At a glance
The KAUST School opened in 2009 alongside the university it serves, and grew quickly into a large campus school for the children of academics, researchers and staff drawn to King Abdullah University of Science and Technology from around the world. It runs the three International Baccalaureate programmes end to end, which is unusual in the Kingdom, and its community is one of the most international you will find near Jeddah. You can set it against the wider market through our Jeddah city hub.
| Detail | Summary |
|---|---|
| Curriculum and exam boards | International Baccalaureate PYP, MYP and Diploma Programme |
| Stages | Kindergarten through Grade 12 |
| Founded | 2009 (with the university) |
| Accreditation | Authorised IB World School; NEASC accredited; Council of International Schools |
| Fee band | Premium (SAR 60,400 to SAR 101,430 for 2025/26) |
| Campus area | KAUST campus, Thuwal, north of Jeddah |
Curriculum and academics
The KAUST School follows the International Baccalaureate as a continuum. The youngest pupils begin in the Primary Years Programme, which frames early learning around inquiry and transdisciplinary units of study. Pupils move into the Middle Years Programme in the lower secondary school, then into the two year Diploma Programme in Grades 11 and 12. Running all three IB programmes in one place is rare in Saudi Arabia and gives families a single coherent pathway rather than a change of system at each stage. The school teaches in English and supports the many languages its pupils bring from home. As an authorised IB World School it is evaluated by the International Baccalaureate Organisation, and it also holds accreditation from the New England Association of Schools and Colleges and the Council of International Schools. We describe the programme in the terms the school uses and do not publish examination averages we cannot verify, so ask the admissions office for recent Diploma results and university destinations before you decide.
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The KAUST School fees
The KAUST School publishes its fees, which is helpful for families planning a move. For the 2025/26 year annual tuition runs from about SAR 60,400 in the youngest kindergarten year to around SAR 101,430 in the senior grades, placing the school in the premium band for the region. That range reflects the full IB provision and the campus resources the university funds. Priority and subsidised places are offered to the children of university employees, so the published rate is not what every family pays. Beyond tuition, budget for registration, assessment and any optional items such as transport where it applies. You can put the band in context through our guide to international school fees in Jeddah and the Jeddah secondary fees page, or line it up against other Diploma schools with our school finder.
Admissions
Admission is managed centrally for the campus community, with priority given to families relocating to work at the university and remaining places offered where space allows. The academic year runs on an August to June calendar with the main intake in August, and applications are considered across the year as staff arrive. Assessment is age appropriate, with readiness observation for the youngest children and curriculum based review of English and mathematics for older applicants alongside previous school reports. Because places are tied closely to campus employment, families moving to the KAUST community should begin the process as soon as their relocation is confirmed.
Location and who goes there
The school stands on the gated KAUST campus at Thuwal, on the Red Sea about eighty kilometres north of central Jeddah, so most pupils live within the same community and walk or take a short bus ride to class. That setting gives the school an unusually settled and international feel, with families drawn from the sciences, engineering and research. For families who work in the city rather than on campus the commute is long, so it is worth weighing location against the pull of the IB pathway. To compare it with schools closer to the city, return to the Jeddah city hub or read our roundup of the best IB schools in Jeddah, and see how it sits beside the British International School of 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 The KAUST 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 The KAUST School fees?
The KAUST School publishes its fees. For the 2025/26 year annual tuition runs from about SAR 60,400 in the youngest kindergarten year to around SAR 101,430 in the senior grades, which places it in the premium band. Priority and subsidised places apply to the children of university employees, and families should budget separately for registration and assessment.
Is The KAUST School a good school?
The KAUST School is one of the few schools in Saudi Arabia to run all three International Baccalaureate programmes, and it is accredited by NEASC and the Council of International Schools. Whether it suits your child depends on the IB pathway you want, your budget and whether you live on or near the university campus at Thuwal.
What curriculum does The KAUST School follow?
The school teaches the International Baccalaureate continuum: the Primary Years Programme, the Middle Years Programme and the two year Diploma Programme in the senior school, all taught in English.
Where is The KAUST School located?
The school is on the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology campus at Thuwal, on the Red Sea coast about eighty kilometres north of central Jeddah.
When do The KAUST School applications open?
The academic year runs from August to June with the main intake in August. Applications are considered across the year, with priority for families relocating to work at the university.
