· updated monthly
The five schools Kuwait parents researched most this year, chosen from the 31 international schools in the country. Ranked by how many families opened each school’s profile and spent time reading it between July 2025 and June 2026, then the full picture on curricula, class sizes and fees.
The 2026 ranking
Ranked purely by parent interest — the number of families who opened each school’s profile and spent time reading it between July 2025 and June 2026.
The American School of Kuwait is a coeducational college-preparatory school offering an AP-based curriculum. The Elementary School follows Common Core Standards and uses standards-based grading, with subjects taught in homeroom and specialists in art, music, PE; Arabic is included in the program. The Middle School covers LA, Science, Math, Social Studies, Arabic (or AFL) and PE, with Religion for Muslim students; it offers electives, including Honors English and Algebra I in Grade 8. The High School provides AP and Honors courses across English, Science, Mathematics, Social Sciences, Languages, Performing and Visual Arts, IT, Religion; Arabic is required for native speakers and Religion is required for all Muslim students; Grade 9 Arabic as Foreign Language is required for non-native speakers. School began as International School of Kuwait in 1964 and earned U.S. accreditation from Middle States Association in 1971, with a co-curricular program including Singing Group, Dance Classes, Escape Rooms.
Gulf English School is a private British international school in Kuwait City serving students aged 3 to 18. Opened in 1980, it delivers a British-based curriculum aligned with the English National Curriculum across Key Stages 3, 4 and 5, with EYFS, Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels and Cambridge A Levels. The school is accredited by BSME and British School Overseas (BSO) and is a member of ECIS and AoBSO, with participation in the Duke of Edinburgh's International Award. Its campus features science and computer laboratories, a library, a sports complex, a mosque and a 25‑metre indoor heated swimming pool. Classrooms have interactive panels; there are three ICT suites, three music rooms and a drama studio, plus a large hall for productions, and indoor/outdoor basketball courts and a gym. Co-curricular activities include the Model United Nations, Robotics Club, and the Young Shakespeare Company, with Active Citizenship and leadership opportunities shaping character and global awareness.
The English School Kuwait City is a not-for-profit, British-curriculum school for ages 3 to 16. It follows the Early Years Foundation Stage (3–5) and the National Curriculum for England (5–16), with English as the language of instruction. Arabic and French are taught; Arabic for Arabs and Islamic Studies are mandatory from Year 1, and Arabic for non-Arabs begins in Year 3; Kuwaiti Social Studies is taught from Year 5. Founded in 1953 under the British Embassy, it was Kuwait's first British-curriculum preparatory school and remains owned by the Al-Bahar family. The school prepares pupils to transfer to UK and international schools and operates on a not-for-profit model. The campus hosts a Performing Arts Centre for productions and events, extensive arts, music and ICT facilities, three science laboratories, and a dedicated Science and Technology Building opened in 2024. The library houses about 23,000 items; Bedouin Tent and a broad ECA programme extend learning beyond lessons. About 53 nationalities are represented; roughly 30% are British and over 60% come from native English-speaking countries. The Upper School expanded in 2025 with over 715 pupils.
Cambridge English School, Kuwait, includes Mangaf and Hawally campuses offering a British-curriculum international education for students aged 3 to 18. The Mangaf campus follows a two-part primary curriculum with KS1 (Years 1–2) and KS2 (Years 3–6), delivering core subjects in English, Mathematics, Science, Arabic, Islamic and Kuwait Social Studies (Years 5–6). Additional specialist subjects include Art, Music, Computing, Physical Education, and French from Year 3, with a dedicated department supporting students with English language needs. The Hawally branch follows the 2014 National Curriculum for England at secondary level and provides iGCSE, AS and A Level examinations. Modern, purpose-built facilities support learning across phases, including digital-enhanced classrooms, science laboratories, ICT/Robotics labs, art and music rooms, extensive EYFS areas, a vibrant library and well-equipped sports spaces. A broad co-curricular programme includes debates, MUN, Qur'an, journalism, STEM clubs, and Leadership opportunities; student wellbeing and safeguarding are embedded through pastoral teams and family engagement.
Kuwait National English School (KNES) is a private, co‑educational British international school in Kuwait offering the English National Curriculum from Early Years through to A Levels, with Cambridge IGCSE, Edexcel IGCSE and a SEN‑focused programme. The school serves ages 2 to 18 and uses English as the language of instruction, with Arabic, French and Spanish taught as additional languages. In Years 7–9 (Key Stage 3) students study core subjects—English, Mathematics, Sciences—plus Geography, History, Arabic and Islamic Studies, Qur'an and Kuwait Social Studies to meet Ministry requirements; Years 10–11 follow Cambridge/Edexcel/Pearson IGCSE routes with a compulsory core and option blocks; Years 12–13 prepare for AS and A Levels. KNES features the Omar Science and Technology Centre, a theatre, a Media Centre and ICT facilities, including WIFI and a Virtual Learning Environment. The school is accredited by CIS and NEASC, with BSME and BSO recognition, and is UNESCO Associated Schools Projects member.
What’s on offer
The mix of programmes and teaching languages across all 31 schools. Many offer more than one curriculum, so totals run higher than the school count.
Number of schools teaching each curriculum.
Number of schools teaching in each language.
Size & classes
School size and class size shape day-to-day experience as much as curriculum does.
Schools grouped by total enrolment.
Average school size is 1,644 students · based on the 23 schools that report enrolment.
Schools grouped by typical class size.
Average class size is 22.6 students · based on the 19 schools that report it.
What it costs
Fees shown are one year for a 12-year-old (or the closest age available), excluding one-time enrolment costs.
Across the 23 schools that publish a price for a 12-year-old. All figures in KWD.
How many schools sit in each annual-fee range.
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