International Baccalaureate schools | ExpatWoman.com
 

International Baccalaureate schools

687
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 03 January 2011 - 18:28

Hi folks
A newbie post...
We are waiting on word from my DH's company about a 2- 3 year post in Dubai, but have been told it's highly likely. We have 2 boys aged 5 and 8 who we are going to need to find a school for. I have spoken to the Principal at their current school who has advised that their preference would be to put the boys into an IB school with a second preference (if that is not possible) of an English curriculum.

Just wondering if any of you know which schools in Dubai follow an IB format and whether you have any feedback on them?

I don't know where we would be living...probably near the school would be my aim as that will probably govern our social life. My DH will be working in Internet City so schools/communities around that area would be of particular interest (although I don't want to compromise on quality of school just to be near his work).
Thanks in advance

Anonymous (not verified)
0
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 04 January 2011 - 13:35
Thanks everyone, that's really helpful information and a good starting point for me to investigate further. To answer some of the questions: Yes, just looking for primary school at the moment. We are presently in Brisbane, Australia at a private school and at this stage planning on returning here when my oldest son is in Grade 6 (age 11). THough I'm mindful that one overseas assignment may lead to others... His Principal has recommended IB because she believes it breeds good critical thinking. Then the English curriculum because it more closely matches the national curriculum of Australia. She tells me it is often hard to place kids who have studied an American format when they return as they are so out of synch with their year groups here and they struggle somewhat. Simpleasabc, I am sorry to hear of your daughter's struggles. I do worry about that too as one of my boys is quieter and not as flexible than the other. I hope over time she will find her place in Dubai. Can I ask...for my younger son who is turning 6 in July, what grade would he be allocated to in a Dubai school? KG2? He is commencing "Prep" here in Queensland late January, so Grade 1 in 2012. Is it still difficult to find a place in schools over there? I have read some older threads which have been quite alarming regarding waiting times for decent schools. My DS is in KG2 & he just recently turned 6 so I'm assuming that if he went an IB school he would be in KG2. Will be different if he went to a British school.
1913
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 04 January 2011 - 08:43
to answer your Qs regarding finding places.......it is next to impossible to find places in older well established schools specially in certain year groups (age 4+, 7+ and 11+ for example) but the newer IB schools like Repton, a new Gems one cant remember name (and maybe also Greenfield?) seem to have no space issues. Repton only offers IB for the 6th form.u.e. years 12 and 13. The primary school offers the British Curriculum.
2958
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 04 January 2011 - 08:43
to answer your Qs regarding finding places.......it is next to impossible to find places in older well established schools specially in certain year groups (age 4+, 7+ and 11+ for example) but the newer IB schools like Repton, a new Gems one cant remember name (and maybe also Greenfield?) seem to have no space issues. Repton is only IB in senior school - not early years or primary......
682
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 04 January 2011 - 08:41
to answer your Qs regarding finding places.......it is next to impossible to find places in older well established schools specially in certain year groups (age 4+, 7+ and 11+ for example) but the newer IB schools like Repton, a new Gems one cant remember name (and maybe also Greenfield?) seem to have no space issues.
80
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 04 January 2011 - 07:24
Greenfields Community School in the Dubai Investment Park offers the IB. Run some searches on here for the schools named and that might help you in narrowing down your choice.
687
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 04 January 2011 - 04:03
Thanks everyone, that's really helpful information and a good starting point for me to investigate further. To answer some of the questions: Yes, just looking for primary school at the moment. We are presently in Brisbane, Australia at a private school and at this stage planning on returning here when my oldest son is in Grade 6 (age 11). THough I'm mindful that one overseas assignment may lead to others... His Principal has recommended IB because she believes it breeds good critical thinking. Then the English curriculum because it more closely matches the national curriculum of Australia. She tells me it is often hard to place kids who have studied an American format when they return as they are so out of synch with their year groups here and they struggle somewhat. Simpleasabc, I am sorry to hear of your daughter's struggles. I do worry about that too as one of my boys is quieter and not as flexible than the other. I hope over time she will find her place in Dubai. Can I ask...for my younger son who is turning 6 in July, what grade would he be allocated to in a Dubai school? KG2? He is commencing "Prep" here in Queensland late January, so Grade 1 in 2012. Is it still difficult to find a place in schools over there? I have read some older threads which have been quite alarming regarding waiting times for decent schools.
5400
Posts
EW MASTER
Latest post on 03 January 2011 - 21:01
@ Sandy Dogg - Did your children carry on with the IB curriculum after leaving the DIA? If so, where?!
Anonymous (not verified)
0
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 03 January 2011 - 20:18
Second GWA - DS is in KG2 & is in his 2nd year at the school. He likes his teachers & enjoys going to school. Am also a very happy parent from GWA & would highly recommend!
230
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 03 January 2011 - 20:18
The new Jumeirah Baccaluareate School is now open for Primary and will be open for secondary from September 2011. Do a google search on them.
435
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 03 January 2011 - 20:14
Gems World Academy just got the PYP IB certification (Primary years IB) and is IB only (ie it's the only curriculum throughout the school which gives it full attention). We are extremely happy with the school, teachers and administration, great communication throughout, plenty of activities and events for the kids, real IB values & vision. Our daughter has blossomed and we feel very lucky to have her there.
3220
Posts
EW MASTER
Latest post on 03 January 2011 - 20:00
Universal American School is IB accredited. http://www.uasdubai.ae/
5499
Posts
EW MASTER
Latest post on 03 January 2011 - 19:40
My DD went through 5 years of primary at DIA, DS did 1 year. Had no major issues with primary, thought it was fine. However, I'm glad DD didn't have to do secondary there and know a lot of people have been very unhappy with it.
2958
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 03 January 2011 - 18:54
where are you coming from and - probably more important.....where will you be going back to after your 2-3 year stint here....... that might help with choosing your curriculum.
5400
Posts
EW MASTER
Latest post on 03 January 2011 - 18:45
Welcome to Dubai! Here is the link to the IB org for here, I presume you want primary schools. http://www.ibo.org/school/search/index.cfm?programmes=PYP&country=AE&region=&find_schools=Find I have current experience of the secondary section of the Dubai International Academy, which is close to Internet City. I know nothing of the primary school, there may be people on here who can help you with that. The DIA is unfortunately not for our daughter, who is struggling and unhappy there, but that is partly because she doesn't want to be in Dubai in the first place, and is new to the IB curriculum. Different strokes for different folks.. From what I can gather from what I've read here, there are many more good British Curriculum primary schools than IB ones here. I'm sure you'll get many more informed responses than mine! <em>edited by simpleasabc on 03/01/2011</em>
 
 

ON EXPATWOMAN TODAY