Cities / Riyadh / King Faisal School
King Faisal School
A not for profit IB continuum school in the Diplomatic Quarter, established by the King Faisal Foundation in 1991 and the first school in Saudi Arabia to offer all three IB programmes. KFS sits on roughly 40 acres in the DQ and serves around 2,000 to 3,000 boys and girls from age 3 to 18.
In brief
A not-for-profit IB continuum school in the Diplomatic Quarter, established by the King Faisal Foundation in 1991 and the first school in Saudi Arabia to offer all three IB programmes.
KFS sits on roughly 40 acres in the DQ and serves around 2,000 to 3,000 boys and girls from age 3 to 18. Students choose between the IB pathway (PYP, MYP, DP) and an American Diploma route in the upper years. Facilities are strong by Riyadh standards, with a swimming pool, two large sports pitches, and an indoor sports hall, and the school refreshed its buildings in recent years. COGNIA accreditation sits alongside the IB authorisation.
The cohort is heavily Saudi national, around 95 percent, with a small expat passport-holder minority of roughly 100 students. Families describe a stable, well-resourced environment with experienced staff and steady IB outcomes, and long-tenure parents tend to rate it as one of the strongest options in the city. Fees run from roughly SAR 49,000 to SAR 67,500.
Fees
Annual fees
| Year level | Age | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Preschool | 3 | SAR 49,000 |
| Grades 1-9 | 6 | SAR 65,000 |
| Grade 10 | 15 | SAR 67,500 |
| Grades 11-12 | 16 | SAR 67,500 |
Reviews
- Riyadh expat and Saudi forum posts position KFS as one of the city's stronger schools, with several parents and ex-staff calling it among the best in Riyadh.
- IB continuum credentials are a recurring positive: KFS was the first school in Saudi Arabia to run all three IB programmes, and parent commentary on directory sites cites strong IB outcomes and dedicated staff.
- Practical complaints centre on cost, traffic at pickup, and the heavy security around the Diplomatic Quarter campus.
- One ex-teacher described pay around 20,000 SAR a month but said they disliked working there, hinting at a workload-versus-reputation tension.
Positives
- Reputation among Riyadh schools. Parents and teachers describe KFS as one of, if not the, best school in Riyadh.
- IB continuum strength. First school in Saudi Arabia offering PYP, MYP and DP; parent reviews on directory sites credit the IB programme for child progress.
Considerations
- Diplomatic Quarter location. Campus next to the US Embassy with heavy security; some staff cite this positively, parents flag pickup traffic congestion.
- Staff workload. An ex-teacher said they disliked working there despite competitive pay, suggesting demanding internal conditions.
Leadership
Mr J M (Martin) McElhone
Martin McElhone is the Superintendent and Executive Principal of King Faisal School, Riyadh, having joined the institution in 2017. With a Bachelor of Education from the University of Birmingham, he has extensive experience in both UK and international educational settings, including eight years at Jeddah Prep and Grammar School. Throughout his career, he has focused on driving academic excellence and successfully implementing the International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum at all levels. His leadership emphasizes creativity and the development of a strong future for the new generation of leaders in Saudi Arabia.
Accreditations
- Cognia 01
Academic results
- IB Pass Rate 92%