Best schools in Kuwait considered by expats

A snapshot: schools in Kuwait considered (but not necessarily chosen) by English-speaking expats.

Schools with a full GSGI review are noted with next to their names.

(pending) means that the school is on our list to review.

By full GSGI review, we mean school write-ups that are completely selected, researched, visited and written by our own editors. Our final reviews take the good with the bad, warts and all, but we look for a preponderance of good before we drill down for in-depth details and descend on the school for an exhaustive visit. We are aware of the other schools on this page and we continually add or remove schools, as deemed appropriate.

International Schools

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.