GEMS Dubai American Academy
About
Inspection Rating
Outstanding-- KHDA
Languages Taught
English, Arabic
Phone
Website
Address
Al Barsha South First, Dubai, UAE
Programs Offered
5 ProgrammesKindergarten (KG1 - KG2)
2 years / KG
Early childhood education for ages 4-6 following the American curriculum with an inquiry-based, play-focused approach. Individual iPads loaned to students. Focus on literacy, numeracy, social-emotional development, and specialist instruction in Arabic, Music, PE, and Swimming.
Elementary School (Grade 1 - Grade 5)
5 years / Elementary
Elementary education following the US Common Core standards. Integrated approach to curriculum, instruction, and assessment with iPads loaned to all students. Specialist teaching across subjects with a focus on developing critical thinking and collaboration skills.
Middle School (Grade 6 - Grade 8)
3 years / Middle School
Middle school education preparing students for high school. BYOD laptop program begins. Week Without Walls international trips for service learning and cultural immersion. Strong athletics program through the Emirates Athletic Conference (EAC).
High School (Grade 9 - Grade 12)
4 years / High School
High school offering the American High School Diploma with Advanced Placement (AP) courses. Multiple graduation pathways: General, Advanced (3 AP), Elite (5 AP), and AP Capstone (6 AP + Seminar/Research). Career-focused overseas trips and MESAC athletics conference.
IB Diploma Programme (Grade 11 - Grade 12)
2 years / IB Diploma
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme offered alongside the American diploma. 96% pass rate with an average score of 34 points (global average 30.3). 16 students scored 40+ points in the Class of 2024. Graduates accepted at Princeton, Columbia, Johns Hopkins, UCL, and other top universities.
Tuition Fees 2025/26
All fees in AED per academic year
| Grade | Key Stage | Ages | KHDA Fee | School Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KG 1 | Kindergarten | 4-5 | 66,185 | - |
| KG 2 | Kindergarten | 5-6 | 66,185 | - |
| Grade 1 | Elementary | 6-7 | 93,300 | - |
| Grade 2 | Elementary | 7-8 | 93,300 | - |
| Grade 3 | Elementary | 8-9 | 93,300 | - |
| Grade 4 | Elementary | 9-10 | 93,300 | - |
| Grade 5 | Elementary | 10-11 | 93,300 | - |
| Grade 6 | Middle School | 11-12 | 93,300 | - |
| Grade 7 | Middle School | 12-13 | 93,300 | - |
| Grade 8 | Middle School | 13-14 | 93,300 | - |
| Grade 9 | High School | 14-15 | 93,300 | - |
| Grade 10 | High School | 15-16 | 93,300 | - |
| Grade 11 | High School (American/IB) | 16-17 | 93,300 | - |
| Grade 12 | High School (American/IB) | 17-18 | 93,300 | - |
Fee Calculator
Estimate total annual fees for your family
Payment Information
AED 500 + AED 25 VAT, non-refundable
KHDA Rating
2023–2024| Indicator | Foundation | Primary | Secondary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attainment | N/A | GoodGood | Accept.Acceptable |
| Progress over time | N/A | GoodGood | Accept.Acceptable |
| Indicator | Foundation | Primary | Secondary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attainment | N/A | Accept.Acceptable | Accept.Acceptable |
| Progress over time | N/A | GoodGood | Accept.Acceptable |
Curriculum
Early childhood education following the American curriculum with an inquiry-based, play-focused approach. Individual iPads loaned to all students. Focus on developing foundational literacy, numeracy, and social-emotional skills in a nurturing environment.
Teaching Approach
Inquiry-based learning with a creative, play-focused approach. Technology-integrated with individual iPads. Specialist teachers for Arabic, Music, PE, Swimming, and Art.
Core Subjects
Specialist Subjects
Elementary education following US Common Core standards with an integrated approach to curriculum, instruction, and assessment. iPads loaned to all students. Strong focus on literacy, STEM, and the arts with specialist teaching across all subjects.
Teaching Approach
Standards-based instruction aligned to US Common Core and NGSS. Apple Distinguished School methodology with 1:1 iPad program. Integrated approach with specialist teachers. Co-curricular activities from Grade 2.
Core Subjects
Specialist Subjects
Middle school education preparing students for high school pathways. BYOD laptop program begins. Week Without Walls international trips for service learning and cultural immersion. Emirates Athletic Conference (EAC) sports competition. 50+ after-school activities per term.
Teaching Approach
BYOD laptop program with technology-integrated instruction. Project-based and inquiry-driven learning. Week Without Walls experiential trips. Focus on developing independence, critical thinking, and leadership skills.
Core Subjects
Specialist Subjects
Facilities
Sports
50m Olympic Swimming Pool
Olympic-sized swimming pool supporting swim squads from Grades 2-12
Gymnasium
Large gymnasium with three full basketball courts for PE and competitions
Fitness Suite
Modern fitness suite for senior students
Rooftop Tennis Courts
Tennis courts on the rooftop for lessons and competitions
400m Running Track
Full 400-metre running track for athletics and track events
Arts
565-Seat Auditorium
Ultra-modern auditorium for performances, assemblies, and events
Black Box Theatres
Two black box theatres for drama productions and performing arts
Dance Studio
Dedicated dance studio for ballet, contemporary, and creative movement
Art Studios
2D and 3D art studios with ceramics kiln room
Photography Darkroom
Traditional photography darkroom for film development
TV Studio & Radio Suite
TV studio with green screen room, radio suite, and Mac editing lab
Music Rooms & Recording Studio
Individual practice rooms, band rooms, and professional recording studio
Academics
Science Laboratories
Multiple fully equipped science labs for Physics, Chemistry, and Biology
Libraries
Four separate libraries serving each school division
Technology
Drone Labs
Dedicated drone labs as part of the Center of Excellence in AI and Robotics
Wellbeing
WISE Center for Wellbeing
95-seat amphitheatre, therapy room, podcast studio, interactive classroom, cafe, and Family First room
Health
Health Clinic
On-campus health clinic for student medical needs
Extracurricular Activities
Staffing & Leadership
Senior Leadership
Helen Pereira-Raso
Superintendent / CEO
Canadian educator holding a Masters in Education from Nipissing University and a Bachelors from the University of Toronto, currently pursuing a Doctorate at Brock University. Previously Head of School at Holy Trinity School in Richmond Hill, Ontario. Appointed Superintendent of GEMS Dubai American Academy.