GEMS American Academy Qatar

GAAQ integrates social and emotional learning (SEL) as part of its student-care framework. The Middle School and High School Counseling Departments provide targeted SEL support, with the Middle School Counselor overseeing grades 6–8 and focusing on social-emotional competencies, and the High School Counselor supporting students' social-emotional and academic growth. The Upper School Guidance Counseling Department explicitly states SEL objectives aligned with the school's core values, including Social-Emotional Awareness, Healthy Relationship Skills, Decision-Making, and Problem-Solving. Advisory classes and the House System offer regular SEL-related activities, including lessons on Digital Citizenship, Responsible Decision Making, Increasing Self-Awareness, and Building Social Skills. The school emphasizes holistic development—academic, social, emotional, physical and cognitive learning—in a zero-tolerance bullying environment built on trust.

SEN-related support is described as part of ‘special programs' including ELL, learning support and Arabic, with resources allocated to these areas. English is the principal language of instruction, and ELL and learning-support provisions are explicitly included within the school's language policy. The policy notes ongoing collaboration with support services to ensure a strong ELL and SST (Student Support Team) program. The Upper School Counseling Department provides individualized support and interventions, including counseling and collaboration with parents/guardians and teachers, to address students' personal and academic needs. Public materials do not describe a dedicated SEN department or a separate SEN facility; SEN support is described within the broader program of language and learning support.

English is the principal language of instruction at GAAQ. Multilingualism is valued, and the Language Policy states that special programs (ELL, learning support, Arabic, etc.) have appropriate resources to support language learning. The policy confirms mother-tongue development is important and that resources include mother-tongue materials and host-country language support. Collaboration with support services is emphasized to ensure a strong ELL/SST program and differentiated language instruction. Language learning is planned with integral assessments and alignment to standards, reflecting a formal, school-wide EAL framework.

Mental wellbeing is addressed through GAAQ's guidance and counseling services and SEL framework. The Middle and High School counselors provide ongoing counseling and interventions to support students' social-emotional development and academic progress, with a stated aim to bolster personal and academic growth. The Health Clinic is onsite to address medical needs and support student wellbeing. Mental health awareness is actively promoted, with events and programs led by elementary, middle, and high school counselors, including advisory collaboration and student activities. Advisory structures, a formal SEL curriculum, and campus wellness events together underpin ongoing mental health education and safeguarding.

GAAQ operates under a formal safeguarding framework with designated safeguarding leads and a designated safeguarding policy. The Child Safeguarding and Protection page lists safeguarding leads and designated safeguarding roles across school levels, with designated counselors supporting safeguarding and student protection. A GEMS Safeguarding Policy (2023-24) is published as part of the Key Documents and Policies. The school's safeguarding posture is reinforced through the safeguarding policy and staff roles to ensure student safety and protection are integrated into daily school life.