The Canadian School Bahrain (CSB), which opened its doors in 2019, has carved a unique space in the Kingdom’s highly-competitive education sector with its focus on fostering a lifelong love of learning through its British Columbia Canada curriculum. Fresh from launching the school’s exciting High School Graduate Programme, CSB’s Academic Principal, Abby Saadeh, spoke to Bahrain This Month about this exciting development at the state-of-the-art campus in Diyar al Muharraq.
Mrs. Saadeh, congratulations on the continued success of CSB! Could you give our readers a brief insight into your professional experience in the field of academics?
This is my 24th year in education. I started my career as a teacher and moved into leadership in the last 15 years, with my most recent position as the Academic Principal at the Canadian School Bahrain since 2019.
CSB is the first certified BC offshore school in Bahrain and has reinvigorated its private education sector. How has the response and interest in CSB’s offerings been since the school first opened its doors?
We’ve been delighted by the community’s response. Parents in Bahrain recognise the need for forward-thinking education that is based on an understanding that our world has changed and education also needs to adapt to our future. This is an exciting time for education and we are happy to be one of the leaders in this transformation. Our school’s population has grown well beyond our expectations in response to our school’s innovative programming.
What can you tell us about the British Columbia High School Graduate Programme and which grades will the programme cover in 2024-2025?
The programme offers students a flexible educational experience based on their interests and future goals. It has a variety of elective courses and personalised learning plans where students can develop critical thinking, communication and problem-solving skills through inquiry-based learning. The curriculum emphasises digital literacy and global citizenship, ensuring students are prepared for their future.
A strength of the BC programme is its strong connection to post-secondary education. The curriculum is recognised globally for its rigour, aligning closely with university expectations and preparing students for higher education in Canada and internationally. BC also offers dual credit programmes, allowing students to earn both high school and university credits at the same time, giving them a head start in their post-secondary education journey. This transition from high school to university ensures that BC graduates are well-equipped for future academic and career success.
The beauty of the BC curriculum is that we can blend the programme with the requirements of the Bahraini Ministry of Education. Our students learn Arabic, Islamic Studies, Bahraini Citizenship and Social Studies, which is integrated into the syllabus in various ways.
This year we are opening Grade 10, which is our first year of the programme, and we will open another grade each year until we reach Grade 12.
What sets CSB’s High School Programme apart from others available in Bahrain?
Unlike the more standardised systems, BC’s curriculum allows students to tailor their education to their interests and career aspirations through a wide selection of elective courses and personalised learning plans. This flexibility enables students to explore diverse fields, such as the arts, sciences, technology and engineering, while still meeting graduation requirements.
CSB has a wide range of extra-curricular activities and facilities. What can you tell us about these activities, and will they be integrated into the new High School Programme?
For extracurricular activities, CSB provides a wide variety of options including clubs focused on technology like the Reboot Innovative Coding Institute, which immerses students in the world of technology, and our robotics and engineering course. The school also emphasises community service, with initiatives like the Hand-by Hand Club, and supports leadership development and entrepreneurship among students. Furthermore, our Equestrian Centre offers a horse-riding programme throughout high school.
What changes do you foresee in the existing school culture with the integration of a high school?
With the addition of a high school, the academic environment at CSB will likely become more focused on college preparation and advanced learning opportunities. The introduction of higher-level courses, such as those leading to the Dogwood graduation certificate (a British Columbia high school diploma), will promote academic expectations and standards.
Now that our students are moving into high school, it gives the school an opportunity to introduce a number of new initiatives. It gives our high school students more leadership responsibilities amongst the younger students and also within community projects. The younger students will now see where they are heading in their future and the exciting programmes that they will get to partake in as they move into high school. I believe that attending the same school from early childhood through to graduation will also strengthen school traditions and identity.
Will CSB accept new admissions, from Bahrain-based schools and otherwise, directly into the High School Programme?
We’re always excited to welcome new students to our community! While our curriculum is closely aligned with the British Columbia system, which builds progressively from earlier grades, we understand that every student’s journey is unique. Because of this, we typically review applications on a case-by-case basis after Grade 10 to ensure the best fit for both the student and our programme. We encourage you to reach out so we can explore the possibilities together!
How will faculty members ensure that graduates of this programme are then able to successfully integrate into the university of their choice?
Faculty members at CSB ensure that graduates are well-prepared for university by offering academic counselling that focuses on aligning students’ course selections with their university choices. They will provide targeted support for standardised testing, application processes, and help develop the necessary skills required for higher education. The curriculum ensures that students meet global standards, making our students competitive candidates for universities around the world.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
We are really looking forward to leading our students through Bahrain’s first British Columbia Canada graduation and I can’t wait to celebrate our first BC graduates in 2028!
Contact 66 644-234 to join the BC certified school of excellence.
