International Schools in Riyadh

Ages 3-18 · American, IB · Al Yasmin · ~1,650 students

For American families, or anyone who wants a US curriculum with IB Diploma access and a well-resourced campus, AIS-R is the clear choice in Riyadh - just budget carefully, as one-time fees bring the first-year cost substantially above the listed tuition.

Ages 3-18 · British, IB · Al Hamra · ~3,000 students

If you're relocating to Riyadh on a British curriculum package and want the most established option in the city, BISR is the default choice - particularly the Al Hamra campus for primary and the DQ campus if IB Diploma matters more than A-Levels.

Ages 3-18 · British · Al Aqiq · ~600 students

If you want a British curriculum school for a daughter in secondary - or a co-ed option for younger children - in north Riyadh near King Abdullah Financial District, Downe House is a well-resourced choice with direct ties to the UK's Downe House school and Cognita's operational network.

Ages 1-17 · IB, American · Al Khuzama · ~300 students

Beech Hall is worth considering for families who want IB or American track at a lower price than the major schools, particularly for younger children - but it is a school still building its senior cohort, and families with secondary-age students should ask hard questions about the Grade 12 timeline.

Ages 2-17 · IB · Al Rabieh · ~320 students

SEK is the best option in Riyadh for families who specifically want the IB framework from Early Years onwards - the school is small, the IB credentials are genuine, and the fees sit well below BISR and AIS-R. The trade-off is that it is still a young school with a limited track record of IB Diploma results.

Ages 3-13 · British · Other Riyadh · Contact school students

King's is the right call for families with younger children (up to Year 7) who want a premium British education in Riyadh with smaller class sizes and no capital fee - but families with secondary-age children need to wait for the Sedra campus to open or plan a transition.

Ages 3-18 · British · Al Waha · ~1,100 students

If you want a British curriculum school with a genuine track record - the exam results are published, the BSO inspection is Outstanding, and the learning support is reputedly among the best in Riyadh - RGSR is a credible alternative to BISR at a meaningfully lower price point.

Ages 4-18 · IB · An Nakheel · ~600 students

ALS is the go-to choice in Riyadh for families who want a fully accredited IB school with a long track record, all-inclusive fees, and no-frills pricing - if you can get a place. The waiting lists are real, and the single-sex secondary structure is a deciding factor either way.

Ages 3-18 · IB, American · Diplomatic Quarter · ~2,100 students

For families committed to the IB framework who want a school with deep roots in Riyadh and genuinely strong university placement, KFS is the best-value full-continuum IB option in the city - fees are a third of AIS-R's secondary level at comparable academic quality.

Ages 3-15 · IB, American · Al Muruj · ~600 students

For families relocating to Riyadh who want IB in the early years and a US curriculum for secondary - at a meaningful saving versus BISR and AIS-R - OWIS Al Muruj is worth a serious look, particularly for younger children. The caveat is that it's still a young school with no published exam results yet.

Ages 3-18 · IB, American · Al Tawun · ~2,400 students

Al Faris is the right call for families who specifically want a long-established full IB continuum school in Riyadh at a mid-range price point - but go in knowing that parent feedback is mixed and the 2025-26 campus move has introduced some transitional challenges.

Ages 3-18 · American, British · An Nuzhah · ~5,500 students

Al Rowad is Riyadh's go-to option for Islamic-values education at genuinely budget-level fees, and the size of the school means it has facilities that many smaller schools lack. If fee is the primary driver and you want a school with a strong Islamic identity alongside British or American exit qualifications, it's worth a visit - but manage expectations on facilities and administration.