Al Raja School vs The International School of Choueifat - Manama
Al Raja School and The International School of Choueifat - Manama are both in Manama, about 9 km apart. Both schools offer Advanced Placement (AP) programmes, and Al Raja School also offers American. Published annual fees are BHD 1,482 - 2,968 at Al Raja School and BHD 2,178 - 4,743 at The International School of Choueifat - Manama, which puts The International School of Choueifat - Manama roughly 56% higher. Al Raja School takes pupils from 3 to 18, and The International School of Choueifat - Manama from 4 to 18. The International School of Choueifat - Manama is the larger school, with around 1,700 pupils to Al Raja School's 667.
Al Raja School is in Manama, the capital city of Bahrain. The campus address is P.O. Box 1, Building 1940, Road 639, Block 306, Manama. The central urban location places the school in the heart of Bahrain's capital, with access to main roads and local amenities.
Location
ISC-Manama is located on the Amwaj Islands, Bahrain. The campus address is Building 110, Road 59, Area 257, Choueifat Avenue, Amwaj Islands (P.O. Box 50559). The Amwaj Islands are a group of man-made islands with a modern road network and on-island facilities that support residents and institutions.
Stages
Stages
The school is organized into four main sections: Lower Elementary, Upper Elementary, Middle School, and High School. These sections cover from early years through Grade 12, with a structure that mirrors a typical K–12 American-style system. The school presents these four levels in its navigation and program pages.
Stages
ISC-Manama offers a complete K–12 program, from Kindergarten through Grade 12. The school is organized into Kindergarten, Lower School, Middle School, and High School.
School type
School type
The school is co-educational and operates as a day school (no boarding facilities are indicated). This aligns with external school listings that describe Al Raja as a co-educational day school offering an American curriculum.
School type
The school is co-educational and operates as a day school. There are no boarding facilities.
Pupil nationality mix
Pupil nationality mix
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Pupil nationality mix
The school represents a diverse international student body with about 53 nationalities. The most common nationality is Bahrain, and local versus international student ratios are approximately 50% local to 50% international.
Additional learning support
Additional learning support
Al Raja School provides a Learning Inclusion program to support students with mild to moderate learning needs. This includes targeted support within mainstream classes and an LE department as referenced by school coverage and local education reporting.
Additional learning support
Learning support is provided as part of the SABIS Educational System. Support includes teacher-led study groups, SABIS Student Life Organization peer tutoring, Power Study Sessions, and on-demand tutoring videos. From Grade 7 onward, weekly advisory classes support health, well-being, and career guidance.
Country affiliation
Country affiliation
There is no formal country affiliation of the school. It follows an American curriculum and is historically linked to American mission education, rather than a national school system.
Country affiliation
The school is located in Bahrain and is part of the global SABIS network.
Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation
Al Raja School has no formal religious affiliation. The curriculum includes Islamic studies and Christian Religious Studies as part of its offerings.
Religious affiliation
There is no published religious affiliation for ISC-Manama.
School day structure
School day structure
Third-party sources report a typical school day starting around 7:00 AM and ending around 2:15 PM, though exact times may vary by level or term. Public listings and local navigation services also indicate daytime hours for the campus. Parents should confirm exact timings with the school for their child's grade.
School day structure
The school operates on a Sunday–Thursday schedule. Typical daily hours are around 7:30am–2:55pm, with variations by grade level.
Bus service details
Bus service details
The school's official site does not publish transport details. To arrange or confirm transportation options, contact the school directly via info@alrajabahrain.org or +973 17254414.
Bus service details
A school bus service is provided. Bus service is available and there is an annual bus fee (around BD 715). The application process includes a BusRegistration option to arrange transport with an external provider.
Fees
Fees
Fee details
Fee details
Application and registration fees - New-student testing (assessment) fee: BHD 30 (payable for new students). - Registration fee (one-time at admission): BHD 75 for KG–Grade 9; BHD 100 for Grades 10–12.
Tuition fees by year group (total per academic year, Bahraini Dinar) - KG 1: BHD 1,482 per year. - KG 2: BHD 1,482 per year. - Grade 1: BHD 1,588 per year. - Grade 2: BHD 1,609 per year. - Grade 3: BHD 1,609 per year. - Grade 4: BHD 1,623 per year. - Grade 5: BHD 1,645 per year. - Grade 6: BHD 1,645 per year. - Grade 7: BHD 1,660 per year. - Grade 8: BHD 1,660 per year. - Grade 9: BHD 1,660 per year. - Grade 10: BHD 2,968 per year. - Grade 11: BHD 2,968 per year. - Grade 12: BHD 2,968 per year.
Billing schedule and payment terms (installments and consequences) - Billing structure: tuition is payable in five instalments across the school year. The instalment months are shown on the school calendar (commonly: February, June, September, November, January). - Example instalment pattern (amounts in BHD) shown by grade: - KG 1 / KG 2: 1st payment Feb BHD 100; 2nd Jun BHD 346; 3rd Sept BHD 346; 4th Nov BHD 345; 5th Jan BHD 345 — total BHD 1,482. - Grade 1: 1st Feb BHD 100; 2nd Jun BHD 372; 3rd Sept BHD 372; 4th Nov BHD 372; 5th Jan BHD 372 — total BHD 1,588. - Grade 2 and Grade 3: 1st Feb BHD 100; remaining four instalments approximately BHD 378/377 each to total BHD 1,609 per year. - Grade 4: 1st Feb BHD 100; remaining instalments around BHD 381/380 to total BHD 1,623. - Grade 5 & Grade 6: 1st Feb BHD 100; remaining instalments around BHD 387/386 to total BHD 1,645. - Grades 7–9: 1st Feb BHD 100; remaining instalments around BHD 390 each to total BHD 1,660. - Grades 10–12: 1st Feb BHD 100; remaining four instalments BHD 717 each — total BHD 2,968 per year. - Payment terms and consequences: tuition payments are monitored; late payment can result in withholding of certificates and report cards and, ultimately, restriction from attending classes. Tuition fees are not refundable.
Boarding fees - Boarding fees do not apply. Al Raja School operates as a day school; there are no boarding/dormitory fees listed for Al Raja.
Other costs and charges - Textbooks and learning materials: tuition totals do not include the cost of books; books are charged separately. - Uniform: a school uniform is required. The school publishes an ARS Uniform Matrix and lists the school supplier (Al Shaker Tailoring) and specifications; guardians may purchase or customise the uniform provided it meets the school specifications. The uniform matrix gives styles and required items but does not list fixed prices. - Transport and other optional services: transport is available as a separate service and carries additional charges (transport fees are not included in the annual tuition totals). Specific route and transport pricing are set separately.
Refund information - Tuition refund policy: tuition fees are stated as not refundable. Other refundable/non‑refundable status for registration, testing, or other ancillary fees is not specified in the published fee summaries.
Fee payment options and contacts - The school operates a parent portal (PlusPortal) for parent access to school accounts and administration. - The school lists direct contact details for fee enquiries: info@alrajabahrain.org, phone +973 1725 4414, WhatsApp +973 3888 3511. Use these contacts for billing enquiries and to arrange payment details.
Fee details
Application fees (payable before placement test / interview) - Registration deposit (KG1, KG2, Grade 1): BHD 175. This amount is non‑refundable but is part of the Annual Tuition Fees and will be deducted from the 3rd installment. - Joining fee (Grades 2 and above): BHD 175 payable before the placement test. The joining fee is refundable only if the student is not accepted.
Tuition fees by level (Annual amount and three instalments) - Level A / KG1: Annual Tuition BHD 2,178 — 1st instalment BHD 730, 2nd instalment BHD 730, 3rd instalment BHD 718. - Level B / KG2: Annual Tuition BHD 2,299 — 1st instalment BHD 770, 2nd instalment BHD 770, 3rd instalment BHD 759. - Level C / Grade 1: Annual Tuition BHD 2,710 — 1st instalment BHD 910, 2nd instalment BHD 910, 3rd instalment BHD 890. - Level D–E / Grades 2–3: Annual Tuition BHD 2,904 — 1st instalment BHD 970, 2nd instalment BHD 970, 3rd instalment BHD 964. - Level F–G–H / Grades 4–5–6: Annual Tuition BHD 3,231 — 1st instalment BHD 1,080, 2nd instalment BHD 1,080, 3rd instalment BHD 1,071. - Level I–J–K / Grades 7–8–9: Annual Tuition BHD 3,630 — 1st instalment BHD 1,210, 2nd instalment BHD 1,210, 3rd instalment BHD 1,210. - Level L–M / Grades 10–11: Annual Tuition BHD 4,308 — 1st instalment BHD 1,440, 2nd instalment BHD 1,440, 3rd instalment BHD 1,428. - Level N–O / Grades 12–13: Annual Tuition BHD 4,743 — 1st instalment BHD 1,590, 2nd instalment BHD 1,590, 3rd instalment BHD 1,563.
Billing schedule and payment terms - Registration deposit / joining fee: payable before the placement test (interview). - 1st instalment: due upon opening registration. - 2nd instalment: due by the first day of school. - 3rd instalment: due by 31 December. - Registration is not considered complete unless the first instalment is paid. Fees already paid may be forfeited under the school's default procedures if instalments are not paid on time.
Transportation (bus) fees - Annual two‑way bus fee: BHD 715. Payment split: BHD 400 upon registration and BHD 315 before the first day of school. Transportation is charged separately to tuition.
Boarding fees - The school is an English‑medium day school; boarding is not offered and no boarding fees apply.
Other costs and fees - Books, uniform, extracurricular activities, and meal subscriptions are not included in the tuition and are charged separately. - External examination fees (IGCSE, AS/A Level, AP, SAT, TOEFL and similar) are additional and payable to the respective examining authorities. - Any optional special programmes, school trips, or activities that have separate charges will be billed in addition to tuition and are the responsibility of the parent.
Refund information and refund conditions - The Registration Deposit for KG1, KG2 and Grade 1 (BHD 175) is non‑refundable but forms part of the Annual Tuition and will be deducted from the 3rd instalment. - The Joining Fee for Grades 2 and above (BHD 175) is refundable only if the student is not accepted. - Tuition fees are strictly non‑refundable except as specified in the school refund policy contained in the school's Guarantee / refund documentation. Parents should note that the school treats fees as paid for the full academic year when invoiced and collected according to its refund policy and guarantee terms.
Fee payment options and collection of payment data - The school collects parents' financial/payment data (bank details and credit card information) to enable secure processing of fee payments and charging for educational services. This indicates the school is set up to process payments by bank collection and credit/debit card transactions as part of its financial procedures.
Notes and important reminders - Tuition Fees do not include books, transportation, uniform, extracurricular activities, external exam fees, or meal subscriptions; these are additional charges. - Registration is not complete until the required initial payment is received; instalment due‑dates must be observed to avoid forfeiture of the seat.
For clarity, the amounts listed above are the school's published fee values for the current set of school fees, and the payment and refund rules stated are those published by the school for the academic year in which these fees apply.
Diving deeper
Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements
Boarding arrangements
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Boarding arrangements
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Uniform requirement
Uniform requirement
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Uniform requirement
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Food options
Food options
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Food options
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House system
House system
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House system
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Governance and ownership
Governance and ownership
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Governance and ownership
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Academics
Academics
Curriculum details
Curriculum details
Al Raja School in Manama offers a bilingual K–12 program organized into Lower Elementary, Upper Elementary, Middle School, and High School. Arabic-medium subjects align with the Bahrain Ministry of Education curriculum, supplemented by the Lughati Farahi program and Lebanese resources, while English-medium subjects follow an American curriculum. The school awards the American Diploma upon completing high school and is accredited by AdvancED (the predecessor of Cognia). In High School, Advanced Placement is available with courses including English Literature and Composition, Microeconomics, Calculus AB, Biology, Chemistry, Physics 1: Algebra-based, and Computer Science A; AP exams are administered in May and cost about 90 Bahraini dinars per subject. Assessment across the school includes MAP testing in English and Mathematics and PSAT as part of college-prep processes. The library program provides access to a catalog, WorldBook, and TumbleBooks resources.
Curriculum details
ISC-Manama follows the SABIS Educational System across its K–12 program, with a standards-based curriculum, regular assessments, and a SABIS Student Life Organization component. Kindergarten operates under the SABIS Kindergarten program with three levels—Level A (KG1), Level B (KG2), and Level C (Grade 1)—focusing on reading, phonics, language, mathematics, and Arabic, with art, music, and physical education. Starting at Grade 4, the curriculum specifies a minimum number of units of information and provides extended material for more able students. Grade 9 begins a four-year cycle leading to graduation with the High School Diploma and Bahrain's Secondary School Certificate, with Grades 10–12 offering options to sit Cambridge IGCSE and A‑Levels, or American AP exams. The U.S. High School Diploma is accredited by Accreditation International, the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, and NCPSA, and ISC-Manama is U.S. State Department–approved, with the diploma recognized by colleges and universities worldwide.
Student teacher ratio
Student teacher ratio
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Student teacher ratio
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Exam results
Exam results
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Exam results
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Higher education progression
Higher education progression
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Higher education progression
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Gifted and talented
Gifted and talented
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Gifted and talented
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Academic calendar
Academic calendar
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Academic calendar
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Wellbeing & support
Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning
Social & emotional learning
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Social & emotional learning
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Special educational needs (SEN)
Special educational needs (SEN)
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Special educational needs (SEN)
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English as an additional language
English as an additional language
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English as an additional language
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Mental wellbeing
Mental wellbeing
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Mental wellbeing
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Safeguarding
Safeguarding
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Safeguarding
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Safeguarding policy
Safeguarding policy
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Safeguarding policy
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Facilities
Facilities
Facilities overview
Facilities overview
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Facilities overview
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Sports facilities
Sports facilities
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Sports facilities
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Academic facilities
Academic facilities
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Academic facilities
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Extra curricular facilities
Extra curricular facilities
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Extra curricular facilities
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Parent experience
Parent experience
History
History
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History
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Community
Community
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Community
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Parent teacher association
Parent teacher association
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Parent teacher association
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Extra-curricular
Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual
Academic & intellectual
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Academic & intellectual
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Arts & creative
Arts & creative
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Arts & creative
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Cultural & language
Cultural & language
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Cultural & language
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Social & hobbies
Social & hobbies
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Social & hobbies
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Community & service
Community & service
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Community & service
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Leadership & professional
Leadership & professional
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Leadership & professional
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Lifestyle & wellbeing
Lifestyle & wellbeing
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Lifestyle & wellbeing
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Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
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Language provision
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Bilingual teaching
Bilingual teaching
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Bilingual teaching
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Immersion programs
Immersion programs
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Immersion programs
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Reputation
Reputation
Awards
Awards
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Awards
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Accreditations
Accreditations
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Accreditations
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Admissions
Admissions
Admissions
Admissions
Eligibility and grade placement. Applicants must be age-appropriate for the grade they seek and should not be more than two years older than the typical age for that grade. The year of birth or age must be provided by December 31 in the entry year according to the Registration Calendar. Applicants should currently be in the preceding grade with the expectation of promotion, and those coming from British-system schools should enroll in the corresponding grade. For Grades 7–12, applicants must have a minimum GPA of C (70%), and admission is normally not offered after the first two weeks of the school year unless there are exceptional circumstances. Class sizes are planned with a cap of up to 25 students per grade to maintain flexibility and attention to students.
Admissions
1. ISC-Manama serves Kindergarten through Grade 12. A campus tour is encouraged to learn about the school, and appointments can be arranged by contacting the school administration; virtual tours are also available. 2. Submit the student application form along with the documents listed in the online form. An online application form is provided, and a list of required documents is shown during online submission; there is no fixed application deadline, and admissions are offered based on spaces available throughout the school year. An appointment with admissions staff is recommended. 3. Prospective students undergo diagnostic testing to determine placement. Levels A-C (age criteria 3+) have no academic requirements for acceptance, while all other levels require diagnostic tests in core subjects to guide placement. Placement decisions may include options such as summer school or extra lessons to help a student reach the required standard. 4. Admission decisions are made after careful evaluation of candidates. Results of diagnostic testing and previous school records are considered on a case-by-case basis, and additional criteria include motivation, social and emotional development, willingness to work hard, and the school's ability to accommodate the candidate's needs. 5. Upon acceptance and payment of the required fees, a place is reserved. The SABIS Educational System follows a non-selective admission policy; acceptance is based on academic attainment rather than age, though age acts as a limiting factor, and classes may have up to a two-year age range. There are no academic requirements for Levels A-C; placement decisions for other levels are informed by interviews and diagnostic tests.
Scholarships
Scholarships
The school offers a Financial Aid Fund to assist families in financial need. Applications require complete documentation and truthful information. Incomplete or incorrect submissions are disqualified. Financial aid is awarded by the Board's Personnel and Education Committee based on demonstrated need and fund availability. Awards are not guaranteed even if funds exist. Financial aid is valid for one academic year and must be reapplied for in the following year. The program excludes KG1 and is not available in the first year of registration, and it does not exceed two consecutive years of aid for a given family.
Scholarships
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Waitlist
Waitlist
If an applicant meets all entry requirements but no spaces are available, the student is placed on a waiting list. If a space opens, parents are contacted and have two weeks to complete registration and make the first payment; the registration window will have an explicit end date communicated to the family. If the first payment is not made within two weeks, the seat is offered to the next student on the waiting list. For mid-year applications, the school typically follows a condensed schedule (application, testing, and registration within successive weeks) and may consider exceptional cases, but seats are not guaranteed and depend on space and compliance with procedures.
