GEMS Dubai American Academy: Study 1
When a classroom of curious second graders at GEMS Dubai American Academy explored the world’s biggest problems, one issue rose above all others: hunger. What began as a simple conversation quickly became a powerful inquiry into how young learners could contribute to real-world change. Inspired by a school visit and guided by the Culture of Excellence approach, these students transformed their concern into a hands-on, interdisciplinary project that empowered them to become genuine plant experts.
Our PARTNER
GEMS Dubai American Academy
SETTING
IB High School
Dubai, UAE
ENGAGEMENT
Multi-year partnership
FOCUS AREAS
Whole-staff implementation of the Culture of Excellence Program
From Passive Learning to Student-Led Teaching: How Powerful Inquiry Can Inspire Real-World Change
(Percentages reflect staff who agreed or strongly agreed.)
In Their Words
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“My students showed a level of ownership I’ve never seen before—every step of the process mattered to them.”
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“The clarity of the frameworks made it easy to shift from directing learning to facilitating it.”
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“What surprised me most was the depth of thinking our students displayed once they had real purpose.”
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“The Culture of Excellence work helped us create learning that felt meaningful, connected, and genuinely exciting.”
John Doe
Combo Interactive -
“Students stayed engaged because the learning belonged to them. That shift alone changed the whole energy of our classrooms.”
John Doe
Combo Interactive
“What stands out across every project is how deeply our students engage when learning is authentic and purposeful. The Culture of Excellence work has strengthened our shared language, lifted teacher confidence, and given our students a sense of agency that will shape their future. It has been transformative for our school community.”
Tammy Murphy, Principal, GEMS Dubai American Academy