Jess, Dess or Gems?? | ExpatWoman.com
 

Jess, Dess or Gems??

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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 29 December 2011 - 13:05

Which school would you recommend?
Thanks

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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 16 January 2012 - 20:35
I moved my son from GEMS to DESS and he is a much happier boy. I feel in DESS children are allowed to be children there is far less pressure on them and I think the school is far better academically compared to the GEMS school we were in. We didn't have any problems with the GEMS school but after experiencing DESS I wished we had moved him sooner. Once in the school you don't deal with reception again ? <em>edited by starsouthern on 16/01/2012</em>
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 10 January 2012 - 13:41
Hi I would be interested to know what your reasons are to move schools? I am too in a situation of making a decision whether to move schools or not and cannot decide.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 07 January 2012 - 19:57
It is a lovely school, I love it, and found the admin staff to be really helpful, but I was struggling to see the benefits of moving the kids. My husband has now pointed out that there is a good chance we will be relocated in the next two years and thinks it would be too much for the kids to have to move schools twice, so need to be realistic about it. Wouldn't it be so much easier if we were just allocated a school and had to like it? Well maybe not if it actually happened!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 05 January 2012 - 23:45
My child goes to DESS and we couldnt be happier with the school though I have to agree about the admin staff. Luckily we rarely have to deal with them now that our children have both been accepted :)
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 04 January 2012 - 14:24
I also think the way you are received after emailing or calling a school says alot about them, first impressions and all that. ;) So true! I think that is what started my doubts in the first place. The front desk/receptionist lady.....lets just say she need training or is in the wrong job.I found the teachers to be very friendly but the admin staff at the school treats people as if they are a nuisance. At my DS current school everyone from top to bottom are super friendly and always willing to help,so it was a shock to go to DESS and see grumpy people but apparently the school itself is very good results wise. <em>edited by Appletiser on 04/01/2012</em>
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 04 January 2012 - 11:32
I have friends with kids in DESS who are happy, but I also have another friend who is not happy. Different schools fit different people, and I just dont think DESS is for us as a family, I am very happy with RDS and with a child about to start school who has special dietary needs also RDS is the school for us. DESS still allows birthday cakes during class time, which to me is not acceptable, but thats an entire different thread, lol. I also think the way you are received after emailing or calling a school says alot about them, first impressions and all that. ;)
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 03 January 2012 - 17:46
@Faryn, Yes I am having doubts about DESS as my son is already also in a good school that he loves going to. I have until 16 January to pay my deposit,so Im weighing the pros and cons. It does look as if the kids are very happy there also but it also looks very traditional 'old skool' type which I dont really like. My DS is currently in a IB curriculum school which is a lot more modern and is learning very fast with this type of learning method. Only problem with the current school is their school fees from Grade 1 is very high. Our other son is approaching school going age and we dont know if we can afford both of them in that school whereas DESS is quite cheap in comparison... I dont know. My DH is also torn.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 03 January 2012 - 15:09
isnt saying DESS isnt for you, more or less answering the question anyway, without it being about publically shaming anyone?
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 03 January 2012 - 15:03
Off topic a little - but does anyone have any schools that should be avoided like the plague? that thread would be deleted in a heartbeat, also against the law here to shame publicly ;) On schools, we are also with Gems RDS and are very happy. If we could get in to JESS we would for sure go there but we cant so RDS it is :) DESS is not for us at all. HTH :) May Iask why you didnt find DESS suitable for your child? My child has been accepted at DESS and Im having second thoughts now....
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 03 January 2012 - 12:01
Fair enough, Purple. It looks like it'll be unlikely we'll get a place in one of the more popular schools - as most of the info available is about which of the most popular schools is more preferable, its not very helpful when you're in a position of just trying to choose one that isnt terrible. More a matter of making a good choice for my child than wanting to publically shame anyone :) <em>edited by punchbiffpow on 03/01/2012</em>
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 03 January 2012 - 11:44
Off topic a little - but does anyone have any schools that should be avoided like the plague? that thread would be deleted in a heartbeat, also against the law here to shame publicly ;) On schools, we are also with Gems RDS and are very happy. If we could get in to JESS we would for sure go there but we cant so RDS it is :) DESS is not for us at all. HTH :)
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 30 December 2011 - 21:25
Off topic a little - but does anyone have any schools that should be avoided like the plague?
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 30 December 2011 - 19:07
I think it depends on your needs/situation. When I arrived I believed it when I continually heard DESS was the best school in Dubai. We're now very happy at Royal Dubai (GEMS) and I wouldn't for a minute consider driving across town for DESS. Nothing against DESS, I understand it's great, but so is Royal Dubai and it's MUCH closer! I love the fact that all her school friends live close - makes playdates so easy.
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EW GURU
Latest post on 30 December 2011 - 15:58
JESS, then DESS, then Gems - of course Gems has a big variety, so it would depend on the school, but if you can get into JESS, then I'd do that.
178
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 30 December 2011 - 14:20
Bumpity Bump
 
 

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