Schools - IB or British?

Hey girls, sorry to bring this up again .. anyone, ANYONE, going to the British School Abu Dhabi - the newer one? do you mean BISAD? British International School of Abu Dhabi

Got it Thanks! You can remove the email now. Regards, Smita

Hello. My eldest sophie is also in yr 1, and then i have a 3 and 2 yr old x <em>edited by Ellene on 18/10/2011</em>

Hi Ellene! we are in Golf Gardens too- my daughter goes to year 1 in BCAD.. we do the pick up and drop.. How old are yours? Was just wondering if there would be a chance of them playing together sometime if the ages are right.. She's 5.5 years old..

Hello, I live in Golf Gardens which is lovely. Nice clubhouse and quiet away from the hustle of the city! It's a 15min easy drive to Brighton College which suits us. Al Yasmina and Raha are the closest to us here but had no availabililty when we first started looking. We were just very lucky that the new school had opened just in time for us coming over otherwise I'm not sure where my daughter would be now. I agree with Busybee, find a school and then your accommodation! Where in the world are you coming from? You'll be coming at a good time as it is starting to cool down now-yay! if you live in golf gardens you could walk to al yasmina! now its getting cooler, if you had got in there. Lucky for you that BC opened this year, and your kids were the right years. <em>edited by busybee2 on 17/10/2011</em>

So British International School of Abu Dhabi is out to make a profit - that explains why their fees are higher .. have you heard anything about this school? How long has it been going? Are there any mums out there going to this school? The original British School Al Khubairat is right down the tip of the island and could be tricky to get to? Are their compounds there? Suppose that would be expensive! What is the word about Raha International - the going back a year is ok for me, as going back to the Aussie system, we would have to do that anyway. Thank you Busybee2, for the information - do you have kids? I think you are correct in that I should sort schooling first. Sometimes choice is not a good thing, as here in Riyadh, you just go to the British school - no competition! Oh, what to do!!!!! I commute from off island to bsak drive along the wacky races, but am used to it!!! its not that far about 20 mins drive.

So British International School of Abu Dhabi is out to make a profit - that explains why their fees are higher .. have you heard anything about this school? How long has it been going? Are there any mums out there going to this school? The original British School Al Khubairat is right down the tip of the island and could be tricky to get to? Are their compounds there? Suppose that would be expensive! xxxx BISAD is run by a company called Nord Anglia. This is a fairly new sch, from what i heard people are quite happy with the younger years but not so for the senior years, but go and have a look as what works for one doesnt necessarily work for the other. Been around for a couple of years. Compounds to live near this school, would be in Mohd. Bin Zayed City is the closest, or Sas al Nakheel compound and then you have KCA or B. The original British School BSAK is on the corner of 19th and 17th and 2nd and 24th. This is the a non profit school (ie its not run by a company). Lots of compounds but on island they are much more expensive. What is the word about Raha International - the going back a year is ok for me, as going back to the Aussie system, we would have to do that anyway. xxxx i know people who went from IB school (raha) to Brit curriculum (yasmina) and would have been put back down a year. Thank you Busybee2, for the information - do you have kids? xxxxx yeh have kids in BSAK, as been here very very very very long time. I think you are correct in that I should sort schooling first. Sometimes choice is not a good thing, as here in Riyadh, you just go to the British school - no competition! Oh, what to do!!!!! In the past there was only BSAK really so no choice, and even then it was only up to primary years. You then had a choice, leave go back to UK, move to dubai etc. You must get a school place FIRST, sort out a house later.

Hello, I live in Golf Gardens which is lovely. Nice clubhouse and quiet away from the hustle of the city! It's a 15min easy drive to Brighton College which suits us. Al Yasmina and Raha are the closest to us here but had no availabililty when we first started looking. We were just very lucky that the new school had opened just in time for us coming over otherwise I'm not sure where my daughter would be now. I agree with Busybee, find a school and then your accommodation! Where in the world are you coming from? You'll be coming at a good time as it is starting to cool down now-yay!

Hello Everyone, Could I please ask for information on schools now? Found two on-line for Abu Dhabi : Raha International IB curriculum verses British International School Al Khubaira - any independent opinions/ experiences and information on either school would be GREATLY appreciated. Sorry wanted to reply to this when you first asked, but for some reason my login keeps not working....!!!!!! anyway please dont get confused with The British International School which is BISAD called British International School of Abu Dhabi: this is a fairly new school off island opposite MBZ in Khalifa City C next to AD University. The original British School is BSAK British School Al Khubairat, which is on island, been here like 40 odd years. The other british curriculum schools are the Aldar Schools of Al Yasmina (all years off island), The Pearl School (primary on island), Al Muna (primary on island), Al Bateen (secondary on island) but temporarily they are combining the new Al Mushrif school (primary) for the next couple of years to help the waiting lists also a new school Brighton College (up to Year 9 this year on island). BSAK and Aldar Schools are not for profit, all the others are. Raha is an IB school located off island, if you go for this one look into their options carefully. I would get into a school first and then look for accommodation, now in abu dhabi there is a lot of choice, not like before you had to take it or leave it and lump it. There are a lot of people that have to commute live off island but schools on island and vice versa and the traffic situation is getting beyond critical so you are best to get a school place first and then accommodation afterwards. Beware that it can take at least 3 years to get any new school up and running properly with all the promised facilities etc. Al Yasmina has been going for 3 years and now has only just started to compete with other schools on a par with music/sports etc. It takes time! Be aware that most of the above schools are way over subscribed, but coming mid term you may be lucky. In order to secure a place for next academic year applications will be opening up towards xmas time, if you dont get in early enough you will find it very difficult.

Hello. Al Raha is off the island whilst BSAK is the opposite direction on the island. It depends where you are living and how far you are willing to travel. There is also BISAD, Al Yasmina and Brighton College (new school opened just on the island) that offer the British curriculum, and a new American school that has opened in Khalifa A. Can't tell you much about the schools as the only one we have experienced is Brighton College (excellent school)!! Do you live here already or are you moving over soon. Hope some of this helps!