HIGH SCHOOL

Group A will be on campus Sunday February 21st.  It will be Day 11 in the High School Schedule.

Dear DAA High School Parents,

As we look ahead to the next academic year, we remain excited about our plans to enhance our programs in order to ensure that we continue to deliver a high quality learning environment for your children. As we prepare for next academic year, we always look to keeping our communication open with our families to canvas your intention of re-enrollment for next year.  By now, you would have received a re-enrollment intention letter for each of your children.  We certainly hope that your family will continue with us in 2021/22.  Receiving your intention will allow us to plan the year more effectively.  This is especially important in the High School as we begin to build our schedule and determine our core and elective course offerings.  

In the coming weeks we will be holding informational sessions for both students and parents focused on our academic programs by grade level and subsequent subject selection process.  You will receive a preview of our some of the wonderful course offerings which are seriously being considered for our academic program next year as a result of parent and student feedback.  

As a preview from our initial planning and feedback from parent surveys, the following courses are being seriously considered to strengthen our academic programs:

The above courses will be implemented depending on student and parent feedback on the surveys. We will be able to share our final offerings for the 2021-2022 school year ahead of subject selection which will start at the end of February and into early March.  

To ensure all of our Academic Pathways continue to develop and strengthen, we have added a position to our administrative team - Director of High School Academic Pathways.  The Director will work closely with the IB and AP coordinator, Heads of Department, the Counseling department and the Senior Leadership team.

We look forward to strengthening our academic pathways for our students as we work closely with our families. We urge you to kindly indicate your intentions for re-enrollment so that we can, together, plan for an exciting 2021/22! 

If you have any questions regarding re-enrollment, please do not hesitate to contact our Admissions Director, Ms. Gabrielle Keane, g.keane_daa@gemsedu.com.   If you are a new family to DAA and wish to discuss your experience settling in, please do not hesitate to contact me at T.Johinke_daa@gemsedu.com. 

We look forward to engaging with you as we plan for the year ahead.

With gratitude,

Tammy Jochinke
HS Principal

Our Higher Level, Service and Careers Week will take place on Sunday, February 28th - Thursday, March 4th. 

Grade 11 and 12

Students in Grade 11, who are not in HL or AP classes, as well as students in Grade 12 who are not writing Mock IB Exams, will be given class work in their core classes. In addition, students are encouraged to find a ‘Virtual Work Experience’ opportunity within the community or sign up for work experience with a parent if possible. More information and full schedule to follow through MEA. 

During our HSC week our grade 11 IB students will be involved in HL week classes. This involved the students seeing their HL classes everyday for the week enabling them to dive deeper into the HL content. Students during this week have their 3 HL classes each day and 1 study hall. We are inviting all G11 HL students into school this week for face to face lessons, however if you wish to continue online learning the teachers will provide the Zoom links. Further details of the schedule and timing will be provided to the students over the next week. 

IB Mock exams for Seniors will take place from February 21st-March 4th.

Please be aware that students are expected to be on campus for exams since this is practice for the Final IB exams in May, which must also be taken in person.

The school is working diligently to ensure that we have a safe environment for our students to take these exams. We are in full accordance with DHA guidelines. The exam rooms will have limited seating capacity and desks will be spaced over 2m apart, rooms and exam papers will be fogged before and after each exam session. Proctors will hand out exams wearing masks and gloves. Students will be expected to wear masks throughout.  

The mock exams count for 50% of the semester grade, this is outlined in our HS assessment policy. This communicates to students the importance of the exams and prepares them for the final IB exams which can be worth up to 80% of their final IB grades. Should a student not be able to attend a session, a Doctor’s note must be provided.