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GEMS American Academy Qatar

An affordable, world-class American curriculum school

Located in Al Wakra, Qatar, GEMS American Academy more control over academic courses, rigor and flexible
Qatar (GAAQ) is a state-of-the-art 20,000 square scheduling. Within this framework, high school is moving
meter center of inspirational learning that enables forward in its pursuit to get every student to and through
students to make decisions independently, solve college/university. In fact, the school has a dedicated
problems effectively and interact positively with high school counselor that serves as an accountability
tolerance. This prominent academy, backed by GEMS partner and source of knowledge for college/university
Education (the largest network operator of K – 12 admissions to parents and students. To date, the academy
has a 100% graduation and university acceptance rate as
schools in the world) offers a rigorous American students have been accepted to numerous colleges and
curriculum from Pre-Kindergarten through Grade universities in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom,
12 to its multi-cultural student body. Along with U.S. Europe, Middle East, Asia and Qatar. High school offers
Common Core standards-based academics, it provides a dynamic college and career preparatory education as
an Advanced Placement (AP) Program as well as a well as a robust support system that encourages student
robust extra-curricular program to support the holistic achievement, maturity and independence. Classrooms
development of a child. This institution empowers range from 18 - 22 students and they follow the norms of
its students to think creativity, design innovatively, What is the American team and discussion-based learning. Lastly, Grade 11 - 12
develop confidence, increase cognitive thinking and students have the ability to take one of the nearly 20 AP
become well-adjusted citizens in the global community. Curriculum at GAAQ? courses offered, if eligible.
The academy actively espouses the core values of
respect, innovation, leadership, purpose, and tenacity in Early Years Curriculum Life at GAAQ
their scholars. GAAQ’s early-years program is based on the Students are prepared for a global world one year at a
Creative Curriculum revolving around five important time. The school has afterschool activity offerings that
developmental strands: social, emotional, physical, include, but are not limited to, sports, reading, art, yoga,
cognitive, and language. These developmental strands chess, math, chess, Islamic/Qur’an, foreign language
are integrated into themed units throughout the year and STEM. In regards to sports teams, Lower School
using interest-based learning centers aimed at drama, students can pwarticipate in football and taekwondo
science, literature, art, creative play, music, gross-motor, tournaments whereas Upper School students have
outdoor play and other free-play choices. The curriculum football, basketball, badminton, volleyball, netball and
also includes other daily activities to promote fine- and track and field teams. Moreover, students can participate
gross-motor skill development. in music, voice and theater performances, service-learning
trips, volunteering opportunities, AP (college-level)
Elementary School: Grades 1 to 5 coursework and many more. Lastly, the school offers
Elementary school has a solid curriculum in place that various student-led initiatives such as Yearbook Club, Eco
emphasizes basic skills in all subject areas and introduces Club, Student Council (student leadership), Pre-Med Club
higher-level challenges to students that stimulate and THIMUN, to name a few. In addition, students benefit
their interests. The curriculum fosters the concept that from the diverse school culture. GAAQ is home to 78
learning is enjoyable and rewarding as well as providing different student nationalities and 19 teacher nationalities.
Mark Lentz, the Head of the School, a variety of provisions to support individual learning. In Even though their faculty is primarily from the United
arrived at GAAQ in the spring of addition to the core subjects, GAAQ provides students States and Canada, the institution represents various
multi-linguistic, multiethnic and multicultural parents,
2016. He defines the school as a bevy of elective classes in physical education, music, students, and school community members. Ultimately,
an amalgamation of top-notch art, Arabic language (native and non-native speakers), this international vibe improves the quality of education,
facilities with well-behaved and Islamic education for Muslims, library, IT and character helps students feel safer, reflects the world and challenges
education class with the elementary guidance counselor.
engaged students, dedicated school administration to implement diversity programs
teachers, and a positive, supportive Middle School: Grades 6 to 8 that positively impacts parents, students, and staff.
learning environment. Under his
leadership, GAAQ has matured Students are transitioning into adolescence and exploring
the essential questions of identity, purpose and meaning What Makes Our School Unique
considerably over the last few
years. Most notably, GAAQ has more deeply than before. Therefore, GAAQ complements n Highest accreditation of a K-12 international academy
the core curriculum by including a variety of exploratory
earned the highest accreditation awarded by the classes that make the middle school experience special. by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges
New England Association of Schools and Colleges Students are given a choice of which classes to take (NEASC)
(NEASC). Additionally, the school fields competitive while exploring personal interests and possible career n College Board-certified school offering nearly 20
sports teams as members of the QPPSSA and QUESS choices. The classes offered have been specifically Advanced Placement (AP) courses and the only school
leagues, conducts a diverse palette of no-cost designed by inspired, credentialed teachers to engage in Qatar to offer the AP Capstone Diploma
afterschool and English as a Second Language (ESL) students in learning opportunities that focus on creating, n Named ‘The 10 Best International Schools in Qatar’
programs as well as internship opportunities (including connecting, and collaborating. Thus, Upper School and ‘Most Valuable Schools to Watch in the Middle
online programs), possesses challenging academic leadership has grouped learning skills in three separate East’ by The Knowledge Review magazine
rigor and student support, offers nearly 20 College strands: Literacies, Competencies, and Character n Recipient of the Qatar Green Building Council’s (QGBC)
Board Advanced Placement (AP) classes, provides Qualities. School Sustainability Award as well as the prestigious
opportunities for the Duke of Edinburgh Award, earned Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) Eco-
sustainability awards from the Qatar Green Building High School: Grades 9 to 12 Schools Green Flag Award
Council and Foundation of Environmental Education GAAQ believes that the recipe for excellence in high n Maintained Top 3 ranking out of 50+ schools for the
(Eco-Schools Green Flag Award) and annually school consists of knowledgeable educators, a focus highest parent satisfaction rating among all K-12
maintains one of the highest parent satisfaction ratings on classroom culture, a passion for the development schools in the entire GEMS Education network, year-
in our GEMS network. of self and others and an ability for students to have over-year