• State-of-the-art new facilities include IT-enhanced research and sustainability spaces
  • Move enables greater access to specialised facilities for primary and middle school

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates: GEMS World Academy – Dubai (GWA), GEMS Education’s flagship four-programme IB continuum school, is set to expand to a purpose-built second site located within minutes of its current campus.

Scheduled to open in the first week of August 2024, subject to final approvals from the relevant authorities and KHDA, the expansion is aimed at enhancing the learning experiences available to students, ensuring a seamless transition to higher education for all, and accommodating the growing needs of the school community.

The second site will be exclusively available to senior students in Grades 9-12, who will have access to state-of-the-art facilities including an IT-enhanced research centre, subject-specific classrooms, a centre for sustainability, and an examinations hall.

Commenting on the expansion, Dr Saima Rana, CEO/Principal of GEMS World Academy – Dubai and GEMS Education’s Chief Education Officer, said: “Our commitment to providing a world-class education to our students is unwavering. By extending our footprint, we aim to enhance the educational journey for each student, fostering an environment that promotes open-mindedness, principled behaviour, and a commitment to excellence.

“The expansion not only aligns with the IB principles, but also reinforces our dedication to nurturing lifelong learners who are equipped to thrive in an ever-evolving global landscape. We are excited about the possibilities this growth brings and confident that the education we offer will continue to empower our students to become compassionate, knowledgeable, and reflective global citizens.”

Nursery to Grade 8 will remain at the existing site, enabling the school to maintain its commitment to a maximum of 25 students per class and offering greater access to specialised facilities for primary and middle school students. These include bespoke spaces for food technology, product design, computer science, and science labs.

Sports facilities at the new site include squash courts, a four-court sports hall, a 25m swimming pool, and a fitness studio. For performing arts, students will have access to music practice rooms, a recording studio, an auditorium, art rooms, a theatre and black box room, as well as a media and green room.

The new site will also boast ample parking, with a free shuttle bus service connecting the two campuses, facilitating more convenient drop-off and pickup options for parents and students. 

In the coming weeks, the school is hosting a series of parent forums to discuss innovative ideas for the new site, as well as student workshops to foster interaction and collaboration across grade levels.

The expansion marks a significant milestone for GWA and will contribute to an even more enriching and dynamic learning environment for the entire school community.

About GEMS Education

GEMS Education is one of the oldest and largest K-12 private education providers in the world and a trusted and highly regarded choice for quality education in the Middle East and North Africa region. As a company founded in the UAE in 1959, it holds an unparalleled track record of providing diverse curricula and educational choices to all socio-economic means.

Having started with a single school run from a private home in Dubai, GEMS remains a family business to this day. Its inspiring Founder, Sunny Varkey, and his son, Dino Varkey, who is Group Chief Executive Officer, are responsible for providing vision, insight, and strategy across the organisation.

Every day, GEMS has the privilege of educating 170,000+ students from over 176 countries through its owned and managed schools globally. And through its growing network, as well as charitable contributions, it is fulfilling the GEMS vision of putting a quality education within the reach of every learner.

Every year, students graduating from GEMS schools progress to the world’s best universities. Over the past five years, GEMS students have been accepted into over 1,050 universities in 53 countries including all eight Ivy League universities in the US and all 24 Russell Group universities and colleges in the UK.

For further information about GEMS Education, visit www.gemseducation.com or contact:

Razan Abusabha, Account director, Four
Razan.Abusabha@four.agency