BISAD Diploma | BIS Abu Dhabi

BISAD Diploma categories

At BIS Abu Dhabi, we take a holistic approach to our students’ education. Our BISAD Diploma values every aspect of your child’s learning and personal development, where students are supported to achieve their absolute best in academic, sporting, and creative fields. They also take part in activities that hone important social skills, like respect, kindness, and a willingness to help others, reflecting our school values of Kindness, Honesty, and Respect.

The BISAD Diploma has nine categories. Our students record their achievements against each category in their Diploma Portfolio.

Service.
Leadership.
House.
Global Campus.
Academics.
Cultural.
Sports & Activities.
STEAM
Environmental Awareness.
Each category is rated against the Personal Characteristics.

Our younger students work towards the following characteristics: Thoughtful, Risk-taker, Reflective, Resilient, Knowledgeable, Curious, Respectful, Resourceful, Communicator, and Empathetic.

For our Secondary students, the characteristics mirror the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) Learning Profile: Thinker, Risk-taker, Reflective, Principled, Open-Minded, Knowledgeable, Inquirer, Communicator, Caring, and Balanced.

Making progress

Each year, students aim to complete their BISAD Diploma. There are three tiers:

Bronze: This is the basic BISAD Diploma level, awarded if students record one achievement in each category.
Silver: To achieve Silver, students need to record two examples in a category.
Gold: This is the exceptional level. Our most ambitious students go above and beyond to record three examples in each category.

Examples of student success

To bring the BISAD Diploma to life, we’ve provided some activity suggestions against each category.

Service: Helping a younger child with their homework, donating to or fundraising for a good cause, or coming up with a charity initiative.

Leadership: Captaining a sports team, leading a new project or idea, or teaching someone how to do something.

House: Taking part in a House Day or the BIS Got Talent show, or earning the most House Points in a month.

Academics: Taking part in an out-of-school academic activity, challenging themselves to do an activity they find hard, making progress in a subject, or doing an exceptional piece of homework.

Cultural: Visiting a famous UAE landmark, completing their own research about the UAE, or travelling and trying local traditions.

Sport & Activities: Playing in a team or competition, getting a sports certificate, or trying a new sport. Examples of this could be; taking part in a CCA, attending a dance class or gymnastics club.

STEAM: Taking part in a STEAM experiment, follow instructions to construct something out of Lego, use different materials to make your World Book Day Costume.

Environmental Awareness: Recycling, adopting reusable products, or making people aware of environmental issues.

Global Campus: Enter the Global Campus Writing Competition, listen to one of the ‘Expert Talks’ and share what you have learnt with others, use the Wellbeing Toolkit to support you throughout the year.

How can parents help?

You can support your child to succeed by:

Download the BISAD Diploma App to support your child in completing activities throughout each term. Refer to the BISAD Diploma Parent Guide for step-by-step instructions on downloading the app, helpful information about the BISAD Diploma, and guidance on uploading your child's BISAD Diploma evidence.
Keep teachers informed about special activities or recognitions your child has achieved outside of school by sharing trophies, certificates, or medals received.
Encouraging your child to sign up for CCAs, sports clubs, theatre productions, etc.
Recording your child doing something, so it can be added to their portfolio.
Talking to your child about the BISAD Diploma, showing them examples, and planning how they’ll achieve Bronze.
Creating opportunities for your child to achieve Bronze or beyond, such as doing something cultural at the weekend.
Encouraging them to go for Gold!