Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: American International School-Riyadh: 2023-2024 Fact Sheet

The American International School-Riyadh (AIS-R) is an independent, nonprofit, coeducational school offering an enriched American curriculum with a focus on global citizenship for students from PK to grade 12. Founded in 1963, AIS-R is currently in its 61st year of excellence in education on a purpose-built campus in north Riyadh. AIS-R is authorized to offer the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma and is accredited by both the New England Association of Schools and Colleges and the Council of International Schools. Additionally, AIS-R has been awarded International Certification with the Council of International Schools, a program designed to enhance intercultural skills, attitudes, and understandings of the global citizens.

Governance: AIS-R is governed by a seven-member strategic board of trustees, six of whom are voting members and one is a non-voting member representing the U.S. Embassy.

Curriculum: Curriculum at AIS-R is designed to cultivate growth in all areas of a child’s development. Teaching and learning evolves with and for the children, and consistently reflects our school mission and core values. From Pre-K to Grade 12, learning experiences create opportunities for students to develop as inquisitive, independent, and resilient learners who will positively influence their communities. Internationally recognized standards, including the Common Core for English Language Arts and Mathematics, Next Generation Science Standards, American Education Reaches Out Social Studies Standards and the IB Program provide coherent learning progressions that guide the development of curriculum, instruction, and assessment. English, science, math, and social studies form the core academic areas at all grade levels. Physical and health education and Arabic language and culture are also offered to all students in Grades K-10. In addition, students at all grade levels participate in a range of enrichment and elective options, including design thinking, coding and robotics, performing and visual arts (e.g., music, orchestra, drama, dance, and studio art), service learning, and world languages (Spanish and French). The school also offers English as an Additional Language (EAL) and Learning Support (LS) to qualifying students in all divisions. Technology is integrated purposefully throughout the educational program.

Faculty: In the 2023-2024 school year, AIS-R has 204 total staff including 123 teachers, 46 of whom are U.S. citizens, 2 host-country nationals, and 75 third-country nationals.

Enrollment: For the 2023-2024 school year enrollment is 1,499 students- 379 are American, 262 are host-country nationals, and 858 are third-country nationals representing several nationalities, a diverse community with a mindset that fosters the recognition of cultural differences and global citizenship.

Facilities: AIS-R educates and cares for its students on a purpose-built campus. Facilities include: 118 classrooms, two dining halls, two gymnasiums, two soccer fields, three tennis courts, a running track, two learning commons (i.e., libraries), 665-seat theater, a broadcast journalism studio, a dance studio, K-12 kitchen lab, a science greenhouse, a 40 meters long greenhouse, a maker space/design lab, 12 science labs, three fully integrated computer labs, the Eagle’s Nest (i.e., school spirit store) and café, a fully equipped kitchen (K-12), covered courtyards, a Professional Learning Center (PLC), and two playgrounds.

Finances: As a non-profit organization, AIS-R derives its revenue almost exclusively from tuition and fees. Tuition (including 15% VAT) for the 2023-2024 school year ranges from $11,742 in PK to $29,470 in high school. Seat deposits of $3,527 are collected in the spring and credited to tuition the following school year. Fees include, but are not limited to, a one-time capital fee of $4,447 for PK through grade 8 and $6,440 for grade 9-12; an application fee of $1,227; and a one-time new student registration fee of $4,140. Additionally, there are fees associated with English Language Learners (if applicable), students requiring additional learning support, and students wishing to enroll in the after-school Arabic language program. All applicants, regardless of nationality or affiliation, are required to complete the school’s online application. A student may be admitted when the application process is successful and there is seat availability.

Special Needs: Review the Special Needs Profile for this school to learn more about their capability to support students with exceptionalities.

This Fact Sheet is intended to provide general information. Prospective users of the schools may wish to inquire further of A/OPR/OS or contact the school directly for more specific and up-to-the-minute information. Information and statistics are current as of September 2023 and are provided by the school.