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Dubai American Academy

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 14 September 2014 - 09:54

Hi, My DD is currently at GEMS Modern Academy (Indian Curriculum) Grade 8 and we are considering a move to a good IB curriculum to open doors for US universities. I have taken the school tour at Dubai American Academy and am planning to register her for the entrance test.

Just wanted to gather some feedback from parents of children who moved from Indian schools to DAA to understand whether this had worked well for them and any other feedback that they may have. Thanks in advance.

Neel

nsenjain

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 30 September 2014 - 15:33

Hi Neel: Three years back my friend and I went through this phase together for our respective sons who were classmates at The Indian High School Dubai. After a lot of deliberation, my son went on to complete his schooling at IHS while my friend's son joined DAA. My son has gone to UC Berkeley this year; my friend's son to UC San Diego. Both are great universities. I don't mean to brag but my son had got into several other top universitiess in the US & UK, as well. The reason I mention this is to dispel the notion that the IB curriculum per se opens doors to US universities. If your primary reason for considering a move to DAA is this, then I don't think it is worth moving. In no way did studying in the Indian curriculum put my son at a disadvantage as excellent grades in school, on the SATs (I & II), and on a few APs balanced with a healthy dose of community service and extra-curricular engagements helped him build a good profile. To share some feedback about how the move worked out for my friend's son... while he adapted fairly easily to the IB style of learning, my friend constantly complained that he was so overly loaded with extra curricular activities and the pressure of continual tests & exams in school that it negatively impacted his preparation for the SATs. He also spent long hours at school and couldn't take days off in between so the balancing act was nerve-wracking. That is not to say that he did not enjoy the experience, just that his grades suffered. Consequently, it limited his choices when it came to applying to Universities. Good Luck!

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Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 30 September 2014 - 11:53

OP, I think an IB curriculum in an American school will probably prepare your child for an American university but I don't think it will necessarily "open doors" to an American University. In the University I used to work for, we had a few students from Dubai who went to Our Own English. They had good grades in high school and also had a high teofl/ielts score. They did well in their undergrad as well. I know one of them is back in Dubai working, another one stayed and is now a very successful editor of a magazine. Thanks everyone for your feedback. Any information helps at this stage. @Mumto2, your comments were particularly helpful to understand whether I should move my DD to make university admissions easier. She is doing very well academically and hence am not convinced yet if shifting schools would be a good decision. I really wish I knew of a few students who have gone through this phase to understand this better :)

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Giulia340

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 18 September 2014 - 09:26

My daughters studied at DAA for three years and they were very happy there. Then we moved back to the US last year and they just blended in nicely into a Virginia school. I think I might even say that they were a bit forward curriculum-wise compared to their classmates. Now we're back again here in Dubai and DAA was full, so they are attending Bradenton Prep which last year was taken over by GEMS and became DAA's sister school. So far, so good. :)

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jackson5

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 18 September 2014 - 09:17

I would have loved for my children to attend one of these schools. They are just too expensive and not within our budget. My children attend a british school and many parents ask me why aren't they in an American School.

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carymama

346

Posts

EW EXPLORER

Latest post on 17 September 2014 - 21:16

I would agree with barlas that 90% of DAA's teachers are North American. In our 4 years at the school, all the teachers have been American or Canadian (except Arab for Arabic/Islamic Studies). It's a shame that the facilities look a bit run down considering how high the fees is. Yes, the school has more of an international student mix compared to ASD. Both DAA and ASD have a very good reputation.

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Meggsy81980

112

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 17 September 2014 - 19:44

cymraes, I can't comment on what the British schools do, but the for profit American schools will generally only do this for teachers whose visas they sponsor. Not all expats working at these schools are brought in from overseas. Many are hired here in the UAE and not sponsored.

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cymraes

1430

Posts

EW OLDHAND

Latest post on 17 September 2014 - 18:39

DAA is indeed accredited by an American authority and is thus American curriculum. I am unable to comment on the make-up of the teachers there, however having seen the other side of how schools in Dubai are run, the profit motive means that overseas hire teachers are expensive compared to locally hired. It is relatively simple to come across elementary/primary teachers who are residing locally with their husbands/wives, but are expat and fit the particular national curriculum of the school. However, it is not so easy to find such teachers for the upper years as they are generally needed to be more specialised. If anyone were able to look at where the teachers are coming from, you will find that many are hired locally. Hence an American school will have a high proportion of teachers of nationalities other than the USA. Same may apply for some British schools. No requirements (well, if there are they don't abide by them) to pay airfares, accommodation, health insurance etc. Totally profit motive. Are you implying that DAA and other premium schools are not offering benefits you mention in their package to teachers? I know at the British curr school (which is for profit and in a group) DS goes to the teacher package is quite good if not excellent compared to others, I have many friends who work in British curr schools

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desertdoc16971

466

Posts

EW EXPLORER

Latest post on 17 September 2014 - 18:24

I have a High Schooler at DAA. Six of her 8 teachers are American. Australian teacher for PE and Syrian for Arabic. My Middle Schooler has 5 American, 1 Canadian, 1 South African teacher and again Syrian teacher for Arabic.

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mumto2

246

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 17 September 2014 - 14:02

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Meggsy81980

112

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 17 September 2014 - 13:41

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barlas

188

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 17 September 2014 - 13:29

The school is called American because it follows American Curriculum - as simple as that. I am not defending the school, but in Primary 90% teachers are American. Don't know what is it like in Middle and High.

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InWhySee93135

176

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 16 September 2014 - 20:42

Yes, my girls come from an american curriculum as do I. I went to take a quick look at DAA was disappointed with the facility and didn't understand why there weren't as many american teachers as I hoped there would be. ASD I know follows the american curriculum and has a very good reputation. I would love to put my daughters' there but unfortunately it's too expensive for us at the moment.

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Hot Chocolate89348

110

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 16 September 2014 - 20:30

I was just at a DAA tour recently and I suggest that you do this before deciding on the school...The woman who gave the tour seemed like she was bothered by our presence and kept emphasizing that they were completely full. So, when I asked her why she was offering the tour if the school was completely full until next year and even that wasn’t guaranteed. She was stumped! and said will its for future enrollment!!! Anyways the school looks run down and the teachers are all mixed, they are not all American as they advertise. My opinion if your looking for true American Curriculum stick with ASD! As DAA is more International than American, they just label American and attach a price tag! Just my opinion:)

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