Welcome video from Superintendent/CEO Dr. Ethan Hildreth
We are delighted to welcome you to Dubai American Academy!
DAA is committed to ensuring that our new families have a welcoming and seamless on-boarding experience.
This DAA Family Welcome site is designed to provide you with preliminary information to help you prepare for your child(ren)’s first days of school. Please review each section for useful information and reach out to us at communication_daa@gemsedu.com or registrar_daa@gemsedu.com if you require additional information.
Important: To ensure you receive all important updates and information from us, please ensure you have the correct primary email address listed. Please also ensure that you update your mobile number with us to your local number as soon as possible. To confirm or change your primary email address and mobile number on file please kindly inform our receptionist team on receptionist_daa@gemsedu.com.
Complete your New Family Checklist!
Specific information must be submitted prior to a child's first day at DAA. Delayed submissions may result in a postponed start date.
Submit Health Form via the GEMS Connect App or website
The information can be found in our Health Record Section.
Submit required documents to our Government Relations Executive and Admissions Team.
A full list of required documents can be found in our Admissions section. *If you have already submitted during your application stage, you do not need to resubmit.
Please note that the Transfer Certificate is extremely important.
High school students (Grades 9-12) transferring from a different curriculum must provide a UAE Ministry of Education equivalency letter.
Complete the division-specific checklist.
Complete the parent/guardian and student details including photo on the GEMS Connect App by August 15.
Parents must wear the family pass with yellow lanyard whilst on school premises. DAA Staff can be identified through blue lanyards and students through dark blue lanyards. As a new family you will receive your GEMS Connect Login Details by email from our IT team. If you do not receive your details please contact our receptionist_daa@gemsedu.com.
Our orientation sessions for new families (Students and Parents) will occur on campus on the dates below.
August 26th
Middle School Grade 6 - Grade 8
8:00 am start – 9:15am
High School Grade 9 - Grade 12
9:00 am start - 12pm
Elementary School Grade 1 - Grade 5
1pm start - 2pm
August 27th
KG 2
9 am start - 10am
KG 1
9am start or 11am start *
*Please wait for an additional email from your child’s class teacher to confirm which session your child is scheduled to attend.
The DAA Parent Association, Slices Catering, STS Bus Service, and ESM will be available on Orientation Day in the sports hall to make sure you have all the information you need!
More information, timings, and an orientation agenda is shared via email.
Students do not need to wear DAA uniform.
School Calendar 2024-2025
A friendly reminder that all students are released at an earlier time every Friday.
Watch our virtual welcome by clicking on this link: ZOOM Recording
Kindly note, due to technical error our Middle School section was not recorded at the start of the zoom. All details mentioned on the call can be found in the welcome pack, Middle School page.
Please find some of the questions shared in the call chat, answered below:
I haven't received my GEMS connect login details?
Please email receptionist_daa@gemsedu.com and our team will share the login details and password. Please note it is one login per family.
I can only see one child on the GEMS Connect app, however two are enrolled?
Please email registrar_daa@gemsedu.com
Where can I complete course selection?
Head to the Middle School page and complete the form
Head to the High school page and complete the form
Complete course selection with your home email addresses.
How do we get detailed information on course selection?
On the welcome pack division pages. You can also reach out to divisional counselors with any questions, their emails are listed on the divisional pages.
When will we get timetables and schedules?
These will be received over summer, before the first day of school. You can arrange a meeting with your counsellors on the orientation days to discuss any scheduling concerns.
If we made a mistake on course selection, can we change?
Yes, our team will take the most recently completed course selection form.
When and how can we order uniform?
Our uniform is sold exclusively with THREADS and you can book an appointment for uniform purchasing in store or purchase online. We also have a campus pop up store August 20-26th.
How many Family pass lanyards do you get?
Each Family gets three free lanyards and passes. You can purchase additional if required, on the GEMS Connect App or with our Accounts office.
For the first tuition payment, will we subtract the deposit amount?
Yes, deposit will be adjusted to term 1 fees.
Will finance email us an invoice for tuition ahead of the first day of school?
Yes, please check the primary email address registered. You can also visit our accounts office in person or email finance_daa@gemsedu.com.
What happens if we miss orientation day?
If you child is going to miss orientation day, please reach out to the grade level counselor (MS/HS) listed on the divisional page so that we can help them adjust on their first day.
When can we register for after school activities?
This will be advertised at the beginning of the school year, usually after two weeks.
My children obtain their EIDs second week of August, is this an issue?
No issue, please share as soon as received.
Who is the head of special education in grade 9?
The HS head of Inclusion is Jessica Lee, j.lee_daa@gemsedu.com
Will there be a special drop off and pick up for MS new building?
Yes, we are working on the redesign of traffic flow. The specific drop off and pick up routes will be shared before the start of the school year. Students can also access the MS building by entering through the main building too.
What time does bus pick up?
The pick up and drop off times depend on the routes. Once STS recieve your registration they can provide a specific time and routes for your childs bus service.
Will slices be available on the first day?
Yes, the Slices Classroom Delivery google form will be open to order the previous week from Tuesday to Friday 11am to pre-order classroom delivery for KG to Grade 2. Slices Lunch service will also be available to students in Grade 3 to Grade 12 for Lunch purchases. For morning break time, parents should provide students with a snack.
Are there social media groups for GEMS Parents?
Yes, our DAA Parent Association have grade level whatsapp groups that open at the beginning of the year. This is shared via SPOTS newsletter, and we kindly advise for you to also read the whatsapp guidelines before joining.
Is it possible to get copies of books during vacation?
Most of our resources for IB are online, however some courses do issue textbooks. These will be distributed through classes during the first weeks of school.
When do we know class allocation and teachers?
You will receive a welcome letter in august from the classroom/homeroom teacher.
Is there homework for middle school?
Yes, there is some expectation for homework. It varies at grade levels and should support and be relevant to what is happening in class.
When are athletics try outs?
Our sports teams run in 3 seasons, with try outs beginning after the first week of school for the first season. This information will be shared in your first week. You can contact Athletics Director Sam Leacock s.leacock_daa@gemsedu.com
During orientation day, is the parent expected to stay full day or a few hours?
Our orientation days should not be more than a few hours long. Specific timings and agenda will be shared in August.
Will DAA shut during the holidays?
During Summer break, Accounts, Admissions and Reception offices remain open to support our new families. Our hours will be shortened, usually 8am to 2pm. You are welcome to visit our campus during this time and also arrange a school tour.
Who to contact:
For Elementary specific questions, please kindly email t.gandi_daa@gemsedu.com for assistance and any questions, such as how we support transitioning for KGs.
For High School course selection questions, please email a.szar_daa@gemsedu.com.
For Middle School course selection questions, please email the grade level counselor found on the Middle School page.
For bus information, visit the page in the STS page or email Kelvin our STS representative directly.
Be prepared for your first day at DAA:
Read our welcome pack: https://sites.google.com/gemsdaa.net/welcometodaa202425/home
Check your primary email for your GEMS Connect Login details. If you have not received these details, please email our recepionist_daa@gemsedu.com team.
Complete your Parent/Guardian and Student information on GEMS Connect, including upload of passport style photographs by August 15th. This is to be able to receive your Family and Student Lanyards. All Families receive 3 Family IDs, with the option to purchase more via the GEMS Connect App.
Save the 24/25 Academic Calendar, and attend our Orientation Days!
Sign up for the STS school bus. You can visit our STS kiosk, located in the main atrium or email Kelvin to enquire.
Book your appointment to purchase uniform at Threads: http://www.threadsme.com/
For Middle and High school students, review our Bring Your Own Device guidelines.
Complete Course selection for MS: *Please complete as soon as possible. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScQ2wMZsBy-Ywrj910XZwtBHjigfFTaXYJJcnaTR6gAYf82dA/viewform
Complete Course selection for HS: *Please complete as soon as possible.
Submit your Final Transcript for HS students *This is extremely important for us to receive as soon as possible so that your start day isn’t delayed.
Submit your Transfer Certificate to Registrar_daa@gemsedu.com and S.MOHAMED_DAA@gemsedu.com.
Key Contacts over summer:
Admissions Director: G.keane_daa@gemsedu.com
Accounts: Finance_daa@gemsedu.com
Communications: communications_daa@gemsedu.com
Reception: Receptionist_daa@gemsedu.com
Admissions: Admissions_daa@gemsedu.com
Not sure who to contact? Send a WhatsApp Message to DAA Communications Mobile: +971 52 939 8529
NOTE: If your child will be absent from school, please contact the divisional/attendance secretary directly.