Best school choice in Doha for 15 y/o girl? | ExpatWoman.com
 

Best school choice in Doha for 15 y/o girl?

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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 18 March 2015 - 16:51

Hello Ladies,
We will be moving to Doha for the new school year - this Sep, 2015 - from Melbourne (I am Australian, My husband is British) and our youngest daughter is15. Are there any Mums who can share their experience or knowledge of Secondary education in Doha? I am working my way through the school's guide but would also like to hear from people who are in the same position or similar or who have been down this road? Any advice or feedback on schooling, best areas to live, family & community friendly locations? - anything at all that would be useful for a positive re-location? But, especially which school's (for this stage of education) stand out as exemplary...or best to avoid?Cheers,

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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 14 April 2015 - 12:42
Hi Bonnie, might be too late to be helpful but I have a 15 yr old daughter who started at Sherborne mid Feb this year. We're also from Australia and previously lived in Houston, Texas, where my daughter was following the British curriculum at the international school there. The curriculum is similar to Aust standards and my daughter was 6mths behind this year as we returned to Perth last July, however she has caught up great and Sherborne has been really supportive and my daughter has felt no pressure so all good. We live in West Bay about 30mins away from the school but the kids don't mind the drive. Good luck with everything.:)
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 24 March 2015 - 16:16
Hi again Jill, Thank you for your reply. It's great to hear that your 15 y/o adjusted so well and has had a positive time in Doha with friends and schooling. I am hopeful that it will go well for our family. Yes, I thought starting with the school seemed the best approach - then housing. We have quite a few school visits booked now so that's a start. Cheers
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 22 March 2015 - 22:49
Hi Bonnie - Our daughter adjusted pretty well, actually. Much better than expected. we didn't have a long commute - live very close to the school and house-wise, it was a nice change to have a bigger bedroom, her own en-suite bathroom, pool facilities in the compound, etc. She also started school in January - so the weather was nice - at the time. She had already adjusted a lot to Doha before the summer heat came. She was excited about the move, came with a positive attitude, and set off to enjoy life here. It may have also helped that she had changed school systems about a year and a half before back home - so she had experienced similar change before. At first, I was worried that she was trying to keep up with her new friends by spending money, which was a little frustrating, but we got over that... For me, I would prioritize the school then worry about housing. The kids from the school will live all over town. The school spot is the most important, in my opinion. Some employers will help out, some won't. The oil companies are pretty good with helping with school spots, but they're about the only ones who have sway and have "sponsored" spots.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 22 March 2015 - 06:34
Thank you all so much! I am starting to build a picture now - through the research on expat forums, school's guides & correspondence with individual schools.....and I will get the opportunity to have a first hand look in May. We had the International School of London, Doha College & ASD on our preferred school's list - so that's great to hear that people have positive experiences of these. Perhaps I am overthinking it all - there is probably no easy way to do this??? Finding the right school & home (geographically, financially & socially) is probably a very big ask & maybe you only get one of these right in the beginning? I am fortunate in that I am not finding school places for the 3 of them & as you say, it may not be so difficult for just one 15 y/o? Did any of you find the company/work (that took you to Doha) helpful in this? Can they assist (given that they presumably want you to stay?) JillMV & Jen - It was lovely to hear such a positive comments from you - as your children were similar ages to mine (or friends children?) - thank you. Jill, did your 15 y/o take long to settle, cope with the weather changes, new routines, long commutes, new friends & teachers, being away from home country? This will be a first for us (not been an ex pat family before this) so I'd love some insight into what to expect for her? I think this is why I want to get the school 'right!'. A/ I want to find the right one & keep her there 'til completion and B/ I want her to be happy & to thrive! It has to provide so much more than quality education as these kids are experiencing major upheaval - but then maybe it's a given that they (the schools) are all fantastic with this side of things? Also, as we no longer have little children (which is a great way to connect with other families & make friends as you have to be so present & there are always so many activities & opportunities for informal socialising), did those of you with older families find it difficult to 'build a new life'. We are used to being very social & engaged & I wonder how it will be with just a 15 y/o? We really want to embrace this experience & make the most of it and if everything falls into place (re schools & housing etc) can expect to be there a good few years (my husband has a 5 yr contract). Some people seem to have loved it (Qatar) and others report that the best place is the departure's lounge at Doha airport! I guess it is such an individual experience? Cheers,
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 21 March 2015 - 10:15
Hi, My kids go to the International School of London. My daughter is 13 and loves it there. I have friends with kids your daughters age and they too are really happy. It is a fully accredited IB school with a great music and sports department. Jen
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 20 March 2015 - 00:12
The American School also offers the IB curriculum/diploma
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EW GURU
Latest post on 19 March 2015 - 23:43
If she's only 15 in September then English school may be an option as it would be the start of the GCSE course. it's worth doing some investigation into the three main curriculums in Qatar - American, IB and English and see which you think is a good idea. By that age they're starting to be different. I think only the English system has exams the summer after they turn 16.
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 19 March 2015 - 20:15
Although school spaces are limited, it's not usually as bad for high school as for younger grades. My daughter moved to Qatar at age 15 and went into the American School of Doha (ASD) mid-year and absolutely loved the school the whole time she was there. We were very happy with the school. There were a number of Australian kids in her class too. They offer an IB diploma in the high school as well as the more traditional American curriculum. Most people will say that Qatar Academy, Doha College and ASD are the best secondary schools. Doha College and ASD are located next door to each other, in Al Waab, and if possible I would recommend living nearby. Qatar Academy is in Education City which is fairly convenient to Al Waab as well. But at least your daughter is old enough that you would probably be comfortable with a bus/ driver if you live far away. Al Waab/ Abu Hamour area is a popular family residential area, especially due to these schools, but lots of people choose to live in West Bay or the Pearl where there is more entertainment. Doha British School is also nearby in Ain Khalid - I don't know as much about their secondary - but they do have IB. Sherborne is farther away, past Education City.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 19 March 2015 - 09:42
Thank you all! I really appreciate your responses & now have a little more info to work with. I could never leave her, so boarding school isn't an option - (it is killing me that we will be leaving the 19 & 18 y/o uni students behind) but they are at least driving, mostly independent & there is family here - so of course, they will be fine & there will be lots of visits. Our youngest will be just 15 tis Sep, so it is now...or never! There is enough time left for it to be educationally & socially advantageous for her. We either re-locate (if the right schooling can be secured) or her & I stay to see her through the next 3.5 yrs in Melbourne. We are missing 'husband & dad' terribly, so separation isn't a good option either....but we are not prepared to compromise her schooling & risk getting nothing or something inferior in Doha. We have started the application process - all British curriculums meet the Uni requirements here & she would likely be an IB student - so Uni back in Aust is fine....but of the many schools that seemingly meet the brief - it is still so difficult. I am coming over In May to do some tours but applications have already begun as we see that time is an issue. Just feel stuck between a rock and a hard place. If you can't be sure of the school place, you don't want to make the move. Hence, my call out on this Forum to 'locals' for some insider knowledge. I'm clearly not the first to face this & won't be the last. I knew it would be tricky....but wasn't expecting such obstacles! Life's rich tapestry hey..... Many thanks again :)
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EW GURU
Latest post on 19 March 2015 - 08:56
You're starting from this the wrong way really - you need to decide which curriculum your daughter should be in (as there's no Australian option). That's really material at this age. The next question is what type of school is right for your daughter - is she academic, sporty, artistic. Does she need to be pushed or would that stress her out (etc etc). There might not be a school in Doha that is a decent fit for her (there are a limited number of good secondary options here) and 16 really isn't an age where you should be accepting something that's 'ok for now'. It's too material to her future and also to her wellbeing whilst she's in Doha. That said a lot depends on how important education is to you/her. At 15 you might struggle to get her into a good English curriculum school because (depending on her birthday) she might be half way through the two year GCSE year. These are the exams you take at 16 in England. It's really not an easy time to move. If she's 16 before 31 August (or 30 September, not sure how the cut-off's working now) then she'd be going into the two year A-level course in September which should be easier (although I don't know what the attitude is to taking students who haven't done GCSEs).
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 18 March 2015 - 21:13
Sherborne Qatar has secondary school and is a very good school as well.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 18 March 2015 - 19:31
I was also going to suggest boarding school or living with a relative either in Australia or England (seeing as your husband is British). But it would be hard leaving your child behind, I think. That being said, the American School of Doha (not the GEMS American Academy!) and Doha College are very good schools. Act quickly on those applications and you might get lucky for September.
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EW GURU
Latest post on 18 March 2015 - 19:18
My children are a lot younger, but I've heard very mixed reviews of secondary schools in Doha. Some children will thrive anywhere but unfortunately that is not the case for all. If it was my child is be inclined to board her in Australia, particularly if she intends to go to university in Australia...
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 18 March 2015 - 18:55
Hello, I think you should look into Doha College and the American School of Doha. But to be honest, you need to act very quickly at this point, filling out applications and getting all of your documents together for the application. With just one child at the age of 16, you might be lucky and get a place for her in September. I'm sure you've read what a nightmare it is with school spaces in Doha, so the sooner you can start this process, the better. With your daughter being 16, I wouldn't settle for just any school. This means you might be separated from your husband (or the other way around, depending on who is being relocated for their job), until a school place opens up. To be honest, she could be on a wait list for over a year :-( But like I said, there might be more spaces in the upper years and you could get lucky. As for places to live, most people wait to see where their kids get a spot at school and then find a house close by. But, like everything in Doha, there are wait lists for the best compounds as well. But if you do apply to the American School of Doha and Doha College, they are located close to each other in the Al Waab area. Good luck with everything.