Click on the headings below to see Frequently Asked Questions about Dubai International Academy Al Barsha.

Where is Dubai International Academy located?

DIA Al Barsha is located in Al Barsha, Dubai. It can be easily reached from the Sheikh Zayed Road (interchanges 4 exit), Emirates Road, and Al Khail Road.

Is the IB compatible with

Yes. The IB is a framework for learning. The actual taught curriculum content comes from best practice worldwide and is benchmarked against Cambridge International standards. Students transferring from schools with other curricula may find that some areas of science, history, geography and English literature texts are different, however the IB and Dubai International Academy Al Barsha’s own programmes have been specifically designed to accommodate learning needs for an inherently transient expatriate population.

How do Southern Hemisphere students fit into a Northern Hemisphere academic year?

Year level placements are determined by student age in accordance with UAE education authority regulations and previous school transfer certification. In addition, our own entry assessments will give the admissions team a good indication of which year level would best suit every applicant. Inevitably, this may mean that some students transferring from the Southern Hemisphere may find themselves repeating half a year upon arrival at Dubai International Academy Al Barsha. This can be discussed in more detail with our admissions team.

What kind of communication can I expect from DIA-AB?

The school website contains general information about school events and activities. The Parent Portal within the website is a password protected area for Dubai International Academy Al Barsha parents only and will contain important information specific to your child(ren). In addition to this, teachers and parents share email addresses for urgent information or to arrange face to face appointments. 

Managebac is used for curriculum information from Grade 6 to Grade 12.

How does break and lunch work at DIA-AB?

All students have two recess times during the school day. Generally, break is 20 minutes and provides an opportunity for outdoor play, a bathroom break, a drink and a snack. All students from PKG to Grade 5 are expected to bring snack from home for first break.

Lunch is 30 minutes for primary and 40 minutes for secondary school, later in the day and is divided into recreation time and eating time. For lunch, PKG to Grade 1 students have the option of a hot meal being delivered to their classroom or food from home in an insulated lunch box. Grade 2 students upwards may bring lunch from home or elect to buy it from a range of healthy options available in the cafeteria.

How can I prepare my child for the start of school at DIA-AB?

Starting a new school can be a daunting experience for a child. The best preparation is to reduce the anxiety that is associated with this big move. Visiting the school beforehand, turning the apprehension into curiosity and sharing your excitement at the new opportunities that will come along is the best possible preparation for any child starting a new school. In addition, no-one likes to stand out on their first day, so making sure your child has the right school uniform, you know which days to have PE kit ready and school supplies are all bought well in advance can give children a sense of reassurance.

How quickly will my child settle in at DIA-AB

Starting a new school can be a daunting experience for a child. The best preparation is to reduce the anxiety that is associated with this big move. Visiting the school beforehand, turning the apprehension into curiosity and sharing your excitement at the new opportunities that will come along is the best possible preparation for any child starting a new school. In addition, no-one likes to stand out on their first day, so making sure your child has the right school uniform, you know which days to have PE kit ready and school supplies are all bought well in advance can give children a sense of reassurance.

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