Compare International Schools in Aley, Lebanon

Instructs in English, French

Pupils 2500

Type Co-educational, Co-educational (boarding)

Collège National du Chouf (SNC) in Baakline, Lebanon, offers a bilingual, multi-curriculum education rooted in French language instruction and AEFE accreditation. The school teaches in French and follows the French Ministry of Education curricula, preparing students for the French Baccalaureate as well as the Lebanese Brevet; learners may also pursue the French Brevet if desired. A parallel American System is available from Grade 3 to Grade 12, accompanied by targeted Learning Support to help diverse learners. The campus comprises 13 buildings and about 2,500 students from 55 villages, supported by a team of around 300 staff. Facilities include chemistry and biology laboratories, an ED Tech Lab, an Events and Performances Hall, a canteen, and on-site outdoor spaces and a basketball court. Students study Arabic, English, and Spanish alongside French, with a strong emphasis on language acquisition and global citizenship. The school fosters inclusive communities and prepares students for international pathways.

Location

Shouf, Lebanon. The campus is at the heart of Shouf, in the Shouf District, with land originally purchased near Baakline in 1956 for the school's founding.

Stages

Kindergarten, Elementary and Secondary (Senior School). English and French sections plus Special Programs; American System curriculum from Grade 3 to Grade 12; French Baccalaureate path accredited by AEFE.

Type

Co-educational

Additional learning support

Learning Support services are provided.

Country affiliation

Lebanon

Religious affiliation

Nonsectarian

Application fees
- There is no publicly posted, itemised application or registration fee available for parents to view online. For the exact amount required at application or re-enrolment, contact the Finance and Accounting office.

Tuition fees by school year and term
- There is no publicly posted schedule of tuition fees broken down by year group (grade) or by term for the 2026/27 or 2025/26 academic years. Exact tuition per term and per year group must be obtained directly from the school's Finance and Accounting office.

Billing schedule and payment terms
- There is no publicly posted billing schedule (for example termly instalments, due dates, or late-payment penalties) available for parents to view. The Finance and Accounting office handles invoicing and payment terms; contact them for the current billing cycle, instalment options, and any penalties for late payment.

Boarding fees (if applicable)
- No boarding facilities or boarding fees are listed among the school's facilities. The school's published facilities list describes playgrounds, sports courts, science labs, a canteen and other day-school facilities, indicating the school operates as a day school rather than a boarding school. There is therefore no publicly available boarding fee schedule.

Other costs (uniforms, transport, lunches, books, activities)
- There is no publicly posted, itemised list of additional mandatory or optional costs (uniforms, school transport, books, lunch plans, extracurricular activity fees). A canteen is listed among facilities, which implies lunch services exist, but no public price list or compulsory-fee schedule for canteen, transport, uniforms or materials is available. Contact Finance and Accounting for exact charges and whether any of these are included or billed separately.

Refund information
- There is no publicly posted refund policy or refund schedule for tuition, re‑registration deposits, or other fees on the school's public pages. For the school's refund terms (circumstances that allow refunds, deadlines, and any administrative deductions), consult the Finance and Accounting office.

Fee payment options
- There is no publicly posted list of accepted payment methods (credit card, bank transfer, cash, online payment portal) on the school's public pages. The Finance and Accounting office manages payments and will confirm accepted payment methods and any banking details or merchant fees. Contact details for Finance and Accounting are provided on the school contact page.

Practical next step (how to obtain exact figures and terms)
- To obtain an exact, up-to-date fee schedule (application fees, tuition by year and term, billing calendar, any other mandatory costs, refund rules, and accepted payment methods), contact the school's Finance and Accounting office directly by phone at +961 25 300 390 (Finance and Accounting extension: 224) or by email at info@snc.edu.lb. These contacts are the route to receive the official, itemised fee schedule and payment instructions.

Brief note on availability of published fee information
- No itemised fee schedule for the 2026/27 academic year (and none publicly posted for 2025/26) could be found on the school's public pages; the school provides direct finance contact details for parents to request the full, current fee schedule and payment terms.

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)

The school stresses the total development of each learner—intellectually, emotionally, socially and morally.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Special education specialists work with students who have learning, emotional, and/or physical disabilities. Special educators provide support in Arabic, French, English and Math; the learning support department is led by Haifa Chehayeb.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)

Three academic sections are English, French and Special Programs. The school teaches in English and French.

Mental Wellbeing

Emotional development is part of the school's holistic development of learners.

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Universal College – Aley

Instructs in English, Arabic

Fees LBP 33,000,000 - 55,000,000

Type Co-educational

The Universal College – Aley is a college-preparatory school serving an ethnically and religiously diverse student body in Aley, Lebanon. The school teaches in English, with Arabic language and social studies, and French language studies integrated into the curriculum. It operates under the Lebanese Ministry of Education and holds full accreditation by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools in Philadelphia. Established in 1907, UCA combines historic and modern facilities to support learning and community. The New Building (2014) houses a STEM lab and a technology lab for coding and robotics, a 270-seat auditorium, and 23 classrooms; the White Building provides a media center and dedicated music and art rooms; Preschool buildings offer arts, music, classrooms, play areas, kitchens, and restrooms; an Administration Building contains the library and offices. UCA is part of ESOL Education's international network, and an on-campus health program supports student wellbeing, fostering collaboration and inclusivity.

Location

Located in Aley, Lebanon, overlooking the capital Beirut. Mailing address is P.O. Box 284, Jamia Al Watnia, across from the Druze Court. The campus is in Aley, Mount Lebanon area.

Stages

KG1 through Grade 12

Country affiliation

Lebanon

School day structure

School day begins at 7:45 a.m. with homeroom. The day runs until 2:00 p.m. with scheduled breaks; Pre-K and Elementary share the earlier schedule while Middle and High School follow the same end time.

Application / Registration fee
- Registration (seat-holding) deposit: USD 300 per student. This deposit must be paid in cash to the Business Office, is non-refundable, and is not deducted from the annual school fees.

Annual tuition and associated recurring fees (2026–2027)
- Tuition (Lebanese Lira, per academic year) by year group:
- KG1–KG2–KG3: 33,000,000 L.L.
- Installment breakdown (tuition only): 1st instalment (40%) = 13,200,000 L.L.; 2nd (30%) = 9,900,000 L.L.; 3rd (30%) = 9,900,000 L.L.
- Grades 1–2–3: 38,500,000 L.L.
- Installment breakdown: 1st (40%) = 15,400,000 L.L.; 2nd (30%) = 11,550,000 L.L.; 3rd (30%) = 11,550,000 L.L.
- Grades 4–5: 44,000,000 L.L.
- Installment breakdown: 1st (40%) = 17,600,000 L.L.; 2nd (30%) = 13,200,000 L.L.; 3rd (30%) = 13,200,000 L.L.
- Grades 6–7–8: 49,500,000 L.L.
- Installment breakdown: 1st (40%) = 19,800,000 L.L.; 2nd (30%) = 14,850,000 L.L.; 3rd (30%) = 14,850,000 L.L.
- Grades 9–10–11–12: 55,000,000 L.L.
- Installment breakdown: 1st (40%) = 22,000,000 L.L.; 2nd (30%) = 16,500,000 L.L.; 3rd (30%) = 16,500,000 L.L.

- Operating fees (USD, annual) by programme:
- Lebanese Programme operating fee: USD 4,000 per year. Installment breakdown: 1st (40%) = USD 1,600; 2nd (30%) = USD 1,200; 3rd (30%) = USD 1,200.
- American Diploma Programme operating fee: USD 4,750 per year. Installment breakdown: 1st (40%) = USD 1,900; 2nd (30%) = USD 1,425; 3rd (30%) = USD 1,425.

- Books & subscriptions and insurance (annual):
- Lebanese Programme: Books & subscriptions = USD 300 per year; Insurance = USD 15 per year.
- American Diploma Programme: Books & subscriptions = USD 450 per year; Insurance = USD 15 per year.
- These ancillary charges are billed with the school year and are included in the school's annual fee billing.

Billing schedule and payment terms (2026–2027)
- Registration / seat reservation window: April 27 – May 15, 2026. A USD 300 deposit per student is payable at registration.
- Standard instalment schedule for the remaining annual fees:
- 1st instalment (40%) due: September 7, 2026.
- 2nd instalment (30%) due: December 7, 2026.
- 3rd instalment (30%) due: March 5, 2027.
- Early-payment discount: A 10% discount on both operating fees (USD) and tuition (L.L.) applies when the complete payment is received by September 7, 2026.
- Sibling discount on operating fees and tuition applies for families with three or more children enrolled: third child 5% discount; fourth child and onward 10% discount (applies to both operating fees in USD and tuition in L.L.).
- The school reserves the right to adjust fees in response to significant changes in the Lira–USD market rate and to changes in fuel and global costs. Fees must be paid on the established timelines; unresolved financial obligations delay release of official records.

Boarding fees
- Boarding is not offered; there are no boarding fees published for Universal College – Aley.

Other costs and compulsory charges
- Uniforms: School uniform is required and must be purchased from the school. No fixed uniform price is shown in the annual fee documents; uniform items are billed separately through the school.
- Transportation (bus) services: Transportation is offered for a separate annual fee; transport fees are not included in tuition and are arranged through the Business Office. Transportation fees are set per route and may be adjusted according to fuel and maintenance costs. The transportation fee is charged annually.
- Textbook/supply replacement: Lost textbooks must be paid for at the Business Office before replacements are issued; invoices for lost/damaged items are billed separately.

Refund information and withdrawal
- The registration deposit (USD 300) is non-refundable and will not be deducted from the annual school fees.
- Withdrawal procedure: Parents must notify the Director's Office in writing at least one week prior to the withdrawal date. All outstanding financial obligations (tuition, books, exam fees, lost items, etc.) must be cleared before official records or transcripts will be released. The family handbook specifies these administrative steps; specific tuition refund schedules for withdrawal are not itemized in the published family handbook.

Fee payment options and how payments are processed
- The USD 300 registration deposit is accepted in cash at the Business Office. Financial account statements and invoices are accessible to parents through the EDUFLAG app (parents obtain a username/password via the school). For billing questions or to confirm accepted payment methods (for example bank transfer, card, cheque or other options), contact the Business Office or the Director's Office as noted in school billing communications.

Practical notes on amounts shown
- Tuition is presented in Lebanese Lira (L.L.) and operating/ancillary fees in US dollars (USD). Installment percentages above (40% / 30% / 30%) apply to the billed annual amounts as per the school's published payment schedule. Fees are subject to revision should the school implement adjustments for currency or cost changes.

Uniform Requirement

Uniforms are required daily and provided by a designated uniform supplier. Shirts and blouses must be the official uniform shirt and buttoned up; PE shorts and the PE shirt are worn on PE days, with the PE uniform or sports wear on PE days or after-school activities. Jackets must be navy blue, black, dark brown or charcoal; white jackets or jackets with flashy colors may be permitted if no suitable alternative exists; 12th graders may wear a Letterman jacket with a 75% average; earrings are allowed only for female students (one small pair); makeup is not allowed; hair must be conservative.

Food Options

The cafeteria provides a variety of foods and snacks with a daily hot meal. Menus include sandwiches, nutritious snacks, salads, juices, milk, and water; meals are eaten only during breaks and lunch in designated areas; food is not consumed in classrooms. The cafeteria aims to provide an economical, nutritious variety.

Governance and Ownership

The Universal College – Aley is an Esol Education school and is part of the Esol Education network of international schools.

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)

Guidance and Counseling Services support social and emotional development. The Counseling team provides individual and group counseling for academic, personal, and career issues, and the Learning Support Coordinator coordinates early-year interventions in collaboration with families to promote student growth.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)

The school has a Learning Support Program led by a Learning Support Coordinator who oversees targeted interventions and personalized plans for students in the early years (K-4). The program emphasizes collaboration with parents and teachers to support diverse learning needs.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)

The language of instruction is English for all course work, with preschool children receiving bilingual instruction in English and Arabic from KG1. Arabic language studies, Arabic Social Studies, and French Language studies are also taught; Special English and Arabic are available to students who require additional language support.

Mental Wellbeing

Guidance and Counseling Services support students' mental wellbeing. Counselors provide individual and group counseling for academic, personal, and career issues, and offer career guidance to help students plan for life after school.

Safeguarding

The school promotes and protects the safety and wellbeing of all students and does not tolerate any form of child abuse or neglect. The Child Protection policy aligns with UNICEF principles and defines abuse types, identifies stakeholders, and outlines safeguarding procedures.

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Compare International Schools in Aley, Lebanon

Location

Stages

Type

Additional learning support

Country affiliation

Religious affiliation

Food Options

Governance and Ownership

Curriculum

Exam Results

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)

Special Educational Needs (SEN)

English as an Additional Language (EAL)

Mental Wellbeing

Location

Stages

Country affiliation

School day structure

Uniform Requirement

Food Options

Governance and Ownership

Curriculum

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)

Special Educational Needs (SEN)

English as an Additional Language (EAL)

Mental Wellbeing

Safeguarding

Admissions

Filters

Currency

Annual fees

Children's Ages

Curriculum offered

Brand

Preschool

Primary

Secondary

Pre-University

National Curriculums

Other Approaches

Language of instruction