International Academy of Kuwait vs Kuwait International English School
International Academy of Kuwait and Kuwait International English School are both in Kuwait City, about 3 km apart. Both schools offer British, Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels and Pearson Edexcel IGCSE programmes. Published annual fees are close, at KWD 1,132 - 3,350 for International Academy of Kuwait and KWD 1,389 - 2,909 for Kuwait International English School. Both take pupils from 3 to 18. International Academy of Kuwait is the larger school, with around 2,000 pupils to Kuwait International English School's 600.
British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels, Pearson Edexcel IGCSE
Curriculum
British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, Pearson Edexcel IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels
Pupils
Pupils
2,000
Pupils
600
Typical class size
Typical class size
30
Typical class size
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Instruction language
Instruction language
English, Arabic
Instruction language
English
Opened
Opened
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Opened
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Bus service
Bus service
No
Bus service
Yes
Essentials
Essentials
Location
Location
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Location
Block 10, Al Hassan Al Bassry Street, Hawally, Kuwait. Kuwait International English School is a private day school serving international and local students from pre-school through to university entrance preparation. The school provides a two-way bus service through a contracted transport company. Contact: +965 22219228.
Stages
Stages
Early Years Foundation Stage (Foundation); Primary (KS1–KS2); Secondary (KS3–KS4); Key Stage 5 (Year 12).
Stages
Early Years (KG and Reception); Primary Years (Years 1–6); Secondary Years (Years 7–13).
School type
School type
British international school following the National British Curriculum.
School type
Private day school; part of Al Rayan Schools.
Pupil nationality mix
Pupil nationality mix
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Pupil nationality mix
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Additional learning support
Additional learning support
Pastoral care with Head of Pastoral Care and a Social Worker.
Additional learning support
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Country affiliation
Country affiliation
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Country affiliation
Affiliation with the United Kingdom through the British National Curriculum.
Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation
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Religious affiliation
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School day structure
School day structure
School day runs from 7:30 am to 2:30 pm on weekdays.
School day structure
The school day starts at 7:00 am. KG and Reception finish at 12:00 pm; Primary and Secondary finish at 2:00 pm. Students should arrive no earlier than 6:45 am.
Bus service details
Bus service details
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Bus service details
Buses are available to most districts; a two-way bus service is provided via the school's contracted transport company.
Fees
Fees
Fee details
Fee details
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Fee details
Application & registration fees - Application / entrance test fee: KD 25 (non-refundable). - Registration advance: KD 100 payable at registration; this amount is adjusted against the first tuition instalment after registration is completed.
Tuition fees by year group (annual and term instalments) - KG (Kindergarten) - Annual tuition (discounted): KD 1,389. - Instalments: 1st term KD 463 (due 1 Sep), 2nd term KD 463 (due 1 Dec), 3rd term KD 463 (due 1 Apr).
- Year 1 - Annual tuition (discounted): KD 2,299. - Instalments: 1st term KD 767 (due 1 Sep), 2nd term KD 767 (due 1 Dec), 3rd term KD 765 (due 1 Apr).
- Year 2 - Annual tuition (discounted): KD 2,369. - Instalments: 1st term KD 790 (due 1 Sep), 2nd term KD 790 (due 1 Dec), 3rd term KD 789 (due 1 Apr).
- Year 3 - Annual tuition (discounted): KD 2,569. - Instalments: 1st term KD 857 (due 1 Sep), 2nd term KD 857 (due 1 Dec), 3rd term KD 855 (due 1 Apr).
- Year 4 - Annual tuition (discounted): KD 2,569. - Instalments: 1st term KD 857 (due 1 Sep), 2nd term KD 857 (due 1 Dec), 3rd term KD 855 (due 1 Apr).
- Year 5 - Annual tuition (discounted): KD 2,569. - Instalments: 1st term KD 857 (due 1 Sep), 2nd term KD 857 (due 1 Dec), 3rd term KD 855 (due 1 Apr).
- Year 6 - Annual tuition (discounted): KD 2,619. - Instalments: 1st term KD 873 (due 1 Sep), 2nd term KD 873 (due 1 Dec), 3rd term KD 873 (due 1 Apr).
- Year 7 - Annual tuition (discounted): KD 2,689. - Instalments: 1st term KD 897 (due 1 Sep), 2nd term KD 897 (due 1 Dec), 3rd term KD 895 (due 1 Apr).
- Year 8 - Annual tuition (discounted): KD 2,749. - Instalments: 1st term KD 917 (due 1 Sep), 2nd term KD 917 (due 1 Dec), 3rd term KD 915 (due 1 Apr).
- Year 9 - Annual tuition (discounted): KD 2,879. - Instalments: 1st term KD 960 (due 1 Sep), 2nd term KD 960 (due 1 Dec), 3rd term KD 959 (due 1 Apr).
- Year 10 - Annual tuition (discounted): KD 2,879. - Instalments: 1st term KD 960 (due 1 Sep), 2nd term KD 960 (due 1 Dec), 3rd term KD 959 (due 1 Apr).
- Year 11 - Annual tuition (discounted): KD 2,879. - Instalments: 1st term KD 960 (due 1 Sep), 2nd term KD 960 (due 1 Dec), 3rd term KD 959 (due 1 Apr).
- Year 12 - Annual tuition (discounted): KD 2,909. - Instalments: 1st term KD 970 (due 1 Sep), 2nd term KD 970 (due 1 Dec), 3rd term KD 969 (due 1 Apr).
- Year 13 - Annual tuition (discounted): KD 2,909. - Instalments: 1st term KD 970 (due 1 Sep), 2nd term KD 970 (due 1 Dec), 3rd term KD 969 (due 1 Apr).
Billing schedule and payment terms - Tuition is payable in full prior to the commencement of the academic year, or parents may pay in three instalments as scheduled (1st instalment due early September, 2nd instalment due early December, 3rd instalment due early April). - The annual tuition does not include Books, Uniform or Transport fees; these are billed separately. - An early-bird voucher of KD 75 and a sibling discount (7% applied to the child with the lowest tuition) are available under the school's enrolment/registration offers; sibling discount conditions require timely payment.
Boarding fees - The school operates as a private day school; there are no boarding facilities and no boarding fees.
Transport (school bus) fees and schedule - Transport is charged separately and is payable termly. Sample charges (round-trip and one-way) are set by area and split into three instalments; examples published for parents include: - Round-trip Area 1 (Hawally): KD 330 (instalments KD 130, KD 130, KD 70). - Round-trip Area 2 (Maidan, Hawally, Salmiya, Jabriya, Surra, Shaab): KD 350 (instalments KD 140, KD 140, KD 70). - Round-trip Area 3 (other areas): KD 370 (instalments KD 150, KD 150, KD 70). - One-way Area 1: KD 265 (instalments KD 105, KD 105, KD 55); Area 2 one-way KD 275; Area 3 one-way KD 285 (instalment splits as above). - Transport fees must be paid by the first day of pupil travel on school transport; the full termly fee is required regardless of joining date within the term.
Other costs / additional fees - Books and school inventory are charged separately and are not included in tuition. A school inventory voucher (early-bird voucher) may be applied to books and uniform or to the third term. - Uniform is sold at the school uniform shop during school opening hours; uniform items and PE kit are charged separately (prices vary by item). - IGCSE / examination and subject-specific fees: accelerated IGCSE subjects are charged (example: KD 150 per subject for the One-Year Accelerated IGCSE programme); formal examination entry fees are charged separately and vary by subject. - Late collection charge: KD 5 per hour (or part thereof) for supervised care after designated collection time; an optional supervised ‘Late Club' is available at KD 15 per week per child.
Refunds and withdrawal charges - Application/entrance fee (KD 25) is non-refundable. The application fee is adjusted against the first instalment if the student is enrolled. Registration advance (KD 100) is adjusted against the first instalment. - Withdrawal and tuition liability: - If withdrawal occurs during the first week of the first term: parents pay KD 100 and no further tuition for that term is charged. - If withdrawal occurs after the first week of the first term: the parent must pay the full first-term tuition. - If a student leaves at any time during the second term: parents must pay inclusively the full first- and second-term fees. - If a student leaves at any time during the third term: parents must pay fees for the complete year (all three terms).
Fee payment options - Online payment portal (Parents Online) is provided for parents to pay fees electronically. - Cash / payments at the school cashier are used for application, registration and other in-person transactions.
Notes - Fees listed above are stated in Kuwaiti Dinars (KD).
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
British National Curriculum. Foundation Stage follows the English EYFS; Primary uses Oxford books for KS1–KS2 and Cambridge books for KS3–KS4 with English as the medium of instruction. The Arabic language and Islamic Studies curriculums follow Kuwait's Ministry of Education guidelines. Secondary follows the English National Curriculum and prepares students for IGCSE and Cambridge AS examinations; in KS4 (Year 10–11) four IGCSE subjects are studied each year (Maths core/extended, English, Arabic, Islamic and one additional IGCSE). In Year 12, students may study up to four AS subjects with Edexcel; Year 12 A2 is not offered. Cambridge, Edexcel and Oxford boards are used at high school.
Curriculum details
KIES follows and delivers lessons based on the British National Curriculum. The curriculum is based on the British National Curriculum and adapted to fit the international environment and the requirements of individual examination boards. Teaching and learning of the national curriculum is enquiry-based, with a focus on problem solving and aims to build pupils' abilities as learners. Class sizes are arranged to provide greater personal attention, and all children are taught in mixed-ability classes. A range of activities deliver the Curriculum, including practical problem solving, online interactive learning and book-based learning, with textbooks being one of the resources used to deliver the curriculum. National Curriculum Plans for Primary and Secondary are provided and adapted to fit the requirements of different exam boards and the needs of learners.
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
University entrance preparation is provided.
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. Registration Procedures (KG-Year 2): An application form is completed by the parents/guardians at the reception area or online. The parent pays 20 KD as the interview/entrance test fee and is given a fixed date for the interview/entrance test. Foundation candidates are informed of the interview result immediately and are provided with a list of required documents to prepare and register within the required time period; otherwise the seat is lost.
2. Registration Procedures (Year 3-Year 12): An application form is completed by the parents/guardians at the reception area or online. Applicant students undertake an entrance exam to evaluate their academic level (Mathematics and English). Parents are informed of the results by phone; if the student achieves satisfactory results, they will be interviewed by the Head of Department. Parents should submit the official documents to the school within the required time period; otherwise the seat will be lost. Once the student is accepted, the parents are requested to pay the registration fees at the Accounting Department within the required time period, otherwise the seat will be lost.
3. Admission Department Letter: The Admission Department's main objective is to manage applications, entry evaluations and registration, withdrawals, communicating, and maintaining all students' information. Inquiries concerning admissions are encouraged and information about the admissions process is available. The school can be contacted during working hours (7:30 am-2:30 pm).
4. Waiting list: Due to high demand, passing Entrance Exam and the interview doesn't guarantee admission. When the capacity of each class is reached, students meeting the acceptance criteria but not admitted will be placed on a waiting list in case openings occur. The waiting list is used to fill seats as they become available. Parents are contacted when a seat becomes available.
5. Withdrawal and refunds: As per ministry regulations, withdrawal before the beginning of the school year results in non-refundable registration fees; withdrawal during the scholastic year makes all paid amounts non-refundable and non-transferable. Parents should notify the school in writing of withdrawal. The policy applies to all students.
6. Language and curriculum: The school has a strong tradition of teaching in English. English is the primary language of instruction across year groups. The school follows the National British Curriculum.
Admissions
Step 1. Prepare and submit documents for new enrollment. Documents required for New enrollment include two recent photographs; civil ID copies (both sides) of the student, mother and father; copies of the student's passport and the parents' passports; birth certificate; vaccination record; transfer certificate from the previous school; last school report; a clearance letter; and a medical file from the previous school. These documents must be brought to the interview. The entrance test fee is 25 KWD and the registration fee is 100 KWD, both payable as part of the enrollment process.
Step 2. Enter the entrance assessment and interviews. Students are tested before they enter the school; the registration test assesses the student's academic level and suitability for admission. A brief interview may be held with the parents if required, and the student may be interviewed by the school counsellor if needed.
Step 3. Admission decision. It is the Head of Department's decision whether a student is accepted. No student will be allowed admission unless they meet the entry requirements. Any serious discipline concerns are grounds for non-acceptance. The decision is final.
Step 4. Registration completion after passing the assessment. If the student has passed the assessment test, the paperwork and forms are submitted to the accounts department, and a 100 KD deposit is paid to complete the registration process. This deposit must be paid to complete registration. It is not possible to register a student without all the necessary paperwork, which must be brought into the school at the time of the interview.
Step 5. Age requirements. Minimum age on the first day of the new academic year is 3 years 6 months for Kindergarten and 16 years 6 months for Year 12. The age bands for intermediate years are: Reception 4 years 6 months; Year 1 5 years 6 months; Year 2 6 years 6 months; Year 3 7 years 6 months; Year 4 8 years 6 months; Year 5 9 years 6 months; Year 6 10 years 6 months; Year 7 11 years 6 months; Year 8 12 years 6 months; Year 9 13 years 6 months; Year 10 14 years 6 months; Year 11 15 years 6 months. These ages align with the year level applied for.
Step 6. Documents for Students from outside Kuwait. For Students from outside Kuwait, documents required include a complete registration form and two recent photographs. Civil IDs for the student, mother and father are required, or an entry visa if a Civil ID is not yet issued. A copy of residency/entry visa, birth certificate, vaccination record, and the last school report authenticated by the home country's Ministry of Education and the Kuwaiti Ministry of Foreign Affairs are also required.
Scholarships
Scholarships
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Scholarships
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Waitlist
Waitlist
The school uses a waiting list when a year level is full. Applicants who meet the acceptance criteria but are not admitted due to capacity are placed on a waiting list for openings. The waiting list is used to fill seats as they become available. Parents are contacted when a seat becomes available.
