Dubai American Academy students to have new campus by September

Dubai: Students of the Dubai American Academy (DAA) will have a new school campus beginning September.

Dubai American Academy (DAA), one of GEMS Education’s oldest American curriculum school, will be merged with the institution’s newest American curriculum school, the GEMS Nations Academy (GNA). Once merged, the school will then be called Dubai American Academy – Nations.

DAA, the only outstanding American school of GEMS, will move in September 2017 into its new campus at GNA in Al Barsha on Hessa Street after its 20-year stay on its old campus also in Al Barsha near Mall of the Emirates.

The new campus will then provide premium infrastructure and benefits that match the very highest of international standards while retaining DAA’s outstanding heritage.

GNA will be integrated into DAA and its focus on cutting-edge robotics, coding and technology will prove to be a powerful combination for both schools. In addition, DAA’s entire teaching staff will transfer to the new school.

Dino Varkey, CEO of GEMS Education, said: “We have created a partnership which will benefit both the GEMS Nations Academy and Dubai American Academy communities as the two schools integrate to produce an institution which we believe will go beyond outstanding. DAA’s outstanding heritage blended with the future focus that GEMS Nations has will accelerate the growth and development of all our students and allow us to fulfil our aspirations quicker.

“We recognise that DAA families have asked for upgrades to infrastructure and facilities, while families at GNA have asked for a more extensive offering. This integration of the two schools will allow for the needs of both families to be met.”

The new campus will offer more opportunities for students in terms of course offerings, specialist teaching, enhanced college counselling advice, sports teams and ECAs. The tuition fees for families at this school will continue to follow the DAA fees.

With GEMS Nations Academy’s founding head, Tom Farquhar, retiring, the entire teaching staff at DAA will transfer to the new school to join the highly accredited GNA teaching staff, under the leadership of Tammy Murphy.

Dino added: “With a heavy heart we must also share the news that Tom Farquhar has taken the decision to return to retirement at the end of this academic year. Tom has been with us for over three years and his tireless enthusiasm and passion has been greatly appreciated by the team here at GEMS. We thank Tom for all that he has done here at Nations.”