Al Faris International School

At a glance

Where a detail is not officially published we mark it clearly rather than guess. Always confirm current figures with the school.

Curriculum and academics

Al Faris International School offers two recognised pathways under one roof. It runs the full International Baccalaureate continuum, with the Primary Years Programme in the early and primary grades, the Middle Years Programme in the middle grades and the Diploma Programme in Grades 11 and 12. Alongside this it teaches an American curriculum built on Common Core standards in mathematics, English and social studies and Next Generation Science Standards in the sciences, leading to a United States High School certificate. Senior students can follow either an SAT and American track or the IB Diploma.

Teaching is in English, with Arabic and Islamic studies taught alongside as required in the Kingdom. To understand how these pathways work, see our pillar guides to the International Baccalaureate and the American curriculum, and our Riyadh city guide for how the school sits against the alternatives across the city.

Families choose Al Faris for the flexibility of running IB and American routes together, which lets a student pick the pathway that best fits their university plans. It suits families who want a choice of recognised qualifications from the early years to Grade 12.

Al Faris International School fees

Al Faris International School fees sit in the upper mid band for the city, in line with IB and American schools of its type. We describe the band rather than quote a precise headline number, because the school revises its schedule each year and bills differently across the stages and pathways. A parent should budget for the components that sit around tuition.

• Application and registration fees: one off charges at the point of joining.
• Annual tuition: billed per year and rising through the stages.
• Examination fees: IB assessment and SAT charges in the senior years.
• Extras: transport, meals, trips and activities.

For the citywide picture, our guide to international school fees in Riyadh divides the market into low, mid and premium tiers, and you can line up the bands by stage in our Riyadh primary fees and Riyadh secondary fees breakdowns. Confirm current figures with the school, since they revise them each year.

Admissions

The main intake aligns with the school year, with applications typically reviewed ahead of an autumn start, though places can open at other points where a seat is available. The process runs through an application, prior school reports and an age appropriate assessment of readiness for the stage and pathway sought.

Because the school offers two pathways, families are usually guided towards the route that best fits the child, so it helps to discuss university plans early. Families relocating to Riyadh partway through the year should contact the admissions office directly to ask about current availability.

Location and who goes there

The school is in Riyadh and draws families from across the city who want a choice of IB or American qualifications. Its dual pathway model appeals to internationally mobile families who may move between education systems.

The community is a mix of Saudi and international families who value recognised, university ready qualifications. For a fuller picture of where international families settle across the city and how the schools are distributed, our Riyadh city guide sets out the districts and the schooling landscape.

Reviews

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Frequently asked questions