Qatar Academy, Doha
Key Stats
Annual Fees: US$13K - US$21K
Curriculum: IB
Age Range: 2-18
Students: ~1,600
Location: Education City, Ar-Rayyan, Doha
Updated April 2026
In Brief
QAD is the best-resourced and most established IB school in Qatar. If you can get a place and the Education City commute works for your family, it is hard to argue against it. The challenge is securing admission - the school is oversubscribed and selective at all grade levels.
Qatar Academy Doha has been running for 30 years and sits within the Qatar Foundation campus in Education City. That connection gives students access to globally ranked university partners - including Georgetown, UCL, and other QF-linked institutions - at a proximity that no other school in Doha can offer. The school is triple accredited by IB World, CIS, and NEASC, and holds Eco-School and NOS recognition alongside Ministry approval.
The facilities are in a different category from most schools in this market: an Olympic 50-metre pool, four football pitches, four indoor gyms, tennis and squash courts, and the full range of performing arts and science infrastructure you would expect from a Qatar Foundation school. Class size averages 22 across around 1,600 students. The admissions process is selective - the school applies screening at all entry points, and demand consistently exceeds capacity.
The Education City campus in Ar-Rayyan is a meaningful distance from central and east Doha. For families based in West Bay, Pearl, or Al Waab, the commute is manageable; for families in Al Wakrah or the south, it adds up quickly. There is no school-run bus service, which makes transport a live question. Fees rise to QAR 74,556 at Grade 11 to 12 plus a QAR 3,000 book fee for Grade 11, putting the senior school cost at the upper end of the Doha IB market.
What parents value
- –Thirty-year track record as Qatar Foundation's flagship school. Best sports facilities of any school in this guide: Olympic pool, four football pitches, four indoor gyms. Triple accredited (IB, CIS, NEASC).
- –Education City location puts students at the centre of Qatar's university and research network. Selective admissions means a high-achieving peer group across all year levels.
Points of consideration
- –Oversubscribed at all entry points. Apply early, understand the screening process, and have a backup plan. A place is not guaranteed even for families with strong academic profiles.
- –Education City is in Ar-Rayyan, west of central Doha. No school bus. Model the commute from your home area at peak time before putting this at the top of your list.
Annual Fees
| Year Group | Age | USDTotal Annual Fee |
|---|---|---|
| PS3 - PS4 (Early Education) | 2 | NaN |
| KG - Grade 5 | 5 | NaN |
| Grade 6 - Grade 10 | 11 | NaN |
| Grade 11 - Grade 12 | 16 | NaN |
Fees converted from QAR. For the most up to date and accurate figures please double check with the school.
Additional Fees
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application fee (non-refundable) | NaN |
| Registration fee (one-time) | NaN |
Academic Results
Academic results have not been made publicly available by this school.
Extra Curriculars
Facilities: Olympic 50m swimming pool · 4 football pitches · 4 indoor gyms · Tennis courts · Squash courts · Performing arts spaces · Science laboratories · Innovation labs
Qatar Academy Doha's facilities are among the best of any school in the Gulf: an Olympic 50-metre pool, four football pitches, four indoor gyms, plus tennis and squash courts. The Education City setting means students have access to Qatar Foundation's wider research and innovation infrastructure.
Co-curricular provision reflects the school's breadth - sport, performing arts, STEM enrichment, and community programmes run through the academic year. The school week is Sunday to Thursday. There is no school-run bus service, so transport to Education City requires families to self-arrange.
Inspections & Accreditations
Inspection
- Triple accreditation: IB World School, CIS, and NEASC. Also holds Eco-School and NOS recognition.
Accreditations
- IB World School
- CIS (Council of International Schools)
- NEASC (New England Association of Schools and Colleges)
- Qatar MoEHE approved
- Eco-School designation
Memberships
- Qatar Foundation
Student Body
Qatar Academy Doha enrols around 1,600 students across Early Education through Grade 12. The school is selective at all entry points, which produces a high-achieving peer cohort. Average class size of 22 is slightly smaller than peer schools in this market.
Leadership
Mehdi Benchaabane
Mehdi Benchaabane leads Qatar Academy Doha. Contact the school for further details on current leadership.