IBN KHULDOON NATIONAL SCHOOL
- OUTSTANDING ACCREDITED SCHOOL
The New IKNS Kindergarten & Elementary Campus
We are proud to present to you our purpose built Kindergarten and Elementary campus. The building is creatively designed by IKNS Alumni, Architect Thamer Mohamed Salahuddin (Class of 1993), Managing Director, Mohamed Salahuddin Consulting Engineering Bureau (MSCEB). The building was executed by the esteemed Poullaides Construction Co.
The new campus consists of two blocks, a one-story building for the Kindergarten and a double-story building for Elementary. It is constructed on a 20,300 square meters plot and accommodates up to 900 students.
The Kindergarten section houses an indoor sports hall and outdoor covered play area, and students have easy access to the Multimedia Centre and the School Cafeteria, located in the Elementary section of the building.
The Multimedia Center is a beautiful space that oversees the main corridor and the Grades 1 and 2 outdoor break area. The cafeteria accommodates up to 600 students and has a fully equipped kitchen.
The Elementary building houses two indoor sports halls, one fully equipped sports hall with a spacious seating area for the students and parents to enjoy. The hall also has a raised stage that can be used for performances. The second hall is a multi-purpose hall with a retractable wall that divides it into two equally sized halls that can be used for PE classes, meetings and conferences.
The ground floor has the ICT (STEAM) Center, four Performing Arts rooms, three Visual Arts rooms, a Piano Lab, a Cooking Lab, two Exploration Labs, the Students Center and the main Infirmary. The campus also features a professionally equipped Auditorium with 316 seats.
The new Kindergarten and Elementary campus which has been designed with the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program in mind, is the next stage of our proud history as a pioneering educational institution in Bahrain and the region since 1983.
About The School
Ibn Khuldoon National School (IKNS) is a non-profit, self-supporting, coeducational institution that is dedicated to providing high quality education for local and expatriate students. The school is licensed by the Bahrain Ministry of Education to offer a bilingual programme of study for students from Kindergarten to Grade 12.
The school received its first accreditation from the Middle States Association Commissions for Elementary and Secondary Schools (MSA) in 1994, and it continues to be in good standing with the association. As articulated by MSA, the accredited status of the school validates the integrity of the school’s programme and students’ transcripts. It also affirms that the school’s purposes are appropriate and accomplished through a viable educational programme and justifies the faith and resources stakeholders place in the school.
IKNS received an “Outstanding” rating by the Directorate of Private Schools & Kindergartens Reviews, which is a part of the Education & Training Quality Authority (BQA) in both the first and second review cycles that were conducted in March 2014 and October 2017 respectively. During both reviews, “reviewers observed lessons and other activities, scrutinized students’ written works and analysed school’s performance data and other documents. They met with staff members, students and parents.”
IKNS opened its doors to students in 1983. Its first group of students to walk up the graduation stage was in June 1992. Since then, IKNS has graduated more than 1500 young men and women. They are the pride of the school and the gems of Bahrain.
The school campus sits on over 62,000 square meters of land in the Isa Town Educational Area, twelve kilometers away from Manama, the capital city of the Kingdom of Bahrain. The campus is divided geographically into two sections, Kindergarten and Elementary (KG1 – G5) and Middle and Secondary (G6 – G12)
The Middle School and the Secondary School has five buildings, including an indoor sports complex (Farouk Almoayyed Sports Complex), a media center, five computer labs, three science labs, careers/universities lab, two meeting halls and sixty three classrooms, including four art spaces and one pottery space.
The indoor sports complex has a total area of 2,314 square meters. It houses a five-lane swimming pool, two basketball-sized courts (that are also used for volleyball and badminton), a well-equipped fitness hall, a multipurpose hall, a class/meeting room and a first aid room.
The Sports facilities in the Middle and Secondary divisions of the school also include an outdoor mini soccer field and a multipurpose outdoor field . The outdoor field can be used as basketball and Tennis courts, two of each, and handball.
The Kindergarten and Elementary School has a 300 seater purpose-built auditorium, media center, four Music, Drama and Dance halls, three Art spaces, two Science labs, one ICT/STEM center, and a dining hall. There is a total of forty-four classrooms, fourteen of them are used by KG1 and KG2 students and thirty for G1 to G5.
The Kindergarten and Elementary sports facilities include four indoor sports halls and an outdoor mini soccer field.
President's Welcome
We are pleased to introduce you to the philosophy, values, and practices that define Ibn Khuldoon National School (IKNS).
IKNS is a non-profit, self-supporting institution committed to providing high-quality, internationally recognized education to Bahraini and non-Bahraini students alike. The school is coeducational from KG1 to Grade 12 and offers a bilingual program throughout, fostering fluency and confidence in both Arabic and English from an early age.
Since opening its doors in 1983, IKNS has remained steadfast in its mission to nurture students academically and personally. Our first graduating class walked the stage in June 1992, and ever since, IKNS alumni have continued to make significant contributions both locally and internationally, proudly representing the values instilled in them here.
IKNS is an authorized IB Continuum School, offering three International Baccalaureate (IB) programs:
- The Diploma Programme (DP) since 1990, with our first cohort sitting for exams in 1992. Our students’ IBDP results consistently rank among the highest in Bahrain.
- The Primary Years Programme (PYP), authorized in 2020.
- The Middle Years Programme (MYP), authorized in 2022.
In addition to the IB programmes, the school offers the American High School Diploma Programme in Grades 11 and 12 as a parallel track to the IBDP.
IKNS has been accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSA) since 1994 and remains in good standing. This accreditation affirms that our educational programs, resources, and services meet the rigorous standards expected by our stakeholders and the global education community.
We are also proud to have been recognized by the Education & Training Quality Authority (BQA), which rated IKNS as an “Outstanding” school in all three of its review cycles, conducted in 2013, 2017, and 2025. Additionally, in response to the exceptional circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic, the BQA introduced a specialized evaluation framework in 2020, under which IKNS was rated a “Category A” school.
We are proud of our school and the achievements we accomplished so far, and we continue to be committed to continuous improvement in our curricula, facilities, and services to ensure our students receive the best possible educational experience.
Our faculty members are highly qualified and represent a diverse blend of backgrounds, dialects, and experiences in both Arabic and English. This diversity creates a rich, inclusive, and supportive environment for learning. They are supported by a dedicated administrative, IT, and support team, all of whom work tirelessly to enable and enhance the educational process.
At the governance level, IKNS is guided by its Board of Trustees, Board of Directors, and supported by specialized committees in Education, Finance, Technical, Technology and Legal Affairs. These members serve voluntarily, offering their expertise and time in service to our school and society.
We value strong partnerships with parents. Our Parents, Teachers and Students Association (PTSA) plays a key role in strengthening this connection. The PTSA provides a platform for parental input, organizes community-wide activities, and supports charitable initiatives. Their work reflects the shared commitment to building a better future, together.
Dr. Kamal Abdel-Nour, Ed.D, MSc.Ed, B.Sc
School President
Academics Overview
IKNS is an International Baccalaureate (IB) Continuum school that is authorised to offer three of the IB educational programmes from KG1 to Grade 12. The instructional programmes that IKNS offers are enhanced by Bahrain’s national curricula in Arabic Language, Islamic Studies and Social and National Studies.
The School has been affiliated with the IB since the year 1990, as a Diploma Programme (IBDP) provider. The first group of students sat for the IBDP examinations in May 1992. The IBDP results of our students are among the best on the island.
The IBDP is a two-year programme that is offered in Grades 11 and 12 alongside the American High School Diploma (AHSD). Students in Grades 11 and 12 can choose between either the IBDP or the AHSD.
The IBDP and the AHSD are, both, tertiary education preparatory programmes, and are considered to be equivalent to the Bahraini General Certificate of Education. Students in the AHSD can also opt to study some subjects from the IBDP.
In 2020, IKNS was authorised by the International Baccalaureate to offer the IB Primary Years Program (PYP) and in 2022, it was authorised to offer the IB Middle Years Program (MYP).
The PYP is a seven-year programme starts in KG1 through Grade 5 and the MYP is a five year programme that starts in Grade 6 through Grade 10.
The IB learner profile is at the core of the PYP, MYP and DP models. Approaches to Learning (ATL) are skills and attitudes that all IB programmes aim to help students develop. At the same time, the IB identifies six elements that are referred to as Approaches to Teaching (ATT). These six elements inspire the teaching process and pave the way for a better grasp of the Approaches to Learning five elements.
The enrolment of new students at IKNS is not conditional upon prior knowledge of any of the three IB programmes offered at the School. However, new students should have the basic knowledge and skills that allow them to prosper in IKNS.
KG and Elementary (KG - Grade 5)
The IB connects a worldwide community of learners who celebrate a common humanity and share a belief that education can help to build a better and more peaceful world. Schools offering the Primary Years Programme (PYP) bring a shared commitment to the IB’s mission through the learning community.
Ibn Khuldoon National School is an authorized school for the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme (PYP) as of June 2020, and pursuing authorization as an IB World School.
IB World Schools share a common philosophy, a commitment to improving the teaching and learning of a diverse and inclusive community of students by delivering challenging, high-quality programmes of international education that share a powerful vision.
PYP stands for Primary Years Programme. The PYP is for children aged 3 – 12 (KG1 – G5). It aims to nurture and develop young students as caring and active participants in a lifelong journey of learning.
Engaging learning environments that inspire the imagination and creativity of learners, and encourage the process of inquiry, action and reflection. These environments provide opportunities for emerging inquiries; students may take their learning in new and unexpected directions, developing and demonstrating the attributes of the IB learner profile.
The PYP Programme model shows how the different aspects of the PYP fit together to develop the curriculum framework.
The PYP is an integrated curriculum that is relevant, challenging and engaging for learners from Kindergarten to Grade 5. It is an inquiry-driven, concept-based curriculum framework that actively encourages students to ask questions and seek answers about the world around them.
Middle School (Grade 6-10)
MYP stands for Middle Years Programme. It is designed for students aged 11 to 16 (G6 – G10). It provides a framework of learning which encourages students to become creative, critical and reflective thinkers. The MYP emphasizes intellectual challenge, encouraging students to make connections between their studies in traditional subjects and to the real world. It fosters the development of skills for communication, intercultural understanding and global engagement-essential qualities for young people who are becoming global leaders.
The MYP is flexible enough to accommodate most national or local curriculum requirements. It builds upon the knowledge, skills and attitudes developed in the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) and prepares students to meet the academic challenges and requirements of the IB Diploma Programme (DP).
The MYP ensures breadth and depth of understanding through study in eight subject groups. Addressing the intellectual, social, emotional and physical well-being of students holistically, the MYP prepares them to take principled action by participating in service within the community and requiring study of at least two languages (at IKNS they are English and Arabic languages) to support the understanding of their own culture and those of others.
MYP students also engage with big ideas, rather than simply memorizing facts in order to prepare for exams. As a result, they develop learning skills that they can rely on throughout the course of their independent, purpose-driven lives. IKNS has been an authorized IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) school since July 2022.
These are the links to “real world” applications of academic content. There are six designated MYP contexts: Identities and relationships, Orientation in space and time, Personal and cultural expression, Scientific and technical innovation, Globalization and sustainability, and Fairness and development.
In Grade 10 (MYP5), student’s inquiry into one, personally chosen Global Context is assessed through the Personal Project. The Personal Project is a significant body of work produced over an extended period. It is a product of student initiative and should reflect their experience of the MYP and their ATL skills development.
In the MYP, teachers organize the curriculum collaboratively, designing and implementing a concept-driven curriculum. The MYP Curriculum Model comprises eight subject groups. These are:
- Language Acquisition
- Language and Literature
- Individuals and Societies
- Sciences
- Mathematics
- Arts
- Physical and Health education
- Design
Approaches to Learning (ATL) skills help students effectively manage and evaluate their own learning. ATL skills (Communication, Social, Self-management, Research and Thinking) are not always formally assessed; however, such skills are taught in each unit of study to emphasize the importance of reflection on learning how to learn.
ATL skills can be learned and taught, improved with practice and developed incrementally. They provide a solid foundation for learning independently and with others. They help students prepare for, and demonstrate learning through, purposeful and meaningful assessment. They provide a common language that students and teachers can use to reflect on, and articulate on, the process of learning.
Secondary School ( Grade 11-12)
Students in Grades 11 and 12 can choose between either the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) or the American High School Diploma (AHSD). The IBDP and the AHSD are, both, tertiary education preparatory programmes, and are considered to be equivalent to the Bahraini General Certificate of Education. Students in the AHSD can also opt to study some subjects from the IBDP.
Ibn Khuldoon National School has been affiliated with the International Baccalaureate since September 1990. The first group of IKNS graduates sat for the IB Diploma Programme (IBDP) examinations in May 1992.
The IBDP gives students in grades 11 and 12 a rigorous and balanced education that opens the doors for admission to the top universities around the world. It is a two-year programme ending with external examinations.
The curriculum is made up of three DP core elements and the six subject groups. The three DP core elements aim “to broaden the student’s educational experience and challenge them to apply their knowledge and skills.
The three core elements are:
- Theory of Knowledge, in which students reflect on the nature of knowledge and on how we know what we claim to know.
- The Extended Essay, which is an independent, self-directed piece of research, finishing with a 4,000-word paper.
- Creativity, Activity, Service, in which students complete a project related to those three concepts.
The six subject groups are:
- Studies in Language and Literature
- Language Acquisition
- Individuals and societies
- Sciences
- Mathematics
- The Arts
Languages in the IBDP are categorised into two subject groups, allowing students to study two languages at different levels of mastery. An IBDP student must study one Language from the subject group (Studies in Language and Literature). The student can choose his/her second language from the same subject group (Studies in Language and Literature) or from the second language group (Language Acquisition). IBDP Students who study two language courses from the language subject group (Studies in Language and Literature) receive the prestigious bilingual IB diploma.
American High School Diploma (G11-G12)
KNS students who select the American High School Diploma (AHSD) Programme study six major courses in Grade 11 and six major courses in Grade 12. These courses must include Arabic, English and Mathematics. Courses offered as part of the AHSD programme are one year courses and students select new courses for Grade 12. Students select their courses at the end of Grade 11.
Students in the AHSD programme sit for internally prepared exams at the end of Semester 1 and Semester 2 in Grade 11 and Grade 12. These exams cover the material taught in that particular semester.
IKNS students in the AHSD programme can also select one or more IBDP subjects to study. In this case, the student will sit for the IBDP external exam(s) that covers the material taught over the course of the two years.
Key Information At A Glance
Established
Year
1983
School
Location
Isa Town
Educational
Curriculum
IB American Curriculum
Inspection
Rating
Outstanding
(MAY 2025)
Age
Groups
4 Years To 18 Years
School
Grades
Nursery - Year 12
Fees
Structure
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Accreditation & Affiliations
The Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSA) Ibn Khuldoon National School is fully accredited by Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSA) since the year 1994, and by the Ministry of Education in Bahrain since its inception in 1983
International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) Ibn Khuldoon National School has been affiliated with the International Baccalaureate Organization since September of 1990. The first group of IKNS graduates sat for the IB examinations in May 1992
Middle East IB Association (MEIBA) Ibn Khuldoon National School has been involved in founding MEIBA during the 1994-95 academic year and has been affiliated with it since then. MEIBA provides a forum for the IB schools of the Middle East to meet and discuss matter of common interest and communicates with the office of the Regional Director of the IBAEM (Africa/Europe/Middle East)
Admissions Opening Soon AY 2026-2027
The Admission doors are opening soon!
KG1 Students:
Applications for enrollment in KG1 (children born in 2022) for the 2026–2027 academic year will open in November 2025. Parents may submit applications from 2 to 12 November 2025.
KG2 to Grade 11:
Applications for KG2 to Grade 11 are currently closed due to full capacity. Parents may, however, submit a Waiting List Application Form. All applicants will be placed on a waiting list and contacted by the Admissions Office should a seat become available.
A waiting list form is available on the link below for those wishing to apply for KG2 through Grade 11.
Admission Enquiries At Ibn Khuldoon National School
(Tap On Button Below 
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Contact Information & Details
- Ibn Khuldoon National School
-
Address : Building 161, Road 4111, Block 841, Isa Town,
Kingdom of Bahrain - Tel Landline : +973 17780661
- Website : www.ikns.edu.bh
- Working Hours : Sunday To Thursday
- Timings : 7.00am - 2.00pm
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