AS schools and kindergartens across the kingdom close their doors to children under swine flu directives from the health and education ministries, it is business as usual at one of Bahrain's oldest schools, reports Anasuya Kesavan.

Classes are allowed to carry on because of the school's link with the US Navy base which means it does not have to adhere to the same government instructions as other private schools on the island.

The majority of its 516 pupils on the school roll, however, are from Bahraini and expat families, not US servicemen. The school also has boarding facilities and attracts pupils from neighbouring Gulf countries.

Gail Anderson, above, who has taken over at the helm of the US Department of Defence Education Activity (DoDEA) School from Alice Beard, said: "Each day I learn a little more about what our children have access to and I am delighted to be a part of it. The bottom line is we have a terrific school with absolutely amazing students and educators here.

"The students here are very global. At the lunch table or in our classrooms you find yourself surrounded by students who speak four to five different languages."

Measures to counter the spread of the H1N1 virus are similar to those introduced by other schools on the island before they were forced to remain closed after the Eid holidays for up to six weeks.

It was only at the start of the new term in August that Bahrain School in Juffair welcomed back naval families. Five years ago, the school had seen an overnight relocation of around 1,000 US military dependents and non-essential staff including teachers over security concerns that had put its future in doubt.

This term officials said that confidence was at an 'all time high' and had resulted in the best enrolment figures in some time.

SIXTY-one children of US Navy personnel studying at Bahrain School have taken advantage of the relaxation of rules allowing service families to return to the kingdom ... and many more are expected to join them.

They are studying in the only classes open to children in the kingdom alongside hundreds of Bahraini and expat children who have been able to avoid the current swine flu school closure ban because of the establishment's links to the base.

Principal Gail Anderson said: "Students of six to seven nationalities are brought together in one classroom with a common goal of getting an American education, not just top quality education.

"I am intrigued by the interest that our students who are not Americans have in mastering not just the English language but the slang and the culture and most of them are looking forward to going to selective American universities. Their experiences here in an American education will help them be successful.

"The cultural exchange and focus on each others differences and diversity is what I take with me at the end of the day."

Bahrain School is the only DoDEA school that offers an International Baccalaureate (IB) programme. It has advanced placement opportunities and has a student population from kindergarten toddlers to college-ready teenagers. The school also has an independent co-ed dormitory which houses students of all nationalities and has many residents from Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.

Arabic is offered to students at all levels including the IB programme and as a foreign language. The school boasts of a separate Arabic and English library, 450 computers, media centre, two art studios, gyms and the fourth largest swimming pool on the island.

This year the school's cross country team, tennis team, girls' soccer and basketball team will travel for competitions in Europe.

Ms Anderson said the current student population stands at just over 500 and added that that there is plenty of room to grow.

She said: "My plan is to embrace the DoDEA community's entire strategic plan. I firmly believe in high student achievement. Our seniors have to have 26 Carnegie credits in order to graduate with a standard diploma and they are held in high esteem in the universities and colleges in the US.

"I personally would like to further embrace the global student. The potential here is for students at Bahrain School to go on to become leaders and significant players in our society and the world we live in.

"I hope I can continue the momentum and grow with the changes that inevitably occur as time marches on."

Commander, Naval Support Activity Bahrain, Captain John Schoeneck, added: "The US Navy has had a relationship with the kingdom since the 1940s. We have been staunch allies.

"If you look at the history of the Bahrain School, Crown Prince Shaikh Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa graduated from here. Two of his sons have graduated here in the last couple of years. Even the Crown Prince has been quoted in some books saying that he regrets that his sons did not get the cultural exchange that he had when 300 to 400 Navy students were here.

"In 2004, Navy families weren't allowed here. In the last five-years the Navy has helped financially with the school. We have paid for security upgrades this summer in advance of the students coming back. That was how important it was even without our students.

"So it has been a win-win for the Navy and the kingdom and it's going to continue. More and more families in the kingdom can see that their children can get exposed to an American education, clubs, sports, American style spelling bees and we will be welcoming more American families and more local families."

School fees are the most expensive on the island ranging from BD8,853 to BD9,785 a year.