SCHOOL STRUCTURE
OVERVIEW OF PRIMARY SCHOOL
Qatar Academy Primary School is special because...
We provide a caring, positive, safe, and stimulating learning environment which actively involves children through a variety of approaches responsive to their individual needs.
It is an exciting place. Students and teachers from all over the world come together and share experiences within our walls. The Primary Years Programme (PYP) encourages students to be active participants in their own learning. It is an inquiry-based curriculum framework for children aged 3 to 11 years. It combines current research practice from a range of national systems with the wealth of knowledge and experience from other international schools. The learning environment in the classrooms reflects the PYP program of inquiry which incorporates the integration of ideas and grade level standards and benchmarks.
Together with parents we strive to create a bright future by helping each child be the best he or she can be. We will provide each child with:
- challenging yet attainable goals coupled with high expectations;
- relevant motivating educational experiences through inquiry-based learning;
- a caring and supportive school climate;
- a belief that each child can and will succeed.
We foster and promote parent involvement, school improvement, and instructional programs that meet the needs of the learner.
Staff members are involved in the total school's efforts to develop curriculum and promote excellence through continuous student assessment.
At Qatar Academy Primary School we are setting our goal to teach for enhanced student learning and for holding students accountable for achieving the standards and benchmarks of our ongoing curriculum development project. Students demonstrate evidence of their learning through inquiry-based activities and work samples, daily classroom assignments, criterion-referenced assessments developed by the teacher that is directly related to the content of the various curriculum areas, and through standardized assessment.
We believe in teaching for learning because students need more knowledge, skill, and understanding through inquiry than ever before to succeed as they progress upward through middle school, senior school, and university. They must be able to solve problems, adapt to changing technology, and communicate effectively with co-workers. High standards will assure that students have the chance to achieve these skills.
Instructional program in the Primary School is characterized by:
- listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills taught simultaneously;
- the opportunity through the PYP to work on real-life projects that have meaningful, hands-on experiences to learn and consolidate knowledge, skills, and understandings;
- teachers who strive to make their instructional approach individualized and responsive to each child's needs.
Important programs at our Primary School include:
- Math Explorations;
- Writer's Workshop;
- Learning Resource Classroom;
- Counseling program emphasizing character traits ;
- Music, Art, Physical Education, Instructional Technology, Arabic, ESL, all taught by specialists;
- Science Lab;
- School Lunch Program.
Qatar Academy students are developing portfolios which will show their growth in learning over time. Their work and progress is shared with parents at the regularly scheduled parent-teacher conferences.
The PTA organizes special events, such as our very popular non-uniform theme days, the celebration of international cultural diversity activities, and Ramadan special activities. The PTA meets once per month. All parents are welcome and are encouraged to attend.
