IB @ DUBAI INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY - EMIRATES HILLS
Best International Baccalaureate Curriculum School Award Entrance
IB CURRICULUM @ DIA-EH
Dubai International Academy, Emirates Hills (DIA-EH), prides itself in its innovative, inclusive and personalized pedagogical approach to nurture and empower all learners in the quest for intellectual empowerment. International mindedness is fostered through inquiry-based learning which propels students to solve real-world concerns whilst developing resourcefulness, ingenuity, strategy and collaboration from infancy through to pre-university phases.
Inquiry-based learning
Inquiry-based learning is a fundamental pillar of our curriculum, empowering students to tackle real-world challenges through hands-on, project-based activities. This dynamic approach encourages them to ask probing questions, draw meaningful connections, and sharpen their critical thinking skills. By integrating authentic experiences with academic content, our teaching extends beyond the classroom to make learning relevant and transformative. This commitment not only deepens student engagement but also equips them with the curiosity and problem-solving abilities essential for success in an ever-evolving world.
Planning the Curriculum
Planning is vitally important to DIA-EH. We design our curriculum backwards, mapping our assessment instruments vertically and horizontally. Our lessons are embedded with real-world context, role play and cross-curricular transferable skills. We set high expectations for all students and ensure each student is challenged. Our lessons are personalized to ensure students are afforded opportunities to flourish and progress so the learning is not capped. Our teachers relish in the creation of units which pique students’ natural curiosity and desire to push their own expectations of self. Moreover, Inclusivity for all students ensures learning has no ceiling. ​
How We Assess
Assessment methodologies are essentially utilized to effectively move students to the next step in their learning journey. Alongside this the data procured on this journey is analysed by teachers and leaders to enhance progress and attainment. We have spent a great deal of time coaching our students to be active participants in their own learning through consistent and staggered reflection. Our Feedforward marking strategy ensures students carry out assessment, receive feedback, assign new learning goals based on the feedback and engage in a process of recalibrating their learning.
Personalisation in Lessons
Primarily, the teacher takes complete responsibility for the learning of every student in their care. Effectively, the utilization of a range of data, individual educational plans and careful observations helps teachers to differentiate instruction so it matches students’ needs. Furthermore, distinct provision is also fostered to eradicate barriers to learning, such as social, emotional, motivational or specific learning differences. As a consequence, we undertake holistic evaluation of students as a means to offer practical intervention strategies to mitigate learning challenges. Additionally, we have distinct provision in place to support students with detailed IEPs, EAL provision and we have an Accelerated Programme to further challenge our most gifted and talented learners. Each student establishes their own SMART learning targets housed within their personal Learning Journey Trackers to empower them to take responsibility for their own progress and develop their capacity to be life-long learners.
Professional Development
At DIA-EH, professional development empowers educators to innovate and transform classrooms. Our continuous learning culture fosters Action Research and collaboration through Learning Hives (PLCs), where teachers share best practices in planning, feedback, and technology integration. Grounded in our 10 Brilliant Basics, educators adapt and refine responsive teaching strategies to meet diverse learner needs, ensuring every classroom thrives. Our commitment to reflective, evidence-based practice drives excellence in teaching and enriches student outcomes, making professional development a cornerstone of our educational success.
Curriculum Pathways
The Primary Years Programme (PYP) at DIA-EH fosters curiosity, creativity and a love for learning, laying a strong foundation for academic growth. This seamless transition continues into the Middle Years Programme (MYP), which provides a broad and balanced curriculum, equipping students with the critical thinking skills and subject knowledge needed to excel in their final years of school. In Year 12, students choose between the Diploma Programme (DP) and the Career-related Programme (CP), both of which lead to prestigious university placements worldwide. The Business CP pathway is an excellent option for students seeking a dynamic, career-focused education. By integrating the DP Core with BTEC (Business and Technology Education Council) qualifications, the CP pathway offers a practical, hands-on approach to learning, ensuring students gain real-world skills highly valued by employers and universities alike.With its flexible, modular structure, BTEC allows students to specialize in areas aligned with their career ambitions, making it an ideal choice for those passionate about Business, Management, or Entrepreneurship. By offering both rigorous academic preparation through the continuum DIA-EH empowers every student to achieve success in higher education and beyond.
Future Skills in Action
Our pioneering Future Skills Programme is a flagship initiative that integrates Service as Action and community engagement with core life-skills necessary for the world beyond academia, while also fostering a spirit of collaboration and social responsibility. Our students engage in dynamic, hands-on projects designed to simulate real-life challenges. In our signature Future Pathways 2030 module, students paired up to practice college interviews, honing their communication, critical thinking and interpersonal skills. They also developed cooking, financial literacy and entrepreneurship. This programme develops students capacity to be philanthropic, to build their transdisciplinary skills and work in collaboration which are fundamental components of CAS in the senior years. This initiative not only drives individual growth but also enriches our community, setting a benchmark for educational excellence and demonstrating our readiness to empower tomorrow’s leaders. Excellence in action.
College Counselling and Student Opportunity
DIA-EH has a strong track record in university placements, achieving a 100% acceptance rate at top-tier institutions across 17 countries, including Ivy League and Oxbridge universities. Over 20 years, DIA-EH students have earned $50 million in scholarships. A well-rounded profile, enriched by DIA-EH's Co-curricular After-school Activities Programme and international competitions, strengthens university applications. These experiences foster leadership, resilience, and global awareness—skills highly valued by top universities. The College Counselling Team offers personalized guidance, helping students craft compelling narratives that align with their career aspirations, ensuring their success in an increasingly competitive admissions landscape.
Global Diversity and 3rd Culture Students
At our school, global awareness and cultural understanding are cultivated across the continuum—from the PYP to extended curricular initiatives in the secondary school. With a student body representing more than 80 nationalities and a staff body of 30 nationalities, DIA-EH is truly an international institution. Daily learning experiences cultivated through the Curriculum and the Co-Curricular Activities, like Model United Nations, World Scholar’s Cup, TED Ed student talks and Olympiad challenges, enable our diverse student body, including many third-culture kids, to engage with global issues meaningfully. Also, our robust Mother Tongue programme stands as a powerful testimony to the multiple nationalities represented here, celebrating the unique identities and cultures of every student. This commitment not only deepens international-mindedness but also reinforces the importance of preserving and cherishing one’s linguistic and cultural heritage.
IB Continuum
