How many international secondary schools in Jeddah
Jeddah has around 16 schools delivering an international secondary programme through to year 11 in 2026, of which 12 carry through to a full sixth form at year 13 with university-pathway qualifications. The market splits roughly into four Cambridge International A Level providers, four IB Diploma providers (with three running both A Level and the IB Diploma in parallel), three American High School Diploma providers including the established Advanced Placement track at AISJ, and one French baccalaureat provider at Lycee Jean Mermoz.
Cohort sizes at sixth form are modest. The largest single sixth form in the city is the BISJ Cambridge International sixth form with around 95 pupils across years 12 and 13. The largest single IB Diploma cohort is at AISJ with around 58 candidates in May 2025. JKIS runs parallel Cambridge A Level and IB Diploma sixth forms with around 70 pupils combined. The smaller sixth forms at Continental, Manarat and Kingdom Schools sit between 25 and 45 candidates a year, with corresponding constraints on minority subject choice in any given year.
The Saudi national share of secondary cohorts has grown sharply since the 2017 reforms removed the previous restrictions on Saudi national enrolment in international schools. Saudi pupils now make up 35 to 70 per cent of cohorts at every Jeddah international secondary school. The shift has changed the social atmosphere noticeably, with secondary school weekend life now firmly embedded in Saudi family networks rather than the older Western expatriate enclave model. Sixth form girls and boys study together at most international secondary schools, with Manarat and Kingdom maintaining a degree of gender separation in line with the Saudi national tradition.
Fees and the pathway choice
Secondary tuition in Jeddah groups into three rough tiers. The mid-tier Saudi-owned international secondaries, running from SAR 45,000 to SAR 65,000 a year for IGCSE and A Level, cover schools like Kingdom Schools International and Al Hussan. The premium tier, SAR 70,000 to SAR 95,000, covers BISJ Cambridge International sixth form and JKIS Cambridge and IB. The top tier is the AISJ IB Diploma at SAR 100,000 to SAR 110,000 a year for years 12 and 13, with strong US and Canadian university placement.
The pathway choice matters more at secondary than at any other phase of schooling in Jeddah. Cambridge International A Level offers depth in 3 or 4 subjects and is the strongest route into UK universities. The IB Diploma offers breadth across 6 subjects plus theory of knowledge and is preferred for US, Canadian and continental European universities. The American High School Diploma plus Advanced Placement is the most flexible route into US universities but is less recognised in the UK. Our Jeddah fees guide covers the all-in cost picture and the fees comparison tool compares Jeddah sixth form against Dubai and Riyadh.
Choosing the right secondary school in Jeddah?
Take our 5 minute school finder quiz. We shortlist three Jeddah secondary schools based on your child's year group, your preferred pathway, your budget and your home area.
Illustrative example schools
The five schools below are illustrative, not a ranking. Each delivers consistent secondary and sixth form results with clear university placement.
British International School of Jeddah on the Obhur coastal road runs Cambridge IGCSE from year 7 to year 11 and Cambridge A Level alongside the IB Diploma at sixth form. A Level A and A* rates of 38 per cent in May 2025 and strong Russell Group placement including UCL, KCL, Manchester and Bristol.
Jeddah Knowledge International School in Al Rawdah delivers Cambridge IGCSE alongside the IB MYP, with parallel Cambridge A Level and IB Diploma pathways at sixth form. The largest dual A Level and IB sixth form in the city by candidate numbers, with strong UK and US dual placement.
American International School of Jeddah in Al Faisaliah is the largest and most established Western international secondary in the western region, with a full PYP, MYP and IB Diploma continuum alongside an American High School Diploma plus Advanced Placement pathway. May 2025 Diploma average of 34 points across 58 candidates.
Continental School Jeddah in Al Hamra runs Cambridge IGCSE through to A Level and the IB Diploma in smaller cohorts than the larger Western international schools. Reasonable fees by Jeddah standards and a noticeable European parent demographic.
Manarat Al Riyadh International in Al Salamah runs Cambridge IGCSE and AS Level alongside a parallel Arabic-medium Saudi national curriculum sixth form. Most Saudi national pupils take both pathways and graduate with dual certification.
Where secondary families live
Secondary-age families in Jeddah cluster around three main areas. Obhur and the northern Corniche dominate for families using BISJ and AISJ at sixth form, with most Western expatriate compound housing in this corridor including Cinnamon Compound, Coral Beach Compound and the Movenpick residential cluster. Al Rawdah and Al Hamra serve families using JKIS, Continental and the central international secondaries, with newer villa compounds along Tahlia Street. Al Salamah and Al Andalus serve families using Manarat and Kingdom Schools.
Secondary family tenure is less stable than primary, with the average child remaining at a single secondary school for 3 to 4 years versus 4 to 5 in primary. Around 25 per cent of Jeddah secondary families relocate before year 11, either internationally for work or back to the UK or US for boarding. Sixth form is the most common departure point, with families either committing to a Jeddah school through year 13 or sending the child to UK or US boarding from year 12. Our Jeddah neighbourhoods guide walks through residential options in detail.
Admissions: year 7 and year 12 entry points
The Jeddah school year runs August to June following the Saudi national calendar. Applications for the August 2026 academic year opened at most international secondary schools between September and November 2025. Year 7 and year 12 are the most competitive entry points. Year 7 because it covers the transition from primary and most schools rebuild their cohorts at that point with around 20 to 30 per cent new entry. Year 12 because it is the start of sixth form and the IB Diploma or A Level subject choice locks in.
BISJ and JKIS typically close their main year 7 and year 12 intakes by mid-January with assessment days through February and offers in March. Continental and Manarat run rolling admissions through to May where capacity exists. AISJ closes year 12 entry by late January because the IB Diploma subject scheduling is built around early commitments. Mid-year transfers at secondary are usually possible up to year 10. Year 11 transfers are difficult because IGCSE coursework is underway. Year 13 transfers are essentially never accepted. The Saudi Ministry of Education requires a transfer certificate (Tasdiq) and authenticated previous school records, allowing 4 to 8 weeks for paperwork in addition to the school's own admissions assessment.
Frequently asked questions
How many international secondary schools are there in Jeddah?
Jeddah has around 16 schools delivering an international secondary programme through to year 11, of which 12 carry through to a full sixth form at year 13. The market splits into four Cambridge International A Level providers, four IB Diploma providers, three American High School Diploma providers, and one French baccalaureat provider at Lycee Jean Mermoz.
How much do Jeddah secondary schools cost?
Secondary tuition runs from SAR 45,000 at mid-tier Saudi-owned schools through to SAR 110,000 at AISJ IB Diploma. Most premium Western international secondaries sit between SAR 70,000 and SAR 95,000 a year for IGCSE and sixth form. Transport, lunch, exam fees and uniforms typically add a further 15 to 20 per cent on top.
Which pathway is best for UK universities?
Cambridge International A Level remains the strongest single route into UK universities, with the IB Diploma a close second. Russell Group universities including UCL, KCL, Manchester, Bristol and Edinburgh accept both equally on academic terms but find A Level subject specialisation easier to map onto first-year UK degree structures. BISJ has the strongest Russell Group placement track record in Jeddah.
Which pathway is best for US universities?
The IB Diploma and the American High School Diploma plus Advanced Placement are both strong routes into US universities. The IB Diploma offers slightly stronger placement at highly selective US institutions because the breadth and theory of knowledge component align with the US liberal arts model. AISJ has the strongest US university placement track record in Jeddah.
Can my child transfer mid-year at secondary?
Yes, up to year 10 at most schools with some difficulty. Year 11 transfers are difficult because IGCSE coursework is underway and assessment standards differ between Cambridge and Pearson Edexcel exam boards. Year 13 transfers are essentially never accepted. Mid-year transfers at year 7 to year 9 are common and most schools handle them with a one-day assessment followed by a four-week settling-in period.
