GEMS International School - Al Khail

The school’s philosophy is rooted in the IB Learner Profile, which aims to develop globally minded, inquisitive, knowledgeable, and compassionate individuals. It emphasizes critical thinking, intercultural understanding, and social responsibility, encouraging students to be reflective, principled, and balanced. The school fosters a nurturing community that prioritizes student wellbeing and the development of future-ready skills.

The school offers the full IB continuum: the Primary Years Programme (PYP) for ages 3-11, which integrates the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) in Kindergarten; the Middle Years Programme (MYP) for ages 11-16; and the IB Diploma Programme (DP) and IB Career-related Programme (CP) for post-16 students. The curriculum is inquiry-based and transdisciplinary, with English as the primary language of instruction and options for Arabic, French, Spanish, and various mother-tongue languages.

The school reports strong academic success, with 100% of the Class of 2024 securing university entry, 91% of whom gained their first-choice institution. Graduates received 602 university admission offers and $31.5 million USD in scholarships. The school is also noted for its IB Career-related Programme (CP) pre-medical pathway.

The school is committed to inclusive education and holds the IQM International Inclusive School Award and the IQM Centre of Excellence Award. It provides additional English Language Learning (ELL) support classes for students who require assistance to develop the necessary language skills for their studies. The leadership team includes a dedicated Vice Principal for Children’s Services who oversees inclusion, safeguarding, and pastoral care.

GEMS International School accepts students from Pre-KG to Grade 12. Applications for the 2026-27 academic year are currently open, and the school endeavours to accommodate admissions throughout the year subject to seat availability. The process begins with an online enrolment form, followed by a registration deposit once a formal offer is made.

The academic year typically runs from late August to early July. The 2025-26 calendar includes Term 1 (August 26 – December 5), Term 2 (January 5 – March 13), and Term 3 (March 30 – July 3). The school day generally operates from 8:10 am to 3:15 pm, with shortened hours for Early Years and optional morning and after-school activities.

The campus in Dubai Hills Estate features modern, naturally lit classrooms and extensive specialist facilities. These include a 25-metre swimming pool, a learner pool, a full-sized football pitch, indoor and outdoor sports halls, and mixed-use game courts. Academic facilities include a library, a medical centre, a parent café, and advanced laboratories for science, food technology, robotics, and design, as well as a dedicated Space Lab and a PYP Innovation Hub.

The school offers a range of activities outside the classroom, including morning sessions from 7:15 am to 8:00 am and after-school activities from 3:30 pm to 4:15 pm. Students have access to specialist facilities for sports, arts, and technology, including a black box theatre, dance studio, music classrooms, and various sports courts. The school also hosts a Centre of Excellence for Aviation, Aeronautics, and Space, providing opportunities for drone building, robotics, and AI projects.