Qatar! A small, wealthy nation of 2.8 million. Home to one of the world’s best airlines, and in 2021, Skytrax’s pick for the world’s best airport.
Its thriving economy and wealthy population is largely due to the petroleum, and natural gas industry, accounting for more than 70% of total government revenue and roughly 85% of export revenue.
Education in Qatar is enviably the recipient of the wealthy nation’s success in generating oil revenue.
The first primary schools for boys opened in 1952 followed shortly in the mid-1950s with girls’ schools.
The generous welfare provisions of the government accelerated the education sector, and by the 1980s, there were countless programs beyond academic classes.
The secondary level of education includes courses in technical, vocational, commercial, and religion studies.
The 12-year, state-funded school system consists of six years in primary school, three years in secondary school, and three years in tertiary education.
The education system in Qatar is vastly diverse, with over 300 schools offering a combination of international curriculums.
All private schools must meet the requirements of the Qatar National School Accreditation but are free to develop their own curriculum. While some teach in Arabic, the language used in instruction at international schools can vary according to their affiliations.
In addition, a few prestigious universities worldwide have distance learning, satellite campuses in the country in Education City and around the capital, Doha.
Qatar’s Education City started as a single school, Virginia Commonwealth University that soon transformed into a 12 square kilometer campus in Al Rayyan hosting many international tertiary institutes such as Carnegie Mellon and Georgetown.
The Qatar National Vision 2030 includes a number of objectives for the country’s education system, promoting national identities, morals, and social values.
Without further ado, here are the top 20 schools in Qatar, in no particular order.
1. American School of Doha
The American School of Doha (ASD) was founded in 1988 by the US embassy and prominent members of the Qatari community to meet the increasing needs of students in Doha.
ASD is regarded as one of the world’s leading non-profit international schools, with approximately 2,200 students from more than 80 countries.
The School received the Eco-Schools Green Flag in 2012 for its accomplishment in promoting sustainability on campus.
- Address: Al Bustan Street/ E Ring Road, Al Waab/ Al Soudan District SW Quadrant – Doha, Qatar
- Website: https://asd.sch.qa/
- Schooling systems: Co-education
- Type: Private
- Curriculum: American
- Annual Fees: QR 34,500 – QR 74,816
2. ACS Doha International School
ACS Doha was founded in 1967, it is part of the ACS International Schools Group.
ACS Doha has three premium sister schools in Greater London. Currently, it has 2,200 students with more than 70 nationalities represented.
- Address: Al Kheesa, Building No. 10, Street no 161 – Doha
- Website: https://www.acs-schools.com/doha
- Schooling System: Co-education
- Type: Private
- Curriculum: IB
- Annual Fees: QR 51,309 – QR 80,465
3. The Hamilton International School
The Hamilton International School is part of the International Schools Partnership, a UK-based organization that owns 50 schools, located in 15 countries, including Park House English School, Doha’s oldest and most prestigious institution.
- Address: Mesaimeer Area (near the Religious Complex) – Doha
- Website: https://hamiltoninternationalschool.qa/
- Schooling system: Co-education
- Type: Private
- Curriculum: IB
- Annual fees:
- • Academic year 2020/21: QR 46,750 – 59,500
- • Academic 21/22: QR 49,500 – 67,500
- • Academic Year 2022/23: 52,250 – 71,250
4. Arab International Academy
The Arab International Academy was founded in Doha, Qatar, in 2016.
Arab International Academy pursued and received authorization for the IB Diploma Programme, Middle Years Programme, and Primary Years Programme.
The IB Programs aim to develop the whole person in terms of cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development. AIA’s averages in all subjects are higher than the global averages, with a 100% passing rate.
- Address: AL Sadd Area, Sports Roundabout – Doha
- Website: https://www.aia.qa/
- Schooling system: Co-education
- Type: Private
- Curriculum: IB
- Annual Fees: QR 35,296 – 52,132
5. Michael E. DeBakey High School
Michael E. DeBakey High School for Health Professions was established in 2008.
The school became the second in the world to bear the name of Michael Ellis Debakey (Michel Dabaghi), an American surgeon, scientist, and medical educator.
It is an award-winning high school that provides students with a college-preparatory curriculum in science, math, and medicine.
In 2009, the school received US accreditation along with Qatar accreditation. The school has a 100% graduation and acceptance rate to top universities and colleges in the US, England, Qatar, and Canada.
- Address: Raodh Alain Street, Al Messila South – Doha
- Website: https://debakeyatqatar.org/
- Schooling system: co-educational
- Type: Private
- Curriculum: American
- Annual fees: QR 49,100 – QR 68,000
6. Park House English School
Park House English School was founded in Doha in 1994 and was acquired by the International Schools Partnership in 2015. It’s one of the oldest and most respected schools in Qatar.
- Address: Mesaimeer Road, Abu Hamour, – Doha
- Website: https://parkhouseschool.com/
- Schooling System: Co-educational
- Type: Private
- Curriculum: British, IGCSE
- Annual Fees: QR 22,934 – QR 52,423
7. SEK International School Qatar
SEK International School of Qatar is part of SEK International schools.
SEK International schools provide more than 6,000 day and boarding students of over 70 nationalities, at their campuses in Madrid, Barcelona, Almeria, Pontevedra, Dublin, Les Alpes (France), Doha, and Saudi Arabia.
SEK International School Qatar was founded in 2013 and currently has students of more than 50 nationalities.
SEK International school Qatar has been accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) and is authorized to provide the three IB programs, Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP), and Diploma Programme (DP).
The school has been rewarded as a Microsoft Showcase School for the academic year 2021-2022. The award was given to SEK international school Qatar for the fourth time in a row.
- Address: Onaiza 65 – Doha
- Website: https://www.sek.qa/
- Schooling system: co-education
- Type: Private
- Curriculum: IB
- Tuition Fees:
- • Academic year 2021-2022: QR 30,650 – QR 63,099
8. Belgravia High School Doha
Belgravia High School was founded in 2012, it provides teaching in British curriculum AS, A2, and IGCSE subjects (Pearson/Edexcel and Cambridge International accredited).
Belgravia High School is a British school in Doha that offers a new concept to education.
It differs from the current trend of schools in Qatar, many of which have large enrollments and class sizes that are nearly double those of Belgravia.
Belgravia high school has small teaching groups with a maximum of 16 students per classroom.
- Address: Sports City St – Doha
- Website: https://www.belgraviadoha.com/
- Schooling system: Co-educational
- Type: private
- Curriculum: British, IGCSE
- Annual fees: 49,600 QR all-inclusive
9. Compass International School Doha
Compass International School Doha is part of the Nord Anglia Education Family of 73 premium international schools worldwide.
It’s a British international school located over four campuses across Doha. In January 2018, the school was awarded accreditation from The School Evaluation Department of the School Evaluation Institute, Qatar.
Compass is also the first school in Qatar with a French – English program to be awarded the LabelFrancÉducation accreditation for its French Bilingual Programme.
- Address: Al Baihaqi Street, Building 34, Zone 32, Street 926, Madinat Khalifa – Doha
- Website: https://www.nordangliaeducation.com/our-schools/doha/compass-international-school
- Schooling system: co-education
- Type: Private
- Curriculum: British
- Annual Fees: QR 60,889 – QR 68,342
10. GEMS American Academy Qatar (GAAQ)
GEMS American Academy Qatar (GAAQ) is part of the GEMS Education family, a network of international schools that has 44 schools in UAE and Qatar.
Currently having Over 119,000 students throughout Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Europe, Africa, India, Southeast Asia, and North America.
GEMS American Academy Qatar has received full accreditation from the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC).
It is the third school in Qatar to receive the International Eco-Schools Green Flag Award.
It has been recognized as one of the “Most Valuable Schools to Watch in the Middle East” and was named “The Most Valuable School to Watch in the Middle East” by The Knowledge Review magazine.
- Address: Mian St., Al Wukair, Al Wakrah – Doha
- Website: https://www.gemsamericanacademy-qatar.com/
- Schooling System: co-educational
- Type: Private
- Curriculum: American
- Annual Fees: QR 35,150 – QR 59,650
11. GEMS Wellington School
GEMS Wellington school is the second GEMS Education school in Qatar providing the academically acclaimed National Curriculum for England.
It has some of the highest university acceptance rates of any international school in the last four years.
The students have been accepted to 1050 universities in 53 different countries including 66 of the world’s top 100 universities.
- Address: Mian St., Al Wukair, Al Wakrah, Doha PO Box 81071, Al Mashaf, Al Wukair, Al Wakrah, Doha
- Website: https://www.gemswellingtonschool-qatar.com/
- Schooling System: Co-education
- Type: Private
- Curriculum: British
- Annual fees: QR 38,250 – QR 63,625
12. Nord Anglia International School – Al Khor
Nord Anglia International School Al Khor was founded in 2012 and is part of Nord Anglia Education.
It is the only school in Al Khor providing partnerships with The Juilliard School, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and UNICEF.
NAISK currently has students of more than 40 nationalities.
- Address: Taimiyah Street Building 5 Zone 74 Al Khor, Qatar
- Website: https://www.nordangliaeducation.com/our-schools/al-khor
- Schooling system: Co-educational
- Type: Private
- Curriculum: British
- Annual fees: QR 31,400 – QR 47,750
13. Doha College, Al Waab Campus
Doha College was founded in 1980 to meet the demand for a British-style education.
It was the first school in Qatar to receive an Eco-schools green flag from the Foundation for Environmental Education in 2016.
Doha College won the international impact award at the 2017 British International School of the Year Awards.
It was the first school in Qatar to be accredited under the new Patron’s Accreditation and Compliance offered by the Council of British International School (COBIS) as an alternative to the British School Overseas (BSO accreditation.
- Address: PO Box 7506 Al Niser St. Doha
- Website: https://www.dohacollege.com/
- Schooling system: Co-educational
- Type: Private
- Curriculum: British
- Annual fees: QR 12,695 – QR 24,220
14. Doha Modern Indian School
The first Indian schools to be awarded “Qatar National School Accreditation (QNSA)” for a five-year period ensures that the system and processes are well-established.
The school is affiliated with the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), New Delhi, to prepare students for the All India Senior School Certificate Examinations (Grade XII).
- Address: P.O Box: 47391 – Mesaimeer Street, Abu Hamour , Doha
- Website: https://dmisqatar.com/
- Schooling system: co-education
- Type: private
- Curriculum: CBSE
- Annual fees: QR 9,345 – QR 18,217
15. International School of London, Qatar
The school was founded in 2008 and currently, it has more than 1100 students from 70 different countries including America, Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, China, Finland, France, Greek, Irish, Italian, Lebanese, Norway, Saudi Arabia, and Singapore.
The school values Students’ cultural and linguistic identities by providing an international curriculum and mother tongue language programs.
In 2020, the students won first place at THIMUN Qatar 2020 for their Solar Panel Project.
- Address: PO Box 18511, North Duhail, Doha, State of Qatar
- Website: https://www.islqatar.org/
- Schooling system: co-education
- Type: private
- Curriculum: IB
- Annual fees: QR 53,005 – QR 75,655
16. Qatar International School
The school has a 100% pass rate at A-Level and a 77% pass rate at AS Level (21% achieving 3 A-B).
In the 2018-2019 academic year the students applied to over 77 universities across the world, and many of them were accepted to some of the most highly ranked institutions.
- Address: Qatar International School, United Nations Street, Doha – Qatar, PO.Box – 5697.
- Website: https://www.qisweb.qis.org/
- Schooling system: co-education
- Type: private
- Curriculum: British
- Annual fees: QR 28,900 – QR 49,050
17. The Cambridge School, Doha
Founded in 2001, The Cambridge School Doha was awarded Best AS and A level results in Qatar in 2016-17.
Total of 13 Outstanding Learners Awards (the highest in the country), a total of 7 Outstanding Learners Awards. Since 2011, a total of 83 students have received the Outstanding Learners Award.
The school has previously won numerous Environment and Qatar Debate awards.
- Address: P.O Box: 22580 – AL Maadeed Street, Mamoura, Doha – Qatar
- Curriculum: British, IGCSE
- Schooling System: Co-educational
- Type: Private
- Website: https://tcsqatar.com/
- Annual fees: QR 20,421 – QR 40,524
18. Doha English Speaking School
Doha English Speaking School (DESS), one of Qatar’s oldest non-profit primary schools, has provided children an education based on the British Curriculum.
DEES Year 6 Standard Assessment Tests (SATs) rank in the top 2% of both state and independent schools in the UK.
DEES children’s academic achievements far outnumber those shown in UK national average statistics.
In 2017, DESS was awarded the highest grading of ‘Outstanding’; this grading allows DESS to be favorably compared with the other UK and overseas independent schools.
In 2017, DESS was also named ‘Organisation of the Year’ by the Qatar British Business Forum.
- Address: P.O. Box 7660, Al Maarri Street No. 940 Fereej Kulaib, Zone 35, Doha
- Website: https://www.dess.org/
- Schooling System: Co-education
- Type: Private
- Curriculum: British
- Annual fees: QR 38,120 – QR 48,500
19. MES Indian School
The Middle East Educational Services, Qatar owns and operates the M.E.S. Indian School of Doha, which was founded in 1974.
The School, which is accredited by the Ministry of Education of the State of Qatar and affiliated with the Central Board of Secondary Education in Delhi, is one of the Gulf’s premier educational institutions.
The school won the best school award in the Interschool Polemic Challenge Debate contest 2021.
- Address: P.O. Box No. 3452 Doha-Qatar
- Website: https://www.mesqatar.org/
- Schooling system: co-educational
- Type: Private
- Curriculum: CBSE
- Annual fees: QR 4,252 – QR 8,295
20. Dukhan English School
Dukhan English School is one of Qatar’s oldest English-medium schools. Its origins can be traced back to the early 1950s, when British Petroleum, the owners of the Dukhan Field at the time, established a school in the building that would later become the Dukhan Water Sports clubhouse.
Throughout the academic year, DES students attend conferences in and around Qatar. The goal of each conference is to find solutions to the world’s various problems through discussion, negotiation, and debate. The delegates can express themselves in a professional, sensitive, and critical manner
- Address: Near to L Type Park – Dukhan, Qatar
- Website: https://des.com.qa/Pages/default.aspx
- Schooling system: co-educational
- Type: Private
- Curriculum: British, UK EYFS
There are 845 Schools in Qatar.
Qatar offers various types of schools:
1- Public (government) schools
2- Private international schools
3- Community schools (serving specific expatriate communities)
4- Arabic private schools
Enrollment procedures vary by school. Generally, you need to fill out an application form, provide required documents (e.g., passport, residence permit, previous school records), and may need to pay an application fee. Some schools may also require an entrance assessment.