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American International School of Kuwait

Kuwait, Kuwait City

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees KWD 2,650 - 4,531
Ages 4 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 2100
Type Co-educational
Opened 1991
Bus Service Yes
Academic offering
Curriculum American Curriculum, IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP)
Taught languages Arabic, French
Typical class size 22
Strengths Sport, Visual and Creative Arts, Languages
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Community and Service
Stages Early Years, Primary School, Secondary School, Kindergarten
Introduction

AIS Kuwait is a private, independent, co-educational day school offering an American curriculum alongside the IB Primary Years, Middle Years, and Diploma Programmes. Serving students aged 4 to 18, instruction is in English with language options in Arabic, AFL, and French. The curriculum aligns with Kuwait's Ministry requirements and emphasizes university preparation for institutions worldwide. The school blends NGSS-based science, CCSS-aligned mathematics, and The Ontario Health and Physical Education for PE. Founded in 1991, AIS Kuwait has grown from a 300-student start to an inclusive campus with about 2,200 students and 350 staff, and it remains accredited. The campus features a 1,270-seat Dr. Kamil Al Rayes Auditorium, a Black Box Theatre, two gyms, two tennis courts, two soccer fields, science and computer labs, a Learning Common and a Genius Bar, music and art rooms, a clinic, and a canteen. Active programs include MUN, NHS, SLC, and a Visual Arts Gallery.

Hamood Al-Naser Street Salmiya, Medan 22033, Kuwait

The Essentials

American International School of Kuwait has 2,100 pupils, typical class sizes of 22, instruction in English.

Location
Located in Salmiya, Kuwait (PO Box 3267, 22033). Mailing address: American International School Kuwait, Salmiya 22033. Courier address: American International School, Hamood Al-Naser Street, Medan Hawalli, Kuwait.

Stages
Kindergarten through Grade 12, organized into Early Childhood, Elementary School, Middle School, and High School.

Type
Private, independent, co-educational day school offering an IB Continuum and an American curriculum.

Country affiliation
No formal country affiliation; based in Kuwait.

School day structure
AIS Kuwait uses division-based schedules across EC, ES, MS and HS. EC and ES gates open around 6:45 AM; EC dismissal around 1:12 PM and ES around 2:00 PM; MS/HS bus gate operations and regular dismissal around 2:25 PM (bus) or 3:00 PM depending on division. Elementary starts at 7:20 AM; High School starts around 7:40 AM.

Bus service
AIS provides bus transportation. Families register with the Transportation Supervisor. Buses are staffed by licensed drivers. AIS maintains a Bus Procedure Manual and Transportation Maintenance Manual.
Diving Deeper

Uniform Requirement
The school has an on-site Uniform Store on the school grounds; uniforms are required and the Uniform Store operates Sunday–Thursday from 7:30 AM to 3:00 PM; the AIS uniform is designed to be respectful, well-groomed and modest.

Food Options
The school has a canteen offering international and local food choices; Blimpies, Lo Fat and D & D Pizza are provided, a brick oven serves fatayer and other local bread products; beverages, pastas, saj and small snacks are offered; food service is contracted with local establishments and monitored by the Health and Safety Committee.
Fees

Annual tuition at American International School of Kuwait ranges from KWD 2,650 to KWD 4,531 for 2026/27.

Academics

American International School of Kuwait teaches American Curriculum, IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP) for students aged 4 to 18.

Curriculum
The school offers an International Baccalaureate (IB) Continuum with the Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP), and Diploma Programme (DP). English is the language of instruction. Languages offered include English, Arabic (Language and Literature), Arabic as a Foreign Language (AFL), and French for language acquisition. The curriculum is standards-based and aligned with Kuwait's Ministry of Education requirements; Arabic is studied through Grade 9 and Muslim students study Islamic Studies. Science follows the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and IB DP alignment; Mathematics aligns with CCSS; Physical Education follows The Ontario Curriculum Health and Physical Education. AIS emphasizes university preparation and provides pathways to leading universities around the globe.

Higher Education Progression
Many AIS graduates attend top universities worldwide, with pathways to leading universities around the globe.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The school supports social and emotional development through the IB programmes and a pastoral care program; the Student Services team includes divisional counselors and assistant principals to support student wellbeing.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
The school provides English Language Learner (ELL) support and is equipped to support students who do not require a modified program.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
The school provides English Language Learner (ELL) support.

Mental Wellbeing
The IB programmes support the social and emotional development of each child, complemented by a pastoral care program.

Safeguarding
The school has a safeguarding policy to protect students and staff; background checks are required for staff; a child protection framework is in place.
Parent Experience

History
Founded in 1991, AIS Kuwait was established after the liberation of Kuwait to provide Kuwaiti and international students with a high-quality American education. Under founder Dr. Kamil Al Rayes, the school aimed to provide access to a world-class education and pathways to leading universities. In its first year, AIS Kuwait welcomed 300 students and 25 teachers, despite shortages of textbooks, library facilities, and other learning resources. By October 1994, the school achieved full accreditation and relocated from Surra to Salmiya to support growth. After Dr. Kamil Al Rayes passed away in 1995, his daughter, Mrs. Samera Al Rayes, MA.Ed., became Director, with the family continuing to serve on the governing Board; today the school serves more than 2,200 students with more than 350 staff and remains an accredited international school with an open, welcoming culture and strong sense of community.

Community
AIS Kuwait maintains an active school community with a calendar of events including cultural celebrations and national holidays. World Arabic Language Day is observed at AIS on December 4, 2025. The AIS calendar includes events such as the MUN Conference (December 4–6, 2025) and the Winter Book Fair (November 23–27, 2025), plus National Day/Liberation Day celebrations in February. Student life is supported by active clubs and organizations such as NHS and MUN, promoting student leadership and community engagement.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
AIS campus in Salmiya, Block 11, is three to four acres in area. The space provides essential facilities and services for an inviting and welcoming learning environment. Our facilities include Dr. Kamil AlRayes Auditorium (seats 1,270), a Black Box Theatre, Gyms (2), Tennis Courts (2), Soccer fields (2), and a Kindergarten play area. Additional facilities include an Aerobics room, Weight room, Science Labs, Learning Common, Genius Bar, Canteen, Security, Music Rooms, Clinic, Art Rooms, and Computer Labs.

Sports Facilities
The school has two gyms, two tennis courts, and two soccer fields.

Academic Facilities
The school has science labs. It has computer labs. A Learning Common and a Genius Bar support collaborative learning and technology use. There are music rooms and art rooms. A clinic provides health services on campus.

Extra Curricular Facilities
AIS offers a broad extracurricular program through AIS Activities. Activities include Model United Nations (MUN), the Student Leadership Council (SLC), and the National Honor Society (NHS). Athletic options include varsity and junior varsity teams, as well as U14 teams. Visual Arts and Performing Arts are supported with dedicated programs. After School Clubs and Lunch Clubs provide additional enrichment opportunities.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
The school offers Model United Nations (MUN) through AIS Activities. The school lists SLC and NHS as components of AIS Activities. The school includes an Academic Events program.

Arts & Creative
The school offers Visual Arts and Performing Arts. The school maintains a Visual Arts Gallery. The school provides Performing Arts opportunities.

Cultural & Language
The school offers Model United Nations (MUN) through AIS Activities. The school lists SLC and NHS as student life options. Lunch Clubs are available as part of AIS Activities.

Social & Hobbies
The school offers After School Clubs. Lunch Clubs provide social opportunities after school. AIS Activities includes a variety of clubs under Student Life.

Community & Service
The school has National Honor Society (NHS) as part of AIS Activities, offering service opportunities. Service & Action is part of the IB Continuum.

Leadership & Professional
The school lists the Student Leadership Council (SLC) under AIS Activities. NHS supports leadership and service experiences. AIS Athletics & Activities provide opportunities for team leadership and collaboration through Varsity, Junior Varsity, and U14.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
The school offers NESAC Athletics and KASAC Athletics with Varsity, Junior Varsity, and U14 teams. These programs support physical well-being through school athletics. The school provides a broad range of athletic opportunities through Student Life.
Languages

Language Provision
English is the language of instruction. Arabic is studied through Grade 9 in accordance with Kuwait MOE requirements. Islamic Studies is studied for Muslim students.

Bilingual Teaching
English is the language of instruction. Arabic is taught as a language through Grade 9 under Kuwait MOE requirements.
Reputation

Accreditations
MSA accreditation: The school has Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSA) accreditation. First accredited in 1994; reaccredited in 2003 and 2013. The most recent accreditation used the Excellence by Design protocol, strengthening health and safety policies, student support and career services, and the governance–leadership alignment with the teaching staff.
IB Continuum: The IB Continuum is part of AIS. Diploma Programme authorized in 2005; MYP authorized in 2006; PYP authorized in 2007. Reauthorized in all three programmes multiple times, with a 2017 multi-programme self-study bringing the reauthorizations together.
Admissions

Waitlist
The Admissions Committee may place the applicant on a waiting list.
School Events
The school has not added events
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