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Indian School Bahrain

Bahrain, Isa Town

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· Reviewed by · B2C Marketing Manager

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees BHD 217 - 367
Ages 3 - 18 years
Type Co-educational
Bus Service Yes
Academic offering
Curriculum Indian Curriculum
Taught languages Arabic, French, Malayalam
Strengths Sport, Performing Arts, Academic Enrichment
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language, Community and Service
Stages Preschool, Kindergarten, Elementary, Middle School, High School
Introduction

Established in 1950, The Indian School Bahrain (ISB) is one of the largest community schools in the Gulf region, operating across two expansive campuses in Riffa and Isa Town. The school follows the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) curriculum, offering a structured academic path from Lower Kindergarten through to Grade 12. The Isa Town campus houses senior students and features the Jashanmal Auditorium, extensive libraries, and specialized laboratories for Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. A distinct feature of the school is its vibrant extracurricular calendar, anchored by the "Tarang" Youth Festival, which serves as a major platform for students to compete in music, dance, and literary events. Additionally, the school organizes "Technofest," a large-scale science exhibition that encourages student innovation in STEM fields. The Riffa campus is dedicated exclusively to early years and lower primary education, providing a focused environment for younger learners.

119 Rd No 4109, Isa Town, Bahrain

The Essentials

Indian School Bahrain has instruction in English.

Location
The Indian School Bahrain operates across two campuses in Bahrain: the Isa Town Senior Campus and the Riffa Junior Campus. The Isa Town campus houses the upper grades (IV to XII), while the Riffa campus serves the lower grades (LKG to III). The Isa Town campus is located in Isa Town in the Southern Governorate, and the Riffa campus is in West Riffa. The campuses are accessible via Bahrain's road network, serving families from across the island.

Stages
The school is organized on two campuses with a grade split: Riffa Campus for early years (LKG to III) and Isa Town Campus for upper levels (IV to XII). This arrangement allows a progression from early years through to pre-university level across the two sites.

Type
The Indian School Bahrain is a co-educational private CBSE-affiliated school. It operates as a day school with no publicly listed boarding facilities.

Additional learning support
In Bahrain, mainstream schools receive SEN support under the Ministry of Education, and ISB follows national SEN policies for inclusive education. Specific internal SEN provisions at ISB are not publicly detailed.

Country affiliation
The school follows the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), India, indicating an Indian country affiliation through its curriculum.

Religious affiliation
The Indian School Bahrain has no formal religious affiliation and operates as a secular, multi-national community school.

School day structure
The Isa Town Campus typically runs Sunday to Thursday from about 7:25 am to 1:30 pm. The Riffa Campus typically runs Sunday to Thursday from about 8:00 am to 12:30 pm. Friday is a different schedule in some cases, and Saturday is usually a non-teaching day.

Bus service
ISB maintains its own transport system with five buses and three minivans, while the remaining ~200 buses are contracted to a Transport Operator. The Transport Department coordinates pickup and drop-off points and timings, and the school provides transport contacts for queries.
Diving Deeper

Uniform Requirement
Uniforms are gender-specific: boys wear white plain shirts with navy blue trousers, and IX–XII wear a neck tie; primary pupils wear navy blue trousers/shorts. Girls wear white plain shirts with a navy pinafore; winter wear includes navy blue sweaters. Belts for boys must be black with a simple buckle, and belts for girls must be stitched to the pinafore.

Food Options
The canteen is contracted and maintains a high level of hygiene in food preparation and distribution. Meals are available at an economical rate, and teachers monitor food and hygiene in the canteen. Tea or soft drinks are available on campus.

House System
The school uses a house system for co-curricular activities. On PT days, students wear House T-Shirts to indicate house affiliation.
Fees

Annual tuition at Indian School Bahrain ranges from BHD 217 to BHD 367 for 2026/27.

Application / Admission fees (one‑time at admission)

- Registration Fee: BHD 2 per student.
- Admission Test Fee: BHD 5 per student.
- Admission Fee: BHD 10 per student.
- Migration Fee (applicable only for students transferring from other schools in Bahrain): BHD 50 (Class II–IV), BHD 100 (Class V–VIII), BHD 150 (Class IX–XII / all streams where shown).
- Refundable Deposit (caution deposit): BHD 100 for the first child; BHD 25 for each additional child.
- Building Levy: BHD 100 for the first child; BHD 25 for each additional child.
- Example totals payable at admission (one‑time sum of the admission components): Total for first child by year group is published as BHD 217 (LKG/UKG/I), BHD 267 (II–IV), BHD 317 (V–VIII), BHD 367 (IX–XII and XI streams where higher). Totals for a second child are published separately (for example BHD 67 for LKG/UKG/I). These totals represent the combined one‑time admission/registration/deposit/levy amounts listed above.

Annual fees (payable at the beginning of the academic year / on new admission)

- AC Fee: BHD 2 per student.
- Magazine Fee: BHD 1 per student.
- Library Fee: BHD 1 per student.
- Membership Fee (including VAT element shown in schedule): BHD 5 (as listed).
- Laboratory Fee: BHD 10 for classes where laboratory charges apply (typically certain secondary/XI–XII streams).
- Youth Festival Fee: BHD 1.
- Annual fee line item: BHD 10 (as shown in the schedule).
- Total annual fee line (sum of the annual items) is shown per year group as BHD 20 (many classes) or BHD 30 (selected classes with lab/extra charges).

Tuition and recurring monthly fees (by year group)

- Monthly tuition (tuition component) by year group:
- LKG / UKG: BHD 18.8 per month.
- Class I: BHD 18.8 per month.
- Classes II–IV: BHD 18.8 per month.
- Classes V–VIII: BHD 21.0 per month.
- Classes IX–X: BHD 22.6 per month.
- Classes XI–XII (Science): BHD 37.9 per month.
- Classes XI–XII (Commerce): BHD 33.0 per month.
- Classes XI–XII (Humanities): BHD 33.0 per month.
- Classes XI–XII (Bio‑Tech): BHD 43.2 per month.

- Monthly additional recurring items included in the published monthly totals:
- Development Fee: BHD 1 per month (where shown).
- C.E.P. Fee: BHD 1.5 per month for applicable classes.
- Infrastructure Fee: ranges BHD 3–5 per month depending on year group.
- Total monthly fee (tuition + development + C.E.P. + infrastructure) by year group (published totals):
- LKG / UKG: BHD 23.8 per month.
- Class I: BHD 25.3 per month.
- Classes II–IV: BHD 25.3 per month.
- Classes V–VIII: BHD 26.5 per month.
- Classes IX–X: BHD 30.1 per month.
- Classes XI–XII (Science): BHD 45.4 per month.
- Classes XI–XII (Commerce): BHD 40.5 per month.
- Classes XI–XII (Humanities): BHD 40.5 per month.
- Classes XI–XII (Bio‑Tech): BHD 50.7 per month.

Transportation (school bus)

- Published transport charge: BHD 15 per month (flat rate listed per year group). Total monthly fee including transport is published by year group (for example LKG/UKG total including transport BHD 38.8 per month).
- Transport enquiries and contact: transport email and contact details are published for the Riffa campus (transport@indianschool.bh; phone contact shown on transport contact page).

Billing schedule and payment terms

- The schedule shows annual fee items are payable at the beginning of the academic year or at new admission. Monthly recurring fees are presented as monthly amounts. The school also publishes fee‑collection counter opening times for the campuses.
- Specific per‑term installment amounts or per‑term billing dates are not published in the same fee table; the published schedule lists annual and monthly components and the fee counter hours.

Boarding / hostel

- Boarding or hostel provision is not listed; there are two day‑campuses for LKG–XII and no boarding fees are published. Boarding fees are therefore not applicable.

Other costs and mandatory items (examples and notes)

- Uniform: the school publishes a detailed uniform list (items required for boys and girls, PT dress, winter wear guidelines). Uniform prices are not published in the fee schedule. Parents are expected to procure the listed uniform items.
- Study materials / forms: the school provides downloadable forms including an "Application Form for Refundable Deposit" and bus application/change forms; specific book lists and material charges may be communicated separately.

Refund information

- Refundable Deposit amounts are explicitly shown (BHD 100 first child; BHD 25 additional child). An "Application Form for Refundable Deposit" is published for parents to request the refund of the deposit. The fee schedule lists the deposit as refundable. Further procedural details are handled through the refundable deposit application.

Fee payment options and practical payment details

- The school publishes fee‑collection counter hours at both campuses for in‑person payments. A dedicated fee‑payment page is present but does not list detailed payment method options in the public fee page. Parents are able to pay at the fee counter during published hours; transport enquiries include an email contact and phone numbers for campus offices.

Notes and special items

- Migration fee applies only to students transferring from other Bahrain schools and is shown separately in the admission section.
- The schedule provides separate lines for first child vs additional child rates for refundable deposit, building levy and initial totals.
Academics

Indian School Bahrain teaches Indian Curriculum for students aged 3 to 18.

Curriculum
The Indian School Bahrain operates on two campuses: the Riffa campus (LKG–III) and the Isa Town campus (IV–XII). It is CBSE-affiliated (affiliation number 5230001) with an affiliation period from 2025 to 2030. The medium of instruction is English, and the CBSE curriculum is taught across all years from early years through senior secondary. In Class X, students sit the All India Secondary School Certificate Examination (AISSE); in Class XII, they sit the All India Senior School Certificate Examination (AISSCE). For senior secondary (Classes 11–12), ISB offers three streams—Science, Commerce, and Humanities—with CBSE-aligned subject groupings. Examination schedules published by the school show CBSE exams for Classes IX–XII, confirming ongoing senior secondary assessment.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The Indian School Bahrain provides Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) support through a dedicated Counselling Centre. A counselor is appointed to address student stress and emotional needs, offering a confidential space for students to express concerns. The counselling centre provides personal counseling and career counseling, supporting students in both well-being and future planning. It also serves as a platform for students to express themselves and be heard. The centre conducts the annual ISB Career Expo, which involves participation from universities and colleges and is attended by thousands of attendees, illustrating a structured approach to student guidance.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
The Indian School Bahrain does not publicly disclose information regarding Special Educational Needs (SEN) provision. Public pages of the school do not indicate a dedicated SEN department or explicit SEN programs. Public-facing materials focus on general discipline, media of instruction, and CBSE affiliation rather than SEN services. The CBSE Mandatory Public Disclosure for the school provides general information but does not list SEN facilities or supports. Consequently, specifics about the kinds of SEN the school can support or whether it is a specialist SEN institution are not publicly disclosed. The school does not publicly disclose information regarding SEN.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
The medium of instruction at The Indian School Bahrain is English. There is no publicly available information about EAL-specific programs or language-acquisition support services. Public-facing materials do not mention an EAL department or targeted EAL interventions beyond English-medium instruction. Therefore, EAL-specific provisions are not publicly disclosed.

Mental Wellbeing
Mental wellbeing is supported through the Counselling Centre, which provides confidential personal counseling and career guidance to students. The counselor addresses stress and emotional issues, contributing to students' emotional resilience. The Counselling Centre offers a space for students to express concerns and seek support as part of a broader SEL framework. The ISB Career Expo also contributes to students' wellbeing by guiding future educational and career planning.

Safeguarding
The Indian School Bahrain publicly documents a Code of Student Conduct that emphasizes a safe, respectful, and supportive school climate, contributing to safeguarding of students. There is no publicly disclosed, dedicated safeguarding policy page on publicly accessible ISB materials. The CBSE Mandatory Public Disclosure for the school provides general information but does not list safeguarding policies or procedures. Consequently, the school does not publicly disclose information regarding safeguarding policies.
Parent Experience

History
The Indian School Bahrain was founded in 1950, initiated by the efforts of the Indian community in the Kingdom of Bahrain. It began with a headmistress and three staff members. Over the years it expanded to two campuses in Riffa and Isa Town and grew into one of the Gulf's largest expatriate schools with more than 11,000 students. The school is governed by a board largely composed of parents elected for three-year terms. In 2025–26, it marked its Platinum Jubilee, celebrating 75 years since its founding.

Community
ISB hosts a diverse student body representing multiple nationalities, with the school described as home to students from 18 nationalities. The school celebrates cultural days such as Punjabi Day, Arabic Day, and Urdu Day, and holds annual sports meets and award ceremonies. The Annual Cultural Fair and Platinum Jubilee events involve participation from students, parents, alumni, and the wider community. The 2025–26 Platinum Jubilee celebrations featured high-profile attendance from government and community leaders as part of a broader community-engaged program.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
ISB's governance includes a Parent-led board largely composed of parent-elected members serving three-year terms. A formal PTA page is not publicly documented on the school site, but substantial parent involvement is evident through Jubilee planning committees and other volunteer groups. During the Platinum Jubilee year, committees led by the former ISB chairman and other community leaders organized a range of events, including a Literary Festival and a book exhibition in 75 languages. The Platinum Jubilee Annual Cultural Fair at Isa Town (January 2026) drew large crowds and was inaugurated by a government minister. Alumni engagement and cross-cultural programs are part of ISB's community outreach, including global alumni meet plans and related cultural showcases.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
Indian School Bahrain operates across two campuses in Riffa and Isa Town, serving students from LKG/JKG to Grade XII. The academic facilities include a well-stocked library, science laboratories, computer laboratories, and audio-visual labs. The library houses around 20,000 books, subscribes to over 60 magazines and journals, and provides about 10 local and international newspapers with a dedicated reading room. Science facilities include Physics, Chemistry, and Biology laboratories, a Biotech Lab, and a Home Science Lab. Computer facilities comprise a Computer Science Lab and a Computer Education Program (CEP) Lab. Audio-visual labs support multimedia learning.

Sports Facilities
Sports facilities include a track for athletics, a basketball ground, a football ground, a tennis court, a volleyball court, and a swimming pool. These spaces support physical education, inter-house activities, and school-level competitions.

Academic Facilities
Library: around 20,000 books, 60 magazines/journals, and 10 newspapers, with a reading room attached. Science laboratories: Physics, Chemistry, and Biology labs, a Biotech Lab, and a Home Science Lab. Computer facilities: Computer Science Lab and CEP Lab (Computer Education Program). Audio-visual labs provide multimedia learning support.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
ISB Bahrain runs a range of academic and intellectual activities beyond regular classes. Highlights include Nishka Commerce Festival, the Eco Summit, and the Young Speakers Forum. The school actively participates in Model United Nations through BAHMUN and CACMUN, with ongoing training for delegates. It also hosts events such as the ISB International Career Exhibition and Tarang, the school's youth festival, which combines academic and non‑academic contests.

Arts & Creative
Arts and creative activities at ISB Bahrain are showcased through cultural programs and performance events. The Annual Day features music, dance, and drama as part of campus celebrations. La Matinée Française French Day brings inter‑school competitions and French language performances, including songs, while Hindi Divas offers language‑focused cultural programs. Tarang, the ISB Youth Festival, includes stage performances and non‑stage creative contests that highlight student talents.

Cultural & Language
ISB Bahrain runs cultural and language activities through language days and multicultural events. La Matinée Française French Day organizes inter‑school French competitions and performances, with finals conducted on campus and judges from the Embassy of France and Alliance Française de Bahreïn. Hindi Divas celebrates Hindi language and culture with competitions and cultural programs. Tarang includes multilingual events, language‑based contests, and literature and art activities that foster cross‑cultural understanding.

Community & Service
Community service and environmental awareness are central to ISB Bahrain's programs. The Eco Summit and Eco Warriors involve students working with environmentalists and government agencies to promote a green, sustainable campus and community. The school also emphasizes outreach through library and cultural events that engage families and local partners.

Leadership & Professional
Leadership and professional development are cultivated through the ISB Youth Festival Tarang, which uses a house system (Aryabhata, Vikram Sarabhai, JC Bose, CV Raman) to organize competitions and leadership opportunities. The Young Speakers Forum provides training in public speaking, while Model United Nations (BAHMUN) develops diplomacy, research, and teamwork. The ISB Career Expo, organized by the counseling center, connects students with universities and career opportunities.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
ISB Bahrain integrates sport and wellness activities into school life. Annual Sports Day features a march past, the school band, yoga, gymnastics, pom‑pom drills, and aerobics. The Riffa campus hosts a Health Week to promote health awareness and healthy lifestyles. The on‑campus emphasis on physical activity and performance‑based events supports both physical and mental well‑being.
Reputation

Awards
The school does not publish information on past awards won publicly.

Accreditations
The Indian School, Bahrain holds several formal accreditations and regulatory assurances publicly listed by the school.

- Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) affiliation, New Delhi. The school is recognized by CBSE to offer the CBSE curriculum and conduct board examinations. Affiliation number is 5230001 and the school has been affiliated since 1950 with regular status; an extension of affiliation was noted up to 2015. This establishes CBSE-wide standards for curriculum, assessment, and governance.

- NOC from the Ministry of Education, Bahrain. The school operates with a No Objection Certificate from Bahrain's Ministry of Education, indicating regulatory permission to operate as an international CBSE school in Bahrain. NOC number 80/1-168/65 and issuance date 2-4-2012 are recorded in the school information.

- ISO 9001:2008 Quality Management System certification. The school participates in a quality management framework, with references to ISO 9001:2000 and ISO 9001:2008 in the administration materials, indicating an applied QMS at the institution level. This reflects adherence to standardized process quality across school operations.

- Building and fire safety certifications under CBSE disclosures. Public disclosures show the school maintains a Building Safety Certificate as per the National Building Code and a Fire Safety Certificate from the competent authority, indicating compliance with safety and infrastructure standards for school premises.
Admissions

Admissions
Step 1. Online Registration for admission. The process starts with online registration to initiate the applicant's file, and it is the formal entry point for both Isa Town Campus and Riffa Campus. The school notes that the overall admission procedure takes about 2–4 hours, with the exact timing depending on how smoothly the steps proceed at the campus office. Families should have ready the child's basic details and be prepared to move to the next step when prompted.

Step 2: Admission Test. For the new academic year, a single test covers all subjects studied in the previous year and is based on the full syllabus. For mid-session admissions, the test covers portions taught so far in The Indian School, Bahrain, with portions and guidance available for test portions. The test is conducted at the Office, at the campus relevant to the applicant.

Step 3: Admission Test Result. Results are announced at the Reception, where families can review whether the candidate qualifies to advance to the interview stage.

Step 4: Interview with the Vice Principal / Principal. The interview takes place in the Principal's office or the Vice Principal's office, depending on campus, and aims to assess fit, readiness, and additional context about the student's background.

Step 5: GR No., class, section, house, bus no., and Parents Membership No. are entered into the system based on the information sheet, processed at the Admission Desk.


Step 6: Fees Payment. Parents proceed to the Cashier to pay the required fees; receipts are issued and the student's records are updated accordingly.

Step 7: Bus badge collection. After payment, the bus badge is issued from the Transport desk for the student's transportation arrangement. Details of documents to be submitted at admission are also required: for LKG, UKG & I, submit copies of the passport's first and last pages and valid residence permit, CPR printout, vaccination records, one passport-sized photo, birth certificate (Bahraini nationals only), and the sibling yellow card with the latest fee receipt; for II–VIII, provide three sets of passport pages and CPR, original Transfer Certificate attested by the relevant authorities, original and copies of the latest mark sheet; for IX–XII, provide originals of Transfer Certificate and Mark Sheet (attested), immunization card, one passport photo, birth certificate (Bahraini nationals), and siblings' yellow card if applicable. The admission flow is the standard pathway used at both Isa Town and Riffa campuses, with the documentation requirements aligned to class level. This information is drawn from the school's published Admission Guidelines.

Scholarships
The Indian School Bahrain does not advertise scholarship programs within its published admissions materials.
School Events
The school has not added events
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