At a glance
JKS opened in 1996 and holds a notable place in Saudi education as the first private school in the country authorised to deliver the full International Baccalaureate continuum, the Primary Years, Middle Years and Diploma Programmes in sequence. That continuum is the school's defining feature, because it lets a child follow a single coherent IB philosophy from the early years through to a university entry qualification without switching system. Alongside the IB Diploma, students may earn a US high school diploma accredited by NEASC, the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, which broadens the choices open to a leaver. The school is also accredited by the Council of International Schools, the body whose membership signals a school meets international standards on safeguarding, governance and teaching. It sits in the As Salamah district of Jeddah. For the wider market, see our guide to international schools in Jeddah.
| Detail | Summary |
|---|---|
| Curriculum and exam boards | IB continuum (PYP, MYP, DP); NEASC accredited US high school diploma |
| Stages | Early years through Grade 12 |
| Founded | 1996 |
| Accreditation | International Baccalaureate; Council of International Schools (CIS); NEASC |
| Fee band | Upper mid (see the Jeddah city hub) |
| Campus area | As Salamah, Jeddah |
Curriculum and academics
The academic offer is built around the IB continuum. The Primary Years Programme shapes the early and primary stage through inquiry led learning, the Middle Years Programme carries that into the lower secondary years, and the Diploma Programme is the two year university entry qualification taken at the top of the school. Running in parallel, the NEASC accredited American high school diploma gives families who prefer the US route, or who want a fallback to the demanding IB Diploma, a recognised alternative. The dual pathway is unusual and is the main reason a family might choose JKS over a single track school. Parents looking specifically at the youngest stages can read our profiles of the JKS early years foundation and the JKS Primary Years Programme. We report programmes in the terms the school uses and do not publish examination figures we cannot verify, so ask the school directly for recent IB Diploma averages and university destinations.
Jeddah Knowledge International School fees
| Stage | Annual tuition |
|---|---|
| Toddlers | SAR 22,050 |
| KG1 | SAR 29,400 |
| KG2 | SAR 33,000 |
| Grade 1 | SAR 47,550 |
| Grade 4 | SAR 50,850 |
| Grades 7 to 8 | SAR 54,750 |
| Grade 10 | SAR 58,980 |
| Grade 12 | SAR 62,550 |
Source: Jeddah Knowledge International School (jks.edu.sa). IB continuum. A 15 percent VAT applies to non-Saudi students. Excludes registration and exam 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.
Jeddah Knowledge International School fees sit in the upper mid band for the city, in line with what a full IB continuum school accredited by CIS and NEASC costs to run, above the Indian and value schools but generally below the most established Western expatriate names. Annual tuition rises by stage, with the Diploma years the most expensive because of the size and specialism of the teaching they require. We do not print a single headline figure here because the school revises fees each year and issues the current schedule to applicants, and you can place the band in context through the Jeddah city hub. Beyond tuition, budget for a registration fee, examination fees in the IB years and optional transport. To weigh JKS against other Jeddah options, compare it directly with two other shortlisted schools.
Weighing JKS against other Jeddah schools?
Put three Jeddah schools side by side on fees, curriculum and stage, or let the school finder shortlist three matched to your child.
Admissions
Admission runs across the academic year, with the main intake at the start of the year and places offered into other grades where space exists. Families relocating to Jeddah should apply ahead of the year they need a place, as the IB programmes are popular and grades fill early. Assessment is age appropriate, with readiness checks for the youngest children and curriculum based testing in English and mathematics for older applicants, alongside school reports and references from the previous school. Entry into the Diploma Programme is more selective than into the lower years because the school will want to be confident a student can carry the full IB Diploma, so discuss subject choices and prior grades with the admissions team early. The school sets out the documents it asks for, including residency and transfer papers, during the application.
Location and who goes there
JKS sits in the As Salamah district of Jeddah, a central residential area with good access across the city. As one of the longer established IB schools in the Kingdom, it draws Saudi families who want an international pathway for their children, expatriate families from across the region and Asia, and families who specifically want the IB continuum rather than a single national curriculum. The right school in Jeddah usually comes down to the curriculum you want, the fee band you can sustain and the commute, so it is worth visiting in person and comparing shortlisted schools side by side. For the wider picture of where families settle and how the schools compare, return to the Jeddah city hub, or see our roundup of the best American schools in Jeddah.
Reviews
No verified reviews yet. GlobalSchoolGuide is independent and no school pays to be listed, so we publish parent reviews only once they are verified. If your child attends or has attended Jeddah Knowledge International School, you can submit a review to help other relocating families. We never display a star rating without real, checked reviews behind it.
Frequently asked questions
How much are Jeddah Knowledge International School fees?
Jeddah Knowledge International School fees sit in the upper mid band for Jeddah, in line with a full IB continuum school accredited by CIS and NEASC. Tuition rises by stage, with the Diploma years the most expensive. Budget separately for registration and optional transport. The school issues current rates to applicants.
Is Jeddah Knowledge International School a good school?
JKS was founded in 1996 and was the first IB continuum school in the Kingdom, accredited by the Council of International Schools and NEASC. Whether it suits your child depends on whether you want the IB pathway and the option of a US high school diploma.
What curriculum does Jeddah Knowledge International School follow?
JKS offers the IB Primary Years, Middle Years and Diploma Programmes as a continuum, and students may also earn a NEASC accredited US high school diploma.
When do Jeddah Knowledge International School applications open?
The main intake follows the academic year. Apply ahead of the year you need a place, as the IB programmes are popular and grades fill early.
Where is Jeddah Knowledge International School located?
The school is in the As Salamah district of Jeddah. Confirm the current address and commute with the admissions team.
