Al Arqam Academy vs Pearling Season International School of Doha

	A Al Arqam Academy Doha, Qatar	P Pearling Season International School of Doha Doha, Qatar
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year QAR 27,954 - 50,134	Fees / year QAR 37,850 - 43,600
Age range	Age range 3 - 18 years	Age range 4 - 18 years
Type	Type Girls School	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum British Curriculum, Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels	Curriculum British Curriculum
Pupils	Pupils 1,622	Pupils 1,440
Typical class size	Typical class size 25	Typical class size —
Instruction language	Instruction language English, Arabic	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened 1996	Opened 2014
Bus service	Bus service No	Bus service No
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location Al-Arqam Academy is located at 13 Haloul Street, Mamoura, Doha, Qatar (Building No. 13). P.O. Box 23148 Doha, Qatar. The campus is in the Mamoura district along Haloul Street.	Location Pearling Season International School of Doha is located at 46, Al Khudri St. (810), Bin Dirham (25) Al Mansoura, Doha, Qatar (PO Box 47021). The Al-Mansoura campus sits between two ring roads, affording easy access by road. A second campus is located in Al-Gharrafa, Building 12, Al Oyoun St No. 879, Zone No. 51. The two campuses are part of the Pearling Season International School network in Doha.
Stages	Stages Primary and Secondary	Stages The school serves Pre-School (Kindergarten) through Year 13, covering ages roughly 3 to 18. The Primary curriculum uses the IPC alongside the UK National Curriculum, while the Secondary program follows Cambridge and Edexcel curricula, including IGCSEs and AS Levels.
School type	School type International school for girls	School type The school is co-educational (mixed gender) and operates as a day school with campuses in Al Mansoura and Al Gharrafa. No boarding facilities are indicated in the public materials.
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix The pupil body represents over 51 nationalities. The most represented nationalities are not publicly published, and the local-to-international pupil ratio is not disclosed.
Additional learning support	Additional learning support Academic support is provided for low-achieving students with in-class and extra coaching, coordinated by coordinators and a student counselor; includes individual support and progress monitoring.	Additional learning support Pearling Season has an Additional Learning Needs (ALN) department with expert teachers who work to integrate ALN students into mainstream classes. The ALN program accommodates a range of conditions, including ADHD, anxiety, ASC, autism spectrum conditions, dyslexia, dyscalculia, Down syndrome, dysgraphia and other learning needs.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation Qatar	Country affiliation The school operates as a British international school overseas and follows the UK National Curriculum, aligning with UK educational standards rather than a Qatar-only framework.
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation Islamic	Religious affiliation There is no formal religious affiliation stated. Islamic studies are taught in English as part of the curriculum.
School day structure	School day structure School day timings: Key Stage 3 7:00 a.m. – 1:50 p.m.; Key Stage 4 & 5 7:00 a.m. – 1:50 p.m.; Mondays finish at 12:15 p.m.	School day structure The school operates Sunday to Thursday. Administrative/reception hours are typically 7:00 AM–3:00 PM, and campus information is organized around these days. School tours for prospective families are offered from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM, Sunday to Thursday.
Bus service details	Bus service details The school operates a bus service with a Bus Officer and bus rules; violations include penalties and potential restrictions.	Bus service details A school bus service is offered; details on routes, pickup points and fees are provided through Admissions and during the enrollment process.
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Application and Registration Fees A non-refundable registration fee of QAR 1,600 per student is charged annually. An application fee is not specified in the available fee schedule. Tuition Fees For the 2025/2026 academic year, annual tuition fees are: KG1: QAR 27,954 annually KG2: QAR 29,625 annually Grades 1–6: QAR 28,410 annually Grades 7–9: QAR 31,752 annually Grades 10–11: QAR 41,780 annually Grade 12: QAR 50,134 annually The school fee schedule provides annual amounts only; term-by-term tuition fees are not specified. Other Fees Additional annual charges may apply for books, transportation, school uniforms, educational trips, administrative services, document processing, and international examinations for applicable year groups. These charges vary by grade level. Transport Fees School transport is available. Annual transport fees are QAR 5,335 per student. Boarding Fees The school does not advertise boarding facilities, and no boarding fees are listed. Billing Schedule and Payment Terms The published fee schedule lists annual fees. Specific instalment schedules, payment deadlines, and payment terms are not stated in the available fee documentation. Refund Policy Refund terms are not specified in the published fee schedule. Payment Methods Accepted payment methods are not specified in the available fee documentation.	Fee details Application and Admission Fees - Registration (one‑time, payable on acceptance to secure a place): QAR 4,000. - Entry/assessment test (one‑time, non‑refundable): QAR 500. Tuition fees by year group (annual; QAR) and indicative per‑term amount Note: the school records annual tuition amounts; the school operates by academic terms (re‑enrolment items are deducted from the first term fee), so per‑term figures below are the annual tuition divided into three equal instalments (annual ÷ 3) presented as a practical term‑amount. These per‑term figures are calculated for convenience. - Kindergarten / Early Years - KG1 / FS2: Annual QAR 36,600 — Per term (approx.) QAR 12,200. - KG2 / Y1: Annual QAR 36,600 — Per term (approx.) QAR 12,200. - Primary (Years 1–6) - Year 1 to Year 6: Annual QAR 38,400 — Per term (approx.) QAR 12,800. (some Year 7/6 boundaries may show QAR 39,900 for certain early primary year listings) - Lower Secondary - Year 7 to Year 9: Annual QAR 41,100 — Per term (approx.) QAR 13,700. - Upper Secondary / IGCSE & A‑Level years - Year 10 to Year 12 (and Year 13 where applicable): Annual QAR 43,600 (some listings show QAR 40,600/43,600 depending on exact year) — Per term (approx.) QAR 14,533. - For a first‑year new enrolment example the school lists tuition plus one‑time fees and book charge (four‑year‑old example shown): Tuition QAR 36,600 + Books QAR 1,250 + Registration QAR 4,000 + Entry Test QAR 500 = First‑year total QAR 42,350. Other compulsory and commonly billed charges - Book / resources fees: ranges shown by year group (examples: QAR 1,250 for early years; QAR 1,500–3,000 for primary and secondary grades, increasing for IGCSE/A‑Level years). These are charged annually. - Transport (school bus) service: QAR 5,000 per year (typical published figure across year groups). - Re‑enrolment (seat reservation) fee: QAR 2,000 payable at re‑enrolment; this amount is taken off the first term fees and is non‑refundable. - Uniform: individual uniform items are sold through the school; prices appear in the school's uniform price list with typical item prices from about QAR 25 up to about QAR 150 depending on the item (e.g., shirts, trousers, tracksuits, jackets, PE kit, school bag). Parents should expect to purchase multiple items per child. - Examination / external assessment fees and some subject‑specific charges may be invoiced separately (typical for IGCSE/A‑Level entries and certain curriculum exams). Billing schedule and payment terms - Registration and re‑enrolment fees are payable on acceptance or at re‑enrolment to secure a place; the re‑enrolment fee is deducted from the first term fee. Parents are expected to settle the required fees by the invoice dates associated with each term. - The school requires notification at least 30 days prior to withdrawal; failure to provide the required notice may result in loss of deposit or forfeiture of fees as stated on the school's withdrawal form. Refund information - Re‑enrolment fee (seat reservation) is non‑refundable and is deducted from the first term fees when paid. - The withdrawal form requires at least 30 days' notice to Admissions; the withdrawal form warns that a deposit may be lost if Admissions is not notified on time. This is the primary published refund/withdrawal instruction available in the school's documentation. Boarding - The school is a day school and does not operate boarding provision; therefore boarding fees are not applicable. Accepted payment methods and how fees may be paid - The school accepts direct bank deposit, online bank transfer and current‑dated cheques for tuition, registration and test fees. These payment methods are listed in the school's admissions/payment instructions. Summary of the items you will be billed for at or shortly after admission - One‑time registration fee (QAR 4,000). - Entry/assessment test fee (QAR 500). - Annual tuition (amount depends on year group; typical ranges QAR 36,600–43,600). - Annual book/resources fee (varies by year; typical examples QAR 1,250–3,000). - Optional/required transport service (QAR 5,000 per year). - Uniform purchases (individual item prices range roughly QAR 25–150). If you need precise per‑term instalments for a specific year group, the annual figures above can be divided into three equal term instalments as shown in the per‑term examples earlier (the school references term fees in its re‑enrolment and withdrawal forms).
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements —	Boarding arrangements —
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement —	Uniform requirement —
Food options	Food options —	Food options —
House system	House system —	House system —
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership —	Governance and ownership —
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details The Academy is an international school following Islamic beliefs and has pupils aged 3 to 17 (Pre-school to Year 12). It follows Arabic, Islamic Studies, and Qatar History standards as set by the Ministry of Education and Higher Education. KG and Primary follow Pearson iPrimary Curriculum, and Cambridge International Program is used at the secondary level. The school has Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) and Edexcel accreditation; it is a fully recognized Cambridge and Edexcel testing centre for IGCSE and AS examinations. In secondary, Robot and Scientific Research curricula have been added to keep pace with technology, and the school emphasizes 21st-century skills and bilingual English/Arabic.	Curriculum details Pearling Season International School of Doha follows the UK National Curriculum from Early Years to Year 13. In Primary, the IPC is used with the English National Curriculum, and Arabic and French are taught by native speakers; in Secondary, Cambridge and Edexcel guide the programme, delivering IGCSEs in Years 10–11 and AS Levels in Year 12, with progression to Year 13. The Key Stage 3 programme (Years 7–9) covers core subjects—Maths, English, Science and Arabic—alongside Geography, History, ICT, Art, French, Islamic Studies and Qatar History, preparing for International GCSEs. In Key Stage 4 (Years 10–11), the IGCSE pathway includes compulsory subjects (Mathematics, English, Science, Arabic, and Physical Education) and optional subjects such as History, Geography, Business, Art, French, English Literature and ICT. For Key Stage 5 (Year 12–13), International AS qualifications are offered in two streams (sciences and humanities), including Arabic in both streams, with a requirement to pass five IGCSEs to progress to Year 12 and a limit of up to four AS subjects. The school emphasises international mindedness and a globally aware educational culture.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio —	Student teacher ratio —
Exam results	Exam results Al Arqam Academy follows Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) and Edexcel examinations; Year 11 sits IGCSEs and Year 12 sits AS, with Year 9 taking International Checkpoint Exams in Math, English and Science. Progression rules require Year 10 to pass all subjects (50%) to advance to Year 11, Year 11 to take seven IGCSEs, and Year 12 progression to require passing at least five IGCSE subjects. Grade boundaries are published for KS3 (A* to C ranges). Full progress reports are issued at the end of Term 3.	Exam results —
Higher education progression	Higher education progression The school prepares students for local and international universities.	Higher education progression —
Gifted and talented	Gifted and talented The academy offers extra-curricular activities including robotics and scientific research competitions; participates in MOEHE and Qatar University competitions such as Al Bairaq for Scientific Research; Special Achievement Awards recognize outstanding student achievements.	Gifted and talented —
Academic calendar	Academic calendar —	Academic calendar —
Wellbeing & support	Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning	Social & emotional learning —	Social & emotional learning —
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) —	Special educational needs (SEN) —
English as an additional language	English as an additional language —	English as an additional language —
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing —	Mental wellbeing —
Safeguarding	Safeguarding —	Safeguarding —
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview —	Facilities overview —
Sports facilities	Sports facilities —	Sports facilities —
Academic facilities	Academic facilities —	Academic facilities —
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities —	Extra curricular facilities —
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History —	History —
Community	Community —	Community —
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association —	Parent teacher association —
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual —	Academic & intellectual —
Arts & creative	Arts & creative —	Arts & creative —
Cultural & language	Cultural & language —	Cultural & language —
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies —	Social & hobbies —
Community & service	Community & service —	Community & service —
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional —	Leadership & professional —
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing —	Lifestyle & wellbeing —
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision —	Language provision —
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching —	Bilingual teaching —
Immersion programs	Immersion programs —	Immersion programs —
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards —	Awards —
Accreditations	Accreditations —	Accreditations —
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions 1. Waiting List: In February of each year, the registration process begins by asking all current students to re-register for the new school year. The number of vacant places for the new school year is determined. Siblings of existing students are given priority for the waiting list. Students who were tested but not offered a place from the previous year are given the second priority for a chance to pass the entrance test. Applications for the general public are then made on a first come first serve basis until the number of required students is full. Based upon the number of places available for each year group, the appropriate number of students are given an appointment for the entrance test. 2. Entrance Test: Students with an appointment pay the non-refundable entrance test fee and provide a copy of their birth certificate and a copy of their most recent school report showing the class, year group, date, and results. Students who have paid the fee and provided the required documents will be given an entrance test card, which they must present on the day of the test. Entrance tests are done for English, Maths, and Arabic. For KG students, a general evaluation of readiness for school is conducted to evaluate the appropriate early years milestones. Students must pass all areas with 70% or better in order to qualify for a place in the school. Students who arrive late for their test appointment or are absent will lose their place on the list. Secondary students must also attend an interview with their parents as part of the entrance test process. Results for entrance tests will be announced within one full week of the exam. 3. Retests: Students who fail only one area on the entrance test with marks between 55% and 69% may request a retest. Those who qualify for a retest must request a new test date, pay the retest fee and sign the retest form in the Student Affairs office. 4. Registration: Students who pass the entrance test are given one week to complete the registration forms and submit all required documents and fees. Students who do not submit the required forms, documents, and fees within one week will lose their place. Note that entrance test fees and retest fees are non-refundable. All students offered a place in the school must submit the following to open a file in the school and to register: 1. Completed registration form with all information filled in. 2. Report cards from previous schools certified by the Ministry of Education 3. Medical Files, including vaccination documents 4. Copy of passport for the student 5. Copy of I.D. for student, mother, and father. 6. Copy of student's birth certificate 7. Four recent photos 8. Non-refundable registration fee (for the exact fee, please see our MOHE-approved fee schedule. 9. Read and sign the student handbook and policies. 5. Withdrawal policy: In order to withdraw a student from the Academy, the following procedures must be followed: 1. Submit a request to withdraw in advance to Student Affairs. 2. Obtain a receipt disclaimer from the library. 3. Settle all financial matters with the Accounting Department and obtain a receipt. 4. Submit all documents and receipts to the Department of Student Affairs in order to receive the student's file. In the event that a student wishes to re-enter the academy, the decision will be based on an assessment by the administration and the student will be treated as a new student.	Admissions Step One \| Application Submission. The application form is available online through the Application Portal or an application form can be obtained from the Registrar's Office during normal working hours. Applications must be completed accurately and in full, and must be signed by both parents and/or guardian. All necessary prerequisite documents must be submitted with the completed application form. Step Two \| Applicant Review. All applications will be reviewed by the Head of Section, Principal and Registrar's Office. The Registrar's Office will arrange a date for the entry test and communicate with parents via phone or SMS. The entry test fee is QR 500, which is non-refundable. Step Three \| Entrance Test. If the application is for Primary or Secondary, the applicant will be tested on English and Mathematics. Tuition/registration/entry test fees can be paid by direct bank deposit, online bank transfer, or current dated cheque. Step Four \| Availability. The Registrar's Office will contact parents with the news of the result and, if applicable, of the availability of places. If a placement is accepted, parents must respond within one week (to secure the placement), pay the full registration fee and sign the students' code of conduct and uniform policy.
Scholarships	Scholarships —	Scholarships —
Waitlist	Waitlist Waiting List: The school begins waiting list in February by re-registering current students for the new school year. The number of vacant places is determined. Siblings of existing students are given priority on the waiting list. Students who were tested but not offered a place from the previous year are given second priority. General public applications are accepted on a first come first served basis until the required number of students is filled. Based on places available for each year group, an entrance test appointment is issued.	Waitlist —
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