GEMS World Academy is one of the few schools in the city authorised to teach the entire International Baccalaureate continuum, from the Primary Years Programme to the Diploma. Founded in 2008 in Al Barsha South and part of the GEMS Education group, it educates more than 1,200 pupils from over 80 nationalities and has held the KHDA's Very Good rating since 2017. It anchors our directory of IB schools in Dubai within the wider Dubai international schools market.
This profile sets out the IB pathway, the premium fee band, the admissions calendar and the community around the school. GlobalSchoolGuide is independent and no school pays to be listed.
GEMS World Academy at a glance
| Curriculum and exam boards | International Baccalaureate continuum (PYP, MYP, Diploma Programme and Career related Programme) |
|---|---|
| Stage range | Early childhood to Grade 12 (ages 2 to 18) |
| Founded | 2008 |
| Regulator and rating | KHDA rated Very Good (held since 2017) |
| Authorisation | IB World School (all programmes) |
| Fee band | Premium tier (see Dubai fees guide) |
| Campus area | Al Barsha South, Al Khail Road |
Curriculum and academics
GEMS World Academy delivers the full IB curriculum, beginning with a Reggio inspired early childhood phase, then the IB Primary Years Programme and Middle Years Programme, before pupils choose in the senior school between the IB Diploma Programme and the IB Career related Programme. Running all four programmes is unusual and resource heavy, which is the school's main point of difference.
The senior choice lets families pick the Diploma for a broad academic profile or the Career related route for a more applied, specialism led path. Graduates progress to universities across the United Kingdom, the United States, Europe and Canada, with the programme matched to the destination.
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GEMS World Academy fees
GEMS World Academy sits in the premium tier of the Dubai market. Published tuition for 2025 to 2026 runs from around AED 42,000 in the nursery to roughly AED 123,000 in Grades 11 and 12, as mapped in our Dubai school fees guide. The pricing reflects the full IB continuum and the breadth of the campus facilities.
Plan for premium tier extras on top of tuition: a registration charge, a deposit set at a share of annual fees, transport if you live outside Al Barsha, and IB examination entry fees in the senior years. To see how it compares with the city's other authorised programmes, read our pick of the best IB schools in Dubai.
Admissions and intake
The school runs an August to June year and admits across year groups subject to availability, with the early childhood phase the main entry point and the start of the Diploma a second key intake. Popular grades carry waiting lists, so apply in the published window.
Admission is based on a placement assessment that gauges readiness and any language or learning support needs, alongside prior school reports. A registration deposit, deductible from tuition, secures the place. Prepare recent reports, passport and visa documents and a transfer certificate where required.
Location and who goes there
The campus is on Al Khail Road in Al Barsha South, a short drive from the Meadows, Springs, Arabian Ranches and Dubai Hills, and close to both the Mall of the Emirates and Dubai Hills Mall. The facilities are a draw in their own right, from an Olympic sized pool and athletics track to an auditorium and a planetarium.
The location places it within reach of the western villa communities where much of its parent body lives. For the wider view of how it sits alongside the other authorised programmes, see the Dubai schools hub.
GEMS World Academy reviews
No verified parent reviews of GEMS World Academy have been submitted to GlobalSchoolGuide yet. We do not publish a star rating until we have collected enough verified first hand accounts to be fair to the school and useful to parents, and we never invent ratings. If your family attends or has attended GEMS World Academy, you can help other relocating parents by sharing your experience through our school reviews page.
Frequently asked questions
How much are GEMS World Academy fees?
2025 to 2026 tuition runs from roughly AED 42,000 in the nursery to about AED 123,000 in Grades 11 and 12, placing the school in Dubai's premium tier. The KHDA approves the maximum each year, so confirm the figure for your child's grade.
Does GEMS World Academy offer the IB?
Yes. It is authorised for the full IB continuum: the Primary Years Programme, the Middle Years Programme, and a senior choice between the Diploma Programme and the Career related Programme.
Is GEMS World Academy a good school?
It has held the KHDA's Very Good rating since 2017 and is one of the few schools in the city offering every IB programme. Whether it suits your child depends on your preference for a full IB pathway and the Al Barsha South location.
Where is GEMS World Academy located?
On Al Khail Road in Al Barsha South, close to the Meadows, Springs, Arabian Ranches and Dubai Hills, and near both the Mall of the Emirates and Dubai Hills Mall.
When do GEMS World Academy applications open?
The school runs an August to June year and opens admissions ahead of each session, with early childhood and the start of the Diploma the main intakes. It often runs waiting lists, so apply early.
