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United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi
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GISAD was founded in 1976 in Abu Dhabi, marking a long-standing presence in the United Arab Emirates. In the 2006/2007 academic year, GISAD was officially recognized as part of the German overseas schools network, aligning its certificates with German standards. In 2005/2006, a donation from the ruler of the UAE supported infrastructure improvements and the Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Scholarship to include Emirati children from kindergarten onward. In 2007, through a Memorandum of Understanding, the first Emirati children were admitted to the kindergarten under the scholarship program, and GISAD moved to a new building. In 2019/2020, GISAD awarded its first Emirati graduates with the German International Abitur, signaling integration with UAE students and the broader German education pathway.
GISAD's community is multinational, with staff and students from many nationalities, and German and English are the primary languages of instruction, with Arabic taught as a foreign language from Grade 1. The school marks UAE national holidays and other civic observances as part of its community life, and it hosts events such as a Winter Market and Franco-German exchanges to promote intercultural dialogue. German Language Day 2025 also showcases language-focused engagement with the wider community.
GISAD describes an Engaged Community that emphasizes close collaboration between parents, students, and staff. An events team organizes activities throughout the year to foster involvement. Parents can engage through volunteering and participate in cultural and social events coordinated by the school and its partners. The extensive afternoon program and after-school care provide structured opportunities for parental involvement in student learning and wellbeing. Community events include UAE National Day celebrations, Commemoration Day observances, and seasonal events such as the Winter Market, with families often contributing to the organization. There are intercultural activities with partner schools, such as Franco-German exchanges and language-focused events like German Language Day.
