Academic Excellence

Celebrating and rewarding success

This year heralded another successful university application season for Dubai American Academy. The 2023 cohort, one of the largest cohorts in the Middle East, includes 225 registered students. (96%) are receiving the full diploma. The average points of a DAA candidate receiving the diploma is 33 when the global average is 30.24. Our students have much to be proud of.

DAA students achieved an impressive pass rate of 99% with 11 students achieving 40+ points. Students will continue their education in several countries, with the largest percentage going to the United States, followed by Canada, the United Kingdom, Europe and Asia.

IB Statistics at DAA

Class Year	Size of Class	% of grade 12 in IB Diploma Program
2023	225	65%
2022	220	70%
2021	218	79%
2020	201	73%
2019	166	78%
2018	140	78%
2017	143	84%
2016	140	80%
2015	147	71%
2014	137	76%
2013	134	72%
2012	133	70%
2011	124	73%

DAA Scores Compared to Worldwide Scores

	2011	2012	2013	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021	2022	2023
Total No. of IB Diploma Students	91	93	96	104	105	112	120	109	130	158	173	154	147
Mean Score Worldwide per Exam Session	29.61	29.76	29.9	30	30.2	30	29.87	29.76	29.65	31.34	32.98	31.98	30.24
Mean Score at DAA per Exam Session	33	32	32	33	34	34	34	34	34	35	34	35	33
Pass Rate Worldwide	77.8%	78.2%	79%	79.3%	80.8%	79.3%	78.4%	78.18%	77.81%	85.18%	88.95%	85.85%	79.7%
Pass Rate at DAA	90.1%	88.2%	87.5%	92.3%	93.3%	93.7%	95.8%	93.6%	98.5%	100%	100%	96.8%	98%

Academic Performance

DAA has a long history of helping students to achieve excellent IB results. From our very first year of offering the IB Diploma program, DAA’s students have scored significantly above the world averages in both individual subjects and overall results. Our program has grown substantially over the years to include all students who wish to undertake the challenging diploma program.

Once again, DAA’s graduating students earned outstanding IB results and university placements. The exam results are released by the International Baccalaureate Organization in July. Highlights of DAA’s students’ results include:

98% of the graduating class elected to complete challenging IB Diploma program, which at DAA is open to all students who wish to complete the requirements;
DAA had 144 full diploma students;
DAA diploma students earned a mean score of 33, which is also well above the world average of 30.24, and significantly higher than other IB schools in Dubai (The IB minimum passing grade is 24);
11 DAA students achieved a score of 40 or higher. Only 8.85% of students worldwide earn 40 points or more, which puts this impressive accomplishment into perspective.

PISA

PISA is the OECD's Program for International Student Assessment. PISA measures 15-year-olds’ ability to use their reading, mathematics and science knowledge and skills to meet real-life challenges.

PISA results provide us with valuable insight into how our students are progressing as compared to other students around the world. It is an internationally benchmarked test which is conducted every 3 years and is able to objectively measure how our students are doing. The data garnered from the tests is meaningful for teachers and administrators as we utilize it to inform instruction. Over the last 6 years, we have increased our scores significantly year after year. DAA’s stellar performance during the most recent assessments proves that DAA has maintained its position as one of the top performing PISA schools in Dubai.

Scholarships

Financial aid offers from universities totaled more than $3,500,000. NYU Abu Dhabi, Clark University, Loyola University of Chicago, Chapman University, Northeastern University, Fordham University, Pace University, St. John’s University Queens, Boston University, University of St. Thomas, Trinity University, Manhattanville College and Waterloo University offered sizable financial packages to our students.