Admission

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Introduction

The Dubai International School – Garhoud is located in Dubai, the modern, global business and cultural hub of the United Arab Emirates. The UAE is a federation of seven emirates in the southeast of the Arabian Peninsula.

DIS-G campus, a 227,000 square foot, wireless, state-of-the-art facility in the heart and hub of Dubai – Al Garhoud area. The campus includes 104 classrooms, two libraries, music and art rooms with all instruments, a garden, indoor gym, indoor basketball/ handball/volleyball and tennis courts, outdoor mini-football pitch (70 m*54 m), additional playing fields and paly areas, a 24*12-meter swimming pool, two big food courts, large multi-purpose halls, 4 computer labs, 3 science labs and a state-of-the-art media room. DIS-G campus – through Education, Sports and Activities – provides the best inviting and welcoming learning environment that your children can have.

DIS-G admits students of any nationality. The school follows a standards-based US curricular program designed to prepare students for post-secondary education. DIS-G has a learning support program that enables the enrolment of a managed number of students needing additional learning support at each grade level.

Guiding Principles

In the admissions process, decisions are made with care to ensure all students offered admission to DIS-G have the potential to be successful at our school, both in and out of the classroom. DIS-G is committed to equality and inclusion and accommodates diversity in terms of family status, race, religion, disability, creed, colour, ethnic origin or ancestry, and gender.

Admissibility

At DIS-G, we value an education that will prepare all students for a rapidly changing world. As a result, in addition to a history of academic success (Grade reports and testing) that indicates the ability to succeed at DIS-G, we look for the desired skills and dispositions demonstrated through the Character Assessment, Teacher Recommendations, and Introductory Videos. Together, these items help us paint a picture of each applicant that is unique, and one that allows us to determine the admissibility of each prospective student through a comprehensive and mission-driven lens.

Age Requirements

As per KHDA enrolment policy, students applying to Pre-K, K1, and K2 must be 3 years old, 4 years old, and 5 years old, respectively, by December 31st of the year of enrolment. Preference is given to those applicants who turn the indicated age above by September 1st of the year of enrolment.

For all subsequent years (Grades 1-12), students will be placed on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration, age, the number of years the school records show the student has been in school, the time of year of arrival, and academic and social/emotional needs of the applicant.

For Grade 9-12 applicants, the number of credits earned is also a factor in determining appropriate grade placement. Therefore, all Grade 9-12 applicants are required to submit official transcripts or reports prior to beginning at DIS-G so that credits earned previously can be transferred.

School Year and Grade Level

In the vast majority of cases, students coming from schools with vastly different calendars (i.e., Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Korea, India) will continue in the same grade level.

English Requirements and Assessment

Students applying to enrol in Pre-K to Grade 12, who are not yet fluent in English and/or have never previously studied in an English language school, are all required to participate in an English as an Additional Language (EAL) screening at DIS-G to determine appropriate support/placement.

Students applying for Grades 1-12 must undergo EAL testing in order to confirm that the student meets or exceeds DIS-G admissions standards in English before admission can be offered. DIS-G reserves the right to request any additional testing either at DIS-G or from a specialist outside of DIS-G in order to determine admissibility. Examples may include learning support screening, psycho-educational evaluation (cognitive and/or academic).

In all cases, all students seeking admission to DIS-G will sit for MAP Screening Test.

Full Disclosure

Full disclosure and open communication are critical in ensuring appropriate placement and support. DIS-G reserves the right to contact previous schools before making an admissions decision. Failure to disclose information related to an applicant’s learning, social/emotional, behavioural, or physical needs, whether in the past or present, may result in the withdrawal of an offer of admission.

Admissions Timeline

Standard Early Admission Deadline

Pre-K, KG1, KG2: March 31
Grades 1-12: April 30

Standard Admission Deadline

PreK-12: May 31

After the above dates, rolling admission will be in effect and spaces will be allocated until filled.