Best Schools for Sport in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Outside Mainstream Education
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UdrlzgiNgCU
Thus far, our focus has been on schools that offer competitive sport as part of the normal curriculum in a mainstream school environment. However, what if you have a child who has already been identified as an outstanding sportsman or woman, who potentially wants to travel to international competitions or who needs to compete during school hours?
Aside from hiring a private tutor, what other options are available?
The answer is limited. However, if you are based in Dubai, there are two possible options.
Icademy (formerly K12) offers home-schooling programmes based on the US curriculum. They are registered with the KHDA in Dubai and students can therefore also be registered to ensure that they complete their education with an accredited High School Diploma. This also enables transfer to mainstream education, should the need arise.
Icademy has numerous students who are in professional sports training or competing internationally. The programme is tailored to address the travel or competition requirements of the student and can be undertaken anywhere provided the student has access to technology. Students can study at their own pace but with directed studies to complete and on-line classes to attend.
Based at Bradenton Prep Academy in Dubai Sports City, the GEMS Sports Academy currently works in combination with Icademy to offer an on-line US curriculum within the facilities of the school.
We understand that the Academy may change this arrangement from September 2017, instead integrating students into the mainstream Bradenton Prep, but maintaining a flexible approach to teaching and study to enable students to continue to train for their specialist sport.
Students use the facilities of Dubai Sports City, where the school is based, to train for a range of sports with professional coaches employed as part of the programme, tailored specifically to each student.
Sadly, we at SchoolsCompared.com have recently learned that the GEMS Sports Academy closed its operation at Bradenton Prep Academy shortly prior to publication of this article. We understand that students have been given the option of normal academic integration as a student at Bradenton Prep Academy, or continuation of their academic studies via iCademy. No confirmation of the options to continue their sports training is available. GEMS Education has been asked for comment, but have so far not done so.
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