Exploring Education In Bahrain: A Comprehensive School Count

The Kingdom of Bahrain is home to a large number of schools, with a mix of public and private institutions catering to the educational needs of its students. As of 2022, there were 210 government schools and 79 private schools in the country, serving a total of about 230,000 pupils. The education system in Bahrain dates back to the late 1890s, but most of the schools were built in modern times. The school year typically runs from September to July and includes three terms. School hours can start as early as 7:30 am and end between 12 noon and 3 pm. The curriculum offered varies, with local children usually attending government schools and expatriates favouring international schools offering UK, American, Japanese, Indian, Pakistani, or French curricula.

Bahrain has 206 public schools and 72 private international schools

The Kingdom of Bahrain has a total of 278 schools, comprising 206 public schools and 72 private international schools. The school year in Bahrain runs from September to July and is divided into three terms. School hours vary but generally start early, from 7:30 a.m., and end between 12:00 noon and 3:00 p.m. The country's education system dates back to the late 1890s, but most of today's schools were constructed in more modern times.

Bahrain's public schools primarily serve local children, while expatriates tend to favour international schools. The curriculum offered in these private institutions varies, including UK, American, Japanese, Indian, Pakistani, and French systems. Western expatriates, in particular, are drawn to the British and American schools. Fees for these schools are set by the institutions but must be approved by the Ministry of Education. The cost of education increases with the age of the student. For example, at The British School of Bahrain, fees for a reception child (aged 4-5) are BD1,002 ($2,657) per term, while those for a senior pupil (aged 14-16) are BD1,561 ($4,169) per term.

Among the well-known international schools in Bahrain are The British School of Bahrain and St. Christopher's School, which is one of the largest international schools in the country with over 2,100 pupils. St. Christopher's has two campuses: one in Isa Town for senior students and another in Maqaba for junior and infant students. The American Mission School, now known as the Al-Raja School, is the oldest international school in Bahrain. It offers a multicultural education with a strong Arabic component and operates as a bilingual institution.

The school year in Bahrain runs from September to July

The school year in Bahrain typically runs from September to July and includes three terms. The academic calendar is set by the Bahraini government, and the school year is similar to that of other Gulf states.

The British School of Bahrain, for example, started its 2024-25 academic year in late August, with the first day of school on 27 August 2024. The autumn term ended in mid-December, followed by a half-term holiday in late October. The spring term began in early January 2025, with another half-term break in mid-February. The summer term commenced in late April, after the Easter weekend, and concluded in late June.

The school year in Bahrain is not uniform across all institutions, as each school observes different holidays, except for Islamic holidays, which are celebrated nationally. For instance, the Prophet's Birthday was marked on 16 September 2024, according to the British School of Bahrain's calendar.

Bahrain's education system consists of public schools, which are government-run, and private schools, many of which are international schools offering various curricula. There are around 206 public schools and about 72 private international schools in Bahrain, catering to approximately 195,000 pupils.

Bahrain's schools teach a variety of curriculums, including UK, American, Japanese, and French

Bahrain's education system dates back to the late 19th century, but most of the country's schools were built in modern times. Today, there are 206 public schools and 72 private international schools in Bahrain, serving a total of about 195,000 pupils. The school year runs from September to July and is divided into three terms.

Bahrain's schools teach a variety of curricula, including UK, American, Japanese, and French. Private schools in the country offer curricula from the US, UK, France, Canada, or Australia/New Zealand. Primary instruction may be in any language, but it is usually in English, French, Spanish, German, or Japanese. Many schools also teach multiple languages.

For example, the British School of Bahrain delivers a high-quality British education to students aged 3 to 18. The school has been rated ''Outstanding' by the Bahrain Education and Training Quality Authority (BQA) and is accredited by the British Schools Organisation (BSO). Similarly, the British Preparatory School in Saar offers a British curriculum to children aged 18 months to 6 years.

The American School of Bahrain, which opened in 2020, provides a full American education with the option of the IB diploma. Other American curriculum schools include Riffa Views International School, AMA International School, and Al Hekma International School.

The Lycée Français MLF de Bahreïn is a French school in Bahrain, offering the official French curriculum to students from kindergarten to secondary level. The school is registered and approved by the Ministries of Education of both Bahrain and France.

The Japanese School in Bahrain is one of the smaller international schools in the country, catering to the Japanese expatriate community.

In addition to these international curricula, private schools in Bahrain may also offer bilingual Arabic-English education, with an American or British curriculum as a base. These schools are mainly aimed at Bahraini students but are also chosen by other families attracted by the extended Islamic studies and Arabic language curriculum.

The British School of Bahrain and St Christopher's are two of the most well-known schools in the country

There are 206 public schools in Bahrain and 72 private international schools, with most children attending government schools and expatriates attending international establishments. The British School of Bahrain and St Christopher's are two of the most well-known schools in the country.

The British School of Bahrain

The British School of Bahrain (BSB) is a selective, co-educational, independent school for students aged 3 to 18. It is located in Hamala and has been educating children for over 26 years. The school is divided into three sections: Infants (ages 3-6), Juniors (ages 7-10), and Senior School (ages 11-18). The BSB follows the National Curriculum for England and Wales with adaptations to comply with local laws and customs. It is accredited by the British Schools Organisation (BSO) and has been rated 'Outstanding' by the Bahrain Education and Training Quality Authority (BQA). The school has a 1:11 teacher-student ratio and offers a wide range of extracurricular activities, including an extensive sports programme with 30 sports, 32 teams, and 100 fixtures. The BSB is also an Inspired school, part of a global community spanning 24 countries and 5 continents.

St Christopher's School

St Christopher's is a British international school located in Isa Town (senior campus) and Sar (infant and junior campuses). It offers primary and secondary education, from reception to Sixth Form, and students sit GCSE and A-level examinations. The school has been operating since 1961 and currently has over 2,100 pupils. It is regarded as one of the most reputable schools in the Gulf region and was listed by the Guardian newspaper in 2006 as one of the top eight best international schools offering a British curriculum worldwide. St Christopher's upholds values such as caring, honesty, and mutual respect, and its students are known as "World Changers". The school also places an emphasis on extracurricular activities and social events, fostering a vibrant and welcoming community.

Bahrain's oldest international school is the Al-Raja School, formerly known as the American Mission School

Bahrain's education system dates back to the late 1890s, but most of the country's schools are modern. There are currently 206 public schools in Bahrain and 72 private international schools, serving a total of about 195,000 pupils.

Over the years, the school continued to grow and eventually became an all-girls school. In the 1930s, there was a demand to begin a formal boys' section, and the school became known as the American Mission School. During that time, it held classes at church facilities, which changed over the decades. In 1994, the current campus was built, and grades 10, 11, and 12 were added in the early 2000s. The first graduating class walked in 2008.

Al-Raja School is a private, bilingual, coeducational, multicultural non-profit K-12 institution in the capital city of Manama. The school offers the American Diploma and is accredited by Cognia, previously known as AdvancED, an American accreditation agency. The Ministry of Education has approved the high school diploma as equivalent to their Tawjihi High School Diploma. Students in grades 11 and 12 have the option of taking Advanced Placement courses. The school has a strong Arabic teaching element and operates in a bilingual capacity. The fees are considerably lower than those of British and American schools in Bahrain. For example, the price for a reception child is BD1,220 ($3,235) for the full year and BD2,500 ($6,629) for a 14-16-year-old.

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