School Without Walls
Each winter, Qatar Academy hosts an experiential-learning program for Primary School students in grades 4 and 5 with a special one-day program for students in grade 3. The School Without Walls (SWW) program enables staff to apply and extend classroom learning to hands-on situations using the PYP and MYP teaching models out in the field.
For the past several years, Qatar Academy's curriculum-based SWW program has been a huge success. Students thrive in the SWW environment, with access to a beach, mangrove swamp, and local wildlife. This unique desert environment provides the students with a wonderful setting to apply classroom lessons to the "real world". For example, an activity on pollution and its effects on the ocean has a far greater impact when the teacher can give hands-on demonstrations on the beach.
In addition, twice-daily cultural activities are a source of excitement for the students. Learning about the rich history and customs of Qatar keeps students challenged and busy as they are taught first-hand about falconry, coffee roasting, pearl diving and other local traditions. Local and ex-pat students become engrossed as presenters proudly teach the children about the history behind their traditions.
Qatar Academy’s School Without Walls program also incorporates personal development and team building components. Students are encouraged as they learn to accept and deal with new responsibilities, developing character as they work independently and in teams. Arbitrary acts of kindness and inclusion are frequently displayed at SWW, as the students evolve into more mature and caring people.