Al Sahwa Schools and Ellesmere Muscat are both in Muscat, about 27 km apart. Both schools offer IB programmes, and Al Sahwa Schools also offers British and Omani. Published annual fees are close, at OMR 2,250 - 4,750 for Al Sahwa Schools and OMR 2,500 - 4,600 for Ellesmere Muscat. Al Sahwa Schools takes pupils from 4 to 18, and Ellesmere Muscat from 3 to 18. Al Sahwa Schools is the larger school, with around 1,100 pupils to Ellesmere Muscat's 644. Typical class sizes are 9 at Al Sahwa Schools and 22 at Ellesmere Muscat.
British Curriculum, IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP), Omani Curriculum
Curriculum
IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP)
Pupils
Pupils
1,100
Pupils
644
Typical class size
Typical class size
9
Typical class size
22
Instruction language
Instruction language
English, Arabic
Instruction language
English
Opened
Opened
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Opened
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Bus service
Bus service
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Bus service
Yes
Essentials
Essentials
Location
Location
Al Sahwa Schools are located in Muscat, Oman, in the Shatti Al Qurum area near the diplomatic district. The campus sits in the Al Sarooj area with access to major roads and local amenities. The postal address is House 592, Way 3052, Shatti Al Qurum, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman.
Location
The campus is located on Al Salam Street in the Al Khoudh neighborhood within the Seeb municipality of Muscat. This residential and educational district offers direct transit access, including a public MWASALAT bus line with a stop positioned directly opposite the school entrance. The location provides clear commuting links for families moving into Muscat's expanding northern suburban communities.
Stages
Stages
The school provides Kindergarten to Grade 12. The Primary Years Programme (PYP) covers KG to Grade 5, the Middle Years Programme (MYP) covers Grades 6 to 10, and Grades 11–12 combine the Oman General Education Diploma Programme (GED) and the IB Diploma Programme (DP).
Stages
The school's educational structure serves children from the early years through to Grade 12, covering ages three to eighteen. It is divided into Kindergarten (KG1 and KG2), Primary School, and the Middle and Secondary sections. In their final two years, students progress into specialized pre-university tracks, which include the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme.
School type
School type
The school is co-educational. Instruction is in English and Arabic, and the staff comprises multiple nationalities.
School type
The institution operates as a co-educational day school welcoming both local and international families. While its partner campus in the United Kingdom offers boarding options, the Muscat location functions purely as a day school without residential facilities. The school supports this model by providing optional daily campus lunch plans and structured neighborhood transit services.
Pupil nationality mix
Pupil nationality mix
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Pupil nationality mix
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Additional learning support
Additional learning support
Support for Learning (SfL) provides inclusive provisions for students with mild to moderate learning and language needs. Support may be delivered in class, in small groups, or one-to-one; English language support (ELL) and Arabic language support are offered for language learners.
Additional learning support
The school website does not outline a dedicated department or specialized facilities for severe Additional Learning Needs or Special Educational Needs. It does specify that internal academic support is provided to assist any students who are found to be struggling with their standard coursework. Additionally, structured language provisions are available through English as a Second Language (ESL) classes and university-preparatory IELTS coaching.
Country affiliation
Country affiliation
No formal country-specific affiliation is stated. The school operates as an IB World School in Oman.
Country affiliation
The school maintains a direct country affiliation with the United Kingdom through its official partnership with Ellesmere College UK. This operational relationship incorporates the British institution's core educational ethos and High Performance Learning framework into the Muscat school's daily teaching.
Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation
No religious affiliation is stated. Public materials describe the school in the context of Oman's culture and IB World School status rather than a religious program.
Religious affiliation
The school has no formal affiliation with any specific religion and operates as a non-denominational international institution. It respects the local cultural environment by embedding traditional Omani values into school life and organizing educational assemblies for occasions like Ramadan.
School day structure
School day structure
Timings vary by program. Kindergarten runs from 7:30 to 12:30, Primary (Grades 1–5) from 7:30 to 14:00, and MYP/GED from 7:30 to 14:10. The IB Diploma Programme (DP) runs from 7:00 to 15:10, with some DP students having additional periods outside the standard day. K-10 typical start is 7:25 with homeroom; DP can start at 7:00 and end at 15:10.
School day structure
For Grades 1 through 12, the standard school day runs from 7:40 AM to 1:00 PM from Sunday to Wednesday, with an early dismissal at 12:00 PM on Thursdays. Kindergarten students follow the same morning start time but finish their day at 12:30 PM between Sunday and Wednesday. The daily schedule accommodates regular breaks for recreation, and families have the option to register for a structured annual school meal plan.
Bus service details
Bus service details
Bus transport is provided through a partnership with eMushrif. Buses have trained drivers and supervisors and are equipped with live tracking.
Bus service details
The school provides a daily bus service with annual fees organized into five distinct geographical tracking zones. This network accommodates families across an expansive area of Muscat, covering local neighborhoods like Al Khoudh and Mabeela as well as central areas like Al Qurum and Barka. Parents can choose between one-way or two-way arrangements depending on their specific commuting requirements. Transport arrangements are managed through an official booking system and require students to follow a structured behavioral code of conduct during travel.
Fees
Fees
Fee details
Fee details
Tuition fees by year group (annual and two-term breakdown) - KG1 (Kindergarten 1): OMR 2,250.000 per year — 1st payment OMR 1,125.000 (due in September); 2nd payment OMR 1,125.000 (due in February). - KG2 (Kindergarten 2): OMR 2,300.000 per year — 1st payment OMR 1,150.000 (due in September); 2nd payment OMR 1,150.000 (due in February). - Grade 1: OMR 3,450.000 per year — 1st payment OMR 1,725.000 (due in September); 2nd payment OMR 1,725.000 (due in February). - Grade 2: OMR 3,500.000 per year — 1st payment OMR 1,750.000 (due in September); 2nd payment OMR 1,750.000 (due in February). - Grade 3: OMR 3,500.000 per year — 1st payment OMR 1,750.000 (due in September); 2nd payment OMR 1,750.000 (due in February). - Grade 4: OMR 3,750.000 per year — 1st payment OMR 1,875.000 (due in September); 2nd payment OMR 1,875.000 (due in February). - Grade 5: OMR 3,750.000 per year — 1st payment OMR 1,875.000 (due in September); 2nd payment OMR 1,875.000 (due in February). - Grade 6: OMR 3,850.000 per year — 1st payment OMR 1,925.500 (due in September); 2nd payment OMR 1,925.500 (due in February). - Grade 7: OMR 4,100.000 per year — 1st payment OMR 2,050.500 (due in September); 2nd payment OMR 2,050.500 (due in February). - Grade 8: OMR 4,100.000 per year — 1st payment OMR 2,050.500 (due in September); 2nd payment OMR 2,050.500 (due in February). - Grade 9: OMR 4,400.000 per year — 1st payment OMR 2,200.000 (due in September); 2nd payment OMR 2,200.000 (due in February). - Grade 10: OMR 4,600.000 per year — 1st payment OMR 2,300.000 (due in September); 2nd payment OMR 2,300.000 (due in February). - Grade 11: OMR 4,750.000 per year — 1st payment OMR 2,375.000 (due in September); 2nd payment OMR 2,375.000 (due in February). - Grade 12: OMR 4,750.000 per year — 1st payment OMR 2,375.000 (due in September); 2nd payment OMR 2,375.000 (due in February).
Application and registration fees - Registration fee (non‑refundable): OMR 200. - Re‑registration fee for the next academic year: OMR 200.
Billing schedule and payment terms - Annual tuition is shown with a two‑installment billing schedule: 1st payment due in September and 2nd payment due in February. Each grade's per‑term amounts are listed above.
Additional costs and program/consumable fees - Breakfast (annual): OMR 200. - Chromebook (issued from Grade 4): OMR 185. - Educational consumables (annual): OMR 70. - IB / programme fees by year group: - PYP Program (KG and Grades 1–5): OMR 35. - MYP Program (Grades 6–9): OMR 50. - MYP5 Program (Grade 10): OMR 205. - DP1 Program (Grade 11): OMR 115. - DP2 Program (Grade 12): OMR 395. - Pamoja (DP1 elective): OMR 525. - Pamoja (DP2 elective): OMR 550.
School transport (bus) fees and provider - School bus service is provided through E‑Mushrif (SAR) company; published contact numbers and the provider website are included in the school's fee documents.
Boarding fees - No boarding fees are listed in the published fee schedule; no boarding charges are published for the 2025/2026 schedule.
Refund information - The registration fee is explicitly non‑refundable (OMR 200). No other refund terms or a broader refund policy are published in the 2025/2026 fee schedule.
Fee payment options - The published fee schedule does not specify accepted payment methods (for example, credit card or bank transfer) within the 2025/2026 fee document.
(Fees shown are the published amounts for the 2025/2026 academic year.)
Fee details
Tuition Fees
Annual tuition fees for the 2026/27 academic year are structured by grade level:
Kindergarten 1 and 2: OMR 2,500
Grades 1 and 2: OMR 3,100
Grades 3 and 4: OMR 3,400
Grades 5 and 6: OMR 3,700
Grades 7, 8, and 9: OMR 4,000
Grade 10: OMR 4,300
Grades 11 and 12 (Bilingual General Education Diploma): OMR 4,600
Grades 11 and 12 (International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme): OMR 4,900
Educational Consumables
Mandatory annual fees for required educational materials vary depending on the program:
Primary Years Programme (PYP): OMR 50
Middle Years Programme (MYP): OMR 100
Bilingual General Education Diploma (GED - Bil): OMR 120
Diploma Programme (DP - IB): OMR 150
Additional Optional Costs
Lunch Meals: OMR 300 per annum.
Transportation: Annual bus fees are organized across five distinct geographic zones, ranging from OMR 405 for a one-way service in Zone 1 to OMR 675 for a two-way service in Zone 5. Uniform costs are not detailed.
Other Fee Policies
Application fees, billing schedules, payment terms, accepted payment options (such as credit cards or bank transfers), and refund terms are not specified. Boarding fees are not applicable because the campus operates exclusively as a day school.
Diving deeper
Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements
Boarding arrangements
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Boarding arrangements
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Uniform requirement
Uniform requirement
Uniform is compulsory for all students. Kindergarten: boys wear grey long trousers with a white shirt; girls wear grey pinafore with a white shirt. From Primary upwards, boys wear white dishdasha and kummah (with trainers or sandals) and girls' uniforms transition by year group (navy blue trousers with a blue tunic dress in Primary; in later years, short navy dress for MYP1–MYP4 and a long navy dress for MYP5–Grade 12).
Uniform requirement
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Food options
Food options
The cafeteria is operated in partnership with Sodexco to provide healthy, balanced meals daily. The menu rotates on a four-week cycle and is reviewed regularly; parents can opt in or out of the service and fees are adjusted accordingly; there are separate menus for Primary/Secondary and for KG.
Food options
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House system
House system
Al Sahwa Schools use a four-house system named after Oman's iconic animals: Eagles (Yellow), Oryx (Blue), Wolves (Green), Leopards (Red). Students are assigned to a house and participate in cross-age activities, performances, and competitions that foster belonging and school spirit.
House system
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Governance and ownership
Governance and ownership
Al Sahwa Schools were established in 1993 on land donated by His Majesty Sultan Qaboos and were originally owned by the Royal Office and the Royal Oman Police Pension Funds. The school is governed by a Board of Trustees that includes representatives from the Royal Office, Royal Oman Police, and the Ministry of Education, reflecting government involvement.
Governance and ownership
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Academics
Academics
Curriculum details
Curriculum details
Al Sahwa Schools in Muscat, Oman is a bilingual IB World School offering a K-12 IB pathway: Primary Years Programme (PYP) from KG to Grade 5, Middle Years Programme (MYP) from Grade 6 to 10, and high school options of the Oman General Education Diploma (GED) or the IB Diploma Programme (DP) for Grades 11–12. The Primary Years Programme (PYP) uses the IB framework and covers Arabic, Islamic Studies, Omani Social Studies, English, Mathematics, Science, Personal, Social and Emotional Education, Physical Education, Visual Art, and Music, guided by a transdisciplinary Programme of Inquiry. In Middle School (Grades 6–10), Al Sahwa follows the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) with eight subject groups: Language and Literature (English and Arabic), Language Acquisition (English), Individuals and Societies (Business Management), Mathematics, Sciences, Arts (Music, Visual Art), Design (Digital Design, Product Design, Coding), and Physical and Health Education; Service Learning and the Personal Project are integrated, and an Interdisciplinary Unit approach is used. In Grades 11–12, students may pursue the GED under Oman's Ministry of Education or the IB Diploma Programme (DP); the GED spans Grades 11–12 with eight subjects (five compulsory and three optional) and external MOE exams in the final year, and the DP requires the DP Core (TOK, Extended Essay, CAS) plus a selection from six subject groups. The school operates as a bilingual environment with instruction in English and Arabic across programs. Support for Learning provides inclusive education, including English language support for ELL students and Arabic language support.
Curriculum details
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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
Al Sahwa Schools implement Social and Emotional Learning through the Personal and Social Education (PSE) programme, designed to help students feel safe, connected and to build positive relationships, with explicit bilingual delivery and support from school counsellors, pastoral care leads, and a safeguarding team.
Social & emotional learning
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Special educational needs (SEN)
Special educational needs (SEN)
The school does not publicly disclose information regarding SEN provision or whether it operates as a specialist SEN institution.
Special educational needs (SEN)
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English as an additional language
English as an additional language
The school provides a bilingual environment with instruction in English and Arabic, but explicit EAL programs are not described in public materials.
English as an additional language
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Mental wellbeing
Mental wellbeing
Mental wellbeing is supported through the PSE programme, counselling sessions, and a safeguarding team.
Mental wellbeing
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Safeguarding
Safeguarding
A dedicated safeguarding team works with stakeholders to raise awareness, educate, and guide leadership on safeguarding.
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
Al Sahwa Schools is located in the heart of the diplomatic district in the area of Al Sarooj. The campus has a separate Kindergarten facility, a shaded communal area, and playgrounds for boys and girls. It includes sports pitches, a gymnasium, and a swimming pool. It features science laboratories, an innovative library area, design and technology suites, specialist spaces for the performing arts, and a large auditorium.
Facilities overview
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Sports facilities
Sports facilities
The campus includes sports pitches and a gymnasium to support physical education and sports activities.
Sports facilities
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Academic facilities
Academic facilities
Science laboratories, an innovative library area, and design and technology suites form part of the academic facilities. Specialist spaces for performing arts are available, and the campus includes a large auditorium.
Academic facilities
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Extra curricular facilities
Extra curricular facilities
There are 75 extracurricular activities offered.
Extra curricular facilities
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Parent experience
Parent experience
History
History
Al Sahwa Schools are a bilingual IB World School located in Muscat, Oman. The school was established in 1993 under the ownership of the Royal Office and Royal Oman Police Pension Funds, on land donated by the late His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said to provide high-quality international education rooted in Oman's heritage. On opening day, 1993, it comprised one class each for Kindergarten 1 through Grade 11 with about 300 students, following the British National Curriculum alongside Omani MOE programs. Over three decades, the school has grown to more than 1,100 students and about 200 staff from 31 nationalities, and it earned Council of International Schools accreditation in 2018, becoming an accredited IB World School. In 2013 the school gained authorization to offer the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) and subsequently expanded to include the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) and IB Diploma Programme (DP) by 2020–2021, while also offering the Oman General Education Diploma (GED) alongside the DP.
History
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Community
Community
Al Sahwa Schools maintain a diverse and international community, with around 1,100 students and 200 staff representing 31 nationalities. New families are welcomed through planned orientations and a buddy system to support their transition from kindergarten through secondary. The school uses a House System with four houses named after Oman's iconic animals (Eagles, Oryx, Wolves, Leopards) to foster belonging, teamwork, and leadership. Cultural and community events, including National Day celebrations and Open Day experiences, are part of the school's yearly calendar.
Community
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Parent teacher association
Parent teacher association
The Parents Association is established by Al Sahwa Schools' Board of Trustees to give parents and the school's professional leadership a regular opportunity to collaborate in support of the students, school goals and guiding statements through monthly meetings. The structure includes representation from Kindergarten, Primary Years (Grade 1–5), Middle Years (Grade 6–10), General Education Diploma (Grade 11–12), and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP). Membership runs for two years, enabling continuity and ongoing engagement across cohorts. The association represents alumni and current parents, reflecting a cross-section of the Al Sahwa community. Rafif Abdullah Al.Taie serves as the PA Chair for the 2024–2025 academic year. Upcoming events include MYP5 English LA-Oral Exams, House Event: Board Game Blitz for MYP1-3 Boys, and GED1 Mid Year Exams.
Parent teacher association
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Extra-curricular
Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual
Academic & intellectual
The school offers a complete IB pathway from Primary Years Programme (PYP) to Diploma Programme (DP) and includes the Oman General Education Diploma (GED) for Grades 11–12. The Middle Years Programme (MYP) is offered for Grades 6–10 and emphasizes inquiry, creativity, critical thinking and global perspectives. The IB accreditation and CIS membership underpin a high-quality international education.
Academic & intellectual
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Arts & creative
Arts & creative
The campus provides specialist spaces for the performing arts and a large auditorium, with an innovative library and dedicated Design and Technology facilities. Arts integration is part of the IB framework and the overall learning environment.
Arts & creative
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Cultural & language
Cultural & language
The school is a bilingual IB World School. English language support and Arabic language support are available to help students access the curriculum. The learning pathway emphasizes both Omani heritage and international perspectives.
Cultural & language
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Social & hobbies
Social & hobbies
Facilities include sports pitches, a gymnasium, a swimming pool and extensive outdoor spaces for recreation. The school offers a broad range of extracurricular activities, supporting social development and interests beyond academics.
Social & hobbies
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Community & service
Community & service
Service learning and community engagement are embedded in the Diploma Programme through the CAS component. Handbooks and programmes for service learning and community projects are available as part of the school resources.
Community & service
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Leadership & professional
Leadership & professional
The Diploma Programme includes TOK, Extended Essay (EE) and CAS, fostering leadership, research skills and personal development. Careers guidance supports subject choices and university pathways aligned with students' goals.
Leadership & professional
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Lifestyle & wellbeing
Lifestyle & wellbeing
The campus includes a gym, swimming pool, shaded communal areas and ample outdoor spaces to support physical activity and social interaction. The IB framework emphasizes balanced wellbeing as part of a holistic education.
Lifestyle & wellbeing
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Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
Arabic and English are taught as languages. In the Primary Years Programme (KG to Grade 5), Arabic language and English are included as core subjects. The school offers the IB pathway (PYP, MYP, GED and DP) for Kindergarten through Grade 12. The school is IB-accredited for the PYP, MYP and DP, and is a CIS-accredited institution.
Language provision
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Bilingual teaching
Bilingual teaching
The school is bilingual.
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
The school is a member of the Council of International Schools (CIS) and an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School, authorised to offer the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP) and Diploma Programme (DP). CIS accreditation is also in place. The PYP was re-authorised in 2023, and the MYP and DP are in ongoing review cycles.
Accreditations
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Admissions
Admissions
Admissions
Admissions
1. Stage 1 – Online Enrolment Form: Complete the Online Enrolment Form and upload documents, including the applicant's passport and the last year's school report if applicable. This step starts the enrolment process and gathers essential information for the applicant. 2. Stage 2 – Entrance Test & Document Collection: Applicants reaching Stage 2 are invited to complete a series of entrance tests. A non-refundable administrative charge of OMR 20 is required to register for these tests. 3. Stage 3 – Offer of Place: Applicants reaching Stage 3 receive an official offer letter. To accept, return the offer letter within two weeks and pay a non-refundable deposit of OMR 200 to the Accounts Office. Bring the following documents: the applicant's father's passport or national ID card, the applicant's mother's passport or national ID card, the applicant's birth certificate, the applicant's medical vaccination card (Red Card), and a recent passport-style photo.
