About us

We Develop the Global Citizens of Tomorrow

Since our founding in 1976, we have been proud of our long history in the United Arab Emirates. Our school provides a unique learning environment that fosters intercultural awareness and the development of global citizens. With a dedicated team of educators and modern facilities, we strive to ensure a successful educational journey for all our students. Learn more about our mission, values, and the diverse educational opportunities we offer.

What Sets Us Apart

Mission Statement

Excellent International School

Integration

German & English at GISAD

10 Reasons to choose GISAD

Mission statement

Our mission statement is intended to provide a framework for everyone involved in school life, guiding us on a shared path into the future. At the same time, it serves as a reminder of our commitment to achieving our goals.

“At GISAD, we learn and live in a culturally diverse environment, working together every day to realize our visions.”

Respect, Appreciation & Trust
We treat each other with respect and appreciation, and we trust one another.

Transparent Communication
We communicate openly, clearly, and reliably within the school community.

Commitment
We pursue mutually agreed-upon goals, recognize rules and agreements, and adhere to them.

Collaboration on Various Levels
We work together to shape school life: students, parents, and teachers. Through dialogue, participation, and taking responsibility, we work towards shared goals on an individual, class, and school level.

We place great emphasis on cultural sensitivity and diversity to create an inclusive and respectful learning environment. Our students benefit from intercultural exchange, which helps them develop respect and understanding for different cultures. Through shared learning and experiences, we strengthen awareness of cultural differences and foster a deeper appreciation and enrichment within our entire school community.

Preparation for University and Career
We provide a solid general education, culminating in the German International Abitur, which includes instruction in several subjects in English and is recognized worldwide as a qualification for university admission.

We promote independent learning and academic work, preparing our students for active participation in society and their future individual educational careers.

Through career information and internship days, students gain insight into their future professional lives.

Innovation & Competitions
We encourage innovative ideas and individual commitment in all areas and participate in regional and national competitions.

Effective Learning Environment
We utilize diverse social forms and methods in our teaching. Cooperative learning and the promotion of independent and problem-oriented learning are key features of our instruction.

Personal Development
We support the development of our students into responsible, self-confident, and self-reliant individuals. We place great emphasis on imparting social skills and fostering individual talents and abilities.

Individualization
Our goal is to optimally support and challenge our students according to their talents, abilities, and interests through differentiated and individualized learning.

For example, we implement the DaF/DFU concept to improve language competence.

Facilitating Transitions
We learn and work together under one roof: kindergarten, primary school, and secondary school. This makes it easier for us to smoothly manage transitions between educational stages. We ensure that students can continue their education without disruption upon returning to Germany.

Professional Development
We use internal and regional professional development opportunities as valuable impulses for our daily pedagogical work and the ongoing development of our school.

Inclusion
We create the conditions for inclusive learning and embrace creative and individualized solutions.

Participation
We organize participation at all levels. Students, parents, and teachers actively contribute to the development of the school through their elected representatives in the student council, parent council, and teacher council, and they maintain regular communication with the school administration.

Collaborative Work
We value trustful and productive collaboration at the subject level, class level, and in collegial working groups and projects.

Feedback Culture
We promote reflection on both the teaching and learning processes by establishing a feedback culture. This makes learning visible.

Educational Quality Management
We ensure systematic school development through Educational Quality Management. Based on current state analyses (BLI, SEIS+, inspections by ADEC), the steering group creates a prioritized catalog of strengths and weaknesses. Concepts are developed in collegial working groups and translated into concrete measures, the effectiveness of which is evaluated through interim evaluations (e.g., balance visits, peer reviews). Overall, PQM represents a continuous cycle that is revisited regularly.

EXCELLENT INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL

Since 1976, GISAD has established itself as a renowned international school, regularly receiving the “very good” rating from the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) and being part of the “German Schools Abroad” network. GISAD is well-known within the Emirati and international community for its teaching staff, who are directly recruited from Germany and licensed by the German Ministries of Education. Additionally, GISAD has the privilege of awarding the German Language Diploma (Deutsches Sprachdiplom, DSD) of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs (KMK).

The DSD is “the only school-based program of the Federal Republic of Germany for German as a foreign language abroad. The German Language Diploma (DSD) of the KMK can be obtained through an examination at the end of several years of school-based German language instruction.

Passing the German Language Diploma – First Level (DSD I) certifies German language proficiency at the B1 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).”

A DSD I, in combination with a higher qualification from a non-German school (e.g., High School Diploma or IB), qualifies for admission to a Studienkolleg (university preparatory course) in Germany.

INTEGRATION

In the 2005/2006 school year, six Emirati children were enrolled at GISAD for the first time under the scholarship of H.H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Since then, we have welcomed Emirati children annually and have already celebrated two graduating classes with Emirati graduates. An integration program, designed to facilitate a smoother transition for non-German-speaking students, includes the specialized “German as a Foreign Language” (DaF) instruction and an entrance test, including a meeting with the parents. Currently, nearly 50 Emirati children participate in the program.

The program offers DaF instruction and homework support, and many Emirati children also participate in extracurricular groups. The care of the Emirati children and their parents is carried out in close collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK). Since the 2007/2008 school year, GISAD has employed an Integration Officer who coordinates the support for Emirati children and their parents and further develops the program. DaF instruction is mandatory and fee-based for all applicants.

Contact
Ms. Ouafa Abadi
Email: integration@gisad.ae
Tel.: +971 2 666 8668-2

GERMAN & ENGLISH AT GISAD

Our language program begins in kindergarten, promoting both German and English from the start. The kindergarten accepts children without prior knowledge of German, allowing all to benefit from a bilingual beginning. Our teachers regularly participate in professional development to support the program.

Since the 2018/19 school year, we have implemented this concept at GISAD. In kindergarten, we use basic materials, and in primary school grades 1 and 2, we incorporate primary-level games. A language placement test at the start of the school year provides parents with feedback on their children’s language development. In grades 1 and 2, children with German as their mother tongue have two hours of English per week, and in grades 3 and 4, four hours.

We also support German language development in secondary school. Subjects like Biology and History receive additional language support. Our students typically have between 3 and 4 hours of English per week.

Our school community supports the integration program, which welcomes children from diverse cultural backgrounds. This exposure to different cultures and languages helps our students develop into global citizens. GISAD also provides a successful entry for students without prior knowledge of the German language.

10 REASONS TO CHOOSE GISAD

Recognized as an “Excellent German School Abroad” by the German Central Agency for Schools Abroad – the highest attainable rating.

Achievement of the Realschulabschluss and Abitur, which grant access to universities and colleges worldwide.

Our teachers are fluent in both German and English. Additionally, we offer French and Arabic as foreign languages.

Extracurricular Activities and ECAs provide students with sports, crafts, and homework assistance until 3:20 PM.

Seamless integration for non-German-speaking children, starting from kindergarten and higher grade levels.

Project-based afternoon program with a focus on science and German literature.

Close collaboration between parents, students, and staff. The event team organizes activities throughout the year.

Emirati children can enroll from kindergarten onwards through the scholarship provided by H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed.

Two bus schedules and healthy meals from Food Nation in our cafeteria ensure the well-being of our students and staff.

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