Al Faris International School vs Manarat Al Riyadh International School

	A Al Faris International School Riyadh, Saudi Arabia	M Manarat Al Riyadh International School Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year SAR 42,000 - 50,000	Fees / year SAR 26,500 - 42,900
Age range	Age range 4 - 18 years	Age range 3 - 18 years
Type	Type —	Type —
Curriculum	Curriculum IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP), American Curriculum	Curriculum British Curriculum, American Curriculum
Pupils	Pupils 2,400	Pupils 3,700
Typical class size	Typical class size 20	Typical class size —
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened —	Opened —
Bus service	Bus service —	Bus service —
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location Al Faris International School is located in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in the Al-Taawun district near Imam Saud Road and Khan Younes Street. The Riyadh campus has moved to a new location at 3025 Al Harith Ibn Amira Street, Al Taawun District, Riyadh 12477. The surrounding area is a major residential/commercial neighbourhood with straightforward road access.	Location Manarat Al Riyadh International School (Boys) is located at Exit 8, North Ring Road, Janadel Street, Izdehar District, Riyadh 11481, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The school sits along a major Riyadh thoroughfare, providing straightforward access from surrounding neighbourhoods via the North Ring Road corridor. The address is a single-campus, boys-only site within the Maarif network in Riyadh.
Stages	Stages The school serves students from Pre-K (approximately age 3) through to Grade 12 (age 18). It offers the International Baccalaureate program across the PYP, MYP, and DP, with English as the language of instruction.	Stages The school operates from Kindergarten through Grade 12 (K-12). The Maarif network indicates a K-12 structure across its Manarat Riyadh campuses, with the option to choose between American and British curricula beginning in Grade 9.
School type	School type Al Faris International School is a Co-educational, day school. There is no indication of boarding facilities for any year group.	School type Manarat Al Riyadh International School runs in gender-segregated sections; the page referenced is for the Boys' division, and the Maarif network confirms separate Boys and Girls sections for the same grade ranges. There is no on-site boarding facility indicated.
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix A public breakdown of pupil nationalities is not published. The school serves a mix of local and international students, with an approximate pupil body size around 2,400 students.	Pupil nationality mix Pupil nationality mix data is not publicly disclosed. The admission policy states that students from all countries are welcome after passing the admission test.
Additional learning support	Additional learning support Public information about Additional Learning Needs (SEN) provisions is not listed on public pages. Families needing SEN support should contact admissions or the school directly for details.	Additional learning support SEN provision is not detailed on MRIS pages. Maarif has announced a multi-tier SEN support initiative in partnership with ACCEL at Manarat Riyadh School. Gifted/advanced learning programs (Ibdaa, Mawhiba, Mawhoob) are mentioned as part of broader learning supports.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation The school operates in Saudi Arabia and is not tied to a specific country; it is an IB World School offering PYP, MYP, and DP programs.	Country affiliation Affiliation: Part of the Maarif Education network in Saudi Arabia. The school offers American or British curricula, rather than a country-specific national curriculum.
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation There is no explicit religious affiliation listed for the school.	Religious affiliation Religious affiliation is not specified; MRIS operates as an international program within the Maarif network.
School day structure	School day structure The school day commonly starts around 7:30 am and ends around 2:30 pm, based on publicly available schedules.	School day structure Start and end times are not published in a single official page. Transport listings suggest early-morning pickups and daytime schedules; typical school days appear to run into the early afternoon, with bus departures around 5:30 am for trips and school hours commonly around 1:30–2:00 pm in various listings. Exact times vary by grade and term.
Bus service details	Bus service details The school operates its own transportation service. The fleet is maintained to high safety standards and vehicles are driven by trained professionals; rules include assigned bus routes, no guests on buses, and expectations for punctuality and conduct.	Bus service details Yes, the school offers a transportation service. Buses are modern, regularly maintained, and supervised by drivers and attendants; a tracking system is being installed to monitor movement. Zone A and Zone B options are available with round-trip and one-way fees listed for the year and semester; morning departures and afternoon returns are specified in the transport information.
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Application / Registration Fees - No fixed separate application fee amount is published for new applicants. New students are required to pay a first instalment at registration equal to 50% of the annual tuition (the equivalent of the first term payment for new enrolments). Tuition fees by year group (annual and per-term breakdown) - Annual tuition is charged by grade. The most current published fee bands are: - Kindergarten (KG2 / KG3): SAR 42,000 per year. - Grades 1–5: SAR 44,000 per year. - Grade 6: SAR 45,000 per year. - Grades 7–9: SAR 46,000 per year. - Grades 10–12: SAR 50,000 per year. - Per-term breakdown: tuition is payable in three equal instalments (three terms). Divide the annual tuition by three to obtain each term amount. For example, for a Grade 1 annual fee of SAR 44,000, each term instalment is SAR 14,666.67. The school requires instalment payments to be made ahead of each term. - Sibling discount: second enrolled child receives a 5% discount on tuition; third and subsequent children receive a 10% discount. - Additional IB Diploma fees: an additional SAR 10,000 is charged for Grade 11 (Year 1) and SAR 10,000 for Grade 12 (Year 2); this charge is applied in the IB diploma years as an extra programme fee. Billing schedule and payment terms - Standard billing: tuition and transportation fees are billed in three equal instalments per academic year. Instalment amounts are due 15 days before the start of each term. New registrations require the first instalment (50% of the annual tuition) to be paid in full at the time of registration. Failure to pay tuition as scheduled may result in withholding of the student's grades and may affect continued enrolment. VAT is added to tuition and transportation where applicable under Saudi law. Boarding fees - Boarding is not offered as a published service for Al Faris International School; no boarding fee schedule is listed. The school operates as a day school. Transportation (bus) fees - Annual bus (transportation) fee published: SAR 8,500 per year for the academic year referenced in the school's admissions information. Transportation is billed separately from tuition and subject to VAT. Transportation fees follow the same instalment and payment timing rules unless otherwise specified by the transportation department. Other charges and typical additional costs - Common additional charges that may apply (but no standard published amounts found) include: uniforms, books and learning resources, exam fees (external examination or IB exam fees), activity and extracurricular fees, and ad hoc trip or materials charges. Specific fixed amounts for uniforms, books, technology or activity fees are not published in the school's public fee summary. Refund information - No comprehensive public refund schedule or detailed refund table for tuition, registration, transportation or other fees was located in the school's published admissions/fee summary. The school's published material notes that fees are subject to change and that non-payment has academic consequences, but a specific refund policy (timelines, prorated refunds, refundable deposits) is not listed in the publicly available fee summary. Fee payment options - Bank transfer (wire) is accepted. Published bank details for transfers list: ARAB NATIONAL BANK, IBAN: SA9030400108056443360011, beneficiary name shown as AL FARIS INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL. VAT applies where required. - No explicit public listing of credit-card payment acceptance or online card payment portal was found in the school's fee summary; parents should assume bank transfer is the primary published method unless otherwise instructed by admissions/finance. Notes on enforcement and changes - The school states that fees are subject to change under school policy and that late or missed payments can lead to withholding of grades or other administrative actions. VAT is applied to tuition and transport in accordance with Saudi regulations. Instalment timing and enforcement are published as part of the admissions/fee information.	Fee details Application / Registration Fees - The school's public fee information does not publish a separate application or one‑time registration fee amount. Third‑party school fee aggregators report annual tuition figures but do not show a distinct, published application or registration fee on the school's public fee page. Tuition fees by year group (annual amounts in SAR) - Kindergarten 1 (age 3): SAR 26,500 (annual). - Kindergarten 2 (age 4): SAR 26,500 (annual). - Kindergarten 3 (age 5): SAR 28,350 (annual). - Grade 1 – Grade 6 (ages 6–11): SAR 33,600 (annual) for Grades 1–6, with Grade 1–6 shown at this level by the published fee table. - Grade 7 – Grade 8 (ages 12–13): SAR 39,250 (annual). - Grade 9 – Grade 12 (ages 14–18): SAR 42,900 (annual) for Grades 9–12. These annual figures are published as the school's current published annual tuition banding by grade on public school listings and fee aggregators. Reported annual fee tables are the basis for the figures above. Per‑term detail - Published fee information is presented as annual fees. The school's public fee pages and available published fee tables do not show a standardized per‑term charge or the number of instalments used for billing; therefore per‑term amounts are not published. Parents should note the fees above are annual totals. Billing schedule and payment terms - All fees are subject to VAT in accordance with Saudi Arabian regulations. - Payment methods published for fee collection: STC Pay QR code, cheque payable to "Maarif for Education", Mada Card, and the school's Direct Payment Service (online payment portal/payment dashboard). Payments are handled through the school collection department or the school's payment portal. - The school's public fee pages do not publish a detailed billing calendar (dates for re‑enrolment deposits, term due dates, or late‑payment penalties) in the openly posted fee summary. Boarding fees - No boarding provision or boarding fee schedule is listed for Manarat Al Riyadh International; the school is presented in public listings as a day international school, so boarding fees are not applicable. Other costs and miscellaneous charges - Tuition is stated to include textbooks, all materials, services and student activities (these items are covered within the published tuition). - Uniforms: uniforms are mandatory from kindergarten through high school and are provided to parents “at cost”; an online ordering service is available, but specific uniform price lists are not published on the public uniform page. Any uniform purchase cost is invoiced separately from tuition. - Transportation, lunch, specialized program fees, exam fees, or other ancillary charges are not itemized in the school's publicly posted fee summary. Third‑party listings focus on annual tuition and do not publish a comprehensive ancillary‑fee schedule on the public pages. If a separate charge for transport or meals applies it is not shown in the school's public fee summary. Refund information - The school's publicly available fee and policy pages do not include a detailed refund policy or explicit rules on refunds/proration for late withdrawal or mid‑year leaving in the fee summary accessible to the public. The school's policies section contains general policy headings but does not publish a specific refund table on the public pages. Fee payment options (methods accepted) - Accepted payment methods published by the school: STC Pay QR code, cheque payable to "Maarif for Education", Mada Card, and the Direct Payment Service (online/portal). The portal for direct payments is the school's fee collection dashboard. All payments processed locally are subject to VAT where applicable. Summary of availability of published information - The school's public fee summary confirms that published tuition amounts are annual and that tuition includes textbooks, materials and activities. The public fee summary and policy pages do not publish separate application/registration fees, a term‑by‑term billing schedule, detailed ancillary charges (transport, lunch, exam or activity fees), a boarding fee schedule, or a public refund/proration table. Where annual tuition numbers are required by grade, publicly accessible fee aggregators have published annual figures that match the banding shown in the school's public fee summary and related listings.
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements —	Boarding arrangements —
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement All students from PreK to Grade 12 must wear the full school uniform daily. Female students in Grades 8–12 are required to wear an abaya when entering and leaving the school.	Uniform requirement Uniforms are mandatory for all students from kindergarten through high school. The uniform carries the Maarif school logo and is worn to school and at school-organized events. Uniforms can be ordered online and are provided at cost.
Food options	Food options Lunch is available in the school's cafeterias. Students may bring a healthy meal from home or purchase from the canteen, which offers a variety of nutritious snacks and drinks.	Food options There is a canteen on campus. The canteen menu is managed via EduPage; the public Canteen menu page shows a 'Lunch' section but currently lists no specific items and requires login to view full details.
House system	House system —	House system —
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership The school is privately owned by Mrs. Sahar Al Marzouki, who serves as owner and director. It operates within the Al Faris International Schools network, which has campuses in Riyadh and AlUla.	Governance and ownership The school is part of Maarif Education. It operates under the Maarif network, with a Superintendent leading Manarat Riyadh International School.
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details Al Faris International School operates campuses in Riyadh and AlUla, offering international curricula under the Al Faris umbrella. [sources: turn1search0] The Riyadh campus is an IB World School delivering the full IB continuum (PYP, MYP, DP) with the option to pursue an American diploma pathway alongside the DP (SAT readiness subject to placement). [sources: turn1search2; turn1search9] The AlUla campus provides a Primary Years Programme for Grades 1–5, anchored in American CCSS in Math, English and Social Studies and NGSS in Science, with Arabic as a mother tongue and French introduced; the program also includes computer studies, robotics, art, and physical education. [sources: turn0search6; turn0search10] Across Al Faris, Approaches to Learning (ATL) skills are emphasized and instruction is differentiated to foster international-mindedness and real-world connections. [sources: turn0search2; turn0search6] At Grade 11, students may choose between IB DP, IB Course Certificate, or continue on the American pathway toward a U.S.-style diploma, with CAS and other DP components integrated into the Diploma Programme. [sources: turn0search5; turn1search11]	Curriculum details The school delivers a KG–12 program within national and international streams, with English as the main language of instruction and Arabic required by the Saudi MOE. French is taught from Grade 3 through Grade 8 as part of the curriculum. Reading and writing in English and Arabic are developed from early years, with early childhood described as play-based and developmentally appropriate. Mathematics and Science, together with National Identity subjects and an arts-and-life-skills curriculum, are taught across the grades, with technology-enabled learning including distance learning and 3D printing. Arts and humanities align with American standards, and learning outside the classroom is integrated through field trips and digital resources. For secondary students, qualifications and college-entrance preparation include AP courses, PSAT, SAT, and MAP assessments, with Mawhiba gifted pathways and an inclusion-focused support system, plus a focus on scholarships to prestigious international universities.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio —	Student teacher ratio —
Exam results	Exam results —	Exam results —
Higher education progression	Higher education progression —	Higher education progression Graduates commonly proceed to international universities, with scholarships supported by Maarif; the school emphasizes preparing students for higher education with university admissions guidance and AP/SAT pathways.
Gifted and talented	Gifted and talented —	Gifted and talented Gifted and talented programs are supported via the Mawhiba program and a dedicated gifted track; inclusion support is provided for students with special educational needs, including Kindergarten and Primary levels.
Academic calendar	Academic calendar —	Academic calendar —
Wellbeing & support	Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning	Social & emotional learning The school supports Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) through a Student Council that pursues initiatives aimed at engagement, teamwork, and student wellbeing. The council explicitly focuses on promoting a positive school environment and student wellbeing as part of its mission. The school also emphasizes a safe and supportive learning environment as a foundational right and responsibility for students. Policies address respectful behavior, safeguarding, and anti-bullying to foster SEL across the community. Overall, wellbeing is integrated into student life via student leadership and formal policies that support safe, respectful interactions. sources: turn5search1, turn4search6, turn5search2, turn6search6	Social & emotional learning Wellbeing is defined by the World Health Organization as a positive state that enables individuals and communities to thrive and contribute meaningfully. Maarif Education states that wellbeing is the foundation of its educational philosophy and that wellbeing is everyone's responsibility, with all staff having a duty of care to promote it. The school implements the Positive Education curriculum through the Educational Unit of the Maarif Wellbeing Department across the school year. All Maarif Education schools have medical clinics providing medical wellbeing support on campus, led by a doctor/paramedic/nurse, with a Medical Supervisor overseeing the wellbeing function across schools. All Maarif Education schools also offer mental health services delivered by qualified psychologists, with a Mental Health Supervisor coordinating this work across schools.
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) The school clinic is staffed by registered nurses and provides care for minor illnesses and injuries, and direct services for students with special needs. Anti-bullying measures and safeguarding guidelines are in place to support inclusive education. The publicly disclosed information does not specify which kinds of Special Educational Needs the school can support, nor whether it operates as a specialist SEN institution. The policies indicate an aim to support diverse learning needs within a safe environment. The school does not publicly disclose information regarding being a specialist SEN institution. sources: turn5search3, turn6search6, turn4search6	Special educational needs (SEN) Maarif's Inclusion Department runs an Inclusion Program that designs customized educational plans to address each student's strengths and needs. The program provides intervention for emotional and social difficulties; learning disabilities including dyslexia, dyscalculia and dysgraphia; neurodevelopmental disabilities including ADHD and ASD; and school-based Occupational Therapy and Speech and Language Therapy. The inclusion program is delivered by highly qualified and trained academic staff in a fully inclusive learning environment. The Inclusion Department includes leadership such as Head of Inclusion and Special Education Lead; inquiries can be directed to these roles. The network also runs the ACCEL program for SEN students (in Riyadh Girls Section) and offers after-school remediation plus differentiated instruction in regular classrooms.
English as an additional language	English as an additional language The primary language of instruction is English, with Arabic taught as the mother tongue and French introduced as a supplementary language. Publicly disclosed information does not describe a dedicated EAL programme or staff specifically for English as an Additional Language. The AlUla campus materials reinforce English as the main language of instruction and present a multilingual approach with Arabic and French. There is no detailed public description of separate EAL provisions. language policy notes include multilingual elements but do not specify an EAL department. sources: turn6search0, turn6search7	English as an additional language The school does not publicly disclose information regarding EAL support. The MRIS public materials indicate that it offers American and British curricula (which are typically English‑medium) but do not specify language support for EAL. No explicit EAL policy or staff details are described on MRIS pages. Consequently, explicit EAL provisions are not publicly published. For explicit EAL details, direct confirmation from the school would be required.
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing Mental wellbeing is referenced through the Student Council's mission to promote wellbeing and a supportive environment. The Rights and Responsibilities emphasize a safe and supportive learning environment for student growth. Attendance guidance notes that the school is attentive to the health and wellbeing of students. The clinic provides care for minor illnesses and direct services for students with special needs, contributing to overall student wellbeing. These elements collectively show explicit attention to mental and emotional wellbeing within school practices. sources: turn5search1, turn4search6, turn5search2, turn5search3	Mental wellbeing Mental health wellbeing support is provided at MRIS by a Mental Health Unit consisting of qualified psychologists, with a Mental Health Supervisor coordinating the service across schools. The Wellbeing Department includes an Educational Unit responsible for delivering the Positive Education curriculum and a Medical Unit operating on-campus clinics for wellbeing needs. The Positive Education curriculum includes mindfulness and wellbeing practices across Maarif schools. The Wellbeing framework is designed to develop students' social, emotional, physical, spiritual and personal health, with access to mental health services on campus.
Safeguarding	Safeguarding Safeguarding and safe conduct are articulated through a Code of Conduct that references a Safe School Policy and measures against cyber misconduct. Policies also address harassment, bullying, and respectful behavior to protect students. The school's safeguarding framework is further supported by anti-bullying measures and general policies on safety and conduct. The clinic and health policies also support safeguarding by ensuring proper care and notification in medical situations. Overall, safeguarding is established through formal conduct codes, health provisions, and behavior policies. sources: turn4search0, turn6search6, turn5search3	Safeguarding Safeguarding describes measures to promote and protect the health, wellbeing and human rights of every individual under the school's care, and safeguarding is everyone's responsibility at Maarif Education. There are formal policies including a Safeguarding Policy, an Occupational Health and Safety Policy, a Child Protection Policy and a Wellbeing Policy, and Maarif Education is ISO 45001:2018 compliant for OH&S. An international standard child protection framework is implemented across Maarif Education schools, including dedicated Child Protection Officers, Child Protection Committees, annual staff training, and parent and student awareness sessions, and a confidential online child protection reporting system to report incidents. The Head of Safeguarding provides strategic leadership for safeguarding across Maarif Education.
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview Al Faris International School has a dedicated physical education and arts complex that includes a gymnasium, an outdoor soccer field, an inner sports courtyard, two indoor swimming pools, and gymnastics/ballet rooms for physical education and after-school activities. The Al Faris Academy offers classes in swimming, basketball, gymnastics, karate, and soccer. The campus participates in inter-school competition through the International Schools Sports League in Riyadh (ISSL-R). Facilities are used for physical education, school sports competitions, and after-school activities. The overall layout supports holistic development with spaces for training, practice, and events.	Facilities overview Manarat Al Riyadh International School is part of Maarif Education and has over 50 years of experience, supported by the latest learning technologies to foster student creativity. The school uses 21st‑century classrooms and a range of teaching methods, including project-based learning, flipped classrooms, inquiry-based learning, virtual labs, and collaborative learning. The Early Childhood Department is being developed to ensure play-based, developmentally appropriate learning aligned with international best practices. An Inclusion Support Team provides care and support for students with special educational needs, especially in Kindergarten and Primary. Life and soft skills are built through volunteering opportunities, and parental engagement is emphasized as part of the school's approach.
Sports facilities	Sports facilities The school's sports facilities include a gymnasium, an outdoor soccer field, an inner sports courtyard, two indoor swimming pools, and gymnastics/ballet rooms for training and PE. Al Faris International School participates in inter-school competitions through ISSL-R, with teams in volleyball, soccer, table tennis, basketball, swimming, track and field, and badminton. These spaces support after-school programs and school-level competitions. The Extracurricular program includes swimming, karate, soccer, gymnastics, ballet, drawing/arts and crafts, and Holy Qur'an classes to complement athletic activities.	Sports facilities Maarif Sports Club provides unlimited sports opportunities for students and was established in 2022 as part of Maarif Education, approved by the Ministry of Sports. The sports strategy aims to encourage mass participation in regular physical activity and to create pathways for elite athletes, aligning with Saudi Vision 2030. The Sport Coordinator for the Central Region oversees activities and is based at Manarat Riyadh School. The program includes athletics as a key area of focus for students. The sports club advances a broad suite of programs across Maarif Schools to support student development in sports.
Academic facilities	Academic facilities —	Academic facilities Manarat Riyadh International School offers American, British, or both curricula across K–12, with MRIS/MKhIS/MJIS generally serving the American stream and incorporating elements of the British curriculum. In secondary education, both American and British curricula are offered starting in Grade 9. External examinations include Cambridge CAIE, IGCSE, and A-Levels for the British stream; for the American stream, SATs, PSATs, and AP are offered, with Qudrat and Tahseeli administered at some branches. The school is licensed by the Saudi Ministry of Education and is Cognia-accredited for international accreditation. Communication with parents is via Email, SMS, WhatsApp, and PowerSchool (LMS), with MAP testing aligned to grade levels and periodic reporting.
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities After-school offerings include swimming, karate, soccer, gymnastics, ballet, drawing/arts and crafts, and Holy Qur'an classes. Students regularly participate in both school and inter-school sports tournaments through the ISSL-R network.	Extra curricular facilities Specialized programs for high school include AP, SAT, Qudrat, and Tahsili, along with gifted programs Mawhiba, Mawhoob, and Ibdaa. Co-curricular activities include spelling bees, public speaking, math days, science days, Quran recitation, and debates, with extra-curricular offerings in music, sports, and community service. The school hosts field trips, exhibitions, awareness campaigns, and national and international competitions. After-school clubs are available, and volunteering opportunities are encouraged to develop leadership and community engagement.
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History Al Faris International School was established in 2004. It is an IB World School authorized to offer the PYP, MYP and DP programs. The Riyadh campus was moved to 3025 Al Harith Ibn Amira Street in the Al Taawun District, Riyadh 12477. The school is part of a broader Al Faris network that includes campuses such as Al Faris International School in Al Ula. The owner and director is Mrs. Sahar Al Marzouki.	History Manarat Riyadh International School is part of Maarif Education, a long-established Saudi educational network. Maarif Education has more than forty-eight years of experience in education and training and operates a network of schools across the kingdom, including Manarat schools. The school is governed within Maarif's framework, with Superintendent Areej AlTuwaijri leading Manarat Riyadh International School. Maarif emphasizes a national and international education approach, inclusion, gifted education, and well-being across its schools, including MRIS. Enrichment activities such as TEDx events and the Maarif Entrepreneurship Camp illustrate MRIS's engagement with broader educational initiatives.
Community	Community Al Faris International School describes itself as fostering a diverse and inclusive community with a global perspective. The school provides multilingual education with English as the main language and Arabic and French as part of its language offerings. Community engagement includes alumni networks and other programs that extend beyond the classroom, as seen on its Al Ula campus materials. Parent participation is encouraged as part of the school's mission to build mutual trust and collaboration between staff, students, and families.	Community The school emphasizes Arabic language and cultural programs, including hosting an inter-school Quran Competition. The campus also hosts TEDx events, such as TEDx MRS 2024, reflecting opportunities for students to engage with global ideas. Enrichment activities include the Maarif Entrepreneurship Camp and a range of after-school clubs. Parent involvement is encouraged through formal channels and a broader Maarif commitment to parent partnerships, including a School Calendar and a Parents' Gateway.
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association Publicly available information shows the school uses formal channels for parent engagement, including a dedicated parent portal and a student management system. Parents can receive school messages, view marks, and arrange meetings via the mobile app and portal, and semester-based parent–teacher meetings are scheduled to discuss student progress. Enrollment and admissions require parent accounts in the system, reinforcing ongoing parent involvement. The school emphasizes parent participation as part of its mission to foster mutual trust and collaboration between staff, students, and families. A standalone PTA page is not publicly visible in the available materials, and engagement is primarily facilitated through the parent portal, the student management system, and scheduled meetings.	Parent teacher association There is no dedicated PTA page published for Manarat Riyadh International School; parent involvement is described through Maarif Education's broader parent-partnership framework. Maarif describes a robust partnership with parents as a core driver of school development. Parent-facing channels include the School Calendar, Parents' Gateway, and Policies to facilitate involvement and feedback. Enrichment programs such as Maarif Entrepreneurship Camp and After School Clubs include opportunities for parent participation and volunteering. Parent communications and newsletters are part of the MRIS/Maarif framework. Maarif emphasizes parent engagement as a pathway to student leadership and community service.
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual Model United Nations (MUN) is offered for Grades 9-12 and launched in 2018-19, providing a forum for students to research global issues, debate, and develop public speaking and diplomatic skills. The CAS program, part of the IB Diploma Programme core, emphasizes Creativity, Activity, and Service, enabling students to gain skills and address community needs through activities such as reading initiatives, health awareness campaigns, hospital visits, and tutoring. The school promotes intellectual growth through reading initiatives (including a used book sale) and participation in school and inter-school competitions, alongside the student-run FIS Pulse newsletter.	Academic & intellectual Manarat Al Riyadh International School is part of Maarif Education and operates in Riyadh. It emphasizes enhancing teaching interactivity across all grade levels, improving core academic skills as reflected in assessments such as NAFS, Qudurat, Tahsili, PSAT, SAT, AP, and MAP, and prioritizing student mental health and well-being through a Dean of Well-being. It also focuses on student ownership of the school environment, support for gifted and talented learners through Mawhiba, inclusion for students with special educational needs, and development of an Early Childhood Department that uses play-based, developmentally appropriate approaches.
Arts & creative	Arts & creative The after-school program includes drawing, arts and crafts and other creative activities. The cinematography club focuses on storytelling through light and involves creating short films, event skits, and edits. CAS initiatives include creating an art gallery in the school basement and ongoing art-focused projects that foster creativity.	Arts & creative The school supports community through volunteering opportunities and offers co-curricular and extra-curricular activities, including programs in music, sports, and community service. It hosts activities and exhibitions and engages students in fields such as public speaking, art, and creative projects.
Cultural & language	Cultural & language —	Cultural & language Arabic language is an integral part of the curricula, and the school is noted as the only one hosting an inter-schools Quran Competition. The school also emphasizes cultural values within its international education framework.
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies Clubs include a crochet club, tutoring club, sports club, and cinematography club. The after-school program includes drawing/arts and crafts, providing creative outlets and social engagement opportunities for students. These clubs foster teamwork, collaboration, and peer connection within the school community.	Social & hobbies The school maintains a strong partnership with parents and encourages student involvement in activities outside the classroom, including field trips and various student-led initiatives that reinforce collaboration and leadership.
Community & service	Community & service Community service and outreach are central to CAS, with initiatives including aiding Azraq refugees, health awareness campaigns, cancer campaigns, and ongoing community engagement. Students participate in visits to hospitals and community centers for children and the elderly, supporting vulnerable groups. Additional service activities include tutoring younger students and organizing reading initiatives to benefit the broader community.	Community & service Community service programs are part of the school ethos, with a focus on developing empathy and social responsibility through volunteering and service opportunities.
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional Model United Nations provides a platform for debate, diplomacy, and leadership development, helping students build research, negotiation, and public speaking skills. Participation in MUN enhances global awareness and collaborative leadership abilities. CAS participation and school-led initiatives such as the FIS Pulse newsletter offer opportunities for student leadership and initiative in school life.	Leadership & professional The school supports leadership and professional development through programs for gifted students (Mawhiba, Mawhoob, Ibdaa) and initiatives that foster ownership, leadership, and responsibility among students.
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing The athletics program includes soccer, volleyball, basketball, swimming, karate, handball, table tennis, gymnastics, and dance. Facilities include a gymnasium, outdoor soccer field, inner sports courtyard, two indoor swimming pools, and dedicated spaces for gymnastics and ballet. The school is a member of the International Schools Sports League in Riyadh (ISSL-R), competing in middle school, junior varsity, and varsity tournaments. The after-school program offers swimming, karate, soccer, gymnastics, and ballet as part of promoting physical health and well-being.	Lifestyle & wellbeing Mental health and well-being are prioritized via the Dean of Well-being, with a focus on creating a positive, inclusive school culture that supports student wellness and belonging.
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision Arabic language instruction is strong; Islamic studies and regional History and Geography are included in the curriculum; The curriculum is based on American Common Core State Standards and the school is fully authorized in IB PYP, MYP, and DP.	Language provision MRIS offers American and British curricula. K-8 is predominantly American, though the British curriculum is briefly introduced in the intermediate stage. Grades 9-12 offer both the American and the British curricula starting grade 9. External exams and assessments include Cambridge-CAIE, IGCSE and A-Levels (British stream) and College Board SATs, PSATs, and AP (American stream).
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching —	Bilingual teaching —
Immersion programs	Immersion programs —	Immersion programs —
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards —	Awards null
Accreditations	Accreditations —	Accreditations The school is part of Maarif Education. Accreditation materials describe a global network supporting continuous school improvement, and claim local or Middle Eastern accreditation for Maarif, with a third accreditation outside the United States.
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions 1. Connect. Fill out the information form and the Student Affairs Office will contact you. Inquiries by telephone and email are welcome, and you can visit the school Sunday through Thursday from 8:00 am until 1:30 pm. Appointments are not required, except for school tours which must be scheduled in advance. 2. Evaluation. All applicants complete the admissions assessment to evaluate English language proficiency, mathematics, and knowledge of basic sciences. For KGI and KGII applicants, developmentally appropriate tests are provided. Passing the assessment is required for admission, and results are forwarded to the deputy principal for the final decision. Prospective students also participate in an interview with the school counselor and department head or program coordinator, and the school conducts interviews with parents. 3. Registration. Upon acceptance, parents create a Parent Portal account and are directed to the student information system. Use the temporary credentials (email as username and a password you create) to register the student online. Save the four-digit registration number for the registrar. Note the required documents if transferring from another region in Saudi Arabia or from abroad.	Admissions 1. Registration procedures: There are two ways for parents to register their children: by visiting the school to fill the application form, or by registering online via enquiry.maarif.sa and then visiting the school to complete the application. An interview and admission test are conducted as part of the process. All required documents must be submitted to complete the student file. Tuition for the first term must be paid, and enrollment is confirmed when the school issues the enrollment confirmation. 2. Registration requirements: Registration requires several documents: the student's birth certificate, National ID for Saudis or Resident ID for non-Saudis, and Iqama or passports for non-Saudis. A Saudi family card and vaccination certificate are also required, along with a health record or health screening form in certain cases. For transfers within the Kingdom, a Noor transfer and a statement that the student is not a fee defaulter are needed, plus the original last progress card and financial clearance from the former school if it is private. Four photos are required for KG, and if a student under 6 applies to Grade 1, a certificate of attendance and a kindergarten recommendation are required. 3. Enrollment confirmation: Payment of the first-term tuition completes the financial requirement. The student's file must be complete with all required documents to proceed. Enrollment is confirmed once the school issues the enrollment confirmation. The enrollment confirmation finalizes the process.
Scholarships	Scholarships —	Scholarships —
Waitlist	Waitlist —	Waitlist —
	View full profile →	View full profile →