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Qimam El-Hayat International School

Saudi Arabia, Riyadh

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees SAR 13,000 - 17,500
Ages 3 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 1800
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum American Curriculum
Typical class size 22
Introduction

Qimam El‑Hayat International School is an international school in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, offering an American curriculum from Kindergarten through Grade 12 (ages 3 to 18). The school states that its programme follows US Common Core standards for English and mathematics and the Next Generation Science Standards for science, while Arabic, Islamic Studies and Saudi history are taught in line with the Ministry of Education. It describes a bilingual learning environment with instruction in English alongside strong Arabic provision, and offers dedicated support such as a Special Arabic programme and a transition programme for students moving from Arabic-medium schools. Facilities and resources the school lists include classrooms with interactive whiteboards and tablets, a learning management system, innovation labs and maker spaces with 3D printing and robotics for STEAM activities, plus extracurricular clubs, SAT preparation and Quran memorisation and PSHE programmes. Qimam El‑Hayat also notes accreditation by Cognia.

Saleh Al Shatri, Al Futah, Riyadh 12632, Saudi Arabia

The Essentials

Qimam El-Hayat International School has 1,800 pupils, typical class sizes of 22, instruction in English.

Location
Qimam El-Hayat International School is located on Al Khazzan Street in the Al-Foutah district of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The campus address is Al Khazzan Street, Al-Foutah, Riyadh 12632. It sits in central Riyadh and is accessible via main city roads. The admissions office can be reached at +966550880215 or +966114091393, and info@qimamelhayat.com is the contact email.

Stages
The school offers Kindergarten (KG) through Grade 12.

Type
The school operates as a private international day school offering an American curriculum for students from KG to Grade 12.

Additional learning support
The school provides PSHE, Mental Math Program, Transition Program, Special Arabic Program and other enrichment options; explicit SEN or Additional Learning Needs provisions are not described publicly.

Country affiliation
There is no formal country affiliation; the school operates in Saudi Arabia and uses an American curriculum.

Religious affiliation
Islamic studies are part of the curriculum, including Quran memorization; the school is not affiliated with a specific religious organization.

School day structure
The school runs Saturday to Thursday. There is a morning session from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM and an evening session from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM.

Bus service
Qimam El Hayat International School operates a school bus service with multiple Riyadh routes. Routes include Alkhazan Street–Alwazeer Street, AlGhoraby–AlSemeesy–AlNour District–ElManfouha, Attaikah–Ghobirah–AlKasr Mall–Sultana, Khan Shleila–AlMansorah, AlNaseriah–Olaya–Dhabab Street–Almalaz–Dhobat District–Dhahran Street–Jarir–AlRawaby–AlFayhaa–AlSwidi–Alshafa, and Wadi Laban–AlAzizia–AlNaseem–AlSulai–AlNahdha–AlRawdah. Round-trip fees per year range from SAR 3,600 to SAR 4,600; one-way fees per year range from SAR 3,000 to SAR 4,000, depending on the route.
Diving Deeper

Uniform Requirement
The school requires a uniform for all students. A Physical Education (PE) uniform is required on PE days.

Food Options
The school has a canteen with a well-developed facility. The site does not specify menu options or dietary accommodations.

Governance and Ownership
The school is governed by a School Board. Board members include Rouland Mardini (Executive Manager), Reda Ismail (Boys Section Manager), Sherif Ghanim (Academic Director), and Enas Hamdy (Girls Section Manager). Ownership details are not publicly disclosed.
Fees

Annual tuition at Qimam El-Hayat International School ranges from SAR 13,000 to SAR 17,500 for 2026/27.

Application / Registration fee

- Registration (seat reservation) fee: SAR 2,000. This amount is deducted from the tuition fees paid at registration and the seat reservation fee is non‑refundable.

Tuition fees — published schedules for 2024–2025 (amounts in SAR)

- Schedule A (annual and per‑term amounts):
- KG1 — Annual SAR 13,000; First term SAR 4,500; Second term SAR 4,500; Third term SAR 4,000.
- KG2–KG3 — Annual SAR 13,000; First term SAR 4,500; Second term SAR 4,500; Third term SAR 4,000.
- KG3 (condensed) — Annual SAR 15,000; First term SAR 5,000; Second term SAR 5,000; Third term SAR 5,000.
- Grade 1 (Beginners) — Annual SAR 16,500; First term SAR 5,500; Second term SAR 5,500; Third term SAR 5,500.
- Grades 1–6 — Annual SAR 14,500; First term SAR 4,500; Second term SAR 5,000; Third term SAR 5,000.
- Grades 7–9 — Annual SAR 15,500; First term SAR 5,000; Second term SAR 5,000; Third term SAR 5,500.
- Grade 10 — Annual SAR 16,500; First term SAR 5,500; Second term SAR 5,500; Third term SAR 5,500.
- Grades 11–12 — Annual SAR 17,500; First term SAR 5,500; Second term SAR 6,000; Third term SAR 6,000.

- Schedule B (alternate published figures):
- KG1 — Annual SAR 11,500; First term SAR 3,500; Second term SAR 3,500; Third term SAR 4,000.
- KG2–KG3 — Annual SAR 11,500; First term SAR 3,500; Second term SAR 4,000; Third term SAR 4,000.
- KG (condensed) — Annual SAR 12,500; First term SAR 4,000; Second term SAR 4,000; Third term SAR 4,500.
- Grades 1–6 — Annual SAR 13,000; First term SAR 4,000; Second term SAR 4,000; Third term SAR 5,000.
- Grades 7–9 — Annual SAR 14,000; First term SAR 4,500; Second term SAR 4,750; Third term SAR 4,750.
- Grade 10 — Annual SAR 15,000; First term SAR 5,000; Second term SAR 5,000; Third term SAR 5,000.
- Grades 11–12 — Annual SAR 16,000; First term SAR 5,000; Second term SAR 5,500; Third term SAR 5,500.

Billing schedule and payment terms

- Tuition is reported as three separate term payments (first, second and third term). Each term's tuition is treated independently; amounts for one term are not automatically applied to other terms.
- The SAR 2,000 registration/seat reservation fee is deducted from the total fees paid but is non‑refundable.
- A sibling discount of SAR 500 applies starting with the second child enrolled.
- Certain prompt‑payment discounts are published (for example a short‑term advance payment discount is referenced in the published material); any special discounts (excluding the sibling discount) are conditional on adherence to the school's payment schedule and may be canceled automatically if a specified payment is missed or delayed by more than five working days.
- The school may retain a student's file and take administrative or legal measures where fees are outstanding; guardians are liable for any collection costs the school incurs. The school states it will not change contracted tuition after signing except with Ministry of Education approval and advance notification for the following academic year.

Boarding fees

- No boarding program or boarding fees are listed in the published school fee material; no boarding charges are identified in the publicly available fee schedules.

Other costs and fees

- Transportation: route‑based annual transportation fees are published separately. Round‑trip annual fees range from SAR 3,600 to SAR 4,600 depending on route; one‑way annual fees range roughly from SAR 3,000 to SAR 4,000 depending on route. These are billed separately from tuition.
- Textbooks and learning materials: tuition excludes textbooks, workbooks and related materials; these must be obtained separately (the school provides book lists and guidance).
- Uniforms and external activity costs (for example school trips and other external activities) are not included in the stated tuition and must be purchased from external suppliers.
- Extra‑program fees: some optional programs (for example intensive transition/KG3 programs or additional SAT/test preparation activities) carry separate charges where published.

Tuition refund policy

- If a student does not attend at all, the full tuition paid is refundable after deduction of SAR 1,000.
- If the student attends from one school day up to two weeks, the refund is the paid tuition after deducting half of a full semester's fees.
- If the student attends for more than two weeks, the refund is the paid tuition after deducting the fees equal to a full semester.

Fee payment options

- Specific published fee pages and registration materials show the amounts, terms and contact channels but do not list detailed payment method options (for example bank account numbers, online payment portal names, or card acceptance details) on the public fee pages. For payment method arrangements, the school provides admissions and contact numbers for the admissions/finance office.

Notes and conditions that affect fees

- Published fees are exclusive of VAT.
- Seat reservation fees are non‑refundable; discounts (other than the sibling discount) are conditional on timely payment and may be revoked for late or missed payments.
- The tuition amounts above are the published term and annual figures for the 2024–2025 fee schedules and the school's published transportation and materials policies apply.
Academics

Qimam El-Hayat International School teaches American Curriculum for students aged 3 to 18.

Curriculum
Qimam El-Hayat International School provides a bilingual English-Arabic education using a high-quality American curriculum for students from Kindergarten through Grade 12, with strong technology integration. English and Mathematics align with Common Core State Standards (CCSS); Science follows Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS); Arabic, Islamic Studies, and Saudi History are taught in line with the Saudi Ministry of Education. Cognia accreditation is held, indicating international standards alignment. Year-group pathways include a Transition Program for Grades 1–6; Pre-SAT for Grades 7–9; SAT for Grades 10–12; and ACT preparation in Grades 11–12, with PSAT introduced in Grades 7–9. The program also includes Holy Quran Memorization, Manners, Mental Math, Public Speaking/Presentation, Life Skills, Field Trips, Conversation, Club Activities, and a Special Arabic Program for non-native speakers.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The school supports social and emotional learning (SEL) through its PSHE program. PSHE (Personal, Health, Social, and Economic Education) is an integral part of the curriculum from kindergarten through to high school. The program aims to enhance personal growth, social relationships, mental and physical health, and career/economic guidance. It is delivered via a structured curriculum and a range of teaching methods, including group discussions, interactive activities, and research projects. The PSHE learning areas explicitly address personal growth, healthy relationships, mental and physical health, safety, and responsible decision-making, with the aim of empowering students to be healthy, independent, and responsible members of society.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
The school's publicly described SEN-related provisions include the QHIS High and Low Achievers Program, which provides differentiated instructional strategies to support both high and low achieving students. There is also a Special Arabic Program for students whose mother tongue is not Arabic, indicating language-support provisions for non-native speakers. The admission policy notes that a student may be denied admission if they have special mental needs. Publicly disclosed information about a formal SEN policy, dedicated SEN staff, or a comprehensive list of supported conditions is not provided. Information on these matters is limited to the items described above and the admission policy note.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
The school operates a bilingual English–Arabic curriculum from kindergarten onward. Beginning with pre-kindergarten, students are taught to read, write, understand, and speak both English and Arabic. All children in the Primary School are taught the core Arabic curriculum in addition to supplementary materials, supporting bilingual language development. A separate, dedicated EAL program is not described; language support is provided through the bilingual curriculum and the Special Arabic Program for non-Arabic mother tongue students. This combination demonstrates language development support within the school's published offerings.

Mental Wellbeing
Mental wellbeing is addressed within PSHE, which includes a Mental and Physical Health module as part of its learning areas. PSHE focuses on personal growth, social relationships, mental health, safety, and overall wellbeing, using a structured curriculum and diverse teaching methods such as group discussions and interactive activities. The program explicitly aims to empower students to maintain their mental and physical health and navigate life changes in a healthy way. The emphasis on mental health topics is integrated with other PSHE content to support students' holistic development. These elements collectively constitute the school's explicit approach to student mental wellbeing.

Safeguarding
The school adheres to a Code of Ethics from the Saudi Ministry of Education. General Policies describe safety and behavior rules across the school, including classroom and transportation safety. The campus provides School Clinics, a First Aid Kit, and Health Care facilities to support safeguarding and student health. The admission policy notes that a student with special mental needs could be denied admission, which intersects with safeguarding considerations. Publicly disclosed safeguarding-specific procedures beyond these items are not listed on the site.
Parent Experience

History
Qimam El-Hayat International School was established in 2005. The year 2016 marked a milestone in the school's history, with the implementation of new policies and revised strategies aimed at curriculum enhancement, teacher development, student growth, and increased parent involvement. The school holds Cognia accreditation, reflecting alignment with international standards. In 2025, Spark Education Platform acquired a majority stake in Qimam El-Hayat International School, as part of SEP's expansion in Saudi Arabia, with plans to relocate to a new campus and increase capacity by more than 50%. The institution operates a K-12 program with an American curriculum designed to prepare students for global opportunities.

Community
Qimam El-Hayat maintains a bilingual learning environment with English and Arabic instruction and emphasizes multicultural and morally grounded education. Families are engaged through regular progress reports and parent-teacher conferences, reinforcing school-home partnerships. Global themes and multicultural events help cultivate a sense of global responsibility while honoring cultural roots. Enrichment activities, field trips, science fairs, and student-led initiatives support a collaborative school community and provide hands-on experiences.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
A formal PTA is not publicly described on the school's official materials. The school emphasizes strong family engagement and maintains open communication with parents through regular progress reports and parent-teacher conferences. Interactive events that celebrate student achievement and school life are described as part of the parent engagement approach. Enrichment programs, field trips, and student-led initiatives provide opportunities for family involvement within the broader school community. For current PTA structures or events, contacting the admissions office will provide the latest details.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
The school has well-equipped classrooms, well-equipped science labs, and technology labs to support a broad range of subjects. Libraries with a variety of books and phonics labs support literacy development and personalized learning. The campus includes a swimming pool, football field, basketball court, volleyball court, and a Sports Academy to support physical education and sports programs. A dedicated Art Room and an Assembly Hall provide spaces for creativity, exhibitions, and performances. Other facilities include KG funfair areas and KG activity rooms, a health clinic with first aid, a well-developed school canteen, an air-conditioned fleet of buses, safe water sources and well-equipped toilets, and an Internet Unit Multimedia Room for digital learning.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
The school follows a balanced American curriculum aligned with CCSS for English and Math. NGSS guides Science education, while Arabic, Islamic Studies, and Saudi History are taught in line with the Ministry of Education to preserve cultural identity. The program blends technology, real-world learning, and personalized instruction, and includes PSHE and enrichment programs in mental math, public speaking, and debate.

Arts & Creative
The school offers clubs and enrichment in robotics, environmental topics, music, drama, and art. Field trips, science fairs, and student-led initiatives provide real-world experiences.

Cultural & Language
The school provides a bilingual environment with instruction in English and Arabic. Quran memorization and Islamic studies are integrated, and multicultural events promote global awareness.

Social & Hobbies
Students participate in a wide range of clubs and extracurricular activities, including robotics and arts. Public speaking and debate are included as part of enrichment.

Leadership & Professional
Leadership opportunities include student councils and ambassador programs. Entrepreneurship and career development are supported through STEAM projects.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
PSHE covers personal, social, health, and economic development, including etiquette. An Anti-Smoking Program promotes healthy lifestyles, and field trips support wellbeing.
Languages

Language Provision
English and Arabic are the languages of instruction. Beginning in pre-kindergarten, students develop reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills in both languages. Arabic is taught as part of the Saudi MOE curriculum in Primary, and a Special Arabic Program supports students whose mother tongue is not Arabic. The school uses the national American standards and Pearson Curriculum to guide language learning across the K–12 program.

Bilingual Teaching
The school provides bilingual education in English and Arabic. Instruction begins in pre-kindergarten with a program designed to enable students to read, write, understand, and speak both languages. English and Mathematics follow the Common Core State Standards, while Science follows the Next Generation Science Standards. The Primary curriculum includes the Arabic core prescribed by the Saudi Ministry of Education, with additional materials; the K–12 program draws on national American standards and the Pearson Curriculum.
Reputation

Accreditations
The school is Cognia-accredited.
Admissions

Admissions
1. The school is located in Riyadh and was established in 2005. It offers education from Kindergarten through Grade 12, providing a continuous learning journey with a focus on partnerships with families. 2. The school follows a high-quality American curriculum designed to foster creativity and inquiry. It uses the Common Core State Standards for English and Math, and the Next Generation Science Standards for Science; Arabic, Islamic Studies, and Saudi History are taught in line with the Ministry of Education to preserve cultural identity. Technology, real-world learning, and personalized instruction support student success. 3. Cognia accreditation is held, reflecting alignment with global standards and a commitment to high-quality education. 4. The school offers a bilingual learning environment with English and Arabic instruction, and integrates Islamic values through Quran memorization and Islamic studies. 5. Technology-enabled learning includes interactive whiteboards, tablets, and a Learning Management System that supports seamless school-home communication and self-directed learning. 6. Programs include Holy Quran Memorization, Field Trips, QHIS High and Low Achievers, PSHE (Mind Your Manners & Etiquette), Mental Math, Transition Program, Special Arabic, Anti-Smoking, and SAT Program for High School. 7. Enrichment and leadership opportunities are provided through clubs, field trips, and student leadership roles such as student councils and ambassadors. 8. Outcomes include student pathways to higher education, with a portion of graduates progressing to medical, engineering, dental, and pharmacy fields (e.g., 41% to medical colleges, 31% to engineering, 11% to dental, 4% to pharmacy). 9. Contact details: Al Khazzan Street, Al Foutah, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Admissions Office phones: +966550880215 and +966114091393.
School Events
The school has not added events
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