some of these programmes include Weekends of Wonder (WOW), Nikon Photography Club and Global Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship.

The school has received over 200+ awards that prove its dedication to the education sector. Some of the prestigious awards that GIIS had the honour to receive include:

• Golden Peacock Innovative Product/Service Award
• IMC RBNQA Performance Excellence Award
• Singapore Quality Class Star
• World Education Award

All in all, Global Indian International School Dubai, Al Quoz checks all the boxes to become one of the best Indian schools in Dubai.

Based on the Indian curriculum, the below-listed age-placement guidelines are followed by the school.

Global Indian International School, Dubail follows the CBSE curriculum.

Kindergarten

GIIS in Dubai has adopted the Global Montessori Plus (GMP) program to teach the best practices of modern preschool education. Employing GMP at the kindergarten level ensures that students are well prepared for a transition into Grade 1.

Children are taught basics of reading, numeracy and literacy skills. There are five major components of the GMP program including:

• Excelerate programme
• Multi-faceted Learning
• iPlay Programme
• iCare Programme
• Future Ready Programme

Inquiry-based and child-led learnings allow little ones to understand their emotions and that of others. Also, the curriculum helps them interact with their surroundings to explore and understand the world on their own.

Primary School

The CBSE curriculum is a bit more challenging at the primary level. Students’ physical and mental growth is of importance in primary school. Active, Cognitive and Collaborative strategies are used to strengthen the knowledge, skills and attitudes of students.

To make the learning experience more enjoyable, students are encouraged to participate in extracurricular and co-curricular activities. Sports, elocution, debate clubs and Model United Nations (MUNs) are some of the ventures that your child can participate in.

Assessments and examinations are a major part of the curriculum. Tools such as CAT4, International Math Olympiad, National Science Olympiad, Cyber Olympiad and International English Olympiad are employed to assess a student’s attainment in various subjects.

Secondary School

The Global Indian International School curriculum for middle and secondary school adopts an interactive and holistic approach. Theme-based morning assemblies, field trips and inter-house activities ensure that students grow in a caring, yet challenging learning environment.

English, Mathematics, Social Science, Science and 2nd language (Hindi or French), Physical Education, Computer Studies and Arabic are the core courses available to students in Grade 10. Islamic Education is compulsory for all Muslim students while the Moral Education Programme (MEP) is mandatory for all students.

Apart from core academics, GIIS students are more than welcome to participate in extracurricular activities and STEM Programmes to pursue their interests and passion.

Since the secondary section is important for students who will appear in All India Secondary School Examination (AISSE) or IB Diploma Programme, the school carries out frequent internal and external assessments. GIIS, Dubai puts a 20% weightage on formative and 80% weightage on summative assessment.

Other than this, Reading Assessments, Olympiads in Math, English, Cyber, Science, Detailed Assessment, CAT4, Question a Day and many more are conducted to assess the performance of the students. They receive guidance for improvement from teachers depending on the results.

The Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) is a governmental project that has been established for the inspection of private schools in Dubai. The agency carries out an annual inspection of these schools based on their curriculum, leadership, school management, facilities provided and overall performance of the students.

Schools are then rated on a six-point scale where the highest rating is ‘Outstanding’ and the lowest ‘Very Weak.’ Below is a visual representation of the rating system.

KHDA inspected GIIS, Dubai from 21st to 24th February 2022 and rated it “Good”. As per the report, most kindergarteners achieve above expectations across. However, their attainment in Arabic and Islamic Education is not as good as in other subjects. Students show engagement in learning and willingly take responsibility.

Students’ behaviour is excellent and they show support to their peers. They have a high level of understanding and appreciation of Islamic values. Curriculum enhancements helped them acquire key innovation and creative skills.

Teaching is most consistent and strongest in kindergarten because of age-appropriate teaching strategies. Most teachers use questioning in an effective manner and have productive relationships with students. The assessment system is well-developed to produce accurate information regarding students’ attainment levels. However, this should also be used for students with specific needs.

The curriculum of GIIS is balanced and broad. It is aligned with the CBSE and Ministry of Education guidelines. The kindergarten curriculum is enhanced with elements from EYFS, NCERT and Montessori. The curriculum in all phases is linked with Emirati culture and UAE society.

The school has safeguarding, protection, healthy and safety and bully prevention policies in place. Students of determination and Gifted and Talented students are identified – their needs are met effectively mostly in kindergarten.

Senior leaders and governors have a clear vision of high academic standards and have a holistic approach to learning. The school ensures effective communication with parents.

Some of the best features of the school as per KHDA are:

• The excellent behaviour of students and strong relationships throughout the school
• The effective start at the kindergarten level particularly in developing language skills and the way they are encouraged to be independent
• The holistic vision for education
• The strategic leadership at the higher level to ensure the ongoing development and school improvement

Key recommendations made by KHDA include these:

GIIS should improve the attainment and progress in Arabic and Islamic Education by strategizing teaching and learning opportunities in lessons

The school should improve the consistency of teaching and learning through:

• Ensuring a balance between curriculum and developing learning skills such as critical thinking, inquiry and research across the curriculum
• Using assessment more systematically to target the needs of students including lower and higher attaining students and students of determination
• Extending methods for enabling students to self-asses themselves to increase awareness of learning and their next steps towards achieving target

Global Indian International School’s academic calendar starts from April and ends in March. The academic year is divided into three terms and students get the chance to enjoy spring, summer and winter holidays.

• The first term starts in the first week of April and ends in the first week of July. Students then go on a summer break that ends in the fourth week of August.
• The second term starts in the last week of August and ends in the second week of December. This is followed by a winter break that lasts till the last week of December.
• Classes resume right after the end of winter break and last till the second week of March.

For more information, contact the school.

GIIS, Al Quoz is a non-selective school. The school starts the admission process in January, which continues all year long. However, registrations start in August of the previous year for the new academic year.

The Global Indian International School admission process starts with filling an online application form. Once the application form is submitted along with required documents, parents can visit the campus and meet the admission counsellor while students undertake their entrance exam.

Few documents required by the school include:

• Birth Certificate of the student
• Student’s recent passport size picture
• Medical Certificate
• Proof of residential address

To complete the registration, a one-time application fee of AED 500 is to be paid. Once this is done, your child will receive an offer letter from the school. To accept the offer letter, you must pay a registration fee of AED 1,500 to secure the place.

Before seeking admission, parents must ensure that their child meets the following age placement criteria.

This is based on the age of the students on 31st March (for schools beginning in April).  Source: KHDA

* This is to cater to students transferring from systems that admit students of a younger age)

The Global Indian International School Dubai’s fee structure for the current academic year is as follows:

Other mandatory fees for all groups include:

Global Indian International School Dubai fees can be paid via cash, cheque, bank transfer or debit/credit card.

Indian Global International School Dubai currently runs 4 scholarships under GIIS Dubai Grant Programmes – 2020. Under this initiative, the school provides existing and prospective students with the opportunity to waive up to 100% of their tuition fees or receive a grant to study as an exchange student at a GIIS campus abroad.

The scholarship is handed over to the most deserving candidates on either merit or as financial support based on their academic and non-academic performance.

Please note that any grant awarded to the scholar will be refunded after the end of the academic term. Term fees will be paid normally.

Also, students must apply to any of the scholarship programmes. Please select the programme which is best suited to your interest.

Students applying in any of the grant programmes must fill a grant application form beforehand.

The four categories of scholarships are as follows:

Dubai Global Citizen Grant

This is a unique scholarship from Global Indian International School for both GIIS and non-GIIS students. The scholarship is offered to best performers enrolled in Grade 5 and above.

Here, the candidate will be awarded the scholarship equal to the percentage obtained in the CBSE examination. The awardee will be sent to the Singapore Smart Campus for higher education.

Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Next Gen Global Skills Grant

Some kids are born tech-savvy and are interested in gadgets, latest technology and various applications from quite a young age. Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Next Gen Global Skills Grant permits outstanding candidates with an interest in the technological world to excel further.

By sponsoring this scholarship initiative, GSF provides a concession in the course fee that these students plan to take in Grade 5 and onwards. Your child can avail 15% to 75% concession on the course fees through this grant.

Eligibility and Criteria

• The student should reside in the UAE with valid Emirates ID
• The applicant should have a produced a paper, thesis or published documents on a topic related to digital space
• Applicant should have innovated or invented an application, or a gadget related to digital space
• The applicant must have participated and won recognition in any of the inter-school Science Exhibitions. They must become “Sashtra Pratibha” in the Sastra Pratibha Contest by Science India Forum

The three academic and non-academic areas are worth different points.

• Achievements in Science and Technology get 40 Points
• Academic Results get 30 points
• The financial status of parents has 30 Points

The applicant will be marked in these three areas and allotted points accordingly. Students with the highest total score will be granted a 75% fee concession.

DUBAI 9Gems Holistic Development Grant

This scholarship is granted to those students who show outstanding progress or achievement in any of the nine disciplines of Nine Gems holistic framework.

Criteria:

• Students securing the top 3 places in competition at the national (India) level in any of the disciplines will be granted 50 points (up to 50% tuition fee refund)
• The program will grant students securing the top 3 places in a competition in the UAE in any of the disciplines 30 points (up to 30% tuition fee refund)
• Students scoring top 3 places in an inter-school level competition in any of the disciplines will be granted 10 points (up to 10% tuition fee refund).

GIIS Dubai ZAYED – GANDHI Merit-cum-Means Grant

On the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi and 100th Birth anniversary of H.H. Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the GFS has provided financial help to most deserving students.

Eligibility and Criteria

• Students should reside in the UAE and must possess a valid Emirates ID
• The applicant must come from a moderate-income family
• The applicant must submit the school report for the past two years
• The applicant must submit full family income documents

The four academic and non-academic areas are worth different points.

• Financial situation has 50 points
• Academic Result has 30 points
• ECA/CCA participation at National or State level has 15 points
• Community service has 5 points

The applicant will be marked in these four areas and allotted points accordingly. The school will grant students with the highest total score a 75% fee concession.

GIIS, Dubai has a cafeteria that serves nutritious and tasty meals. Students can access this facility in the morning and at lunchtime. Also, the cafeteria service ensures that students, especially the little ones, are learning table manners while having their lunch.

The school recommends parents to provide children with healthy foods if they bring their lunch from home. Unhealthy choices such as sweets, candies, fizzy drinks and crisps must be avoided.

Safe and sound transport service is provided by the school. All buses are equipped with GPS, surveillance camera, female attendant, electronic attendance scanner and other features to ensure a comfortable commute for students.

Here’s a description of the areas covered by the buses as well as the two-way and one-way charges per child.

The school offers overnight, winter and summer camps for students to enjoy after a tough week of exams.

Sports facilities at the school include two swimming pools – one for KG school and another for middle and high school, a full-sized football pitch, a cricket net, and an outdoor play area and a kiddy gym for little ones. Students can also play basketball, squash, badminton and long tennis on courts.

Global Indian International School, Dubai has adopted a holistic approach towards education; hence, extracurricular and co-curricular activities are a significant part of its ideology.

Field trips are arranged periodically for the entertainment of students. Previously, children have visited KidZania and Dubai Dolphinarium.

Global Indian International School, Al Quoz 1, offers both day-care and after-school activities.

Extended half-day care for kindergarten (Pre-KG to KG 2) until 02:45 pm costs AED 400 per month while full day-care until 04:30 pm costs AED 600 per month. Full day-care till 04:30 pm for students in Grade 1 to Grade 6 costs AED 300 per month.

After-school activities include:

After-school activities are available to students enrolled in Grade 1 – Grade 10 for an additional cost of AED 800 (VAT included) per month.

• Session 1: 2:10 pm – 3:00 pm
• Session 2: 3:10 pm- 4:00 pm

GIIS, Dubai has a medical centre that is tended by qualified and experienced nurses. Once a week, the facility is visited by a DHA certified doctor. The clinic is well-equipped to administer first-aid treatment.The school shares a detailed health policy with parents to address any concerns that they might have. The clinic hours are from 08:00 am to 02:45 pm on school days

Global Indian International School, Al Quoz, recognises the importance of open communication with parents. GIIS strongly supports the involvement of parents in their child’s academic life.

Vouching for this belief, the school has maintained several modes through which parents can easily contact relevant teachers and staff members. Apart from this, you can be a part of several events hosted by GIIS, Dubai.

The most important means of communication is the myGIIS parent portal. Parents and guardians can use this portal to get information regarding school events, administration activities and their child’s performance, attendance and school reports.

Similarly, students across the 23 campuses can use the GIIS account to get updates regarding their coursework, school events and various other activities.

Other communication methods used by the school include parent-teacher meetings, one-on-one meeting, weekly class updates and orientation sessions. These avenues will allow you to understand how the school works and discuss your child’s performance with relevant teachers with complete confidentiality.

GIIS, Dubai invites parents to annual sports day to support their child. Also, the school holds special days for pre-primary students to allow the strengthening of bonds between children and their extended family.

Last, you can act as GIIS Parent Ambassador and Friends of GIIS by working with the school to spread positive words about them amongst your friends and family.

You can find Global Indian International School contact details in the below section.

• Telephone Number: 800 444-7392 | +971-4-225-5681
• General Enquiries: giis.dubai@globalindianschool.org
• Admission Enquiries: admissions3.dxb@globalindianschool.org

GENERAL INFORMATION

• GIIS Dubai Website
• GIIS Dubai Facebook
• GIIS Dubai Twitter
• GIIS Dubai Instagram
• GIIS YouTube
• GIIS LinkedIn

Note that the cover image belongs to Global Indian International School, Dubai.

What are the timings of the school?

7:45 am to 4 pm

Does the school conduct after-school activities?

Yes, it conducts activities after school hours for kindergarten the activities are scheduled from 1 pm to 2 pm, and for primary the activities are from 3:15 pm to 4:15 pm

How many grades/years are there in the school?

Currently, the school has KG to Grade 11 but it plans to have Grade 12 by next year.

Does the school follow a co-education model?

Yes, GIIS has co-education model.

How many students are currently studying in the school?

Global Indian International School, Dubai has 770 students.

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

The needs of students of determination are met effectively at the school. Provision for students of determination received Good rating from KHDA too.

Please describe the academic calendar of the school.

The school year starts in April to March.  

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

AED 15,000 – AED 34,824

How does the school communicate with parents?

GIIS, Dubai keeps parents involved in every step through special events and one on one sessions. The school believes in open communication between parents and the school through parent-teacher meetings, weekly class updates and orientation sessions.

Does Global Indian International School have a parent portal or any mobile application for communication?

Yes, Global Indian International School, Al Quoz has a parents portal -myGIIS. It is a one-stop solution for updates regarding functions, transport service, invoices, tasks and other announcements. The portal is a bridge between parents and teachers.  

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

Yes, the school has a cafeteria.

How often does the school arrange field trips?

Students enjoy field trips throughout the year.

How many teachers are currently teaching in the school?

There are 43 teachers and 14 teaching assistants in the school.