For families comparing international schools in Bahrain that combine a recognised British examination route with a strong Arabic grounding, ARKIS comes up early. Founded in 1997 by the late philanthropist Abdulrahman Kanoo, it has grown to more than two thousand students from Nursery to Grade 12, and was the first school in Bahrain to win joint accreditation from the Council of International Schools and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. This profile sets out what GlobalSchoolGuide Editorial has verified about its curriculum, fees and admissions.
We are independent and no school pays to be listed, so this is a reference for relocating parents rather than promotion. Where a fact could not be confirmed, we mark it as not published.
At a glance
Curriculum and academics
ARKIS follows the Cambridge curriculum through the primary and secondary years, with students sitting IGCSE at around Grade 10, and then moves into the IB Diploma Programme for Grades 11 and 12. That combination is unusual and deliberate: a structured British style progression in the earlier years followed by the broad, university facing Diploma at the top of the school. As a certified Cambridge examination centre since 2006 and an Edexcel centre since 2013, the school runs its own examinations on site.
Alongside the international programme, ARKIS places real weight on Arabic language and culture, which suits Bahraini and wider Gulf families who want their children fluent in Arabic as well as prepared for English medium universities. The school is co educational and admits across the full age range. For the wider market, our roundup of the best British schools in Bahrain sets ARKIS against its peers.
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Abdulrahman Kanoo International School fees
| Stage | Annual tuition |
|---|---|
| Nursery / KG1 / KG2 | BHD 1,171 |
| Grades 1 to 4 | BHD 1,509 |
| Grade 6 | BHD 1,844 |
| Grade 8 | BHD 2,004 |
| Grades 9 to 10 | BHD 2,643 |
| Grades 11 to 12 (IB) | BHD 2,934 |
Source: Abdulrahman Kanoo International School (arkis.edu.bh). Annual fee (tuition plus extra-curricular). Excludes registration, resource and exam fees. Fees are the most recent published figures and exclude one-off costs such as registration, deposits and capital levies. Always confirm current fees directly with the school.
Abdulrahman Kanoo International School fees sit in the mid band for Bahrain, more affordable than the premium expatriate schools but above the budget options, which reflects its scale and its dual Cambridge and IB offer. The school publishes a current schedule each year and tuition rises with each stage, with the IB Diploma years the most expensive, so confirm the live figures with the admissions office before you budget rather than relying on a number found second hand.
- Registration: a one off application or registration charge, normally non refundable
- Deposit: a place deposit on acceptance to confirm enrolment
- Examination entry: Cambridge IGCSE and IB Diploma entry fees in the senior years
- Extras: the school bus, uniform, lunches and trips
Admissions
ARKIS admits for a September start in line with the Bahraini academic year, and considers applications through the year where places exist. Admissions reviews a child's previous school reports and sets assessments suited to the year group, with the senior grades weighed against the IGCSE and IB Diploma courses that lead to external examinations. Arabic background is considered given the school's bilingual character.
Demand is strong at the early stages and at the secondary transition, and the second campus in Diyar Al Muharraq has added capacity in the north of the country. Register early for sought after year groups and ask about occasional places if you are relocating outside the standard cycle.
Location and who goes there
The main ARKIS campus sits in Salmabad, a central area on Road 408 within easy reach of Manama and the surrounding residential districts, which makes the daily commute manageable for families across the northern half of the island. In 2023 the school opened a second campus in Diyar Al Muharraq, the reclaimed island development to the north east, extending its reach for families living near the airport and the newer coastal communities.
The community is largely Bahraini and wider Gulf Arab families who value the combination of a recognised international curriculum and a serious Arabic programme, with some expatriate households alongside. For the full landscape of districts, curricula and fees across the island, see the Bahrain city hub.
Reviews
We do not yet have verified parent reviews for Abdulrahman Kanoo International School. GlobalSchoolGuide is independent and no school pays to be listed, so we publish reviews only once we can confirm they come from real families. If your child attends or has attended ARKIS, we would value your first hand account. Share your experience through the school reviews hub and help the next relocating family decide with better evidence.
Frequently asked questions
How much are ARKIS fees?
Abdulrahman Kanoo International School sits in the mid band for Bahrain. Tuition rises with each stage and is highest in the IB Diploma years, and the school publishes a current schedule each year. Registration, a deposit and extras such as transport and examination entry sit on top, so confirm the live figures with admissions.
Does ARKIS offer the IB?
Yes. ARKIS is an authorised IB World School offering the IB Diploma Programme in Grades 11 and 12, following the Cambridge curriculum and IGCSE in the earlier years. It is also a certified Cambridge and Edexcel examination centre.
When was ARKIS founded?
Abdulrahman Kanoo International School was founded in 1997 by the late philanthropist Abdulrahman Kanoo. It was the first school in Bahrain to gain joint accreditation from CIS and NEASC.
Is ARKIS a bilingual school?
Yes. ARKIS teaches an English medium Cambridge and IB programme alongside a strong Arabic language and culture programme, which suits Bahraini and wider Gulf families who want their children fluent in both languages.
Where is ARKIS located?
The main campus is in Salmabad on Road 408, central and within reach of Manama, and a second campus opened in Diyar Al Muharraq to the north east in 2023.
