About Primary School

Qatar Academy Doha Primary is an exciting place. We have developed a reputation as being a progressive school where high expectations, being challenged, taking risks and being responsible are parts of learning. We have high standards and expect students to have a strong desire to learn. We are a Primary Years Programme (PYP) Curriculum school, which focuses on the development of the whole child and provides a framework that can meet a child’s academic, social, physical, emotional and cultural needs. It is an inquiry-based curriculum and lends itself to being integrated across all subject areas. Students take ownership of their learning and develop skills and attitudes to help prepare them for life beyond the classroom in a global world. The Primary Years Programme (PYP) caters for all the different kinds of learners in the classroom as there is literally something for everybody.

A strong academic foundation is established through an inquiry-based approach to discovery and learning. At the heart of the programme is the International Baccalaureate (IB) Learner Profile and students develop their skills, knowledge and attitudes based around these key attributes. The programme is built around concept-driven Units of Inquiry and students spend their week studying Arabic and Islamic Studies too.

Primary School Principal

Pedagogical Leadership Team

Sana Alavi

Sana Alavi
Assistant Principal for EEC and Preschool
salavi@qf.org.qa

Pedagogical Leadership Team

Savannah Spillers

Savannah J. Spillers
PYP Coordinator
sspillers@qf.org.qa

Pedagogical Leadership Team

Seith K. Lewis

Seith K. Lewis
Curriculum Coordinator
slewis@qf.org.qa

Pedagogical Leadership Team

Rozine Rizk

Rozine Rizk
Arabic Lead Teacher
rorizk@qf.org.qa

Qatar Academy aims to create an atmosphere of exploration and discovery throughout the learning environment. From our classrooms to our corridors and staffrooms, students, parents and faculty are encouraged to challenge themselves and their thinking through the framework of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme. This learning environment is often extended beyond the classroom walls and involves the wider community, supporting connections that are made in the real world. By using the framework of the PYP, we aim to foster a culture of life-long learners and critical thinkers, in line with our mission statement.

Qatar Academy continually reviews and develops its Programme of Inquiry (POI) through ongoing reflection. This continual reflection becomes an expectation of the students in and around their classrooms and contributes to the dynamic nature of program units. Qatar Academy also strives to include the culture of our host country within these units.

Curriculum Documents

Qatar Academy uses a curriculum which has been specially developed to meet international standards and the needs of our students. The content of this curriculum is taught and assessed using pedagogies supported by the International Baccalaureate programs.

Qatar Academy’s Learning Support Team works to foster and increase interpersonal competencies and sustain scholastic achievement. Qatar Academy sees students as well-rounded individuals and as such provides services that focus on social and emotional development and health related issues, as well as providing support in areas of academic learning.

The School Counselor helps to facilitate International Baccalaureate (IB) PYP attitudes and social and emotional competencies through skill building activities that are taught to whole classes, small groups or individuals. The Counselor has a highly visible presence around Qatar Academy and practices an ‘open door policy’ and are readily available to meet with students or parents on a one-to-one basis. The Counselor in collaboration with the Well-being Facilitator ensures that all students have a well-rounded experience at school through leadership opportunities and a range of after school activities to promote well-being of students.

Qatar Academy Doha’s Learning Support Team and Qatar Foundation’s The Learning Center collaborate with staff and school administrators to support the academic and behavioral needs for students who struggle to access core curricular and behavioral expectations from Kindergarten to Grade 5. Preschool students have access to support services for speech and language, gross motor and fine motor development. Teachers with specialization in learning disabilities, gifted education, behavioral interventions, and second language acquisition partner with School counselors, School Psychologists, Speech and Language Pathologists, Occupational Therapists, Behavioral Specialists, Head of Gifted Programs, EAL Coordinator to help all Qatar Academy Doha students enjoy a beneficial educational experience. As part of the Qatar Academy Doha’s problem solving body the Student Services Coordinator assists the whole team in determining the degree of direct and supplemental services needed to support success for all enrolled students.

Multi-tiered System of Support (MTSS) is a framework through which support services are provided for students at QAD-Primary School. MTSS is a framework that is based on a proactive and data-driven approach that ensures all students are supported in their learning. MTSS addresses the different facets of a student’s learning. A student’s needs are supported based on data, be it in the domain of academics, speech and language, gross and fine motor, social-emotional and behavior.  The main tenets of this framework is that it is proactive and evolving and that students move in and out of tiers of support based on their level of need and their response to interventions.

Qatar Academy Student Services include such programs as:

  • Academic support groups for at-risk and struggling learners
  • Extended Learning groups for identified gifted learners
  • Enrichment opportunities for all students
  • Anti-bullying campaign
  • Individual and Group counseling sessions
  • Crisis Intervention – when and as required
  • Comprehensive evaluations and interventions provided by specialists (school psychologists, speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists)
  • Consultative services for in-class accommodations and strategies
  • Admissions screenings
  • New student orientation
  • Grade 5 transition to Middle School
PYP Curriculum

Qatar Academy aims to create an atmosphere of exploration and discovery throughout the learning environment. From our classrooms to our corridors and staffrooms, students, parents and faculty are encouraged to challenge themselves and their thinking through the framework of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme. This learning environment is often extended beyond the classroom walls and involves the wider community, supporting connections that are made in the real world. By using the framework of the PYP, we aim to foster a culture of life-long learners and critical thinkers, in line with our mission statement.

Qatar Academy continually reviews and develops its Programme of Inquiry (POI) through ongoing reflection. This continual reflection becomes an expectation of the students in and around their classrooms and contributes to the dynamic nature of program units. Qatar Academy also strives to include the culture of our host country within these units.

Curriculum Documents

Qatar Academy uses a curriculum which has been specially developed to meet international standards and the needs of our students. The content of this curriculum is taught and assessed using pedagogies supported by the International Baccalaureate programs.

Qatar Academy’s Learning Support Team works to foster and increase interpersonal competencies and sustain scholastic achievement. Qatar Academy sees students as well-rounded individuals and as such provides services that focus on social and emotional development and health related issues, as well as providing support in areas of academic learning.

The School Counselor helps to facilitate International Baccalaureate (IB) PYP attitudes and social and emotional competencies through skill building activities that are taught to whole classes, small groups or individuals. The Counselor has a highly visible presence around Qatar Academy and practices an ‘open door policy’ and are readily available to meet with students or parents on a one-to-one basis. The Counselor in collaboration with the Well-being Facilitator ensures that all students have a well-rounded experience at school through leadership opportunities and a range of after school activities to promote well-being of students.

Qatar Academy Doha’s Learning Support Team and Qatar Foundation’s The Learning Center collaborate with staff and school administrators to support the academic and behavioral needs for students who struggle to access core curricular and behavioral expectations from Kindergarten to Grade 5. Preschool students have access to support services for speech and language, gross motor and fine motor development. Teachers with specialization in learning disabilities, gifted education, behavioral interventions, and second language acquisition partner with School counselors, School Psychologists, Speech and Language Pathologists, Occupational Therapists, Behavioral Specialists, Head of Gifted Programs, EAL Coordinator to help all Qatar Academy Doha students enjoy a beneficial educational experience. As part of the Qatar Academy Doha’s problem solving body the Student Services Coordinator assists the whole team in determining the degree of direct and supplemental services needed to support success for all enrolled students.

Multi-tiered System of Support (MTSS) is a framework through which support services are provided for students at QAD-Primary School. MTSS is a framework that is based on a proactive and data-driven approach that ensures all students are supported in their learning. MTSS addresses the different facets of a student’s learning. A student’s needs are supported based on data, be it in the domain of academics, speech and language, gross and fine motor, social-emotional and behavior.  The main tenets of this framework is that it is proactive and evolving and that students move in and out of tiers of support based on their level of need and their response to interventions.

Qatar Academy Student Services include such programs as:

  • Academic support groups for at-risk and struggling learners
  • Extended Learning groups for identified gifted learners
  • Enrichment opportunities for all students
  • Anti-bullying campaign
  • Individual and Group counseling sessions
  • Crisis Intervention – when and as required
  • Comprehensive evaluations and interventions provided by specialists (school psychologists, speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists)
  • Consultative services for in-class accommodations and strategies
  • Admissions screenings
  • New student orientation
  • Grade 5 transition to Middle School

Co-curricular

Sports

The website is under review and updating …..

After-School Activities (ASA)

Each year, the Primary School offers a wide variety of After School Activities (ASA)and
Clubs. These activities are “child-centered”, and offer a wide range of choices each
semester. The focus of the program is to enhance the students learning through school-
related activities.

Primary School (ASA’s) /Clubs
September 1 – October 27, 2022

Sunday

  • KG-1 Karaoke (2 more open spots) FREE
  • Gr. 4-5 Girls Football (8 more open spots) FREE
  • Gr. 2-3 Girls Football (8 more open spots) FREE
  • KG – 1 Playball (5 more open spots) – QF PAID Club 480QR 8 sessions
  • H20 – QF PAID Club 600QR 8 sessions

Monday

  • Gr. 3 Boys Football (10 more open spots) FREE
  • H20 Swim Club – QF PAID Club 600QR 8 sessions
  • KG – 1 Football Club – QF PAID Club 480QR 8 sessions

Tuesday

  • Gr 2- 5 BOYS Football Club – QF PAID Club 480QR 8 sessions
  • Gr 2- 5 GIRLS Football Club – QF PAID Club 480QR 8 sessions
  • H20 Swim Club – QF PAID Club 600QR 8 sessions

Wednesday

  • Gr 2-3 Girls Basketball (10 more open spots) FREE
  • Gr 2 Boys Football (3 more open spots) FREE
  • Gr 4 Boys Football (8 more open spots) FREE
  • KG-2 Cooking Club (6 more spots) 900QR 8 sessions
  • KG – Gr 3 Ballet (12 more spots) 480QR 8 sessions
  • H20 Swim Club – QF PAID Club 600QR 8 sessions

Thursday

  • Gr 5 Boys Football (3 more open spots) FREE
  • Gr 2-5 Girls Yoga (10 more open spots) FREE
  • Gr. 4-5 Boxing Girls PAID CLUB ORX SPORTS TEAM info@orxsports.qa 600QR 8 sessions
  • Gr. 4-5 Boxing Boys PAID CLUB ORYX ORX SPORTS TEAM info@orxsports.qa 600QR 8 sessions
Sports

Sports

The website is under review and updating …..

After-School Activities (ASA)

Each year, the Primary School offers a wide variety of After School Activities (ASA)and
Clubs. These activities are “child-centered”, and offer a wide range of choices each
semester. The focus of the program is to enhance the students learning through school-
related activities.

Primary School (ASA’s) /Clubs
September 1 – October 27, 2022

Sunday

  • KG-1 Karaoke (2 more open spots) FREE
  • Gr. 4-5 Girls Football (8 more open spots) FREE
  • Gr. 2-3 Girls Football (8 more open spots) FREE
  • KG – 1 Playball (5 more open spots) – QF PAID Club 480QR 8 sessions
  • H20 – QF PAID Club 600QR 8 sessions

Monday

  • Gr. 3 Boys Football (10 more open spots) FREE
  • H20 Swim Club – QF PAID Club 600QR 8 sessions
  • KG – 1 Football Club – QF PAID Club 480QR 8 sessions

Tuesday

  • Gr 2- 5 BOYS Football Club – QF PAID Club 480QR 8 sessions
  • Gr 2- 5 GIRLS Football Club – QF PAID Club 480QR 8 sessions
  • H20 Swim Club – QF PAID Club 600QR 8 sessions

Wednesday

  • Gr 2-3 Girls Basketball (10 more open spots) FREE
  • Gr 2 Boys Football (3 more open spots) FREE
  • Gr 4 Boys Football (8 more open spots) FREE
  • KG-2 Cooking Club (6 more spots) 900QR 8 sessions
  • KG – Gr 3 Ballet (12 more spots) 480QR 8 sessions
  • H20 Swim Club – QF PAID Club 600QR 8 sessions

Thursday

  • Gr 5 Boys Football (3 more open spots) FREE
  • Gr 2-5 Girls Yoga (10 more open spots) FREE
  • Gr. 4-5 Boxing Girls PAID CLUB ORX SPORTS TEAM info@orxsports.qa 600QR 8 sessions
  • Gr. 4-5 Boxing Boys PAID CLUB ORYX ORX SPORTS TEAM info@orxsports.qa 600QR 8 sessions

Online Information System

Power School

Power School is an online-based Student Information System (SIS) used by parents, faculty and staff throughout QA. Parents can visit the site 24 hours a day, seven days a week for an immediate, up-to-date record of their child’s performance in school. Individual billing information for tuition, meals, and other fees is located here as well.

Teachers use the site to take attendance, update grades, create report cards and track student support services. In addition, health records and contact information are available for each student in case of emergency. Power School is available for parents and teachers at: school.qf.org.qa.

School and Class Stories, Individual Digital Portfolios

At Qatar Academy Primary, we are using ClassDojo to communicate with parents. This online tool allows our administrators and teachers to communicate directly with parents. Parents are able to sign up to their child’s classroom using a unique code that allows access to classroom announcements in a “Class Story”, as well as secure, private one-on-one teacher and parent communication. Further, the “School Story” provides school-wide updates, notices, and celebrations to all of our primary school families.

Seesaw is used for student digital portfolios in grades 2 – 5. This comprehensive online system allows teachers and students to “show what they know” by documenting and uploading their learning via photos, videos, audio recordings, drawings, text, and links.

Online Information System

Forms and Publications

The Primary Year Programme (PYP) is an international curriculum framework designed for children 3 to 12 years of age. It combines the best research and practice from a range of national systems with a wealth of knowledge and experience from international schools to create an engaging, relevant, challenging and significant educational programme.

The Primary School Handbook 2021-2022 is a valuable tool and recommended reading for any current or potential parent at Primary School.

PYP Handbook 2022-2023
Forms and Publications

Facilities

The striking architecture of Qatar Academy buildings on the outside is matched on the inside with spacious classrooms, natural light and a sense of openness. The Academy has the most advanced facilities of any school in the country and competes with the very best in the world. Take a look at our Facilities photo album in the Primary School Gallery.

Sports Venues

The Primary School has direct access to excellent sports venues and hosts a wide range of curricular and extra-curricular activities throughout the school year.

  • Olympic standard 50-meter swimming pool, with electronic timing and scoreboards
  • Two training pools for young swimmers
  • Multi-purpose sports complex
  • Tennis and squash courts
  • Fitness centers
  • Outdoor running track
  • Two Football pitches
  • Four indoor gymnasiums
  • Gymnastics room

Libraries

The Primary School showcases two fully staffed libraries for young students. Services in English and Arabic are provided in each venue. The Preschool Library caters specifically to children in Preschool 3 through Grade 1 while the Primary Library supports the learning needs of students from Grade 2 through Grade 5.

The qualified teaching specialists in the Media Center work with students and teachers to generate multimedia resources (photos, moving images and sound) for use in integrated classroom projects. As a member of Education City, Qatar Academy students and faculty have access to resources from all onsite university libraries through inter-library loans. Parents are welcome to join any of the Qatar Academy libraries as borrowing patrons.

Auditorium

The Qatar Academy auditorium has a fully appointed stage and seating for an audience of approximately 250 people. The venue’s perfect acoustics and excellent sight lines provide an inviting setting for Qatar Academy events. The space is used regularly to host school plays and musicals, debates, choral and orchestral events, and invited speakers.

Pool

Cafeteria

Gym

Libraries
Auditorium

Accredited Partners

NEASC

NEASC

CIS

CIS

Eco school logo

Eco-School

NOS