The Royal Commission for Riyadh City (RCRC) launched the International School Attraction Program (ISAP) to revamp the sector and enhance its quality offerings in the city across five pillars:
1- Elevating the education quality of existing players
2- Expanding the private sector participation
3- Skills-set engine for locally developed talents
4- Enhancing governance framework
5- Attracting international students
As part of expanding the private sector participation, RCRC devised a methodology to attract international schools based on specific criteria that include global reputation (ranking), affiliation & network, accreditation & curriculum, pre-k to 12 offers, 21st-century skill focus, regional & local experience, innovation, and start-up programs, academic results, notable alumni, and international expansion track record.
Also, as part of the city’s strategy to enhance the education sector, our partnership with the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Investment reflects a commitment to providing education and learning opportunities for Saudi and international students. Also, this program comes in line with the ambitious Saudi Vision 2030 and RCRC’s strategy to build on Riyadh’s position as the regional economic powerhouse in becoming one of the world’s top ten cities and one of the most prominent in quality of life by 2030.
Key International Schools Participating in the ISAP
One World International School (OWIS)
The Singaporean One World International School (OWIS), one of the prestigious schools of the Singaporean Global Schools Foundation (GSF), opened its first school in Riyadh. The Global Schools Foundation (GSF) currently operates 26 campuses in eight countries with a strength of over 25,000 students from 70 nationalities.
The school offers comprehensive and holistic educational programs, including arts, sports, music, and languages. In addition, OWIS provides personalized teaching for various stages of development based on International Baccalaureate (IB), Primary Years Program (PYP), and an American curriculum based on Common Core State Standards and Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).
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Downe House Riyadh
The Downe House Schools opened its first school in Riyadh, bringing over a century of British teaching and learning experience and providing first-class educational opportunities for female students. The new school offers a tailored education that combines the best of the British with the tradition of, and respect for, the culture and language of Saudi Arabia. The all-female faculty preserves traditional values and provides pupils with a safe and caring environment.
Designed by two leading Saudi female architects, the campus in Riyadh provides a genuinely inspirational teaching and learning environment, housing some of the finest facilities in the Middle East.
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Aldenham School
The Aldenham Education Group (Aldenham), one of the oldest British schools, opened its first campus in Riyadh. Aldenham Riyadh initially launches a preparatory school (ages 3-11), soon followed by the senior school (ages 11-18).
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King’s College
The UK’s top-ranked King’s College opened an international school in Riyadh. Bringing 140 years of outstanding British education to Riyadh, the school serves students from KG to Grade 12, benefitting from access to the King’s College international network of teachers and prestigious alumni, including Nobel laureates, world leaders, policymakers, Olympians, authors, and musicians.
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SEK International School
The SEK Education Group opened SEK International School Riyadh, its first campus in Saudi Arabia. The SEK International School in Riyadh welcomes students from Pre-K (age 3 years) to Grade 2 (age 7/8 years). It will become one of the few schools in Riyadh accredited to offer the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP), and Diploma Programme (DP).
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