Kuwait International English School vs The English School - Kuwait City
Kuwait International English School and The English School - Kuwait City are both in Kuwait City, about 3 km apart. Both schools offer British programmes. Kuwait International English School also offers Cambridge IGCSE, Pearson Edexcel IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels and Cambridge A Levels, and The English School - Kuwait City also offers EYFS. Published annual fees are KWD 1,389 - 2,909 at Kuwait International English School and KWD 1,741 - 3,435 at The English School - Kuwait City, which puts The English School - Kuwait City roughly 20% higher. Kuwait International English School takes pupils from 3 to 18, and The English School - Kuwait City from 3 to 15. The two are similar in size, at around 600 and 678 pupils.
British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, Pearson Edexcel IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels
Curriculum
EYFS (Early years foundation stage), British Curriculum
Pupils
Pupils
600
Pupils
678
Typical class size
Typical class size
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Typical class size
23
Instruction language
Instruction language
English
Instruction language
English
Opened
Opened
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Opened
1953
Bus service
Bus service
Yes
Bus service
Yes
Essentials
Essentials
Location
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.
Location
The English School is on Mousaed Al-Azmi Street, Block 12, Salmiya, Kuwait. It is located in the Salmiya district of Kuwait. Transportation is provided via a TES-supported bus service operated in partnership with Delta Star, serving most areas in Kuwait. Buses are CCTV monitored and include a female chaperone, with real-time tracking via BatOnRoute.
Stages
Stages
Early Years (KG and Reception); Primary Years (Years 1–6); Secondary Years (Years 7–13).
Stages
Pre Prep (KG – Year 2); Prep (Years 3-8); Upper School (Years 9-11)
School type
School type
Private day school; part of Al Rayan Schools.
School type
Not-for-profit
Pupil nationality mix
Pupil nationality mix
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Pupil nationality mix
Approximately 30% of pupils are British, and over 60% come from native English-speaking countries.
Additional learning support
Additional learning support
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Additional learning support
—
Country affiliation
Country affiliation
Affiliation with the United Kingdom through the British National Curriculum.
Country affiliation
United Kingdom
Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation
—
Religious affiliation
—
School day structure
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.
School day structure
The school day begins at 7:25 am with gates opening at 7:10 am. Breaks are from 9:30–10:00 am and 11:30–12:00 pm. The KG day finishes at 12:15 pm and the regular school day ends at 2:30 pm (ECAs run until 3:30 pm).
Bus service details
Bus service details
Buses are available to most districts; a two-way bus service is provided via the school's contracted transport company.
Bus service details
Bus services are run by an independent company. The English School partners with Delta Star bus services to provide a comprehensive bus service for TES families. Buses serve most areas in Kuwait and are available for pupils from KG to Year 9. All buses have CCTV and a chaperone; BatOnRoute provides real-time tracking.
Fees
Fees
Fee details
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).
Fee details
Application & Assessment Fees - Assessment (application) fee: KD 75 per application; this fee is non-refundable. - Registration (advance tuition) payment: KD 100 per pupil per academic year to secure a place; this is a non‑refundable advance payment that is credited against the invoice for the following academic year and must be settled by 1 April when completing the current academic year payment. - Annual subscription charge: KD 75 per pupil, added to the September fee payment.
Billing schedule & payment terms - Standard instalment schedule: three equal instalments with due dates of 1 September (1st instalment), 1 December (2nd instalment), and 1 April (3rd instalment). The KD 100 registration payment is due by 1 April to reserve a place for the following year and is credited to the next year's invoice. - Mid‑year starters: all tuition and fees for students beginning during the school year are payable at the time of offer acceptance. Students starting in September follow the standard billing arrangement above. - Payment channels and conditions: tuition payments must be made exclusively through the school's mobile app; KNET and major credit cards are accepted for tuition payments. Payments submitted through other channels will not be processed. The onsite uniform shop accepts KNET or cash only (credit cards not accepted at the uniform shop).
Boarding fees - The English School operates as a day school and does not have boarding provision; there are no boarding fees.
Other costs and typical extras - Uniform: all uniform items must be purchased from the onsite uniform shop except footwear, socks and swimming kit; a 2025/2026 uniform price list is published for reference at the uniform shop. The uniform shop accepts KNET or cash. - Textbooks and learning resources: books are included in the tuition. - Extra‑curricular activities (ECAs): ECAs are offered each term; some ECAs and external coaches carry additional charges which are billed separately. - Lunch Club (KG): KD 130 per term where applicable (charged if Lunch Club is approved). - EDUcamp / holiday club and occasional camps: these programmes operate with separate charges by activity and term; fees vary by programme and session. - Transportation: bus services are operated by an external contractor; bus fees depend on the family's neighbourhood and whether one‑way or two‑way service is chosen. Bus service is available for children KG–Year 9.
Refunds and chargebacks - The KD 100 registration payment is described as non‑refundable when used to secure a place. The assessment (application) fee is explicitly non‑refundable. No separate, detailed published refund schedule for tuition instalments or other fees is provided in the school's published fee information and policy documents.
Fee payment options - Tuition: payments via the school's mobile app only; KNET and major credit cards are accepted for tuition payments. Payments made through any other channel will not be processed. - Uniform shop: accepts KNET or cash only; credit cards are not accepted at the uniform shop. - Transport and many optional activities are billed separately by the relevant provider or the school and have their own payment arrangements; bus fees are dependent on route and service choice.
Diving deeper
Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements
Boarding arrangements
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Boarding arrangements
—
Uniform requirement
Uniform requirement
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Uniform requirement
—
Food options
Food options
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Food options
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House system
House system
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House system
—
Governance and ownership
Governance and ownership
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Governance and ownership
—
Academics
Academics
Curriculum details
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.
Curriculum details
The English School Kuwait follows the Early Years Foundation Stage (3–5 years) and the National Curriculum for England (5–16 years), with additional features required for entry to future schools. The school operates within a British-curriculum framework and is the first British-curriculum preparatory school in Kuwait. The teaching staff, with the exception of the Arabic department, are British trained with British qualifications. Arabic and French are taught; Arabic for Arabs and Islamic Studies are mandatory from Year 1 upwards and Arabic for non-Arabs from Year 3; Kuwait Social Studies is taught from Year 5, as is French to all pupils. The language of instruction is English; the language of the playground is English, with around 30% of pupils British and more than 60% from native English-speaking countries.
Student teacher ratio
Student teacher ratio
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Student teacher ratio
Average class size is 23.
Exam results
Exam results
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Exam results
TES runs a full suite of GL assessments from Year 1 upwards; this provides age-standardised scores to track progress. TES scores consistently exceed the globally standardised average. Sample scores include CAT4 108.4, NGRT 110.8, PTE 108.3, PTM 108.7, PTS 117.1, and TES value-added +1.9. As the school expands to Upper School, IGCSE results will be reported here when available.
Higher education progression
Higher education progression
University entrance preparation is provided.
Higher education progression
—
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
—
Special educational needs (SEN)
Special educational needs (SEN)
—
Special educational needs (SEN)
—
English as an additional language
English as an additional language
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English as an additional language
—
Mental wellbeing
Mental wellbeing
—
Mental wellbeing
—
Safeguarding
Safeguarding
—
Safeguarding
—
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
—
Extra curricular facilities
Extra curricular facilities
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Extra curricular facilities
—
Parent experience
Parent experience
History
History
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History
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Community
Community
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Community
—
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
—
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
—
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
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.
Admissions
1. Online Application. Applications are welcome up to one year in advance of enrollment. The online form introduces the child to TES and helps determine the approach for the assessment process. Allow up to one week for the application to be processed, and the admissions team will confirm receipt by email with next steps. Assessments are offered based on space availability in the relevant year group, and submission of an application does not guarantee an assessment.
2. Assessment Fees. The assessment administration fee is 75 KD per child and covers administrative costs. The fee is requested once the child has been selected for an assessment and is non-refundable, irrespective of the assessment outcome. Once payment is received, the admissions team will begin scheduling an assessment for your child.
3. Admission Assessment. An assessment will be scheduled after the application and assessment fee are received. The assessment process varies by residency and age. Local applicants have onsite Pre-Prep (KG-Y2) or Prep (Y3-Y10) assessments on campus, including two GL tests and, for Prep, a copy of the latest school report. Overseas applicants have KG assessments coordinated on arrival in Kuwait, and Prep assessments involve two GL tests conducted at the current school; the admissions team will liaise with the current school to provide instructions. Outcomes are delivered as either accept or decline, and detailed feedback is not provided due to volume.
4. Acceptance of Offer. After the assessment, the admissions and assessment teams discuss the outcome and contact you by email with the result. If accepted, a registration pack with a letter of offer is issued and a 100 KD Registration Fee is due to hold the place (non-refundable if the place is not taken). Enrollment requires submission of all required paperwork, including passport and residency documents, civil IDs, three passport-sized photos, immunization records, a Transfer Certificate, and signed Terms & Conditions; documents may be submitted in hard copy or scanned form depending on location.