Ibn Khuldoon National School vs Naseem International School

	I Ibn Khuldoon National School Manama, Bahrain	N Naseem International School Manama, Bahrain
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year BHD 3,040 - 5,130	Fees / year BHD 2,292 - 4,526
Age range	Age range 4 - 18 years	Age range 3 - 18 years
Type	Type —	Type —
Curriculum	Curriculum IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP), Bahraini Curriculum, American Curriculum	Curriculum IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP), Bahraini Curriculum
Pupils	Pupils 1,450	Pupils —
Typical class size	Typical class size —	Typical class size —
Instruction language	Instruction language English, Arabic	Instruction language English, Arabic
Opened	Opened —	Opened —
Bus service	Bus service —	Bus service —
Essentials	Essentials
Location	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.	Location Naseem International School is located in the Riffa area of Bahrain. The campus address is Building 30, Road 18, West Riffa, Isa Town, P.O. Box 28503, Kingdom of Bahrain. The school sits in central western Bahrain near Isa Town and Riffa and is accessible via major road links. The Bahrain-based location is listed in the school's contact details.
Stages	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.	Stages Naseem International School is an N-12 IB World School. It offers the full International Baccalaureate continuum: Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP), Diploma Programme (DP) and Career-related Programme (CP). The school identifies itself as a dual-language IB World School and is authorized for all four IB programmes.
School type	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.	School type The school is co-educational and operates as a day school. It does not publish boarding facilities; the IB information for the school lists boarding facilities as DAY.
Pupil nationality mix	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 Public materials do not publish a detailed breakdown of nationalities or the local-to-international ratio.	Pupil nationality mix The school serves both local Bahraini and international families and describes itself as bilingual and internationally oriented. Exact numbers of nationalities represented and the local-to-international ratio are not publicly disclosed.
Additional learning support	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.	Additional learning support Public information does not specify a dedicated SEN/Special Educational Needs provision in official materials. The school describes itself as a dual-language institution offering IB programmes and operates within Bahrain's context of local Islamic culture.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation IKNS is based in Bahrain and has no formal country affiliation. IB listings confirm Bahrain as the country context for the school.	Country affiliation No formal country affiliation is stated. The school operates in Bahrain and is identified as an IB World School in Bahrain.
Religious affiliation	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.	Religious affiliation There is no formal religious affiliation published. The school notes education within the context of local Islamic culture.
School day structure	School day structure The school week runs Sunday to Thursday. School hours are typically from 7:00 am to 2:00 pm.	School day structure School hours run from 7:00 am to 3:00 pm. This schedule is reflected in the school's opening hours.
Bus service details	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.	Bus service details The school does not publish an internal transport service. Public bus routes 15 and 19 serve the area near Naseem International School, with nearby stops such as Driver Training School-1 and Bahrain Training Institute. Families often use local bus routes or private transport.
Fees	Fees
Fee details	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).	Fee details Below is a clear, factual breakdown of Naseem International School fees for the current academic year, presented for use by parents and external databases. Application and one-time enrolment fees - Application form (new students): BHD 30.00. - Registration (one-time, new students): BHD 300.00. - Services development fee (one-time, new students): BHD 400.00. Tuition fees by year group (annual and per-term amounts) - Nursery (Kindergarten / Nursery): Annual tuition BHD 2,292. Term breakdown: BHD 1,146 + BHD 1,146. - KG1: Annual tuition BHD 3,056. Term breakdown: BHD 1,528 + BHD 1,528. - KG2: Annual tuition BHD 3,268. Term breakdown: BHD 1,634 + BHD 1,634. - Grades 1–5: Annual tuition BHD 3,518. Term breakdown: BHD 1,759 + BHD 1,759. - Grade 6: Annual tuition BHD 3,928. Term breakdown: BHD 1,964 + BHD 1,964. - Grades 7–8: Annual tuition BHD 3,943. Term breakdown: approximately BHD 1,972 + BHD 1,971. - Grades 9–10: Annual tuition BHD 4,450. Term breakdown: BHD 2,225 + BHD 2,225. - Grades 11–12: Annual tuition BHD 4,526. Term breakdown: BHD 2,263 + BHD 2,263. Billing schedule and payment terms - The school issues tuition billing in scheduled installments across the academic year; parents are required to settle the invoiced amounts by the published deadlines prior to enrolment. - The school's published tuition policy uses a multi-part installment schedule: a first payment (reservation/deposit) due in early May, the remainder of the first installment due in early August, and the final installment due in early December. Late payment penalties are applied to overdue amounts. Specific due-date windows and a 1% per‑week late-payment penalty are part of the school's published tuition policy. - The bus fee (where used) is collected with the May installment / first payment cycle. Boarding fees - The school operates as a day school; there is no published full- or weekly-boarding programme and no boarding fees are listed. Other costs and annual extras - Books and resources are not included in the tuition figures; book/resource fees are charged separately. - IB exam and programme fees are not included in tuition and are charged separately when applicable. - Grade 12 graduation participation carries a separate graduation fee (not included in tuition). - Chromebook devices for Grades 1–12 are purchased directly through the school and are not included in the tuition totals. - School bus/transport is an additional charge announced in the annual fees notice (bus fees are typically announced in the May billing cycle and must be paid with that installment). - Uniform, stationery, extracurricular trip costs and certain activity fees are additional to the published tuition and are not included in the annual tuition figures above; those costs are invoiced or communicated separately. (No fixed uniform price schedule is published with the general fee schedule.) Refund information - The publicly available fee materials do not publish a detailed refund schedule for tuition, registration or other one-time fees. The school's published fees page states that fees are payable before enrolment but does not provide a public, itemised refund/credit policy in the fee schedule. Where a formal refund policy or the refundability of one‑time fees is required, the school's accounts or admissions office should be consulted directly. Fee payment options - The school's published fee schedule and public fee summary do not list specific accepted payment methods (for example: bank transfer, credit card or cheque) in the fee image/text that accompanies the published schedule. The school's accounts office handles fee collection and payment details for families at registration. Summary of source coverage and gaps found - Published one-time fees (application, registration, services development), annual tuition amounts by grade and notable exclusions (books, IB fees, Chromebooks, bus fee timing) are listed in the school's public fee materials and corroborated by independent school-fee directories. - The school public fee materials include billing timing and installment practice but do not publish a detailed, itemised refund policy or a list of accepted payment methods in the public fee image/text. These specific items were not available on the publicly posted fee schedule. If you need these figures displayed or imported in a specific field layout for your external database, use the figures above exactly as shown (currency: BHD).
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements —	Boarding arrangements —
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement —	Uniform requirement —
Food options	Food options —	Food options —
House system	House system —	House system —
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership —	Governance and ownership The school is led by the Founding President/CEO, Mrs Sameera Al Kooheji.
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	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.	Curriculum details Naseem International School is an IB World School offering the full IB continuum: the Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP), Diploma Programme (DP), and Career-related Programme (CP). The school operates as a bilingual program with daily instruction in English and Arabic, covering core subjects—language arts, mathematics, social studies, science, and religion—alongside specialists in music, drama, art, physical education, design and technology. PYP is licensed for grades 1–5 (2008), MYP for grades 6–10 (2012), DP from 1996, and CP from 2019, making Naseem the first IB World Continuum School in Bahrain to offer all four IB programmes. In the CP pathway, students complete two IB certificates, a BTEC Subsidiary Diploma, and CP Core, with graduates receiving the IB CP Certificate, a BTEC Subsidiary Diploma, and the Naseem High School Diploma. Naseem International School holds accreditation from the IB, the Middle States Association (MSA), and the Council of International Schools (CIS), and was rated Outstanding by the Bahrain Quality Assurance Authority (BQA) in 2022, with a NEASC accreditation visit completed in 2023. Technology and college guidance are integrated, including Google for Education Reference School status, a paperless learning approach from Grade 3, and 1:1 college counselling.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio —	Student teacher ratio —
Exam results	Exam results —	Exam results —
Higher education progression	Higher education progression —	Higher education progression —
Gifted and talented	Gifted and talented —	Gifted and talented —
Academic calendar	Academic calendar —	Academic calendar —
Wellbeing & support	Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning	Social & emotional learning The school does not publicly disclose information regarding Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) provision, staffing, or initiatives.	Social & emotional learning Naseem International School provides Guidance Counseling to support students' social and academic development. The major objectives are to help students acquire necessary study and social skills and to build self-confidence to maximize achievement. The program is designed to prepare students for personal, educational, and vocational decisions and to support them in facing academic, social, and emotional difficulties. The school also offers university counseling with dedicated counselors to assist senior students with applications and post‑secondary planning.
Special educational needs (SEN)	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.	Special educational needs (SEN) The materials publicly available for Naseem International School indicate language-focused support rather than a defined SEN department. Arabic as a Second Language (ASL) is available for students from non-Arabic backgrounds, and English as a Second Language (ESL) receives differentiated instruction in English classes. No dedicated SEN unit or specialist SEN provisions are listed in the publicly available material. The school is described as a dual-language IB World School rather than a specialist SEN institution.
English as an additional language	English as an additional language The school offers a bilingual programme of study in English and Arabic.	English as an additional language English as a Second Language (ESL) support is provided, with differentiated instruction for ESL students. Naseem International School also operates as a dual-language institution with daily instruction in English and Arabic, supporting language development for learners of both languages. The IB listing confirms English as the language of instruction.
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing The school does not publicly disclose information regarding mental wellbeing provisions.	Mental wellbeing Mental wellbeing is supported through Guidance Counseling, which helps students manage social and emotional difficulties and develop self-confidence. Counseling services also aim to prepare students for academic and personal challenges. The health service includes an on-site school nurse for minor illnesses and injuries, with emergency protocols coordinating with parents and medical professionals when needed. The university counseling service provides additional guidance for post-secondary planning and wellbeing.
Safeguarding	Safeguarding The school does not publicly disclose safeguarding policies.	Safeguarding The publicly accessible materials do not disclose safeguarding policies for Naseem International School.
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview —	Facilities overview Naseem International School occupies a purpose-built campus designed for young learners. It is Bahrain's first Google for Education Reference School, and learning is paperless from Grade 3 onward as part of the Go Green initiative. The campus features grade-level classrooms, an auditorium, a world-class theater, and an indoor gym with sports courts; a full-service cafeteria is available on campus. It also provides designated playgrounds, computer labs, and dedicated innovative/creative spaces, alongside comprehensive libraries.
Sports facilities	Sports facilities —	Sports facilities The school has an indoor gymnasium and dedicated sports courts for basketball and volleyball. There are two designated elementary-school playgrounds and additional outdoor spaces, including a running track. Outdoor spaces are integrated with the learning environment to support daily physical education and team sports. The facilities are designed to accommodate a range of athletic activities and events.
Academic facilities	Academic facilities —	Academic facilities Academic facilities include grade-level classrooms, science laboratories, IT labs/computer labs, and a design technology workshop. The campus hosts comprehensive libraries and an auditorium for presentations, along with a cultural theater for performances. There is a dedicated art gallery and adjoining art studios as part of the creative spaces. Learning is paperless from Grade 3 onward as part of the Go Green initiative, supported by Google for Education technology integration.
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities —	Extra curricular facilities Creative and performing arts form a core part of the program, with dedicated music rooms and art studios and a performance space. A range of clubs and activities is offered, including chess, drama, arts and crafts, and singing. Model UN and other leadership-oriented activities are part of the extracurricular program. Naseem Park and innovation labs support experiential learning outside the classroom.
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	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.	History Naseem International School was established in the Kingdom of Bahrain on January 4, 1982 as a dual-language school serving Nursery through Grade 12. It became Bahrain's first IB World School to offer the full IB continuum, with the Primary Years Programme licensed in 2008, the Middle Years Programme licensed in 2012, the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme licensed in 1996, and the IB Career-related Programme licensed in 2019. In 2019, construction and interior fittings for the NIS Cultural Theater were completed, and the theater was inaugurated to host elementary performances and cultural activities. The school was designated a Google for Education Reference School in Bahrain and has pursued technology initiatives such as a 1-to-1 Chromebook policy. By 2023, Naseem International School had gained reaccreditation by the Council of International Schools and earned an Outstanding rating from the Bahrain Quality Assurance Authority in 2022, with ongoing expansions of facilities and programs.
Community	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.	Community The Naseem International School community is shaped by bilingual instruction in English and Arabic, with regular family communications via weekly bulletins and monthly newsletters. The school hosts Bahrain National Day celebrations and an Annual Family Day, alongside cultural celebrations and student activities that engage families and the wider community. The NIS Cultural Theater provides a venue for student performances and cultural events, reflecting the school's emphasis on culture and the arts. The school also offers field trips and extracurricular programs that involve students, families, and staff in shared learning experiences.
Parent teacher association	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.	Parent teacher association The Naseem International School Parent Teacher Association (PTA) serves as a strong advocate for student education and well-being, with its leadership including Mrs. Sameera A. J. Al Kooheji, Mrs Amina Al Murbati, Sh. Nayla Al Khalifa, Mrs Jehan Hasan, Mrs Nasreen AlAsoomi, Mrs Amina Al Refai, Mrs Majeda Shubbar, Mrs Asma Al Kooheji, Dr Najma Taqi, Mrs Saba Mohamed Alsaffar, and Mrs Aida Attiga. The PTA is newly elected every two years and includes parents, teachers and administrators. Its objectives include facilitating parent involvement and creating and maintaining an NIS community, promoting consultation, cooperation and positive interaction among all who form the NIS community. It aims to foster and maintain a productive parent–school partnership to develop sound character and a healthy lifestyle, to support and monitor the teaching and learning intentions, and to promote the development of school activities. It also coordinates and supports extra-curricular activities such as the Family Day, cultural celebrations, presentations, and inviting expert speakers to address students. The PTA actively assists with fundraising by obtaining sponsorships to support school facilities and ongoing development, and it seeks to widen students' cultural awareness and engagement through school-wide initiatives.
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual —	Academic & intellectual The school is a Kindergarten to Pre-University IB World Continuum School. The language of instruction is English and Arabic as part of a dual-language program. It is accredited by the Ministry of Education in Bahrain and is the first K-12 recipient of NEASC accreditation.
Arts & creative	Arts & creative —	Arts & creative Specialists in music, drama, art, physical education, gymnastics, design, and technology support students' creative and physical development. The campus includes an auditorium and a world-class theater for performances. Design and technology are integrated through dedicated spaces and programs.
Cultural & language	Cultural & language —	Cultural & language Dual-language program with daily instruction in English and Arabic. Core subjects such as language arts, mathematics, social studies, science, and religion are taught in both languages.
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies —	Social & hobbies INJAZ entrepreneurship competitions provide opportunities for student teamwork and leadership. In 2021-2022 Naseem International School teams won top awards, including best student company in Bahrain and in the Arab world, along with a MasterCard award for technological excellence.
Community & service	Community & service —	Community & service INJAZ programs reflect community engagement and enterprise; the awards demonstrate impact on the school and its students.
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional —	Leadership & professional Students develop leadership and professional skills through INJAZ entrepreneurship programs and student-led projects.
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing —	Lifestyle & wellbeing Facilities include an auditorium, a world-class theater, an indoor gym, sports courts, designated playgrounds, and comprehensive libraries. The campus is purpose-built for learners with grade-level classrooms and learning spaces. Naseem International School is a Google for Education Reference School in Bahrain, and implements a Go Green initiative with paperless learning from Grade 3 onwards.
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision —	Language provision Daily instruction in English and Arabic covers core subjects.
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching —	Bilingual teaching The school provides bilingual teaching in English and Arabic.
Immersion programs	Immersion programs —	Immersion programs —
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards —	Awards —
Accreditations	Accreditations —	Accreditations —
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions —	Admissions 1. Requests for enrollment are taken online, by phone, or in person. The Admissions Office provides an information packet and explains the IB programmes and admissions requirements. Families are encouraged to contact the Admissions Office to arrange an information session. 2. A meeting is scheduled with the Principal or Admissions Officer to explain the programme and answer questions about the IB Continuum (PYP, MYP, DP, CP), language policy, and expectations. 3. Prospective families and students are taken on a school tour. 4. At the end of the tour, the Admissions Officer reviews the registration process and the parent can submit the application and registration forms. 5. The Admissions Office coordinates the next steps for enrollment.
Scholarships	Scholarships —	Scholarships —
Waitlist	Waitlist —	Waitlist —
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