Hi ronnie_w,

As a former staff member of this school, I will answer your questions to the best of my knowledge.

1. It is a U.S. curriculum combined with extra compulsary subjects specified by UAE Ministry - this has resulted in long school days and a heavy work-load for students.

2. Students are offered AP course and exams as well as UAE Ministry exams. When I left, the school's curriculum had not been accredited by the US body that is responsible, so those not taking AP would only graduate with UAE-recognised qualifications. You will need to enquire directly with school administration to check as to whether this has changed.

3. You will need to contact the school counsellor to get these statistics.

BSAK and the American Community School both have internationally accredited exams at Grade 12 as do other schools which have been accredited to deliver the IB curriculum.

You are correct in the assessment you have made.

You wouldn't have to SEARCH too far to find an agency which is sluggish to strike paying schools off its books. The schools, not us, are the clients.

My colleagues and I were all recruited by a large international agency. Many complaints were made about the management of GSAD in writing and some directly in meetings with associates. One associate stated bluntly of the principal "She doesn't like teachers does she?". Despite being well aware of the dissatisfaction of teachers at the school, the agency continues to recruit for them. Business is business.

You're more than welcome. I do not enjoy putting up unpleasant information about a school. The only reason I am speaking out to warn others is the memory of all my excellent colleagues whose lives, and families' lives were so adversely affected by our association with this place. All are now all working in better places, in the UAE and abroad, and much the wiser and warier of International Schools without well-established good reputations. Good luck with your search. Working away from your home country is a priceless experience - for you and your students. Just make sure to find the schools which are founded on principles of respect rather than exploitation. For such principles, examine the principal very closely!

Did actually work there.

Lure of high wages is reason for most to accept work here. School looks terrific on the surface. Many good teachers ignore warnings thinking they can handle it. Many simply do not return after mid-year break. Many are fired on the spot for disagreeing with the principal. Teachers are viewed according to the famous ENS model as "a bag of onions", dispensable and extremely easily replaced.

Hi Teachergirl,

All the issues are covered on the sites mentioned above from perspectives of many former employees as well as some parents.
In brief, they include: unqualified principal with no experience of teaching American curriculum, enforced grade fixing, verbal abuse of staff and students by management, endemic culture of spying , "American Curriculum" not accredited by any US board of studies (thus rendering diplomas worthless outside UAE), dishonouring of staff contracts - benefits offered in writing greatly reduced or not paid, flouting of UAE labour laws regarding hours and payment of wages, flights, end of service before staff leave the country. This is just the tip of the iceberg...
I am so sorry to be the bearer of bad news about GSAD.
Abu Dhabi is a great place to experience. If you are really keen on working in this part of the world, why not apply to the two reputable schools on the island run by communities (ACS and BSAK) if you want to work in a healthy, functioning academic institutuion and have your written contract actually delivered.

Dear Teachergirl,

Read the school and director reviews on Glenelg from this site, Desertspeak (Dubai forum), and Abu Dhabi Woman Forum (under schools thread). After reading what previous employees have said about GSAD, you should be well informed enough to steer clear of it.
After opening in 2008, with approx 50 teaching staff from UK, US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Lebanon, only 3 staff from Western nations remain. Most teachers left as soon as they realised that, with all their expertise, amazing energy and goodwill, their desire to make this into a real centre of education was to no avail. The high wages (much higher than what they offer now) and the fun of living in Abu Dhabi were just not worth the agony of being forced into professional malpractice on a daily basis. It is a toxic and heart-breaking place.
If you think it is worth undertaking an interview, ask about staff turnover and the reasons for this. Wait for blame to be placed on dozens and dozens of "negative" staff members who all coincidentally thought the management of GSAD was totally incompetent.
PS. GSAD is not an international school.