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Compass International School Doha

Qatar, Doha

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees QAR 45,000 - 68,342
Ages 3 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 1640
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum British Curriculum, IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP), Advanced Placement (AP), IGCSE Curriculum, A-Levels Curriculum
Introduction

Compass International School Doha is an international, co‑educational school in Doha and a member of the Nord Anglia Education family, operating across three campus locations (Madinat Khalifa, Themaid and Gharaffa). The school follows the English National/British curriculum from Early Years through secondary, offers IGCSE and both A‑Levels and the International Baccalaureate Diploma at sixth form, and serves ages 3–18 (Early Years 3–5, Primary 5–11, Secondary 11–16, Sixth Form 16–18). English is the language of instruction; the school also teaches Dutch (the school is accredited to teach Dutch), an advanced French programme and both native and non‑native Arabic. Notable facilities across the campuses include swimming pools, ICT suites, music studios, sports halls and purpose‑built performing arts spaces and a STEAM lab at the Themaid campus, and students use Nord Anglia's Global Campus digital platform. The school highlights international collaborations (Juilliard, MIT, UNICEF), Duke of Edinburgh opportunities and a dedicated EAL and additional learning needs provision.

34, 926 Al Baihaqi St, Doha, Qatar

The Essentials

Compass International School Doha has 1,640 pupils, instruction in English.

Location
Compass International School Doha operates on three campuses in Doha: Gharaffa, Madinat Khalifa, and Themaid. The Gharaffa campus is on Al Abareeq Street in the Gharaffa area of western Doha. The Madinat Khalifa Campus sits on Al Baihaqi Street, opposite Landmark Shopping Mall. The Themaid Campus is located on Street 1457 in Al Themaid, near Education City.

Stages
The school is an all-through day school for ages 3–18, offering Early Years, Primary, Secondary, and Sixth Form. The three campuses provide a linked through-programme structure: Gharaffa focuses on EY to Year 6, Madinat Khalifa offers Primary and Secondary up to Year 11 (including IBDP), and Themaid provides EY through Year 13 (with A-levels or IB Diploma Programme).

Type
Co-educational, day school.

Pupil Nationality Mix
The student body includes students from more than 80 nationalities. The school describes its community as international, with no single majority nationality published; local (Qatari) representation is not disclosed.

Additional learning support
The school has dedicated English as an Additional Language (EAL) and Additional Learning Needs (ALN) teams to support learners. It positions inclusion at the core of its approach and uses technology to aid SEN support.

Country affiliation
There is no formal country affiliation; the school is in Qatar and delivers UK-aligned and international curricula as part of Nord Anglia Education.

Religious affiliation
Non-denominational; there is no formal religious affiliation listed.

School day structure
Class timings across all campuses are Sunday to Wednesday from 7:15 am to 2:00 pm, and Thursday from 7:15 am to 12:00 pm. Early years finish at 12:00 pm, with childcare available 12:00–14:00 if arranged with staff. The Madinat Khalifa campus has a front entrance for cars/pedestrians and a side entrance for cars and buses; Themaid uses a one-way drop-off system.

Bus service
A bus service is provided by Karwa (Mowasalat) for Compass families. For pricing and details, contact Karwa; inquiries can be directed to ISBS@mowasalat.com or by phone. Compass also provides a dedicated transport page for bus arrangements and policies.
Diving Deeper

Uniform Requirement
Uniform is designed to be comfortable and modest and is a core part of Compass Doha's daily routine. A school jumper and cap are mandatory, with other uniform items purchased through Uniform Mart (online or in-store at Al Maszhabiliya Street). The 2025–2026 uniform update is in place.

Food Options
Compass Doha offers two daily breaks; Gharaffa and Madinat Khalifa campuses do not have a cafeteria, so students bring a healthy lunch and snacks. The Themaid campus has a cafeteria offering healthy meals, snacks, and drinks. There is a strict no-nut policy; lunches should be labeled with the student's name.

Governance and Ownership
Compass International School Doha is part of the Nord Anglia Education family, a global network of premium international schools. It is governed and owned by Nord Anglia Education and operates across three Doha campuses: Gharaffa, Madinat Khalifa, and Themaid.
Fees

Annual tuition at Compass International School Doha ranges from QAR 45,000 to QAR 68,342 for 2026/27.

Application and assessment fees
- Standard application and assessment fee: QAR 1,190.
- Early Years (EY) application fee: QAR 595 (Themaid campus shows QAR 595 for early years applicants).

Seat reservation (enrolment deposit)
- Seat reservation payment to hold a place: QAR 2,000. This amount is taken as a payment to secure the place and is deducted from the child's tuition balance.

Resource / annual materials fees
- Madinat Khalifa campus annual resource fee (in addition to tuition): QAR 3,866.
- Themaid campus annual resource fee (in addition to tuition): QAR 3,980.

Tuition fees (annual and per-term breakdown by campus and phase)
- Madinat Khalifa campus (annual tuition and term split): QAR amounts are shown below and are invoiced per term as the term breakdown indicates.
- Early Years 1: Annual QAR 45,000 — Term 1 QAR 15,000; Term 2 QAR 15,000; Term 3 QAR 15,000.
- Early Years 2: Annual QAR 55,000 — Term 1 QAR 18,334; Term 2 QAR 18,333; Term 3 QAR 18,333.
- Primary (Year 1–Year 6): Annual QAR 62,117 — Term 1 QAR 20,706; Term 2 QAR 20,706; Term 3 QAR 20,705.
- Secondary (Year 7–Year 11): Annual QAR 68,342 — Term 1 QAR 22,781; Term 2 QAR 22,781; Term 3 QAR 22,780.

- Themaid campus (annual tuition and term split): QAR amounts are shown below and are invoiced per term as the term breakdown indicates.
- Early Years 1: Annual QAR 45,000 — Term 1 QAR 15,000; Term 2 QAR 15,000; Term 3 QAR 15,000.
- Early Years 2: Annual QAR 55,000 — Term 1 QAR 18,334; Term 2 QAR 18,333; Term 3 QAR 18,333.
- Primary (Year 1–Year 6): Annual QAR 63,943 — Term 1 QAR 21,315; Term 2 QAR 21,314; Term 3 QAR 21,314.
- Secondary (Year 7–Year 11): Annual QAR 68,342 — Term 1 QAR 22,781; Term 2 QAR 22,781; Term 3 QAR 22,780.

- Term structure used in the fee schedule: Term 1 (September–December) is 4 months; Term 2 (January–March) is 3 months; Term 3 (April–June) is 3 months — fees above are split according to that term structure.

Billing schedule and payment terms
- Tuition is presented and billed on a term basis according to the three-term structure shown above (Term 1, Term 2, Term 3). A seat reservation payment of QAR 2,000 is required to hold a place and is deducted from the tuition balance. Parents receive invoicing in line with the term structure.

Boarding fees
- Compass International School Doha is a day school and does not provide student boarding accommodation; boarding is not applicable.

Other costs and typical additional charges
- Uniforms and school merchandise: the school operates a uniform/merchandise provision (Leopards merchandise available via the Finance Office); the fees page and parent information indicate uniform and merchandise are separate costs. Specific uniform pricing is not listed on the public fee summary.
- Transport: school bus service is provided through Karwa; transport charges and route pricing are additional and handled separately with Karwa (parents obtain pricing and booking from the bus provider).
- Enrichment, trips and extracurricular activities: these activities and certain trips or premium extracurricular options can incur additional charges; the school's payment platform handles enrichment and activity payments as separate items. Annual resource fees do not replace charges for optional trips, external exam fees, or some extra-curricular programmes.
- Examination fees (IGCSE/A-level/IB) and certain subject or external assessment costs may be charged in addition to tuition and resource fees; those fees are not broken down in the summary tuition table.

Refund information
- The published fees information confirms that the seat reservation payment of QAR 2,000 is deducted from the tuition balance. The public fees summary does not publish a full refund schedule or detailed refund calculations on the tuition-fees content page; parents should note that application and assessment payments are charged at application and may not be refundable in practice. The school's full Fees Schedule document contains the complete terms and conditions for refunds and withdrawals.

Fee payment options
- Payments are managed through the Zenda payment app; the school uses Zenda to allow parents to view and pay tuition, enrichment activities and other school charges. Zenda supports pay-now (credit/debit card and bank transfer) and pay-later / instalment options offered to families through the app. Use of Zenda is listed as the school's payment channel for convenience and flexible payment plans.

Notes and practical items for parents (fees-related)
- The amounts above are the published fee figures shown for the 2025–26 fee schedule and are shown per campus and per term where the school has published those splits. The school supplies a downloadable Full Schedule of Fees (Tuition Fees 2025–2026) that contains the complete itemised charges, payment deadlines, and the full terms and conditions for refunds, withdrawals and late payments.
Academics

Compass International School Doha teaches British Curriculum, IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP), Advanced Placement (AP), IGCSE Curriculum, A-Levels Curriculum for students aged 3 to 18.

Curriculum
Compass International School Doha operates across three Doha campuses—Gharaffa, Madinat Khalifa, and Themaid—and provides a continuous curriculum from Early Years (ages 3–5) through Sixth Form (ages 16–18), with English as the language of instruction and an average class size of about 12:1 plus dedicated EAL/Additional Learning Needs support. In Early Years, the curriculum combines the British EYFS framework with the International Primary Curriculum (IPC); Arabic, Islamic studies, and Qatari history are taught under the Ministry of Education, and Dutch is offered for native Dutch speakers (the school is the only one in Qatar accredited to teach Dutch) with an advanced French programme also available. Primary (Years 1–6) uses the IPC to deliver a broad programme including reading, writing, maths, art, history, geography, music, sport, technology, and science, with MoE Arabic/Islamic studies/Qatari history and Years 5–6 engaging with Global Campus projects. Lower Secondary (ages 11–14) follows the English National Curriculum (KS3), offering English, maths, science, history, geography, ICT, music, citizenship, art and design, PE, and languages, and preparing students for IGCSE. Sixth Form offers Compass PLUS, with the option to study either A-levels or the IB Diploma Programme (IBDP) at the Themaid campus; Year 12 typically begins with four A-level subjects chosen from option blocks, while the IBDP covers six subject groups plus TOK, the Extended Essay, and CAS.

Student Teacher Ratio
Average class size around 12:1; English teachers are native speakers; EAL/ALN support is available.

Exam Results
[Not provided in the source material]

Higher Education Progression
IBDP and A-level routes lead to universities globally; the school highlights collaborations with MIT and The Juilliard School to enhance STEAM and performing arts experiences, and students access a Global Campus platform for international projects.

Gifted and Talented
The school partners with Nord Anglia's global network and provides opportunities through collaborations like UNICEF and Duke of Edinburgh; Performing arts and STEAM programmes are integrated via external collaborations.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
Compass International School Doha supports Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) through a strong pastoral framework and wellbeing-focused practices. A highly qualified pastoral team provides social and emotional support, and students can speak to teachers, the school nurse, or a counsellor as needed. The school places wellbeing at the center of student development and daily life. Initiatives such as The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award promote resilience and teamwork, while UNICEF collaborations foster social responsibility and global citizenship. These elements collectively contribute to SEL by developing self-awareness, social skills, and responsible participation in the community.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
The school provides dedicated English as an Additional Language (EAL) and Additional Learning Needs (ALN) teams to support students. This indicates inclusive support for language development and other learning needs. The school does not publicly disclose whether it is a specialist SEN institution or the exact types of SEN it can support.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
English as an Additional Language (EAL) support is provided by a dedicated EAL team. The school also has Additional Learning Needs (ALN) staff to support a range of learning needs. These EAL/ALN provisions reflect a structured approach to language development and learning support.

Mental Wellbeing
Your child's health and wellbeing are the school's number one priority. A highly qualified pastoral team provides ongoing support, and students can speak to a teacher, school nurse, or counsellor. Staff safety and wellbeing are supported by training in safeguarding and health and safety. The school integrates wellbeing into daily life through pastoral care and access to counselling when needed.

Safeguarding
Safeguarding and child protection are supported through school policies (including anti-bullying and behaviour policies) and comprehensive staff training. All staff complete Child Protection and Health and Safety training. These measures reflect the school's commitment to safeguarding students and maintaining a safe learning environment.
Parent Experience

History
Compass International School Doha opened in September 2006 to serve Doha's international families. The school later expanded across Gharaffa and Madinat Khalifa campuses, with the Themaid campus opening for the 2019/20 academic year to host expanded secondary provision. The Compass brand originated with the WCL Group's Middle East expansion, and Compass International School Doha was established as part of that brand. In 2019, Compass International School Doha became the first IPC-accredited school in the Middle East. It joined Nord Anglia Education and operates as part of the Nord Anglia family, with access to global collaborations and an EdTech platform.

Community
The school hosts a vibrant international community with families from more than 80 countries. Friends of Compass, the parent community, coordinates regular get-togethers and supports school life. The Nord Anglia Education network connects Compass Doha to a global community, with access to Global Campus and alumni networks spanning more than 30 countries. Annually, Class in Action Day invites parents to observe lessons and participate in activities to gain insight into personalised learning.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
Friends of Compass is the school's parent community that coordinates regular get-togethers. Friends of Compass supports school life by organizing events and facilitating parent involvement. Class in Action Day is an annual event where parents sit in on lessons and take part in activities to gain insight into personalised learning. The parent network connects with staff to discuss academic progress, wellbeing, and campus life during these events. Former Compass students return to speak about life beyond school as part of the global alumni network.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
Compass International School Doha operates across two campuses in Doha: Madinat Khalifa and Themaid. Each campus features advanced STEAM labs and ICT suites with interactive EdTech. The campuses include soundproofed music studios, instrument rooms, and bright drama spaces, plus a 25-metre swimming pool, fitness studios, gyms, and all-weather pitches. Dedicated primary and secondary libraries serve learners across year groups. Themaid campus hosts modern performing arts spaces and a STEAM lab as part of its state-of-the-art facilities.

Sports Facilities
Compass International School Doha has modern sports facilities at both Madinat Khalifa and Themaid campuses. There is a 25-metre swimming pool, fitness studios, gyms, and all-weather pitches. The campuses include a modern indoor sports hall for a range of activities. Indoor and outdoor spaces are designed to support physical education and team sports. The facilities support both competitive and recreational sports for students from Early Years through to Sixth Form.

Academic Facilities
The school provides advanced STEAM labs and ICT suites with interactive EdTech. Soundproofed music studios, instrument rooms, and bright drama spaces support performing arts and music education. The Themaid campus hosts modern performing arts spaces and a STEAM lab. The Global Campus platform and partnerships with MIT and Apple enhance learning through technology. The language of instruction is English, and Dutch, Arabic, French, and Spanish are taught.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Compass offers global collaborations, trips, and clubs to extend learning beyond the classroom. The Young Innovators Club is award-winning and participates in international competitions. Your child will discover Qatar and the world on exciting trips, pursue passions at extra-curricular clubs, and develop lifelong skills. The Global Campus platform connects Compass students with peers across 81 Nord Anglia schools in 32 countries, enabling cross-school projects and events.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
Compass International School Doha follows a combination of British and global curricula. Students may choose between A-levels and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP). The curriculum is enhanced by collaborations with The Juilliard School and MIT, and learning is supported on Nord Anglia's Global Campus platform. In 2022, the IBDP results were best in the school's history, well above the global average.

Arts & Creative
Performing arts are integrated with an exclusive collaboration with The Juilliard School. The collaboration deepens dance, drama and music through specialist instructors and productions. The Summer Performing Arts with Juilliard programme immerses students in music, dance, or drama, and the school provides state-of-the-art music spaces.

Cultural & Language
Dutch language instruction is offered, and Compass International School Doha is the only school in Qatar accredited to teach Dutch. Students can follow an advanced French programme, as well as native and non-native Arabic language programmes. Local cultural learning is supported by trips to museums and partnerships with the Ministry of Education and Qatar Museums.

Social & Hobbies
An award-winning Young Innovators Club challenges students to investigate, innovate and explore, including participation in global competitions. A broad range of activities, clubs and local excursions supports students' interests in arts, STEAM, sports and other pursuits. Residential trips and expeditions broaden experiences, including visits to Switzerland and Tanzania.

Community & Service
UNICEF collaboration embeds the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child in teaching and learning. Students engage in beach clean-ups, outreach projects in Tanzania and other campaigns that connect local actions to global impact. The Global Challenge at the UN High Level Political Forum offers opportunities to participate in broader civic initiatives.

Leadership & Professional
The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award is encouraged, with students setting personal goals and progressing through the Award's stages. The IMG Academy collaboration provides sports and wellbeing programmes that develop confidence, resilience and leadership, with teachers benefiting from professional development from IMG. Tailored academic pathways and collaborations support access to universities in the UK, US, Qatar and beyond.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Pastoral support is provided by a qualified team, with access to a teacher, school nurse or counsellor. Staff complete Child Protection and Health and Safety training to ensure safety and wellbeing. Facilities include a 25-meter swimming pool, an all-weather pitch, a basketball court and a sports hall. Outdoor education and residential trips contribute to physical and mental wellbeing.
Languages

Language Provision
The school has native English-speaking teachers and English as an Additional Language (EAL) support. It is the only school in Qatar accredited to teach Dutch. Students can follow an advanced French programme, as well as native and non-native Arabic.
Admissions

Admissions
1. Get in touch with the admissions team. They are the first point of contact and will talk you through the application process and answer questions. They outline the timelines and any documents required for your child's age and programme. They explain what happens next so you know what to expect. 2. Arrange a campus visit or tailored virtual discovery meeting. You can visit Compass International School Doha in person to see facilities and discuss your priorities with staff. Alternatively, you can sign up for a tailored virtual discovery meeting if visiting is not convenient. These sessions help you understand the school's personalised learning approach and curriculum pathways. 3. Send your child's application, including supporting documents. Submit the application and all required documents as part of your initial submission. The admissions team reviews the materials and may request additional information if needed. They will guide you on the next steps and any deadlines to keep you on track. 4. Your child will be invited to sit a short assessment. The assessment is part of the admissions process and helps determine suitability for the programme. The admissions team uses the results to inform the decision. You may be contacted with the outcome and next steps. 5. The admissions team confirms your child's place. Confirmation follows the assessment and review of documents. You will receive enrolment instructions and a start date.
School Events
The school has not added events
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