Dunya School

The Dunya School is in Baku, Azerbaijan, at 9 Əcəmi Naxçıvani Avenue. The Baku campus is part of Khazar University Dunya School. There are additional campuses in Gəncə (Ganja) and Sumqayıt.

Preschool, primary and secondary education. The school offers the International Baccalaureate (IB) continuum: Primary Years Programme, Middle Years Programme and Diploma Programme.

International IB World School offering the IB Diploma Programme; affiliated with Khazar University.

Around 15 nationalities represented among students; a mix of local and international students.

Azerbaijan

Dunya School offers Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP) and the Diploma Programme (DP). The PYP is for ages 5–11 (Grade K–4) and uses a student-centred, inquiry-based approach to learning. PYP includes Azerbaijani language instruction, with Azerbaijani classes twice a week in Grade 1 and three times weekly in Grades 2–4. The MYP comprises eight subject groups and requires at least 50 hours of teaching time per group per year; English is the language of instruction, with additional languages offered for Language Acquisition (German, French, Russian, Azerbaijani). The DP comprises a DP core (Theory of Knowledge, the Extended Essay, Creativity, Activity, Service) and six subject groups (Studies in Language and Literature; Language Acquisition; Individuals and Societies; Sciences; Mathematics; The Arts); students take Standard Level and Higher Level courses, with SL 150 hours and HL 240 hours. The DP was authorized to be offered on January 16, 2009.

Class sizes vary from 15 to 20 students. Each class has a full-time homeroom teacher.

Graduates achieve high exam results and go on to study at leading local and international universities.

Graduates go on to study at top local and international universities.

Gifted and Talented students are identified as having high general intellectual ability, specific academic aptitude, or talents in visual/performing arts, sports, or creative thinking. They are mainstreamed in general education with differentiated instruction for deeper rigor and challenge. The school collaborates with parents to source platforms and opportunities for these students to unleash their talent and to participate in local, national and international activities and events.

The school supports social and emotional development through school-based counselling available to all students and a nurturing social–emotional environment. The counsellor addresses emotional, social, academic, and spiritual concerns, and sessions may be held individually or in groups. The process for addressing concerns involves staff referrals, a Student Support Team, and the development of an Individual Learning Plan when needed. Staff receive training to support inclusive education and differentiation to meet diverse learning needs. The programme aims to foster personal and social development and a supportive school culture.

The school provides support for students with learning and/or special educational needs and support for their teachers. Learning support requirements are identified early, assessed, and provided, with accommodations and opportunities communicated to families. For students with particular physical or learning needs, admissions are reviewed individually and entry may be refused if the school cannot meet those needs. An Individual Learning Plan is developed in collaboration with the Student Support Team when appropriate, with progress tracked and reviewed with parents. The school differentiates instruction and uses resources to support learning diversity, including English-language support as needed.

Additional English support classes are provided to students with language support requirements. English is the language of instruction.

Mental health issues are recognized as possible learning support needs. Counselling addresses emotional concerns and aims to develop mental resilience, supporting personal and social development within a confidential process that may involve individual or group sessions.

Bullying and racism are addressed as social concerns within the inclusive framework. The school maintains confidentiality and storage of counselling records to protect student privacy. Staff are trained and assigned responsibilities to raise awareness, provide resources, and report concerns to safeguard students.

1. Apply by submitting an application form. 2. Prepare the documents: a recent passport-sized photo of the child; a scanned copy of the child's ID card or passport; scanned copies of both parents' ID cards; and the latest report from the previous school. 3. After submitting the application form, the Admissions Office acknowledges receipt by email; the child will be waitlisted if a place is not yet available. For Grade 1, a short interview with the child will be arranged. Grades 2–10 applicants will undergo placement tests before a place can be confirmed. Status can be tracked at all times through the Admission Portal. 4. If accepted, a letter of confirmation with the start date and time is issued, followed by additional information about the first days of school. Entrance interviews and tests: Grade 1 interview about 15 minutes; Grade 2–10 placement tests on one date in April/May and one date in August; results are communicated by email and/or phone.

Applicants who meet the admissions criteria but do not have an immediate place are placed on a waiting list; when a vacancy becomes available, they are considered for the vacancy along with others on the waiting list in accordance with school-approved criteria.