Thamer International Schools

In Brief

TIS is the most practical choice for self-funded families who want both British and American pathways without paying BISJ or AISJ prices. At SAR 25,000-44,000, it delivers Cognia and Cambridge accreditation at a fraction of the cost - the trade-off is an older campus and a predominantly Arabic and Asian student body.

Thamer is one of the few Jeddah schools that genuinely runs two parallel exit credentials - Cambridge IGCSE/A-Level and American SAT/AP - on the same campus, giving families real flexibility depending on where a child ends up at university age. With Cognia and Cambridge International Education accreditation, the qualifications are recognised globally. The school received multiple Cambridge Outstanding Learner Awards and was listed among Saudi Arabia's top 20 schools in the NAFS 2024 rankings.

The campus in Al Salamah is described by families as fairly old but well-organised - expectations around uniform and discipline are strict, and teachers are accessible; parents report that WhatsApp communication with teachers works well day-to-day. The school recently opened a dedicated game development lab and has been integrating AI and STEM into the curriculum, which is meaningful for older students. It is co-educational to Grade 4 and segregated from Grade 5, as is standard for Saudi schools.

The student body is predominantly Arabic and Asian - if your family is looking for a broad international mix with significant European representation, this is not the right fit. The campus is functional rather than modern; families used to newer school builds in the region may find the environment a step down from AISJ or BISJ. Fees are not published on the school website; the 2024-25 figures here are from third-party sources - confirm directly before enrolling.