International School of Kuwait vs Kuwait American School
International School of Kuwait and Kuwait American School are both in Kuwait City, about 22 km apart. Both schools offer American and Advanced Placement (AP) programmes. Published annual fees are KWD 1,750 - 4,500 at International School of Kuwait and KWD 1,756 - 3,488 at Kuwait American School, which puts International School of Kuwait roughly 19% higher. International School of Kuwait takes pupils from 3 to 18, and Kuwait American School from 4 to 18.
(Instalment amounts and dates are published together as the school's tuition schedule.)
Billing schedule & payment terms
- Published instalment schedule (example dates shown on the published schedule): 1st instalment due 25 August; 2nd instalment due 1 January; 3rd instalment due 1 April. The first instalment must be paid in full before the commencement of the new academic year. - The KWD 100 registration/seat deposit holds the place until the student's first day of the school year. - The published tuition figures exclude additional charges (see next section).
Boarding fees
- Boarding is not listed as part of the school's published fee schedule; no boarding/residential fees are shown.
Other costs and fees
- Items excluded from the published tuition schedule and billed separately: books, uniform, extracurricular activities, extra examination fees and school trips. - Any specialty or optional program charges (for example extra-curricular trip fees, exam centre fees or subject-specific charges) are additional to the tuition amounts above.
Refund information
- The published schedule states that the KWD 100 deposit secures the place until the first day of the school year. Specific refund terms for the deposit or tuition (for withdrawal or cancellation) are not itemised on the published fee schedule.
Fee payment options
- The published fee schedule does not list specific accepted payment methods (for example card, cash or bank transfer) within the fee schedule document. For payment method instructions, the school's admissions and reception contact details are provided in school communications.
Additional administrative notes shown on the published fee schedule
- The school's published fees are subject to change based on Ministry of Education approval.
Fee details
Application / Registration Fee - A one-time registration fee of KWD 100 is charged at initial enrolment (paid with the application/registration).
Tuition fees by year group (annual amounts) - Kindergarten 2 (K2 / age 4): KWD 1,756 per year. - Kindergarten 3 (K3 / age 5): KWD 1,953 per year. - Grade 1 (age 6): KWD 2,936 per year. - Grade 2 (age 7): KWD 2,936 per year. - Grade 3 (age 8): KWD 2,936 per year. - Grade 4 (age 9): KWD 2,936 per year. - Grade 5 (age 10): KWD 3,130 per year. - Grade 6 (age 11): KWD 3,130 per year. - Grade 7 (age 12): KWD 3,130 per year. - Grade 8 (age 13): KWD 3,130 per year. - Grade 9 (age 14): KWD 3,488 per year. - Grade 10 (age 15): KWD 3,488 per year. - Grade 11 (age 16): KWD 3,488 per year. - Grade 12 (age 17): KWD 3,488 per year.
First-year total (example) - For a newly enrolled K2 student the total payable on first year entry is KWD 1,856 (KWD 1,756 tuition + KWD 100 registration).
Billing schedule and payment terms - All student fees and charges are required to be paid before the start of term (the school requires payment one week prior to the first day of school). Parents may opt for the school's deferred payment plan in which the annual tuition is paid in three instalments; the first instalment must be paid prior to the student's first day. Late or missed payments are handled under the school's standard accounting procedures.
Sibling discount - A family discount of 5% is applied to tuition for the second (and subsequent) child from the same family.
Boarding / Residential fees - Kuwait American School operates as a day school; boarding / residential provision is not applicable.
Other costs and typical additional charges - The following items are commonly charged in addition to tuition and registration; parents should plan for these potential extra costs: uniforms, textbooks and workbooks, transportation (school bus), examination and external assessment fees, extra-curricular activities and trips, and learning-support or English-as-an-additional-language (EAL) support where applicable. These items are normally billed separately from the annual tuition.
Refunds and non-refundable items - The registration fee is treated as non-refundable in normal circumstances; when an assessment is required and the applicant does not pass, the registration payment may be refunded after deduction of assessment costs (the school's published practice includes a deduction for assessment expenses in that scenario). Refunds or partial refunds for tuition or other fees follow the school's enrolment and withdrawal policy and accounting rules.
Fee payment options and practical notes - The school requires payment of the registration deposit and tuition to secure enrolment; parents are instructed to complete the requisite payment to the school's accounts office or cashier by the prescribed due dates. Payment in person at the school office or by bank deposit/transfer are the routinely used methods for Kuwaiti private schools; parents should complete the payment to the school's accounts office as directed during registration.
Diving deeper
Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements
Boarding arrangements
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Boarding arrangements
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Uniform requirement
Uniform requirement
Uniform is not included in tuition.
Uniform requirement
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Food options
Food options
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Food options
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House system
House system
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House system
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Governance and ownership
Governance and ownership
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Governance and ownership
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Academics
Academics
Curriculum details
Curriculum details
American-influenced curriculum with Pre-Advanced Placement and Advanced Placement (Pre-AP and AP) courses and an American High School Diploma accredited by Cognia. ISK is a SAT examination center and has affiliations with the College Board and the British Council to support college readiness. Fusion™ is the core learning framework, a student-centered, collaborative, and inquiry-based approach that integrates STEM, the arts, and well-being. The Renaissance Education framework emphasizes holistic liberal-arts development and encourages students to pursue their individual talents.
Curriculum details
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Student teacher ratio
Student teacher ratio
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Student teacher ratio
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Exam results
Exam results
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Exam results
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Higher education progression
Higher education progression
Pre-AP and AP courses prepare students for higher education; AP courses are recognized by universities worldwide. The American High School Diploma is Cognia-accredited and supports college admissions, and ISK provides SAT preparation and has College Board affiliations to aid university applications.
Higher education progression
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Gifted and talented
Gifted and talented
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Gifted and talented
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Academic calendar
Academic calendar
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Academic calendar
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Wellbeing & support
Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning
Social & emotional learning
The Fusion learning ecosystem includes well-being and mindfulness as core elements of ISK's curriculum. The approach integrates well-being and mindfulness as central components of education. The school aims to develop the Renaissance student who can thrive in any context after graduation. Guidance counselors support students, and prospective families can meet a counselor during campus visits. The curriculum also emphasizes deep-language learning, visual and performing arts, and problem-based learning as part of student development.
Social & emotional learning
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Special educational needs (SEN)
Special educational needs (SEN)
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Special educational needs (SEN)
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English as an additional language
English as an additional language
Language development is a core element of ISK's Fusion program, with deep-language learning integrated into the curriculum. Language development is emphasized across learning experiences.
English as an additional language
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Mental wellbeing
Mental wellbeing
Well-being and mindfulness are core components of the curriculum. Guidance counselors support students and are available for meetings during campus visits. The Fusion framework embeds mental wellbeing as part of everyday learning.
Mental wellbeing
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Safeguarding
Safeguarding
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Safeguarding
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Safeguarding policy
Safeguarding policy
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Safeguarding policy
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Facilities
Facilities
Facilities overview
Facilities overview
ISK has state-of-the-art facilities, including FIFA-standard 7-a-side pitches, an NBA-standard court, and a cutting-edge STEAM lab and robotics center. The school provides preK-12 programs and swimming classes. Mindfulness spaces support social and emotional learning, and physical engagement includes sports, dance, yoga, Pilates and martial arts. The STEAM lab and robotics center underpins a modern, interdisciplinary approach to learning.
Facilities overview
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Sports facilities
Sports facilities
FIFA standard 7-a-side pitches are on campus. ISK has an NBA-standard basketball court. The sports facilities include swimming, football, and tennis. The basketball program offers opportunities to participate in inter-school and regional tournaments.
Sports facilities
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Academic facilities
Academic facilities
ISK's STEAM Lab and Robotics Center is cutting-edge and equipped with advanced tools for hands-on learning. Robotics builds design, building, and programming skills and includes competitions and collaborative projects. STEAM and robotics are part of a holistic approach balancing academics with arts, sports and wellbeing. Projects emphasize real-world applications, including sustainability and smart technology.
Academic facilities
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Extra curricular facilities
Extra curricular facilities
Mindfulness spaces support social and emotional learning. Physical engagement includes sports, dance, yoga, Pilates and martial arts. Live to Give reflects ISK's ethos, encouraging community involvement and responsible conduct. Swimming classes are offered as part of the school's extracurricular program.
Extra curricular facilities
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Parent experience
Parent experience
History
History
ISK is Cognia-accredited and has academic affiliations with College Board and the British Council. It has expressed interest in candidacy for accreditation with NEASC, Pearson (Edexcel), and the Council of International Schools (CIS). The Renaissance School page frames these accreditation efforts as part of ISK's development toward broader international accreditation.
History
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Community
Community
ISK's community rests on core values of integrity, empowerment, inclusivity, inquiry, and well-being. Live-to-Give emphasizes service and a Code of Conduct (Codicem Conductum) guiding interactions among students, parents and staff. Academic and events calendars show cultural and community observances such as International Day of Families, World Arabic Day, World Teachers' Day, and National Day.
Community
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Parent teacher association
Parent teacher association
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Parent teacher association
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Extra-curricular
Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual
Academic & intellectual
The Fusion™ core methodology provides a 21st-century education centered on student‑centered teaching, collaboration, conceptual and contextual learning, and community/societal connections. ISK features a STEAM-based curriculum supported by a STEAM lab and robotics center. The school offers Pre-AP and AP courses and holds Cognia accreditation for its American High School Diploma.
Academic & intellectual
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Arts & creative
Arts & creative
Dance is included in Physical Engagement. A STEAM lab and robotics center supports creative and technical exploration across disciplines. Fusion integrates creative thinking across subjects to prepare students for a dynamic world.
Arts & creative
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Cultural & language
Cultural & language
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Cultural & language
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Social & hobbies
Social & hobbies
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Social & hobbies
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Community & service
Community & service
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Community & service
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Leadership & professional
Leadership & professional
Leadership is a focus at ISK as reflected in its aim to 'build leaders' and in Fusion's emphasis on community/societal connections.
Leadership & professional
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Lifestyle & wellbeing
Lifestyle & wellbeing
Well-being is a key concept at ISK, with Mindfulness spaces for social and emotional learning to transpire. Physical engagement includes sports, dance, yoga, Pilates and martial arts.
Lifestyle & wellbeing
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Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
Deep-language learning is a feature of ISK's curriculum. Fusion™ integrates language learning across subjects to support this.
Language provision
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Bilingual teaching
Bilingual teaching
Languages are deeply integrated across the curriculum.
Bilingual teaching
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Immersion programs
Immersion programs
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Immersion programs
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Reputation
Reputation
Awards
Awards
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Awards
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Accreditations
Accreditations
Cognia accredits ISK. The school has academic affiliations with the College Board and the British Council.
