American International School – Riyadh

What the school is

History, campus and governance

In 2014, AIS-R moved from south Riyadh to a purpose-built northern campus developed in cooperation with Al Bustan Village. The Good Schools Guide gives its address as Prince Saud Ibn Abdullah Ibn Jalawi Road in Al Aarid, near An Narjis. Use that campus address when comparing housing and transport options.

AIS-R is governed by a Board of Trustees and licensed by the Saudi Ministry of Education. The Good Schools Guide also records its relationship with the US State Department’s Office of Overseas Schools. These governance and institutional connections are distinct from its NEASC and CIS accreditation.

Academics in practice

American curriculum and the IB Diploma

The American college-preparatory curriculum leads to the IB Diploma option in Grades 11 and 12. School information describes a September-to-June academic year with 176 instructional days; use the calendar for your entry year when planning a move. AIS-R also holds CIS Global Citizenship Certification. For older pupils, discuss the Grade 9–10 courses that prepare them for their intended Diploma subjects and the alternatives to taking the full Diploma.

Families needing English-language or learning support should discuss their child’s needs with the relevant team before accepting a place, including the proposed support, staffing and any additional charges. The school’s FAQ covers practical topics including transport, devices, languages and university destinations.

Admissions and cost

Admissions, fees and the wait pool

The school’s 2026–27 schedule lists annual tuition for non-Saudi families, including 15% VAT, of SAR 64,743.85 for Early Years (until 1:15 pm), SAR 106,496.90 for KG-II–Grade 5, SAR 110,158.50 for Grades 6–8 and SAR 120,756.90 for Grades 9–12; Saudi nationals pay no VAT (SAR 56,299–105,006). New families also pay a SAR 5,026.65 application fee, a one-time capital fee of SAR 18,220.60 (PreK–Grade 8) or SAR 26,389.05 (Grades 9–12) and a SAR 16,963.65 registration fee. For a new non-Saudi Grade 9–12 student, those joining fees total SAR 48,379.35, making tuition plus joining charges SAR 169,136.25 before other costs. The SAR 14,674 seat deposit is credited to tuition, so it is not added again.

A secondary waitlist guide reports that AIS-R uses a pool rather than a chronological queue and requires unplaced applicants to reapply each year. This was not confirmed as school policy in the sources reviewed. Admissions can explain whether an application carries forward, what updates are needed and how places are allocated for the intended entry year.

Contact admissions once your likely move date and school year are known. Grade availability and assessment requirements will determine the next steps. A relocating employer may help with the process, but its involvement should not be assumed to confer admissions priority or guarantee a place.

The family experience

Location, community and the daily reality

The north Riyadh campus is associated with the Al Bustan Village development. Expat accounts describe travel by family car, driver or compound bus; bus coverage depends on the address, and after-school activities change collection times.