Doha International School vs Global Academy International

	D Doha International School Doha, Qatar	G Global Academy International Doha, Qatar
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year QAR 13,699 - 15,100	Fees / year QAR 13,205 - 26,409
Age range	Age range 3 - 12 years	Age range 3 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type —
Curriculum	Curriculum American Curriculum	Curriculum Qatari Curriculum, American Curriculum
Pupils	Pupils 503	Pupils —
Typical class size	Typical class size —	Typical class size —
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened 1995	Opened —
Bus service	Bus service Yes	Bus service —
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location The Doha International School is located in Doha, Qatar, at Rawdat Al Nazwa Street 544, Saha 174 (P.O. Box 11195). The campus is listed with villa addresses 9 and 11, Court 174, on Rawdat Al Nazwa Street 544. The school sits in the Rawdat Al Nazwa area of Doha and is accessible by road within the city.	Location Global Academy International operates across multiple Doha-area campuses, including Wakra Main Road/Al Thumama, Sabah Al Ahmed Street in Al Waab, Al Rayyan, and Muaither. The main campus is on Wakra Main Road, Al Thumama 47, beside NABINA Est. Doha. Additional campuses are located in Al Waab, Al Rayyan, and Muaither to extend access for relocating families. The campuses are connected to major transport routes and nearby residential areas.
Stages	Stages The school operates two levels: Pre-school (KG1–KG2) and Primary, with classes from Pre-school up to Grade 6.	Stages GAI offers education from Kindergarten through Year 12. The Al Rayyan campus lists Pre-KG to Grade 6, while other campuses report Kindergarten to Year 12; overall the network serves Kindergarten to Year 12 with varying capacity by campus.
School type	School type Private international day school.	School type Co-educational day school. GAI operates as a private international school.
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix Public materials describe the student body as diverse and welcoming to all nationalities; however, there is no publicly disclosed data on the number of nationalities represented or the local-to-international ratio.
Additional learning support	Additional learning support The school states inclusive education and will admit students whose academic and personal needs can be met by the programs and student support services available at the time of admission.	Additional learning support Differentiated instruction is offered to all age groups. Teachers help lower-attaining students to meet curriculum objectives and provide support within regular classes.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation No formal country affiliation; it operates under the supervision of Qatar's Ministry of Education and Higher Education and follows the American curriculum (California).	Country affiliation GAI follows an American curriculum with California Standards and has no formal country affiliation publicly indicated.
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation No formal religious affiliation is stated.	Religious affiliation No religious affiliation is indicated in public materials.
School day structure	School day structure Start and end times are not published on public pages; the academic calendar shows term dates and holidays but not daily hours.	School day structure School timings vary by level: Grade 1 to 6 run from 7:30 AM to 2:00 PM; Kindergarten runs from 7:30 AM to 1:00 PM. The admissions office operates from 7:00 AM to 2:45 PM.
Bus service details	Bus service details Public information about a school bus service is not published on the school's pages.	Bus service details GAI offers a school bus service; transportation inquiries can be directed to the Rayyan campus contact: telephone +974 44178711, with reference line 66169700 and email info.rayyan@gaiqatar.com.
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Application and assessment fees - Doha International School charges one-off application/assessment and registration/seat-booking fees as part of the admissions process. The entrance/assessment fee and the registration/booking fees are invoiced at the time of application/acceptance and are treated as non‑refundable per the school's admissions policy. Tuition fees (annual and term breakdown) Pre, KG 1 and KG 2: Total annual fee is QAR 13,699 Grades 1 to 6: Total annual fee is QAR 15,100 Accepted payment methods and billing requirements - Payment methods accepted include cash, bank transfer, and cheque. The school's updated fees policy also requires submission of post‑dated cheques for the second term when specified and instructs parents to submit cheques to the Finance Department at the start of the academic year with the due dates specified. Report cards and transcripts are withheld until all outstanding fees are cleared. Boarding fees - Boarding is not offered. All students must reside with their parents or an approved legal guardian; there is no boarding programme or boarding fees listed. Other costs and regular additional charges - The school's full fee schedule and related documents itemise additional charges that may be invoiced separately from tuition (for example: registration/seat booking, assessment/entrance testing, consumables, resources and any optional items). The detailed Tuition Fees document lists which items are included in tuition and which are charged separately. Refund information and cancellation terms - Registration, booking and entrance exam fees are non‑refundable in the circumstances described in the admissions policy. Tuition fees are generally non‑refundable once paid. If a student withdraws, the school requires written notice; absence of required notice will normally make a full semester's fees payable. The admissions policy contains the school's refund and withdrawal rules in full.	Fee details Application fee - An application/registration fee is required when submitting an admission application; the school's admission policy confirms an application fee must accompany the completed application. Tuition fees — Thumama campus (annual and per-term) - Kindergarten 1 (Age 3): Annual QAR 13,205 — Per installment (paid in three equal instalments): QAR 4,402. - Kindergarten 2 (Age 4): Annual QAR 13,205 — Per instalment (x3): QAR 4,402. - Kindergarten 3 (Age 5): Annual QAR 14,856 — Per instalment (x3): QAR 4,952. - Grade 1 (Age 6): Annual QAR 16,506 — Per instalment (x3): QAR 5,502. - Grade 2 (Age 7): Annual QAR 17,826 — Per instalment (x3): QAR 5,942. - Grade 3 (Age 8): Annual QAR 18,486 — Per instalment (x3): QAR 6,162. - Grade 4 (Age 9): Annual QAR 19,147 — Per instalment (x3): QAR 6,382. - Grade 5 (Age 10): Annual QAR 19,807 — Per instalment (x3): QAR 6,602. - Grade 6 (Age 11): Annual QAR 21,127 — Per instalment (x3): QAR 7,042. - Grade 7 (Age 12): Annual QAR 22,448 — Per instalment (x3): QAR 7,483. - Grade 8 (Age 13): Annual QAR 23,108 — Per instalment (x3): QAR 7,703. - Grade 9 (Age 14): Annual QAR 23,768 — Per instalment (x3): QAR 7,923. - Grade 10 (Age 15): Annual QAR 25,089 — Per instalment (x3): QAR 8,363. - Grade 11 (Age 16): Annual QAR 26,409 — Per instalment (x3): QAR 8,803. - Grade 12 (Age 17): Annual QAR 27,730 — Per instalment (x3): QAR 9,243. Tuition fees — Muaither campus (annual) - Pre-K and KG band: Annual QAR 25,000 (PreK / KG1 / KG2). - Grades 1–6: Annual QAR 30,000 per year. - Grades 7–9: Annual QAR 35,000 per year. - Grades 10–12: Annual QAR 40,000 per year. Tuition fees — Al Rayyan / other branches (summary bands) - Typical published bands for other branches fall broadly in the ranges: Pre-K/KG QAR 13,000–25,000; Primary QAR 16,000–30,000; Preparatory/Secondary QAR 22,000–40,000 depending on campus and grade. Specific annual fees vary by campus. Billing schedule and payment terms - Installments and due dates vary by campus. The Thumama/main group page states that fees are collected in three instalments: first payment at registration or in September, second in December, third in April. - The Al Rayyan campus page states fees are to be paid in two instalments: first at the beginning of the year and the second in December. - The school's payment-method information lists acceptable payment channels and shows example semester payment windows; bank transfer/direct deposit, cash and cheque are accepted and educational vouchers are accepted for Qatari nationals. Bank details and an IBAN are provided for direct deposit. Boarding fees - The school operates as a day school; no boarding provision or boarding fees are published. Other costs and fees - Books and school uniform are not included in the tuition and must be paid for at purchase. - Transportation (school bus) is charged separately. Typical transport charges published by local school directories show example rates such as QAR 3,448 for routes inside Doha and about QAR 4,651 for routes outside Doha (rates may vary by route). - Standard one-time administrative charges (registration/application) are referenced in the admissions pages and earlier downloadable fee documents, though a specific one-time registration amount is not published on the school's current public fee pages. Refund information - The school's public pages reference a downloadable fees policy document but do not publish a detailed refund table or an explicit refund schedule on the visible fee pages. No public, itemised refund table (for withdrawal or mid-year leaving) is posted on the current fee pages. Fee payment options - Payment methods listed include: cash, cheque, direct bank deposit (IBAN provided), and educational vouchers for eligible Qatari families. The school provides Commercial Bank account details for fee payment. Notes: - The school has multiple campuses; fees and the instalment schedule differ by campus. The figures above give detailed per-grade amounts for the Thumama campus (annual totals and three-installment splits) and published annual bands for the Muaither and other branches as shown in the school and local directory listings.
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements —	Boarding arrangements —
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement —	Uniform requirement A school uniform is required; books and the uniform are not included in tuition and are paid for on purchase.
Food options	Food options —	Food options —
House system	House system —	House system —
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership The school operates under the supervision of the Ministry of Education and Higher Education of Qatar. It is a private international school. It follows the American curriculum (California).	Governance and ownership The school is a private international school located in Doha and is a member of Global Education Group. It offers an American Curriculum with California Standards in all stages. The language of instruction is English.
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details Doha International School follows the American curriculum (California) from Pre-school through Grade 6 and operates under the supervision of Qatar's Ministry of Education and Higher Education. Arabic, Islamic Studies and Qatar History are mandatory for all students and are taught in Arabic or English as appropriate, using MOEHE-provided materials and standards. Core subjects—English, Mathematics, Science and Social Studies—are taught in English and align with American curriculum standards. French, Social Studies, and Technology/Computer Studies are offered as supplementary subjects. Pre-school comprises Transitional Kindergarten (TK), KG1 and KG2; TK is the first year of a two-year kindergarten program with emphasis on language development, early literacy and foundational skills, and it supports Qatar National identity. Primary School covers Grades 1–6 and provides a broad, balanced program with a wide range of co-curricular activities.	Curriculum details Global Academy International offers an American-based curriculum with California Standards implemented across all stages, with English as the language of instruction. The Arabic language program, Qatar History, and Islamic Studies follow the Qatar Arabic Curriculum. The school serves Kindergarten through Year 12, with campus grade configurations varying by site (Al Rayyan campus lists Pre-KG to Grade 6; other campuses offer K–12). Assessments include Formative, Summative, and Benchmark methods; SAT and IELTS college entrance exams are coordinated through the student counselor, and the school participates in international benchmarks such as PISA, PIRLS, and TIMSS. Accreditations include AdvancEd (now Cognia) and Qatar National Accreditation.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio —	Student teacher ratio —
Exam results	Exam results —	Exam results —
Higher education progression	Higher education progression —	Higher education progression —
Gifted and talented	Gifted and talented —	Gifted and talented —
Academic calendar	Academic calendar —	Academic calendar —
Wellbeing & support	Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning	Social & emotional learning DIS's mission states that activities are planned to develop the child's social and emotional health. The mission emphasizes individuality and the development of self-confidence, curiosity, and self-discipline, and notes that these activities are designed to support social and emotional health. The environment is described as one that allows each child to develop at his/her own pace, thereby supporting social and emotional wellbeing.	Social & emotional learning Global Academy International places Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) at the core of student development, aiming to cultivate physical and emotional well-being and social competencies as key outcomes. Counseling staff along with teachers drive activities that promote students' character development and engagement in extracurricular life. Licensed trainers provide personal development and growth workshops for middle and high school students, including programs such as 'Strategic Personal Planning.' Students are encouraged to practice speaking and listening through Show and Tell, speeches, and participation in student council elections and graduation speeches. The SEL approach is integrated with diverse activities—sports, arts, health, technology, and volunteer work—designed to nurture creativity, leadership, and community contribution.
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) The school does not publicly disclose information regarding Special Educational Needs (SEN) provision.	Special educational needs (SEN) Special Educational Needs (SEN) provision is not publicly disclosed by Global Academy International. Public materials do not specify whether there is a dedicated SEN staff, a learning support program, or facilities designed for SEN students. The school operates an American Curriculum with English as the language of instruction, and no SEN-specific accommodations are described in publicly accessible content. There is no published information about inclusive education policies or referral processes for SEN. Consequently, SEN provision details are not publicly disclosed.
English as an additional language	English as an additional language The main language of instruction is English. French is offered as a supplementary subject. The school does not publicly disclose information regarding EAL provision.	English as an additional language Global Academy International teaches in English. The curriculum is American with California Standards, and instruction focuses on integrating Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking, with content delivered through the English as a Foreign Language classroom. English is the language of instruction across the school. No explicit separate EAL program, dedicated EAL staff, or targeted EAL interventions are described in publicly accessible content. EAL support details are therefore not publicly disclosed beyond the general language instruction.
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing The mission states that activities are planned to assist in the development of the child's social and emotional health. The environment and activities are designed to foster self-confidence, curiosity, and self-discipline, which support wellbeing. No standalone mental wellbeing program is publicly documented.	Mental wellbeing Mental wellbeing is a stated focus at Global Academy International, with the school highlighting physical and emotional well-being as essential to student progress and social competencies. Counseling staff and teachers collaborate to support students' mental wellbeing through guidance and targeted activities. Licensed trainers offer personal development and growth workshops (for example, 'Strategic Personal Planning') to students in middle and high school. Participation in extracurricular activities—sports, arts, health, technology, and volunteer work—contributes to wellbeing and leadership development. The school frames wellbeing as integral to preparing students for higher education and to contributing to the local and international community.
Safeguarding	Safeguarding DIS maintains a Child Protection Policy as part of its policies. DIS maintains an Anti-Bullying Policy. DIS operates under the supervision of the Ministry of Education and Higher Education of Qatar and follows the American California curriculum.	Safeguarding Safeguarding and behavior management are addressed via a Code of Conduct with a tiered disciplinary system. Offenses are managed with escalating steps: initial verbal warnings, followed by written warnings and informing the parent; subsequent offenses lead to written contracts, final warnings, or referral to the Behavioral Discipline Committee. The policy covers tardiness, classroom disruption, attendance, dress code, and other behaviors, with progressive consequences. The policy also includes transport-related sanctions, such as bus suspensions, and restrictions on participation in activities. Parental involvement is required at multiple steps in the disciplinary process.
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview —	Facilities overview Global Academy International provides facilities, supplies, services, and technology aids to support students' educational needs. The Pearl of the Gulf campus is located in Doha on Wakra Main Road in Al Thumama. The school implements an American Curriculum with English as the language of instruction. It serves students from Kindergarten to Year 12. The school has about 1,725 students.
Sports facilities	Sports facilities —	Sports facilities —
Academic facilities	Academic facilities Doha International School is a private international school in Qatar since 1995, supervised by the Ministry of Education and Higher Education of Qatar. It follows the American curriculum (California) and offers classes from Pre-school through Grade 6. The main language of instruction is English for core subjects. Arabic, Islamic Studies and Qatar History are taught in accordance with MOEHE requirements, in Arabic or English for non-Arabic-speaking students, with the ministry providing the mandatory books. French, Social Studies, Activity and Computer & Technology are offered as supplementary subjects. Learning materials are scrutinized and filtered to align with Islamic values and local cultural traditions.	Academic facilities —
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities The school provides a broad and balanced educational approach supported by a wide range of co-curricular activities.	Extra curricular facilities The school offers a wide range of extra-curricular activities across sports, arts, literary and scientific pursuits, including Olympic Games, Aspire Football Tournaments, Track & Field, Sprints, Qatar e-nature, Qur'an Competition, Film Festival, National Scientific Research Competition, National Astronomy Olympiad, National Biology Olympiad, and SEHHA – Al Gannas DUAL Program.
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History Doha International School (DIS) is a private international school in Qatar that has operated since 1995. It functions under the supervision of the Ministry of Education and Higher Education of Qatar. It follows the American curriculum (California) for core subjects and serves students from pre‑school through Grade 6. Arabic language, Islamic education, and Qatar History are taught to all students using MOEHE‑provided materials, while English, Math, Science, and Social Studies are taught in English to align with American standards. The school operates as an independent private institution within Qatar's education system.	History Global Academy International opened in 2004–2005 with about 170 students. It is a private international school located in Doha and is a member of Global Education Group. The school offers an American curriculum with California Standards across all stages. Since its founding, GAI expanded to additional campuses in the Doha area, including a landmark new campus in Al Rayyan and later additions in Muaither to accommodate growth and a diverse student body. Alumni have gone on to attend universities in Qatar and abroad.
Community	Community DIS supports a connected school community through a calendar of student activities and events. Regular field trips and activities are listed, including Bounce visits for KG1 and KG2 and for Grades 1–2, and events such as Nutrition Day. The site also references community partnership activities conducted as part of a community partnership program. Extracurricular offerings include Cross Country, Varsity Soccer, Girls Tennis Club, and Girls Volleyball Club, which contribute to holistic development.	Community GAI's community is diverse and welcoming to students from many nationalities. The school emphasizes academic achievement alongside physical and emotional well-being and social development. Campus life includes events and activities across its Doha-area campuses, supported by an events calendar and ongoing student engagement. The network of campuses—Al Thumama/Al Waab, Al Rayyan, and Muaither—supports a connected, city-wide school community.
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association A formal PTA is not publicly listed on the school's site. The Student and Parent Handbook describes policies and expectations for families and students, indicating structured parent–school communication but not a formal PTA framework. Public documentation does not show PTA meetings, committees, fundraising events, or PTA‑organized activities. Parent involvement appears to be channeled through general communications and participation in school events rather than through a named PTA body. If you need confirmation on whether a PTA exists or how parents can participate formally, contacting the school would provide the latest information.	Parent teacher association The PTA in Global Academy International intends to facilitate the participation of parents in various curricular and extra-curricular activities. Our administrators work to engage families and communities to advocate for all children, and the PTA cares for the educational needs of children while promoting family engagement and strong partnerships between the school and its communities. All parents are invited to become PTA members and to attend all meetings. The Parental Engagement program states that parents can contribute by leading educational workshops at GAI, as part of broadening school life. The PTA operates within the school's Parental Engagement framework to support student learning.
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual —	Academic & intellectual —
Arts & creative	Arts & creative —	Arts & creative —
Cultural & language	Cultural & language —	Cultural & language The school has a diverse community welcoming to all nationalities.
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies —	Social & hobbies —
Community & service	Community & service —	Community & service —
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional —	Leadership & professional —
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing —	Lifestyle & wellbeing The school aims to cultivate academic achievements, physical and emotional well-being, and social competencies. The school opened in 2004 and established a new campus in Al Rayyan. The school has campuses in Al Rayyan, Muaither, Al Waab, and Wakra.
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision English is the main instruction language for core subjects; Arabic is used for Arabic, Islamic studies and Qatar History; French is offered as a supplementary subject.	Language provision The school teaches in English. The school implements an American Curriculum with California Standards. English language development is addressed through the four language skills (Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking) and content in the English as a foreign language classroom.
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching The main language of instruction is English for core subjects, with Arabic taught for MoEHE-mandated Arabic, Islamic studies and Qatar History.	Bilingual teaching —
Immersion programs	Immersion programs —	Immersion programs —
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards —	Awards null
Accreditations	Accreditations —	Accreditations Global Academy International has AdvancEd Accreditation (valid until 2022) and Qatar National Accreditation for a three-year term.
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions 1. The school is a private international school in Qatar supervised by the Ministry of Education and Higher Education and follows the American curriculum (California) with classes from Pre-school through Grade 6. Arabic, Islamic education, and Qatar History are taught in line with MoEHE requirements, while English, Math, Science, and Social Studies are taught in English; French, Social Studies, Activity, and Computer & Technology are offered as supplementary subjects. The main language of instruction is English. 2. The Admission Policy outlines enrollment requirements and processes and is accessible in the Admissions area along with Evaluation & Grading, the Student & Parent Handbook, and the School calendar. 3. Online Registration is open for 2026/2027. An Online Registration option is listed in the admissions interface. 4. Completing the Registration Form initiates the enrollment process. The form is available in the Admissions section and leads families through the initial application steps. 5. The Evaluation & Grading process is used to determine placement for Pre-school through Grade 6 and informs enrollment decisions. 6. Financial Aids are available. Information about financial aid is provided through the Admissions resources.	Admissions Admissions are online. Applicants complete an online application form and upload all required documents via the Global Academy International online admission portal. Admissions for the 2025-2026 academic year are open. For inquiries, contact the Admission Team at +974 44178711. The school serves Kindergarten to Year 12 and operates across Wakra Main Road (Al Thumama area), Al Rayyan campus, and Muaither campus.
Scholarships	Scholarships The school offers financial aid.	Scholarships —
Waitlist	Waitlist The school does not publish information on any existing waitlist.	Waitlist —
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