# Dubai International Academy

Dubai International Academy is an international private school in the Emirates Hills area in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates. The school is part of the Innoventures Education group. Dubai International Academy opened its doors on September 10, 2005, with 500 students from 55 countries. Currently, it has over 2000 students, representing over 80 nationalities.
Dubai International Academy is accredited by the Council of International Schools, and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.

## History

Founded in September 2005, Dubai International Academy opened with 500 students from 55 countries, and a faculty of 50 members from 18 nationalities. It was the first school in UAE to offer the International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum to its pupils.
In September 2012, the school had 1800 students from 78 nationalities, and a faculty of 250 staff from 42 nationalities.
In March 2015, Dubai International Academy was rated Outstanding overall for the first time by KHDA, one of the 16 schools in Dubai to receive this rating at the time.
In 2018, a sister school was opened in Al Barsha.

## Curriculum

Dubai International Academy follows the IB Curriculum, offering the Primary Years Program (PYP) for students aged 6–12, the Middle Years Program (MYP) for students aged 11–16, and the Diploma Program (DP) for students aged 16–19. The 4th IB Course - the Career Related Program, is also offered since 2018.
English, Math and Science remain mandatory throughout all 3 programs, and Language Acquisition (as Spanish or French in the MYP, with Self-Taught Language added in DP) is mandatory for all students taking part in the MYP and the DP programs.
During Year 11 (MYP 5 - the final year of MYP), students work towards an MYP Certificate, being externally assessed by the IB in all subject areas at the end of the year, as well as requiring the successful completion of the Personal Project, and the Inter Disciplinary Unit (IDU) by the students. Upon being awarded the certificate, the students may proceed on to the Diploma Program.
Dubai International Academy is recognized for its diverse native-tongue instruction initiatives. These programs cater to students wishing to cultivate and enhance their skills in their native languages. Currently, in lieu of Islamic Studies, the institution facilitates between two and three hours of weekly lessons during academic hours in languages including Danish, Dutch, Finnish, French, German, Hindi, Italian, Spanish, Swedish, and Mandarin.

## Extracurricular activities
### Model United Nations

Dubai International Academy is well known for its Model United Nations conference (known as DIAMUN). It is a THIMUN (The Hague International Model United Nations) affiliated conference. DIAMUN is the largest Model United Nations conference in the United Arab Emirates, hosted annually, and involving participants from both local and international schools. The 2015 conference has been attended by over 900 students, representing 53 schools in 17 countries, across 4 continents. The conference is also known to be the first paperless MUN conference where students can use their devices to communicate with delegates in committees, upload resolutions online, edit resolutions and communicate with chairs. As a result of this, over 4,000 sheets of paper have been saved and the conference aims to set an example for conferences around the world to implement their technology.
The Model United Nations club at DIA has been founded in 2008. As of December 2016, the MUN club has approximately 150 student participants.

### Politics@DIA

Politics@DIA is a student-led club at Dubai International Academy, dedicated to fostering political awareness, discussion, and critical thinking among students.

### Water for Life

The Water for Life Club in Dubai International Academy is a subdivision of the Aqua Initiative, which aims to combat the problem of Water Scarcity. After the establishment of the Aqua Initiative, Dubai International Academy began to celebrate the World Water Day. During the celebration, various fundraising activities are organized, such as bake sales and the Water for Life Carnival.

### Duke of Edinburgh International Award

The Duke of Edinburgh International Award is a generic name for a youth awards program, initially founded in the United Kingdom in 1956. The awards recognize adolescents and young adults upon the completion of a series of self-improvement exercises. Dubai International Academy is participating in the program, offering its students all 3 progressive levels, with the Bronze award offered from 14 years of age, the Silver award offered from 15 years of age, and the Gold award offered to students who are 16 and above.

### Sports

As of January 2017, Basketball, Football, Cricket, Netball, Volleyball and Swimming teams are offered in the Dubai International Academy. All of those teams are offered at 4 age categories, which are the U12 (read as under-twelves), U14, U16 (sometimes referred to as Junior Varsity), and U18 (sometimes referred to as Varsity).
In 2016, new Aquathlon and Cross-Country teams have been added. As of December 2016, there is only one of each of these teams; the Aquathlon team offered for U10s and U11s, while the Cross Country team is offered for U8s through U11s. All sports teams in Dubai International Academy bear the name of "DIA Wolves".

## Rating

The Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) is the authority responsible for educational quality assurance in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The schools are rated annually based on the quality of teaching and learning, with the ratings ranging from Unsatisfactory to Outstanding.
For the 2015/2016 rating, Dubai International Academy was rated Outstanding overall for the first time, one of the 16 schools in Dubai to receive this rating, and only one of the 4 schools which offer the IB program in Dubai.
In September 2024 the academy was declared top 3 finalist for the World’s Best School Prize for Environmental Action 2024.