Welcome to the Jumeira Baccalaureate School official Q and A page. Here we ask the questions, and the school answers directly. It is its chance to have its say on specific areas you have told us you want to know about. If you think there are additional questions we should be asking you may contact us here.

What qualities and characteristics would you say define your school?

At JBS, our vision is to prepare our students for the innovation age by igniting their passions, purpose and curiosity through challenge and high expectations. Our students are responsible, confident, and independent learners; they embrace and celebrate diversity, they strive for excellence, whilst maintaining happiness and wellbeing.

Our mission is:
- To embrace and respect diversity;
- To foster the wellbeing of all members of our community;
- To create a culture in which learning can flourish;
- To engage with high levels of challenge, enabling academic and personal success;
- To support cognitive and social skill development using innovative, research-based practice to enhance learning for all;
- To support the development of emotional intelligence, guided by the elements of the IB learner profile;
- To promote environmental awareness, sustainability and entrepreneurship.

Our Core values are:
- Wellbeing: promoting self-awareness; self-control; empathy; social skills; and personal responsibility.
- Innovation: promoting critical thinking; communication; collaboration; and creative problem-solving skills.
- High Expectations: promoting learner resilience; the capacity to reflect and act on constructive feedback; take pride in work; and a desire to excel.
- Inclusion: promoting a diverse learning community; building relationships with, and motivating, each learner, including students of determination,
through differentiation.
- International Mindedness: promoting an attitude of respect to self and others.

How many nationalities are represented in your school?

Our school community has over 67 nationalities.

What is the teacher: student ratio in your school?

1:10

Does your school have a waiting list?

We are open for admissions for all grades.

Describe your school's approach to education and teaching?

We aim to provide exceptional opportunities for each of our students in a supporting and challenging environment.

From Grades 1-12, the IB programme provides students with a world-class, inquiry-based learning experience that is linked to real-life examples, enabling young people to be prepared for a future that is constantly changing. We also offer senior students an alternative practical option into the workplace or university by studying the IB Career-Related Programme (IBCP).

We pride ourselves on students attaining high academic standards, however, we are more than this. Truly excellent education is about developing a passion for life-long learning and a capability for independent thinking. Our confident and articulate students are encouraged to discover interests that extend beyond the classroom. Our school community has over 65 different nationalities, enabling students to develop moral values, and display kindness, courage, respect and integrity towards each other and throughout our diverse and multicultural environment.

Physical education and sport is an important aspect of a healthy lifestyle. How does your school ensure children engage in physical activity?

The philosophy of the Physical Education Department at JBS is that every pupil should be given the opportunity and encouragement to achieve their potential in a wide range of activities - ‘Sport for All and Excellence’. We also believe in educating each student to become a lifelong learner and participator in sport.

How does your school promote healthy lifestyles?

Health and well-being is at the heart of JBS. As part of the IB programme, our young people learn how to balance different aspects of their lives - physical, intellectual and emotional - to achieve well-being for both themselves and others.

How do you promote healthy eating?

Our students have access to healthy meal and beverage options at our fully equipped campus cafeteria which is managed by Slices.
Slices is a home-grown food and beverage company aimed at transforming eating habits across the UAE by providing wholesome, nutritious meals.

Does the school have cafeteria facilities for the students?

Yes, we have fully equipped on campus, cashless canteen.

If yes, does it serve hot food?

Yes.

What is the starting and finishing time of your school day?

Our general school timings for the whole school are as follows:
Sunday to Wednesday: 8.30am to 2.20pm (Pre-KG & KG1 1:30pm dismissal)
Thursday: 8.30am to 1:30pm

Is there a school uniform?

Yes there is a school uniform. The JBS uniform can be purchased from Magrudy’s in Jumeirah 1.

What is your medium of instruction?

English

Is Arabic taught as both a first language and second language in your school?

Yes

Which other languages are taught?

French

Do you offer EAL or TEFL support for those students where English is not their first language?

To support students, JBS provides an EAL (English as an Additional Language) support program for identified students in Grades 1 to 10 as well as additional support where required for Early Years and Grades 11 and 12.

Is Islamic Education/Studies for the Arab Muslim students delivered in Arabic for them?

Yes

Do you have a dedicated prayer room/s for the Muslim students?

Yes

If external examinations and assessments are part of your curriculum, which ones do you offer?

JBS offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme and Career Related Programme which both include external examinations. JBS also offers the BTEC Subsidiary Diploma in Information Technology (IT), including the units Communication and Employability Skills in IT, Computer Systems, Database Design, Website Production, Digital Graphics and Computer Animations.

How do you support gifted, able and talented students?

JBS is committed in its mission to support the needs of all students so that they may realise their full potential and flourish. As such we have plans in place to support those students who are gifted, talented or twice-exceptional:
- As appropriate teachers provide differentiated activities and a range of support taking into account the individual needs and preferences of the student.
- Ongoing assessment against year group objectives and international benchmarks are maintained and used formatively to set new curriculum targets for individuals so that they can achieve at the highest level and always aim to make further progress. Students are involved in this process.
- In addition, and especially at the end of the phase, extension activities that are more demanding of their abilities or enrichment activities that provide new and different ways of working will be provided.
- Opportunities for Gifted and Talented students to work on various projects within the school and across the Taaleem group of schools.

What percentage of your sixth form that take exams at 18 go to university, and where, in general, do they go?

Our graduating students have been accepted, among others, into: King's College London, Queen Mary University London, University of Edinburgh, University of Manchester, University of Warwick, University of Kent, University of Sussex, American University, Northeasten University, UCLA, Babson College, UCSA, McGill University, University of British Columbia, University of Toronto, University of Amsterdam, Delft University of Technology, Eindhoven University of Technology, University of Groningen, IE University, Zayed University, New York University, Paris-Sorbonne University.

Do you have a learning support team in your school?

Yes, we have a dedicated Inclusion and Extended Learning team.

Does your school have an educational psychologist or access to one to assess and support those youngsters with more challenging learning and emotional needs?

We work closely with outside agencies including educational psychologists, occupational therapists and speech therapists when students need more specialised interventions. These agencies work in partnership with the class teachers offering advice and guidance on adaptations that may be required. JBS also has a partnership with The Developing Child Center (TDCC) who provide a Speech Therapist and Occupational Therapist on-site for private therapies and to support us with the Transitional Classrooms.

Do you have a parents’ group supporting the school?

Here at JBS we welcome and encourage active participation from our parent and guardian community. We strongly believe that together we can ensure a happy, healthy and vibrant community. Parents can be actively involved by joining the JBS Parent Friends Association (PFA) or by volunteering to be a Primary Homeroom Parent Rep.