You will find below a list of the most popular international and bilingual schools for ex pats in Kuwait with fee information. The list includes nursery schools, primary and secondary (high) schools for you to find the right school to prepare for the International Baccalaureate and other accreditation in Kuwait. Schools may follow the American, Canadian or British curriculums with English speaking programs while others run under the French or Indian system.

Education in Kuwait

The Ministry of Education and Ministry of Higher Education oversee schools in Kuwait. There are three basic levels of education in Kuwait:

• Elementary
• Intermediate
• Secondary

Each level involves four years of study, and schooling usually begins at age six and is required until the age of fourteen. Pre-school is available from age four to age six, and students who complete their basic education may carry on to higher education. All stages of state education, including higher education, are free for all nationals. Kuwaiti public schools are segregated by sex beginning in the first grade. Students in all Kuwaiti schools study English from the second grade.

The school week is Sunday through Thursday, with Friday and Saturday as the weekend. Most schools begin at 7:30 a.m. and end at 2:00 p.m., though this may vary slightly from school to school or district to district. The school year runs from late August/early September to mid-June.

International Schools

International schools can be the perfect solution for an expat student (multinational corporation executives, children of diplomats, NGO staff) in Kuwait. International schools provide similar standards of schooling around the globe, providing for an easy transition between schools whether they are in France or Vietnam.

Nearly all expats in Kuwait send their children to international schools because state schools are reserved for Kuwaitis. Primary instruction may be any language (and multiple languages are usually taught), but it is usually in English. Schools also provide internationally accepted accreditation such as the international baccalaureate.

Admission and enrollment procedures vary from school to school. Space is often limited and preference may be given to students based on nationality. Tuition tends to be expensive based on local standards, but offers high standards of learning, boast smaller class sizes, first-rate facilities, and extracurricular.

Accreditation & Membership

• Council of International Schools (CoIS) is a non-profit association of international schools and post-secondary institutions which provides educational accreditation, teacher and leadership recruitment services, links to higher education, governance assistance and help with founding new schools.
• Private Education Department (PED) is responsible for accrediting all foreign schools in Kuwait. The PED supervises the schools by overseeing staff qualifications and school facilities, and ensures compliance by regular inspections. The Ministry also regulates school fees. All schools are also obliged to incorporate local cultural and language studies into their curricula. Standards achieved compare favorably with those in the pupils' home countries.
• Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSA) is among the premier accrediting associations in the world.
• Council of British International Schools (COBIS) is a responsive organization that serves, supports and represents its member schools.
• Association for the Advancement of International Education (AAIE) serves the needs of international schools.
• British Schools in the Middle East (BSME) provides a quality-assured network of schools and runs its own Accreditation System, Annual Headteachers' Conferences, Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programme of over 100 courses per year and a range of inter school sports, music, arts and other events.
• European Council of International Schools (ECIS) is a collaborative network promoting the ideals and best practice of international education.

International Schools in Kuwait City

A'takamul International School
Address: P.O. Box 33106
Al-Rumaithiya, Kuwait 25562
Tel: 25522204
Tuition Rates: 1484 - 2732 per year

Combines an American curriculum with an Arabic curriculum and ethos, as well as Islamic and Kuwaiti values. There is a Kindergarten, Elementary, Middle School and High School.

American Baccalaureate School (ABS)
Address: Abraq Khaitan Block 6 Street #59
Ibn Zuhair Street
Tel: 965 24 791 791 or 965 24 750 333
Tuition Rates: Inquire at school

The American Baccalaureate School is a non-profit K-12 school offering a challenging American curriculum. The school teaches Islamic values. The campus houses the Kindergarten, Elementary, Middle School, and High School departments.

American School of Kuwait (ASK)
Address: PO Box 6735
Hawalli 32042
Tel: 965-266 4341
Tuition Rates: 968 - 4,750 KD per year

An English-language international school for children aged 4 to 18. Arabic is a required course for Native Arabic speakers and Religion is a required course for all Muslim students. In grade 9, all non-native Arabic speakers must take Arabic as a Foreign Language. It is accredited by MSA.

American Creativity Academy (ACA)
Address: PO Box 24989
Safat, 13110, Kuwait
Tel: 965 - 22673333
Tuition Rates: Inquire at school

A pre-Kindergarten through grade 5 international school with an American curriculum within an environment in which Islamic values are respected and practiced. The school offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (IBDP) program for high school students since 2008-2009 school year. Students can participate in the full program and receive an IB diploma, or they can take certain IB classes and earn certificates for each class.

British School of Kuwait (BSK)
Address: Street 1
Salwa, Area/Block 1
Tel: (within Kuwait 1 830 456; outside Kuwait 965 2562 1701)
Tuition Rates: Inquire at school

The British School of Kuwait (BSK) is a private, co-educational, international school located in the suburb of Salwa, Kuwait. The school has a selective intake of students aged 4-18. Most teaching programs are based on the National Curriculum of England. Year 10 and 11 students undertake programs of study leading to GCSE and IGCSE. Sixth Form students work towards Edexcel AS and A Level examinations. The curriculum is approved by COBIS.

Canadian Bilingual school (CBS)
Address: Block 2, Zaid Al-Khalil Street / P.O BOX 1251
Ibn Hesham, South Khaitan, Kuwait
Tel: 965 - 24744023
Tuition Rates: Inquire at school

Canadian Bilingual School follows an English-language, modified Ontario (Canada) curriculum for pre-kindergarten to high school. Uniforms are required.

Dasman Model School Sharq (DMS)
Address: Rashed Buresly St. (Opposite British Embassy)
Tel: 2430704/2430706/2430707
Tuition Rates: Inquire at school

This is an Arabic/English school. The school offers a bilingual program for students in grades Kindergarten to 12th grade. DMS follows both an American curriculum and the Arabic curriculum published by the Kuwait Ministry of Education. In addition to the core subjects (English, Math, and Science), students are offered specialist lessons in music, computer, swimming and PE. Almost all of the students at this school are Kuwaiti citizens. It is accredited by CoIS & NEASC.

American International School of Kuwait (AIS)
Address: PO Box 17464
Khaldiya 72455 Kuwait
Tel: 965-564 5083
Tuition Rates: 2100 - 4147 KD per year

A private, independent, co-educational day school that caters to children from ages 4 to 18 years old. English is the primary language of instruction although all students study Arabic or Arabic as a Foreign Language. It is an International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) World School that is fully authorized for the IB Diploma (IBD), Middle Years (MYP) and Primary Years (PYP) programmes. It is also a member of the AAIE.

The English Academy (TEA)
Address: Jabriya - Area 8 - St.13 - Bldg. 51 & 54
Safat, Kuwait
Tel: 5340427 / 5340428 / 5340851
Tuition Rates: Inquire at school

A private British school teaching the National Curriculum of England and Wales to children from ages 3.5 to 18. The school teaches primary, secondary and 6th form. Students in years 10 and 11 study for examinations in IGCSE and GCSE.

English School for Girls (ESG)
Address: PO Box 12592
Shamiya 71653 Kuwait
Tel: 965-561 9134
Tuition Rates: 1,430 - 3,015 KD per year

International school for girls aged 3-18. The curriculum is based on the UK (British) curriculum and also acknowledges the local culture in Kuwait. Students work towards their IGCSE exams. Uniforms are required.

The English School (TES)
Address: PO Box 379
Safat 13004 Kuwait
Tel: 965-563 7206
Tuition Rates: Inquire at school

A not-for-profit British Preparatory School that serves the English-speaking community. Following the Foundation Stage and National Curriculum for England, it serves children aged 4-11.

The Gulf English School (GES)
Address: Rumaithiyah - Block 2 - Al- Mutamed / Po Box 6320
Hawalli 32038 Kuwait
Tel: 965-565 9361
Tuition Rates: Inquire at school

The Gulf English School is a co-educational, English Curriculum school for children from kindergarten to A level. Caters to children from the ages of 4-18. Accredited by BSME.

Kuwait English School (KES)
Address: Salwa, Area 11, Street 9 / P.O. Box 8640
Salmiya 22057 Kuwait
Tel: 256 55216
Tuition Rates: Inquire at school

There is a primary and secondary section of this school. School uniforms are required.

Kuwait International English School (KIES)
Address: Al Hassan Al Bassry Street Block 11 / PO Box 93 Dasman
15451 Kuwait, Hawally
Tel: 5625322 / 5630271 / 5630345
Tuition Rates: Inquire at school

Kuwait International English School follows the British Curriculum from Kindergarten to Year 11. School uniforms are required.

Kuwait National English School
Address: PO Box 44273
Hawalli 32057 Kuwait
Tel: 965-265 6904
Tuition Rates: Inquire at school

Early years to secondary, catering to ages 2-13. Provides the IGCSE exams. It is accredited by the CoIS, BSME, NEASC and ECIS.

New English School (NES)
Address: PO Box 6156,
Hawelli 32036 Kuwait
Tel: [00965] 25318060
Tuition Rates: Inquire at school

The School is a co-educational British curriculum with classes for children between the ages of 3.5 to 18. School uniforms are required. It is accredited by the BSME and ECIS.

Universal American School (UAS)
Address: PO Box 17035
Khaldiya 72451 Kuwait
Tel: 965-562 0297
Tuition Rates: Inquire at school

The Universal American School-Kuwait is a nonprofit, private co-educational, college-preparatory day school. In addition, Arabic and Islamic Religion program provided from the Ministry of Education. UAS offers a full American program including ten AP courses. All UAS students are required to wear the school uniform.

French International School in Kuwait City

Lycée Francais Du Koweit
Address: PO BOX 9450 Salmiya
Hamad Al-Mubarak Street 22095 Kuwait
Tel: 965 257 300 24 or 25/26/29
Tuition Rates: Inquire at school

Known as the French School, teachings includes English, Arabic, Spanish, and the official French curriculum that prepares the students to take the French general baccalaureate. French is the primary language and the school is recognized by the ministry of education in France.

Indian International Schools in Kuwait City

Indian Community School Kuwait (ICSK)
Address: Shara Amman Street 3, Block 12
Block 10 Salmiya Kuwait
Tel: 25629583 / 25659126 / 25613260 / 25633570
Tuition Rates: Inquire at school

The oldest Indian school recognized by the Ministry of Education in Kuwait, it is also affiliated to the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) in Delhi.

Carmel School (CSK)
Address: Khaitan, Block 2, Area 10 / PO BOX 596
Safat 13006 Kuwait
Tel: 24727226 or 24727383
Tuition Rates: Inquire at school

Carmel School Kuwait is a school for Indians of all religious denominations in Kuwait. The school was established in 1969 by the Sisters of the Apostolic Carmel, who have several educational establishments across the Middle East, Africa and Asia. Uniforms are required.