Manama - Post Report Question and Answers
What is the availability of international schools? What has been your general experience with them, if any?
Many people sent their kids to the school on the US Navy base, others sent them to the British school (which is better but not US curriculum). There is a small Japanese school as well. I don't have any personal experience with this, but nobody raved about the schools. In the grand scheme of international schools, I think Bahrain's were pretty average. - Apr 2017
BSB is a good school, the DoD school I have not heard good things about. There is another British school--St Chris which has a good reputation. Riff views is a fancy international school with small class sizes and has been very popular with Embassy families but its an hour's bus ride away. - Sep 2016
All the schools here have been amazing. There was bad talk of the DODS school years ago, but it has really been great for us. The British schools are also top notch. Just be sure and register your children in January of the year before you come, because it is hard to get in. - Nov 2015
Most Embassy families send their kids to DoDs school. - Aug 2014
The majority of Embassy kids are at The Bahrain School (DoD) or St. Christopher’s (British). People seem happy with the Bahrain School and a bus takes the kids the 30-45 minute drive to the other side of the island. St. Christopher’s has an excellent reputation and fantastic facilities; the student population is mixed between elite Bahrainis, Western expats, and a smattering of others. You need to apply early and likely won’t get a warm fuzzy reception, but once in, the school families seem to love it. The British School of Bahrain and Riffa Views are also very good options and there is a French school as well, though it’s quite a drive to get there. The British and French schools start at age 3, so it becomes harder to get a spot as the child gets older. Be sure to contact all the schools in advance to find out how and when to enroll. If you show up in August your options are limited. - Sep 2012
The schools are good and can be competitive. I don't have school age children yet, but for those who do and who don't want to enroll their kids in the DoDDs school in Juffair-- submit your applications early!The DoDDs school has a decent reputation- and a very good one for the early years. The big issue--as noted above-- is the commute to the other side of the island, which can be a lot for a little kid. There are private International schools on the Western part of the island that are quite good and very close to housing. There's also a great French school near Manama. Expats are not permitted to enroll in local Bahrain schools. - Apr 2010
Two great British curricula and a new Amercian one-Riffa Views. All have long waiting lists, so apply immediately. Dodd's school is traditionally used but it is an hour away from housing. - Jun 2009
St. Christophers School- British education (O-levels, A-levels till grade 13), British embassy school, Bayan School- American education. Many Indian, pakistani, south asian schools. I studied at St. Christopher's and everyone there including the librarian is from UK, very good school, has a very high standard of education. When compared to schools in UK, based on the % of students getting A's it ranked 15th (in the world, of course there are other schools at the same level). Teachers expect students to be excellent, and the studies there can be harder than in universities (in US). - Dec 2008
I'm single, but I do know that there are issues with some schools. Do your research and ask many questions. If I had kids I'd probably send my teenagers to school in the U.S. I haven't been impressed with the education. - Aug 2008
