History

1982-1983

In January 1982, Mrs. Sameera AbdulJabbar Al Kooheji earned the distinction of being the pioneering force in the educational landscape the Kingdom of Bahrain, making her the first Bahraini woman to open a private school in the country. Her vision for the school originated from recognizing the demand for a bilingual educational institution that could cater to the needs of both local and regional children. Naseem School opened its doors to Nursery students in Burhama and within a few months the enrollment increased from five students to sixty by June 1982.

Over the years, the school’s enrolment continued to grow, with 100 students in the 1985-86 academic year and 130 students the following year. View NIS HISTORY Gallery As the school’s enrolment continued to increase, a need arose to relocate to larger premises. Consequently, in the academic year 1986-87, the Elementary School section was moved to Gudaibiya. However, by April 1991, the school had once again outgrown its venue and had to move to even bigger premises in Adliya where the Middle School section was established. However, even this new location soon became inadequate as the demand for student places continued to escalate.

1994-1995

In February 1994, during the Holy Month of Ramadan, construction of a new campus for Naseem School began. Remarkably, the main instructional areas of the new building were completed within a record six months. The 1994-1995 academic year commenced in the new campus, where spaces were made available for High School students.

1995-1996

In 1995-1996, the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) was implemented, and the number of students enrolled in the program steadily increased thereafter. Throughout the years, the results of the Diploma Programme remained consistently impressive.

1997-1998

In October 1997, the School was accredited from Nursery to G8 by the Middle States Association for Schools and Colleges (MSA).
In 1997, the Naseem Diploma awarded to Naseem students was officially acknowledged by the Ministry of Education as equivalent to the Ministry’s High School Diploma. Recognizing the school’s commitment to excellence, the Ministry of Education granted Naseem International School international status in March 1998. Since then, the school has experienced consistent growth, expanding from a preschool serving sixty children to a comprehensive K-12 institution with a thriving student population of over 1,120. The first senior class of the school successfully graduated in June 1998.

1999

In 1999, the school added the word “International” to its name to become Naseem International School in response to the school’s adoption of an international teaching program and an increased recruitment of international educators as well as a growing enrollment of foreign students. Additionally, construction of a new Sports and Arts complex was initiated.

2002

In September 2002, Naseem International School unveiled its new Sports and Arts complex, encompassing a sports hall, an art studio, dedicated music and home economics rooms, and a soccer field. Additionally, a shaded car park was provided for the convenience of faculty members. The school introduced the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP), further enriching the educational offerings available to students.

2004

From September 2004, the IB Middle Years Programme was introduced. These curricular developments were a reflection of the school’s commitment to student-centered learning and a belief in fostering and developing those skills required for the High School program, further education and life-long learning. In 2004, NIS was accredited from G9 to G12 by the Middle States Association for Schools and Colleges (MSA), which makes it fully accredited from N to 12.

2006-2008

In 2006, a cafeteria, classrooms and a conference facility were completed. In 2008 the Elementary School was authorized to deliver the IB Primary Years Programme.

2012-2016

In January 2012 the Middle School was authorized to deliver the IB Middle Year Programme. In 2014-2015-2016, the Elementary School Media Center was completed. This included the ES Library, ES Art and Drama Studio and Nursery and KG classrooms.

2017

In January, the school obtained its CIS Accreditation. In September 2017 NIS inaugurated its new extensions to the main building including a theatre, art studios, art exhibition center, a new administration block and new classrooms.

2018-2019

In April 2018 NIS became an official BTEC Center offering Business, Art & Design. In September 2018 NIS opened its new STEAM Makerspace and newly renovated Elementary School Library with the new ES IT and DT classrooms.
In the academic year 2018-2019, NIS received authorization to deliver the IB Career-Related Programme, marking a significant milestone for the school. Embracing transitions, growth, and change is not without its challenges.

However, the school’s focus, strength, and wisdom in facing these challenges and striving for excellence reflect its aims and vision for success. Naseem International School takes immense pride in being the first authorized IB World School in the Kingdom of Bahrain to offer all four IB Programmes. This accomplishment underscores our commitment to providing the highest quality education to our students. With the invaluable support of parents, we actively contribute to shaping the future of our children. This commitment is at the heart of our educational approach, guided by the Naseem International School motto of “Students First.”

Naseem International School is the first IB Continuum school in the Kingdom of Bahrain and the only IB school in the Kingdom of Bahrain to offers its students all four IB programs: the Primary Years Program (PYP), licensed in 2008 for grades 1 – 5, the Middle Years Program (MYP) licensed in 2012 for grades 6-10, and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (IBDP) licensed in 1996, and the International Baccalaureate Careers Program (IBCP) licensed in 2019, for students in grades 11 and 12.
By January 2019, the construction, interior designs, and fittings for the new theater were fully completed. The inaugural performances took place shortly after, with the Elementary School production of “Monsters” held at the end of February. The theater was officially inaugurated and given the name “NIS Cultural Theater.” Since then, it has served as a vibrant hub for cultural activities and performances at Naseem International School.
The school has been awarded by Google to become the first Google for Education Reference School in the Kingdom of Bahrain. NIS also has a focused intention of advancing technology by being the first school to implement a 1-to1 Chromebook policy.
Naseem International School stands out in the Kingdom of Bahrain for its exceptional proficiency in preparing students for international qualifications. The school’s track record is a testament to the exceptional standard of education it provides, evident from the remarkable achievement of a student who received a perfect score of 45/45 points in the IB Diploma in 2018. Attaining such a score places this student in the top one percentile of IB students worldwide.

2020-2021

The school had been granted by the Bahrain Education and Training Quality Authority (BQA) the overall school’s performance classification to Category “A” during the visit for Quality of School Practices during exceptional circumstances held from 15-19 November 2020. The school had been granted on 8 November 2021 with the NEASC “Candidate” status for K-12 after the Virtual Learning Principles visit held last 3-7 October 2021.

The school had been granted the candidate status on 25 November 2021 for CIS/MSA re-accreditation after the recent preparatory evaluation visit held last 24-28 October 2021.

In 2021, another student achieved an outstanding score of 44/45 points. These accomplishments highlight the school’s commitment to ensuring the majority of its graduates successfully complete the International Baccalaureate qualification.

2021-2022

The school has launched an impactful “GO GREEN” campaign aimed at promoting environmental consciousness. Through this ongoing initiative, the school is actively educating its wider community about the importance of adopting environmentally-friendly practices, with a focus on the principles of ‘Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle’. As part of this campaign, the school administration and leadership have introduced Chromebooks for students from Grade 3 onwards.

This initiative serves to align our educational approach with environmental awareness and sustainability goals set forth by the “GO GREEN” campaign. To further support this endeavor, comprehensive G-suite trainings have been conducted, specifically targeting Google Classroom and other Google applications, with the intent of minimizing paper usage throughout the school. By undertaking these actions, we strive to foster global innovation and competitiveness for the 21st century.
The NIS community takes immense pride in our national customs, traditions, and history, as well as our unwavering loyalty to our cherished country. As a school, we have wholeheartedly embraced the motto “NIS – Proudly Bahrain,” which serves as a testament to our deep sense of citizenship and allegiance to all aspects the Kingdom of Bahrain.
In 2021, the school received approval as a candidate school to offer the IB Career-Related Programme. This programme provides a distinct framework of international education that integrates the vision and educational principles of the IB. It is designed specifically for students seeking specialized career-related learning opportunities. The Business and Technology Education Council (BTEC), a vocational qualification organized and awarded by Pearson, supports the career-related component of the IBCP. Through these study options, our students gain a unique body of knowledge, understanding, and practical skills that empower them to make responsible decisions and cultivate a lifelong enthusiasm for learning.

In September 2022, the newly renovated NIS Sports Center was inaugurated, marking a significant milestone for the school. Embracing transitions, growth, and change is not always an easy task. However, with the courage, determination, and resilience to confront challenges head-on, coupled with the wisdom to strive for continuous improvement, the school’s aims and vision for success are reflected.
The Reception and MS/HS Library also underwent renovations, resulting in a newly refurbished facility.
In the 2021-2022 academic year, Naseem International School achieved an extraordinary victory in the INJAZ competitions, where their team competed against students from 13 countries. The students from NIS secured multiple accolades, including the prestigious titles of the best student company in the Kingdom of Bahrain, the best student company in the Arab world, and the MasterCard award for technological excellence for their remarkable invention. This remarkable achievement highlights the nurturing environment at Naseem International School, where students are guided towards success, equipped with the skills necessary for a prosperous job market, and empowered with advanced abilities that will serve them well in their daily lives.
During the academic year 2023-2024, notable renovations took place at the school. These included enhancements to the school playground and outdoor sports facilities, as well as improvements made to the canteen. Additionally, in response to the growing number of students, the school expanded by adding more classrooms to accommodate the increased enrollment.

NIS HISTORY AND TIMELINE OF DEVELOPMENT