Kuwait City - Post Report Question and Answers
What is the availability of international schools? What has been your general experience with them, if any?
No direct experience, but from what I understand, elementary and middle school options are good. High school is a challenge. - May 2023
There are many international schools and preschools. We have had a good experience with one of the local daycare centers. - May 2023
I have heard mixed reviews on the schools. - Apr 2022
It is essential for your company or embassy to have director level contacts with each of the schools here in Kuwait. If your family arrives after the second term, in my opinion, it is unlikely that your student will be allowed access on campus or admitted to campus for the remainder of the school year. I have yet to see a local, private school that matches U.S. standards. - Mar 2022
Many schools of varying quality. For elementary the local British school called TES (The English School) gets good reviews. I've heard that the main American school, ASK, has had some complaints of bullying and regarding quality of education. There are many other options however and generally expats are happy. - Feb 2020
The schools are just not great, in my opinion. ASK is the historical school used by Americans but the facility is old and worn. The teachers there are mediocre in my view. The new school, American United School of Kuwait is brand new and beautiful and its improving. Its also very modern and close to the embassy, etc. The quality of teachers is OK and can be hit or miss, but I guess that is the case with any school. Some of the AUSK teachers are very good and we have had good luck. The facility is state of the art and utilizes all the latest technology and gadgets. - May 2017
The Embassy uses four different schools. Two "American" and two "British." One of the American and one of the British go through high school. Several children have graduated here and gone on to universities in the US. - Mar 2017
My child goes to TES, although there are several good options for schooling. Most of the kids from the Embassy go to ASK, TES, BSK or the new AUSK. Unfortunately ASK is the only game in town for HS aged kids. A lack of competition has not inspired ASK to improve their facilities or the quality of their programs - though I've heard from parents that it is getting better. For me, the sheer size of ASK (1,400 students) was too big and I didn't want my child to get lost in the crowd. Also, TES (600 students) has some of the best facilities and academics for younger kids. They aren't trying to expand their years served (PreKG - Year 8 in the British system) and focus on really good schooling for the 13 and under set. But, its hard to get into as its developed such a good reputation - so register EARLY. BSK is good and goes through HS though the student population seems to include a majority of SE Asians. If you're okay with that - it's a really good option. Another school growing in popularity is AUSK. Several families have chosen it lately and really like it. AUSK goes up to 8th grade and has new facilities. They're planning to expand their ages served each year until they have can graduate a class from the HS. - Mar 2015
No direct experience. I know for a fact there is no High School Football (American Style). Therefore my Junior/Senior class son stayed in Houston with relatives and didn't come with us. I haven't heard major complaints from coworkers. It seems OK getting into American and British Uni's from the American and British schools. They have sporting competitions in other Gulf states and even southern Europe (only a handfull of schools in this small city state). - Dec 2013
There are several options. The English School, British School of Kuwait, or American School of Kuwait (the only high school). None has state-of-the-art facilities, but most families are happy. - May 2013
We have a daughter in ASK for one term in 2nd grade. It is total luck-of-the-draw as to which teacher you get. Some are great, some don't care. Usually the teachers are so mentally beaten down by the unruly kids, their disorganized administration, and parents who think their kids should be given something for nothing, that they barely have time for the good students. TES has a better reputation, a higher level of academic rigor, fewer behavioral problems, and more expats. We ended up home-schooling during most of the time we were here, and it was best for us. Also, there are a number of Westerners home-schooling, and they have a group that meets on Thursdays, when all the kids get together to work on their social skills (parks, field trips, etc.), because everyone knows that home-schooled kids need to work on their social skills :). - Feb 2013
The English School (British Curriculum), British School of Kuwait (British Curriculum) and The American School of Kuwait (American Curriculum). American School of Kuwait is the only option if you have High-School-aged children; the other 2 stop at 7th grade if I remember correctly. - Jan 2013
American School of Kuwait (ASK) and The English School (TES) are the ones recommended by the embassy. There are numerous others. TES has an excellent reputation, but admission is competitive with long waiting lists, even for the preschool program. ASK has a poorer reputation for student life, a higher percentage of Kuwaiti students, and older facilities. Many, many other international schools to choose from. If your employer is not paying for school, start saving money!Typical tuition for preschool starts at $7,000 a year!!! - May 2012
Our children were young, and we kept them home instead of paying for private preschools which are expensive. - May 2012
Most schools (but not all) are a bit rough for ex-pats. Kuwaiti students are often poorly behaved and low achieving, and as they are a pretty closed society, ex-pat kids may be left out. This is not always the case, as Kuwaitis are also intrigued by Americans, so someone outgoing can make friends. There are also a few half-American Kuwaiti kids to be found. They are more open, particularly if they have been raised partly in the US and don't speak much Arabic. - Jan 2012
Decent schools, though some people complain. - Jul 2010
I have two kids that attend The English School (TES) which is on the British system. I am extremely pleased with the small class sizes and the level of education provided. Other families have kids in The American School of Kuwait (ASK) and The British School of Kuwait (BSK). I've heard of many complaints regarding ASK but none from TES or BSK. - Jul 2010
Many, many international schools. Two are American, many British curriculum schools, as well as French, Canadian, etc. Our daughters attend The English School, and it has been a very positive experience. - Jun 2008
