At a glance
- Regulator
- Ministry of Education, private education department
- Oldest US-accredited school
- American School of Kuwait (high school accredited 1971)
- AP exams 2027
- 3 to 7 May and 10 to 14 May
- School week
- Sunday to Thursday, GMT+3
- Secondary hours
- 7:45am to 1:55pm (ministry, 2026-27)
American-curriculum schools in the Kuwait City area
Each entry is confirmed on the school's own website. Ask schools for current AP course lists.
| School | What we verified |
|---|---|
| American School of Kuwait (ASK), Hawally | Founded more than fifty years ago by American parents; high school accredited by the Middle States Association in 1971 |
| American International School of Kuwait (AIS) | Since 1991, KG to grade 12; Middle States accredited; American and IB curricula |
| Universal American School (UAS) | Non-profit college-preparatory school, about 1,800 students, accredited by CIS and NEASC |
| Dasman Bilingual School | Founded 1996; American and Arabic bilingual program; CIS and NEASC accredited; AP courses in high school |
| American Creativity Academy (ACA) | American school with Hawally and Salmiya campuses; also an IB Diploma school |
| Al-Bayan Bilingual School (BBS) | Bilingual American-style school in Hawally; publishes a full 2026-27 calendar |
A Kuwait private-school year: Al-Bayan Bilingual School 2026-27
One published calendar, to show the rhythm. Your school's dates will differ in detail.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 24 Aug 2026 | First day for grades 2 to 12 |
| 25 to 29 Oct 2026 | Mid-semester holiday |
| 9 to 16 Dec 2026 | Middle and high school exams |
| 20 Dec 2026 to 2 Jan 2027 | Winter holiday |
| 25 Feb 2027 | National Day |
| 7 to 11 Mar 2027 | Eid al-Fitr holiday (tentative) |
| 2 to 6 May 2027 | Grade 12 final exams |
| 16 to 18 May 2027 | Eid al-Adha holiday (tentative) |
Islamic holidays depend on moon sighting. AP exams run 3 to 7 and 10 to 14 May 2027.
What to watch in Kuwait's American schools
The early-May crunch is real. A grade 12 student at a school with finals in the first week of May can also have AP exams in the weeks of 3 and 10 May, while Eid al-Adha arrives mid-month. AP preparation that starts in March, after Eid al-Fitr, is usually too late for a student also finishing semester grades.
Bilingual schools such as Dasman and Al-Bayan teach a substantial Arabic program next to the American one, so English-medium math and science may get fewer hours than at a purely American school. Students who move between the two types, or who join from Kuwaiti government schools, often need help with the English vocabulary of algebra and lab science rather than the math itself.
How online lessons help American-curriculum students in Kuwait
With the ministry's 2026-27 hours ending the secondary day at 1:55pm, a 60-minute lesson after 4pm Kuwait time is easy to fit before evening homework. A tutor who teaches the course works from the class syllabus and recent graded work: rebuilding Algebra 1 skills a student needs for Algebra 2, explaining chemistry stoichiometry step by step, or in spring running timed AP free-response questions. Lessons cost $15 each, and the first is free.
Watch GPA, not just finals
American high school grades build a cumulative GPA from grade 9. A tutor in October, when the first quiz grades come in, does more for a transcript than one in May.
Common questions
What is the oldest American school in Kuwait?
The American School of Kuwait in Hawally, founded more than fifty years ago; its high school received US accreditation from the Middle States Association in 1971.
Which Kuwait schools offer AP courses?
Dasman Bilingual School lists AP courses in high school, and other American schools in Kuwait offer AP too. Ask each school for its current AP list.
When do American schools in Kuwait start the year?
Private American schools set their own calendars, usually earlier than the government one. Al-Bayan Bilingual School began grades 2 to 12 on 24 August 2026. The government calendar started later, on 13 September.
Do Kuwaiti universities accept American high school diplomas?
Yes, through the ministry's equivalency process and each university's own rules, often with SAT scores. See our Kuwait University admission guide.
How much does LiveTutor cost for American-curriculum lessons?
$15 per 60-minute lesson for any grade or AP course, on a plan of 1 to 5 lessons a week billed monthly. The first lesson is free.
Sources
Dates and figures on this page come from these official and published sources. Always confirm deadlines on the official page before acting on them.