At GEMS World Academy Chicago, we believe that education extends far beyond four walls. Every day, our students experience unique ways of learning that inspire new perspectives. They are infused with excitement and passion that is unparalleled and enhanced by the innovative technology integrated into our state-of-the-art campus located in downtown Chicago. As Illinois' only private school offering an accredited International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program curriculum, our students grow through the strong connections they build with other students around the globe as well as frequent engagement with professionals and institutions in the rich cultural center of Chicago.
GEMS World Academy Chicago is the first Preschool-through-12 school in the United States from the international award-winning educator GEMS Education. GEMS World Academy Chicago — Early Years, a culturally diverse preschool that nurtures a child’s love of learning and creativity in Lincoln Park, is also part of the GEMS Education network and serves children as young as 6 weeks old.
Our master teachers exemplify excellence in the classroom. Our educators recognize the importance of inspiring students, driving industry-changing innovation as well as enriching the communities in which they live and work.
GEMS World Academy program highlights include, but are not limited to:
- An International Baccalaureate World School curriculum. GEMS offers a rigorous, accredited Primary Years Program and is an official candidate school for the Middle Years Program.
- Inquiry-based learning: fostering an atmosphere of academic excellence and encourage intellectual inquiry and critical thinking.
- Physical, expressive, and creative arts as an essential part of holistic education.
- Highly experienced international educators, committed to providing outstanding learning opportunities.
- Purposeful use of technology.
- Authentic curriculum links and projects with schools from the GEMS network around the world, developing international-mindedness.
- Student-centered assessment.
To inspire inquiring, knowledgeable, reflective, and intercultural learners to become morally responsible leaders with the skills and attributes necessary to create a more connected and prosperous world. GEMS World Academy Chicago stands apart from the region's other independent private schools in multiple key areas: World of Innovation — Our personalized instruction and creative use of technology prepares students to solve the challenges of tomorrow. We provide unique open-project learning spaces fully equipped science and design labs an integrated coding and robotics program and thorough exploration of the data-driven world.
World Languages — We emphasize multilingualism at GEMS, starting with our youngest learners. Our students receive daily instruction in French, Spanish, or Mandarin, and our classes, fully aligned with the International Baccalaureate curriculum, act as catalysts for enhanced cultural understanding and global connections. World Culture and Exploration — Students at GEMS World Academy Chicago are part of a global network of elite educational institutions. We place a premium, through the GWA Connect travel program, on providing students with opportunities for authentic travel and cultural exchange experiences, using our companion GEMS World Academy schools overseas as partners.
World As Our Campus — Our students interact with the world around them in rich and meaningful ways. The Field Studies program leverages the entire city of Chicago, which our students explore in self-directed inquiries. Strategically articulated curricula extend these experiences to global contexts. World Citizens — Global citizenship is a core value for GEMS Education. Our program provides students with an intuitive sense of the world's complexity and diversity. Students grow to understand that a range of thought and experience is essential to making discoveries, driving innovation, and taking leadership roles on the world stage.
