Qatar continues to draw a steady stream of expat professionals who move to the country for lucrative job opportunities and a high standard of living. Many expats relocate with their families and prefer to send their children to international schools as public schools use Arabic as the language of instruction. Qatar has many highly reputed international schools and most of these have long waiting lists. Here is an overview of some of the popular international schools in the country.The Phoenix Private School
The Phoenix Private School located at Al Afnan Street, Mamoura, in Doha, Qatar, follows the National Curriculum of England and Wales. Children from the ages of 3 to 14 are enrolled into the school. The Phoenix Private School intentionally keeps the size of the classes small so that students receive proper educational attention. There is also an intensive after-school enrichment program that aids in social learning and exercise. The school conducts lessons in both English and Arabic in order to promote an understanding of the country.
Qatar Academy
Qatar Academy, based in Doha, accepts students in their Primary, Middle Year and IB Diploma programs. It also conducts community and service programs and experiential education along with extra-curricular activities. The facilities offered by the school include science laboratories, art studios, a 250-seat auditorium and an Olympic-sized swimming pool. Qatar Academy is located on the Garafat Al Rayyan and Dukhan Highway.
Qatar International School
Qatar International School is an English-speaking day school based in Doha. It follows the National Curriculum of England and Wales and admits students between the ages of 3 and 18 years. The school has evolved over the years and today has nearly 1,700 students on roll. With an aim to maintain the highest standards of the current British education system, Qatar International School is headed and managed by British professionals. The school also makes it a point to support and raise awareness of Arabic culture.
Doha English Speaking School
The school began as an English Primary School for British children in 1971. The junior school was started in 1979 and witnessed rapid expansion over the past years. It enrolls students between the ages of 3 and 11 years. The admissions policy of the Doha English Speaking School (DESS) prioritizes British children, but the school still retains a strong international character. DESS follows the English National Curriculum and follows an approach of close cooperation between adults and children. It ranks among the top 5 percent of UK primary schools due to its results in the UK national tests for 11 year-olds.
Al-Jazeera Academy
Offering the National Curriculum of England, Al-Jazeera Academy is an international school in Doha that also supports education in Arabic and Qatari history. There are 73 general primary and secondary classrooms constructed according to international school standards, many of which are equipped with audio-visual and multi-media equipment. The Academy also emphasizes physical education and encourages its students to engage in physical fitness and participation in sporting activities to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
International School of London
International School of London (ISL) is an authorized IB World School that offers the Primary Years Programme and the Diploma Programme. It is also a candidate school for the Middle Years Programme. English is the language of instruction at ISL, but mother tongue literacy is also encouraged. Lessons in various mother tongue languages such as Arabic, English, French, Spanish, German and Japanese among others are held every week.
Qatar Canadian School
The Qatar Canadian School is located in Al Markhiya in Doha. The curriculum of Qatar Canadian School (QCS) follows the Alberta Program of Study in coordination with the Supreme Education Council. The school offers Alberta high school diplomas to students according to the credit system.
The Cambridge School
The Cambridge School located in Doha provides education based on the National Curriculum for England. It enrolls students from kindergarten to year 9 and prepares students for the IGCSE, AS and A Level, following the Cambridge International Examinations Board. Students are also actively encouraged to participate in all school activities. The education provided by the Cambridge School Doha enables students to gain entry into leading universities across the world. Currently, the Cambridge School has students from over 50 different nationalities.