Cities / Doha / Compass International School Doha
Compass International School Doha
Part of Nord Anglia Education, Compass runs two Doha campuses - Madinat Khalifa and Themaid - following the British curriculum from EY1, with IB Diploma offered at Themaid through Year 13. Average class size of 23 across 80-plus nationalities.
In brief
Doha's Nord Anglia option, a multi-campus British and IB school with strong infrastructure and more available capacity than the older British names.
Compass is operated by Nord Anglia Education and runs four campuses in Doha: Madinat Khalifa, Gharaffa, Rayyan and Themaid. The longest-established Gharaffa campus opened in 2006. Roughly 1,500 to 2,000 students across the network. CIS and Cognia accredited. Curriculum is English National with IGCSE, A Level and IB Diploma.
The campus mix is unusual: an English and French bilingual track at Rayyan and a Dutch language and culture programme at Gharaffa. That makes it a natural choice for European and Dutch-speaking families.
Sherborne and a few peer schools sit a notch above Compass in old-Doha reputation, but Compass is easier to get into because the senior school is still expanding. Strong fit for families wanting Nord Anglia's network and a more accessible admissions path.
Fees
Annual fees
| Year level | Age | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| EY1 | 3 | QAR 45,000 |
| EY2 | 4 | QAR 55,000 |
| Year 1 - Year 6 (Primary) | 5 | QAR 63,943 |
| Year 7 - Year 13 (Secondary) | 11 | QAR 68,342 |
One-time fees
| Item | Age | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Assessment fee (Year 1-Year 13, additional) | QAR 595 | |
| Application fee (non-refundable) | QAR 595 | |
| Seat reservation | QAR 2,000 | |
| Annual resource fee (Themaid) | QAR 3,980 |
Reviews
A Nord Anglia school spread over three Doha campuses, Madinat Khalifa, Gharaffa and Themaid, with around 1,800 children from more than 80 nationalities running from early years through to the IB Diploma and A Level. The British and IB route, the group-wide Juilliard and MIT tie-ins, and a brand-new Themaid build with performing arts and a STEAM lab are what families talk about first. 2025 results landed at an IB mean of 30.8 and 84 percent of IGCSE entries at A* to C, sitting above the global IB average without joining the top end of Doha's table. The Madinat Khalifa branch is the one named most often by parents in a positive light, and primary years there carry a small, settled feel. The split site model means experience varies by campus rather than reading as one school.
Positives
- Madinat Khalifa primary. The Madinat Khalifa campus is the one parents single out for early and primary years, with a friends-and-family register and visible engagement from the principal.
- Facilities at Themaid. The newest campus at Themaid carries the strongest plant, including a STEAM lab and dedicated performing arts spaces, and is the route through to A Level on a single site.
- Curriculum breadth and group programmes. British primary into IGCSE, then IB Diploma at Madinat Khalifa or A Level at Themaid. The Nord Anglia Juilliard and MIT enrichment slots are real, though they are group-level products and quality of uptake depends on the campus.
Considerations
- Multi-campus variability. Three campuses with different age bands and different vintages of build. Day-to-day experience, staff, and facilities are read separately by parents rather than as one school. Which campus a given year group sits on shapes the actual experience.
- Fees and positioning. Primary lands at roughly QAR 55,000 to 70,000 and secondary at QAR 70,000 to 85,000 for 2025/26, placing the school in Doha's mid to upper-mid British band rather than competing on price with the older British names or the very top of the IB table.
- Nord Anglia operator. Part of Nord Anglia Education since the early years of the school. The global-group feel and central marketing come through. Staff-side commentary on the wider group surfaces themes of long hours and management style; parent commentary is more positive and centred on the classroom.
Leadership
Mr. Jamie Hughes
Jamie Hughes, Principal of Compass International School Doha, has devoted over 20 years to education, with extensive leadership experience in the UK, China, and Qatar. He is committed to an educational philosophy that extends beyond the classroom, focusing on a personalized approach to learning that prioritizes each child's well-being and academic success within a thriving community. He emphasizes collaboration with students, parents, and staff to drive innovation and excellence.
Accreditations
- Cognia 01
- Council of International Schools 02
Academic results
- A* / A at A Level 2025 37%
- IGCSE 2025 90% of grades at A*-C
- IB Diploma 2025 pass rate 96%
- IB Diploma 2025 average points 34.4
- IGCSE results Exceptional results with graduates receiving offers from top universities around the world.
- A Level results Exceptional results with graduates receiving offers from top universities around the world.
- Average IB Diploma points score 35
- IB Diploma success rate 93%
- Scholarships awarded in 2024 $8.5 million
- IGCSE pass rate 100%
- A*-C grades at IGCSE 82%
- University acceptance rate 100%