Al Khaleej International School

GEMS Al Khaleej International School is located in Al Warqa'a 4, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The campus address is Nouakchott Street - 25 Street, Al Warqa'a 4, Dubai, UAE. The school is situated in a residential area within Dubai and is accessible via the city's road network.

The school serves Pre-KG through Grade 12. It offers a US curriculum that is NEASC-accredited, with the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) available for Grades 11 and 12.

The school is co-educational; male and female students are segregated starting from Grade 5.

AKIS represents students from around 80 countries. UAE nationals are the largest group (about 998 students), followed by students from Asia (about 915), Africa (about 542), North America (about 152), Europe (about 82), Gulf region (about 59), South America (about 25), and others (about 2). The distribution indicates a local population of UAE nationals alongside a broad international mix; the regional categories together account for the majority of the student body.

AKIS operates an Inclusion Policy with provisions for students with SEN. There is a SEND coordinator and an Inclusion Governor, a team of Inclusion and Specialist Teachers, and provision for Individual Education Plans (IEPs) and Advanced Learning Plans (ALPs) for gifted and talented students; English Language Learners (ELL) are supported.

The school presents itself as a UAE-based, MOE/UAE-recognized institution offering a US curriculum with NEASC accreditation; there is no formal country affiliation stated.

There is no formal religious affiliation; Islamic values inform the school's ethos, and AKIS runs programs for Arabic and Islamic education in line with UAE requirements.

The academic calendar is published with term dates and events (e.g., the 2025–2026 term begins on August 25, 2025). Daily start/end times are not publicly published in AKIS materials; term dates and holidays are accessible via the calendar.

A school bus service is provided by STS Group. Buses are equipped with CCTV, ADAS, GPS, RFID, and a 24/7 Operations Control Centre; parents should contact the school's Service Delivery Executive to register. Bus fees can be paid online via the GEMS online payments portal.

GEMS Al Khaleej International School offers dual curricula—the American curriculum (NEASC-accredited) and the UAE Curriculum—and is an authorized IB World School, offering the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. The American component is aligned to CCSS for English and Math, NGSS for Science, and California State standards for other English-language subjects, with Arabic Language, Islamic Studies, and Social Studies following the Ministry of Education's prescribed program. The school serves Pre-KG through Grade 12, providing dual pathways throughout and the IB Diploma Programme available in high school. Assessments include MAP standardized testing to monitor progress. The Middle School program (Grades 6–8) comprises a Core Program (English, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Arabic, Islamic Studies, Computer Studies) and an Enrichment Program (PE, Music, Art, Cultural Enrichment).

Social and emotional learning (SEL) is integrated into AKIS's approach to inclusive education, which aims for students to belong, feel valued, and achieve social, cultural, and emotional success within a common learning environment. The Inclusion Policy defines inclusive education as enabling all learners to meaningfully participate and belong in the school community, with emphasis on social and emotional development alongside academics. The school assigns dedicated roles to support inclusion, including an Inclusion Governor, a Principal, an Inclusion Champion, and a SEND coordinator, supported by a team of inclusion and specialist teachers across grade levels. The policy explicitly recognises English Language Learners (ELL) and uses individualized planning (IEPs for SEN and ALPs for gifted and talented students) to tailor support. Collaborative planning, shared data review, and approaches such as co-teaching are outlined to ensure students are actively engaged and receive appropriate support. Overall, the aim is for Students of Determination and other learners to access social, cultural, and emotional development within the school community.

AKIS provides support for Special Educational Needs (SEN) within its inclusive AKIS policy framework, rather than as a standalone SEN institution. The Inclusion Policy defines SEN (often referred to as Students of Determination) and sets out the use of Individual Education Plans (IEPs) and, for gifted and talented students, Advanced Learning Plans (ALPs) to tailor provision. A SEND coordinator and an Inclusion Champion oversee SEN provision, with day-to-day responsibility carried by a team of Specialist and Inclusion teachers across grade levels, who coordinate targeted supports and keep records of students with SEN. Roles include observing teaching, co-planning, co-teaching, and sharing SEN information with classroom staff to ensure quality teaching and appropriate interventions. The policy emphasizes a graduated approach to SEN provision, collaboration with parents and external agencies, and regular review of student progress through termly reporting. AKIS thus uses inclusive education practices to address SEN rather than operating as a separate SEN-only institute.

English as an Additional Language (EAL) is recognised within AKIS's inclusion framework as the ELL category, defined as English Language Learners who are new to English or require additional language support. ELL support is integrated into the school's inclusion and SEN structures, with ELL considerations reflected in the IEP/ALP planning and the work of inclusion staff who support students across KG–Grade levels. The team of inclusion teachers (across the elementary to secondary phases) provides day-to-day support, collaboration, and guidance to teachers to address language needs within learning activities. The policy does not detail a separate, stand-alone EAL programme but situates ELL within the broader inclusive education and SEN support mechanisms.

Mental wellbeing is supported through AKIS's health and guidance services. The Health and Medical Care provision includes on-site medical facilities and a full-time physician and nurses, reinforcing student welfare and safety. The school maintains a Career/Guidance Counsellor in the elementary section and a separate middle/high school counsellor, with the counsellor serving as a confidential advocate for students and providing individual or group counselling on social, educational, developmental, emotional, and behavioral matters. The School Guidance Counsellor liaises with the SEN department, handles crisis management and intervention, supports parental guidance, and assists with the integration of new students to promote wellbeing and smooth transitions. This structure supports ongoing attention to student mental health and wellbeing as part of the school's pastoral care.

Safeguarding at AKIS is governed by the GEMS Safeguarding Policy, which is aligned with UAE laws (including Wadeema's Law) and regional guidance, and is designed to protect children and staff across Dubai, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah. The policy designates a Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and Deputy DSL, with responsibilities for safeguarding in school and online safety, and requires staff to be trained in safeguarding in line with role-specific standards. It sets clear procedures for handling disclosures, safeguarding case management (Guard system), and escalation to the Central Safeguarding Team, including case chronology and documentation. The policy includes processes for allegations against adults, whistleblowing, complaints, safer recruitment, and safeguarding training, as well as guidance on empowering children to keep themselves safe. The policy is dated 2025-2026 and supersedes prior versions to ensure up-to-date safeguarding practice across AKIS.