American School of Doha is an independent nonprofit day school in the Al Waab area of Doha, founded in 1988 and originally opened as the American International School. It teaches a United States curriculum from the early years to Grade 12 to a community of more than two thousand pupils drawn from over seventy nationalities. Among the Doha international schools it is the longest established American option and a benchmark for the city's United States curriculum sector.
This profile sets out the curriculum, the fee band, the admissions calendar and the community around the school. GlobalSchoolGuide is independent and no school pays to be listed, so what follows is an editorial reference rather than a prospectus. For the wider shortlist of United States curriculum schools in the city, see our guide to the best American schools in Doha.
American School of Doha at a glance
| Curriculum and exam boards | American curriculum to AERO standards; Advanced Placement courses and the International Baccalaureate Diploma; United States High School Diploma |
|---|---|
| Stage range | Early years to Grade 12 (roughly ages 3 to 18) |
| Founded | 1988, as the American International School |
| Accreditation | New England Association of Schools and Colleges (since 1994); authorised International Baccalaureate World School |
| Fee band | Premium Doha tier (see Doha fees guide) |
| Campus area | Al Waab, off the E Ring Road, central Doha |
Curriculum and academics
American School of Doha follows the American curriculum built on AERO standards, with mathematics aligned to the Common Core, science to the Next Generation Science Standards and a United States style social studies framework. It was the first school in Qatar to offer both Advanced Placement courses and the International Baccalaureate Diploma, giving senior pupils a choice of two recognised pre university routes alongside the United States High School Diploma. Teaching is in English throughout, with Arabic and additional languages offered.
The school is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, a United States regional accreditor, and has held that accreditation since 1994. Families weighing the American route against the British, Indian and IB options in the city can read our overview of the American curriculum and compare it with the alternatives before deciding.
Weighing ASD against another offer?
Line up American School of Doha against other United States curriculum schools in the city on fees, curriculum and stage, free and independent.
American School of Doha fees
| Stage | Annual tuition |
|---|---|
| Pre-K3 / Pre-K4 | QAR 36,570 |
| Kindergarten to Grade 5 | QAR 60,982 |
| Grades 6 to 12 | QAR 79,305 |
Source: American School of Doha (asd.sch.qa). Annual tuition (three bands). Excludes the annual capital fee, registration and application fees. Fees are the most recent published figures and exclude one-off costs such as registration, deposits and capital levies. Always confirm current fees directly with the school.
American School of Doha sits in the premium part of the Doha market, reflecting its size, facilities and long track record. Fees are quoted in Qatari riyals and rise through the year groups towards the senior school, landing towards the upper end of the range mapped in our Doha school fees guide. We do not republish a precise figure here because the schedule changes each year, so confirm the current rate with the school before you budget.
Plan for the costs that sit above headline tuition. Expect an application charge, a registration or capital fee on acceptance, optional bus transport, lunch and, in the senior years, examination entry fees for Advanced Placement and the International Baccalaureate. As a nonprofit, the school reinvests fee income in facilities and staffing rather than distributing it, but the real cost for a relocating family still runs above the headline tuition.
Admissions and intake
American School of Doha runs an academic year from late August to June and admits across year groups subject to availability, with the early years and the start of each school division among the natural entry points. Demand is strong in popular grades, so apply as soon as a move to Qatar is confirmed and ask about waiting lists.
Admission is based on prior school reports, age appropriate assessment and, in the senior school, evidence that an applicant can access an English medium programme. Applications are made through the school and require recent reports, passport and residency documentation and, for transfers, a leaving record. Children moving from other American curriculum schools usually transfer smoothly because the grade structure and standards line up.
Location and who goes there
The school occupies a large campus in the Al Waab area off the E Ring Road, a well connected residential part of central Doha. Many ASD families live in the surrounding compounds and districts of west and central Doha that house much of the city's professional and diplomatic expatriate population. The parent body is broad, with North American families joined by a wide international mix drawn to the established United States curriculum route and the school's facilities.
For the wider picture of how the American, British, Indian and IB schools sit across the city, including fee tiers and neighbourhoods, see the Doha schools hub.
American School of Doha reviews
No verified parent reviews of American School of Doha have been submitted to GlobalSchoolGuide yet. We hold back from publishing a star rating until we have enough verified first hand accounts to represent the school fairly, and we never fabricate ratings. If your family attends or has attended the school, please consider sharing your experience through our school reviews page to help other relocating families.
Frequently asked questions
How much are American School of Doha fees?
ASD sits in the premium Doha band. Fees are quoted in Qatari riyals and rise through the year groups towards the senior school. Schedules change annually, so confirm the current figure with the school and budget separately for the application charge, registration or capital fee, bus, lunch and any Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate examination fees.
Is American School of Doha a good school?
ASD is the longest established American school in Qatar, founded in 1988, accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges since 1994 and an authorised International Baccalaureate World School. Whether it fits depends on whether a United States route with Advanced Placement and the IB and an Al Waab location suit your family. Confirm current accreditation status directly with the school.
What curriculum does American School of Doha follow?
ASD follows an American curriculum to AERO standards, with Advanced Placement courses, the International Baccalaureate Diploma and a United States High School Diploma in the senior school. It was the first school in Qatar to offer both Advanced Placement and the IB. Teaching is in English.
When do American School of Doha applications open?
ASD runs an August to June academic year and admits across year groups subject to availability. The early years and the start of each division are the main entry points, so apply early and ask the admissions team about waiting lists for your child's grade.
Where is American School of Doha located?
The school is on a large campus in the Al Waab area off the E Ring Road in central Doha, surrounded by the residential compounds and districts of west and central Doha.
