Jeddah has always been Saudi Arabia's other city — the one facing the sea instead of the desert, the commercial gateway that's been trading with the outside world for centuries. If Riyadh is the Kingdom's political will, Jeddah is its open window. That distinction matters when you're choosing a school for your children.
Riyadh's school market has exploded under Vision 2030, with 63 international schools and counting. Jeddah's 30 international schools represent something different: a smaller, more established scene that reflects the city's cosmopolitan DNA. Western expats, diplomats, and Saudi families from the Hejaz region have been educating their children side by side here for decades. The result is a market with less frantic growth but more institutional depth — schools that have had time to mature, build reputations, and figure out what they're doing.
Here's the landscape as it stands in 2026.
The Curriculum Landscape: Balanced, Not Dominated
Unlike Riyadh, where American curriculum schools outnumber everything else nearly two to one, Jeddah's market is more evenly split between American and British traditions, with a growing IB presence weaving through both.
American Curriculum
About a dozen schools run American or American-hybrid programmes. The anchor is the American International School of Jeddah, which has been educating expat children since 1952 — predating most of the modern Kingdom's infrastructure. AISJ serves 1,240 students from 65 nationalities, with fees ranging from SAR 40,250 to SAR 105,110/year (USD 10,700–28,000). It's the kind of school where three generations of the same diplomatic family have attended.
Below that tier, Green Hills International School delivers American curriculum with AP courses at SAR 17,650–42,000/year (USD 4,700–11,200) — roughly a third of AISJ's senior fees. Edugates International School in Ash Shati runs SAR 15,500–27,600/year (USD 4,100–7,400), making it one of the most affordable American options in the city. Arab International Schools on Prince Sultan Road offers American curriculum with average class sizes of 24, two swimming pools, and 24 extracurricular clubs at SAR 22,475–45,200/year (USD 6,000–12,000).
Dar Jana International Schools blends American curriculum with IB PYP, serves 42 nationalities from its An Nahda campus, and charges SAR 20,500–39,000/year (USD 5,500–10,400). If you want American schooling with an international inquiry layer underneath, Dar Jana is worth a visit.
Best for: American families, those targeting US universities, families who prefer continuous assessment and a familiar K-12 structure.
British Curriculum
British curriculum schools represent the largest single group in Jeddah — around 15 schools offer some form of EYFS through IGCSE or A-Levels. This is where Jeddah's market really distinguishes itself from Riyadh's. The British presence here is deep-rooted and varied.
British International School Jeddah (BiSJ) anchors the premium end: 1,340 students from 60 nationalities in Al Mohammadiyah, offering British curriculum alongside IGCSE, IB, and a full suite of extracurriculars from MUN to robotics. Fees run SAR 43,240–101,430/year (USD 11,500–27,000). The school has been operating for roughly 50 years — it knows what it's doing.
Jeddah Prep and Grammar School deserves particular attention. Founded in 1967, JPGS is BSO-accredited with 870 students from 55 nationalities. Average class size is 16. It runs the Duke of Edinburgh's International Award and hosts its own Model United Nations conference. Fees are SAR 36,800–79,925/year (USD 9,800–21,300). The 55-nationality mix and small class sizes make it one of the most genuinely international schools in the city.
Sherborne School Jeddah, brand new in 2025 and located in Ar Rawdah, brings a UK independent school pedigree with seriously modern facilities: AI and digital design studios, 3D printing labs, a coding and robotics centre, a 500-seat auditorium, martial arts dojo, and indoor swimming pool. British curriculum through IGCSE and A-Levels. Fees are SAR 30,435–68,152/year (USD 8,100–18,200). Still building its track record, but the investment in STEM and creative infrastructure is striking.
At the budget end, Al Waha International School has been running since 1992 and charges just SAR 16,905–28,405/year (USD 4,500–7,600) for British curriculum through A-Levels. Hera International School, founded in 1999 in Mishrifah, offers IGCSE at SAR 12,926–22,885/year (USD 3,400–6,100) — the most affordable British option in Jeddah.
Best for: British and Commonwealth families, those targeting UK or European universities, families who value the structured IGCSE-to-A-Levels pathway.
International Baccalaureate (IB)
IB in Jeddah is less a standalone category and more a thread running through existing schools. Several of the city's strongest institutions offer IB programmes alongside their primary curriculum.
Jeddah Knowledge International School is the IB heavyweight. Founded in 1996 in As Salamah, JKS serves 3,338 students — the largest international school in Jeddah — across 24 nationalities. It runs IB PYP and MYP alongside American curriculum, with 12 science labs, six computer labs, four libraries, and four cafeterias. Fees are SAR 22,800–69,000/year (USD 6,100–18,400). The scale is impressive; the facilities match.
Nün Academy in Az Zahra pairs British (Cambridge International) and IB curriculum for 1,196 students. What makes Nün distinctive is its partnership with Kunskapsskolan Education (KED) from Sweden, blending Scandinavian pedagogical philosophy with British rigour and IB inquiry. The school runs 273 clubs — not a typo. Fees are SAR 32,450–74,160/year (USD 8,700–19,800).
BiSJ and Alkawthar International Schools — the latter claiming to be the first private IB school in Saudi Arabia — also offer IB alongside British curriculum. Dar Jana layers IB PYP over its American programme.
Best for: Globally mobile families, those who want inquiry-based learning, families who value a diploma recognised by universities worldwide.
Other Curricula
- French: École Française Internationale de Djeddah, founded in 1966, serves 1,200 students with a full French Baccalaureate programme — and achieved a 100% pass rate in 2024 (versus the AEFE network average of 96.7%). SAR 25,217–48,609/year. If you're Francophone, this is your school. No debate required.
- Dual British/American: Advanced Generations International Schools (SAR 29,000–56,500/year), Thamer International Schools, Manarat Jeddah International School (SAR 19,950–33,600/year), and Waad Academy (SAR 33,784–54,167/year) all offer both British and American tracks under one roof. Useful if you have siblings who thrive in different systems, or if you're unsure which pathway suits your child.
- Montessori: Nahda Academy in Al Andalus blends British and Montessori approaches for ages 2–11. Small (200 students), class sizes of 18, and heavily Saudi (90%+). SAR 39,000–68,000/year. A niche option for early years families who want child-led learning within an Islamic values framework.
Fee Ranges: What to Actually Budget
Jeddah's fees are generally lower than Riyadh's premium end and significantly lower than Dubai's. Here's the reality.
Budget-Friendly: SAR 12,000–22,000/year (USD 3,200–5,900)
Hera International School (British, from SAR 12,926), Edugates International School (American, from SAR 15,500), and Al Waha International School (British with A-Levels, from SAR 16,905). These schools deliver functional education at prices that won't bankrupt a family with multiple children. Facilities are simpler, class sizes may be larger, but the teaching is solid.
Mid-Range: SAR 22,000–55,000/year (USD 5,900–14,700)
The sweet spot for most expat families. Dar Jana International Schools (SAR 20,500–39,000), Green Hills International School (SAR 17,650–42,000), Arab International Schools (SAR 22,475–45,200), Sherborne School Jeddah (SAR 30,435–68,152), and Advanced Generations International Schools (SAR 29,000–56,500) all sit here. You get strong academics, reasonable facilities, and class sizes in the low-to-mid twenties. This tier represents the best value-for-quality ratio in the city.
Premium: SAR 60,000–105,000+/year (USD 16,000–28,000+)
American International School of Jeddah tops out at SAR 105,110. British International School Jeddah reaches SAR 101,430. Jeddah Prep and Grammar School goes to SAR 79,925 for senior years. Nün Academy reaches SAR 74,160. If your employer is covering education, these are the shortlist. If you're self-funding, make sure the premium buys something concrete — smaller classes, a specific qualification pathway, specialist support — not just a nicer lobby.
Budget tip: Add 10–15% for registration fees, uniforms, bus transport (SAR 4,000–8,000/year typically), and exam fees. Lunch programmes, where provided, are usually extra.
Schools Worth Your Shortlist
These ten schools represent the breadth of what Jeddah offers. No ranking — the best school is the one that fits your child and your family's circumstances.
American International School of Jeddah
The institution. Founded in 1952 as the Parents Cooperative School, AISJ is the oldest international school in Jeddah and one of the oldest in the Kingdom. 1,240 students from 65 nationalities. American curriculum, K-12. Two gymnasiums, swimming pool, soccer field, tennis courts, indoor/outdoor tracks. ELL support, learning support, and gifted programmes. SAR 40,250–105,110/year. Rolling admissions with assessment and interview. The safe, proven, blue-chip choice.
British International School Jeddah
BiSJ is Jeddah's British anchor. 1,340 students from 60 nationalities in Al Mohammadiyah. British curriculum with IGCSE, IB, MUN, drama, robotics, coding, STEM, and environmental science clubs. EAL support. School-provided lunches. SAR 43,240–101,430/year. Around 50 years of operation. If you want British curriculum with institutional depth, this is where you start.
Jeddah Knowledge International School
The largest international school in Jeddah. Founded 1996, 3,338 students from 24 nationalities in As Salamah. IB PYP, MYP, and American curriculum. The campus is a small city: 12 science labs, six computer labs, four libraries, four cafeterias, basketball courts, swimming pools, gymnasiums. SAR 22,800–69,000/year. Entrance exams in English, Mathematics, and Arabic. If you want IB at scale with serious facilities, JKS delivers.
Jeddah Prep and Grammar School
Founded 1967. BSO-accredited. 870 students from 55 nationalities — one of the most diverse student bodies in the city. Average class size of 16, max 22. British curriculum through IGCSE and A-Levels. Duke of Edinburgh Award, Model United Nations, strong sports programme. Native English-speaking faculty. SAR 36,800–79,925/year. The kind of school where teachers know every student. If class size matters to you, JPGS should be on your list.
Nün Academy
1,196 students in Az Zahra. British (Cambridge) and IB curriculum with a Swedish twist — the partnership with Kunskapsskolan Education brings Scandinavian pedagogical methods to the Gulf. 273 clubs. SAR 32,450–74,160/year. If you want a school that's genuinely trying to do something different rather than replicate a standard British or American model, Nün is it.
Sherborne School Jeddah
Brand new (2025), UK independent school brand, Ar Rawdah district. British curriculum, IGCSE and A-Levels. The facilities tell the story: eight science labs, coding and robotics labs, AI and digital design studios, 3D printing centre, media production, 500-seat auditorium, indoor pool, tennis courts, martial arts dojo. SAR 30,435–68,152/year. No track record yet — but the investment is real and the price is competitive for what you get. One for families who want cutting-edge STEM infrastructure.
Dar Jana International Schools
American curriculum with IB PYP. 42 nationalities in An Nahda. French offered alongside Arabic and English. Bus service, before/after school care. SAR 20,500–39,000/year. Dar Jana doesn't try to be the most prestigious school in the city — it tries to be a genuinely good school at a sensible price. Mission accomplished.
École Française Internationale de Djeddah
Founded 1966. 1,200 students. French Baccalaureate with a 100% pass rate in 2024. French, English, Arabic, and Spanish offered. SAR 25,217–48,609/year. Scholarships and financial aid available. If you're from the Francophone world — or simply believe in the French educational tradition — EFID is one of the strongest French schools in the Gulf region.
Green Hills International School
American curriculum with AP courses in Al Khalidiyyah. SAR 17,650–42,000/year. Bus service, school lunches, before/after school care, technology-integrated classrooms. Green Hills positions itself on value: global standards at accessible prices. A solid mid-range American option for families who don't need (or want) the premium price tag.
Al Waha International School
Founded 1992 in Ar Rihab. British curriculum through A-Levels and IGCSE. SAR 16,905–28,405/year. Al Waha has been quietly educating Jeddah's children for over three decades without the fanfare of newer arrivals. If your priority is a proven British school at a price that doesn't require a corporate education allowance, Al Waha is the answer.
Neighbourhoods: Where Schools Cluster
Jeddah stretches along the Red Sea coast, and unlike Riyadh's sprawl in every direction, the city's geography creates a more linear layout. North-south travel is manageable; east-west is where traffic gets creative.
Al Hamra & Ash Shati (The Corniche Strip)
The coastal neighbourhoods running along Jeddah's famous Corniche. Edugates International School sits in Ash Shati. These areas offer sea views, modern apartments and villas, and proximity to Jeddah's best restaurants and cultural venues. Housing costs are higher, but you're living in what most people picture when they imagine Jeddah. Traffic along the Corniche can be heavy during weekends and evenings.
Good for: Families who want the coastal Jeddah lifestyle, professionals working in the commercial district, newcomers who want to be central.
Al Zahra & Az Zahra
A residential pocket east of the Corniche, home to Nün Academy. Well-established neighbourhood with villas, local markets, and a more settled feel than the newer developments up north. Good access to the main highways without being on them.
Good for: Families attending Nün Academy, those who want established residential infrastructure, a balance of convenience and calm.
Al Mohammadiyah & An Nahda
Central Jeddah, where British International School Jeddah, Dar Jana International Schools, and Advanced Generations International Schools are located. Mixed commercial and residential. Apartment living is common, and you're well-connected to most of the city. The trade-off is noise and density — this is Jeddah's working heart.
Good for: Families who want to be central, those attending BiSJ or Dar Jana, professionals who need to be close to the commercial district.
As Salamah
Home to Jeddah Knowledge International School and Thamer International Schools. A large residential district in central-north Jeddah with a mix of apartments and villas. Good supermarkets, medical facilities nearby, and straightforward highway access.
Good for: Families at JKS or Thamer, mid-range budgets, those who want a residential neighbourhood with urban convenience.
Obhur & Northern Jeddah
The newer developments pushing north along the coast toward King Abdullah Economic City. Less congested, more spacious, still maturing in terms of retail and services. If the airport area counts, École Française Internationale de Djeddah is out this way. Families who want newer housing, larger compounds, and a quieter pace trade it for longer commutes south.
Good for: Families who prioritise space, those who work at or near the airport, EFID families.
Al Khalidiyyah & Southern Districts
Green Hills International School is in Al Khalidiyyah. The southern half of Jeddah is older, denser, and more authentically Saudi. Housing is more affordable. The historic Al-Balad district — a UNESCO World Heritage Site — is nearby. You're further from the premium schools in the north, but closer to the city's cultural soul.
Good for: Budget-conscious families, those drawn to Jeddah's history and character, families attending Green Hills or Hera.
Admissions: What You Need to Know
The Saudi school year runs late August to mid-June. Sunday to Thursday, with Friday and Saturday as the weekend. Most schools open applications in October for the following September.
Most Jeddah schools operate rolling admissions — AISJ, BiSJ, Hera, and Sherborne all confirm mid-year enrolment when space allows. But popular year groups at the premium schools fill early. Start six months ahead if you're targeting AISJ or BiSJ.
Assessment is standard. American schools typically use MAP testing or internal evaluations. British schools lean on CAT4 or school-designed assessments. JKS requires entrance exams in English, Mathematics, and Arabic. Early years assessments are play-based observation. None of these are designed to exclude — they're for placement.
Documents you'll need: passport copies, iqama (residence permit), previous school transcripts and reports, immunisation records, and a medical fitness certificate. Get transcripts attested before you leave your current country — retroactively chasing apostilles from Jeddah is a headache nobody needs.
Apply to three to five schools. Even in a market of 30, the school you want may not have space in your child's year group when you need it. Having backup offers eliminates the panic.
A Few Honest Notes
Jeddah is more relaxed than Riyadh — but it's still Saudi Arabia. The social atmosphere is genuinely more open: women have been driving here since 2018, entertainment venues are plentiful, and the Hejazi culture has always had a cosmopolitan streak. But the legal framework is the Kingdom's, and schools operate within it. Arabic instruction is mandatory. Islamic studies are part of the curriculum for Muslim students.
The heat is real but the humidity is the killer. September through November, expect 35–40°C with coastal humidity that makes it feel worse. Outdoor PE shifts to early morning. Schools with indoor sports facilities (swimming pools, air-conditioned gyms) have a genuine advantage eight months of the year.
Compound life is less dominant here than in Riyadh. Jeddah has always been more integrated. Many expat families live in regular residential neighbourhoods rather than gated compounds, though compounds exist and remain popular with newcomers. Your school's parent community will be your best source of housing intel.
Transport matters. Most schools offer bus services (SAR 4,000–8,000/year), and given Jeddah's traffic patterns — particularly around school hours on the main north-south arteries — living near your school is strongly recommended. A 10km commute can take 15 minutes or 50, depending on the day.
The market is smaller but that's a feature. Thirty schools means the community is tighter. Teachers move between schools and carry institutional knowledge. Parents talk. Reputations — good and bad — travel fast. This accountability keeps quality higher than it might be in a sprawling market where schools can hide in the noise.
Start Comparing
Jeddah's 30 international schools cover a genuine range — from a 1952 American institution to a 2025 UK import with AI labs, from SAR 12,926/year British basics to SAR 105,110/year premium American. The city's balanced curriculum split means you're not forced into one tradition. The coastal setting, the Hejazi cultural openness, and the more manageable scale all work in your favour.
You can explore all 30 Jeddah schools on Scholae, filter by curriculum and age range, and compare schools side by side to find the right fit for your family.
The Red Sea is right there. Your kids will be fine.
