Curriculum Overview
The Secondary School program is based on the US Common Core Standards and International aims – with a focus on deep understandings and transferable skills. American curriculum offers a wide range of academic subjects along with a holistic approach to learning. The core academic program intends to build knowledge, skills and understandings around literacy, numeracy, creativity and sustainability. This core is supplemented by instruction in Visual Arts, Music, Drama, Informational Technology, World Languages and Physical Education.
The American approach offers more than a larger selection of course offerings and activities; this American education can be described as a student-centered, inclusive and adaptive approach to learning. Curriculum and instruction at GAA celebrates and cultivates students’ ability to problem-solve, and use their imagination while developing critical thinking skills. Our students also develop important social/emotional skills and confidence that is essential in personal development.
At GAA, each student’s program is made up of a combination of different courses:
- GAA Core Academic Courses/IBDP Courses
- ADEK Required Courses
- GAA Elective Courses
For promising Grade 11 and 12 students we offer the opportunity to take the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme.
GAA also offers honors classes in English and in mathematics courses for grades 7-10. Placement in honors is determined by recent trends in standardized tests, school academic achievement, approaches to learning/behavior, and teacher recommendation.
Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) requirements vary depending upon a child’s nationality and religion. (Our school uses information provided by parents during the school registration process.)
In order to comply with ADEK regulations, every student has specific course requirements for Arabic Language, Islamic Studies and UAE Social Studies according to one of the following four categories:
- Group 1 – Arab Muslim
- Group 2 – Arab Non-Muslim
- Group 3 – Non-Arab Muslim
- Group 4 – Non-Arab Non-Muslim
Please click on the links below to view our Secondary School Program of Studies and UAE/ADEK High School Equivalency Requirements:
Please click the following links for our Course Options for 2020/2021
- Middle School
- High School
