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CBSE / Indian Curriculum International Schools in Saudi Arabia

Edited by · B2C Marketing Manager

About international schools in Saudi Arabia

CBSE and other Indian-curriculum schools in Saudi Arabia form a large, community-centred sector that primarily serves the country’s Indian expatriate population and is widely available in Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and other regional centres. Most of these schools follow the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) syllabus with English as the medium of instruction; schools also teach Arabic (and, where applicable, Islamic Studies) to meet Saudi Ministry requirements, and many offer Indian mother-tongue options alongside English. Tuition levels vary widely between cities and institutions; published directory data show annual fees for CBSE schools in the Kingdom running from the low thousands of Saudi riyals up to over SAR 33,000, with mid-range averages around SAR 11,000 - 12,000. Admissions follow the school-year cycle, with the bulk of applications before a new year begins; parents should budget separately for registration charges, transport, uniforms, textbooks and examination fees and have passports, visa paperwork, previous reports and a transfer certificate ready when they apply.

Compare 36 CBSE / Indian Curriculum international schools in Saudi Arabia. Filter by curriculum, fees (average SAR 10,616), location, and more to find the right international school now.

At a glance 36 schools · avg fee SAR 10,616
Schools listed
36
Curricula
8
Average annual fee
SAR 10,616
Fee range
SAR 506 – 33,700
Most common curriculum
Indian Curriculum (24 schools)
Average school size
1,548 pupils
Largest by enrolment
Yara International School
Oldest
International Indian School Jeddah - Boys Section (1969)

Read our parent's guide to the CBSE / Indian Curriculum →

14 international schools in Riyadh

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4 international schools in Yanbu

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4 international schools in Jeddah

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3 international schools in Dammam

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2 international schools in Khamis Mushait

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2 international schools in Al Hofuf

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1 international school in Jubail

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1 international school in Makkah

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1 international school in Rabigh

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1 international school in Al Kharj

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1 international school in Buraydah

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1 international school in Tabuk

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1 international school in Taif

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FAQs for Saudi Arabia

How does the CBSE curriculum used in Saudi schools differ from British or IB curricula?
CBSE is India’s national board and is structured around a subject-based syllabus with standardised board examinations at the end of Grade 10 and Grade 12; assessment places greater emphasis on end-of-year examinations than many IB programmes and some British models. Families moving from India will find subject choices and exam formats familiar, while those coming from other systems should expect a more exam-focused sequence and should ask schools how they support transitions and language needs.
What languages will my child learn at a CBSE school in Saudi Arabia?
English is normally the medium of instruction in CBSE schools across the Kingdom, while Arabic is taught to fulfil local requirements and basic spoken Arabic is usually part of the timetable. Many Indian-curriculum schools also offer Indian languages (for example Hindi or regional languages) or mother-tongue support where there is sufficient demand, and Muslim students may have Islamic Studies as a compulsory subject in line with local rules.
How much should we expect to pay each year?
Fees vary a lot by city, school type and facilities: community-run Indian schools are often at the lower end of the scale, while private international variants charge more. Recent fee listings for CBSE schools in Saudi Arabia show annual tuition spanning from only a few thousand Saudi riyals at the most affordable schools up to above SAR 33,000 at the higher end, with many schools clustered in the mid range; remember to add one-off registration charges, transport costs, uniforms and exam fees to your budget.
When should we apply and what documents are usually required?
Apply as early as possible for the new academic year because the most popular schools fill quickly; many families begin enquiries months before relocation and formal applications often close in the weeks leading up to term start. Schools commonly require passport and visa copies, the child’s birth certificate, previous school reports, a Transfer Certificate from the last school and immunisation records, and some schools also run placement or language assessments for admission.
What ages and stages do CBSE schools cover, and what exams will my child take?
Most CBSE schools in Saudi Arabia offer full K - 12 provision from kindergarten through Grade 12, with national CBSE board exams taken by students at the end of Grade 10 (board-level certification) and Grade 12 (higher secondary certificate). If your child is in a transfer year, confirm with the school how they handle equivalence, subject choice and CBSE registration so the student remains eligible for board examinations.
What should I look for when comparing CBSE schools in the Kingdom?
Check that the school is properly affiliated to CBSE and approved by the Saudi Ministry of Education, ask for a clear breakdown of all fees and refund policies, review class sizes and English-language support, and look at how the school handles board exam preparation and extra-curricular opportunities. Also confirm practical arrangements - transport routes, school calendar and holiday dates, medical and safeguarding policies - and request recent sample reports or references so you can compare academic and pastoral standards before you commit.
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