Cities / Jeddah / The KAUST School
The KAUST School
Full IB continuum school (PYP, MYP, Diploma) established in 2010 to serve the community of King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) in Thuwal, around 100 km north of Jeddah. Admission is restricted to KAUST community members - faculty…
In brief
The school inside the KAUST research compound in Thuwal, an hour north of Jeddah. Genuinely international demographics, full IB continuum from PYP to Diploma, and the only Jeddah-area school where most pupils are expats rather than Saudi.
TKS opened in 2009 to serve children of KAUST faculty, staff, and post-graduate students. Around 1,800 students from over 70 countries, roughly 70 percent international, which is unusual in Saudi Arabia. The school runs the full IB continuum and is accredited by CIS, NEASC and MSA. Recent strengthening of learning-support provision, with a tiered model for additional needs, sets it apart from most Saudi competitors.
Living at KAUST is a specific deal. The compound is gated, calm, and walkable, with Red Sea access and a tightly knit university community where teachers and parents are neighbors. Families talk about it as a golden cage, comfortable and supportive but cut off from broader Jeddah life. Fees of SAR 60,400 to 91,500 are typically paid by KAUST or sponsor employers. The school does not publish IB Diploma scores externally, which is worth pressing on at admissions.
Fees
| Fee | Age | Type | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early Years PK-KG1 | 4 | Annual | SAR 60,400 |
| Elementary (Grades 1-5) | 6 | Annual | SAR 72,500 |
| Secondary (Grades 6-12) | 11 | Annual | SAR 91,500 |
| Monthly Tech & Materials Fee (K2-G5, per month) | One-time | SAR 200 | |
| Monthly Tech & Materials Fee (G6-G12, per month) | One-time | SAR 275 | |
| Admission Fee (one-time) | One-time | SAR 5,250 |
Reviews
- Teachers describe the school as highly competitive to join, with strong professional appeal and a reputation for attracting experienced candidates.
- The strongest practical caveat is location. Comments repeatedly separate KAUST campus life from Jeddah life, with the school fitting families already based in the KAUST community far better than families expecting a normal Jeddah commute.
- Staff-side comments are warm about the broader living environment, with one teacher calling it "a really great place to work and live."
Head of school
Dr. Michelle Remington
Dr. Michelle Remington has been an overseas educator since 1996 and has served as the Director of The KAUST School since 2019. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in International Studies and Spanish and her Master’s degree in teaching from Willamette University, followed by a Ph.D. in Educational Administration from the University of Southern Mississippi. Her professional career includes significant leadership roles in the Middle East, having spent 13 years in the UAE as High School Principal, Deputy Head of School, and Interim Head of School at the American Community School of Abu Dhabi and the American School of Dubai. Dr. Remington is a board member for NESA and a commissioner for the Middle States Association.
Accreditations
- Council of International Schools 01
- New England Association of Schools and Colleges 02
- Middle States Association Commissions on Elementary and Secondary Schools 03
Academic results
- Result IB DP avg 31 points 2024
- Result 82% pass rate
- Result Highest IB mark of 42 achieved @TKS 2024