Danah Universal School of Kuwait vs Dasman Bilingual School
Danah Universal School of Kuwait and Dasman Bilingual School are both in Kuwait City, about 12 km apart. Both schools offer American programmes, and Dasman Bilingual School also offers Advanced Placement (AP), BTEC Qualification and SEN. Published annual fees are close, at KWD 1,643 - 2,984 for Danah Universal School of Kuwait and KWD 1,786 - 3,101 for Dasman Bilingual School. Danah Universal School of Kuwait takes pupils from 3 to 18, and Dasman Bilingual School from 2 to 18.
American Curriculum, Advanced Placement (AP), BTEC Qualification, SEN focussed
Pupils
Pupils
600
Pupils
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Typical class size
Typical class size
20
Typical class size
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Instruction language
Instruction language
English
Instruction language
English, Arabic
Opened
Opened
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Opened
1996
Bus service
Bus service
Yes
Bus service
Yes
Essentials
Essentials
Location
Location
Salwa, Block 1, Salem Bin Towaim Al-Daway St (St 100). The campus is in the Salwa community and is near modern shopping malls and eateries.
Location
Sharq, Kuwait City, Kuwait. The campus spans seven buildings on a large private campus in the Sharq district, with facilities including two swimming pools, two auditoriums, football fields, indoor play areas for younger students, indoor and outdoor basketball courts, music rooms, computer and science labs, and a spacious cafeteria. It offers bilingual instruction in English and Arabic, blending the American and Arabic curricula.
Stages
Stages
KG to G12
Stages
Kindergarten, Elementary, Middle School, and High School (K-12).
School type
School type
American school that follows Common Core Standards; Cognia-accredited
School type
Private bilingual day 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
Special Needs Division; inclusive support through Individual Education Plans (IEPs) and vocational training.
School days start with a 7:00–7:30 a.m. drop-off for all divisions. Pick-up times vary by division: Kindergarten 12:50–13:15, Elementary 14:00–14:15, Middle School 14:15–14:30, High School 14:30–14:45, SEN (A, D, S) 12:55–13:30, and SEN/Vocational 13:30–13:45.
Bus service details
Bus service details
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Bus service details
Bus service with division-specific drop-off and pick-up times.
Fees
Fees
Fee details
Fee details
Academic year covered (figure basis)
The figures below are published for the 2025/2026 academic year.
Application / registration fees - Registration / re‑registration fee: KWD 100 (one‑time). This registration/re‑registration fee is non‑refundable if the student does not start or does not complete the academic year.
Tuition fees — annual (by year group) - KG1 / FS2: KWD 1,643 per year. - KG2 / Year 1: KWD 1,643 per year. - Grade 1 / Year 2: KWD 2,090 per year. - Grade 2 / Year 3: KWD 2,090 per year. - Grade 3 / Year 4: KWD 2,090 per year. - Grade 4 / Year 5: KWD 2,090 per year. - Grade 5 / Year 6: KWD 2,535 per year. - Grade 6 / Year 7: KWD 2,535 per year. - Grade 7 / Year 8: KWD 2,535 per year. - Grade 8 / Year 9: KWD 2,535 per year. - Grade 9 / Year 10: KWD 2,984 per year. - Grade 10 / Year 11: KWD 2,984 per year. - Grade 11 / Year 12: KWD 2,984 per year. - Grade 12 / Year 13: KWD 2,984 per year.
Tuition fees — illustrative per‑term breakdown (example) - Tuition is stated on an annual basis; the school requires an initial installment before the first day of the academic year and permits payment in installments. If the annual tuition above is divided into three equal term payments (illustrative split), the per‑term amounts would be approximately: - KG1 / KG2: KWD 547.667 per term (KWD 1,643 ÷ 3). - Grades 1–4: KWD 696.667 per term (KWD 2,090 ÷ 3). - Grades 5–8: KWD 845.000 per term (KWD 2,535 ÷ 3). - Grades 9–12: KWD 994.667 per term (KWD 2,984 ÷ 3). (These per‑term figures are illustrative examples derived from equal three‑way splits of the annual tuition; the school's published billing practice requires the first installment before term start and collects remaining instalments according to its schedule.)
Billing schedule and payment terms - Reservation and first payment: the registration/re‑registration payment must be made at registration; to keep a place if the student is not present on the first day the parent must notify the school in writing and pay the first tuition installment before the first day of the academic year. - Installments: the school permits tuition to be paid in installments; parents commonly pay an initial installment up front with the balance collected in later instalments according to the school's billing calendar. - Late payment policy / specific instalment dates and penalties: specific instalment dates, late‑payment penalties and detailed schedule are set by the school (not published in the available fee summary).
Boarding fees - Boarding is not applicable: the school operates as a day school and does not provide boarding facilities.
Other costs and recurring charges - School bus / transportation: a school bus service is offered; transport is charged separately from tuition. Specific bus routes and fees are set by the transport office and are not published in the general fee table. - Uniforms: uniforms are required and available; the uniform purchase cost is charged separately (price not published in the fee table). - Textbooks, workbooks and learning materials: textbooks and required learning materials are charged separately where applicable. Specific textbook or resource charges are not listed in the annual tuition table. - Canteen / lunches: a lunch/canteen service is available; lunch charges are handled separately. - Extracurricular / optional fees: fees for optional activities (after‑school clubs, private music lessons, instrument rental, field trips, exam charges) are charged in addition to tuition when applicable. Specific sums are not published in the annual fee table.
Refund information - The registration / re‑registration fee of KWD 100 is non‑refundable if the student does not attend or does not complete the academic year. Other refund rules (for tuition, transport, or incidental charges) are managed under the school's payment and refund policy; specific public statements about other refundable amounts were not published in the general fee summary.
Fee payment options - Accepted payment methods include cash, cheque, credit/debit card and bank transfer. Parents may use the school's accounts office or approved payment gateway / bank transfer arrangements to settle fees.
Summary (practical points for parents) - Annual tuition amounts by grade are shown above in KWD; budget for separate charges for transport, uniforms, textbooks, lunches and optional activities. - Expect to pay the registration/re‑registration fee of KWD 100 at the time of enrolment; this fee is non‑refundable. - The school accepts instalment payments and requires an initial installment before the first day of the academic year; confirm exact instalment dates and any late‑payment terms with the school accounts office when enrolling.
Fee details
Application and reservation fee - Non-refundable registration / tuition deposit: KD 100 (deductible from the first installment; reserves the student's place only until the first day of the school year).
Tuition fees (annual and instalment breakdown by school division) - Pre‑K / KG1 / KG2: Annual tuition KD 1,786, payable in three instalments — 1st instalment KD 714 (due 01 Sep 2025 / first day of school), 2nd instalment KD 536 (due 01 Jan 2026), 3rd instalment KD 536 (due 01 Apr 2026). - Elementary (Grades 1–4): Annual tuition KD 2,784, payable in three instalments — 1st instalment KD 1,114 (01 Sep 2025), 2nd instalment KD 835 (01 Jan 2026), 3rd instalment KD 835 (01 Apr 2026). - Middle School (Grades 5–8): Annual tuition KD 3,006, payable in three instalments — 1st instalment KD 1,202 (01 Sep 2025), 2nd instalment KD 902 (01 Jan 2026), 3rd instalment KD 902 (01 Apr 2026). - High School (Grades 9–12): Annual tuition KD 3,101, payable in three instalments — 1st instalment KD 1,241 (01 Sep 2025), 2nd instalment KD 930 (01 Jan 2026), 3rd instalment KD 930 (01 Apr 2026). - Special Educational Needs (SEN) provision: Annual fee KD 7,185, payable in three instalments — KD 2,875 / KD 2,155 / KD 2,155. Resource Inclusion (RI) annual fee KD 3,910, payable in three instalments — KD 1,564 / KD 1,173 / KD 1,173.
Billing schedule and payment terms - Standard billing schedule: three instalments with settlement dates shown as the first day of the school year (1st instalment) and fixed calendar dates for the later instalments — 01 Jan and 01 Apr. The full first instalment must be paid on the first day of the academic year. - The KD 100 deposit is non-refundable but is credited to the first instalment. Delayed payments may result in the school withholding the student's report cards until outstanding fees are settled. - Late registration: tuition is calculated from the student's first day at Dasman (no charge is applied for periods prior to joining). Public Authority (PAD) funding and associated timing rules are applied when applicable.
Boarding fees - Boarding: Not applicable. Dasman Bilingual School operates as a day school and does not publish boarding or residential fees.
Other costs and mandatory items - Crèche / KG waiting-room fee: KD 300 (non‑refundable; payable once on admission for the KG department). - Resource Inclusion (RI) sessions: KD 300 per session for one subject (weekly sessions across the year); this charge is payable in two instalments where applicable. - Textbooks and stationery: the school bookstore supplies required Arabic and English textbooks and standardized notebooks; parents who buy externally must match the school's specified items. Cost depends on selections at the school bookstore. - School uniform: uniform is mandatory and available for purchase at the school store; specific uniform pricing is not published in the school's financial policy.
Refund and withdrawal rules - Withdrawal during the school year follows the Ministry of Education (Private Education Department) rules applied by the school: if withdrawal occurs after the first instalment due at the start of the academic year, the school is entitled to 40% of the annual fees; after the second instalment due (01 Jan) the school is entitled to 70% of the annual fees; if withdrawal occurs after the third instalment due date the school is entitled to the full annual fees. The KD 100 deposit is non‑refundable.
Fee payment options and how invoices are handled - The school publishes a Parent Portal link (dasman.parents.isamshosting.cloud) for parents' access to portals and parent resources; invoices and fee administration are managed through the school's published financial policy and parent systems. Specific accepted payment instruments (for example, named credit card brands, bank transfer details or online gateway names) are not listed in the publicly posted financial policy documents.
Notes on regulatory adjustments - Tuition and additional fee charges may be amended in line with decisions by the Ministry of Education – Department of Private Education or the Public Authority for the Disabled; any such amendments are applied to all students for the relevant academic year.
(End of fees overview.)
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
The school uses an American curriculum with Common Core Standards for teaching and learning. The school is Cognia-accredited. The school serves students from KG to G12. MAP Growth assessments are used in English Reading and English Language Use for Grades 3-11.
Curriculum details
The school uses a bilingual curriculum that integrates American and Arabic standards. The curriculum is accredited by CIS and NEASC.
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
The school reports a 100% graduation rate. 55% of graduates pursue higher education at prestigious colleges and universities abroad (UK and US), while 45% continue their studies in Kuwait and the GCC. It is a licensed SAT exam center and a College Board-approved provider for AP exams. 90% of students take the IELTS exam through a British Council partnership, with an average score of 6.5 or above.
Higher education progression
Higher education progression
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Higher education progression
Dasman graduates study at leading universities worldwide, including Harvard, MIT, University College London, and McGill, with placements in Medicine, Engineering, Business, Law, and Computer Science. Alumni pursue degrees across the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Kuwait, and beyond, with scholarships and global opportunities noted.
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
—
Leadership & professional
Leadership & professional
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Leadership & professional
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Lifestyle & wellbeing
Lifestyle & wellbeing
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Lifestyle & wellbeing
—
Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
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Language provision
—
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. Registrar checks for available seats in the requested grade before asking for documents. If a seat is available, the registrar collects the basic documents required by the Ministry of Education, which include civil ID and passport copies, the last three years of report cards, and a Behavior Report from the previous school.
2. If the registrar has any concerns about the student, they contact the school counselor to discuss the candidate with the student.
3. After reviewing the documents for eligibility, the registrar calls the parents and arranges an interview with the Vice Principal and Counselor.
4. The student meets with the Vice Principal and Counselor; if the criteria are met, the student is required to take and pass the Admission Academic test, and if passed, enrollment proceeds.
5. If the student fails the interview, the Counselor informs the parents that they will be notified later about the decision.
6. If the student passes the interview, the registrar provides the Certificate of Conduct form to be filed and stamped by the previous school; a No Objection Certificate is issued to continue the registration process on return to DUSK.
7. After all documents are received, the Registrar signs the document checklist and sends the parents to the cashier for payment.
8. MOE registration considerations apply for the academic year 2025/2026, including registration deadlines, age requirements, class size rules, and required documents.
9. Registration deadlines and age bands: Kindergarten and Primary open on March 16, 2025; new students by May 25, 2025; transferring students by October 30, 2025. Middle and Secondary begin in April 2025; new students by May 25, 2025; transferring students by May 24, 2025. Age requirements (as of September 15, 2025) are KG1 at 3 years 6 months, KG2 at 4 years 6 months, and Grade 1 at 5 years 6 months (e.g., children born on or before March 15, 2022 may register for KG1). Class size limits are 25 students per Kindergarten, Primary, Middle, and Secondary class. Required documents include an entry certificate from the Ministry of Interior, the original and a copy of the latest academic certificate, any equivalency approvals, a Certificate of Good Conduct, and a No Objection Certificate from the Examinations and Equivalency Department; students on certain visas are not eligible for registration.
Admissions
1. Make an Enquiry. The Admissions Team answers initial questions and guides families through the next steps. The unique nature of the programs and limited grade-level availability means families are encouraged to follow the steps to ensure their needs are met with care.
2. Visit Us. Experience Dasman Bilingual School by scheduling a campus tour. The Admissions Team offers daily tours at various times to explore facilities and meet members of the School Leadership Team. This visit provides firsthand insight into the school's bilingual environment.
3. Submit Your Online Application. Applications are accepted online only. Upload digital copies of key documents, including identification, academic records, and any relevant reports for special education applicants. Ensure attachments are clear and readable to avoid delays.
4. Assessment and Evaluation. After submitting the application, an assessment date will be scheduled and you will be notified by email. For international applicants unable to attend in person, remote assessments may be arranged. Assessment results are communicated within 2–3 working days. Assessments vary by grade level: Kindergarten uses an informal interview with KG Academic Staff, while Grades 1–12 require formal assessments in English, Math, and Arabic. Special Needs and Vocational applicants may require psychological assessments and classroom observations.
5. Admission Decision. The Admissions Team will notify parents of assessment results within 1 day for Kindergarten and 2–3 days for Grades 1–12.
6. After Acceptance. Upon acceptance, pay a non-refundable KD 100 deposit to secure the child's seat within two days of notification. Submit transfer documents from the child's previous school to the DBS Registrar's Office.