Cities / Jeddah / Dar Jana International Schools
Dar Jana International Schools
A large Lebanese run American curriculum school in Al Rawda, with separate boys and girls campuses serving roughly 5,000 students. Dar Jana opened in 1999 with 23 students and has grown into one of the biggest international stream schools in Jeddah, drawing pupils from over 40 nationalities.
In brief
A large Lebanese-run American-curriculum school in Al Rawda, with separate boys and girls campuses serving roughly 5,000 students.
Dar Jana opened in 1999 with 23 students and has grown into one of the biggest international-stream schools in Jeddah, drawing pupils from over 40 nationalities. The English programme is American, paired with Arabic, KSA studies, and Islamic studies, and the school holds Cognia accreditation. AP and SAT testing run on site along with NWEA MAP and PIRLS assessments. Fees run roughly SAR 20,500 to 39,000.
The school is gender-segregated in the Saudi style, which matters in practice. Fathers are not permitted on the girls campus, so payment, parent conferences, sick pickups, and graduation events on that side are mothers only. The community is largely Arab Muslim families who want an American academic track inside a culturally aligned environment rather than a Western expatriate setting. Teacher reviews lean positive at the Hera girls campus, with administration drawing more of the criticism.
Fees
Annual fees
| Year level | Age | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| KG 1 - KG 3 (Pre-School) | 3 | SAR 20,500 |
| Grade 1 | 6 | SAR 27,000 |
| Grades 2 - 3 | 7 | SAR 31,000 |
| Grades 4 - 6 | 9 | SAR 33,000 |
| Grades 7 - 9 | 12 | SAR 35,000 |
| Grade 10 | 15 | SAR 37,000 |
| Grade 11 | 16 | SAR 38,000 |
| Grade 12 | 17 | SAR 39,000 |
One-time fees
| Item | Age | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Entrance Exam Fee | SAR 650 | |
| Registration Fee (new students) | SAR 2,000 | |
| Annual Reservation Fee (current students) | SAR 2,500 |
Reviews
- Dar Jana is one of the older established American-curriculum schools in Jeddah, with around 5,000 students across separate boys, girls and preschool campuses in Al Rawdah and Al Nahda.
- The school is Lebanese-run and has a predominantly Arab student body, with a US curriculum for English-medium subjects and a separate Arabic, Islamic studies and French strand.
- Parents in expat communities describe the Rawda preschool campus warmly and speak well of teachers at the girls' Hera campus.
- One Saudi alumna who graduated described the school as "honestly amazing" and said she could vouch for every member of staff.
- One restriction parents flag: fathers are not permitted on the girls' campus for any reason, including paying fees, picking up sick children, attending graduations or performances. A real factor in advance if both parents want to be involved day-to-day.
- a real factor about the consistency of the Arabic teaching, which one parent singled out as inconsistent year to year.
Positives
- Teaching. Parents on community discussions and one alumna describe staff at Rawda preschool and Hera girls' campus warmly.
- Affordability. Fees are mid-market for Jeddah at SAR 20,500-39,000.
Considerations
- Established and large. Around 5,000 students, three separate campuses, US curriculum since 1999.
- Father access on girls' campus. Fathers cannot enter the girls' campus for any reason. Frustrates families who want both parents engaged.
- Arabic teaching. At least one parent flagged inconsistency in the Arabic teaching team.
Leadership
Donia Ibrahim K. Alsayed
Donia Ibrahim K. Alsayed serves as the Superintendent of Dar Jana International Schools, bringing over six years of leadership experience within the institution. Her expertise encompasses educational strategy, program development, and fostering cultural competence. Under her leadership, the school has expanded its academic pathways to include both the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) and Advanced Placement (AP) courses. She is dedicated to creating a dynamic, inclusive learning environment that empowers educators and inspires student growth. She prioritizes academic excellence, character building, and continuous improvement to ensure students achieve their full potential.
Accreditations
- Cognia 01
Academic results
- SAT perfect scores 2020-21 13 perfect scores in English, Mathematics, Chemistry, Biology, and Physics