Primary (Grades 1-4)

The primary school at the German International School in Abu Dhabi is a school which usually comprises of two classes per grad with pedagogically meaningful small learning groups. For us, the joy of teaching and the support for lifelong learning is at the heart of everything we do. Our school is both a living and learning space. As an international school we promote a multicultural student body. Differentiation and individualization, i.e. taking into account the different requirements of our students, are a natural part of our teaching and learning culture. Furthermore, we see it as an important task to address the heterogeneities of culture, origin and ability as a great window of opportunity that cannot better prepare for the world of tomorrow.

Languages play a central role in our school. Naturally, the German language is at the heart of our pedagogy. The subject German is of utmost importance for our primary school. Through our action-oriented, often interdisciplinary lessons, which integrate life experiences, we prepare our primary school pupils for the safe use of the written and spoken German language. In the course of the primary school we support our pupils in the subject German to acquire basic orientation and knowledge of the language, media and literature

Our mathematics classes make use of early mathematical knowledge and help our students to acquire basic mathematical skills. Through a variety of solution and calculation methods, we encourage creativity in the mathematical interpretation of real situations and train flexible and independent thinking. Discovering learning, practicing in meaningful contexts and the use of different forms of presentation with the integration of modern technology are among the basic concepts of our mathematics lessons. In the combination of German and mathematics, our subject lessons aim at the consistent development of abilities and skills which help to orientate the student for life ahead, to become a global citizen and to experience oneself responsibly as the cause of good effects and development.

The subject English is taught to the children of the primary school for two hours from the very beginning. In addition, all pupils from grade 1 onwards learn Arabic, thus acquiring the basics of the Arabic language and gaining additional insights into the culture of the United Arab Emirates.

Arabic- native speaking children in grades 1 and 2 are taught five hours each in their mother tongue, from grade 3 onwards four hours each. In addition, all Emirati children receive needs-based additional support in German as DaF (German as a Foreign Language) lesson, and special (Emirati) homework assistance. DaF lessons are chargeable and available to all students.

A consistent part of life in primary school are numerous events, such as: the Lantern Festival, Sports Festival, excursions, cinema evenings, reading nights, project days, a theme day in February (on which the children are allowed to dress up).

Reliable supervision up to and including the sixth lesson is guaranteed for all primary school pupils. Here the children can do their homework as well as play. In addition, after the lunch break in the seventh and eighth lesson, there is an additional afternoon care option daily.

Enrolment procedure

All children who have reached the age of 6 by 01 September of the current calendar year can be enrolled in school after their school eligibility has been assessed. This is determined on the basis of the development report of the delivering kindergarten and a school aptitude test carried out at GISAD. At the request of parents, this procedure is also applied to children who reach the age of 6 after September 1. The school management decides on the final admission of a child.

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Middle School (Grades 5 - 10)

School concept

Grade 5 serves as an orientation level. At the end of the school year, at the class conference a recommendation is met for the school career path of: Hauptschule, Realschule or Gymnasium. First of all, parents may place a preference for their child’s placement in grade 6. At the end of the first half of the year, the class conference makes the final decision of the placement.

In grades 6 to 10, Hauptschule and Realschule students are taught in classes together with the Gymnasium students in a differentiated manner. Lessons take place at grammar school level; Real and Hauptschule students are given their own exercises as far as possible and, in the case of class tests, their own. The 2nd foreign language French is compulsory from grade 6 onwards.

Up to the end of the 8th grade it is possible to change the school career path if the student performs well. The initiative to change school branches must come from the parents. The decision is made by the class conference.

Students who do not want to complete secondary school in 8 but in 9 years can be managed as Realschule students from grades 6 to 10. If they pass the Realschule examination at the end of grade 10 with a corresponding grade point average, they can repeat grade 10 as Gymnasium students in order to be admitted to the qualification level for the German International Abitur.

High School (Grades 11 - 12)

School Concept

The lessons in high school are held in classes and a high degree of independence is expected, which is also indispensable for the subsequent study.

The subjects taught at grades 11 and 12 are German, English, French, mathematics, physics, biology, chemistry, history, geography, ethics/Islamic religion, art and sport. With the exception of sport, examinations are written in all subjects. The subjects Art and Geography are taught in English and the subject Biology bilingual (English).

In the school year 2010/2011the German International Abitur Examination (DIAP) was held for the first time.

Equivalent to a high-quality certificate of all national and international secondary school certificates, it enables students to study in any country in the world. While it is identical in content to the German Abitur, it makes particular use of the foreign language potential of German schools abroad. In addition to the subject-related skills, pupils can also acquire high linguistic competence. These skills have become more important than ever in a globalized world.

The DIAP is a final examination developed specifically for German schools abroad and is aimed at the special requirements of a multicultural, multilingual student body. To ensure that the DIAP is recognized as a qualified school graduation diploma worldwide, uniform examination requirements apply from Kuala Lumpur to Montreal and are monitored by the German Conference of Ministers of Culture (KMK). Both the classic German Abitur and the DIAP are internationally highly valued qualifications.

At the end of the upper level, each graduate of the DIAP has exams in three subjects written and in two subjects orally. The DIAP thus places a further examination focus on the communicative skills of the students.

The high examination standard of the DIAP is guaranteed by the supervision of the German school authorities: the examination commission is chaired by a representative of the Standing Conference of Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs. He ensures that the Abitur examination is conducted properly and fairly.

Further Downloads for our High School