Al Manar International School - Al Thameed Campus vs Global Academy International
Al Manar International School - Al Thameed Campus and Global Academy International are both in Doha, about 9 km apart. Both schools offer American programmes, and Global Academy International also offers Qatari. Published annual fees are QAR 19,000 - 32,000 at Al Manar International School - Al Thameed Campus and QAR 13,205 - 26,409 at Global Academy International, which puts Al Manar International School - Al Thameed Campus roughly 29% higher. Both take pupils from 3 to 18.
Al Manar International School – Al Thameed Campus is located in Doha, Qatar, in the Al-Thameed area. The official address is Al-Thameed – Qatar, Building 51, Street 1457, Zone 51. The campus is listed with a public map listing as Al Manar International School – Al Thameed, and the school can be contacted by phone using +974-44071500, +974-44071501, +974-44071511, and +974-44071555.
Location
Global Academy International operates across multiple Doha-area campuses, including Wakra Main Road/Al Thumama, Sabah Al Ahmed Street in Al Waab, Al Rayyan, and Muaither. The main campus is on Wakra Main Road, Al Thumama 47, beside NABINA Est. Doha. Additional campuses are located in Al Waab, Al Rayyan, and Muaither to extend access for relocating families. The campuses are connected to major transport routes and nearby residential areas.
Stages
Stages
The school is structured into three levels: KG (Kindergarten), Elementary School, and Middle & High School.
Stages
GAI offers education from Kindergarten through Year 12. The Al Rayyan campus lists Pre-KG to Grade 6, while other campuses report Kindergarten to Year 12; overall the network serves Kindergarten to Year 12 with varying capacity by campus.
School type
School type
The campus operates as a private international day school; boarding facilities are not noted for any year group.
School type
Co-educational day school. GAI operates as a private international school.
Pupil nationality mix
Pupil nationality mix
Public data does not disclose exact nationality numbers or the local-to-international student ratio; the school emphasizes cultural diversity as part of its mission.
Pupil nationality mix
Public materials describe the student body as diverse and welcoming to all nationalities; however, there is no publicly disclosed data on the number of nationalities represented or the local-to-international ratio.
Additional learning support
Additional learning support
Public information does not publish a dedicated Additional Learning Needs (SEN) policy for this campus; there is no publicly listed SEN facility. General student support is described through school policies and the admissions process.
Additional learning support
Differentiated instruction is offered to all age groups. Teachers help lower-attaining students to meet curriculum objectives and provide support within regular classes.
Country affiliation
Country affiliation
There is no formal country affiliation; the school operates in Qatar.
Country affiliation
GAI follows an American curriculum with California Standards and has no formal country affiliation publicly indicated.
Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation
Islamic values inform the school's ethos, but there is no formal religious affiliation noted.
Religious affiliation
No religious affiliation is indicated in public materials.
School day structure
School day structure
The school day runs Sunday to Thursday, from 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Instructional start is around 7:30 AM, with students expected on site by 7:00 AM.
School day structure
School timings vary by level: Grade 1 to 6 run from 7:30 AM to 2:00 PM; Kindergarten runs from 7:30 AM to 1:00 PM. The admissions office operates from 7:00 AM to 2:45 PM.
Bus service details
Bus service details
The school offers a transport service that is dependent on available resources. Buses operate on officially recognized routes, and a monthly transport fee is charged (fees apply even if the child is absent; holidays in July and August are not charged). Changes require 15 days' notice; refunds are not guaranteed. Parents should use designated pickup/drop-off points and not interact with bus staff; the school may suspend or terminate transport for safety or discipline reasons.
Bus service details
GAI offers a school bus service; transportation inquiries can be directed to the Rayyan campus contact: telephone +974 44178711, with reference line 66169700 and email info.rayyan@gaiqatar.com.
Fees
Fees
Fee details
Fee details
Application and assessment fees - Entrance assessment (Grades 1–12): QAR 366 (non-refundable). - Registration fee (paid after an offer is made): QAR 1,466 (non‑refundable). - Seat‑booking fee (paid after registration): QAR 1,466 (non‑refundable; the booking fee is deducted from tuition at the start of the next academic year).
Tuition fees by year group (annual amounts, QAR) - Pre‑K / KG1 / KG2: QAR 19,000 per year. - Grades 1–6: QAR 24,000 per year. - Grades 7–9: QAR 31,000 per year. - Grades 10–12: QAR 32,000 per year.
Per‑term / per‑installment equivalents (based on the school's published payment options) The school offers three billing options: a single full payment, two equal semester installments, or three equal payments at the start of Quarter 1, Quarter 2 and Quarter 3. The per‑installment figures below are the arithmetic splits of the annual tuition according to those choices. (Amounts shown in QAR.) - Pre‑K / KG (annual QAR 19,000): one payment QAR 19,000; two installments QAR 9,500 each; three installments QAR 6,333.33 each. - Grades 1–6 (annual QAR 24,000): one payment QAR 24,000; two installments QAR 12,000 each; three installments QAR 8,000 each. - Grades 7–9 (annual QAR 31,000): one payment QAR 31,000; two installments QAR 15,500 each; three installments QAR 10,333.33 each. - Grades 10–12 (annual QAR 32,000): one payment QAR 32,000; two installments QAR 16,000 each; three installments QAR 10,666.67 each.
Billing schedule and payment terms - Payment options accepted by the school's published policy are: one full payment upon admission; two equal installments (semester basis — Quarter 1 and Quarter 3); or three equal payments at the beginning of Quarters 1, 2 and 3. - Admission occurring in the first half of a semester is charged a full semester's fee; admission in the second half of a semester is charged half the annual fees. - Late payment attracts a penalty (stated at 7.5% and subject to increase); bounced cheques also incur additional fines. The school will withhold certificates/transcripts and may bar graduation/examination access until accounts are cleared.
Boarding fees - Al Manar International School — Al Thameed Campus is listed as a day school; no boarding fees apply.
Other costs and fees - Uniforms are mandatory and are sold at the school; externally tailored or similar garments are not accepted. - Entrance testing, registration and seat‑booking fees are charged as noted above and are non‑refundable in the circumstances described by the school. - The school's published materials note that failure to pay fees on time may lead to administrative penalties (withholding of services and documentation) and that additional charges (for example for bounced cheques) may apply.
Refund information - Tuition fees are stated as non‑refundable for days attended; cancellation of enrollment must be submitted in writing. If a student withdraws, a full semester's written notice is required; if such notice is not given, a full semester's fees will be payable. Fees for tests, interviews and applications are non‑refundable. Seat‑booking and registration fees are non‑refundable as described in the school's admissions terms.
Fee payment options (publicly published information) - The school's published admissions and fee documents set out the payment schedules and penalties but do not provide a detailed public list of accepted payment channels (for example bank account/IBAN, specific online payment gateway, or card acceptance) within the materials available with the fee schedule and admissions policy. Parents should note that standard payment channels used by comparable schools in the region include bank transfer, in‑person card or cash payments, and online payment portals, but the school does not publish a definitive list of accepted channels in the fee and admissions pages.
Fee details
Application fee - An application/registration fee is required when submitting an admission application; the school's admission policy confirms an application fee must accompany the completed application.
Tuition fees — Muaither campus (annual) - Pre-K and KG band: Annual QAR 25,000 (PreK / KG1 / KG2). - Grades 1–6: Annual QAR 30,000 per year. - Grades 7–9: Annual QAR 35,000 per year. - Grades 10–12: Annual QAR 40,000 per year.
Tuition fees — Al Rayyan / other branches (summary bands) - Typical published bands for other branches fall broadly in the ranges: Pre-K/KG QAR 13,000–25,000; Primary QAR 16,000–30,000; Preparatory/Secondary QAR 22,000–40,000 depending on campus and grade. Specific annual fees vary by campus.
Billing schedule and payment terms - Installments and due dates vary by campus. The Thumama/main group page states that fees are collected in three instalments: first payment at registration or in September, second in December, third in April. - The Al Rayyan campus page states fees are to be paid in two instalments: first at the beginning of the year and the second in December. - The school's payment-method information lists acceptable payment channels and shows example semester payment windows; bank transfer/direct deposit, cash and cheque are accepted and educational vouchers are accepted for Qatari nationals. Bank details and an IBAN are provided for direct deposit.
Boarding fees - The school operates as a day school; no boarding provision or boarding fees are published.
Other costs and fees - Books and school uniform are not included in the tuition and must be paid for at purchase. - Transportation (school bus) is charged separately. Typical transport charges published by local school directories show example rates such as QAR 3,448 for routes inside Doha and about QAR 4,651 for routes outside Doha (rates may vary by route). - Standard one-time administrative charges (registration/application) are referenced in the admissions pages and earlier downloadable fee documents, though a specific one-time registration amount is not published on the school's current public fee pages.
Refund information - The school's public pages reference a downloadable fees policy document but do not publish a detailed refund table or an explicit refund schedule on the visible fee pages. No public, itemised refund table (for withdrawal or mid-year leaving) is posted on the current fee pages.
Fee payment options - Payment methods listed include: cash, cheque, direct bank deposit (IBAN provided), and educational vouchers for eligible Qatari families. The school provides Commercial Bank account details for fee payment.
Notes: - The school has multiple campuses; fees and the instalment schedule differ by campus. The figures above give detailed per-grade amounts for the Thumama campus (annual totals and three-installment splits) and published annual bands for the Muaither and other branches as shown in the school and local directory listings.
Diving deeper
Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements
Boarding arrangements
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Boarding arrangements
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Uniform requirement
Uniform requirement
The school requires students to wear the full and correct uniform for school and all school-related activities, including field trips. The PE uniform is worn during PE classes or activities, and all uniform pieces must be labeled with the student's name for easy identification. Hair must be well-groomed; hair coloring is not allowed; only one pair of simple earrings is allowed; a simple wristwatch is allowed; and chains, rings, bracelets or other adornments are not permitted.
Uniform requirement
A school uniform is required; books and the uniform are not included in tuition and are paid for on purchase.
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
The school is governed by a Board Of Advisors, whose members include campus principals and external professionals. The Board of Advisors for Al Manar International School includes the Al-Thameed principal and the Al-Dafna principal, among others, indicating cross-campus governance. The AMIS group operates at least two campuses (Al Thamed and Al Dafna).
Governance and ownership
The school is a private international school located in Doha and is a member of Global Education Group. It offers an American Curriculum with California Standards in all stages. The language of instruction is English.
Academics
Academics
Curriculum details
Curriculum details
The AMIS Al Thameed campus follows an American curriculum aligned with Common Core standards, with English as the language of instruction and MOE Arabic/Qatar History integrated per Ministry of Education guidelines. The curriculum is organized into KG School, Elementary School, and Middle & High School, offering a defined core program plus language and technology electives. In Middle & High School, Mathematics follows a grade-by-grade progression: Grade 7 Pre-Algebra, Grade 8 Algebra 1, Grade 9 Geometry, Grade 10 Algebra 2, Grade 11 Pre-Calculus, and Grade 12 Calculus, with English and other core subjects described in the course descriptions. The program also includes Arabic, Qatar History and Computer, with Arabic following MOE guidelines and Qatar History focusing on local culture; computer education covers programming and cybersecurity within the ICT curriculum. AP courses are offered (AP Calculus AB, AP Chemistry, AP English Language and Composition, AP Psychology, AP Biology, AP Precalculus, and AP Computer Science Principles), AMIS is an official AP exam administration center, and SAT testing is available with the 2025-2026 dates.
Curriculum details
Global Academy International offers an American-based curriculum with California Standards implemented across all stages, with English as the language of instruction. The Arabic language program, Qatar History, and Islamic Studies follow the Qatar Arabic Curriculum. The school serves Kindergarten through Year 12, with campus grade configurations varying by site (Al Rayyan campus lists Pre-KG to Grade 6; other campuses offer K–12). Assessments include Formative, Summative, and Benchmark methods; SAT and IELTS college entrance exams are coordinated through the student counselor, and the school participates in international benchmarks such as PISA, PIRLS, and TIMSS. Accreditations include AdvancEd (now Cognia) and Qatar National Accreditation.
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
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Higher education progression
Higher education progression
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Higher education progression
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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
The school regards students' social, physical, and emotional well-being as a core part of its safeguarding approach and provides a caring, positive, safe, and stimulating learning environment. Emotionally Competent is a defined core value, emphasizing caring, empathy, respect, and collaboration in student development. A Social Worker is a member of the Discipline Committee, signaling formal welfare support within student services. MAP Skills are used to identify missing skills and tailor interventions for students who need extra support, including intervention programs. The community is described as supportive and aims to meet students' social-emotional needs as part of its mission.
Social & emotional learning
Global Academy International places Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) at the core of student development, aiming to cultivate physical and emotional well-being and social competencies as key outcomes. Counseling staff along with teachers drive activities that promote students' character development and engagement in extracurricular life. Licensed trainers provide personal development and growth workshops for middle and high school students, including programs such as 'Strategic Personal Planning.' Students are encouraged to practice speaking and listening through Show and Tell, speeches, and participation in student council elections and graduation speeches. The SEL approach is integrated with diverse activities—sports, arts, health, technology, and volunteer work—designed to nurture creativity, leadership, and community contribution.
Special educational needs (SEN)
Special educational needs (SEN)
The available documents do not describe a formal Special Educational Needs (SEN) program or dedicated SEN staff at AMIS Al Thameed. MAP Skills provides targeted interventions to address missing skills and support students through an intervention program. A Social Worker sits on the Discipline Committee, indicating welfare support within student services. The Student Handbook and safeguarding policy emphasize overall welfare and emotional well-being rather than listing explicit SEN categories. The school does not publicly disclose information about explicit SEN provision.
Special educational needs (SEN)
Special Educational Needs (SEN) provision is not publicly disclosed by Global Academy International. Public materials do not specify whether there is a dedicated SEN staff, a learning support program, or facilities designed for SEN students. The school operates an American Curriculum with English as the language of instruction, and no SEN-specific accommodations are described in publicly accessible content. There is no published information about inclusive education policies or referral processes for SEN. Consequently, SEN provision details are not publicly disclosed.
English as an additional language
English as an additional language
English is used as the language of instruction in AMIS, with the KG curriculum showing English as a core component. The KG/UKG curriculum includes a Second Language option (Hindi, Urdu, and Arabic), indicating language learning beyond English. A dedicated EAL program is not explicitly described in the publicly available materials. The school emphasizes meeting students' academic needs through up-to-date teaching methodologies, which supports language learning within its general pedagogy.
English as an additional language
Global Academy International teaches in English. The curriculum is American with California Standards, and instruction focuses on integrating Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking, with content delivered through the English as a Foreign Language classroom. English is the language of instruction across the school. No explicit separate EAL program, dedicated EAL staff, or targeted EAL interventions are described in publicly accessible content. EAL support details are therefore not publicly disclosed beyond the general language instruction.
Mental wellbeing
Mental wellbeing
Safeguarding policy states the school promotes welfare including social, physical, and emotional well-being. Emotionally Competent is a core value, highlighting emotional development as part of school culture. The Discipline Committee includes a Social Worker, indicating a formal welfare support role within disciplinary processes. MAP Skills supports intervention programs to help struggling students and monitor progress, contributing to students' wellbeing. Safeguarding procedures outline staff responsibilities, reporting channels, and documentation to respond to concerns and protect students.
Mental wellbeing
Mental wellbeing is a stated focus at Global Academy International, with the school highlighting physical and emotional well-being as essential to student progress and social competencies. Counseling staff and teachers collaborate to support students' mental wellbeing through guidance and targeted activities. Licensed trainers offer personal development and growth workshops (for example, 'Strategic Personal Planning') to students in middle and high school. Participation in extracurricular activities—sports, arts, health, technology, and volunteer work—contributes to wellbeing and leadership development. The school frames wellbeing as integral to preparing students for higher education and to contributing to the local and international community.
Safeguarding
Safeguarding
Al Manar International School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of students, recognizing that every child has the right to be protected from harm. Staff, volunteers, and visitors are all expected to contribute to safety, with actions to prevent harm and to respond appropriately to concerns. Staff joining the school complete Educare training in Child Protection, and safeguarding arrangements require reporting concerns to the designated Child Protection Officer (Social Worker) and the principal. The Child Protection Officer roles include promoting good practice, coordinating policy training and guidance, receiving referrals, ensuring students in need are supported, and maintaining confidential records. The policy defines safeguarding as protecting children from maltreatment, ensuring safe and effective care, and enabling all children to feel safe and achieve the best outcomes.
Safeguarding
Safeguarding and behavior management are addressed via a Code of Conduct with a tiered disciplinary system. Offenses are managed with escalating steps: initial verbal warnings, followed by written warnings and informing the parent; subsequent offenses lead to written contracts, final warnings, or referral to the Behavioral Discipline Committee. The policy covers tardiness, classroom disruption, attendance, dress code, and other behaviors, with progressive consequences. The policy also includes transport-related sanctions, such as bus suspensions, and restrictions on participation in activities. Parental involvement is required at multiple steps in the disciplinary process.
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
Global Academy International provides facilities, supplies, services, and technology aids to support students' educational needs. The Pearl of the Gulf campus is located in Doha on Wakra Main Road in Al Thumama. The school implements an American Curriculum with English as the language of instruction. It serves students from Kindergarten to Year 12. The school has about 1,725 students.
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
Campus Life focuses on building confidence in students; values include Creativity, Respect, Success, Integrity, Goals, Ambition, and Diversity.
Extra curricular facilities
The school offers a wide range of extra-curricular activities across sports, arts, literary and scientific pursuits, including Olympic Games, Aspire Football Tournaments, Track & Field, Sprints, Qatar e-nature, Qur'an Competition, Film Festival, National Scientific Research Competition, National Astronomy Olympiad, National Biology Olympiad, and SEHHA – Al Gannas DUAL Program.
Parent experience
Parent experience
History
History
Al Manar International School (AMIS) in Qatar operates as part of a broader AMIS network established under the patronage of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. The AMIS network includes campuses in Doha, such as Al Thamed and Al Dafna, reflecting its growth within Qatar's private education sector. External sources place AMIS's founding in the late 2000s to early 2010s, with estimates of 2009 or 2011. The Al Thameed campus is part of AMIS's Qatar operations and, in 2019/2020, AMIS announced a transfer to a new campus in Al Thameed/Bani Hajar. The school emphasizes a legacy of success and aims to combine Islamic values with Arabic culture within Qatar's framework of international education.
History
Global Academy International opened in 2004–2005 with about 170 students. It is a private international school located in Doha and is a member of Global Education Group. The school offers an American curriculum with California Standards across all stages. Since its founding, GAI expanded to additional campuses in the Doha area, including a landmark new campus in Al Rayyan and later additions in Muaither to accommodate growth and a diverse student body. Alumni have gone on to attend universities in Qatar and abroad.
Community
Community
AMIS emphasizes a connected school community supported by a Parent Teacher Association (PTA) and a Student Council. The PTA organizes programs and activities across K-12, focusing on educational programs, parental involvement, technology exposure, safety, and cultural activities. PTA leadership includes President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and other officers, with regular general, executive, and special meetings. The school hosts school-wide events and graduation ceremonies, reflecting an engaged community (e.g., Graduation Ceremony Class Of 2024).
Community
GAI's community is diverse and welcoming to students from many nationalities. The school emphasizes academic achievement alongside physical and emotional well-being and social development. Campus life includes events and activities across its Doha-area campuses, supported by an events calendar and ongoing student engagement. The network of campuses—Al Thumama/Al Waab, Al Rayyan, and Muaither—supports a connected, city-wide school community.
Parent teacher association
Parent teacher association
AMIS has an organized PTA with officers including President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and General Board Members. The PTA is an organized group of AMIS parents selected to represent parent views to the AMIS Administration; it aims to support school improvement, strengthen home-school partnerships, and reinforce Qatar's history, culture, traditions, and values. The PTA assists with educational programs and extracurricular activities across K-12, encourages parental involvement, coordinates curriculum-enriching projects, and supports technology exposure. Types of PTA meetings include General Meetings (minimum three per academic year), Executive Meetings (minimum four per academic year), and Special PTA Meetings to nominate/vote for executive positions. The PTA operates under AMIS governance to support school safety and program delivery, and it submits an annual PTA Report to the AMIS Administration/Senior Leadership. AMIS maintains separate PTA pages for different years (e.g., 2023-2024 and 2024-2025) to organize leadership and activities.
Parent teacher association
The PTA in Global Academy International intends to facilitate the participation of parents in various curricular and extra-curricular activities. Our administrators work to engage families and communities to advocate for all children, and the PTA cares for the educational needs of children while promoting family engagement and strong partnerships between the school and its communities. All parents are invited to become PTA members and to attend all meetings. The Parental Engagement program states that parents can contribute by leading educational workshops at GAI, as part of broadening school life. The PTA operates within the school's Parental Engagement framework to support student learning.
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
The school has a diverse community welcoming to all nationalities.
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
The school aims to cultivate academic achievements, physical and emotional well-being, and social competencies. The school opened in 2004 and established a new campus in Al Rayyan. The school has campuses in Al Rayyan, Muaither, Al Waab, and Wakra.
Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
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Language provision
The school teaches in English. The school implements an American Curriculum with California Standards. English language development is addressed through the four language skills (Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking) and content in the English as a foreign language classroom.
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
Global Academy International has AdvancEd Accreditation (valid until 2022) and Qatar National Accreditation for a three-year term.
Admissions
Admissions
Admissions
Admissions
Step 1 — Student Assessment and Waiting List. Parents must visit or call the school to add the student to the waiting list, with priority for siblings. When seats are available, you will be contacted to select a date for the assessment, which covers English, Math and Arabic. The assessment fee is QR 366 for Grades 1–12 and is non-refundable.
Admissions
Admissions are online. Applicants complete an online application form and upload all required documents via the Global Academy International online admission portal. Admissions for the 2025-2026 academic year are open. For inquiries, contact the Admission Team at +974 44178711. The school serves Kindergarten to Year 12 and operates across Wakra Main Road (Al Thumama area), Al Rayyan campus, and Muaither campus.
Scholarships
Scholarships
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Scholarships
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Waitlist
Waitlist
The school uses a waiting list system. Parents add their child to the waiting list (priority is given to siblings), and will be contacted to schedule an assessment when a seat becomes available.
