One World International School, Riyadh

In Brief

For families relocating to Riyadh who want IB in the early years and a US curriculum for secondary - at a meaningful saving versus BISR and AIS-R - OWIS Al Muruj is worth a serious look, particularly for younger children. The caveat is that it's still a young school with no published exam results yet.

OWIS is the only school in Riyadh offering the IB PYP alongside a US-standard curriculum in a single co-educational setting, which makes it a natural choice for families who have moved from IB primary schools in Singapore, India, or elsewhere and want continuity. The school is part of Global Schools Foundation, a Singapore not-for-profit with 35 campuses, 450-plus education awards, and a history of IB excellence in Asia. It holds the distinction of being the first Apple Distinguished School in Saudi Arabia - not a marketing badge but an accreditation that comes with a substantive review of how technology is embedded in learning.

The Al Muruj campus on Olaya Street is in central Riyadh, which is a genuine advantage for families based in the diplomatic and commercial core. Parent testimonials describe teachers who know students by name from the first weeks and a school culture that actively teaches values rather than just displaying them on walls. Fees are among the most competitive for an IB-track school at SAR 37,260 for Pre-KG rising to SAR 62,100 for Grade 9 - roughly 40% lower than AIS-R at equivalent grade levels. The school has a 10% sibling discount.

The honest caveat is that OWIS opened in 2022 and is still building its senior cohort. Grade 9 is the current ceiling; high school years will follow progressively, with the school targeting Grade 10 in 2026-27. There are no published IGCSE, A-Level, or IB Diploma results. Gender separation applies from Grade 7, reverting to co-ed for senior high school. For families with secondary-age children or those prioritising published academic outcomes, the school's track record is still forming.