School Profile 2016-2017 P.O. Box 126260, Al Barsha South, Dubai, United Arab Emirates CEEB CODE: 697067 Tel: +971 4 373 6373, Fax: +971 4 323 3076 UCAS: 46011 [email protected] www.gemsworldacademy-dubai.com IB: 004438 Head of School Mission Statement GEMS World Academy-Dubai develops inquiring, reflective and caring Mr. Stuart Walker learners who, through the rigour of the IB programmes, have the knowledge, [email protected] skills and character to take action and create a better, more peaceful world. Supported by highly qualified staff in world-class facilities, our diverse Secondary School Principal international community is encouraged to develop intercultural understanding Mr. Giles Pruett and respect. [email protected] Vision Statement Grade 9-12 Assistant Principal Our aim is to be a world-class IB school that maximizes every student’s learning and character to enable them to choose their own successful path and Mr. Christopher Burch positively contribute to the local and global society. [email protected] Mrs. Frances Jones The School Community GEMS World Academy - Dubai (GWA) is a PreK to Grade 12 co-educational [email protected] IB continuum day school. Established in 2008 as a member of the GEMS Education network of schools, GWA currently hosts nearly 2100 students IB DP Coordinator from more than 85 nationalities. We view our multicultural community as a Mr. Brian Hull source of learning as we develop an understanding of what makes people [email protected] different, while celebrating our similarities. GWA offers a 21st century learning environment where every student participates as an active learner. Students IB MYP Coordinator have access to a broad range of learning experiences facilitated by a multicultural and multilingual international staff of educators in a world-class Mrs. Rhonda Zaharko [email protected] school facility. The IB Learner Profile and GEMS Core Values shape our character expectations as we aim to develop international mindedness in all members of our community; students, staff and parents alike. High School MYP/DP Counselors Accreditation Mr. Kemal Taskin GWA is authorized by the IB to offer three IB programmes - the Primary Head of Secondary Counseling Years Programme, Middle Years Programme and Diploma Programme - to MYP/DP Grade 9-12 students aged 3 - 18. GWA is also accredited by the Council of International [email protected] Schools (CIS). Ms. Kia Beguesse High School Counselor MYP/DP Grades 9-12 [email protected] Mr. Christian Yañez High School Counselor MYP/DP Grades 9-12 [email protected] DP Counseling Secretary Ms. Arlene Samia [email protected] The Curriculum The IB Diploma Programme (DP) at GWA-Dubai As a private, co-educational day school, we offer three The DP is a demanding university preparatory International Baccalaureate (IB) programmes: the Primary programme that leads to external exams. It is designed Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme for highly motivated students in their final two years of (MYP) and Diploma Programme (DP). Following the school. The DP curriculum emphasizes critical thinking, UAE’s educational guidelines, all students must take intercultural understanding, research skills and Arabic until the end of Grade 9, while students who are community service. Approximately 90% of GWA citizens of Arabic speaking countries are required to study students in Grades 11 and 12 are enrolled in the DP, Arabic until graduation. Muslim students study Islamic with the remainder enrolled in Diploma Courses Education as part of their academic schedule through to (certificate) programme. the end of Grade 12. The language of instruction at the school is English. Students in Grades 9-12 follow a The IB Diploma will be awarded to a candidate university-preparatory programme culminating in the IB’s provided all the following requirements have been met: Full Diploma or Diploma Courses (Certificate) all CAS requirements, the candidate’s total points are 24 Programme in addition to the GWA High School or more, there is no grade E awarded for theory of Diploma that is accredited by the Council of International knowledge and/or the extended essay, there is no grade School (CIS). 1 awarded in a subject/level, there are no more than two grade 2’s awarded (HL or SL), there are no more than three grade 3’s or below awarded (HL or SL), the candidate has gained 12 points or more in HL subjects, High School Diploma Requirements and the candidate has gained 9 points or more on SL To be awarded a GWA high school diploma a student subjects. must score 3 or higher in his/her DP courses, obtain a D or higher in Theory of Knowledge and the Extended Essay /research paper and complete all Community Evaluation Scheme Activity & Service requirements. GWA conforms to the IB Diploma Programme system with grades ranging from 7 (high) to 1 (low), with the exception of TOK and EE which is reported A (high) The Middle Years Programme (MYP): a five-year to E (low). The system is used for all internal and programme for students aged 11-16 (Grades 6-10 at external assessments and on official transcripts. GWA). Students take one subject from each of the GWA only provides end of year grades on High School following eight areas every year: transcripts. Should a midyear transcript be required, for 1. Arts Grade 12 students, it should be noted that the grades are 2. Design only preliminary and an updated transcript with final 3. Health & Physical Education grades will be provided at the end of Grade12. 4. Individual Societies 5. Language A – studies in language and literature 6. Language B – language acquisition The Diploma Programme at GWA has minimum 7. Mathematics entrance requirements for Grade 10 students, details of 8. Science which are available on the school website. Students who do not qualify for the Full DP enroll in the Diploma Courses route. The only alternative to the Full DP is the All students must complete a Personal Project in Year 5 Diploma Courses route where students are required to of the MYP (Grade 10) as well as meet Service and take 6 SL classes and a modified TOK, CAS and an Action requirements. Extended Essay program. Class Rank and Grade Points Average GWA Evaluation Scheme We do not report class rank due to the mobility of our students and the diversity of their IB The Student has demonstrated educational backgrounds. Grade We do not report a GPA, but do provide a A consistent and thorough understanding of suggested equivalency scale below: the required knowledge and skills. Ability to apply required knowledge and skills Suggested Suggested routinely in a wide variety of situations. Achievement Equivalent GWA Grade GPA 7 Consistent evidence of analysis, synthesis and Descriptor Letter evaluation where appropriate. Calculation Grade Frequent originality and/or insight as 7 Exceptional A+ 4.00 appropriate. Work of high quality on a regular basis. 6 Superior A/A- 4.00 A consistent and thorough understanding of 5 Very Good B+/B/B- 3.50 the required knowledge and skills. Ability to apply required knowledge and skills 4 Satisfactory C+/C 3.00 routinely in a wide variety of situations. 6 Consistent evidence of analysis, synthesis and 3 Mediocre C- 2.00 evaluation where appropriate. Frequent originality and/or insight as 2 Poor E 0.00 appropriate. 1 Very Poor F 0.00 A consistently good understanding of the required knowledge and skills. Ability to apply required knowledge and skills GWA 2016 IB Diploma Programme Results in a variety of situations. 5 Regular evidence of analysis, syntheses and Number of candidates evaluation where appropriate. Total Diploma Full Diploma who Occasional originality and/or insight as students Courses candidates successfully appropriate. registered candidates Satisfactory general understanding of the passed the knowledge and skills. Diploma Ability to apply required knowledge and skills 90 80 10 70 4 effectively in typical situations. Average Occasional evidence of the skills of analysis, Percentage points Highest Average grade synthesis and evaluation where appropriate. of candidates obtained by Diploma obtained by Limited achievement against most of the who candidates points candidates objectives, or clear difficulties in some areas. achieved the who awarded to who achieved Limited understanding of the required Diploma achieved the a candidate the Diploma Diploma 3 knowledge and skills. Ability to apply required knowledge and skills 87.5% 31.4 44 4.98 fully in typical classroom situation only with support. Very limited achievement against all objectives. Difficulty in understanding the required knowledge and skills. 2 Inability to apply required knowledge and skills fully in typical classroom situations, even with support. Minimal achievement in terms of the 1 objectives. GWA University Acceptances 2013 – 2016 (Bold indicates matriculation) Glion Institute of Higher School of the Art Institute of Asia Dublin City University University of Liverpool Drexel University Education Chicago American University of Hanze University of Apllied Durham University University of Manchester East Carolina University School of Visual Arts Armenia Sciences Istanbul Bilgi University - Hotel School, The Hague Edinburgh Napier University University of Northampton Emory University Slippery Rock University Turkey HULT International Business Monash University - Malaysia Hult Intl Business School University of Northumbria Eugene Lang College Suffolk University School Reitsumeikan Asia Pacific International University in Geneva Imperial College London University of Nottingham Flagler College Southern Methodist University University Roc University - Turkey Jonkoping Int’l Business School Kent University University of Oxford Florida Int’l University St. John's College Taylor's University - Leiden University King's College London University of Portsmouth Florida Institure of Technology St.Edwards University Malaysia Hong Kong University of Sci. National University of Ireland, Kingston University University of Plymouth Fordham University SUNY - Plattsburgh & Tech Galway (Medicine) University of Norwegian School of Econ.