Mark Lentz (Head of School/CEO)
Mark Lentz has been the Head of School/CEO of GEMS American Academy Qatar (GAAQ) since March 2016.Additionally, he is also the GEMS Education Qatar Country Lead (of both GEMS American Academy Qatar and GEMS Wellington School Qatar) since February 2021.Prior to his appointment in Qatar, he was an administrator, teacher and counselor in several schools, both internationally (Trinidad & Tobago, Switzerland, Egypt and Qatar) and in his home country of the United States.
When evaluating his success as a Head of School and educational leader, his mentor said, “you judge the caliber of the school by the caliber of the graduating class.”This statement has since influenced how Mark assesses his leadership as an educator and school administrator.Each day, he asks himself, “are the students and parents satisfied?” “Are they getting the caliber of education that they expect?”Also, “is GEMS American Academy Qatar the type of school that people (students, teachers and parents) want to be a part of?”Like a stool, a school needs three legs to stand on and these legs represent some of the primary stakeholders in a school – students, teachers and parents.If one of the three legs are missing, then the stool will fall.Thus, this triangular relationship is vital for any effective and progressive school to have the foundation necessary to stand for a lifetime.In short, Mark believes that parents, teachers and students must work together to build the school and community each entity envisions.
Mark holds a BA in Psychology, a Master’s degree in Clinical Social Work, a post-graduate teaching certification in Social Studies and is currently finalizing his Doctorate in Educational Leadership.
About GEMS AAQ
GEMS American Academy Qatar (GAAQ) first opened its doors for the 2014 – 2015 academic year at GEMS Education’s flagship American school in the country.Backed by GEMS Education’s reputation and status as the largest operator of K – 12 schools in the world, GAAQ has been relentlessly committed to improving and delivering academic excellence within a global school community.Since its inception, GAAQ had a singular focus to become a fully accredited school through the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC).After years of instilling a solid foundation, planning and executing goals, the dream was realized in 2019 when the school received the highest level of accreditation offered by NEASC.
Throughout its history, GEMS American Academy Qatar has prided itself on being unique and leaning on parent, teacher, student and community feedback in its pursuit of the school reaching its full potential.As a result, GAAQ is consistently ranked within the Top 5 for highest parent satisfaction rating within the entire GEMS Education network, drives award-winning sustainability initiatives which have produced numerous domestic and international awards, named “The 10 Best Internationals Schools in Qatar” and “Most Valuable Schools to Watch in the Middle-East,” and is the only school in Qatar to offer the full Advanced Placement (AP) Capstone Diploma through College Board.Moreover, GAAQ offers an array of 60+ after school activities and a results-oriented English as a Second Language (ESL) program at no cost to families.Overall, the diversity of the school community (78 nationalities) facilitates an exchange of ideas and feedback that evoke deep reflection and accountability to always stay true to the mission, vision and core values of the school.
Key initiatives
Espousing our beliefs in “student-led, teacher supported” activities and “teachers facilitating learning,” GAAQ students taken the lead on key school initiatives.For example, our Eco-Club, comprised of both elementary and secondary students, have gained a reputation in Qatar for their love in maintaining and improving the world in which they live in.At the start of the 2019 – 2020 school year, the Upper School Eco-Committee conducted a survey regarding interest of student in green initiatives.Based on survey results ad students spearheading the transformation of our green ethos, a group of 12 GAAQ teachers also formed the Greenhouse Teacher Group to help overseen the establishment of the school’s aquaponic greenhouse.Additionally, other student initiatives included, but are not limited to: STEMS labs using recycled materials, an Upper School green elective, paper recycling program, instituting reusable produce bags from GAAQ’s Parent Association, planting green walls, palm trees and plant life and the installation of an aquarium and coy pond.
Also, the Head of School and school principals are continuing their investment in key initiatives founded before the NEASC accreditation review.These five key objectives – improve inquiry-based learning, improve differentiation, improve cross-curricular learning opportunities, continue instilling core values, continue re-evaluating formative and summative assessment strategies – are integral to meeting and exceeding GAAQ’s major learning goals.
Key facilities
GEMS American Academy Qatar’s 20,000 square meter campus is an innovative infrastructure ripe for dynamic and experiential learning.Many visitors comment that the school has a bigger-than-it-looks building layout, natural sunlight and wide spaces and corridors.In this facility, the visual arts spaces include a BlackBox theatre space, studios for 2D and 3D art and ceramics, pottery and sculpture rooms.Next, the performing arts program possesses an individual music practice room and piano lab, an instrumental music and teaching space and a music production space.
Then, the athletic spaces boast a dedicated CrossFit zone, a multipurpose sports hall, rooftop sports court, a full football (soccer) pitch, shaded playground areas, indoor mini-gyms and a professional dance studio.Lastly, café and dining areas include a Parent Café, a Lower School dining area and an Upper School café and outdoor eating space. Other notable areas include their NAAAS aquaponic greenhouse, interactive and technology-laden science labs and classrooms, dual libraries, ICT labs at each level, a Grade 12 lounge and outdoor area, quiet work spaces and Lower School resource rooms in each hallway.
Future plans
The Head of School, Mark Lentz, has a three-fold approach for the school’s future.Firstly, he is re-evaluating and re-structuring the school’s student support team to better meet the needs of gifted and talented students as well as student who are below grade level.Today, he has hired a Student Support Services Coordinator that will begin at the 2022 – 2023 school year.Secondly, he is excited to reintroduce sports teams, afterschool activities (ASAs), school spirit events and House challenges.Lastly, Mr. Lentz is working with his Upper School principals to make an impactful differentiation between Middle School and High School.For example, GAAQ will have a full-time Middle School Guidance Counselor for the first time and principals will modify class schedules to reflect more holistic development opportunities for students in Grades 6 – 12 starting in the 2022 – 2023 school year.
