GEMS Modern Academy Curriculum - Senior School

A rigorous ICSE and ISC curriculum prepares students with strong concepts and thorough knowledge base.  This ensures that they gain access into the best universities and academic programs around the world. 

Striking a balance between academics and co-curricular activities is important and key in sustaining the holistic development ethos at Modern. We put a concerted effort to raise the standards of student performance at this level supplemented with interesting opportunities to participate in a range of activities for students to develop their talents and leadership qualities in a safe environment. 

Activities like Project Prism aim to develop inter-disciplinary links between subjects, enhance the spirit of innovation and help develop a research mindset. Through participation in Generation Global Video Conferences, student develop their global literacy skills thus preparing them to live and work in an increasingly globalized world.  Community Service learning provided through the SUPW programme offers students the opportunity to develop empathy, compassion and use their qualities to resolve real-world challenges. Leadership opportunities abound in senior school. Student initiatives range around Health and Wellness campaigns, Mentoring, Environment Sustainability, and others. 

GEMS Modern Academy is affiliated to the Council for the Indian School  Certificate Examinations, New Delhi, India and The International Baccalaureate Diploma Program for Grades 11 & 12, the details of which are given in the last section. 

The Council for the Indian Certificate conducts two examinations: 

• The Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (I.C.S.E.) at the end of Grade 10 
• The Indian School Certificate (I.S.C.) at the end of Grade 12 

The I.S.C. Pass Certificate awarded by the Council is recognized by all Indian universities including reputable engineering and medical institutions and is accepted by colleges and universities abroad. 

A. Subject Options for I.C.S.E. (Grades 9 & 10) 

Students are expected to study six subjects for the I.C.S.E. Examination. As per the requirement of the Ministry of Education, UAE, all students must study Arabic as an additional subject up to Grade 9. All Muslim students are required to study Islamic Education. Check our subject streams, including details of compulsory subjects for I.C.S.E below: 

SCIENCE STREAM 

Students opting for Science in Grade 9 should have secured an average of 65% in science in Grade 8 exam. 

COMMERCE STREAM

The subject choices that a student makes in his/her last two years of school can have a significant impact on the course options available at Universities. The combination of subject choices caters to the requirement for eligibility of a specific program/course and hence it is important that the individual subject selection complements the combination allowing the student to pursue their passion for a specific field.  

The right I.S.C subject combination accommodates individual passion and future academic or professional needs. Wider subject choices instead of streams allow for academic diversity opening up a variety of opportunities for the future.  

• Select five subjects in all from each group given below. 
• English from Group 1 is compulsory. 
• Students who have taken Commerce in Grade 10 are not permitted to choose Physics, Chemistry and Biology. 
• Students will be eligible for Computer Science only if they have taken Computer Application in Grade 10 
• Students opting for subject choices of Physics/ Chemistry/ Biology / Computer Science/ Mathematics should have secured 65% marks in each of the subjects, in the Grade 10 Preliminary Examination. 

Evaluation at the end of Grades 9 &11 is done internally by the school, while evaluation at the end of Grades 10 & 12 is conducted by the Council. The I.C.S.E & I.S.C examinations are held in March and the results are usually declared in the last week of May of the same year. 

IB Diploma Programme students are required to select one subject from each of the six subject groups listed below. The sixth subject may be an Arts subject chosen from Group 6 or another subject from Groups 3 or 4.  

Students may register as “Diploma” candidates or as “Diploma Course” candidates.  

Both are equally recognized by universities across the world and all students receive the IB Diploma Programme credential upon graduation.   

The distinction between each category is briefly outlined here, followed by the DP subjects on offer at Modern.  

Diploma candidates must complete three compulsory Core components in addition to their 6 subjects. Diploma Course students participate in CAS. However, Theory of Knowledge and Extended Essay are optional (by consultation). 

Compulsory Core components for Diploma candidates: 

• Theory of Knowledge 
• Creativity, Activity and Service (CAS) 
• Extended Essay 

• Diploma candidates study three subjects at Higher Level (HL) and three subjects at Standard Level (SL).  
• Diploma Course candidates have no mandatory requirement for three Higher Level subjects. With consultation, they often select one or two that play to their strengths.  
• Subject choices will be offered provided specific prerequisites are met. This will also be subject to sufficient minimum number of candidates opting for them.  
• The IB team will evaluate each application carefully and make recommendations for admission.  

In accordance with KHDA criteria all Muslim students are required to study Islamic Education and pass in the annual examination.