Frequently Asked Questions

FAQs

  • When did GIS open?

    GEMS International School – Al Khail welcomed students and their families in to the Primary School 2013, the Secondary School opened in 2015.

  • Where is GIS located?

    Our campus is located in the prestigious Dubai Hills community, along the Al Khail Road (E44), Dubai. Our school is best accessed through Al Marabea Rd. overpass. It is very close to Kings College Hospital and there are road signs to guide to school.

     

  • What facilities are available at the school?

    Our state-of-the-art 326000 square metre school provides the best learning experience, and a welcoming community feel. Our spacious, naturally-lit classrooms use the latest technologies with state of the art interactive boards in each class  throughout the school. The school boasts excellent IT facilities, a state-of-the-art black box theatre, recording studio, dance studio, best equipped resistant material school lab in Dubai, an Aviation Center with flight simulators, food technology lab, 2 cafeterias and an impressive array of sporting facilities, including mixed-use game courts, basketball courts, climbing wall, full-sized football pitch and an 6 lane, 25 meter temperature controlled swimming pool.

     

  • What are the advantages of an IB education?

    IB World Schools (the only schools authorized to offer IB programmes) are subject to a strict accreditation process monitored by the IB, ensuring that schools provide a high-quality education.
    Teaching methods and curriculums are research-based and draw from the best educational practices from systems around the world and teachers are required to participate in many professional development opportunities to continually promote their awareness of current educational practices and new thinking.
    IB programmes are recognized internationally and ease the educational transition of mobile students so that their education is not adversely affected if their families relocate.
    Our values base ensures that our students develop characteristics that are required to be a positive and successful global citizen

  • How many foreign languages do you offer?

    English is the main language of instruction. In addition, the school offers Arabic, French, Spanish, and 58 other languages in the IB Diploma. A range of mother tongue options are available and run where there are sufficient numbers interested. 

  • For which grade should my child apply?

    Read our Age Placement Guide here.

  • Do you admit students at any time during the academic year?

    Yes. Whilst enrolling at the beginning of Term 1 (September) or Term 2 (January) are recommended, we understand that families often relocate at different times during the year. Subject to availability in a particular Grade, we will endeavour to accommodate admission throughout the school year and are able to bridge students into the programme given our years of experience in doing so. 

  • Do you accept both boys and girls?

    Yes

  • Which countries do your teachers come from?

    We recruit only the highly experienced and inspirational teachers from around the world representing 26 different nationalities including the UK, Ireland, USA, Canada and New Zealand. Our focus is on unashamedly recruiting the world's best IB educators, nationality has little to do with it. We have significant experience in recruiting highly dedicated teachers who care deeply about their students’ progress and well-being and can deliver inspiring subject lessons to drive enthusiasm and achievement for your child.

  • How do you attract the best teachers?

    GIS is firmly establishing itself as one of the top IB schools in Dubai. Our best advertisement are our parents and staff. Outside of this, we attend internationally renowned recruitment fairs globally, where we have access to the top teachers around the world.

  • What are the criteria’s for hiring teachers?

    All teachers must have a teaching qualification and ideally a minimum of 2 years experience. All teachers must have a criminal clearance. Teachers must also be proficient in English. Beyond this, teachers must genuinely love what they do, care about children and be willing to go ‘over and above’ to support not just their students but all the GIS community.

  • Which countries do you students come from?

    GIS students are an eclectic mix of many nationalities from around the world, reflecting the diverse demographic of Dubai. At this stage they represent a tapestry of 99 nationalities

  • When does the school year begin and end?

    We follow the UAE School Calendar as set by the Ministry of Education.

     

  • Is there an application fee?

    AED 500 plus VAT of 5% payable at the time of applying for entry into the school (inclusive of VAT, non-transferable, non-refundable, non-adjustable).

     

  • What are your tuition fees?

    View our Fees and Payments here.

  • Are students required to sit an entry test?

    Students may be required to take an entrance test or an assessment so we can determine if our curriculum suits their individual needs. This also gives us an opportunity to assess each child’s understanding and abilities.  Our assessments are done by our faculty who appreciate that each child is different and progresses at their own pace.  Following a child’s assessment test, the child may be offered a place at the school, placed on our waiting list (if places are currently not available) or denied entry in case the school cannot confidently support a child’s specific learning needs and development.

  • How do I apply?

    We accept applications online via the ‘Enrol online’ page of our website. Alternatively, you may download our application form here, and submit the completed form to ‘[email protected].’  Scanned copies of supporting documentation may also be emailed to this address. Parents are also welcome to collect and submit a paper application form at the School.

  • What if i have additional information to provide in support of my child's application?

    If you have supporting documentation that you were not able to submit with your application, for example, if you have recently received your Emirate ID cards and residence visas, scanned copies can be forwarded to '[email protected]’ . Please be sure to quote your child’s name and the Applicant ID number in the correspondence.

  • How can I obtain help with filling out the application form?

    Please refer to our ‘Admissions process’ Should you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact our admissions team via email [email protected] or telephone  +971 4 339 6200

  • Can I make an appointment to discuss my child's application?

    Yes. Our admissions team are here to help and will be more than happy to meet with you in order to guide you through the application process and answer any questions you may have. Please contact [email protected] in order to schedule an appointment.

  • How do you support healthy lifestyles?

    At GIS we encourage all students to make healthy eating choices and be physically active throughout the school day.   We provide access to healthy foods and serve a wide range of delicious, healthy lunches and snacks.  Children are taught about health and well-being and all students undertake regular physical activity through PHE lessons and there is access to numerous Extra Curricular Activities.

    Our school environment encourages a healthy body image among all students and staff members and have ‘MyHealth’ program which is to support all community members with their overall health and wellbeing, bringing our community closer together and ensuring our school is the happiest and healthiest place to be. 

     

  • How can I order school uniform?

    Parents are able to obtain school uniforms by ordering online directly from our supplier, ‘Threads’ or visiting the Threads store in Times Square 

  • Do you provide transport to and from the school?

    GEMS International School - Al Khail offers a safe and secure transport service to our students.  School Transport Services LLC (STS) provides safe and reliable transport services to more than 73,000 students of 66 reputed schools in the UAE in their 1,900+ SMART buses at the highest levels of Safety, Quality and Customer Service.

     

  • Do you accommodate students that require learning support?

    The school has a strong commitment to the inclusion and pastoral support of all our families and students; this includes students who are identified as Students of Determination (SEND), English Language Learners (ELL), More Able and Gifted and Talented Students (MAGT)

     

  • Do you have nurses available on site?

    GEMS International School - Al Khail has a well-equipped medical clinic under the control of three fully-qualified nurses. All cases of injury or illness receive immediate medical attention.  Our school Doctor is highly experienced and also on site to support. 

     

  • How can I find out about job opportunities at GIS?

    Job opportunities for all GEMS schools are listed on the GEMS Careers website:

    https://www.gemseducation.com/organisation/careers/

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