GEMS Dubai American Academy
- American
- IB Diploma
- AP
Per yearabout USD 18K–25.4K
AED 66.2K–93.3K · 2026-27 school year · Source: official government data (checked 2026-11-02)
About
American curriculum school in Dubai (Al Barsha 1) rated Outstanding by KHDA since 2011, offering KG to Grade 12.
Key facts
Source: Read from the school's website
- Run directly by GEMS Education. See all 54 schools of GEMS Education
Info checked 2026-11-06 · 2026-27 school year
Curriculum
American · IB Diploma · AP
Students
2,900
Language
English
Type
International school
Fee level
- Nationalities
- 105
- Founded
- 1998
Fees
Source: Read from the school's websiteOfficial records
2026-27 school year
Age on the first day of the school year (usually 1 September). Cut-off dates differ by school.
| Grade | Per year |
|---|---|
| KG 1 | AED 66,185≈ USD 18K |
| KG 2 | AED 66,185≈ USD 18K |
| Grade 1 | AED 93,300≈ USD 25.4K |
| Grade 2 | AED 93,300≈ USD 25.4K |
| Grade 3 | AED 93,300≈ USD 25.4K |
| Grade 4 | AED 93,300≈ USD 25.4K |
Show fee charts
| per year | |
|---|---|
| KG 1 | AED 66,185 (about USD 18K) |
| KG 2 | AED 66,185 (about USD 18K) |
| Grade 1 | AED 93,300 (about USD 25.4K) |
| Grade 2 | AED 93,300 (about USD 25.4K) |
| Grade 3 | AED 93,300 (about USD 25.4K) |
| Grade 4 | AED 93,300 (about USD 25.4K) |
| Grade 5 | AED 93,300 (about USD 25.4K) |
| Grade 6 | AED 93,300 (about USD 25.4K) |
| Grade 7 | AED 93,300 (about USD 25.4K) |
| Grade 8 | AED 93,300 (about USD 25.4K) |
| Grade 9 | AED 93,300 (about USD 25.4K) |
| Grade 10 | AED 93,300 (about USD 25.4K) |
| Grade 11 (American) | AED 93,300 (about USD 25.4K) |
| Grade 12 (American) | AED 93,300 (about USD 25.4K) |
| Grade 11 (International Baccalaureate) | AED 93,300 (about USD 25.4K) |
| Grade 12 (International Baccalaureate) | AED 93,300 (about USD 25.4K) |
Source: school website (web.khda.gov.ae) · checked 2026-11-02 · Reference rate (2026-11-06)
| min | max | |
|---|---|---|
| GEMS Dubai American Academy (this school) | AED 66,185 (about USD 18K) | AED 93,300 (about USD 25.4K) |
| GEMS International School - Al Khail | AED 46,500 (about USD 12.7K) | AED 79,488 (about USD 21.6K) |
| Al Diyafah High School | AED 9,506 (about USD 2.59K) | AED 20,475 (about USD 5.58K) |
| Uptown International School | AED 38,938 (about USD 10.6K) | AED 96,461 (about USD 26.3K) |
| Dubai British School Emirates Hills | AED 53,027 (about USD 14.4K) | AED 79,541 (about USD 21.7K) |
| Al Ittihad Private School, Al Mamzar | AED 18,635 (about USD 5.07K) | AED 42,434 (about USD 11.6K) |
Source: school website (web.khda.gov.ae) · checked 2026-11-02 · Reference rate (2026-11-06)
One-off costs
- Application fee
- AED 525
- EAL support
- AED 10,000
As published by the school. Amounts change with the school year and exchange rates; please confirm with the school before applying. Converted amounts use the reference rate of the date shown. Reference rate (2026-11-06). Source: official government data (checked 2026-11-02)
Admissions
Source: Read from the school's website
- Mid-year entry
- Possible
- Sibling discount
- 15% for the fourth child; 25% for the fifth and subsequent children
Curriculum and academics
Source: Read from the school's website
Curricula, explainedIB DP (Diploma) · American curriculum · AP
The IB's four programmes
Schools often run only some of the four. Highlighted boxes are the ones this school offers.
- IB PYPNot here
Early years to primary · Ages 3–12
The IB's primary programme. Children learn through questions and units of inquiry rather than separate subjects.
- IB MYPNot here
Middle years (ages 11–16) · Ages 11–16
The IB's middle-years programme: eight subject groups taught with links between them, ending with a personal project.
- IB DP (Diploma)Offered
Last 2 years of school · Ages 16–19
The IB's university-entrance qualification — what people usually mean by "the IB". Six subjects plus the Extended Essay, TOK and CAS, scored out of 45.
- IB CP (Career-related)Not here
Last 2 years of school · Ages 16–19
The IB's career-related route for the same ages as the DP: at least two DP courses plus a career-related study chosen by the school.
Last two years: DP or CP
American curriculum
Kindergarten to Grade 12 · Ages 5–18
Grade-by-grade like US schools; students graduate by earning course credits, often with AP courses in high school.
AP
High school, by subject · Ages 15–18
College Board's university-level courses that high-school students choose subject by subject, with exams scored 1–5 each May.
Ages are the usual bands; schools can differ.Curriculum basics guide
Strengths
- STEM
- Visual arts
- Performing arts
- Sport
- Service
Exam results
- IB Diploma · Average score
- 34
- IB Diploma · Pass rate
- 96%
Student support
Source: Read from the school's website
- English support (EAL)
- Yes
- Nurse on site
- Yes
- Device policy
- iPad programme
- School bus
- Yes
Campus and school life
Source: Read from the school's website
Facilities
- Swimming pool
- Gym
- Theatre
- Sports field
- Library
- Makerspace
- Science labs
- Art studio
- Music studio
- Tv studio
- Kiln
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Accreditation and memberships
Source: Read from the school's websiteCompiled from public sources
- Accreditations
- NEASC, IB
- Memberships
- COIS
- Inspection
- KHDA · Outstanding
More details
Source: Read from the school's website
The essentials
Country affiliation
Presents itself as an American curriculum school in Dubai.
School website · Checked 2026-11-06
Bus service
Lists a school bus transport contact and has a school transport section.
School website · Checked 2026-11-06
Diving deeper
Food options
Works with an external catering partner and runs an on-site cafeteria and snack bars.
- Slices Catering
- Main dining
- Elementary dining
- Snack bars
- Parents café
School website · Checked 2026-11-06
Governance and ownership
The DAA Board oversees the achievement of the school's strategic aims and performance.
School website · Checked 2026-11-06
Academics
Curriculum
Offers an American and IB curriculum, with Advanced Placement courses.
- American curriculum
- IB Diploma
- Advanced Placement courses
School website · Checked 2026-11-06
Exam results
Reports a 2024 IB average of 34 points and a 96% pass rate.
School website · Checked 2026-11-06
Academic calendar
Open linkSchool website · Checked 2026-11-06
Wellbeing
Mental wellbeing
Runs a student wellbeing centre and emphasises a culture of kindness.
School website · Checked 2026-11-06
Safeguarding
Operates the WISE Center covering wellbeing, inclusion, safeguarding and environment.
School website · Checked 2026-11-06
Parent experience
History
Rated Outstanding by KHDA since 2011 and describes 25 years of academic delivery.
School website · Checked 2026-11-06
Community
Values its parent association and alumni, with students from many nationalities.
School website · Checked 2026-11-06
Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
The DAA Parent Association (DAAPA) runs events and volunteer activities.
School website · Checked 2026-11-06
Facilities
Facilities overview
Two campuses spanning over 70,000 square metres with purpose-built learning spaces.
School website · Checked 2026-11-06
Sports facilities
Has a 50m Olympic pool, a large sports hall, a 400m track and other sports facilities.
- 50m Olympic pool
- Sports hall (3 basketball courts)
- 400m running track
- Indoor running track
- Fitness suite
- Golf simulator
- Soccer pitches
- Baseball diamond
School website · Checked 2026-11-06
Academic facilities
Has an AI and robotics centre, science labs, technology suites and a library.
- AI and Robotics Center of Excellence
- 10 science labs
- Technology suites
- Library and achievement center
- Innovation hubs
School website · Checked 2026-11-06
Extra-curricular facilities
Includes a 565-seat auditorium, TV and radio studios, and a ceramics studio.
- 565-seat auditorium
- TV studio
- Radio suite
- Recording studio
- Ceramics studio with kiln
- Photography darkroom
School website · Checked 2026-11-06
Extra-curricular activities
Arts and creative
Offers performing arts with music rooms, theatres and drama classrooms.
- Music rooms
- Band rooms
- Black box theatres
- Drama classrooms
- Musical productions
School website · Checked 2026-11-06
Community and service
Runs the Creativity, Action, Service (CAS) programme.
- Creativity, Action, Service (CAS)
- Global Citizenship
School website · Checked 2026-11-06
Languages
Language provision
Has dedicated Arabic language rooms throughout the campuses.
- Arabic
School website · Checked 2026-11-06
Reputation
Accreditations
States it has been rated Outstanding by KHDA since 2011.
School website · Checked 2026-11-06
Location
Source: Read from the school's website
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More in this city · DubaiUpdated 2026-11-06
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