Kuwait, Kuwait City
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American Baccalaureate School (ABS) is a private, non‑profit K‑12 school affiliated with the American system, offering an American curriculum with Advanced Placement options. ABS follows the Common Core Standards for grades K–8 (English language arts and mathematics) and groups 9–12 standards into 9–10 and 11–12 bands, with emphasis on rigorous content and higher‑order thinking aligned to college expectations. The school provides supports for all learners, including English language learners, and it emphasizes strong foundations in English and Arabic literacy. Opened in 2006, ABS sits on a 25,000‑square‑meter campus with over 100 classrooms, interactive panels, campus‑wide Wi‑Fi, and fully networked learning spaces. Facilities include two swimming pools, two cafeterias, and specialist rooms for culinary arts, music, art, and Islamic studies. ABS operates a schoolwide STEM framework and offers extensive arts and athletics, along with events such as International Day and community service initiatives, fostering leadership and global citizenship for lifelong learning.
American Baccalaureate School has 1,081 pupils, typical class sizes of 23, instruction in English, Arabic.
Abraq Khaitan, Block 6, Street
Kindergarten; Elementary; Middle and High School
Private, non-profit college preparatory school
High school student body is 99% Kuwaiti.
The school has American affiliation.
The school week runs Sunday through Thursday. The school day begins at 7:30 a.m. and includes a daily 20-minute homeroom advisory period, followed by seven 48-minute instructional periods. Extracurricular activities occur after school.
Annual tuition at American Baccalaureate School ranges from KWD 7 to KWD 4,885 for 2026/27.
American Baccalaureate School teaches American Curriculum, Advanced Placement (AP).
The American Baccalaureate School uses the Common Core Standards. For grades K-8, there are grade-by-grade standards in English language arts/literacy and mathematics; for grades 9-12, standards are grouped into 9-10 and 11-12 bands. The standards are research-based, clear and aligned with college and career expectations, emphasize rigorous content and higher-order thinking, and mastery of the standards is essential for success in college, career, and life. They draw on international models and input from educators, researchers, assessment developers, professional organizations, parents and students, to prepare students for the global economy. A range of supports is provided for all students, including those with special needs and English language learners. The Diploma Program emphasizes strong foundations in English and Arabic literacy.
Average class size is 20-23 students. ABS has a teaching staff of 229 individuals from over 39 countries.
The School Profile 2024-2025 shows graduates gaining admission to universities in the United States, Kuwait, the United Kingdom, and beyond. Examples of U.S. institutions include the University of Arizona, Arizona State University, UC Irvine, the University of Colorado, Michigan State University, Yale University among others. Kuwait institutions listed include Kuwait University, GUST, and the American University of Kuwait, and UK institutions include the University of Glasgow, Bristol University, City, University of London, and the University of Manchester.
Advanced Placement (AP) courses are offered to high school students starting in their junior year, including AP Calculus, AP Chemistry, AP English Literature and Composition, AP English Language and Composition, AP Computer Science Principles, and AP Biology. AP exams are held each May and can earn college credit or advanced placement depending on scores.
The school provides personal, social, and academic support through the ABS Counseling Department for students in grades 9-12. The counseling program helps students become college- and career-ready with guidance and resources focused on personal development. Character education is part of campus life. Students participate in activities that support social growth and leadership, including Student Council, the school yearbook, Model United Nations, National Honor Society, Green Ambassadors, and community service initiatives. Service learning is integrated within ABS and the wider community.
ABS does not have the programs and resources to assist those children who have special academic, social or physical needs.
Health and safety are ABS's top priorities. The health center, supervised by professionally qualified nurses, provides routine check-ups, first aid, vaccinations, and other health services during school hours and focuses on the physical and emotional well-being of students. The health clinic collaborates with parents and staff to foster a caring, safe, and supportive environment for all students.
ABS prioritizes health and safety and works with parents and staff to maintain a caring, safe, and supportive environment for all students.
1. Eligibility and program fit. The school offers admission to both Arabic- and non-Arabic-speaking students. It provides a full English immersion program with an American-based curriculum for Kindergarten through Grade 12, taught by Western-trained teachers. The school invites families to visit the campus and contact the Admissions Office for enrollment guidance.
2. Application materials and submission. The application form and the Parent Checklist for KG, Elementary and MSHS are available for download. Complete these documents and submit them to the Admissions Office together with the required items. The Registration Office is open Sunday to Thursday from 7:00 am to 3:30 pm, and Saturday from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm.
3. Screening, transcripts and immunizations. New students must demonstrate an ability performance level within ABS programs and provide report cards and/or transcripts from previous schools. Satisfactory screening/testing is administered by ABS or the Oxford Learning Center. An immunization record or waiver must be on file prior to the start of school.
4. Admissions decision and waiting list. When the capacity of each class is reached, those meeting the above criteria but not admitted will be placed on a waiting list in case an opening occurs. Families will be contacted according to the stated criteria if space becomes available. Applications for the following school year must be resubmitted during spring registration.
5. Priorities for admission. New students will be considered for admission in descending priorities on a space-available basis: children with siblings currently in attendance; Kuwaiti children applying from an American School; American children applying from an American school; all other children applying from an American school. Admissions decisions take into account the capacity of each class and the ability to meet program requirements.
6. Special needs and program scope. ABS does not have the programs and resources to assist those children who have special academic, social or physical needs.
The school maintains a waiting list when class capacity is reached. Eligible applicants meeting the criteria will be placed on the waiting list and contacted in the event that an opening becomes available. For the next school year, applications must be resubmitted during spring registration. Openings are offered based on space availability and the ordering of the criteria set by the school.