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Al Faris International School

Saudi Arabia, Riyadh

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees SAR 42,000 - 50,000
Ages 4 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 2400
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP), American Curriculum
Typical class size 20
Introduction

Al Faris International School is an international day school in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, offering the full IB continuum (PYP, MYP and DP) alongside an American/SAT pathway for senior students. It serves learners from early years through secondary (filed ages 4 to 18) and publishes programme information for Early Years, Primary (PYP), Middle (MYP) and the Diploma (DP). English is the primary language of instruction; Arabic is taught as the mother tongue and Islamic studies are included in the curriculum, with French offered as a supplementary modern language. The school's IB programmes emphasise approaches to learning, community service (CAS), the MYP Personal Project and DP core requirements; students also run extracurricular activities such as Model United Nations and TEDx Youth. Published information lists sports and physical-education facilities including a gymnasium, an outdoor football pitch, an inner sports courtyard, two indoor swimming pools and dedicated gymnastics/ballet rooms, and notes participation in inter-school competitions through the International Schools Sports League in Riyadh.

3025 Al Harith Ibn Umairah, At Taawun، 7555, Riyadh 12477, Saudi Arabia

The Essentials

Al Faris International School has 2,400 pupils, typical class sizes of 20, instruction in English.

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.

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.

Type

Al Faris International School is a Co-educational, day school. There is no indication of boarding facilities for any year group.

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.

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.

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.

Religious affiliation

There is no explicit religious affiliation listed for the school.

School day structure

The school day commonly starts around 7:30 am and ends around 2:30 pm, based on publicly available schedules.

Bus service

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.
Diving Deeper

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.

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.

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.
Fees

Annual tuition at Al Faris International School ranges from SAR 42,000 to SAR 50,000 for 2026/27.

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.
Academics

Al Faris International School teaches IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP), American Curriculum for students aged 4 to 18.

Curriculum

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]
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)

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

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

English as an Additional Language (EAL)

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

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

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
Parent Experience

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.

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.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)

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.
Facilities

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.

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.

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 Activities

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.
Languages

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.
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.
School Events
The school has not added events