POLARIS FAQ
Who is the POLARIS Program for?
The POLARIS Program has been developed to address a shortage currently in the UAE. The program is for Special Needs and Gifted learners who require additional support to meet the rigorous curriculum offered at ACS Sharjah. Many parents in the UAE are currently forced into calling in outside help for their children, at ACS Sharjah we will have all the facilities, teachers and resources on site, ensuring your child is given the best opportunity possible for future success.
Why should we sign up for POLARIS here when we can get help outside the school after hours?
Currently, specialist attention such as Occupational Therapy, Speech Pathology or Reading Services are offered at a premium in the UAE. Also, you will have to pick up your child from school, and then take them to an outside facility to have them taught. These services are currently expensive and require both time and resources to ensure the needs of the child are met. With POLARIS, your child receives this care and resources on site in the nurturing environment of the school. We will also offer after-hours services if your child requires them. Your child can be taught in the safe environment of the school allowing them to spend more free time with their family once they return home for the day.
Will children under the POLARIS Program still be part of the US National Curriculum?
Yes. The POLARIS Program is there to compliment the US National Curriculum and will assist Special Needs and Gifted children in completing the curriculum throughout their school life at ACS Sharjah.
Are there extra costs involved in being part of the POLARIS Program?
Yes. In order to maintain the specialized staff requirements for the POLARIS Program we will need to charge fees in addition to regular tuition fees.
Full information on POLARIS fees can be seen in our School Fees section, a summary of these can be seen below.
|
|
Full School Year |
2nd Semester Only |
|
ESL |
10,000 Dhs |
6,000 Dhs |
|
Polaris Special Needs |
15,000 Dhs |
8,000 Dhs |
|
Polaris Gifted Children |
8,000 Dhs |
5,000 Dhs |
|
Diagnostic Testing (Optional) |
3,000 Dhs |
N/A |
How can I have my child assessed for entry into POLARIS?
Before enrollment into ACS Sharjah, we have an entrance examination to be completed. If we feel that your child needs further testing then we offer a full day diagnostic evaluation for the child. This is a process where a licensed psychologist will sit with a team and undergo a series of brain-based procedures, physical testing, interviews and historical review, which will create an in-depth understanding of the student's strengths and weaknesses.
This optional service is a 4-6 hour process conducted by educational and psychological experts and will incur a cost of 3,500Dhs for the entire process which ends with a completed report and recommendation for your child.
Is the POLARIS Program compulsory?
No. If you feel your child is not a differentiated learner then you can simply enroll in the school like you would in any other school - The POLARIS program is optional for students who need additional learning support.
How do I sign up for POLARIS?
Signing up for POLARIS is easy. Either visit the admissions section of our website or contact our registrar for more information. We can recommend which part of the program is best for your child. We have testing facilities and are able to assess the best way forward for your child.
I am still unsure of POLARIS - is there someone I can speak to on the phone or contact to get more information?
Of course. You can speak to our Registrar or directly with our Headmaster if you need any more information. We are more than happy to answer any of your questions regarding the POLARIS program.
Contact Details:
Admissions
Phone: 050 708 4332
Email:
