Elementary Curriculum at DAA

Elementary

Tooshna Gandhi

Elementary Principal K-5

Meet The Elementary Principal

“We foster a culture of excellence that spans academics, the fine arts, athletics, and student well-being. Learning at our elementary school is exceptional—challenging, inclusive, and tailored to spark curiosity and creativity in every child. Our classrooms and common spaces are vibrant communities where a deep sense of belonging is nurtured, and where care, kindness, and inclusivity are not just values but daily practices. We prioritize meaningful communication—between students, teachers, and families—so that each learner is truly known and supported. With our children at the center of all we do, we empower them with the knowledge, empathy, and global awareness they need to thrive in real life and shape a better future.”

Meet Our Elementary Leadership Team

Life In Elementary School 

Elementary life is a dynamic blend of academic excellence, joyful learning, and meaningful student engagement. Our curriculum is grounded in clearly defined, standards-based learning outcomes that ensure depth, rigor, and continuity across all subjects. We set high expectations for all learners, fostering critical thinking, creativity, and perseverance. At the same time, we cultivate an environment where student voice, choice, and agency are central, empowering children to make decisions, express ideas, and pursue their interests. Learning is both purposeful and playful, with curiosity, excitement, and enjoyment woven into daily experiences. This balanced, focused and impactful approach ensures every child is challenged, supported, and inspired to reach their full potential.

In addition to academic rigor, our Elementary program offers a rich and diverse student life through Fine Arts, Sports, Arabic, and Islamic Education, nurturing well-rounded development and cultural appreciation. We provide thoughtful scaffolding and support to meet each student where they are, ensuring that all learners build confidence and mastery. At the same time, we offer meaningful challenges and extension opportunities to stretch curious minds and foster advanced skills. This balanced approach allows every child to thrive—whether deepening their understanding, exploring new talents, or reaching beyond grade-level expectations.

 

Student Leadership

At our school, we believe that every student has a voice, a philosophy that is deeply reflected in the opportunities we offer, especially at the Elementary level.

This year, our Wellness Ambassadors have been doing an outstanding job joining the Leadership Team each morning to deliver the Weekly Announcements. They share helpful wellness tips, offer thoughtful insights, and contribute meaningfully to a positive and inclusive school culture.

Our Elementary Student Council also plays an important role in fostering community spirit. They are actively involved in welcoming new students and will be ready to greet you on your first day with enthusiasm and warmth.

Our vibrant Elementary TRIBES program brings students together across grade levels to promote collaboration, teamwork, and healthy competition. Every Friday, students participate in engaging TRIBES assemblies where they can earn points and prizes while celebrating school spirit. Leading the way are our TRIBES Captains, who embody and promote our core values of Perseverance, Respect, Integrity, Drive, and Empathy (P.R.I.D.E.). They serve as role models, encouraging positive behavior and a strong sense of unity throughout the school.

Finally, our Student Innovation Team, comprised of students in Grades 3 to 5, takes on the exciting challenge of supporting their peers during Cub Lab and Leopard Lab lessons. These student leaders coach others, troubleshoot problems, and demonstrate adaptability, all while gaining valuable leadership experience and making a real impact in their school community.

 

iNtegrity

 

 

Explore the Elementary Curriculum

  • Overview

    • At the Kindergarten 1 and 2 levels, our program emphasizes the development of a strong sense of self, positive social interactions, and foundational learning readiness skills. We lay the groundwork for a joyful and successful school experience by creating active, inclusive, and nurturing learning environments where every child is encouraged to explore, question, and grow.

    • From Grades 1 through 5, the curriculum builds upon these early experiences with a strong emphasis on core academic skills in reading, writing, mathematics, science, and social studies. Students are also introduced to higher-level thinking and problem-solving to deepen their understanding and spark intellectual curiosity. Our approach is one of continuous progress, where each learner is supported and challenged at their individual level.

    • In addition to core subjects, all students participate in a broad and balanced program that includes physical education, music, visual arts, Arabic for both native and non-native speakers, Islamic education for Muslim students, library, and instructional technology. This well-rounded curriculum fosters the development of future-focused competencies, including collaboration, creativity, digital literacy, and global awareness.

    • Across all grade levels, we are committed to recognizing and supporting individual learning needs. Instruction is differentiated, inclusive, and student-centered, with a focus on cultivating agency, resilience, and a love for lifelong learning.

    • Our students have diverse opportunities to express their talents, develop their communication and leadership skills, and engage meaningfully in both curricular and co-curricular activities. Through these experiences, we nurture responsibility, integrity, and self-confidence—ensuring that each child feels a deep sense of belonging and is empowered to thrive in school and beyond.

  • Student Support

    English Language Learners (ELL)

    At DAA Elementary School, we are committed to differentiated instruction that honors the individual learning needs, strengths, and backgrounds of every student. To support academic excellence for all, our English as an Additional Language (EAL) program provides targeted language development within the context of the mainstream classroom. Using a sheltered immersion model and guided by the World-Class Instructional Design and Assessment (WIDA), University of Florida Literacy Institute (UFLI), and National Geographic’s Our World program, we empower multilingual learners to develop both social and academic English while accessing grade-level content. This inclusive approach ensures that English Language Learner (ELL) students are fully supported as they grow in confidence, communication, and achievement. 

    Inclusion

    In alignment with DAA’s ongoing commitment to the Dubai Inclusive Education Policy Framework, our Inclusion Program provides tailored support for students across all grade levels who require additional assistance or enrichment. The program is designed to ensure every learner can access the curriculum, meet or exceed grade-level expectations, and be appropriately challenged within the mainstream classroom. Our dedicated Student Support Team offers targeted accommodations, modifications, extension opportunities, and personalized strategies to meet diverse learning needs. In collaboration with classroom teachers, the team also provides ongoing professional guidance and training to build inclusive, responsive, and high-impact learning environments for all students.

    Counseling Services

    The Elementary Guidance Counseling Program is designed to support the academic, social, emotional, and personal growth of every child. Grounded in care and collaboration, our counselors work closely with students, teachers, and school leaders to foster a nurturing, inclusive, and developmentally appropriate environment where all learners can thrive. Through individual sessions, small group work, and whole-class lessons, counselors help students build self-awareness, strengthen relationships, develop resilience, and navigate challenges—laying the foundation for success in school and life.   

  • Activities and Athletics

    Activities

    Examples of activities that have been offered in the past include:

    • Arts and Crafts
    • Dance class
    • Coding
    • Drama
    • Karate
    • World languages
    • Mask making
    • Student Council
    • Yearbook
    • Creative writing
    • Musical productions

    Sessions are generally an hour in length once a week directly after school.  

    Athletics

    Students from grade 2 onwards also have an opportunity to participate in the following DAA athletics teams:

    • Soccer
    • Track and Field
    • Basketball

    Students from grades 2 to 5 are able to join the following DAA swim squads: 

    • Grade 3-5: Junior Swimming Squad 
    • Grade 2: Development squad 
  • 1:1 iPad Program

    The one to one iPad system in the Elementary School provides all students with innovative opportunities to learn, create and present lessons through Common Sense Education on Digital Citizenship, based on a provided scope and sequence. These courses are taught to show students how to use iPads independently and effectively. In addition, all students are engaged in ‘Everyone Can Code’ lessons on a regular basis, taught by their homeroom teachers, so that technology is used as not only as a tool for learning and presentation, but also for creation and application.

    We believe in the power of iPad to transform teaching and learning and preparing our students to be Future ready. 

      


Videos: Life in Elementary

 

 
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