International Indian School Riyadh, almost always shortened to IISR, was founded in 1982 to serve the children of the Indian community in the Saudi capital and has grown into one of the largest CBSE affiliated schools in the Kingdom, enrolling several thousand pupils across boys and girls branches. It sits among the Riyadh international schools as the leading Indian curriculum option, distinct from the Western curriculum campuses both in its examination route and in its much lower fees.
This profile sets out the programme, the fee position, the admissions route and the community around the school. GlobalSchoolGuide is independent and no school pays to be listed, so what follows is an editorial reference rather than a prospectus. IISR is one of the affordable options we cover in our guide to the cheapest international schools in Riyadh, where families compare the budget end of the market.
International Indian School Riyadh (IISR) at a glance
| Curriculum and exam boards | Indian Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), kindergarten to Class 12; CBSE board examinations at Class 10 and Class 12 |
|---|---|
| Stage range | Kindergarten to Class 12, roughly ages 4 to 18 |
| Founded | 1982, originally as a community school under the patronage of the Embassy of India |
| Accreditation | Affiliated to the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), India; licensed by the Saudi Ministry of Education; operates under Embassy of India patronage |
| Fee band | Budget tier for Riyadh; community school pricing well below the Western curriculum campuses (see Riyadh fees guide) |
| Campus area | Boys branch in Al Rawdah; girls branch in Malaz, Riyadh |
Curriculum and academics
IISR follows the Indian Central Board of Secondary Education curriculum, the CBSE, taught in English from kindergarten through to Class 12, with pupils sitting the national board examinations at Class 10 and again at Class 12. The CBSE route is portable across India and recognised by Indian universities, and the senior streams in science, commerce and humanities prepare students for competitive entrance examinations back home. Arabic, Islamic studies and Saudi social studies sit alongside the Indian subjects as required in the Kingdom.
Families who want a globally portable alternative to CBSE often weigh it against the IB curriculum offered at the city's IB World Schools, which costs considerably more but is structured around international university entry. IISR's strength is a proven, affordable academic route for the large Indian community, with experienced staff and a long track record in the board examinations. Ask the school for recent Class 10 and Class 12 results and the subject combinations offered in the senior secondary years.
Not sure which Riyadh school fits your budget?
Tell us your child's age, budget and preferred curriculum and we will shortlist Riyadh schools that match, free and independent.
International Indian School Riyadh fees
| Stage | Annual tuition |
|---|---|
| LKG to Grade 5 | SAR 4,020 |
| Grades 6 to 8 | SAR 4,320 |
| Grade 9 | SAR 4,350 |
| Grade 10 | SAR 4,895 |
| Grade 11 | SAR 4,955 |
| Grade 12 | SAR 5,550 |
Source: International Indian School Riyadh (via WhichSchoolAdvisor). CBSE Indian community school; low fees billed monthly. Plus one-time admission and development-fund fees. Fees are the most recent published figures and exclude one-off costs such as registration, deposits and capital levies. Always confirm current fees directly with the school.
IISR sits at the budget end of the Riyadh market, with community school pricing that is a fraction of what the Western curriculum campuses charge, which is a large part of why it serves so many families. Fees are set by grade and reviewed each year, so confirm the current schedule with the school directly. Its position is mapped against the rest of the city in our Riyadh school fees guide, which sets out the tiers in Saudi riyals.
Even at the affordable end there are costs above headline tuition to plan for. Indian community schools typically charge a registration fee on admission and separate amounts for books, uniform, examination entry and transport, and the very large enrolment means popular grades can be oversubscribed. Budget for modest annual fee rises as well, and ask whether payment is taken termly or in instalments.
Admissions and intake
The Indian academic year runs from April, and IISR admits across its boys and girls branches subject to availability. Entry is based on prior school records and, for some grades, a placement assessment, with priority shaped by the demand from the Indian community.
Because the school is so large and well established, popular grades can fill, so register early once a move to Riyadh is confirmed. Applications require recent report cards, transfer certificates from the previous school and passport and residency documentation. Confirm the exact paperwork and the branch your child would attend with the school before you apply.
Location and who goes there
IISR runs separate branches, with the boys section in the Al Rawdah district and the girls section in Malaz, both established residential parts of Riyadh well served by the community. As a day school the commute matters, so weigh the relevant branch against your likely neighbourhood before committing.
The pupil body is drawn overwhelmingly from the Indian expatriate community, one of the largest in the city, and the school functions as a community anchor as much as a place of study. For the wider picture of how the Indian, IB, American and British schools sit across the city, including fee tiers and neighbourhoods, see the Riyadh schools hub.
International Indian School Riyadh (IISR) reviews
No verified parent reviews of International Indian School Riyadh have been submitted to GlobalSchoolGuide yet. We hold back from publishing a star rating until we have enough verified first hand accounts to represent the school fairly, and we never fabricate ratings. If your family attends or has attended IISR, please consider sharing your experience through our school reviews page to help other relocating families.
Frequently asked questions
How much are International Indian School Riyadh fees?
IISR is a community school and sits at the budget end of the Riyadh market, well below the Western curriculum campuses, which is one reason it serves so many families. Fees are set by grade and reviewed each year, so confirm the current schedule with the school and budget for registration, books, uniform and transport on top of tuition.
Is International Indian School Riyadh a good school?
IISR is one of the oldest and largest Indian community schools in Saudi Arabia, with full CBSE affiliation through to senior secondary and decades of experience serving the Indian diaspora. Whether it suits your family depends on whether the CBSE route and a large community school fit your child. Confirm recent board results with the school.
What curriculum does International Indian School Riyadh follow?
The school follows the Indian Central Board of Secondary Education curriculum, the CBSE, from kindergarten to Class 12, taught in English. Students sit the CBSE board examinations at Class 10 and Class 12, alongside Arabic and Islamic studies as required in the Kingdom.
When do International Indian School Riyadh applications open?
The Indian school year runs from April, and IISR admits subject to availability across its boys and girls branches. Demand is high given the size of the community, so register early and confirm documentation requirements with the school.
Where is International Indian School Riyadh located?
IISR operates separate branches, with the boys section in the Al Rawdah district and the girls section in the Malaz district of Riyadh, both within the established residential areas of the city.
