Cities / Jeddah / Thamer International Schools
Thamer International Schools
A long running Jeddah private school in Qouraish As Salamah offering both American (SAT/AP) and British (IGCSE/A Level) pathways on a single campus. Mid market fees for international tracks, with a strong following among Arabic speaking families returning from the US or UK.
In brief
A long-running Jeddah private school in Qouraish-As Salamah offering both American (SAT/AP) and British (IGCSE/A-Level) pathways on a single campus. Mid-market fees for international tracks, with a strong following among Arabic-speaking families returning from the US or UK.
Thamer runs from nursery to Grade 12 with around 3,575 students. Co-ed in early years, segregated from Grade 4 upward, which suits Saudi family preferences. Cognia-accredited and offering dual diplomas, the school lets families pick American or British university routes without changing schools. Curricula on offer include Cambridge IGCSE and A-Level, Pearson Edexcel, Oxford AQA, and AP.
Parents praise the teaching corps, organized parent meetings, and steady academic results, with returning expat families citing a smoother re-entry into Arabic and Islamic studies than the higher-fee Western schools manage. Size brings inconsistency across sections. Thamer pitches itself explicitly as a more affordable alternative to KAUST, BISJ and AISJ, with fees in the SAR 24,500 to 44,000 range, and it suits families who want a serious bilingual program without premium pricing.
Fees
Annual fees
| Year level | Age | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| KG 1 - KG 3 | 3 | SAR 25,000 |
| Grades 1 - 3 (boys) | 6 | SAR 24,500 |
| Grades 1 - 3 (girls) | 6 | SAR 29,000 |
| Grade 4 (boys) | 9 | SAR 27,500 |
| Grade 4 (girls) | 9 | SAR 31,000 |
| Grades 5 - 6 | 10 | SAR 31,000 |
| Grades 7 - 8 | 12 | SAR 34,000 |
| Grade 9 | 14 | SAR 35,000 |
| Grades 10 - 11 | 15 | SAR 40,000 |
| Grade 12 | 17 | SAR 44,000 |
Reviews
- Parent and student comments are sharply split. Positive comments praise teacher access, parent meetings, memories, and support through graduation.
- Negative comments are serious and concrete, including bullying support, cleanliness, ventilation, discipline, and teachers not finishing the curriculum.
- Staff-side comments add a separate caution on low pay, workload, and management. That does not directly measure student experience, but it reinforces concerns about consistency and staff morale.
Positives
- Teacher access and community. Positive parent and student comments praise teacher conversations, supportive staff, and lasting school memories.
Considerations
- Student welfare and facilities. Negative comments raise concerns about bullying support, bathrooms, ventilation, discipline, and curriculum completion.
- Staff conditions. Employee comments describe low pay, heavy workload, weak management, and uneven treatment.
Leadership
Rana Abdelbaqi
Rana Abdelbaqi has served as the Academic Director of Thamer International Schools since August 2012. She is a resourceful education professional with extensive experience in creating and monitoring school policies, mentoring educators, and implementing curriculum standards. Her role involves supervising instructional programs, ensuring a safe learning environment, and managing school operations in alignment with both local and international regulations. Previously, she served as the Chemistry and Biology Coordinator at T.I.S. and held teaching positions in Tabuk and Amman. She holds a B.Sc. in Pharmacy from the University of Jordan and is an active participant in global educational conferences, including representing the school at the British Council Schools Now conference.
Accreditations
- Cognia 01
Academic results
- Cambridge Outstanding Learners multiple awards