GEMS Modern Academy

GEMS Modern Academy is located in Nad Al Sheba, Dubai. The campus sits in Nad Al Sheba 3, close to Silicon Oasis and International City, with straightforward road access from major routes. For directions or enquiries, the school can be reached by phone at 04 326 3339.

The school serves students from Pre-KG through Grade 12. The Primary Years Programme (PYP) runs from Pre-KG to Grade 5, and from Grade 6 there is a dual-pathway option with Indian ICSE/ISC or the IB Diploma Programme through Grade 12.

The school is co-educational. It operates as a day school and offers a day-boarding option (ICE) rather than overnight boarding.

The 2023–2024 DSIB inspection records 3,860 students on roll, with 0 Emirati students and the largest nationality group being Indian. This implies a local-to-international ratio of 0:3,860 (0% local, 100% international) among stated groups; the exact number of nationalities represented is not published in the DSIB report.

The school provides inclusion and SEN support; 219 students are identified as students of determination. There are 3 guidance counsellors and a sizeable teaching staff (239 teachers).

The school is affiliated with CISCE (Indian Certificate Examinations) and offers the IB Diploma Programme; CISCE affiliation indicates an Indian curriculum alongside the IB pathway.

There is no formal religious affiliation stated for the school. The UAE curriculum includes Islamic Education as a subject, but the school itself is not described as having a religious affiliation.

School days run Sunday to Thursday. KG1–KG2 attend 9:00 a.m.–12:55 p.m. Grades 1–12 typically run 7:40 a.m.–2:05 p.m., with the IB schedule varying by day (Sun, Tue, Wed 7:40–2:05; Mon and Thu 7:40–2:55). The Activities/Enrichment ACE runs 2:15 p.m.–4:05 p.m. Sunday–Thursday.

The school bus network is operated by STS Group. Buses are equipped with CCTV, GPS tracking, RFID, and other safety features, monitored by a 24/7 operations centre. To register or obtain route information and fees, contact the school's Service Delivery Executive; there are multiple routes serving Nad Al Sheba, Silicon Oasis, International City and other areas.

The school offers the IB Pathway (PYP, MYP and DP) and the CISCE Pathway. The PreK–Grade 5 is an IB Primary Years Programme (PYP); Grades 6–12 follow the CISCE ICSE/ISC curriculum; the IB Diploma Programme is also offered. The IB Pathway provides PYP, MYP and DP. The CISCE Pathway is affiliated to the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations. The school has KHDA rating of Outstanding.

In 2025 ICSE had a 100% pass rate with an 88.6% overall average and 51% of students scoring 90% or above; the top score was 99.2%. ISC had a 100% pass rate, an average of 90.9%, and 73% scoring 90% or above; the top score was 99%. IBDP had a 97% pass rate, an average of 34.2 points; 14.6% scored 40+ and 51.56% scored 35+; the batch toppers achieved 45 points.

Over the last four years, students have been admitted to 1050 universities in 53 countries, including 66 of the world's top 100 universities. The school supports university preparation through a Career Cell and partners with external organisations such as ACENTRIA for career counselling and entrance-test preparation.

ACE (Activities for Curriculum Enrichment) includes Circinate for Gifted & Talented and high-achieving students.

SEL at GEMS Modern Academy is integrated into its holistic education model, with the IB/PYP framework explicitly aiming to develop students' social and emotional wellbeing and a sense of belonging. The IB Primary Years Programme emphasizes the development of the whole child, including social and emotional wellbeing and international-mindedness. The Kindergarten curriculum includes a focus on students' wellbeing, describing provisions that support physical, social and emotional development. Inclusion leadership is provided by an Inclusion Head (Pashu Bhattacharya), guiding inclusive practices for students with diverse learning needs. A House system supports pastoral care and fosters cooperation, resilience, and belonging through inter-house events. The school's wellbeing efforts have been recognised with awards such as the 2022 GESS Wellbeing and Inclusion Award and the 2024 SEND Inclusion Award.

GEMS Modern Academy publicly states an inclusive education approach and welcomes students with diverse learning needs, with inclusion leadership and dedicated support structures. The Dubai Inclusive Education Policy Framework (2017) is incorporated to guide working practices and systems at the school. Support for students begins at admission through a thorough identification process and continues via academic and student support networks. The Inclusion Head is Pashu Bhattacharya, signaling formal SEN leadership within the school. The school identifies itself as an Inclusive School rather than a specialist SEN institution. The public materials do not publish a specific list of SEN categories the school supports.

The language of teaching at GEMS Modern Academy is English. Public materials do not describe a dedicated English as an Additional Language (EAL) program. Second language offerings in the senior curriculum include Hindi and French or Malayalam. EAL-related support details are not publicly disclosed. The school emphasizes inclusive education to support diverse learners, including those with EAL considerations, through its inclusion framework. English-language instruction is the default across the curriculum.

The IB Primary Years Programme targets the development of students' social and emotional wellbeing and a sense of belonging. The Kindergarten curriculum explicitly addresses students' social and emotional wellbeing as part of its learning design. A Pastoral Care approach and a House system contribute to social support, cooperation and resilience. Career Counselling provides holistic guidance to students, supporting their personal and academic wellbeing. The school's wellbeing initiatives have been recognised with awards, including the GESS Wellbeing and Inclusion Award (2022) and the SEND Inclusion Award (2024).

Safer recruitment practices at GEMS Modern Academy align with the International Task Force on Child Protection, and the school states a commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all students. The school notes it has a team of trained counsellors who can assist GEMS people with a wide range of professional and personal issues. Safeguarding-related policies and practices are publicly highlighted within the Work With Us materials. The Dubai Inclusive Education Policy Framework (2017) is incorporated to guide safeguarding-related inclusive practices. These elements together indicate a formal safeguarding framework within the school's public materials.

1. Applications for the 2026-2027 academic year are open. Limited seats remain for 2025-2026. Age guidelines apply: Pre-KG 3 years old by 31 March; KG1 4 years old by 31 March; KG2 5 years old by 31 March; Grade 1 6 years old by 31 March. These guidelines determine the entry year for applicants. 2. To start the admissions process, submit the Online Enquiry to initiate registration. You will receive an SR number after successful online registration; the dates for the interview/entrance test are emailed to you. Admission is granted on the basis of the interview and entrance test. 3. At registration, supply documents: the child's passport, visa and Emirates ID; and parents' passports, visas and Emirates IDs. Also provide the birth certificate (English or Arabic), two passport photos and two years of school reports. 4. A School Health Form is required, and a Transfer Certificate is needed at enrolment; overseas applicants may need attestations depending on origin, with attestation not required for transfers from the UK, US, Canada, Australia or Europe. 5. Withdrawals must be completed online; after withdrawal, submit the Transfer Certificate request to the school with a fee of AED 126 (payable online). The Transfer Certificate is then issued by the school.

GEMS Scholarships are merit-based and reward students in academics, Creative & Performing Arts, Sports, Innovation & Digital Technology, or Arabic Studies. The award is a concession determined on a case-by-case basis and is valid for a single academic year with renewal based on academic progress. Scholarship applications are handled online. The scholarship application for the academic year 2025-26 is currently closed.