GEMS World School to offer unparalleled education services and opportunities to Dubai

The GEMS World School Dubai (GWS Dubai), the first in a series of similar schools scheduled to open across the region over the next few years, will be the epitome of outstanding international education with its innovative programs, unique pro-parent outreach, exceptional faculty, internationally competitive academic offerings and world-class facilities equipped with state of the art technology.

Stuart Dennis, founding principal of GEMS World School Dubai, said the flagship school will debut the region's first wrap around day, where students and their families can participate in on-campus meals and activities before and after traditional school hours.

'At GEMS World School we aim to create world citizens in a learning environment where families and values come first,' said Dennis, former head of Dubai's prestigious Jumeirah Primary School. 'GEMS understands that positive interaction between school and home are vital to a child's development and education, and places a high level of importance of the concepts of family life and direct parent involvement in their children's education. GWS will offer an integration of family life unlike any other school in the region.'

The family-friendly focus is one of the flagship school's four core differentiators, Dennis added, alongside superlative teaching staff, a rigorous academic programme and world-class facilities.

'GEMS World School Dubai will be renowned for its highly professional and internationally diverse teaching faculty,' he said. 'By offering some of the best salary and benefits packages in the region, we aim to not only recruit the best for this school but also offer the Middle East's best ongoing professional development programmes.'

Dennis, whose tenure at JPS turned that school into one of the most sought-after academic institutions nationwide, said GEMS has nearly completed a stringent global faculty search and selection process for GEMS World School Dubai, focusing on those teachers with specialist skills and at least five years of high-level teaching experience.

GWS Dubai will start offering Pre-K to Grade 6 classes this September, with admissions up to Grade 12 expected by 2010. The school intends to offer the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme, culminating in the IB Diploma, subject to the authorization from the International Baccalaureate Organization.

The GEMS World School campus at Al Barsha will feature a new generation of science, media, sports and technology facilities. Sports and fitness facilities include a six-lane, 25-metre swimming pool, 400-metre athletic track, fitness centre and tennis and squash courts. GWS Dubai will also offer the region's first academic Discovery World, which will include design and technology workshops, robotics studio, information and communication technology (ICT) suites and science rooms.

GWS-Dubai will also offer students unique opportunities to develop their critical thinking and cross-cultural understanding skills. A daily Time2Think program, for example, will offer structured time for students to listen to, reflect on, discuss and debate topics ranging from personal development to current affairs and world news. Students will also have access to a rooftop 'Peace Garden,' a space designated for reflection and contemplation.

'The GEMS World Schools will bring together the very best of thinking and good practice from school systems around the world to create well-rounded world citizens,' said Sunny Varkey, Founder and Chairman, GEMS. 'There is no doubt GWS Dubai will quickly establish itself as an innovator and forward-thinking international organization, the first next generation school in the Middle East and North Africa region.'

Located on Al Khail Road in the South Al Barsha district, GWS is in close proximity to residential communities including The Meadows, Springs and Arabian Ranches. The next GEMS World School is set to open in Abu Dhabi in 2008.