The Saudi Arabian International School – Riyadh, Multinational Section opened in September 1998 and is a non-profit organisation managed by a Board of Governors. The main responsibility of the Board is the overall management and control of the school’s affairs. The Board exercises the power and authority conferred upon it by the Saudi Ministry of Education and takes whatever measures considered necessary in order to achieve the objectives of the school.

The school has adopted the Australian Curriculum Standards Framework (CSF) and has a partnership agreement with Education Victoria. This is an accredited and internationally recognised curriculum. The school participates in an ongoing inspection process by the Victorian Board of Studies. This includes assessment of materials, facilities, teaching methods and school management.

From the academic year 2004/2005 The Multinational School has been offering in years 9 and 10, as an alternative to the CSF, the IGCSE (International General Certificate of Secondary Education).

These internationally recognised qualifications give our students the choice of studying anywhere in the world. The programme is a natural continuation of the current syllabus, although at a more advanced level.

School Philosophy

Providing good quality education for their children is one of the greatest challenges facing many expatriates residing in Riyadh. For some this is achieved by enrolling children in one of the community-centred schools which operate here under the authority of the Ministry of Education (Foreign Education Department).

In recent years it has become increasingly clear to the authorities, as well as to some sections of the expatriate community in Riyadh, that these arrangements were not meeting the needs of everyone. Many numerically small communities now exist within our city, which have not yet the size or ability to set up community-based schools. Their children need good quality schooling nevertheless.

In recognition of this particular need, the Ministry of Education approved the establishment of a Multinational Section of SAIS-R for the purpose of “meeting the educational needs of the children of the expatriate community of Riyadh who do not have guaranteed right of access to other community-based schools”. In addition, particular recognition was also given to the needs of those students who may require some additional assistance to become fully integrated into all aspects of schooling, as well as those who have special educational needs.

The Multinational Section sees as its primary responsibility the educational needs of such students. It is committed to providing a quality, inclusive education in English that meets the needs of each student.