Quick summary of key school information
School details
Number of students |
1600 |
Native English speaking teachers |
Yes |
Additional language classes offered by the school |
Arabic, French, Spanish |
Average number of students per class |
22 |
Use of technology in the classroom |
The use of technology is an important part of the curriculum and every day life for students and teachers at Qatar Academy. It can look very different from one class to the next, but how it is used to compliment student education and teacher instruction creates the foundation of technology at QAD. The E-Learning vision serves to support the mission and vision of Qatar Academy and provides students with an opportunity to become critical and independent thinkers as they develop problem solving and organizational skills. The school has developed a 21st-century learning program that is embedded into the curriculum and has been designed to complement essential elements of the International Baccalaureate Programme. To that end, the school has also established a one-to-one laptop program with Windows Netbooks and Macbooks from Grade 2 to 10. The students from Grades 6 through 10 are required to use Macbook laptops to assist their learning and facilitate work and file sharing. The students in Grades 2-5 use individually assigned classroom laptops to collaborate, research and present work on their e-portfolios as they reflect on their learning journeys. School-wide technology is supported by a wireless network that allows students to access files, emails and classroom work at any time. Qatar Academy’s IT and E-Learning department oversees ten state-of-the-art computer labs, mobile learning equipment, audio and video recording equipment and an online learning management system, making QAD one of the most technologically advanced schools in the region. |
External examinations or assessments available |
IB Diploma |
Do teachers assign homework to their students? |
Yes |
Approximate hours of homework given |
Depends on the subject and grade level. |
Dedicated staff/programs for students with special learning needs |
Learning Support team |
Learning support offered |
The Learning Support team of Student Services provides support for students that complement the classroom program. A multi-disciplinary approach is utilized to provide specialized learning support to students and parents. This student support may occur, for example, when students experience problems with their learning or when they need to be academically challenged to reach their full potential. In addition specialized teaching and learning support is provided to teachers. Members of the Learning Support team are specialist teachers who come from a range of fields such as Early Childhood Development, English Acquisition, Mathematics Acquisition, and Differentiation. |
Entry evaluation for students |
Entry to all age groups at QAD is by selection. The Admissions Committee uses screening tools at different grade levels to suit student developmental levels. This procedure is designed to assess the suitability of the applicant both academically and socially. |
School start time |
7:00 |
School finish time |
14:00 |
School bus service available |
No |
School provided lunches |
Yes |
Uniform required |
Yes |
Extracurricular activities or clubs offered |
Volleyball, football, basketball, badminton, swimming, track and field, table tennis, cricket, netball, debate club, school of rock, art club, literary magazine, Spanish club, future problem solvers, Japanese language and culture, botball, concert bands, yearbook |
Sports activities included |
Badminton, Taekwondo, football, basketball, volleyball, fitness, handball, swimming, softball |
Sports teams or sport competitions available for students |
Yes |
Sports facilities at the school |
- Olympic standard 50-meter swimming pool, with electronic timing and scoreboards
|
Qualities and characteristics best defining the school |
Qatar Academy Doha is one of the Middle East’s premier educational institutions. QAD is an International Baccalaureate World School also accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges and the Council of International Schools. The school offers academic excellence through Primary, Middle Year and IB Diploma programs based on the principle that education involves the development of a student’s cognitive, physical, social, moral and affective capabilities. |
Teaching approach of the school |
A dynamic classroom curriculum combined with community and service programs, experiential education, and extra-curricular activities enables students to participate in and reflect on the educational journey from preschool through the university admissions process. Students are a respected part of the learning process shared with parents and teachers. They are encouraged to be risk takers, unafraid to ask questions and confidently seek answers. QADstudents have unique opportunities to travel, study and participate in sports throughout the Middle East region and all over the world. Locally, Senior School students participate in and help organize the THIMUN Qatar Conference and Film Festival. Primary School students spend nearly a week each year off-site at QAD's School Without Walls facility located along the coast of the Arabian Sea. Students also travel the globe, rock climbing in France, learning about human ingenuity at Space Camp in Turkey, visiting art museums in Italy, and performing community and service in Vietnam. Qatar Academy does not just educate. QAD prepares students for work, life and leadership in their own communities and society at large. |