American School of Bahrain vs Ibn Khuldoon National School
American School of Bahrain and Ibn Khuldoon National School are both in Manama, about 1 km apart. Both schools offer IB and American programmes, and Ibn Khuldoon National School also offers Bahraini. Published annual fees are BHD 2,900 - 8,980 at American School of Bahrain and BHD 3,040 - 5,130 at Ibn Khuldoon National School, which puts American School of Bahrain roughly 45% higher. American School of Bahrain takes pupils from 2 to 18, and Ibn Khuldoon National School from 4 to 18. Ibn Khuldoon National School is the larger school, with around 1,450 pupils to American School of Bahrain's 449.
IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP), Bahraini Curriculum, American Curriculum
Pupils
Pupils
449
Pupils
1,450
Typical class size
Typical class size
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Typical class size
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Instruction language
Instruction language
English
Instruction language
English, Arabic
Opened
Opened
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Opened
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Bus service
Bus service
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Bus service
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Essentials
Essentials
Location
Location
ASB is centrally located in North Riffa (Wadi Al Buhair), near the Bahrain National Stadium. The 17-acre campus is easily accessed from the main highways and offers parking for parents and visitors. The campus address is Building 1528, Road 3429, Block 934, Riffa Al Shamali, Kingdom of Bahrain.
Location
Ibn Khuldoon National School is located in Isa Town, Bahrain. The campus address is Building 161, Road 4111, Block 841, Isa Town. Isa Town is in the Southern Governorate and is connected to central Manama via Bahrain's main roads.
Stages
Stages
ASB serves Early Childhood through Grade 12. The school offers Head Start to Grade 12 with an Early Childhood Center that follows Ontario Kindergarten for Pre-K and KG1 and AERO standards for English, Science and Math in KG2; Grades 1–10 follow AERO standards aligned with Common Core. Pathways in Grades 11 and 12 include the IB Diploma Programme.
Stages
The school serves students from Kindergarten (KG1) through Grade 12. It offers the International Baccalaureate continuum (PYP, MYP, and DP) and provides a parallel American High School Diploma for Grades 11–12.
School type
School type
ASB is a co-educational day school with no boarding facilities.
School type
IKNS is a private, non-profit, co-educational day school. It operates as a non-profit, self-supporting institution serving both local Bahraini and expatriate students.
Pupil nationality mix
Pupil nationality mix
ASB serves a diverse student body with dozens of nationalities represented. Publicly available estimates place the total nationalities represented at about 33 to 48, with Bahraini, American and Canadian among the most represented; the local-to-international student ratio is roughly around 50:50.
Pupil nationality mix
IKNS serves both Bahraini and expatriate students, indicating a local plus international mix. Public materials do not publish a detailed breakdown of nationalities or the local-to-international ratio.
Additional learning support
Additional learning support
ASB provides learning support spaces and services, including English Language (EL) support and general learning support, delivered in designated learning support rooms and counseling areas on campus. Availability may be limited by program and staffing.
Additional learning support
Detailed Additional Learning Needs (SEN) provisions are not publicly listed for IKNS. Bahrain's Ministry of Education describes mainstream education for students with special needs in public schools, and IKNS' public materials do not specify bespoke SEN facilities.
Country affiliation
Country affiliation
The school is an American international school located in Bahrain and is part of the Esol Education network.
Country affiliation
IKNS is based in Bahrain and has no formal country affiliation. IB listings confirm Bahrain as the country context for the school.
Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation: Not affiliated with a specific religion. The curriculum includes Arabic language instruction and Islamic Studies as part of Bahraini cultural education.
Religious affiliation
There is no formal religious affiliation reported for IKNS. The school operates within Bahrain's secular/state education framework and offers Arabic Islamic studies as part of the Bahraini curriculum.
School day structure
School day structure
The school day runs from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
School day structure
The school week runs Sunday to Thursday. School hours are typically from 7:00 am to 2:00 pm.
Bus service details
Bus service details
ASB offers a school bus service; transport details, routes, and providers are coordinated through the Admissions Office. Inquiries about transport options should be directed to admissions@asb.bh or by calling +973 1721 1800.
Bus service details
IKNS does not operate its own school bus service. Some students may rely on family transport or local public transport; nearby Isa Town bus lines exist, but there is no in-house bus provision.
Fees
Fees
Fee details
Fee details
Application and Registration Fees - Application fee: BHD 75 per student. - Registration fee: BHD 300 per student due on acceptance of a place. The application fee (BHD 75) is deducted from the registration fee, so the net registration payment on acceptance is BHD 225. Registration and application fees are not refundable.
Tuition fees by year group (2025–2026 academic year) — annual and per-term amounts - Head Start — BHD 2,900 per year (Term 1: BHD 1,450; Term 2: BHD 1,450). - Pre-KG — BHD 3,310 per year (Term 1: BHD 1,655; Term 2: BHD 1,655). - KG 1 — BHD 4,730 per year (Term 1: BHD 2,365; Term 2: BHD 2,365). - KG 2 — BHD 4,820 per year (Term 1: BHD 2,410; Term 2: BHD 2,410). - Grade 1 — BHD 4,900 per year (Term 1: BHD 2,450; Term 2: BHD 2,450). - Grade 2 — BHD 5,330 per year (Term 1: BHD 2,665; Term 2: BHD 2,665). - Grade 3 — BHD 5,330 per year (Term 1: BHD 2,665; Term 2: BHD 2,665). - Grade 4 — BHD 5,660 per year (Term 1: BHD 2,830; Term 2: BHD 2,830). - Grade 5 — BHD 5,660 per year (Term 1: BHD 2,830; Term 2: BHD 2,830). - Grade 6 — BHD 6,820 per year (Term 1: BHD 3,410; Term 2: BHD 3,410). - Grade 7 — BHD 6,820 per year (Term 1: BHD 3,410; Term 2: BHD 3,410). - Grade 8 — BHD 6,820 per year (Term 1: BHD 3,410; Term 2: BHD 3,410). - Grade 9 — BHD 7,910 per year (Term 1: BHD 3,955; Term 2: BHD 3,955). - Grade 10 — BHD 7,910 per year (Term 1: BHD 3,955; Term 2: BHD 3,955). - Grade 11 — BHD 8,980 per year (Term 1: BHD 4,490; Term 2: BHD 4,490). - Grade 12 — BHD 8,980 per year (Term 1: BHD 4,490; Term 2: BHD 4,490).
Billing schedule and payment terms - Tuition is billed in two equal installments: Term 1 (September–January) = 50% of the annual tuition, and Term 2 (February–June) = 50% of the annual tuition. Term 1 payment is due in August; Term 2 payment is due in January. - Monthly fee calculations for proration or leave-of-absence purposes are made by dividing the annual tuition by 10 months; one or more days' attendance during a month is counted as a full month. The school reserves the right to charge late-payment penalties. An installment plan beyond the two-term schedule may be agreed in exceptional cases subject to written request and management approval; parents should apply to the Finance Department (accounts@asb.bh).
Reservation deposit and re-enrollment deposit - A reservation deposit of 10% of the total fee amount must be paid within ten (10) days of the acceptance letter to secure a place. The deposit is deducted from the annual tuition balance and must be paid before the student's first day. The deposit is non-refundable except where the family must relocate outside Bahrain before the academic year starts. If joining at the beginning of a term, the full term fee must be paid instead of a deposit. - A re-enrollment deposit is required in Term 2 to reserve a place for the next academic year; the school will advise the percentage, due dates and refund conditions.
Refund information and leaving mid-year - Refund requests must be submitted in writing using the school's Refund Request Form; refunds will be processed after internal clearance and the return of all school-issued books and equipment. The school aims to process refunds within one month of receiving the completed form and supporting documents. Parents are responsible for any bank transfer charges related to refunds. When fees are paid directly by an employer, any refund or difference will be returned only to the employer's account. - If a student leaves during the academic year, tuition charged is calculated as follows (‘fee per month' = annual tuition / 10): - Attendance two weeks or less during the term = charge of one month's fee. - Attendance between two weeks and one month = charge of two months' fee. - Attendance between one and two months = charge of three months' fee. - Attendance two to three months = charge of four months' fee. - Attendance more than three months = full term fee charged.
Other costs and exclusions - The published tuition fees do not include transportation, field trips, cafeteria, IB exam fees or any board exam fees, graduation fees, uniform fees, stationery, notebooks or workbooks. These are additional costs to be covered by parents. - Sibling discounts: 10% for the third child and 15% for the fourth and subsequent children (applies to families with more than two children enrolled).
Boarding - Boarding is not listed as part of the school's provision; there are no boarding fees shown.
Payment methods and bank details - Accepted payment methods: the school's E-Cashier portal (pay.asb.bh), the online payment link on invoices, electronic bank transfer (Fawri), direct deposit, Benefit Pay (Fawri+), cheque payable to American School of Bahrain W.L.L., cash or credit card at the school accounts office (cash is discouraged). Parents are requested to email deposit or transfer advices to accounts@asb.bh and to quote the student number to ensure correct allocation. - Bank account details for direct transfers: - Account title: American School of Bahrain W.L.L. - Beneficiary bank: Khaleeji Bank - Account number: 3900501463001 - IBAN: BH45KHCB03900501463001 - Swift code: KHCBBHBM - Country: Kingdom of Bahrain.
Late payment and non-payment - The school may charge late-payment penalties, restrict access to curriculum support, withhold reports, examination results and leaving certificates, and may remove students from the enrolment register for persistent non-payment. Misplacement of an invoice is not an acceptable reason for late payment; parents should contact the accounts office if an invoice is not received.
Installment option - Where parents cannot pay the two-term schedule, an installment option may be considered for the current academic year only, subject to a written request and management approval; parents must reapply in subsequent academic years if needed.
(Fees and policies are presented for the 2025–2026 academic year.)
Fee details
Application and one‑time admission fees
- Application fee: BHD 30 (one‑time, payable on submission of the application). - Admission fee / first‑year one‑time charge: BHD 100 (one‑time, payable on admission). The school's published first‑year total for new entrants includes these one‑time charges.
Annual tuition fees by year group (published amounts)
- Kindergarten 2 (age 4): BHD 3,040 per year. - Kindergarten 3 (age 5): BHD 3,065 per year. - Grade 1 (age 6): BHD 3,760 per year. - Grade 2 (age 7): BHD 3,760 per year. - Grade 3 (age 8): BHD 3,760 per year. - Grade 4 (age 9): BHD 3,760 per year. - Grade 5 (age 10): BHD 3,760 per year. - Grade 6 (age 11): BHD 4,105 per year. - Grade 7 (age 12): BHD 4,105 per year. - Grade 8 (age 13): BHD 4,105 per year. - Grade 9 (age 14): BHD 4,620 per year. - Grade 10 (age 15): BHD 4,620 per year. - Grade 11 (age 16): BHD 5,130 per year. - Grade 12 (age 17): BHD 5,130 per year.
Per‑term amounts (inferred example)
- The school's fees are published as annual amounts. For parents who require a per‑term figure, an equal three‑term split of the published annual fee gives an approximate per‑term amount (this is an arithmetic inference, not a separate published figure): for example, Grade 1 annual BHD 3,760 ≈ BHD 1,253 per term (3 equal terms). I am presenting these per‑term numbers as inferred values derived by dividing the published annual fees by three.
Billing schedule and payment terms
- The published fees are displayed as annual tuition for each year group; application and admission charges are identified as one‑time fees and are payable at application/admission. - The school provides invoice management and supports secure online payments through its official IKNS parent mobile app (invoice viewing and online settlement of fees are available through the app). Parents use the school's payment portal to settle invoices.
Boarding fees (if applicable)
- Ibn Khuldoon National School is listed as a day school; published entries show no weekly or full boarding fees for this school.
Other costs and typical additional fees
- Uniforms: the school's uniform items are sold through official suppliers/retailers; example retail prices for specific IKNS uniform T‑shirts are shown at approximately BHD 9.90 per shirt on an authorised retailer listing. Uniform purchases should be expected in addition to published tuition. - The published annual tuition figures do not itemise separate costs for books, transport, meals, extracurricular activities or exam fees; families commonly budget additionally for textbooks, school trips, transport and activity fees beyond the tuition figure. The published fee tables list the annual tuition and the one‑time admission/application amounts; separate ancillary charges are managed and invoiced by the school.
Refund information
- Application and admission charges are presented as one‑time fees in the published fee listings. The publicly available fee listings show those charges as one‑time items; a specific, itemised public refund schedule for withdrawal or term‑time refunds is not published alongside the fee table in the cited listings. Refunds or any refundable deposits and the conditions for refund are handled under the school's finance and withdrawal policy.
Fee payment options
- Online payments: the IKNS parent app supports secure online payment and invoice management; parents can view and pay invoices through the app. - Uniform and supplier purchases: uniform retailers selling IKNS items accept standard retail payment methods (online/instore card payments on retailer listings). Example: the IKNS uniform retailer page lists card/online checkout options for uniform items.
Notes: - The amounts above are taken from the school's published fee listings for the current academic cycle as presented on school directories and listings; the annual tuition figures and the one‑time fees listed above are the published values and are stated in Bahraini Dinars (BHD).
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
The cafeteria provides balanced meals designed to promote nutrition and health. The offerings align with USDA Dietary Guidelines (2015-2020) and include options that combine fruits, vegetables, grains, protein, and dairy to support students' daily needs.
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
ASB is a joint venture between Esol Education and Elm Education Fund (Elm), a Bahrain-based education platform established by Bahrain Mumtalakat Holding Company (Mumtalakat), the sovereign wealth fund of the Kingdom of Bahrain. Elm establishes and co-invests in world-class educational institutions in partnership with leading global operators.
Governance and ownership
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Academics
Academics
Curriculum details
Curriculum details
Instruction is delivered in English and Arabic. From Early Childhood through Grade 10, ASB follows the AERO standards aligned with the Common Core, with Early Childhood using the Ontario Kindergarten Program for PreK and K1. The Grades 1–10 science program follows the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and emphasizes inquiry-based, hands-on learning. In Grades 11–12, ASB offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) after IB authorisation in 2022; Grade 10 students have access to pre-IB courses to prepare for the DP. The DP comprises six subject groups (Group 1–Group 6) plus the DP core (Theory of Knowledge, Creativity, Activity, Service, Extended Essay), with three HL and three SL (or four HL) options across the groups.
Curriculum details
IKNS offers an International Baccalaureate (IB) continuum from KG1 to Grade 12, consisting of the Primary Years Programme (PYP) for KG1–5, the Middle Years Programme (MYP) for 6–10, and the Diploma Programme (DP) for 11–12, with an American High School Diploma (AHSD) option in Grades 11–12. The school operates a bilingual program in Arabic and English, with IB instruction delivered in English. The PYP (KG1–5) uses inquiry-based, transdisciplinary learning organized around six transdisciplinary themes. The MYP (6–10) comprises eight subject groups: Language and Literature, Language Acquisition, Individuals and Societies, Sciences, Mathematics, Arts, Physical Education, and Design. The DP (11–12) comprises six subject groups and a DP core consisting of Theory of Knowledge (TOK), the Extended Essay (EE), and Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS); AHSD runs in parallel in Grades 11–12.
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
ASB provides social-emotional support through dedicated School Counselors for Early Childhood/Elementary and for Middle/High, as well as a University Counselor. The school emphasizes pastoral care and wellbeing as central to student life, with staff attuned to students' wellbeing. Social and emotional development is a core focus within ASB's holistic approach to education. Wellbeing is embedded in student life through the Extra-Curricular Activities program, which includes a Wellbeing category (e.g., Yoga Club). The school's messaging and culture highlight happiness and wellbeing as foundational to learning and belonging.
Social & emotional learning
The school does not publicly disclose information regarding Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) provision, staffing, or initiatives.
Special educational needs (SEN)
Special educational needs (SEN)
ASB provides Learning Support and English as an Additional Language (EAL) services, with Kathryn Adams (Curriculum Coordinator and English Teacher) and a team of Learning Support staff (e.g., Natasha McGlade, Jennifer Morrissey, Eimear Peoples, Hiruni De Silva). Leadership for Learning Services includes Caryn Pelletier as Head of Learning Services (Early Childhood and Elementary) and Natasha McGlade as Head of Learning Support (Middle and High School). Hiruni De Silva is presented as Learning Support and EAL teacher. Natasha McGlade holds a Post-Graduate Certification as an Inclusion Specialist, indicating inclusion-focused expertise within the Learning Services team. The school runs Muzdawaj, a dual-language program expanding to KG1 and KG2, to support bilingual language development (Arabic-English).
Special educational needs (SEN)
The school does not publicly disclose information regarding Special Educational Needs (SEN) provision or whether it operates as a specialist SEN institution.
English as an additional language
English as an additional language
ASB provides English as an Additional Language (EAL) support through dedicated staff, including Hiruni De Silva as Learning Support and EAL teacher. Kathryn Adams serves as Curriculum Coordinator and English Teacher, contributing to English language learning and literacy development. The Learning Services leadership includes a Head of Learning Services and a Head of Learning Support to coordinate EAL and related language needs. Hiruni De Silva explicitly holds an EAL teaching role at ASB. Muzdawaj is a dual-language program (Arabic-English) that enhances language development for bilingual learners.
English as an additional language
The school offers a bilingual programme of study in English and Arabic.
Mental wellbeing
Mental wellbeing
Wellbeing is a central facet of ASB's approach, with pastoral care and a focus on students' happiness and confidence. School Counselors support mental wellbeing across campuses; Early Childhood/Elementary and Middle/High counselors exist, plus a University Counselor. Wellbeing is integrated into ASB's activities program, including a dedicated Wellbeing category in Extra-Curricular Activities (e.g., Yoga Club). Wellness is a core pillar of the campus design, with facilities and programs to promote physical activity as part of a healthy lifestyle. The school communicates a culture of happiness and wellbeing as a foundational aspect of its learning environment.
Mental wellbeing
The school does not publicly disclose information regarding mental wellbeing provisions.
Safeguarding
Safeguarding
ASB adopted a Child Safeguarding Policy in August 2022, defining child abuse and neglect and outlining preventative measures and the school's response to suspected cases. The policy outlines four components: a Preventative Program, a Child Safeguarding Management Team, a Core Response Team, and a Multi-Disciplinary Team. All staff are required to report suspected incidents of abuse or neglect, with processes for investigation and contact with local authorities as needed. The policy includes age-appropriate safeguarding curricula for students from K to Grade 12, plus annual staff training and parent information sessions. The policy aligns with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and Bahrain's laws (e.g., Decree No. 4 of 2021; Child Law No. 37 of 2012), with ongoing commitments to training and safeguarding practice.
Safeguarding
The school does not publicly disclose safeguarding policies.
Safeguarding policy
Safeguarding policy
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Safeguarding policy
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Facilities
Facilities
Facilities overview
Facilities overview
ASB's campus is located in North Riffa on a 17-acre site near the Bahrain National Stadium. It features technology-enabled classrooms, STEAM labs and maker spaces. The library is multi-level and equipped with digital resources, serving as a research space and learning hub. Art studios, music rooms and performance spaces support visual and performing arts. Naturally lit classrooms and open spaces promote collaboration, and connectivity supports modern teaching. The athletics complex includes a shaded swimming pool, a 1500 square meter gymnasium, basketball courts, a regulation-sized soccer field and a running track.
Facilities overview
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Sports facilities
Sports facilities
Elementary has three shaded playgrounds, separated by age group. Middle School and High School have dedicated playgrounds. The campus includes a 1500 square meter gymnasium for indoor athletic activities, a shaded swimming pool, a regulation-sized soccer field, and a running track.
Sports facilities
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Academic facilities
Academic facilities
ASB's Learning Facilities include spacious classrooms, science and technology labs, and specialized spaces for graphic arts, performing arts, and music. Open workspaces and breakout rooms support collaborative teaching. The campus has two libraries serving Elementary, Middle, and High School. Outdoor learning spaces, learning support rooms, and counseling areas are available.
Academic facilities
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Extra curricular facilities
Extra curricular facilities
The ECA program provides opportunities spanning athletics, arts, leadership, and special interests, available during lunchtime and after school. ECAs are led by ASB faculty and enriched by partnerships with external providers. The ECA year is divided into three blocks: Block 1 (September–November), Block 2 (November–February), and Block 3 (February–May). Sign-up is through School Buddy. Music ECAs, sports teams and other activities are offered, with the school having over 60 sports teams in the school year.
Extra curricular facilities
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Parent experience
Parent experience
History
History
ASB opened in September 2020. It is a joint venture between ESOL Education and Elm Education Fund (Elm), a Bahrain-based platform established by Mumtalakat. ASB benefits from ESOL Education's 45-plus years of experience in creating and operating international schools. Under ESOL Education's stewardship, the ASB leadership team operates and manages the school. ASB is part of ESOL Education's global family of international schools, sharing accreditation principles and a common mission across locations.
History
Ibn Khuldoon National School (IKNS) opened in 1983 as a private, non-profit, co-educational institution offering bilingual education. It began with two kindergarten and four primary classes and expanded by adding new classes each year, with the intermediate level completed by 1988. IKNS was authorized to offer the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme in 1990, and the first IB graduates appeared in 1992. The school received full accreditation from the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools in 1994 and helped establish the Middle East IB Association (MEIBA) in 1994–95. Governance rests with a board of trustees, a board of directors, and specialized committees that guide policy and strategic direction.
Community
Community
ASB describes its community as a village where teachers, parents, students and the wider community form strong bonds to support each student's growth. The school emphasizes inclusion and Belonging, honoring its rich collective cultural heritage and promoting global citizenship. Student life features events such as International Day, literacy and arts initiatives, environmental awareness drives and social responsibility programs. Parents are engaged as partners through the Our Parents, Our Partners framework and regular updates via The ASB Insider newsletter.
Community
IKNS maintains an active school community that engages families through events such as the IKNS Carnival, a community fundraising event held in 2024 and again in 2025 in collaboration with an external events partner. The school also supports student-led and school-wide initiatives that extend beyond the classroom, including international trips and humanitarian projects; past trips include Kenya (2013), India (2014), and China (2015) organized with Me to We. IKNS students participate in national youth initiatives and volunteer programs, reflecting a broader community orientation. Graduation ceremonies are significant community events, with attendance from Bahrain's royal and government figures, underscoring the school's civic ties.
Parent teacher association
Parent teacher association
ASB uses a parent engagement model described as Our Parents, Our Partners rather than a traditional PTA. The primary parent information hub is ASB Parent Essentials, which provides calendars, E-Cashier, school uniforms and transportation details. Regular updates are delivered to families through The ASB Insider newsletter. ASB hosts and participates in family-inclusive events such as International Day, the Arabic and Islamic Conference, and ESOL Education Sportsfest. The ESOL Sportsfest and graduation-related events illustrate ongoing parent involvement in school life. ASB's pillars include community leadership and cultural respect, reflecting the aims of its parent partnership.
Parent teacher association
A formal Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) is not publicly documented for IKNS. Public governance descriptions list a board of trustees, a board of directors, and specialized committees that oversee the school's direction, with parent involvement most clearly seen through school events. A notable example is the IKNS Carnival, a community fundraising event held in 2024 and 2025 that engaged students, families, and staff and was run in collaboration with an external events firm. Parent involvement is further reflected in partnerships and volunteer initiatives that connect families with school activities. These events illustrate a structured approach to engaging parents and the wider community within IKNS's educational mission.
Extra-curricular
Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual
Academic & intellectual
ASB provides a standards-based American curriculum from Head Start to Grade 12. The Grades 1–10 program follows the AERO standards aligned with the Common Core; the Early Childhood Center uses the Ontario Kindergarten Program in Pre-KG and K1 and AERO Common Core Plus for English, Science and Math in KG2. In Grades 11–12, the IB Diploma Programme is offered with three graduation routes: ASB High School Diploma; ASB High School Diploma + IB Diploma Courses; and ASB High School Diploma + Full IB Diploma. The language of instruction is English and Arabic.
Academic & intellectual
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Arts & creative
Arts & creative
ASB emphasizes visual and performing arts as part of a holistic education. The Visual Arts program follows the US NCCAS standards, and the school operates three art studios and two maker space labs with facilities for exhibitions. The arts program includes regular art shows and exhibitions, and the Performing Arts offerings include music and choral programs with performances throughout the year.
Arts & creative
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Cultural & language
Cultural & language
French and Spanish are taught in High School using the AERO World Language standards with IB success criteria. After-school language programs include Arabic, French, Russian, Italian and German.
Cultural & language
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Social & hobbies
Social & hobbies
ASB runs an active after-school program with Extra Curricular Activities, Sports and Athletics, Students' Leadership Activities, Performing Arts and Outreach and Service Learning, plus trips and other social experiences.
Social & hobbies
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Community & service
Community & service
Outreach and Service Learning is part of ASB's after-school activities, enabling student involvement in community-based projects and service opportunities.
Community & service
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Leadership & professional
Leadership & professional
Students participate in leadership activities through after-school programs and Students' Leadership Activities, providing opportunities to develop leadership skills.
Leadership & professional
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Lifestyle & wellbeing
Lifestyle & wellbeing
The campus features high quality sports facilities and a design emphasizing natural light and modern learning spaces, supporting physical activity and well-being.
Lifestyle & wellbeing
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Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
English is the language of instruction for the standard curriculum. Arabic is taught as a core language and as Arabic as a Foreign Language; Arabic language instruction also includes Islamic education for Muslim students, Social Studies and Citizenship Education as part of the core curriculum. French and Spanish are taught in High School as World Languages. The Early Childhood Center follows the Ontario Kindergarten Program for Pre-KG and K1, and the AERO Common Core Plus Curricular Standards for English, Science and Math in KG2. The school provides Arabic language support for both native and non-native speakers. Grades 11–12 follow the IB Diploma Programme.
Language provision
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Bilingual teaching
Bilingual teaching
ASB offers a dual-language Muzdawaj program in the Early Childhood Center (Pre-KG to KG2) that immerses students in Arabic and English through a co-teaching model. The program is expanding to include KG1 and KG2 in the 2025-26 academic year.
Bilingual teaching
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Immersion programs
Immersion programs
Muzdawaj is an immersion program that combines Arabic and English learning in a bilingual/co-teaching environment.
Immersion programs
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Reputation
Reputation
Awards
Awards
ASB Graduation 2025: first graduation ceremony with 37 graduates
Awards
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Accreditations
Accreditations
MSA and ACS WASC accreditation; Bahrain BQA Outstanding School recognition
Accreditations
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Admissions
Admissions
Admissions
Admissions
1. ASB offers a standards-based American curriculum from Head Start to Grade 12. The school is part of the ESOL Education family of international schools. ASB is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSA) and by the Accrediting Commission for Schools, Western Association of Schools and Colleges (ACS WASC). Bahrain Quality Assurance (BQA) accreditation is also shown.
2. ASB is open to students of all nationalities who can benefit from the American and international curriculum offered by the school. The program covers Head Start to Grade 12 and provides a standards-based US curriculum.
3. The campus is located in North Riffa, near the Bahrain National Stadium. The ASB campus sits on a 17-acre plot and is designed with technology-enabled classrooms, STEAM labs, a multi-level library, art studios, music rooms and extensive athletic facilities.
4. Pathways in Grades 11 and 12 include the IB Diploma Programme. There are three routes to graduation: ASB High School Diploma; ASB High School Diploma + IB Diploma Courses; and ASB High School Diploma + Full IB Diploma.
5. ASB is enrolling for the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 academic years. Weekly campus tours are offered and led by the leadership team. The Admissions Manager is Nada Faraz.
6. Fees and payment: Application fee is 75 BHD and the registration fee is 300 BHD upon accepting an offer. Tuition is listed by grade for 2025-2026 with two-term payment; a 10% reservation/deposit is required to secure a space. Sibling discounts apply (10% for the third child, 15% for the fourth and subsequent children).
7. ASB offers a Dual Language Program, Muzdawaj, in its Early Childhood Center. The program immerses students in both Arabic and English with a co-teaching model and plans to extend to KG1 and KG2, then Grades 1 and 2, with class sizes capped at 18. Fees for the 2024-25 year were the same as the international program.
