State education in Kuwait is restricted to local children, so it boils down to choosing a school that provides an international curriculum or putting them on a plane back home.
- Education in Kuwait
- Choosing a school in Kuwait
- Special education needs in Kuwait
- Pre-schools, kindergarten and nurseries in Kuwait
- Best schools in Kuwait
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Education in Kuwait
All schools have to comply with Ministry of Education regulations. Before any pupil can be admitted to a school, the School Health Section of the Ministry requires evidence of a BCG vaccination and a general health examination from a government health clinic in the area in which you live or are about to live. Schools are also obliged to undergo a local Ofsted type inspection covering service, fees and a buildings inspection.
It is also a Ministry requirement that all children study Arabic from a certain age. Children are split into either Arabic for Arabs, or Arabic for Foreigners. Those of the Muslim faith have compulsory Islamic Studies lessons. No other religious studies are permitted in any of the schools.
There are a number of other things to consider. Teachers who enjoy the lifestyle in Kuwait often stay many years but, in even the best of the schools, there is always a regular turnover of staff. Also, all may not be as it seems when it comes to exam results. It is not uncommon for schools to enter weak students as 'independent' candidates - hence the fantastic percentages on results for Kuwait secondary English schools with such a high ESL population.
All the schools are strong when it comes to extracurricular. In particular, there are some excellent school bands. Children may have the opportunity to travel around the Gulf region with school sports teams. Most schools also organise field trips both inside Kuwait and abroad.
Choosing a school in Kuwait
Both English and American curricula are pretty easy to find in the international schools. There is also a French lycée, offering the French Baccalaureate, plus a number of other schools serving the many nationalities in Kuwait.
There are private bilingual schools but unless the children are very young, it is difficult for children who do not have an Arabic-speaking parent at home to catch up. School work is done in Classical Arabic, which is not a spoken language and differs from the Kuwaiti, Egyptian and other dialects heard in the streets. Kuwaitis and other Arab nationals often choose these schools because they hope that their children will learn English and perhaps go to college in America, or university in Europe or Australia.
Think hard about the school run as traffic around schools can be dreadful. Many parents opt for the school buses, which cover a wide area of the city, while Kuwaiti children are ferried to school by a maid and driver. Car-pooling does exist but is not common.
Some of the larger schools with small premises can be intimidating as there is little room to move in the playground and it is difficult at first to break into a circle. However, children do seem to settle in within a term or two and become very loyal to their school. Schools with enough room have separate areas for different age groups.
Special education needs in Kuwait
SEN is not always a high priority and many teachers tend not to have sufficient experience of how to handle children with behavioural issues related to learning difficulties. Parents of native English speaking children report that, although there has been improvement, in some schools ‘priority for SEN assistance seems to be given to ESL children first.’
Most of the schools state that they have learning support and are sympathetic, but parents should check out how well their child’s needs will be met. Some children have extra assistance from dyslexia specialists and others who work independently or come into schools part-time. Many determined parents look for people out in the community who happen to have SEN qualifications to help children after school hours, which can be tough on an already tired child who has had a hard enough time in school.
Outside of the mainstream in Kuwait, there are some schools for children with learning difficulties. The leader in this field is Fawzia Sultan International School, a non-profit organisation for children with learning-related problems. The curriculum is based on the American one and is run by highly qualified overseas staff. It also offers assessment and consultation services for those enrolled in other schools.
Pre-schools, kindergarten and nurseries in Kuwait
There is a good selection of nursery schools to choose from in Kuwait, including Gulf Montessori Nursery, British Playhouse Nursery, Bright Start English Nursery and Busy Bodies English Montessori Nursery.
Best schools in Kuwait
American International School (The) (AIS) 
PYP/ MYP/ IB Diploma; ages 4-18; co-ed; day; independent; privately owned; 1,850 students
Only school in Kuwait to offer the full International Baccalaureate programme and dually accredited by the Council of International Schools (CIS) and the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSA). Roughly 50 per cent are Kuwaiti students, the remainder being from other Arab countries or international. Graduates mainly move on to leading US universities or stay in Kuwait.
Click here to read our full review of the American School of Kuwait
British School of Kuwait
National Curriculum for England/ I/GCSE/ A Level; ages 4-18; co-ed; day; independent; privately owned; 3,000 students
Grown out of a kindergarten, known as the Sunshine School, into a huge all-through educational establishment offering a British education to students from over 70 different countries. Owned by the Nord Anglia Education group since 2017. Exam results at IGCSE and A Level well above UK averages, with graduates achieving places at leading UK universities, including Oxford and Edinburgh.
Click here to read our full review of the British School of Kuwait
English School (The) (TES)
EYFS/ adapted National Curriculum for England/ Common Entrance; ages 2-13; co-ed; day; independent; private non-profit; 600 students
Longest established, private school in Kuwait, founded in 1953.Since re-opening in 1991 (with one short closure), the school has expanded to its present size and includes a pre-kindergarten and several modern additions. One of twelve Independent Association of Prep Schools (IAPS) in the Middle East. As obliged, they also teach Arabic and Kuwait Social Studies.
Click here to read our full review of The English School.
Kuwait English School (KES)
Adapted National Curriculum for England/ IGCSE/ A Level; ages 3-18; co-ed; day; independent; privately owned; 2,500 students
Established in 1978, by the current chairman Mohamed Jassim Al Saddah and the school director Rhoda Elizabeth Muhmood. Divided into four departments, Infants, Juniors, Seniors and the Green Unit (Special Needs). The senior school has around 850 students with a further 150 in the sixth form. Graduates pass into top Ivies, Oxbridge and Russell Group universities as well as other leading global alternatives.
Click here to read our full review of Kuwait English School
New English School, Kuwait (NES)
National Curriculum for England/ IGCSE/ A Level; ages 3-18; co-ed; day; independent; privately owned; 2,000 students
Founded in 1969 by the late Tareq Rajab and currently run by the director Dr. Ziad Rajab. Housed in a purpose-built, air-conditioned campus in Jabriya. As in all schools in Kuwait, students (including foreigners) must study Arabic and Islamic Studies. Former alumni have graduated from leading American and British universities.
Click here to read our full review of the New English School
These schools have been brought to our attention, but until we have more reports from parents, we are unable to consider reviewing them.
American Academy for Girls
American curriculum/ American High School Diploma/ AP; ages 4-18; girls; day; international; privately owned; 660 students
Opened in 1998 providing an American girls only education, tailored to meet Kuwaiti educational requirements, part of the Al-Jeel Al-Jadeed Educational Institute founded in 1964.
American Creativity Academy (ACA)
American curriculum/ American High School Diploma/ IB Diploma; ages 5-18; co-ed; day; independent; privately owned; 3,500 students
Founded in 1997, and dually accredited by the Council of Independent Schools (CIS) and the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSA). Choice of taking the International Baccalaureate Diploma or earning IB certificates for each class taken. Huge school with majority of students Arab nationals, born in Kuwait. Graduates are accepted at leading universities in the US (including Ivies) as well as at major universities worldwide.
American School of Kuwait (The)
American curriculum/ American High School Diploma/ AP; ages 3-18; co-ed; day; independent; privately owned; 2,000 students
Started by a group of American parents in 1963 and moved to a new campus in Hawally in 1995. ASK is the designated US school in Kuwait enrolling students from the US Embassy, military and oil companies and averaging about 25 per cent US citizens in the school. Accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSA) and sending graduates to a huge range of US universities as well as other global destinations.
American United School of Kuwait
Adapted American curriculum/ American High School Diploma/ AP; ages 3-18; co-ed; day; independent; privately owned; 1,040 students
A newish school that celebrated its fifth anniversary in 2018. Opening with a junior department, it has now expanded into a middle and high school. Has already achieved accreditation from the Council of International School (CIS) and the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSA). Judging by recent AP scores, girls tend to be higher achievers here.
English Academy (The) (TEA)
Adapted National Curriculum for England/ I/GCSE/ A Level; ages 3-18; co-ed; day; independent; privately owned; 1,000 students
Founded in 1993 in the premises of a former Arabic private school in Jabriya. The website is not long on information but the first edition of the TEA Magazine gives a cheerful impression of the goings on at the school.
English School Fahaheel (The)
Adapted National Curriculum for England/ IGCSE/ A Level; ages 4-18; co-ed; day; independent; privately owned; 2,000 students
Founded by expats in 1965 and moved to a new building in Mangaf, South Kuwait in 2005. As in all other Kuwaiti schools, the curriculum includes Arabic and Islamic studies.
English School For Girls (The)
Adapted National Curriculum for England/ IGCSE; ages 3-17; girls; day; independent; privately owned; 1,200 students
The only British international school in Kuwait for girls, both from Kuwait and expat countries. Based in Salwa. Numbers split 50/50 between primary and secondary. Not (as yet) teaching the A Level syllabus so that students have to transfer after IGCSEs. As in all other Kuwaiti schools, the curriculum includes Arabic and Islamic studies.
Gulf English School
Adapted National Curriculum for England/ I/GCSE/ A Level; ages 3-19; co-ed; day; independent; privately owned; 2,200 students
Established as an international school, nearly 40 years ago, and now sited in the suburb of Salmiya. A selective school for students of over 70 nationalities with classes taught in English, apart from Arabic and Islamic studies.
Kuwait Bilingual School (KBS)
PYP/ MYP/ adapted curriculum; ages 4-18; co-ed; day; independent; private non-profit; 1,900 students
Established in 1998 in Al Jahra City. Moved in 2016 to a new campus in Saad Al Abdullah City and accredited by the Middle States Association of Schools and Colleges (MSA). International Baccalaureate programmes until Middle School but appear to follow these by teaching an adapted high school curriculum with an emphasis on Islamic and Arabic studies.
Kuwait National English School (KNES)
Adapted National Curriculum for England/ IGCSE/ A Level; ages 3-18 ; co-ed; day; independent; private non-profit; 1,250 students
Opened originally in the residential area of Surra. Now in totally renovated premises in central Hawally with an Olympic style indoor swimming pool and an international size basketball pitch. Dually accredited by the Council of International Schools (CIS) and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). Also offering an SEN department.
Universal American School Kuwait
American curriculum/ American High School Diploma/ AP; ages 5-18 ; co-ed; day; independent; private non-profit; 1,800 students
Established in 1976 and accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) since 1994. New $14 million campus taking up a whole city block, with no less than three swimming pools, four computer labs and a 400 seater auditorium. Majority of students Kuwaiti citizens and the school offers a full American programme with an Arabic programme for Arabic speakers.
For more information on the schools above, please go to each school’s individual entry on the Good Schools Guide international search.