Cities / Riyadh / The Manarat Schools — Riyadh
The Manarat Schools — Riyadh
A Maarif network school in Riyadh, founded 1971, running American and British streams alongside the national curriculum for around 6,000 pupils aged 3 to 18.
Fees
Annual fees
| Year level | Age | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| KG1-KG2 | 3 | SAR 26,500 |
| KG3 | 5 | SAR 28,350 |
| Grades 1-6 | 6 | SAR 33,600 |
| Grades 7-8 | 12 | SAR 39,250 |
| Grades 9-12 | 14 | SAR 42,900 |
Reviews
- Parent and former-student comments are sharply mixed. Supporters praise strong Islamic grounding, supportive teachers, exam preparation and a multicultural environment.
- Critical comments focus on teaching quality, heavy assessment, limited guidance for older students, weak administration and rough day-to-day conditions.
- The school appears best suited to families who value results and religious grounding, but the negative signal around consistency and student support is substantial.
Positives
- Values and exam focus. Supportive comments praise Islamic grounding, exam preparation, teacher support and a serious academic culture.
Considerations
- Teaching consistency. Critical comments describe weak teaching, syllabus-driven lessons, and students needing more support at home.
- Administration and student experience. Some families praise staff cooperation, while others describe weak administration, long waits, poor guidance and difficult daily conditions.
Leadership
Mr. Paul O'Donnell
Mr. Paul O'Donnell is the Superintendent of Manarat Al-Riyadh International School, having joined in August 2024. With over twenty years of experience in international education leadership, he previously served as Executive Principal at MADAC Academy in Madinah. His international career includes roles as Director of Primary Schools at Institut Florimont in Geneva and Principal of the International School at Institut Montana in Zug, Switzerland. He holds a master’s degree in educational leadership and management from the University of Bath, UK, and is a certified administrator and educator with the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO).
Accreditations
- Cognia 01
Academic results
- SAT Reasoning 2019 30 students achieved 700+
- SAT Subject Tests 2019 46 students achieved 700+
- CAIE Awards June 2019 13 positions including 1 Top in World and 2 Top in Country.
Location
Manarat Kindergarten روضة منارات الرياض, Al Janadil, Stret, Riyadh 12488, Saudi Arabia