Al-Bayan Bilingual School vs Northwest Bilingual School
Al-Bayan Bilingual School and Northwest Bilingual School are both in Kuwait City, about 9 km apart. Both schools offer American programmes. Al-Bayan Bilingual School also offers Advanced Placement (AP), and Northwest Bilingual School also offers Bespoke. Published annual fees are KWD 2,434 - 4,505 at Al-Bayan Bilingual School and KWD 1,491 - 4,100 at Northwest Bilingual School, which puts Al-Bayan Bilingual School roughly 24% higher. Both take pupils from 3 to 18.
Beirut Street, Hawally, Kuwait 32004. The Hawally campus is located on Beirut Street in the Hawally district of Kuwait City. Postal address is P.O. Box 355, Hawally 32004, Kuwait. The location serves families in Hawally and surrounding areas.
Location
The school is located in Farwaniya, Kuwait. Address: Block 2, Street 132. The campus is Northwest Bilingual School, Farwaniya. General and department contact numbers are published for inquiries.
Stages
Stages
Preschool; Elementary School; Middle School; High School
Stages
Kindergarten, Elementary School, Middle School, High School (K-12).
School type
School type
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School type
private, college-preparatory school.
Pupil nationality mix
Pupil nationality mix
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Pupil nationality mix
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Additional learning support
Additional learning support
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Additional learning support
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Country affiliation
Country affiliation
Kuwait
Country affiliation
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Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation
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Religious affiliation
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School day structure
School day structure
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School day structure
Kindergarten hours: Gate opens at 6:45 am; Morning Assembly 7:10–7:20 am; first lesson starts at 7:30 am; dismissal at 1:00 pm. Middle & High School hours: day starts at 7:35 am and ends at 2:10 pm; drop-off from 6:45 am–7:30 am; pick-up at 2:15 pm.
Bus service details
Bus service details
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Bus service details
The school does not offer bus transportation for late clubs.
Fees
Fees
Fee details
Fee details
Application & Registration Fees
- Registration deposit (new students): KWD 100 (non-refundable and non-transferable; this deposit is deducted from the first tuition installment). - An admissions interview/evaluation fee for new students applies (separate from the KWD 100 registration deposit).
Tuition fees by year group (annual and per-term amounts)
All amounts are shown in Kuwait Dinars (KWD). Annual tuition is listed first, followed by the standard payment breakdown used by the school: Registration deposit KWD 100 (deducted from the first installment), First installment (balance of 34% of total fees after the deposit), Second installment (33% of total fees), Third installment (33% of total fees). Annual and installment amounts below follow the school's published fee structure.
- Standard installment due dates: 1st installment due by 30 August, 2nd installment due by 1 January, 3rd installment due by 1 April. The registration deposit (KWD 100) is payable immediately upon acceptance and is deducted from the first installment. - The first installment must be paid to confirm and hold the student's seat; late payment or outstanding balances can affect re-enrollment and the transfer of student records. Students registering after the school year begins must pay the installment that is due at the time of registration.
Boarding fees
- Boarding is not applicable; Al‑Bayan Bilingual School operates as a day school and does not publish boarding fees.
Other costs and additional fees
- Items commonly charged in addition to tuition include: school uniform costs, transportation/bus fees, admissions interview/evaluation fee for new students, school photos, school field trips, the annual BBS yearbook, optional after‑school activities and optional KG after‑school club, damaged or lost library/textbooks, and canteen meals. These items are billed separately from tuition.
Refund and withdrawal information
- The registration deposit (KWD 100) is non-refundable and non-transferable but is deducted from the first installment. Withdrawing a student after the first day of school does not remove the obligation to pay the first installment, because a seat was held for that student. Outstanding fees must be settled before the school will transfer student files to another school. Re-enrollment for the next academic year is contingent on settlement of all outstanding fees.
- Installment structure: 40% of the total fee due in the 1st installment, 30% due in the 2nd installment, and 30% due in the 3rd installment. Installment due dates: 1st — 01/09/2026; 2nd — 01/01/2027; 3rd — 01/03/2027.
- Registration fee is payable at the time of registration or re-registration and is non-refundable.
- Cash payments are not accepted. Accepted payment channels: K‑NET, bank transfer, or the school payment link. Late or missed payments may result in loss of any granted discounts, withholding of student report cards, suspension of access to online educational platforms, and other administrative or legal actions.
*Boarding fees*
- Boarding is not applicable for this school (school operates as a P–KG to Grade 12 day school).
*Other costs and optional charges*
- Consumable textbooks and school uniform costs are not included in the tuition figures and must be paid separately.
- Transport and meal subscription options are administratively available (transportation and student meal forms exist), but specific amounts for transport or meal plans are not listed in the published financial policy.
- Employer/third-party payment arrangements: if an employer/third party will pay fees, the school requires written confirmation from that payer; failure to provide confirmation within the school's stated timeframe may result in cancellation of the student's place.
*Refund and withdrawal rules*
- Registration fee: non-refundable.
- Withdrawal charge schedule: - Students who withdraw after attending from the first day up to 30 November are charged the 1st installment plus the registration fee. - Students who withdraw between 1 December and the end of the winter break are charged the 1st and 2nd installments plus the registration fee. - Students who withdraw from the start of the second semester (even if they attend only one day) are charged tuition in full plus the registration fee. - Students who do not show up on the first day of school are charged the KWD 100 registration fee.
*Discounts and special terms affecting fees*
- Sibling discounts (applied only for full-year registration and applied on the third/final installment): first sibling 5%, second sibling 10%, third sibling 15%. - Students whose fees are paid by their employer or sponsoring organisation are not eligible for sibling discounts; the school requires a written undertaking from the paying employer.
*Summary of payment methods and administrative notes*
- Payment methods: K‑NET, bank transfer, or the school payment link. Cash is not accepted.
- The school requires timely payment according to the installment due dates; failure to comply may remove discounts and trigger administrative actions including withholding of records. Employer confirmations of payment responsibility should be provided within the school's stated timeframe to avoid place cancellation.
Diving deeper
Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements
Boarding arrangements
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Boarding arrangements
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Uniform requirement
Uniform requirement
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Uniform requirement
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Food options
Food options
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Food options
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House system
House system
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House system
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Governance and ownership
Governance and ownership
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Governance and ownership
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Academics
Academics
Curriculum details
Curriculum details
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Curriculum details
Northwest Bilingual School offers an American-based curriculum from Kindergarten through high school. Kindergarten uses a comprehensive curriculum aligned with New York Learning Standards, emphasizing language, math, science, and social-emotional development. The Elementary program uses Common Core ELA and Math, builds literacy through a balanced literacy approach, and integrates Social Studies and Science with C3 and NGSS; Arabic subjects follow Kuwait MOE. The Middle School program continues core subjects aligned to Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL) in English, Math, Social Studies, and Science, with Arabic taught per MOE and integrated IT, Art, and Multi-media. The High School program is aligned to Virginia SOL for academics; Arabic follows MOE; graduates complete 30 credits and take TOEFL or IELTS to earn the school diploma. Across grades, the curriculum emphasizes literacy, numeracy, critical thinking, collaboration, and technology integration.
Student teacher ratio
Student teacher ratio
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Student teacher ratio
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Exam results
Exam results
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Exam results
To earn a Northwest Bilingual School Diploma, students complete 30 credits and take TOEFL or IELTS.
Higher education progression
Higher education progression
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Higher education progression
Graduates are well prepared to attend competitive colleges and universities.
Gifted and talented
Gifted and talented
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Gifted and talented
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Academic calendar
Academic calendar
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Academic calendar
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Wellbeing & support
Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning
Social & emotional learning
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Social & emotional learning
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Special educational needs (SEN)
Special educational needs (SEN)
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Special educational needs (SEN)
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English as an additional language
English as an additional language
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English as an additional language
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Mental wellbeing
Mental wellbeing
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Mental wellbeing
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Safeguarding
Safeguarding
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Safeguarding
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Safeguarding policy
Safeguarding policy
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Safeguarding policy
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Facilities
Facilities
Facilities overview
Facilities overview
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Facilities overview
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Sports facilities
Sports facilities
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Sports facilities
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Academic facilities
Academic facilities
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Academic facilities
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Extra curricular facilities
Extra curricular facilities
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Extra curricular facilities
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Parent experience
Parent experience
History
History
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History
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Community
Community
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Community
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Parent teacher association
Parent teacher association
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Parent teacher association
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Extra-curricular
Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual
Academic & intellectual
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Academic & intellectual
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Arts & creative
Arts & creative
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Arts & creative
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Cultural & language
Cultural & language
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Cultural & language
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Social & hobbies
Social & hobbies
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Social & hobbies
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Community & service
Community & service
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Community & service
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Leadership & professional
Leadership & professional
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Leadership & professional
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Lifestyle & wellbeing
Lifestyle & wellbeing
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Lifestyle & wellbeing
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Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
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Language provision
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Bilingual teaching
Bilingual teaching
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Bilingual teaching
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Immersion programs
Immersion programs
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Immersion programs
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Reputation
Reputation
Awards
Awards
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Awards
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Accreditations
Accreditations
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Accreditations
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Admissions
Admissions
Admissions
Admissions
1. Entrance evaluation purpose. Entrance evaluations determine whether the student is developmentally ready for school and has the basic skills required to enter the requested grade. English, Arabic, and Math evaluations assess reading, writing, and oral language abilities, as well as basic math skills. These evaluations are designed by the school to reflect the curriculum and the demands of a bilingual program. The evaluations help establish appropriate placement within the grade level.
2. Evaluation dates and scheduling. After meeting all the basic qualifications, the Admissions Office informs parents about suitable dates and times for the evaluation of their children. The scheduling is coordinated by the Admissions Office and communicated to families. The process ensures dates align with the admissions timeline for each grade level.
3. Evaluation fees. All evaluation fees are non-refundable unless cancellation is made by parents five business days prior to the evaluation date. The policy applies to all applicants undergoing the admissions evaluation. Families should be aware of the cancellation window when planning their participation.
4. Re-evaluation. With the Principal's approval, a maximum of one re-evaluation will be allowed for a student, and additional fees may apply. The option provides another opportunity to display the required competencies if initial results suggest insufficient readiness. Re-evaluation decisions are made based on the principal's assessment and related documentation.
5. Evaluation decision. The evaluation decision is made by the Principal in each division after careful review of the results, recommendations from examining teachers, and the student's previous academic and behavior records. The process integrates multiple sources of information to determine suitability for admission. Final decisions reflect the school's assessment of readiness and placement.
6. Evaluation results. Grades 1-12 evaluation results are normally provided to parents three working days after the evaluation. Preschool results are communicated around the beginning of March, following interviews. All results are issued through the Admissions Office and are kept confidential.
7. Confidentiality. BBS reserves the right to deny admissions to any student without stating reasons and to maintain the confidentiality of references from the student's previous school. The policy supports safeguarding the privacy of applicants and their families. Decisions are made in the school's best interest, considering the presented information.
8. Alternative grade level. If a student does not pass the entrance evaluation for the grade applied for, BBS may offer acceptance in a lower grade level based on previous records, age, and observed abilities. The family makes the final decision to accept or deny this offer. Once accepted, the family cannot request a change in grade.
9. Pre-K interviews. There are no formal interviews for Pre-K, but new families must book a Meet & Greet as part of enrollment. Sessions are conducted weekly in February and may continue depending on placement availability, with each session lasting about 30 minutes. Admissions priorities and seat availability govern conditional acceptance, and final results are announced by early March.
10. Preschool interviews (KG1 and KG2). KG children are interviewed in small group settings and individually in English and Arabic. The interviews assess social, emotional, speech, language, and fine motor development. Interviews run weekly in February, are 45–50 minutes long, and may continue depending on placement availability.
11. Elementary entrance evaluations (Grades 1-5). Students seeking admission to Elementary are evaluated in Arabic, English, and Math. Evaluations measure whether the student can meet grade-level expectations in the current grade to progress to the next. Evaluations are typically administered in February through August, depending on placement availability.
12. Middle School entrance evaluations (Grades 6-8). Students entering Middle School sit for Arabic paper-based and English/Math computer-based assessments (IDAT) and participate in a counselor interview. Eligibility is determined from these results together with information and report cards from previous schools.
13. High School entrance evaluations (Grades 9-12). High School entrants undergo a more rigorous Arabic assessment and IDAT in English and Math. Students must meet standard requirements and have prior academic/behavior records reviewed to be considered for admission. The Guidance Counselor consults with new students and parents to select courses for the High School diploma, noting that credits from previous schools are attached to the transcript but not transferred; minimum graduation requirements must be met. New students are not encouraged to apply for 12th grade admissions. Entrance evaluations are typically administered monthly throughout the year.
14. Entrance evaluation content. Entrance Evaluation Content is available to parents in PDF format for download/printing, with grade-by-grade links to applying guides for each level.
Admissions
1) Age and grade eligibility. The Kuwait Ministry of Private Education guidelines apply. Pre-Kg is 3 years old by December 31; KG1 is 4 years old by December 31; KG2 is 5 years old by December 31; Grade 1 is 6 years old by December 31; and age requirements continue in the same pattern through Grade 12. These age requirements determine the appropriate grade level for admission.
2) General admission criteria. The school welcomes applicants from local private, government and international schools. Returning students are given preference if tuition obligations have been honored and conduct has been good; siblings enrolled in the school may receive priority for new admissions. Prospective students are evaluated on past records, transcripts and letters of recommendations and must pass a standardized test in Mathematics, English and Arabic. Completed applications are assessed by the Admissions Department before a test/interview appointment is scheduled, and test results along with the Admissions Committee's review determine admission. Parents are notified of acceptance or rejection.
3) Documents required for admission. Completed Enrollment Forms in English and Arabic signed by the legal guardian; Two passport-sized photographs; Copy of birth certificate; Copy of immunization records; Copy of student's passport / Civil ID; Copies of father's and mother's passports and Civil IDs; Three years of previous school records and transcripts; For Kuwaitis, copy of father's/guardian's Kuwaiti nationality. The Ministry of Education requires that these documents be submitted to the school after acceptance.
4) Health and post-acceptance documentation. The Ministry of Education requires a Student Health File for all students, including copies of immunization records; Children under five must receive a BCG vaccination; Government clinics only provide health files. For students transferring from another Kuwaiti school: a Transfer Certificate and a Financial Clearance Certificate are required.
5) Legal requirements and residency. The father or the educational guardian must sign the admission documents; the mother cannot sign without legal authority documents. All students admitted must live with their parent(s) or an authorized guardian. Non Kuwaiti students must have a valid residency. The school reserves the right to reject an application if any legal documents are incomplete.
6) Grade-specific notes. KG Department: Pre-KG and KG1 are interviewed; there are no academic requirements for Pre-KG and KG1; KG2 students undergo a skill-based screening; Pre-KG and KG students must be toilet trained before scheduling the entrance appointment; students must be able to speak and follow basic instructions. High School Department: Students are expected to complete Grade 12 prior to turning 20; NWBS will not accept Grade 12 applications from local Kuwait schools except for students coming from abroad or with a Ministry exemption; students from Kuwait should join at least one year before graduation.
7) Special needs and study support. Special Needs: Northwest Bilingual School is not registered, designed nor accredited to educate students with special needs. Study Support: English Language Learners (ELL) program; Reading Support; Learning Support in Mathematics and Study Skills; AFL- Arabic as a Foreign Language; ISL- Islamic as a second language.
8) Overseas applications. Students applying from overseas must bring copies of school report cards/transcripts for the last three years; Report cards/transcripts must be certified by the Kuwaiti Embassy or Consulate in the country of origin; Medical file, residency and civil ID (if issued).
9) Tuition fees and payment. After the student file is complete: a tuition fee deposit of KD 100 is required to reserve a seat; If withdrawal is requested before July 1, a KD 50 deposit refund is provided. The first instalment is due before the first day of school; If enrolling during the first semester, the full annual tuition is due; If enrolling in the second semester, 60% of the annual tuition is due.
