Cities / Muscat / ABA Oman International School
ABA Oman International School
Not-for-profit IB continuum school (PYP, MYP, DP) established in 1987, serving around 940 students from over 65 nationalities at a purpose-built campus in Al Irfan. First school in the Oman region to offer all three IB programme levels, with small…
In brief
Muscat's longest-running IB continuum school and one of the city's two anchor international choices, alongside TAISM, with a brand-new purpose-built campus at Madinat Al Irfan.
Founded in 1987 by a parent action group after the Muscat English Speaking School secondary closed, ABA was the first IB World School in the Gulf to offer all three programmes from 2004. The school moved into its new Al Irfan campus in March 2022, opened by HH Sayyid Bilarab, with a 25 metre pool, performing arts centre, and full sports facilities. Around 940 students span more than 70 nationalities. Diplomatic cover shifted from the US Embassy to the British Embassy in 1999, and ABA has run as a not-for-profit ever since.
Parents talk about the school in unusually warm terms, with the dedication of teachers, the multicultural feel, and the new facilities at the top of the list. Embassy families historically split between TAISM and ABA. Families weighing IB over American track tend to land here. Fees of OMR 5,200 to 9,910 sit at the top of the Muscat market alongside TAISM.
Fees
| Fee | Age | Type | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early Childhood (EC) | 3 | Annual | OMR 5,200 |
| Elementary School (Grades K-5) | 5 | Annual | OMR 5,300 |
| Middle School (Grades 6-8) | 11 | Annual | OMR 7,430 |
| High School (Grades 9-10) | 14 | Annual | OMR 8,190 |
| IB Diploma Programme (Grades 11-12) | 16 | Annual | OMR 9,910 |
| Application Fee | One-time | OMR 75 | |
| Enrolment Fee | One-time | OMR 3,500 |
Reviews
- ABA is treated as one of Muscat's two default expat picks alongside TAISM. One Reddit commenter listed "taism, ABA, ABQ, MIS" as the strong options, and another suggested ABA Oman alongside British School Muscat as the schools to research first.
- Embassy-circuit reporting describes ABA as state-of-the-art with a "sport feel" relative to TAISM's arts emphasis, and notes its location closer to expat housing.
- Pastoral care and community draw repeated praise. One parent said "the staff truly cares about each and every child" and "the children learn in such a loving and nurturing environment".
- The IB continuum is the academic anchor, and DP results sit above the world average.
- Cost is the only consistent reservation across Muscat school commentary, with one TalesMag post calling the international schools collectively "crazy expensive". A teacher-side review noted occasional grumbles about leadership but said most agreed the work outweighs the complaints.
Head of school
Craig Williamson
Craig Williamson is the Head of School at ABA Oman International School, leading the institution with a commitment to academic excellence and holistic development since its establishment in 1987. He emphasizes the importance of fostering a diverse and inclusive community, preparing students to thrive in a globalized world.
Accreditations
- Council of International Schools 01
Academic results
- Result 2022 MYP avg 40 points (top score 53) 2022
- Result IB DP results described as world-class 2022.