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OWIS American Academy

Saudi Arabia, Riyadh

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees SAR 27,800 - 42,200
Ages 3 - 11 years
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum American Curriculum
Typical class size 24
Introduction

OWIS American Academy in Riyadh is an international primary school offering an American curriculum for children aged 3 to 11. The school delivers an American programme aligned with the Common Core Standards and the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) from Pre‑KG to Grade 5, and is part of the One World / Global Schools Group network. English is the primary language of instruction; the programme includes Arabic from Pre‑KG and Arabic and Islamic Studies (and KSA social studies where required) for Muslim students from Grade 1, while French is also offered. The campus includes spacious classrooms, indoor sports facilities and football fields, together with specialised learning spaces such as a Nikon Lab, a Black Box Theatre and STEAM laboratories. The school emphasises hands‑on, future‑focused learning — including design thinking and entrepreneurship — and a values‑driven, kindness‑centred approach within its international programme.

Building No 2517, Al Muruj, Olaya St, Riyadh 13334, Saudi Arabia

The Essentials

OWIS American Academy has typical class sizes of 24, instruction in English.

Location

OWIS American Academy Riyadh is in the Al Muruj district of Riyadh, with the campus located on Olaya Street and Mann Street. The exact address is Al Muruj, Olaya Street, Mann Street, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. It is near Exit 9 on King Khalid Road, providing convenient access to major city routes and public transport. The school sits in a central Riyadh area with straightforward road connections to surrounding neighbourhoods.

Stages

OWIS American Academy Riyadh is described as serving Pre-KG to Grade 5. The campus materials indicate a focus on Early Years through Elementary levels, aligned with an American curriculum. (Pre-KG to Grade 5)

Type

The school operates as a day school. It offers programmes from Pre-KG through at least Grade 5, with daily schedules shown for Pre-KG to Grade 5 and Grade 1 to Grade 9 on related pages. There is no indication of boarding facilities.

Pupil Nationality Mix

The OWIS Global Schools Group notes a diverse student body across its campuses, with about 70 nationalities represented. In addition, Parent Essentials describes a community of students and families from over 50 countries. The exact local-to-international ratio is not published.

Additional learning support

Inclusion is a stated priority, with provisions for academic and non‑academic support to help diverse learners succeed. The school describes reinforcement sessions and inclusive practices as part of its learning environment.

Country affiliation

The academy follows an American curriculum and is part of the Global Schools Group network. It does not cite a formal country-specific affiliation beyond its American curriculum framework.

Religious affiliation

There is no explicit religious affiliation stated. Arabic and Islamic studies are included in the curriculum as required by Saudi Ministry guidelines.

School day structure

Pre-KG–KG2 attend Sunday to Wednesday from 7:30am to 1:00pm and Thursday 7:30am–12:00pm. Grades 1–5 (and beyond in related OWIS materials) run Sunday to Wednesday from 7:30am to 3:00pm and Thursday 7:30am–12:00pm.

Bus service

OWIS Riyadh provides school bus transportation with routes across most major Riyadh residential areas. Transport policies and a dedicated bus service are published, and annual bus fees apply. The current bus fee is SAR 7,000 per year (two-way) with increases to SAR 7,500 for the 2025–26 academic year.
Diving Deeper

Uniform Requirement

A school uniform is required; uniforms can be purchased through the school office.

Food Options

Lunch is available through the school cafeteria; students may also bring packed lunches.

House System

The school has a house system with four houses: Willow, Wisteria, Flame, and Acacia.

Governance and Ownership

OWIS American Academy is part of Global Schools Group (GSG) and operates within the One World Schools network.
Fees

Annual tuition at OWIS American Academy ranges from SAR 27,800 to SAR 42,200 for 2026/27.

Application and one‑time fees
- Application Fee: SAR 500 (one‑time).
- Registration Fee: SAR 3,000 (one‑time).

Tuition fees by year group (per term and annual totals)
- Pre‑KG
- Term 1 (Sep–Dec): SAR 11,120.
- Term 2 (Jan–Mar): SAR 8,340.
- Term 3 (Apr–Jun): SAR 8,340.
- Annual total: SAR 27,800.

- KG 1
- Term 1 (Sep–Dec): SAR 12,200.
- Term 2 (Jan–Mar): SAR 9,150.
- Term 3 (Apr–Jun): SAR 9,150.
- Annual total: SAR 30,500.

- KG 2
- Term 1 (Sep–Dec): SAR 13,280.
- Term 2 (Jan–Mar): SAR 9,960.
- Term 3 (Apr–Jun): SAR 9,960.
- Annual total: SAR 33,200.

- Grades 1–5
- Term 1 (Sep–Dec): SAR 14,520.
- Term 2 (Jan–Mar): SAR 10,890.
- Term 3 (Apr–Jun): SAR 10,890.
- Annual total: SAR 36,300.

Billing schedule and payment terms
- The school operates a three‑term academic billing cycle: Term 1 (Sep–Dec), Term 2 (Jan–Mar) and Term 3 (Apr–Jun).
- Fees are charged on a term basis and are stated as term‑based, non‑refundable.
- The school offers the option to pay annual tuition in three instalments.

Boarding fees
- Boarding is not offered for this campus / no boarding fees are listed in the fee schedule for this campus.

Other compulsory and recurring costs
- Annual Technology Fee (KG1 to Grade 9 reference): SAR 2,200 per year (technology/device provision).
- Bus (transport) fee: SAR 750 per month (bus service is charged separately from tuition).
- Uniform fee (examples shown in the schedule vary by year group):
- Pre‑KG: SAR 565.
- Grades 1–5: amounts shown for those grade bands include uniform fees (example values in the schedule include SAR 652 for Grades 1–5 in parts of the published fee schedule).
- Books fee (examples by year group shown in the schedule):
- Pre‑KG example: SAR 1,348.
- Grades 1–5 examples: SAR values shown in the schedule range (e.g., SAR 1,391–1,435) depending on year group.
- Activity fee (example shown): SAR 435.

VAT, discounts and special offers
- VAT is applicable to annual fees for resident students, excluding Saudi citizens.
- A special offer (discount) is identified in the published fee material (example: a 7.5% tuition discount is listed as an OWIS special offer).

Refund information
- Term fees are specified as term‑based and non‑refundable. The published fee schedule marks term charges as non‑refundable.

Fee payment options
- Accepted payment modes shown include: Cash, Cheque and Debit Card / Credit Card.
- Bank transfer is not listed among the primary payment modes in the published fee information. VAT treatment for resident and non‑resident students is shown separately.

Notes on inclusions
- The tuition figures listed above cover tuition only; transport, technology, uniform, books and activity charges are shown separately in the fee schedule.
Academics

OWIS American Academy teaches American Curriculum for students aged 3 to 11.

Curriculum

OWIS American Academy Riyadh offers a launching Pre-KG to Grade 5 program built on an American curriculum centered on California Common Core Standards and the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). Arabic and Islamic Studies are provided in line with MOE requirements, with Arabic language instruction available from Pre-KG and more extensive Arabic/Islamic classes from Grade 1. The Primary School operates under an IB PYP framework alongside the American curriculum, emphasizing inquiry-based learning and global-mindedness. In Middle School (Grades 6–8), subjects include English, Math, Science, Digital Literacy, Art, Music, PE, and World Languages (French and Chinese), with MOE Arabic and Islamic Studies and KSA Social Studies also taught. In High School, graduation requires a structured set of credits across English, Math, Science, World Language, Arabic/Islamic Studies or TA/Independent Research, PE, Geography, Visual/Performing Arts, and electives, with a detailed credits breakdown available for core and elective areas. Instruction is in English, with additional language options and MOE-aligned Arabic and Islamic studies; the Riyadh academic year runs January to December.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)

OWIS American Academy supports Social and Emotional Learning through a values-driven approach that emphasizes kindness, empathy, collaboration, and social responsibility, helping students form positive relationships; this is reinforced by staff through ongoing professional development and Professional Learning Communities.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)

The school does not publicly disclose information regarding Special Educational Needs (SEN) provision.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)

OWIS American Academy provides Language Bridging and Support for English Language Learners within an English-medium program, with Arabic and Islamic Studies taught in Arabic.

Mental Wellbeing

Mental wellbeing is supported through a Safe and Secure Environment with safety measures embedded into all aspects of school life and proactive monitoring, reflecting a strong culture of care.

Safeguarding

Safeguarding and child protection are embedded in school life, with safety measures guided by internationally benchmarked protocols.
Parent Experience

History

OWIS American Academy Riyadh is the latest campus in the One World International School (OWIS) family, part of the Global Schools Group (GSG). The OWIS brand originated in Singapore and began expanding internationally, with OWIS Riyadh opening in 2022 as part of the Royal Commission for Riyadh City's program to attract international schools. OWIS Riyadh has developed its program under the GSG umbrella and has aligned with the American curriculum framework alongside the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) through ongoing collaboration. In February 2025, OWIS announced the launch of OWIS American Academy in Riyadh, expanding the Riyadh footprint to include Pre-KG to Grade 5 and blending American standards with NGSS; the campus is aligned with the GSG network and located in Riyadh. The new campus extends OWIS's international network, offering exchange opportunities and access to global programs through GSG.

Community

OWIS Riyadh serves a diverse, globally minded community, with students from over 70 nationalities. The school is part of the Global Schools Group, connecting campuses across 11 countries and providing opportunities for international events and collaboration. Community life is enriched by concerts, performances, Saturday workshops and events, and partnerships such as the Liverpool FC International Academy, which broaden athletic and communal engagement. The school emphasizes technology and the arts through spaces like the ZeroOne Hub and Nikon Youth collaborations to support inquiry and creative expression.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)

OWIS Riyadh operates a formal Parent-Teacher Association (OPTA), which serves as the central platform for parent involvement and school development; OPTA meetings enable elected parents to share insights and collaborate on projects that enhance the student experience. Toddle time provides a secure, real-time channel for parents to follow their child's daily activities and milestones alongside teachers. The school hosts Saturday workshops and events, concerts and performances, and career weeks that invite parental participation and connection with students' learning. Additional parent engagement occurs through monthly newsletters and social media updates that keep families informed about school life. Through OPTA and these ongoing activities, OWIS Riyadh aims to strengthen home–school partnerships and ensure family voices help shape the school community.
Facilities

Facilities Overview

OWIS American Academy in Riyadh offers learning spaces designed to support a broad range of disciplines. The campus features cutting-edge STEM laboratories and creative arts studios, along with collaborative classrooms. The Apple Distinguished learning ecosystem and tech-enabled classrooms form a central part of its digital learning environment. Specialized learning spaces are designed to accommodate different learning needs and styles. These facilities are described as some of the best learning spaces in Riyadh and are intended to support inquiry, collaboration, and hands-on learning.

Academic Facilities

OWIS American Academy includes STEM laboratories and technology-enabled classrooms as part of its Apple Distinguished learning ecosystem. Apple Distinguished learning ecosystem and tech-enabled classrooms support digital learning and future-ready skills. The school emphasizes specialized learning spaces to accommodate different learning needs and styles. These facilities are designed to foster collaboration and inquiry across grade levels.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual

OWIS American Academy Riyadh offers an enhanced American curriculum based on the Common Core Standards and NGSS, designed to be student-centered and inclusive. The program serves Pre-KG through Grade 5 and includes Arabic and Islamic studies from Grade 1 and Arabic from Pre-KG, with English as the primary language of instruction. The curriculum is delivered within an IB PYP framework and emphasizes inquiry-based, hands-on learning in spaces such as the Nikon Lab, Black Box Theatre, and STEAM labs. The school is part of Global Schools Group (GSG), providing international exposure through the OWIS network.

Arts & Creative

The campus provides dedicated spaces for arts and creative exploration, including a Nikon Lab for photography, a Black Box Theatre for performances, and STEAM labs.

Cultural & Language

English is the primary language of instruction. Arabic is taught from Pre-KG, and from Grade 1 students study Arabic and Islamic studies, with French offered as part of the language program.

Social & Hobbies

The school operates a House System to support student life, and socio-emotional learning is integrated with a focus on kindness and social responsibility.

Community & Service

Inclusion and student support are emphasized, with reinforcement sessions and well-being initiatives; safety is prioritized to provide a safe and secure environment.

Leadership & Professional

OWIS American Academy is part of the Global Schools Group, linking with OWIS and a broader international network to provide international exposure.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing

Safety is a top priority with internationally benchmarked protocols, and socio-emotional learning supports students' well-being and readiness to thrive.
Languages

Language Provision

The school is an English-medium school. Language Bridging and Support are provided. Arabic and Islamic Studies are taught in Arabic. World Languages (Arabic and Islamic) are offered.
Admissions

Admissions

1. Submit the online enquiry form with essential details about your child. This initiates the admissions conversation and helps the team understand your requirements. The enquiry collects basic information to begin processing your application. 2. After submitting the enquiry, an application fee of SAR 500 and a registration fee of SAR 3000 apply. The fees are non-refundable, and the registration fee will be adjusted in the tuition. VAT applies to the registration and application fees for non-Saudi students. 3. Submit the required documents: a copy of the child's passport and both parents' passports, the child's birth certificate, three recent passport-sized photos, a sponsorship letter (if applicable), a rental contract or housing ownership document, a medical fitness report, and the previous year's final report plus current year-to-date report for all grades. Foreign students must provide the original report cards for the last two years, certified by the relevant authorities. Documents are reviewed as part of the application. 4. Individual student assessment and evaluation is conducted either face-to-face or online. The assessment supports placement decisions and identifies readiness for the targeted grade. Results inform the provisional admission decision. 5. On successful submission of documents and payment of the registration fee, a provisional admission is granted to secure your child's admission. This provisional status confirms eligibility while final enrollment is completed. Parents receive communications with next steps and timelines. 6. Register your child in the Noor system, the online platform for student registrations in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Noor is the official enrollment platform used for SA schools. Final enrollment is completed through Noor after provisional admission.

Waitlist

Admission is based on the applicant's submission and seat availability in the relevant grade. This means spaces may be limited depending on grade and capacity.
School Events
The school has not added events