Bilingual Schools in Jeddah: A 2026 Guide for Expat Families

Quick answer: Which bilingual schools can expat families choose in Jeddah? Jeddah has three kinds of bilingual schooling: Arabic-English international schools, a French-English-Arabic school at the Ecole Française Internationale, and multilingual groups such as SEK at Daraah. Annual tuition runs roughly from SAR 25,000 to SAR 75,000, and non-Saudi families should budget for 15% VAT on top.

Last reviewed: September 2026 by Emma from ISA. Fee ranges are indicative; always confirm with the school.

Looking for bilingual schools in Jeddah usually means one of two things. Some families want their children to keep Arabic alive while studying mostly in English. Others arrive from France, Spain or Latin America and want a school where a second European language stays part of daily life. Jeddah can serve both groups, but the offer is smaller and more varied than in Riyadh or Dubai, so it pays to understand how each school actually splits the timetable before you visit.

This guide explains how bilingual programmes work in Jeddah, which schools to put on a first shortlist, what they cost in Saudi riyals and what to ask when you tour a campus.

Why bilingual schooling works differently in Jeddah

Jeddah is Saudi Arabia's commercial port on the Red Sea and has long been its most international city. Families working for shipping, trade, healthcare, the Islamic Development Bank or the growing tourism projects along the coast tend to live in the northern districts, such as Al Shati, Al Zahra, Obhur and Al Rawdah. Most international campuses sit in that belt, and a school in the north can easily be forty minutes away from one in the centre at rush hour.

Arabic is not optional in Saudi Arabia. International schools licensed by the Ministry of Education generally teach Arabic and Islamic studies to Muslim students, and many offer Arabic as a foreign language to everyone else. That means almost every international school in the city is bilingual to some degree. The real difference is how much of the week happens in the second language and whether it is taught as a subject or used to teach other subjects.

Bilingual models you will find in Jeddah

English-medium with strong Arabic: the most common model. English is the language of instruction for maths, science and humanities, while Arabic gets several lessons a week, often split into native and non-native tracks.
French-English-Arabic: the French curriculum, with English taught intensively and Arabic available. It suits families who may return to a French or European system.
Multilingual groups: schools linked to international networks that add Spanish or other languages to English and Arabic, usually with an IB or British framework.
Arabic-first national-plus schools: private schools that follow the Saudi curriculum with enriched English. These rarely fit expat children who arrive without Arabic.

Bilingual and multilingual schools to shortlist

Daraah International School, SEK Education Group

Daraah International School belongs to the Spanish SEK Education Group, which runs IB schools in Europe and the Middle East. The school is recently active on International School Advisor and is one of the few options in Jeddah where English, Arabic and Spanish can share a single timetable. It is a natural first visit for Spanish-speaking families and for anyone who wants an IB pathway with a genuine third language.

Ecole Française Internationale de Jeddah

The Ecole Française Internationale de Jeddah follows the French national curriculum. Children study in French, English is taught as a strong second language, and Arabic is part of the offer. It works well for French-speaking families and for children who have already started in a French system elsewhere.

Jeddah Private International Schools

Jeddah Private International Schools is an established English-medium option with Arabic and Islamic studies built into the week. Ask how the school groups native and non-native Arabic speakers, because that decides whether your child will be stretched or lost in Arabic lessons.

Al Waha International School

Al Waha International School is worth a look for families who want an English-medium education with a solid Arabic programme at a more moderate price point. Visit during a normal teaching day to hear how much Arabic is used around the school, not only in the classroom.

How much bilingual schools in Jeddah cost

Fees vary widely by school and by grade. As a rough guide for 2026:

Kindergarten: roughly SAR 20,000 to 45,000 a year.
Primary: roughly SAR 25,000 to 60,000 a year.
Secondary and IB or A level years: roughly SAR 35,000 to 75,000 a year.

Budget separately for the extras that most schools charge on top of tuition:

Application and assessment fees, often SAR 500 to 2,000.
Registration or enrolment fees and refundable deposits.
Bus transport, which can add SAR 5,000 to 10,000 a year depending on distance.
Uniforms, books, devices and exam board fees for IGCSE, A level or IB.

One hard figure matters for every expat budget. Saudi Arabia has charged VAT at 15% since July 2020, and private school tuition for Saudi citizens is covered by the state, while non-Saudi families pay the VAT themselves. Ask every school whether the fee it quotes already includes VAT. The riyal has been pegged at 3.75 to the US dollar since 1986, so a dollar-linked salary gives you predictable school costs.

Practical advice for families

Test the second language, not the brochure. Ask what percentage of weekly lessons are taught in each language in your child's grade. A school that calls itself bilingual but offers four Arabic lessons a week is very different from one where science is taught in two languages.

Plan for the calendar. Most international schools in Jeddah start in late August and admissions for the popular grades fill during the spring. If you are relocating mid-year, email two or three schools at once and ask for current waiting lists by grade.

Think about the next move. If you expect to leave Saudi Arabia within three years, choose the curriculum that matches your likely next country. A French child heading back to Paris will transition more easily from the French school, while an IB or British pathway travels better to most other destinations.

Compare the top-rated schools in Saudi Arabia

Before you book visits, check how parents rate each school and how they compare across the country in the ranking of the best schools in Saudi Arabia. You can filter by curriculum, language and fees and save a shortlist to contact directly.

More guides to schools in Jeddah

Frequently asked questions

Do expat children have to study Arabic at international schools in Jeddah?

Most licensed international schools in Jeddah include Arabic in the timetable. Muslim students usually follow Arabic and Islamic studies, while non-Arabic speakers often take Arabic as a foreign language. The number of lessons and the level vary by school, so ask for the weekly timetable of your child's grade before you enrol.

Is there a French school in Jeddah?

Yes. The Ecole Française Internationale de Jeddah follows the French national curriculum, with English taught as a strong second language and Arabic also available. It is the obvious choice for French-speaking families and for children who have already studied in a French system and want to continue without disruption.

How much should I budget for a bilingual school in Jeddah?

Plan for roughly SAR 25,000 to 75,000 a year in tuition, depending on the school and grade, plus transport, uniforms, books and exam fees. Non-Saudi families should also check whether the 15% VAT is included in the fee quoted, because it can change the final bill significantly.