For Qatar, one of the key economies in the Middle East region, education is vital to growth. The country aspires to create a knowledge-based economy as it reduces reliance on oil, according to its National Vision 2030. The presence of many reputable international schools in Qatar proves its commitment to fostering a robust and diversified educational landscape.
The role of Qatar international schools
Qatar is home to over 300 international curriculum schools, mostly concentrated in the capital city of Doha. With about 9 in 10 residents in the country being expatriates, the presence of several international educational institutions in Qatar only makes sense.
While catering to expatriates, these schools also provide Qatari nationals with a high-quality, globally-oriented education. They offer an inclusive and diverse academic environment that nurtures better cross-cultural skills, which are essential in improving global competitiveness.
Read: Steady growth continues: Qatar’s GDP reaches $46.7 bn in Q2
Top 10 international schools in Qatar
Are you planning to enroll at an international school while in Qatar? Consider these schools for a top-class learning experience.
ACS Doha International School
Address: Building 10, Street 161, Zone 70, Al Kheesa, Doha, Qatar
Curriculum: International Baccalaureate (IB), American
The prominent ACS International Schools Group, established in 1967, opened its Doha campus in 2011. ACS Doha, with a vibrant and inclusive community, accommodates over 900 students aged 3 to 18. It boasts a diverse faculty and staff of 150 experts serving 70 nationalities. The school’s strength lies in its rigorous academics, cultural diversity and a nurturing environment. In August 2020, ACS Doha unveiled a new campus, doubling its student capacity to 2,470.
As a fully authorized IB World School, ACS Doha offers IB Primary Years, Middle Years, Diploma Programs, Advanced Placement courses and an American High School Diploma.
Arab International Academy
Address: AL Sadd Area, Sports Signal, Doha
Curriculum: IB
Offering IB programs at all stages, the Arab International Academy (AIA) is a bilingual school teaching English and Arabic. They also teach French at different levels. Its curriculum aims to empower students to thrive in an interconnected world.
Since its inception in 2016, AIA has cultivated a diverse environment with students from 42 nationalities and a teaching staff representing 23 nationalities. The academy prides itself on state-of-the-art educational facilities. These include well-equipped classrooms, versatile multipurpose areas, science labs, indoor and outdoor sports fields, and dedicated music, drama and art studios among others. All this helps create an experience that prepares students both academically and socially.
Compass International School Doha
Address:
- Themaid Campus: Building 16, Street 1457, Zone 51 Al Themaid, Doha
- Gharaffa Campus: 13 Al Waab Al Abareeq Street Building 55, Street No 670 Al Abareeq, Zone 51 Al Gharaffa Area, Doha
- Madinat Khalifa Campus: Al Baihaqi Street, Building 34, Zone 32, Street 926, Doha
Curriculum: IB, British, International Primary Curriculum (IPC), International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE), A-Levels
Compass International School (CIS) has three campuses in Doha catering to students aged 3 to 19. Their first campus, Gharaffa, was inaugurated in 2006. Meanwhile, its Madinat Khalifa campus opened its doors to students in 2013. They further expanded their educational landscape with the opening of the Themaid campus in 2019. Currently, their community comprises about 2,000 students from over 80 counties.
CIS is part of Nord Anglia Education (NAE), known for its global collaborations with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and The Juilliard School. They are also proud to be the first IPC-accredited school in the entire Middle East. The curricula — encompassing the International Primary Curriculum, English National Curriculum, IGCSE, the IB Diploma Program and A-levels — offer a diverse educational journey.
English Modern School
Address:
- Doha Campus: 22 February Street, Al Messila
- Wakra Campus: Building 66, Umm Al Hool Street
- Wakra Kindergarten Campus: Building 17, Zone 90, Street 381
- Al Khor Campus: Opposite of Khor Hospital
Curriculum: Cambridge, IGCSE
Established in 1991, The English Modern School Network currently comprises four campuses in Qatar, with a dedicated kindergarten campus in Wakra. The schools are all co-educational, welcoming students aged 3 to 18 from over 55 nationalities.
The network structures its curriculum to seamlessly transition students from hands-on Kindergarten 1 and 2 programs, preparing them for the Cambridge Primary program in Years 1 through 6. The academic journey continues through the Cambridge Lower Secondary curriculum in Years 7 to 9, IGCSE in Years 10 and 11, and the Cambridge Advanced curriculum in Years 12 and 13 (offered at both the Doha and Al Khor Campuses). Additionally, it provides learners with a sense of internationalism, encouraging the members of its community to accept and respect differences in values and beliefs.
Hamilton International School
Address: Mesaimeer Area (near the Religious Complex), Doha
Curriculum: American, International
One of the more modern international schools in Qatar, the Hamilton International School is now in its fifth year of operation in Doha. It’s open to children aged 3 to 17, aspiring to be an all-through secondary school by 2024-2025. They also boast native English-speaking teachers with a wealth of regional and international school experience. They also have top-notch amenities, including the largest theater in any Qatar-located school.
Hamilton benefits from world-class facilities and extensive extracurricular activities, being part of the UK-based International Schools Partnership (ISP). ISP has 56 schools worldwide, including one of Doha’s most established institutions, the Park House English School.
MES Indian School
Address: Building no 16, Mesaimeer, Doha
Curriculum: Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE)
Founded in 1974, MES Indian School is a pioneering academic institution in Qatar. It’s the only school accredited with the IWA 2: 2007 certification by Quality Austria Training, Certification, and Evaluation Limited. In addition, it’s the first Indian expatriate school in the country to offer e-learning classes, enriching the academic experience with interactive classrooms. They use graphical videos, audio, animation and games to enrich the learning process.
Renowned among CBSE-affiliated national and Gulf schools, MES excels in academics, culture, literature and sports. It has highly qualified and experienced faculty, comprising 295 teaching and 180 non-teaching members dedicated to fostering holistic student development.
Qatar International School
Address: United Nations Street, Al Dafna
Curriculum: British, IGCSE, GCSE, UK Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)
One of the oldest British international schools in Qatar, Qatar International School (QIS) has been offering a world-class learning experience since 1977. It hosts around 2,000 students in a centralized location with a friendly atmosphere.
An assessment of QIS’s prestige shows it achieved the highest rating from the Qatar National Schools Accreditation program in 2015. In 2020, it earned an “outstanding’ status” in every category of the British School Overseas inspection conducted by the UK government. With it, it became the third school worldwide to have achieved such a milestone. Additionally, it’s the only duly accredited academic institution in the Middle East to offer teaching proficiency-enhancing courses by the renowned company OLEVI.
SEK International School of Qatar
Address: Onaiza 65, Doha
Curriculum: IB
SEK International School Qatar (SEK-Qatar) is part of the prestigious SEK Education Group, which was founded in 1892. SEK-Qatar, which opened in 2013, is part of a 10-school network with a presence in Saudi Arabia, Spain, France and Ireland. Catering to students from nearly 60 nationalities, it cultivates a multicultural community. Academic-wise, it provides a comprehensive approach, encouraging exploration and talent development across various disciplines, including arts, physical health, programming, robotics, mathematics, sciences, humanities and languages (English, Spanish and Arabic).
SEK Qatar was established under the Qatari Ministry of Education’s Outstanding Schools Program, bringing a tradition of 128 years of innovative education.
The International School of Choueifat-Doha
Address: Aba Al Erhayyat Street 915 Building 50, Legtaifiya Area, Doha
Curriculum: International
The year 1999 saw The International School of Choueifat-Doha (ISC-Doha) open its doors. It’s of the global SABIS Network, which has been nurturing students for nearly 140 years. Similar to other schools in the network, ISC-Doha adopts a non-selective and co-educational model and delivers a highly academic English-medium education from KG1 to Grade 12.
Competent teachers employ a dynamic approach, ensuring continuous student engagement through oral, individual and group work. Here, both students and mentors are accountable for the quality of the educational experience. It boasts a spacious campus conducive to learning and socializing. Amenities include state-of-the-art sports facilities, a semi-Olympic-sized swimming pool and a unique SABIS Integrated Testing and Learning® Hall. This space features 474 stations where students are regularly assessed.
The Cambridge School Doha
Address: Maadeed Street, Mamoura, Doha
Curriculum: British, IGCSE
The Cambridge School Doha (TCS)’s journey of providing quality education to Qataris and Qatar-based students started in 2001. Over two decades later, they have established themselves as a leader in providing a globally responsive education that integrates culture and values and fosters creativity.
Part of the esteemed Taleb Group of Companies, TCS follows the National Curriculum for England, emphasizing leadership and world citizenship. Recognized for academic excellence and innovation, TCS has received awards. These include the “’Outstanding School in Community Service,” “’Green School of the Year,” and “Cambridge Outstanding Learner Award.”
Final thoughts
Education is indeed integral to Qatar’s development strategy. With numerous international schools in Qatar to choose from, students can easily access quality, globally-oriented education. The choice lies in your hands. When selecting a school, consider location, curriculum, facilities and the overall learning environment it provides.
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