Clinton opens GEMS American Academy-Abu Dhabi

On this occasion, Clinton said, “I often think that the education of even one child who otherwise would not have the opportunity to get a world class education, may be worth to the future of the world, more than all the endeavours that I have engaged in my life. I very much appreciate the commitment GEMS has, to try to provide that opportunity for ever larger numbers of children, here, and other places across the world.”

The ceremony was hosted by GEMS Education and attended by a number of dignitaries and other VIP guests. Sunny Varkey, Chairman of GEMS Education, said, “We are extremely honoured to have president Clinton and His Highness here to open GEMS American Academy in the UAE Capital. GEMS has been operating schools in Abu Dhabi for over twenty years and will continue its commitment of supporting the government’s education objectives in both the private and public sectors.

“Students attending this new school will have a truly international education experience. The sheer diversity of nationalities provides students with a unique international understanding through interaction and by studying and experiencing other cultures and belief systems,” Mr Varkey said.

Located in Khalifa City, the new GEMS American Academy is the most modern international school in Abu Dhabi and will support the governments ‘Abu Dhabi 2030 vision’ of raising the standard of education, in order to empower both nationals and expatriates to transform the Emirate into an innovate, knowledge based society.

Over the last three years alone, GEMS students have been accepted into 567 universities in 36 countries. GEMS students have gone to 12 out of the top 15 universities in the world. In the last ten years alone, GEMS students have won over 300 international and regional awards for academics, sports and the arts.

GEMS American Academy Abu Dhabi will deliver world’s best practice in teaching and learning within a state-of-the-art, purpose built facility which includes; technology integrated facilities, a planetarium and a 650 seat auditorium. For extracurricular activities, the school offers a six court sports hall, climbing wall, two swimming pools, four full sized tennis and basketball courts and a full sized rugby pitch.

GEMS has selected a team of world renowned educators to ensure it delivers global best practice in the field of education. These include leaders who have excelled in education reform, curriculum development and teaching and learning practices. They are unequalled in international experience and include individuals who have established schools all over the world.

The GEMS American Academy in Abu Dhabi follows the US curriculum, with a commitment to the highest international standards of staff and teaching. The Academy has also undertaken candidate status with the International Baccalaureate Organisation for its Primary Years Program and is seeking full accreditation in 2013. Currently offering grades KG 1 to Grade 8 with provision for a secondary school starting in September 2012, the school has been modeled closely on the acclaimed Dubai American Academy.

Later today, President Bill Clinton will visit GEMS Dubai Modern High School as Chief Guest for its 25^th Anniversary celebration. During the celebrations, students of the school will perform songs from Phantom of Opera for President Clinton and other VIP guests. Dubai Modern High School, GEMS premium Indian school is known for its excellent academic results with a 100 per cent record in college admissions with students being accepted to the top schools in the world such as Yale, Columbia, Johns Hopkins, Rice, National Universities of Singapore and many others across the globe.

Students have also participated in global events such as the Global Young Leaders Conference in Washington and New York, Global Young Leaders Debating Programme in London, The West End Theatre

Training Programme, International Award for Young People Programme and the NASA Space Programme in the USA. Other key achievements for the school include The Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award for Academic Excellence for the Best Private School and the Dubai Quality Appreciation Award Certificate