· updated monthly
The five schools Sulaymaniyah parents researched most this year, chosen from the 8 international schools in the city. Ranked by how many families opened each school’s profile and spent time reading it between September 2025 and August 2026, then the full picture on curricula, class sizes and fees.
The 2026 ranking
Ranked purely by parent interest — the number of families who opened each school’s profile and spent time reading it between September 2025 and August 2026.
Cambridge International School – Sulaimany is an independent international school in Pasha City, Sulaimany, Kurdistan. It delivers the Cambridge curriculum from Early Childhood through Grade 6, with English as the language of instruction and Kurdish and Arabic taught as official languages. The campus includes a KG–Year 2 playing area, an ICT lab with 31 computers, an art studio, a music studio, a library, and four science laboratories with interactive whiteboards. A multi-purpose indoor hall supports Physical Education, and an astroturf football field hosts interclass matches and a yearly tournament. Classes are taught by qualified international and local teachers. Cambridge International Examinations accreditation has been held for over six years. The school emphasizes holistic development, decision-making, lifelong learning, responsibility, respect for diversity, and responsible global citizenship. Extracurricular offerings include visual and performing arts, extensive sports, and leadership and experiential-learning programs that complement the Cambridge curriculum.
United Science International School (USIS) is a K–12 international campus in Sulaymaniyah, Iraqi Kurdistan, offering an accredited college‑prep education. The campus features state‑of‑the‑art facilities, with technology‑equipped classrooms and laboratories to support cross‑disciplinary learning. USIS delivers a multi‑framework curriculum: Early Years and Primary follow a blend of British National Curriculum, International Early Years Curriculum (IEYC), Cambridge International Primary Program, and Kurdish National Curriculum; Middle and High School follow an American program aligned to the Common Core State Standards and Next Generation Science Standards. The SAT program is integrated within the curriculum, and 38 AP courses are available in Grade 12. A Ministry of Education graduation requirement requires students to score 400 in English and 400 in Mathematics, totaling 800/1600. Prospectuses for Preschool, Primary, and Middle/High are downloadable. The school emphasizes online resources and ongoing assessment to support learning. Extracurriculars include robotics, brain games, spelling bee, chess, Kurdish language activities, and field trips, reflecting local heritage and international opportunities. The cross‑framework model is a distinctive feature of USIS.
Star Smart International Educational Community is an all-through international school in Sulaymaniyah, Iraq, serving ages 4 to 18. The Kindergarten (KG1–KG2) and Primary (Grades 1–9) classrooms are housed in a state-of-the-art building with plans to extend to a K–12 program. The school opened in September 2023 and operates under a Cambridge International Curriculum for English, Mathematics, Science, Computing and Global Perspective, while the other subjects are provided by the Ministry of Education. Lessons emphasise student-centered, activity-based learning. Cambridge components are complemented by MOE subjects to create a broad, practical education. A distinctive feature is that students do not carry bags to or from school; homework and review tasks are completed in school. The academic year runs three terms, and a summer program offers booster classes in languages, mathematics and science. The school hosts events such as Chess Challenge, Annual Science Fair, and International Mother's Language Day, engaging families and community.
International School of Choueifat Sulaimani is a SABIS-operated, co-educational, English-medium day school in Sulaimani, Iraqi Kurdistan. Opened in October 2009, it forms part of the SABIS network and serves Kindergarten through Grade 12, with growth plans under way. The academic program is SABIS-designed, using the SABIS Point System with regular assessments to build a solid foundation and ongoing learning. The school operates in a temporary campus on Qasimlu Street while a permanent 100,000 square metre campus in the Rapareen Quarter is developed, featuring modern facilities and dedicated spaces for sport, arts, and study. The campus offers basketball and football courts, a third multi-purpose area, and an adventure playground for younger pupils. The multicultural, English-medium environment supports non-selective enrolment. Extracurriculars are coordinated through the SABIS Student Life Organization (SLO) and SABIS Academic Management System (AMS), with swimming partnerships and student-led arts, sports, and cultural activities. Opportunities for students worldwide and beyond.
British International School of Sulaymaniyah offers education from age 3 to 18, following a Cambridge curriculum across early years, primary, and secondary phases, with Cambridge IGCSE and Cambridge International AS and A Levels, alongside Pearson Edexcel IGCSE. Preschool follows the Early Years Foundation Stage framework. Classrooms and facilities support inquiry-based learning: a well-stocked library, a clean, welcoming cafeteria, and well-equipped science and computer laboratories. The school features spacious outdoor soccer and basketball fields that support a breadth of sport and teamwork. A notable hallmark is the school's status as a Cambridge International School, underscoring rigorous assessment and recognition. Academic achievement is celebrated, with BIS students achieving top results, including recognition in German language and graduates progressing to medical college. The school engages with the local community through service initiatives, such as support for Hiwa Hospital, and runs a Summer School Sports Camp to promote activity, friendship, and wellbeing for all.
What’s on offer
The mix of programmes and teaching languages across all 8 schools. Many offer more than one curriculum, so totals run higher than the school count.
Number of schools teaching each curriculum.
Number of schools teaching in each language.
Size & classes
School size and class size shape day-to-day experience as much as curriculum does.
Schools grouped by total enrolment.
Average school size is 1,288 students · based on the 3 schools that report enrolment.
What it costs
Fees shown are one year for a 12-year-old (or the closest age available), excluding one-time enrolment costs.
Across the 4 schools that publish a price for a 12-year-old. All figures in IQD.
How many schools sit in each annual-fee range.
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