The kind and quality of pre-schools, primary and senior schools in Bahrain are rather diverse and look very impressive. From family-owned restaurants, where all the members of the family may be involved in managing the business to for-profit schools that are linked to international education associations. Facilities are on average complex and comparatively developed mainly due to the availability of cheap land and labour. This option is used very rarely, and only a few families send their children to the native country boarding schools, this option is popular mainly in families with teenagers.
Bahrain has an Ofsted type by BQA (Bahrain Education & Training Quality Authority), which evaluates the schools ranging from inadequate to excellent. Recognition is also given to the external accreditation of some of the British and American senior schools.
It starts in the last week of August/ early September and ends in the last week of June/ early July, short holidays range between two to three weeks in December and in March. Schools are also closed during the national holidays, three days for each of the Eid holidays. Most schools start from Sunday to Thursday, and they open early, that is between 7. 30- 8 am and close early between 12- 3 pm depending on the age of the learners with extracurricular activities being the order of the day.
Best schools in Bahrain
They include the following:
British School of Bahrain
National Curriculum for England, GCSE; A level, BTEC; ages 3-18; mixed; 2,750, day; independent; the school owns its property through a registered charitable company.
Much expanded school moved to a one-purpose-built accommodation in Hamala in north-western Bahrain in 2009. The campus is divided into three segments, namely the infant, junior, and senior segments; however, certain sports and other facilities. Teachers are either UK trained or have equivalent training and the pupils are from over 60 countries but learning in English.
St Christopher’s School
NC for England; I/GCSE/A level/ IB diploma; 3-18 all boys; day only; UK independent school; non-selective, non-profit; 2,330 pupils
A massive school with a British style, effective resources and enrolled students from more than seventy countries. Most teachers are British. It has two divisions: the senior school in Isa Town and the junior school in Saar, which is about a 20-minute drive from the former. The large junior campus was built in 2005 for the consolidated school. A recognized school implies that there is always a high demand for the place especially in the junior classes.
Bahrain School
American curriculum/ American high school diploma/ AP/ IB diploma; 5-18 years; Co-educational; Day and Boarding; 430 students.
It was set up in 1968 as the unique DoDEA school in the Persian Gulf: the school is located inside a huge and secured complex in Juffair, which is a naval region in the eastern part of Bahrain. Historically the population is divided 50-50 among children of the American military. The rest are Bahraini or from other countries. It offers boarding facilities for students who are between 11-18 years and who otherwise would be residing in Bahrain permanently (the majority of them are from the Eastern Region of KSA).
British Preparatory School
National Curriculum for England; 18 months – 6 years; Mixed; Nursery – Reception; Full-time: Independent; owned by a company, Number of pupils: 160.
This small pre-prepared school that opened in 2008 is in Saar which is a residential area in the western side of Bahrain, and the school is situated in a villa, but it has an all-purpose hall and a library besides play areas. Often parents came to it because they liked the concept of the small classes, nursery and infant, with British-trained teachers.
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