United Arab Emirates, Dubai
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· Reviewed by Aziza Francienne · B2C Marketing Manager
GEMS World Academy Dubai has 2,100 pupils, typical class sizes of 23, instruction in English.
GEMS World Academy – Dubai is located in Al Barsha South, Dubai, UAE. The 42,000 m² campus includes a dedicated Senior School for Grades 9–12 and is easily accessible for families from Meadows, Springs, Lakes, Arabian Ranches and Damac Hills, with Mall of the Emirates nearby.
GWA offers Nursery through Grade 12 and delivers the International Baccalaureate continuum: Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP), Diploma Programme (DP) and Career-related Programme (CP). A Senior School campus serves students in Grades 9–12.
Co-educational; day school with no boarding facilities.
The school has over 2,100 students from more than 100 nationalities; there is no publicly published single most represented nationality, and the local-to-international student ratio is not published.
An Inclusion department provides learning support and English as an Additional Language (EAL) alongside counselling services. The KHDA/DSIB inspection notes inclusive provision and describes the school as fully inclusive.
None. The school operates as an international IB World School within the UAE-based GEMS Education network.
No religious affiliation. Islamic Education is provided where required by UAE law; Muslim students must take Islamic Education from Grade 1 to Grade 12.
The Academy day starts between 07:45 and 08:00. Students are dismissed at 15:20 Monday to Thursday and 12:00 on Fridays; enrichment activities run 15:20–16:20 Monday to Thursday.
The school contracts School Transport Services (STS) to provide bus transport. STS operates a network of routes with safety features (CCTV, GPS) and assigns a dedicated Service Delivery Executive; a route and fee schedule is published by the school.
Annual tuition at GEMS World Academy Dubai ranges from AED 42,271 to AED 123,442 for 2026/27.
GEMS World Academy Dubai teaches IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP) for students aged 2 to 18.
GEMS World Academy – Dubai offers the IB continuum: Primary Years Programme (PYP) for Pre-K to Grade 5, Middle Years Programme (MYP) for Grades 6–10, and the Diploma Programme (DP) and Career-related Programme (CP) for senior students. The PYP uses inquiry-based learning across six subject areas—Language, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Arts, and Physical, Social and Personal Education—and six transdisciplinary themes, with learner dispositions, key concepts, and action guiding learning. The MYP spans Grades 6–10 and comprises eight subject groups (Language and Literature, Language Acquisition, Mathematics, Sciences, Individuals and Societies, Design, The Arts, Physical and Health Education) and includes Contextual Learning, Conceptual Understanding, Service as Action, and the Personal Project (started in Grade 9 and completed in Grade 10). The DP is a two-year, university-preparatory programme with six subject groups and a Core of CAS, the Extended Essay, and Theory of Knowledge. The CP combines two DP courses with a four-component Core and a career-related study, including a BTEC-Business Level 3 Extended Diploma, for Grades 11–12.
1. Make an initial enquiry with the Admissions Team. The team guides you from your first enquiry to your child's first day and answers questions to help you feel confident about joining the international community. You can start the process by using Apply Now, Get a Call Back, or Book a Tour. Guided campus tours are available Monday to Thursday 08:00–15:30 and Friday 08:00–11:30; appointments must be booked in advance. 2. Schedule a campus visit. Tours provide information about the IB continuum and school life. Tours run Monday–Thursday 08:00–15:30 and Friday 08:00–11:30; please book in advance. 3. Submit the application and review requirements. Apply Now enables application submission. The IB continuum is offered across PYP, MYP, CP, and DP for ages 2–18. Arabic language instruction is required for Grades 1–9, and Muslim students from Grade 1 to 12 must take Islamic Education. If there are questions about grade-level placement, contact the Registration Team. 4. Grade placement and enrollment. GEMS World Academy – Dubai places students in age-appropriate grade levels in accordance with MOE/KHDA regulations. The country comparison chart helps align English and local grade naming (e.g., Year 2 in England is equivalent to Grade 1 at GWA). For placement questions, contact the Registration Team.
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