American School of Doha vs British Schools

please read my post of March 25, 2013.

ASD Contact no. 4459-1500

I did a lot of homework in 2010 to get my then-3 year old son into a good international school. Though from India, I don't subscribe to the Indian system of education because I believe its an off-shoot of the archaic British structure (pre-independent India) which we Indians still follow blindly with no regard to content, approach etc. that's more relevent to the current times.

Education is primarily exploring one's own capabilities and quenching an inner thirst for knowledge which later on encompasses the wide spectrum of probable career opportunities. And I personally commend the American style of education for meeting these objectives. Every child is a potential 'Einstein' or ' Beethoven' and the sky is the limit in an American system!!!!!

I would say go for the American School of Doha. Its the best in Qatar . . . facilities, curriculum, exposure to over 70 different nationalites, great staff and faculty, bright and colourful interiors, a fun environment for the children coupled with serious study . . . . all in all FANTASTIC!!!!

The fees may seem expensive for some folks and securing a seat may not be that easy . . but its definitely worth trying!

Its quite interesting to see such a varied response with pros & cons on each curriculum. A fair assessment would be to have them reviewed among peers & students, perhaps on here http://www.edarabia.com/schools/doha/

Hi,

Can anyone please let me know, if there is any option for Indian nationals(studying in Indian school) to put there kids in ASD. Also Please let me know the contact number and when is the right time to apply.

I am not happy with the Indian schools in Doha. Teachers are not at all skilled and they don't even reply to your queries. It's very disappointing.

Expecting some really helpful replies from you :-)

I recommend to put your kid in asd my kid was in compus and this one in khalifa was in temporary cabin things and the one in garapha is half bilt and its dangerous for the kids to be walking around. now I herd from a friend that in garifa in PE they are going to khalifa!!! plus they just let any kids in.

In ASD the kid has to take a test to see if they are good enough and if you need extra help they will give it to you and recommend the right teacher for your kid. and in asd ther is allot of place for you kid to run around but no on red flag days. and in asd they let your kids try their hardest!!!

if you can afford compus you can defiantly afford asd because they are the same price and if you can afford it ya sure its extra money but it pays of. my girl has never done better!!

ASD is the best one in Doha. Not sure about pre-school, but for all school grades waiting time is about 2 years..

Obviously you do not understand the curriculum if this is your stance on the school. ISL-Qatar runs on the IB programme which if you knew anything you would understand is learner centred. Which contradicts your comment about the school not being focussed on the learner.

As for learning something useful, that depends on your take on what is useful. Did you want your children to memorise facts? Yes, then no ISL is not the school for you. Did you want your child to understand the deeper concepts behind, to be able to think critically and reflect on their learning? Yes, then ISL is the school for your child.

As for your statement about students leaving that may be the case but you should also be looking at staff movements. Are teachers changing every two years or are they remaining consistent? If the teachers are leaving it is cause for concern because they know something you may not. Having said that the only people I know leaving the school are leaving for Sherbourne because they wanted British Curriculum not International but were very happy with the school for the time they were there.

Before making grand sweeping statements perhaps acknowledge that the school was not for you but that the extensive waiting list says otherwise. The school has an international student body, and challenging curriculum. It may not be your ideal school but let people make their own judgements rather than being bitter in a public forum.

Read more: http://www.qatarliving.com/node/2317901#ixzz1ydrO2UaJ

Hi, you mentioned Doha British School (montessori) my children go there and I must say in the 6 months they've attended I've been very impressed with the way it is ran, the teachers are highly qualified and mainly from the U.K the facilities are very good and the classrooms are very big bright and airy compared to any of the other schools I visited. You may hear warning signs to stay away as the school has overcrowding of classes but I have certainly not experienced this with my 4 children who all have 24/25 pupils per class. They do have a waiting list I know for sure and are full for September but it would still be worth going down there and presenting yourself to try and get you name on the list. Also the school is popular with Americans as there a quite a few children from the States.

Try doha College. Definitly Stay away from international school of london. I

The international school of london is one of most expensive schools in Doha and yet the worst by far. Everyone i know attending the international school of London in Doha is about to leave the school.

Poor education and a total waste of our kids time to send them to this school. Stay away of this school and try other ones. Such as Global, Doha College, DESS.

We and our friends had a terrible experience in regards to learning. Some of us managed to send the kids to other school and some are looking for places for their kids.

I agree that ASD is one of the best schools in the Middle East if not the best. My son was also in a good public Junior High school in the US and currently doing very well in ASD. It certainly compares with the best private schools in the US in academics and may be facilities. So Far our experience has been extemely positive.

The American School has some excellent facilities and a very good reputation. Doha College also has a good reputation. Therefore it really depends on (a) whether you can afford the fees (b) whether you want an American-style curriculum or the British curriculum. Your answer to (b) rather depends on whether, at the end of your time in Qatar, you and your family are probably going to be living in the US or in the UK.

Hi

We moved here from US where our kids were going to a public school. ASD is comparable to the top tier private schools in the USA. Even though our public school was very good in US, this school has a noticeably higher standard in sciences, maths and other academic disciplines. They have excellent after school program which can expose your kids to a number of healthy activities and they pick up new skills. One of my kids took a Robotics course which I learnt was also taught as a freshman course in a leading American University, though I am sure the course in ASD was tuned for school kids but the kit used for teaching purposes was the same as this American University. The school has very good discipline and the staff is very courteous to all nationalities and children of all backgrounds.

I heard some pretty good stuff about ASD.... I had a friend who had her high schooler in the school.. she loved it!

however, for us the school was expensive(not that the school that we have her in right now is much cheaper.. but it is cheaper).. and there was no space for our daughter in 2nd grade..

ASD is the ONLY school with American cirriculum.. however, British cirriculum is very good too!

We have our daughter enrolled in SHERBORNE.. she loves it.. the teachers are wonderful.. they have awsome after school activities.. eg. cubs, brownies, horseback riding, sailing, ballet.. oh.. and their field trip was a ski trip in Italy!

so far I'm impressed.. and many of my American friends, who tried, compass, English modern school, Gulf, and now SHERBORNE.. love it..

I must admit it is expensive, our employer provides about 60% of the tuition.. but from what we've heard and seen, it's much better than others....

the facility they have is impressive, even though it's a temp until they build a new one!

hope that helps

Doha College for British curriculum...may be cramped and old but the education is the best in Doha (for Brits)that is and it will be moving in the future....

I think ASD does not have a waiting list for pre-school. It is the the only accredited American curriulum school. There is another school coming next year, but as of now ASD is your only choice.

From my understanding Qatar Academy offers an International curriculum that is similar to the U.S. but as of now they are only accepting Qatari students.

Stick to ASD. We are in the same situation. We want to have a smooth transistion when we go back to the States.

I know ASD is the only accredited school in Qatar. I am looking for other schools following the standard American education system, k-12. If there aren't any, I was looking for recommendations for other schools.

I dont know what you are talking about LinclonPirate, but I think my question was quite clear.

A school with standard American curriculum. Not necessarily accredited by a specific state or agency.

What's an "American Curriculum"? Is it the one of the State of New York, or California, or Texas, or any of the 50 states? I don't think there is such a thing as a National American Curriculum in the USA.

I am trying to find a school for my 4 year old daughter for September. Does anyone know if ASD has a waiting list now? Can someone please suggest any other schools. As an American, we would prefer a school following the American curriculum so that we will not have any problems when we move back in the future. I am getting quite desperate as all the schools seem to either not be taking applications, or have an extremely long waiting list. Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks

I recommend ASD

Sorry, we moved our kids from Compass to ASD. We had a horrible experience being at Compass.

First, why is it one of the only schools without a waiting list? That should answer a lot of questions.

Where does the money go?? The teachers barely teach and do the bare minimum. They will not go our of their way to help a studen. No cafeteria and their response if a child forget's their lunch? The parent must leave work and bring it to school. Not easy in Doha-it will take over an hour to do that. At ASD, there is a full cafeteria and if a child forgets their lunch, the supply them with a hot lunch and the student brings mone the next day. Parents at Compass are clueless as to what is going on in the classes. No classwork comes home, no homework. The grading system is a joke and is soley subjective. Basically a narrative of how the teacher thinks they are doing.

Almost all the students are not native English speakers. For example, my daughter's 2nd grade class; she was the only child whose first language was English. Her class basically was a sheltered ESOL class (EFL class). The level was brought down so much to accomodate the 2nd language learners, my daughter was stuck with busy work so the teacher could concentrate on the other students.

At ASD, The techniques for doing math and science are very hands on. The technology is incredible. My daughter was using Ipads for science class. The computer ratio is 1 to 1.

At ASD, You see where the money is going. Two swimming pools, track fields, separate buildings for elem, middle and high. Huge music classes.

Where as Compass, on a daily basis you wonder where the 59,000qrs per student went.

If Compass' school was in the States it would be condemned.

If you are from The States or Canada- chose ASD. The curriculum follows the American curriculum and your child will be better able to adjust once back in the states.

Just my 2 cents!!!

Sorry, we moved our kids from Compass to ASD. We had a horrible experience being at Compass.

First, why is it one of the only schools without a waiting list? That should answer a lot of questions.

Where does the money go?? The teachers barely teach and do the bare minimum. They will not go our of their way to help a studen. No cafeteria and their response if a child forget's their lunch? The parent must leave work and bring it to school. Not easy in Doha-it will take over an hour to do that. At ASD, there is a full cafeteria and if a child forgets their lunch, the supply them with a hot lunch and the student brings mone the next day. Parents at Compass are clueless as to what is going on in the classes. No classwork comes home, no homework. The grading system is a joke and is soley subjective. Basically a narrative of how the teacher thinks they are doing.

Almost all the students are not native English speakers. For example, my daughter's 2nd grade class; she was the only child whose first language was English. Her class basically was a sheltered ESOL class (EFL class). The level was brought down so much to accomodate the 2nd language learners, my daughter was stuck with busy work so the teacher could concentrate on the other students.

At ASD, The techniques for doing math and science are very hands on. The technology is incredible. My daughter was using Ipads for science class. The computer ratio is 1 to 1.

At ASD, You see where the money is going. Two swimming pools, track fields, separate buildings for elem, middle and high. Huge music classes.

Where as Compass, on a daily basis you wonder where the 59,000qrs per student went.

If Compass' school was in the States it would be condemned.

If you are from The States or Canada- chose ASD. The curriculum follows the American curriculum and your child will be better able to adjust once back in the states.

Just my 2 cents!!!

I think Compass is pretty much THE best school there is in Qatar. But of course, this is just my opinion, therefore subjective. I find the other schools very "in the box" , where as Compass is a bit more innovative in teaching methods and general ambience. It really depends on what you want for your child...if you want "streamline" ASD is your best bet, as you said, great facilities etc. DESS, of course, traditional English style, and the same goes for Doha College.

The other schools, well, see for yourself. I would not send my child to any of those unless I had to. But again, this is just MY opinion. I am sure other people think differently.

And about the Compass Campus, the school is relatively new, and they do not have a purpose built campus, except for the Madinat Khalifa campus. But I find they make up for that with the great effort they make and for their students.

you can check on ASD's recent promotional video http://www.asd.edu.qa/page.cfm?p=590 or visit their website at www.asd.edu.qa. hope it helps. Cheers! :)

go n have a look at park house school its lil bit expensive but i think its best in qatar its next to AL jazeera academy...gud luck