Choosing the right school for your
children is one of the most important
decisions any expat family makes when
relocating to Saudi Arabia. Get it right
and your children will thrive academically,
make lifelong friends and gain a genuinely
global education. Get it wrong and the
daily school run becomes a source of stress
that affects the entire family's expat experience.
The good news is that Saudi Arabia has
one of the most developed international
school sectors in the Middle East.
Saudi Arabia now hosts over 200 international
schools across major cities, providing
curricula from British IGCSE to American
diplomas, International Baccalaureate
programs and more.
In this complete guide, we cover everything
expat families need to know about
international schools in Saudi Arabia
in 2026 — from choosing the right
curriculum and understanding fee ranges
to the top schools in Riyadh and Jeddah,
the admission process and practical
tips for securing your child's place.
Why School Choice Matters So Much for Expat Families in Saudi Arabia
For most expat families, school choice
directly determines where they live.
The school bus route, proximity to
the campus and the neighborhood
of the school all shape your
housing decision as much as
your office location.
Applying several months in advance is strongly
recommended. Popular schools reach capacity
quickly, particularly in the early years
and at key transition points like Year 7
or Grade 6.
For a complete guide on choosing
the right neighborhood that keeps
your children's school commute manageable,
read our
Best Areas to Live in Riyadh for Expats 2026
guide which maps schools to neighborhoods
across the city.
International School Curricula Available in Saudi Arabia 2026
The diversity of the expatriate community
is reflected in the diversity of curricula
available across Saudi Arabia — British,
American, International Baccalaureate,
French, Indian CBSE, Pakistani and German
curricula are all represented.
British Curriculum (IGCSE and A-Levels)
The British curriculum leading to
Cambridge IGCSE and A-Level qualifications
is the most widely available international
curriculum in Saudi Arabia and the
most popular choice among expat families
from the UK, Commonwealth countries
and much of Asia.
British curriculum schools in Saudi
Arabia are typically accredited by
the Council of British International
Schools (COBIS) and Cambridge
Assessment International Education.
Best for: Families from the UK,
Commonwealth countries, South Asia
and families planning to apply
to UK universities.
American Curriculum (AP and High School Diploma)
American curriculum schools follow
the US grade system from Kindergarten
through Grade 12, leading to an
American High School Diploma with
Advanced Placement (AP) options
for university preparation.
Best for: Families from the USA
and Canada, and families planning
to apply to North American universities.
International Baccalaureate (IB)
Saudi Arabia has 28 IB World Schools,
of which 15 offer the International
Baccalaureate Diploma and six teach
all three stages of the IB curriculum.
The IB curriculum — including the
Primary Years Programme (PYP),
Middle Years Programme (MYP) and
IB Diploma Programme (DP) — is
increasingly popular among expat
families because the IB Diploma
is recognized by universities worldwide.
Best for: Internationally mobile
families who move frequently
between countries and need
a universally recognized qualification.
Indian CBSE Curriculum
CBSE schools are the most affordable
option for South Asian expat families
and serve the very large Indian,
Bangladeshi, Pakistani and Sri Lankan
expat communities in Saudi Arabia.
Best for: South Asian expat families
particularly from Bangladesh, India,
Pakistan and Sri Lanka who plan
to return home or apply to
South Asian universities.
International School Fees in Saudi Arabia 2026
International school tuition in Riyadh
ranges from approximately SAR 20,000
to SAR 90,000 per year depending on
the school, curriculum and grade level.
Kindergarten and early years programmes
typically cost SAR 20,000 to SAR 45,000.
Primary school fees run from SAR 30,000
to SAR 60,000. Secondary programmes,
particularly those with IB Diploma or
British A-Levels, command fees of
SAR 50,000 to SAR 90,000 at the
most established schools.
Additional costs beyond tuition fees:
Registration fees: SAR 1,000 to SAR 5,000
School transport: SAR 5,000 to SAR 12,000 per year
Uniforms: SAR 1,000 to SAR 2,500
Activity and exam fees: SAR 1,000 to SAR 3,000
In Jeddah the average international
school fee is approximately SAR 22,808
per year, making it generally more
affordable than comparable schools
in Riyadh.
CBSE and South Asian curriculum schools
offer the most affordable options,
with annual fees typically ranging
from SAR 8,000 to SAR 20,000.
Education Allowance from Your Employer
Most employers in Saudi Arabia include
education allowances in expatriate packages,
typically covering tuition and sometimes
transport. The allowance amount varies
by seniority and company, so families
should confirm the cap and whether it
covers all children before finalising
their school choice.
Always negotiate your education allowance
as part of your employment package before
accepting a job offer — especially if
you have multiple children. For a full
guide on what to include in your
employment negotiation, see our
Saudi Arabia Salary Guide 2026.
Best International Schools in Riyadh 2026
Riyadh has over a hundred international
schools of which approximately sixteen
follow a British program and a dozen
offer either an American program,
IB or a combination of both. The
Royal Commission for Riyadh City
has attracted several prestigious
new schools including Reigate Grammar
School Riyadh, King's College Riyadh,
SEK International School Riyadh
and Beech Hall School Riyadh.
Al Faris International School Riyadh
Al Faris International School is
one of the most established and
respected international schools
in Riyadh. It offers the full
International Baccalaureate
curriculum from KG1 through
to Grade 12, making it a
true IB continuum school.
Curriculum: Full IB (PYP, MYP, DP)
Annual fees: Approximately SAR 41,000
Type: Co-educational day school
SEK International School Riyadh
SEK International School Riyadh is
part of the global SEK Education Group
based in Spain. The school offers the
IB programme and caters to a diverse
international student body with modern
facilities and an emphasis on multilingual
education and global citizenship.
Curriculum: IB
Type: Co-educational, modern campus
King's College Riyadh
Part of the prestigious King's
College Schools group from London,
King's College Riyadh brings
UK-standard British curriculum
education to the Saudi capital.
A new addition to Riyadh's
international school landscape
and already highly sought after
by British and Commonwealth families.
Curriculum: British (Cambridge IGCSE, A-Levels)
Type: Co-educational
Yara International School Riyadh (CBSE)
Yara International School is one
of the most popular CBSE curriculum
schools in Riyadh, serving the
large South Asian expat community
including Bangladeshi, Indian
and Pakistani families.
Curriculum: Indian CBSE
Annual fees: SAR 8,000 to SAR 18,000
Type: Co-educational day school
Best for: Bangladeshi, Indian
and Pakistani expat families
seeking affordable quality education
Best International Schools in Jeddah 2026
Jeddah has a fairly sizeable expatriate
community and a number of private and
international schools cater to this
population across a wide range of
curricula and price points.
Jeddah Knowledge International School (JKIS)
Jeddah Knowledge International School
is the country's first full IB continuum
school, offering the complete IB program
from preschool through to high school.
Curriculum: Full IB continuum
Type: Co-educational day school
Best for: Internationally mobile
families seeking a globally
portable qualification
Zahrat Al-Sahraa International School (ZSIS)
Zahrat Al-Sahraa International School
is a long-established K-12 day school
in Jeddah founded in 1988. It offers
an internationally benchmarked American
curriculum leading to an American High
School Diploma and is accredited by
Cognia. The school serves around 1,700
students with a student-teacher ratio
of 1:9.
Curriculum: American (High School Diploma, AP)
Type: Co-educational day school
British International School Jeddah (BIS Jeddah)
BIS Jeddah achieves exceptional examination
results, regularly placing in the top
percentile globally for IGCSE and A-Level
performance. Small class sizes and
experienced UK-trained teachers
contribute to academic excellence.
Curriculum: British (IGCSE and A-Levels)
Type: Co-educational
Best for: UK and Commonwealth
families seeking the highest
academic standards in Jeddah
Pakistan International School Jeddah — English Section (PISJ-ES)
PISJ-ES offers a Cambridge-based
education from early years through
senior school with Cambridge IGCSE,
O Levels and A Levels pathways.
The school operates a large auditorium
accommodating up to 1,000 guests
and offers transportation throughout Jeddah.
Curriculum: Cambridge IGCSE and A-Levels
Best for: Pakistani, Bangladeshi
and South Asian expat families
in Jeddah
Best International School in the Eastern Province
Dhahran Academy (Saudi Aramco)
Established by Saudi Aramco, Dhahran
Academy features exceptional facilities
rivaling top American private schools.
Academic standards are rigorous with
most students taking multiple AP courses.
The school serves families across Dammam,
Khobar and Dhahran with transportation
services throughout the Eastern Province.
Curriculum: American (AP)
Best for: Saudi Aramco employees
and expat families in the
Eastern Province
How to Apply to International Schools in Saudi Arabia
Application Timeline
The academic year typically runs from
September to June with main admissions
cycles opening in January for the
following September.
Start your school search the moment
you know your Saudi move is confirmed —
ideally 6 to 12 months before your
planned arrival. For the most popular
schools, even earlier is better.
Documents Required for Admission
Schools generally require academic
transcripts, passport copies,
immunisation records and sometimes
entrance assessments or interviews.
Typical documents needed:
Child's passport copy
Parent's Iqama copy (if already
in Saudi Arabia)
Previous school reports and transcripts
Immunisation records
Completed application form
Application fee (SAR 500 to SAR 2,000)
Waiting Lists
Admissions for the top international
schools in Saudi Arabia tend to have
waiting lists so it is recommended
that parents apply well in advance
to secure a spot for their children.
If your preferred school is full,
ask to be placed on the waiting
list and apply simultaneously
to your second and third choices.
Many families secure their first
choice through the waiting list
within a few months.
Important Things to Know About Schools in Saudi Arabia
Islamic studies is a requirement
at all schools in the Kingdom.
Families should factor this into
their school comparison, particularly
if they are looking for a purely
secular international programme,
which is not available in Saudi
Arabia's regulatory framework.
International schools are divided
into two types: those owned by Saudi
citizens, which are supervised by
the Ministry of Education and must
conform to its regulations such as
mandatory segregation by gender,
and those owned by foreign nationals
which are not.
For families bringing children
to Saudi Arabia for the first
time, our complete guide on
Saudi Arabia Family Visa 2026
covers the full process for
bringing your children legally
to the Kingdom.
Frequently Asked Questions About International Schools in Saudi Arabia
What is the best international school in Riyadh for expat families?
The best school depends on your
child's age, your preferred curriculum
and your budget. For IB education,
Al Faris International School
is highly respected. For British
curriculum, King's College Riyadh
is a premium option. For affordable
South Asian education, Yara
International School is popular
among Bangladeshi and Indian families.
How much does international school cost in Saudi Arabia?
International school tuition in
Riyadh ranges from approximately
SAR 20,000 to SAR 90,000 per year
depending on the school, curriculum
and grade level.
CBSE and South Asian curriculum
schools are the most affordable
at SAR 8,000 to SAR 20,000 per year.
Premium IB and British curriculum
schools charge SAR 50,000 to
SAR 90,000 per year at secondary level.
Do employers in Saudi Arabia pay for international school fees?
Many employers provide education
allowances as part of the expat
package — typically SAR 2,000
to SAR 5,000 per month per child.
Always negotiate this before
signing your employment contract.
For senior roles, full school
fee coverage is common.
Are there schools for Bangladeshi expat children in Saudi Arabia?
Yes. CBSE curriculum schools
across Riyadh, Jeddah and
Dammam serve the large Bangladeshi
expat community. Yara International
School in Riyadh and New Al Wurood
International School in Jeddah
are popular choices. Fees are
significantly more affordable
than British or IB schools.
When should I apply to international schools in Saudi Arabia?
Apply as early as possible —
ideally 6 to 12 months before
your planned arrival. The most
popular schools in Riyadh and
Jeddah have waiting lists.
Apply to multiple schools
simultaneously to maximise
your chances of securing
a place in time.
Useful Official Resources
Saudi Ministry of Education
Website:
moe.gov.sa
Council of British International Schools
Website:
cobis.org.uk
IB World Schools Saudi Arabia
Website:
ibo.org
Final Thoughts on International Schools in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia in 2026 offers expat
families a genuinely impressive
range of international schools
across curricula, price points
and cities. Whether you are
a British family seeking
IGCSE excellence, an American
family wanting AP courses,
a South Asian family looking
for affordable CBSE education
or a globally mobile family
choosing the IB — the right
school exists for your child
in the Kingdom.
Start your search early, apply
to multiple schools and confirm
your education allowance with
your employer before finalising
your housing decision — because
in Saudi Arabia, where you live
and where your children study
are decisions that belong together.
For more on settling your family
into life in Saudi Arabia, explore
our guides on
best neighborhoods in Riyadh,
cost of living and
health insurance for expats.
Have questions about international
schools in Saudi Arabia? Leave a
comment below and we will be
happy to help!
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