Compare Islamic International Schools in Riyadh, Saudi arabia

Abi Alhasan Alhsry, Al Aqiq, Riyadh, 13511, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The campus is located in the Al-Aqiq district of Riyadh.

The school serves pupils aged 2 to 18. It admits boys and girls in Pre-Prep and Lower Prep (ages 3-9) and is girls-only from Upper Prep (ages 9-18).

Downe House Riyadh is a British international day school. It operates as co-educational in Pre-Prep and Lower Prep and becomes girls-only from Upper Prep onward.

There is an English as an Additional Language (EAL) programme and a dedicated Learning Support Department. EAL supports language development through group and one-to-one sessions, with additional resources and regular progress assessment. Learning Support provides Individual Education Plans (IEPs) and targeted, small-group support as needed; some specialist EAL tuition may incur additional charges.

The school is affiliated with the United Kingdom as a British international school and follows a British curriculum as part of the Downe House international family.

There is no formal religious affiliation. Arabic and Islamic Studies are integrated into the curriculum to reflect Saudi context.

Nursery, KG1 and KG2 begin with a drop-off at 7:30 am, start at 7:45 am, and are collected at 2:30 pm. Year 1 to Year 13 have a drop-off at 7:30 am, start at 7:45 am, and finish at 3:45 pm.

There is no available information on school-provided bus service.

Downe House Riyadh delivers a seamless British education from Nursery to Year 13, combining the UK National Curriculum with the Downe House UK academic approach. Arabic Language, Islamic Studies, and Social Studies are embedded in the core curriculum to provide cultural and linguistic balance. From Year 5 onward, lessons are taught by subject specialists across the curriculum. In Years 9–11, students follow the IGCSE programme with core subjects (English, Mathematics and the Sciences) and a range of options, with Arabic, Islamic Studies and Social Studies continuing to be taught. In Years 12–13, students typically pursue A Levels, with BTEC qualifications also available as a pathway. Timetables are structured to encourage increasing independence in learners' study throughout the senior years.

Downe House Riyadh supports social and emotional learning (SEL) through a dedicated pastoral care framework aligned to the Cognita Be Well Charter. Pastoral care aims to nurture happy, resilient, and adaptable learners, with wellbeing at the heart of learning. Dedicated teachers provide personalised care, guiding each girl through her learning journey and helping build resilience and self-esteem. The school emphasises an all-girls environment and Downe House DNA values—Compassion, Collaboration, Resilience, Creativity, Aspiration, Communication, Outward Looking, and Digital Ready—to foster confidence and leadership. Be Well Charter is applied across daily routines, incorporating six pillars, healthy food choices, regular physical activity, and volunteering opportunities such as the Sparkle Foundation to support social engagement. This Be Well framework supports SEL within the school's broader wellbeing and safeguarding culture.

Learning Support for mild-to-moderate SEN is provided through a dedicated Learning Support Department. Every student requiring learning support has an Individual Education Plan (IEP) outlining specific strategies to access the curriculum. Specialist staff work closely with classroom teachers to ensure IEPs are embedded in lesson planning, with targeted support available in one-to-one or small-group sessions. The school describes its SEN provision as inclusive and delivered through the Learning Support Department rather than a specialist external centre. It does not indicate operating a dedicated specialist SEN institution.

English as an Additional Language (EAL) is supported through a comprehensive EAL programme. The EAL provision includes group sessions, one-to-one tuition, and access to online activities and mentoring. Students receiving EAL support are regularly assessed, with progress monitored and interventions adjusted as needed. EAL support may be identified at admission or as a student progresses through the school. Additional charges apply for specialist EAL tuition.

Mental wellbeing is central to Downe House Riyadh's Be Well Charter approach. The Charter guides practice across six pillars intended to support both emotional and physical health. Daily routines include regular physical activity and healthy food choices to promote wellbeing. The Sparkle Foundation partnership engages students and families in volunteering, helping build social connections and a sense of purpose. Wellbeing is embedded in the pastoral framework to ensure students are supported holistically.

Downe House Riyadh commits to safeguarding by ensuring every child is protected and has a safe, inclusive environment. Safeguarding principles are universal and apply across Cognita schools, developed by the Cognita Safeguarding Specialist Team and aligned with international child-protection standards. Staff are educated about categories of abuse and their duty to act in the best interests of the child. The framework emphasises knowing the children well, offering timely support for adverse experiences, and empowering students to voice concerns. It requires that every adult who works with the school is safe to work with.

1. Make an Enquiry. Connect with the Admissions Team, who provide a personalised and seamless experience. They will reach out to understand your family's needs and guide you through the next steps toward joining Downe House Riyadh. With limited availability in some year groups, families are encouraged to begin the process early to secure a place. The Enquiry Form can be completed online to start the process.

2. Visit Downe House Riyadh. Experience Downe House Riyadh firsthand with a personalised campus tour. The Admissions Team offers daily tours at convenient times, giving you the opportunity to explore facilities and meet the Leadership Team. Book a School Tour to arrange your visit.

3. Submit your application. Complete the online application form and upload the required supporting documents to take the next step toward joining Downe House Riyadh.

4. Assessment & Offer. After submitting the application, an assessment date will be scheduled and communicated by email. If applying from overseas, a remote assessment can be arranged. You'll receive the results within a few days.

5. Secure your place. To confirm your child's place, accept the enrolment offer, submit the required documents, and complete the enrolment fee within the given timeframe. A deposit of 50% of the first term's fees is required and is deducted from the first term's fees.

Downe House Riyadh recognises exceptional talent through a Scholarships Programme. Scholars receive mentoring, enrichment opportunities, and resources to help them excel. Applications involve an interview with members of the Senior Leadership Team, evaluation of previous school reports and accolades, and awards in the student's chosen field. Details on eligibility and application requirements can be requested from the admissions team.

MGIS operates two campuses in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: Digital City and Qortuba. The Digital City campus is located on Prince Turki Bin Abdulaziz Al Awal Road in the Al Nakheel district, and the Qortuba campus is on Abdallah Ibn Ibrahim Ibn Seif Street in Qortuba. The campuses are centrally positioned in Riyadh with access to major road networks. Transportation is available for students in designated areas via MGIS buses, which include features such as daily rider logs, bus inspections, a female bus nanny, a maximum bus age of five years, licensed drivers, first-aid training, and a parent-tracking app.

MGIS provides education from Nursery through Grade 9. The curriculum combines an American Core Curriculum (US Common Core Standards) with the IB Primary Years Programme framework.

Co-educational; MGIS serves both boys and girls and operates across two campuses in Riyadh.

MGIS has a diverse student body with representation from 32 countries.

MGIS has a Special Educational Needs (SEN) policy that covers early identification, development of Individual Education Plans (IEPs), differentiation and classroom modifications, SENCo leadership, parental involvement, and engagement with external agencies as needed.

Saudi Arabia (the school operates in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia).

No formal religious affiliation is stated; the curriculum includes Arabic and Islamic Studies per the Saudi curriculum guidelines, with Arabic as a second language support for non-native speakers.

School days run Sunday to Thursday from 7:30 AM to 2:00 PM; Friday and Saturday are closed.

MGIS offers transportation buses for students in designated areas. Buses include daily rider logs, daily inspections, a female bus nanny, a maximum bus age of five years, licensed drivers, first-aid trained staff, driver conduct requirements, and a parent-tracking app.

MGIS uses a school uniform. Uniforms and the PE kit can be purchased through ZAKs.

Lunch is available on-site for an additional fee; lunch is not included in tuition.

MGIS operates as part of Global Educational Excellence (GEE), a multi-campus education group that includes MGIS Riyadh. GEE runs campuses in the United States and internationally, and MGIS is part of this network.

MGIS operates two Riyadh campuses, Qortuba and Digital City, offering Nursery through Grade 9. The Qortuba campus follows an American Curriculum integrated with the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) framework. Curriculum components include English Language Arts and Mathematics aligned to the US Common Core Standards (CSS), and Science aligned to the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). Arabic and Islamic Studies follow the Ministry of Education (KSA) curriculum, with Arabic as a Second Language offered for non-native speakers. In Grades 7–9, MGIS Middle School uses the US CCSS for English and Mathematics. The curriculum emphasizes transdisciplinary units under the PYP six themes to develop inquiry, literacy, numeracy, and global citizenship.

MGIS emphasizes Diversity, Equity & Inclusion within the IB Primary Years Programme, fostering empathy, open-mindedness, and intercultural understanding through inclusive inquiry-based units and discussions. The school states it seeks to provide equal opportunities for all students to engage, lead, and succeed, developing caring, principled, and internationally minded learners. The DEI approach is described as part of student life and is aligned with a family-style environment intended to support social-emotional growth. Elements of SEL are embedded in the school's inclusive ethos rather than through a named separate SEL program. The inclusion and SEN policies recognize that social, emotional, and mental health challenges can constitute SEN and are addressed through structured support. The school also maintains a Social Worker role to support student welfare and wellbeing, including collaboration with parents and teachers.

MGIS defines SEN as including learning disabilities (e.g., dyslexia, dyscalculia), physical disabilities, sensory impairments (visual/hearing), autism spectrum disorders, speech and language difficulties, and social, emotional, and mental health challenges. A SEN Coordinator (SENCo) leads provision, coordinates identification and assessment, liaises with parents and external agencies, and oversees Individual Education Plans (IEPs). The school uses a Multi-tier Inclusion System (Tier 1 classroom differentiation; Tier 2 with a social worker and support plans; Tier 3 targeted intervention) and may involve external professionals if needed. External agencies such as educational psychologists, speech and language therapists, and counselors can be engaged to support SEN—these arrangements are outlined in the SEN policy. MGIS describes inclusive education rather than operating as a dedicated specialist SEN institution.

MGIS publishes English Language Arts as part of its US Common Core Standards-based curriculum, indicating English-medium instruction for ELA. The curriculum also notes that Arabic is offered as a Second Language for all non-native speakers. There is no explicit description of a separate English as an Additional Language (EAL) program in the publicly available materials; the language provisions shown focus on ELA in English and Arabic as a second language for non-native speakers.

MGIS provides mental wellbeing support through a dedicated social worker who promotes awareness, maintains confidential records, and collaborates with teachers and parents to develop and monitor support plans. The social worker's role includes attending classes, providing feedback to teachers, and coordinating with external professionals when needed. The SEN policy notes that social, emotional, and mental health challenges can be treated as SEN and may involve external counselors or psychologists. A tiered inclusion system (Tier 1–3) supports wellbeing and learning, with progression monitored and reviewed, and individualized plans created when necessary. Overall, wellbeing support is grounded in inclusive practices and collaboration among staff, students, and families.

MGIS does not publish a dedicated safeguarding or child protection policy on the site. Safeguarding-related provisions are described within the Inclusion Policy (a confidential system for student records and a MGIS Social Worker) and the SEN Policy (roles, parental involvement, and collaboration with external agencies). The policies emphasize safeguarding-like elements such as confidentiality, staff collaboration, and external professional input to support student welfare. There is no explicit standalone safeguarding page or policy document disclosed in the publicly available MGIS policies.

1. Submit online application via the Apply Now form. The form collects the student's Name, Nationality, Date of Birth, Previous name of school, and Grade, and it asks for Guardians' credentials (Father's Name, Mother's Name, Father's Phone, Mother's Phone). You select the campus branch as Digital City or Qortuba, and you can download the registration form from the Apply Now page.

2. The English language ability of the applicant is assessed during the application process. MGIS accommodates non-English speakers and does not require fluency for entry to elementary and primary levels. The language assessment is part of the application process.

3. MGIS offers Nursery through Grade 9, with grade-age alignment that starts at KG1 (about 3 years old) and progresses to Grade 9 (about 14 years old). The program provides high-quality standards from Nursery to Grade 9.

4. If admitted, a seat reservation is involved. A seat reservation fee of 5,000 SAR applies, and withdrawal before the academic year starts makes that fee non-refundable. The academic year is organized into two semesters.

5. Discounts are available on tuition. New Students (2025-2026) receive a 20% discount at Digital City and a 10% discount at Qortuba. Returning Students (enrolled 2021–2025) receive a 20% discount at Digital City and a 15% discount at Qortuba; Long-Term Returning Students receive a 30% discount.

6. In addition, MGIS offers sibling discounts (second sibling 5%, third and subsequent siblings 10%) and other payment incentives, including early payment discounts (5% for full-year payment), a Digital City referral program (500 SAR per referred family), and a Digital City employee discount (30%). Home to two campuses, MGIS provides transportation options in certain areas and uniforms are available through ZAKs. Visits can be scheduled by contacting the campuses, and the registration form can be downloaded from the Apply Now page.