The 2021-2022 academic school year marked the Universal American School’s 45th Anniversary of excellence in education. Founded in 1976, the Universal American School-Kuwait began its tradition of greatness in academics, in athletics and in fine arts. It opened its doors in September 1975 to approximately 300 students. Today we serve a learning community nearing 1800 international learners representing over 45 nations.
At the School’s inauguration, Mr. Abdul Aziz Thunayan Al Ghanim, founder of UAS, stated, “The new Universal American School in Kuwait will hold high the dreams of the future in projecting an image of traditional greatness.” As a non-profit school, UAS-Kuwait serves its mission to educate students in an international environment, to be responsible, productive and ethical citizens within a climate that allows them to acquire essential skills to reason critically, communicate effectively and learn continuously.
Within a 45-year span, UAS-Kuwait has grown to approximately 1750 students and over 350 staff members with a diverse and inclusive international membership. It maintains accreditation from the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) an the Council of International Schools (CIS).
MILESTONES DURING THE JOURNEY OF 45 YEARS
1976
UAS is established in Yarmouk
Abdul Aziz Thunayan Al Ghanim, founder of UAS, states, “The new Universal American School in Kuwait will hold high the dreams of the future in projecting an image of traditional greatness.”
Kuwait wins Gulf Cup for the 4th time
1982
Rouhiya Al Ghanem takes over UAS
Our first graduating class has five boys and one girl
Our yearbook is titled “Caravan”
Anbar Mallalah Faraj, from the Ministry of Education officially opens our new Library and Chemistry Lab
David Tower introduces guitar lessons to our students
Students win 64-60 in the first Teachers vs. Students basketball game
1986
Our yearbook is published in color
We acquired accreditation from Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools
National Honor Society establishes a chapter at UAS
Our NHS students act as ushers at the graduation
1987
Badminton makes its debut at UAS
Joan Khaja joins UAS as a Third Grade teacher, making her the longest standing staff member. She’s currently our Acting Superintendent
UAS launches a Computer Club, Chess Club, Debate Society and the Model United Nations
Our seniors made up their own mantra “Our shoulders held high, our grip reaches heaven, we are the class of ‘87”
Kuwait TV invites our UAS Band for a live performance
1990
UAS Varsity and Junior Varsity Basketball and Volleyball teams win first place in KFSAC tournaments
We establish our first Debate Team
Our Performing Arts students, performs a comedy called “Hey, Teach!”
We inaugurate our new Laboratory Building, under the auspices of Dr. Yaqoub Al Sharah, Assistant Undersecretary of the Ministry of Education
Iraq invades Kuwait
The Salwa Campus becomes a headquarter for the Iraqi troops
1991
UAS reopens with 291 students
Abdul Latif Al Shamali, leads the School as its director, along with Dr. Dale Koch as Principal
USA Ambassador, Edward Gunaim, visits UAS
We establish the first Parent’s Council
Grade 6 students go on a field trip to the Blood Bank
We rebuild our Computer Lab with new IBM compatible computers
1992
EMAC and KFSAC reinstates our membership
We perform an adaptation of “The Grinch Who Stole Christmas”
Our yearbook is titled “Sandprints”
Our first post liberation class graduates with 3 boys and 2 girls
Our logo changes from Lions to EAGLES!
1994
UAS publishes its first newspaper called The Universal Press
MUN hold a flea market for charity
Our graduation is at the Le Meridian Hotel
Grade 3 students perform a play called “The Pilgrims”
Our student body increases to 650 students from 30 countries
Our staff increases to 92 teachers
1996
Nora Al Ghanim becomes Administrative Director of UAS
We host our Third Annual Model United Nations
Middle School performs “The Wiz”
Our yearbook is called “The Phoenix”
UAS becomes a member of “Roots & Shoots”, an international environmental protection program
We start our charity work with a walkathon to raise funds for the construction of a school in Tanzania
Sheikh Sabah Al Sabah, who was Minister of Foreign Affairs at the time, gives the commencement speech at our Graduation
2002
UAS celebrates its 25th Anniversary
UAS Varsity Soccer team wins KFSAC and ISAC championships
Our Advanced Placement Programs expands to include 3 AP Sciences, 2 AP Mathematics, 2 AP English, AP Art and AP History
Grade 3 students send letters to pen pals in the United States
Nursery kids have a busy year of field trips, visiting The Zoo, the dentist, Salwa Park, Sara Lee Cake Factory and the Fire Station
2006
Sheikh Jaber Al Sabah passes away
UAS moves to Hawalli
UAS joins UNESCO’s international educational program, under the Ministry of Education’s auspices
Our yearbook is called “The Pearls of Wisdom”
Women cast their votes for the first time in Kuwait, in a municipal by-election
UAS High School students visit the Parliament
2011
UAS establishes the Alumni Association and hosts its first get together at the Regency Hotel
Our NHS students donate KD500 to Bayt Abdulla and visit sick children in Al Amiri Hospital
The Library hosts its first “Night at the Library”
We establish our Green Ambassador’s Club
UAS Kuwait participates in the First Pre-Engineering Design Competition, sponsored by the Ministry of Education in collaboration with Shell Companies, winning a spot in the top three.
2014
UAS launches our Instagram account
We introduce the Accelerated Reader Program for our Middle School students
UAS students win top five prizes in the Religion and Arabic Language competitions sponsored by the Ministry of Education
Author Robin Price visits our School from Authors’ Abroad in the UK
UAS Varsity Basketball team wins First place in both Kuwait Schools Activities Association (KSAA) and International School Activities Conference (ISAC) tournaments
We collect 1000 books to donate to the American Cooperative School in Tunis
2016
Capstone program becomes part of the High School curriculum
The class of 2017 is the largest graduating class with 128 graduates
NHS introduces the “Random Acts of Kindness” program and raise KD1000 for Leukemia
UAS Middle School has its first Student Council elections