Since the COVID pandemic, online and hybrid learning have gained significant traction in the Middle East, with more parents considering these options as viable school choices. iCademy Middle East, established in 2007, is the only KHDA-licensed virtual school in the UAE offering flexible in-person days for parents.
The school has achieved significant growth and received accreditation from the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). With a growing student body and a commitment to innovating its curriculum, iCademy has appointed Tracy Moxley as the new Head of School and Principal, based in Dubai. Moxley succeeds Diane Claver, who led the school for 13 years.
Moxley brings 25 years of international school leadership experience to iCademy. She has been in the UAE since 2014, serving in senior roles with GEMS Education and Aldar Academies. Previously, she headed an international school in Spain and was Director of Education for an online academy in Switzerland.
Moxley is dedicated to online learning and its potential to benefit diverse students. On her appointment, Moxley expressed her excitement, saying, “I am thrilled to join iCademy as it marks its 18th year. I’m passionate about the flexibility online learning offers and look forward to guiding the school into a new era of growth.”
iCademy’s curriculum is driven by the AMP platform, which enhances learning with its research-backed content, advanced tools, and customized eLearning solutions. This innovative approach is unique to iCademy, which has developed a flexible learning system with experienced educators over two decades in Dubai. Students enjoy real-time virtual classrooms, asynchronous learning, and receive comprehensive feedback throughout the semester.
The demand for online and hybrid learning is rapidly increasing, as workplaces across the region adopt more flexible employment strategies. Parents in Dubai may view flexibility in work and education as essential to modern life.
Students in Dubai often attend iCademy’s Knowledge Hub for in-person sessions, enrichment, and interventions through learning coaches, with the flexibility to choose their attendance schedule. Parents are increasingly attracted to this adaptable learning style, which is often seen as more flexible than traditional schooling and aligns with self-paced adult learning.
In 2023, surveys by Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and Dubai Government Human Resources (DGHR) Department revealed that 32% of private companies implement remote work policies, with 58% ready to expand them. This shift in employment practices naturally influences education, mirroring changes in the sector.
Discussing the trend towards hybrid lifestyles and schooling, Tracy Moxley remarked, “Education is evolving to meet families’ needs, benefiting from employers’ shift towards flexible work. iCademy’s Knowledge Hub is popular among Dubai families, offering a blend of in-person and independent online learning. This is both the future and current reality at iCademy.”
