Partnership Case Study
GEMS Dubai American Academy: Study 2
Environmental sustainability is at the heart of the GEMS Dubai American Academy learning community, and this project invited students to take responsibility for an issue they see every day: waste. What began as a simple inquiry—“Where does our rubbish go?”—quickly developed into a schoolwide movement as students uncovered challenges, identified impact points, and designed purposeful actions that made sustainability personal, visible, and meaningful.
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
Through guided inquiry, students shifted from awareness to action that influenced real change.
Case Summary
Students investigated waste systems within their school, collected data on recycling patterns, and documented areas for improvement. They then designed targeted actions—from communication campaigns to student-led interventions—to help the school community reduce waste. The project strengthened students’ analytical skills, agency, and commitment to stewardship while unifying the school around a shared environmental purpose.
The Culture of Excellence process helped strengthen what already makes our school great.
98%
The frameworks provided clear, practical structures that support my everyday teaching.
100%
Our team now shares a more consistent language and approach to improving learning.
98%
Professional learning and conversations increased my connection to our collective vision.
100%
Overall, this has been a positive and valuable experience for our school community.
100%
(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