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IB tutors in Manama: Bahrain's Diploma schools and the May session

Bahrain has a wide choice of IB Diploma schools for its size. They include Ibn Khuldoon National School, Riffa Views International School, the American School of Bahrain in North Riffa, Al Hekma International School in Sanad, Hawar International School, Abdul Rahman Kanoo International School and the British School of Bahrain, where the IB sits beside A-Levels. Many are bilingual, combining the IB with Arabic and Islamic studies. Schools are licensed by the Ministry of Education and reviewed by the BQA. In 2027, Ramadan falls in February and Eid al-Adha on 16 to 18 May, during the IB exam session, so revision plans need to start early.

Facts checked:

At a glance

Exam session
May 2027
Diploma score
Out of 45; 24 to pass
Ramadan 2027
About 8 February to 8 March
Eid al-Adha 2027
16 to 18 May (ministry calendar)
Reviewer
BQA

IB Diploma schools in the Manama area

Each school's IB Diploma status is confirmed on its own website or the IB directory.

SchoolAreaWhat we verified
Ibn Khuldoon National SchoolBahrainIB World School listed in the IB directory
Riffa Views International SchoolRiffaAuthorised IB World School offering the Diploma Programme
American School of BahrainNorth RiffaAmerican curriculum to grade 12 with the IB Diploma in grades 11 and 12
Al Hekma International SchoolSanadAmerican school since 1985, MSA and Cognia accredited, offers the IB Diploma
Hawar International SchoolBahrainFounded 2001; Cambridge to IGCSE, then the IB Diploma
Abdul Rahman Kanoo International SchoolBahrainOver 2,200 students; Cambridge IGCSE then IB
British School of BahrainHamalaIB Diploma alongside A-Levels and BTEC

Why the IB is so common in Bahrain

A large share of Bahrain's private schools are bilingual Bahraini schools that teach in English and Arabic, and many of them chose the IB Diploma as their senior qualification. Hawar and ARKIS, for example, run Cambridge programmes up to IGCSE and then move students into the Diploma. American schools such as ASB and Al Hekma offer the Diploma next to an American high school diploma. The result is a mix of students who arrive in DP1 from very different backgrounds: some with IGCSE exam practice, some with US-style continuous assessment.

That background shows up in tutoring needs. Students coming from IGCSE are often strong on exam technique but new to Internal Assessments and TOK. Students from an American middle school are comfortable with projects but need practice in timed, long-answer papers.

The 2026-27 year for a DP2 student in Bahrain

WhenIB workBahrain calendar
Sep to Nov 2026IA data, Extended Essay draftGovernment schools began 3 September; private schools set their own start
Dec 2026Internal deadlinesNational Day holidays 16 to 17 December
Jan 2027MocksMid-year break 17 to 28 January in government schools
Feb to Mar 2027Final IA and TOK submissionsRamadan, then Eid al-Fitr 9 to 11 March
May 2027IB examinationsEid al-Adha 16 to 18 May

Bahrain dates from the Ministry of Education's 2026-27 calendar guide; Islamic dates depend on moon sighting. The IB publishes the May 2027 timetable.

How online IB lessons work from Bahrain

A tutor who teaches the same IB course works from the subject guide and the student's marked work. In Maths Applications and Interpretation that might mean statistics and technology skills for Paper 2; in Biology, structuring an IA and practising data-based questions; in English A, building a paragraph that answers the guiding question for Paper 2. The Extended Essay stays the student's own work under the school supervisor, but a tutor can help plan research and argument. Lessons are 60 minutes at $15, usually in the late afternoon in Bahrain time or on Saturdays, and the first is free. During Ramadan many families move lessons to after iftar.

Common questions

Which schools in Bahrain offer the IB Diploma?

Among others: Ibn Khuldoon National School, Riffa Views International School, the American School of Bahrain, Al Hekma International School, Hawar International School, Abdul Rahman Kanoo International School and the British School of Bahrain.

Does Eid al-Adha fall during the 2027 IB exams?

Bahrain's ministry calendar puts Eid al-Adha on 16 to 18 May 2027, inside the usual May exam weeks. Check the IB timetable for your subjects and plan revision around it.

Can my child switch from IGCSE to the IB in Bahrain?

Yes. Several schools, including Hawar and ARKIS, move students from IGCSE into the Diploma. The first term is usually the hardest, especially Internal Assessments and TOK.

Do Bahraini universities accept the IB Diploma?

Yes, the University of Bahrain and private universities accept it, with their own requirements and the ministry's certificate equivalency rules.

How much does LiveTutor charge for IB lessons in Bahrain?

$15 per 60-minute lesson in any IB subject, SL or HL, on a weekly plan of 1 to 5 lessons billed monthly. The first lesson is a free trial.

Sources

Dates and figures on this page come from these official and published sources. Always confirm deadlines on the official page before acting on them.

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