American International School, Riyadh
Key Stats
Annual Fees: US$17K - US$31K
Curriculum: American · IB
Age Range: 3-18
Students: ~1,650
Location: Al Yasmin, Riyadh
Updated April 2026
In Brief
For American families, or anyone who wants a US curriculum with IB Diploma access and a well-resourced campus, AIS-R is the clear choice in Riyadh - just budget carefully, as one-time fees bring the first-year cost substantially above the listed tuition.
Founded in 1963, AIS-R is the oldest international school in Riyadh and the reference point for families seeking a genuine American education in Saudi Arabia. Around 27% of students hold US passports, 20% Saudi, and 10% Canadian - making it less monoculturally American than its name implies. The school operates on a modern campus opened in 2014 in the Al Yasmin district, complete with a 700-seat performing arts theatre and five STEM labs.
The curriculum follows US national standards (Common Core, NGSS, AERO) from Pre-KG through Grade 10, switching to IB Diploma for Grades 11 and 12. Both qualifications are awarded to graduating seniors who complete the full programme. The 2021 cohort achieved a 100% IB pass rate. BYOD from Grade 3 onwards and blended learning platforms are embedded in day-to-day teaching. Class sizes cap at 24 for upper grades.
The fee structure is the most expensive in Riyadh for older students: SAR 117,812 per year for Grades 9-12 (including 15% VAT), with capital and registration fees of SAR 34,000-plus on first enrolment. The school does not accept card payments - all fees are by bank transfer, which can be awkward for new arrivals. Some families have noted that grade inflation pressure from high-fee-paying parents is worth asking about directly at admissions.
What parents value
- –Dual qualification at graduation: students who complete the IB Diploma also receive an AIS-R High School Diploma, providing flexible university entry to US, UK, and international institutions simultaneously.
- –Purpose-built 2014 campus with consistently good facilities: 130 classrooms with interactive screens, five dedicated STEM labs, a Robotics Lab, a 700-seat theatre, and full-size grass sports fields - unusual for inner-city Riyadh schools.
- –Week Without Walls for senior students involves real international travel and service projects; historically students have travelled to Thailand, Nepal, Cambodia, and elsewhere. It builds the kind of portfolio that US university admissions offices look for.
Points of consideration
- –First-year costs are considerably higher than the headline tuition figure. A Grade 10 non-Saudi student pays SAR 117,812 in tuition plus approximately SAR 42,000 in one-time capital and registration fees - total first-year outlay over SAR 159,000.
- –The school does not publish detailed year-by-year IB results beyond the headline pass rate. Families considering AIS-R primarily for IB Diploma should request historical average scores and subject-level results at the admissions meeting.
- –Class sizes at 23-24 for Grades 3-12 are at the upper end of what most premium international schools consider ideal. If small-group teaching is important for your child, ask specifically how support is structured.
Annual Fees
| Year Group | Age | USDTotal Annual Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Early Years (Pre-KG, until 1:15 PM) | 3 | NaN |
| KG-II to Grade 5 | 5 | NaN |
| Grades 6-8 | 11 | NaN |
| Grades 9-12 | 14 | NaN |
Fees converted from SAR. For the most up to date and accurate figures please double check with the school.
Additional Fees
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application Fee (non-Saudi) | NaN |
| Capital Fee (Pre-K to G8, non-Saudi) | NaN |
| Capital Fee (G9-12, non-Saudi) | NaN |
| Registration Fee (non-Saudi) | NaN |
Academic Results
| IB Pass Rate | 100% |
Key results: IB Pass Rate 100%.
Extra Curriculars
Contact the school for details on co-curricular activities and facilities. Ask what a normal week looks like outside lessons for your child's age group and interests.
Inspections & Accreditations
Inspection
No published inspection details are currently available.
Accreditations
Accreditation details are not publicly listed.
Memberships
Membership details are not publicly listed.
Student Body
Riyadh's international schools serve a diverse community of families on corporate assignments and long-term residents. Contact the school for current enrolment details and nationality breakdown.
Leadership
School leadership
Contact the school for current leadership details.