Beaconhouse Al Khaleej International School

• BAKIS location
• Grades offered
• BAKIS curriculum
• How to apply?
• Fee structure
• BAKIS scholarships
• BAKIS transportation
• PTA and contact information

Beaconhouse Al Khaleej International School was founded in 2017 by the Beaconhouse Group. Offering the American Curriculum, Beaconhouse Al Khaleej International School (BAKIS) is one of the best schools in Sharjah. BAKIS is a K-12 school for students of Kindergarten 1 to Grade 12.

The Beaconhouse Group is a multi-national educational group with institutions in eight countries and educates over 300,000 students around the globe, making it one of the largest school networks of its kind.

Read this school guide by Bayut to learn more about the curriculum, campus, fees structure and admission process of Beaconhouse Al Khaleej International School.

Beaconhouse Al Khaleej International School is in Al Azra community of Sharjah. Various family-friendly neighbourhoods surround the school such as:

• Al Ghafia
• Al Nuaimiya 2
• Al Ramtha
• Al Jazzat

Al Ramtha is a villa only community. It is also home to various mosques and shopping centres. It is a family friendly neighbourhood with easy access to Ajman. Set along the Ajman-Sharjah border, this area comprises mid-rise buildings with studio to 2-bedroom apartments. Al Ghafia is sandwiched between Al Sabkha and Al Azra in Sharjah. It offers villas and all lifestyle amenities.

The Al Azra community, in addition to Al Khaleej International School, is home to various other schools such as ASPAM Indian International School and Dawha School. Parents looking to move closer to the school can consider these options:

• Villas for rent near Beaconhouse Al Khaleej International School
• Villas for sale near Beaconhouse Al Khaleej International School

Beaconhouse Al Khaleej International School boasts of a purpose-built campus with state-of-the-art facilities. These amenities are built to enhance every student’s classroom and academic experience. The facilities available at BAKIS are:

Libraries

Students take full advantage of BAKIS library where they have access to an impressive collection of fiction and non-fiction books, periodicals, magazines, newspapers and much more. The school encourages students to develop a habit and love for books and reading from the early years.

Information and Communication Technologies

BAKIS has two on-campus ICT labs with internet connectivity, multimedia kits and more. The school uses technology to make learning more interactive and fun.

Science Laboratories

The school has separate laboratories for Physics, Chemistry and Biology. This is to facilitate practical experience amongst students with regard to the curriculum.

Robotics Lab – Innovation Studio and Learning Hub

BAKIS also offers its students a Robotics Lab equipped with interactive smart-boards, laptops, robotics kits and other resources to make its students techno-smart.

Kindergarten Activity Rooms

The school provides students with a wide variety of resources to stimulate creativity and play during recreational hours in the Kindergarten activity rooms.

Outdoor Kindergarten Play Area

A separate, shaded play area is available for younger students of BAKIS. Students can participate in a range of activities using the soft play area and equipment provided by the school.

Prayer Rooms

BAKIS’ staff and students can use three separate prayer rooms available on campus.

Swimming Pool

From Grade 4 to Grade 12, students can make use of the swimming pool. The pool area is secured with a biometric scan and has a lifeguard on duty during school hours.

Cinema

BAKIS has a fifty-seat theatre used for drama, presentations or for talent shows.

Sensory Room

The sensory room at BAKIS is specially designed to provide therapy for Students of Determination through lighting, music and objects.

Other facilities available at Beaconhouse Al Khaleej International School are interactive screens in classrooms, a music room and a book store.

Beaconhouse Al Khaleej International School is near the intersection of Al Noor Street and Al Eyman Street in Al Azra, Sharjah. The school is within a minute walk from Al Azraq Park.

The Beaconhouse Group has established schools in eight countries around the world and provides holistic education to more than 300,000 students. Established in 1975, Beaconhouse has since grown into an international private school network with divisions in the UK, Malaysia, Philippines, Oman, Pakistan, Belgium and the UAE. The group has ties in Pakistan with Gymboree Play & Music, to the Concordia Colleges and to the Beaconhouse National University.

The curriculum offered at Al Khaleej International School is designed to help students meet the challenges and needs of the 21st Century. This is done with the help of highly-trained and committed teachers and staff members who prepare and empower the students. BAKIS is an inclusive school with a diverse student body from various different ethnic and cultural backgrounds. The school has a dedicated special needs centre to meet the needs of its students of determination, which is one of the key features of the school. BAKIS has received candidacy from the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC).

BAKIS offers a stimulating learning environment to its students – one of its kind in Sharjah. The school strives for a safe learning environment where emphasis is on students’ social, physical, intellectual and emotional development. For this purpose, the school has adopted the US curriculum from KG1 to Grade 12.

In 2020, BAKIS got accreditation from American International Accreditation Association of Schools and Colleges (AIAA). The school is recognised for its efforts in maintaining a strong curriculum and exceeding standards considered essential for quality education. The school has also received candidacy with the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) in 2019, attesting to the schools quality of education and integrity.

The curriculum covers a variety of scholastic and co-scholastic subjects and activities, such as the performing arts, art and design, languages, literature, history, geography, science, computer science, technology, engineering, mathematics, sports, Model United Nations, community service, environmental work and more.

Beaconhouse Al Khaleej International School has a commendable support system in place to cater to the needs of Students of Determination (SOD). Being an inclusive school, BAKIS has an Individual Educational Plan (IEP). Parents, teachers, the SOD coordinator and the learning support team work together to provide high-quality strategic support to promote inclusivity. Students can also undergo individual therapy, such as Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) and **Occupational Therapy (OT)**– reports of which are submitted to the SOD Coordinator.

To minimise the spread of coronavirus, the government of UAE decided to reopen schools in August for the academic year 2021 – 2022 with safety guidelines. Similarly, keeping in mind the health and safety of students and staff members, the Ministry of Education has designed strict SOPs for schools to follow while they are open.

• No student, teacher or staff member will join the school before testing negative for COVID-19. 
• All students and teachers must get their body temperature checked in the morning before entering the school premises.
• Classrooms will be set up to accommodate reduced capacity. Student desks will be set at a safe distance (1 meters); classrooms will use physical markings to ensure desks remain in the correct locations.
• Lockers are permitted as long as physical distancing measures are not compromised and in such a way that each locker is designated to a specific student (alternated and not shared). 
• Certain play sections/areas should be closed (i.e. dress up sections, indoor soft play areas, reading corners with soft furniture). Open spaces should include furniture and equipment that is easy to clean.
• Students below 6 years (below Grade 1) are not required to wear masks. 
•  Students of Grade 1 and above, teachers and school staff members are required to bring a minimum of two (2) masks to school each day.
• Buses may run at full capacity but with safety measures in place. 
• Seating arrangements will be clearly marked out in canteen areas; no students will be permitted to sit directly adjacent or next to one another. A physical distance of 2 meters should be kept in canteen areas.
• Schools can operate a pre-selected and pre-packed lunch service, with no live cooking taking place at school. 
• School events, extracurricular activities, after-school clubs and activities are allowed with approved protocols in place.
• Schools shall resume field trips, holiday camps and sports events according to the approved protocols.
• Physical education will continue, including access to swimming pools**.**

Beaconhouse Al Khaleej International Pvt School Sharjah is an all-through school that offers classes from Kindergarten to Grade 12. The grades are split into:

BAKIS is a K-12 American curriculum school. The school strives to develop its students’ social, intellectual, physical and emotional needs through the syllabus. BAKIS is an advocate for the STEM program (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics). It actively works to integrate these skills and knowledge into each student.

Moreover, the school also offers the subjects made mandatory by the Ministry of Education (MoE) which are Arabic, Islamic, Social Studies and Moral Education.

Kindergarten/ Foundation Stage Curriculum

BAKIS follows the California Common Core State Standards in Kindergarten for the English Language, Arts and Mathematics subjects. For science subjects, the school follows the Next Generation Science Standards.

Primary/Elementary School Curriculum

Through Grades 1 to 5, the school follows the American program that includes a combination of core subjects such as:

Other subjects in the elementary stage are:

Middle School Curriculum

Middle School at BAKIS includes Grades 5,6,7 and 8. At this level, the syllabus shifts to more inquiry-driven subjects and delves deeper into the topics. Subjects at this level are:

Secondary School Curriculum

Secondary/High School at BAKIS includes Grades 9 to 12. The school offers elective subjects beginning from Grade 10 in addition to the core subjects. Core subjects are:

Elective Subjects offered include:

Students have the option to choose between either the Science elective or the Commerce Elective. At this level, students can decide if they wish to pursue Advanced Placement (AP) courses in the Sciences, Mathematics or Arts.

In all levels of the school, BAKIS implements the study and appreciation of UAE heritage, history and Islamic values through their curriculum.

The Emergency, Crisis and Disaster Management team in Sharjah, in coordination with Sharjah Private Education Authority (SPEA), has allowed all private schools in the emirate to resume 100% in-class learning. However, students who are sick can get an exemption; they must submit a relevant health certificate to continue with remote learning.

The academic year at Beaconhouse Al Khaleej International School starts in August and ends in the June. As per the instructions on Ministry of Education, there are three terms in an academic year. The important dates of each term are as follows:

• The first term starts in the last week of August and ends in the second week of December. The end of first term marks the start of winter break that ends in the last week of December.
• The second term starts in the first week of January and ends in the fourth week of March. Students then go on a spring break that ends in the first week of April
• Classes resume with the start of the third term in the second week of April. The term ends in the last week of June.

The school starts on 7:40 am and ends on 12:50 pm for kindergarten students and on 2:05 pm for students in Grade 1 and above. To learn more about the schedule, check out the academic calendar and timings of Beaconhouse Al Khaleej International Private School.

Parents who are interested in enrolling their child at BAKIS can book a tour to decide if the school would be a good fit for their child. The admissions process at Beaconhouse Al Khaleej International School is as follows:

• Non-native English speaking students have to undergo Language Proficiency Entry Tests to be eligible for admissions. Students from Kindergarten to Grade 12 have to demonstrate a certain level of fluency in English, as BAKIS does not offer English as a Second Language. This will then be assessed by the school during the intake period.
• Parents can then apply at BAKIS to enrol their child. If selected, the school will then contacts for further formalities.

Admission priorities at BAKIS are:

• The school factors into account the date of application, academic history and performance, student potential, teacher recommendations and family background.
• Students who demonstrate a need for American education are also given priority.
• Other categories of priorities are:
  • First category: Students from families of companies holding a corporate seat
  • Second category: Students holding a North American (American/Canadian) passport and having a sibling attending BAKIS
  • Third category: Students holding a North American (American/Canadian) passport
  • Fourth category: Students from families of any nationality who have a sibling attending BAKIS
  • Fifth category: Students who do not fall under any of the above-mentioned categories.

Important guidelines to keep in mind during the admissions process:

• BAKIS’s admits students of any and all nationalities. 
• Students have to meet the age requirements set by the Sharjah Private Education Authority (SPEA) for admissions. 
• From Grades 3 to 12, admission is based on child’s academic ability within their grade level.
• If an applicant enrols for a grade level that has reached its capacity, they will be placed in a waiting list.

The age-grade guideline by Beaconhouse Al Khaleej School is given below:

This is based on the age of the students on 31st August (for schools beginning in September). Source: BAKIS

* This is to cater to students transferring from systems that admit students of a younger age)

Beaconhouse Al Khaleej International School fees per annum are as follows:

For more information regarding the fees structure at Al Khaleej International Private School, parents can email the school at info@beaconhouse-azr.ac.ae.

BAKIS is working on a scholarship programme which will be available in the near future.

Students at Beaconhouse Al Khaleej International School can avail the school meal plan if they wish to. The charges for the same are as follows:

• KG1 to Grade 3: AED 2,000
• Grade 4 to Grade 12: AED 2,500

Students who avail the meal plan will receive two meals a day– breakfast and lunch. The school provides only healthy and nutritious food and drinks.

Students also have the option of bringing healthy, packed lunches from home.

The school operates its own fleet of buses that maintain the safety standards and rigorously adheres to the regulations laid down by the Road and Transport Authority (RTA). All the buses have video surveillance, global positioning systems (GPS) and scanners to monitor and track students’ attendance and safety.

To avail the transport service, parents should:

• Fill the transport registration form (along with the Terms & Conditions and student bus behaviour code) and submit it at the BAKIS transport counter
• The transport department will check and confirm the availability of the transport service to the specified location.
• On confirmation, the school will contact parents regarding timing, contact details, pick up and drop off points. 
• Payments are to be completed with the BAKIS accounts department of the school.

Within Sharjah, the cost of transportation is AED 2500 per annum. For other areas, the transportation department of the school decides the cost for each route by factoring in the number of students located in the area and other relevant elements.

BAKIS occasionally organises holiday camps. These camps take place at the school during either summer, spring or winter breaks. Parents will be notified if such camps are organised at the school.

To encourage physical fitness and health amongst its students, BAKIS has various sports provisions on campus such as:

• Gym
• Two football grounds
• Basketball court
• Swimming pool

All indoor games and activities take place in the gym. Students can also make use of the school’s shaded play areas to participate in games and other leisure play. The school employs a life guard to ensure the safety of every student utilising the swimming pool at BAKIS. The pool is also secured by a biometric scanning system and has designated changing rooms.

The school organises a variety of co-scholastic activities to offer the students a forum where they can explore their talents and interest. These activities are called Pro-Active Club (PAC) Activities at BAKIS. They are:

The PAC program encourages students to take risks and explore life beyond academia, which contributes to the all-round development of the student body.

To provide hands-on experience for its students, BAKIS organises educational excursions to local sites that can provide more insight into the students’ academic life. The school believes in learning beyond classrooms, which is evident from field trips they have organised in the past such as:

• Kindergarten students’ trip to Discovery Centre, Al Azra Park, Dubai Dolphinarium, Sharjah Aquarium, Kidzania, Lego City and more
• Grades 5 to 11 Boys’ Paint Ball adventure
• Grades 9 to 12 Girls’ trip to MOTIONGATE Dubai

The school offers remedial classes to students who require them. These classes take place after school hours.

There is a clinic at Beaconhouse Al Khaleej International School. BAKIS employs one full-time school nurse and one part-time doctor to tend to the medical needs of students and staff during school hours.

Community Engagement is a vital part of the running of Beaconhouse Al Khaleej International School. The school believes that regular parental involvement is essential for students’ progress.

BAKIS facilitates communication between parents and teachers through a number of ways such as face-to-face discussions, emails, students-parents conferences and teacher meetings.

Parents can attend assemblies, performances and other events to witness their child’s participation in school activities. Parents are also encouraged to visit the school regularly and liaise with their child’s teachers and volunteer to help in the school and participate in the Parents’ Council. BAKIS also has a parent portal in place where parents can receive updates and information regarding their child and the school.

• Telephone Number: 
  • +971-6-573-3419
  • +971-6-566-2994
• Email Address: info@beaconhouse-azr.ac.ae
• BAKIS Official Website
• BAKIS Facebook Page
• BAKIS Instagram

Note that the cover image belongs to Beaconhouse Al Khaleej International School.