Best International Schools in Al Khobar: 2026 Guide for Families

Quick answer: Which are the best international schools in Al Khobar? Families in Al Khobar and Dhahran usually shortlist the British International School Al Khobar, International Programs School, Dhahran High School, the British School in Dhahran and Al Hussan International School. They cover British, American and IB programmes, with annual fees ranging roughly from SAR 25,000 to 95,000.

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

Al Khobar, together with Dhahran and Dammam, forms the main urban area of Saudi Arabia's Eastern Province, the heart of the kingdom's oil and gas industry. Engineers, consultants, medical staff and teachers from dozens of countries live here, and the area has some of the longest-established international schools in the Gulf. This guide to the best international schools in Al Khobar explains which schools families shortlist, how they differ, what they cost in 2026 and what to consider before you apply.

Al Khobar for families

Most expat families live in residential compounds in Al Khobar, Dhahran and the newer districts along the King Salman and King Fahd roads, where housing, pools and sports facilities are shared and school buses stop at the gate. The Corniche, malls and restaurants make the city easy for families, and the drive across the King Fahd Causeway, the roughly 25-kilometre bridge to Bahrain opened in 1986, means many families spend weekends on the island. Distances inside the metropolitan area are short by Saudi standards, but traffic at school times on the main roads can still be heavy.

Curricula available

English National Curriculum with IGCSE and A Level, common at British schools.
American curriculum with AP courses and a US-style high school diploma.
International Baccalaureate, mainly the Diploma Programme in Grades 11 and 12.
National curricula of expat communities, such as Pakistani, Indian or Philippine schools, at lower fees.
Saudi national curriculum with an international track, at private schools that serve both Saudi and expat families.

The international schools families shortlist

British International School Al Khobar

British International School Al Khobar, known as BISAK, follows the English National Curriculum from the early years to IGCSE and beyond. It is a natural choice for British and Commonwealth families and for those who want a British pathway with a large, international student body.

International Programs School

International Programs School offers an American-style curriculum with international qualifications in the senior years. It suits North American families and those who want a US college pathway, with AP courses and a broad range of activities.

Dhahran High School

Dhahran High School is part of a long-established group of international schools in the Eastern Province that historically served the oil industry community. It offers an American-style high school programme and is known for a strong college counselling culture.

British School Dhahran

The British School in Dhahran follows the English National Curriculum and is closely linked with the same group's American schools, which can be convenient for families with children in different systems. It is popular with families living in the Dhahran compounds.

Al Hussan International School

Al Hussan International School belongs to a Saudi education group with several campuses in the Eastern Province. It offers an international programme in English and is chosen by both Saudi and expat families looking for a well-resourced school at more moderate fees.

Other schools worth a look

The area also has Multinational School Dhahran, Dunes International Schools, Al Khobar International School, Gulf International School, New World International School and Bayan Gardens School, as well as community schools such as Pakistan International School and International Philippine School. They are worth including if fees or location matter most.

How much do international schools in Al Khobar cost?

Fees are quoted in Saudi riyals, which is pegged to the US dollar at 3.75 SAR per dollar. One verifiable point for budgets: private school fees for non-Saudi students carry VAT at the standard 15% rate, while the state covers the VAT on private education for Saudi citizens. Always check whether the fees a school quotes include VAT. Indicative annual tuition for 2026-27, before VAT:

Premium British and American international schools: roughly SAR 60,000 to 95,000 (about USD 16,000 to 25,300).
Mid-range international schools: roughly SAR 30,000 to 60,000.
Community schools following national curricula: roughly SAR 10,000 to 25,000.

Extras to budget for:

Application and assessment fees, roughly SAR 500 to 2,000.
A one-off registration or development fee at some schools, roughly SAR 2,000 to 10,000.
School bus from compounds, roughly SAR 4,000 to 8,000 a year.
Uniforms, books, trips and exam fees for IGCSE, A Level, AP or IB.

How to choose between them

Follow your next move. British schools ease a return to the UK, American schools suit North American families, and schools with the IB Diploma keep options open for university anywhere.

Check compound bus routes. Many families choose a compound partly for the school bus. Ask each school which compounds it serves and how long the ride is.

Apply as soon as the job offer is signed. The premium schools can have waiting lists in the early years and in some secondary year groups, and corporate-sponsored places are often allocated first.

Daily life and the school calendar

The school year in the Eastern Province runs from late August to June, with breaks around Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha whose dates move each year with the lunar calendar. The working week runs Sunday to Thursday, so school weekends fall on Friday and Saturday. Summer heat is intense from June to September, which is why schools invest heavily in indoor sports halls and covered play areas; ask to see them on your visit. Arabic and Islamic studies are part of the timetable at many schools, with Arabic as an additional language for non-native speakers, and children usually enjoy learning some Arabic for daily life. Finally, keep your residence permit, the child's passport and attested school certificates ready, since Saudi schools often need attested documents for the upper grades.

See the full ranking

To compare all the schools in the region, check our ranking of the best schools in the Eastern Province, with reviews and curricula side by side.

More guides to schools in Al Khobar

Frequently asked questions

What is the best international school in Al Khobar?

It depends on the curriculum. The British International School Al Khobar and the British School in Dhahran suit families wanting a British pathway, International Programs School and Dhahran High School follow American-style programmes, and Al Hussan International School offers an international option at more moderate fees. Visit at least two before choosing.

How much are international school fees in Al Khobar in 2026?

Annual tuition at premium British and American schools ranges roughly from SAR 60,000 to 95,000 before VAT, about USD 16,000 to 25,300. Mid-range schools charge roughly SAR 30,000 to 60,000. Non-Saudi families pay 15% VAT on top, and should also budget for registration fees, buses from compounds, uniforms and exam fees.

Do employers in the Eastern Province pay school fees?

Many do. Large energy, engineering and healthcare employers often include an education allowance or pay schools directly, sometimes with reserved places. Check whether your allowance covers VAT, registration fees and transport, because these extras can add 20% or more to the tuition figure and are not always included.