Cities / Riyadh / Sri Lankan International School Riyadh
Sri Lankan International School Riyadh
A not-for-profit community school founded in 1992 to serve the Sri Lankan diaspora, also a Pearson Edexcel learning and examination centre that takes pupils from other nationalities.
In brief
A not-for-profit community school founded in 1992 to serve the Sri Lankan diaspora, also a Pearson Edexcel learning and examination centre that takes pupils from other nationalities.
SLISR runs the British curriculum through IGCSE and A Level, with around 800 students and 70 staff, roughly 80 percent Sri Lankan and the remainder a mix of South Asian and other passport holders. Fees are unusually low for a British curriculum option in Riyadh at roughly SAR 5,500 to SAR 8,800, reflecting the community-school structure and community subsidy. The school sits alongside sister branches in Jeddah and Dammam.
Parents praise the discipline, the comprehensive British programme, and teachers who are described as knowledgeable and personally invested. Edexcel exam outcomes are reported as competitive in regional terms. The school is not pitched as a luxury international experience and facilities are functional rather than premium, but for families who want a structured British academic path on a tight budget, it has been a serious option for three decades.
Fees
| Fee | Age | Type | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| PS to Grade 2 (Sri Lankan) | Annual | SAR 5,460 | |
| Grade 3-7 (Sri Lankan) | Annual | SAR 5,850 | |
| Grade 8-12 (Sri Lankan) | Annual | SAR 6,240 | |
| PS to Grade 2 (Non-Sri Lankan) | Annual | SAR 8,100 | |
| Grade 3-7 (Non-Sri Lankan) | Annual | SAR 8,400 | |
| Grade 8-12 (Non-Sri Lankan) | Annual | SAR 8,790 | |
| Refundable Deposit (Sri Lankan) | One-time | SAR 1,000 | |
| Admission Fee (Sri Lankan, 1st child) | One-time | SAR 1,200 | |
| Refundable Deposit (Non-Sri Lankan) | One-time | SAR 2,000 | |
| Admission Fee (Non-Sri Lankan) | One-time | SAR 2,500 |
Reviews
- Independent parent commentary on SLISR is limited; what surfaces is a small but consistent pool praising teachers and academic discipline within a community-school model.
- Reviews emphasise the British curriculum and Pearson Edexcel exam centre status, with the school presenting itself as a regional leader on IGCSE and A Level results within the Sri Lankan diaspora.
- The intake is roughly 80 percent Sri Lankan families plus students from across South Asia, the Middle East and East Africa, which parents describe as a culturally cohesive but limited international mix.
- Practical positives cited include disciplined environment, supportive principal and dedicated teachers; common reservations are fee value vs facilities and competition for places.
- WhichSchoolAdvisor's parent survey framework exists for the school but did not surface published response volumes large enough to read as representative.
Head of school
Rukshan Razak
Rukshan Razak leads SLISR with a vision centered on comprehensive student development. The principal emphasizes creating a dynamic and constantly seeking excellence institution that balances academic rigor with holistic growth. Leadership priorities include fostering intercultural understanding, integrating modern technology, and developing students' intellectual curiosity, social skills, and self-discovery alongside their academic achievements at this institution serving the Sri Lankan community in Saudi Arabia.