Schools in Jeddah

Jeddah is the gateway to Makkah and the largest city on the western coast of Saudi Arabia, and its schools reflect that mix, a deeply rooted local community alongside one of the most diverse expatriate populations in the country. From the historic districts near the Corniche to newer neighbourhoods stretching north and east, families have an unusually wide choice of curricula, languages and teaching styles. This page helps you make sense of that choice and find a school in Jeddah that genuinely fits your child.

What you can do on this page

This is the live listing of schools in Jeddah. You can filter by curriculum, school type, gender and education stage, then compare shortlisted schools side by side. If budget is your starting point, open the Jeddah school-fees guide to see fee ranges before you commit to a visit. Common starting points for Jeddah families include international schools, British schools and girls' schools.

Types of schools in Jeddah

Jeddah's coastal, port-city character means it hosts a large concentration of international schools serving expatriate and globally minded Saudi families, alongside national schools following the Ministry of Education programme. For the early years, the city has a wide network of kindergartens, and there are dedicated special-education providers for children who need additional support. Many of Jeddah's larger campuses run all the way from kindergarten through secondary, which suits families who want continuity in one location.

Curricula available in Jeddah

Because of Jeddah's international community, you'll find the full spread of curricula here. The British curriculum (IGCSE and A-Level) and the American curriculum are both well established, the IB is offered at several of the city's premium schools, and the Saudi national curriculum remains the choice for families who prioritise Arabic and Islamic studies. If you're weighing one against another, our curriculum guides walk through what each system means for assessment, language of instruction and university pathways.

How to choose a school in Jeddah

Start with curriculum and language, since this shapes everything else, then think about location. Jeddah's traffic and the distances between northern and central districts make the daily commute a real factor, so a strong school far from home may not beat a good one nearby. From there, weigh gender preference, fees against the Jeddah school-fees guide, class sizes and the school's track record at the stage your child is entering. Where possible, visit during a school day to see the facilities and the atmosphere for yourself.

Education stages

Schools in Jeddah cover the standard progression in Saudi Arabia: kindergarten (roughly ages 3 to 6), primary, intermediate and secondary. Some international schools align stages to their own system, for example British Years and Key Stages or American grade levels, so check how a school's stages map to your child's age before applying. Entry points and waiting lists differ by stage and by school, so it's worth enquiring early, especially for the most sought-after campuses in Jeddah.