Cities / Riyadh / American International School Riyadh
American International School Riyadh
The oldest international school in Riyadh, founded in 1963, offering an American curriculum with IB Diploma for Grades 11-12 from a purpose-built campus opened in 2014. Annual tuition for 2025-26 ranges from SAR 63,164 (Early Years) to SAR 117,812 (Grades…
In brief
AISR is the established American option in Riyadh, with a purpose-built North Riyadh campus, IB Diploma alongside US accreditation, and a deep expat bench that gives long-staying families their first-choice American school.
Founded in 1963 and accredited by NEASC and CIS, the school runs Pre-K to Grade 12 with the IB Diploma layered on top of an American programme. Around 1,650 students from more than 60 nationalities, with embassy and corporate families well represented. Sport, theatre, and arts run thick, and graduates place across US universities.
Parents speak warmly about teacher quality and the breadth of the high school IB experience. The same parents flag fees that sit at the top of the Riyadh market and admin that can be slow on transfers and paperwork. The campus and resources draw consistent praise. Families weighing AISR against BISR usually choose by curriculum fit and university destination rather than perceived quality.
Fees
| Fee | Age | Type | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early Years (Pre-KG, until 1:15 PM) | 3 | Annual | SAR 63,164 |
| KG-II to Grade 5 | 5 | Annual | SAR 103,899 |
| Grades 6-8 | 11 | Annual | SAR 107,472 |
| Grades 9-12 | 14 | Annual | SAR 117,812 |
| Application Fee (non-Saudi) | One-time | SAR 4,904 | |
| Registration Fee (non-Saudi) | One-time | SAR 16,551 | |
| Capital Fee (Pre-K to G8, non-Saudi) | One-time | SAR 17,777 | |
| Capital Fee (G9-12, non-Saudi) | One-time | SAR 25,745 |
Reviews
- Frequently named as one of Riyadh's recognised top-tier schools alongside the British International School Riyadh, with a beautiful campus and strong facilities.
- The most detailed online review, posted in 2023, scored the school and flagged serious concerns: students passing classes despite minimal work, teachers "allegedly forced to pass" failing students after parent complaints, and inconsistent discipline that drug incidents are addressed but cheating and plagiarism less so.
- Same review reported the lowest MAP test scores in the region during one all-staff meeting, plus reported incidents of racism and misogyny against teachers and support staff with limited admin response.
- Other concerns from the same source: alleged favouritism in dismissals, particularly of female teachers, no Learning Support or EAL programmes, and heavy teacher workloads with multiple unique preps.
- High savings potential. Posters list AIS-R alongside Hong Kong International, Singapore American and the Beijing schools as among the highest-paying international postings.
- Tuition runs roughly 44,000 to 110,000 SAR with an enrolment fee around 35,000 SAR, putting it firmly at the top of the Riyadh market.
- One alumnus from the 2018 to 2024 era described it as a "great school" with "amazing facilities and teachers" worth the cost.
Head of school
Ms. Nancy Jenkins
Colin Boudreau serves as the Superintendent of the American International School Riyadh (AIS-R), entering his fifth year in the role for the 2025-26 academic year. A father of an AIS-R graduate, he brings a personal and professional commitment to the school's mission of excellence. Under his leadership, AIS-R focuses on cultivating inquisitive, independent, and resilient learners through a dynamic, strengths-based educational program. He emphasizes the importance of community partnerships, student well-being, and global citizenship, ensuring that AIS-R remains a premier institution for both local and expatriate families in Riyadh.
Accreditations
- New England Association of Schools and Colleges 01
- Council of International Schools 02
Academic results
- IB Pass Rate 100%