Frequently asked questions

The statutory age and date age must be reached is determined by the Ministry of Education at the beginning of each school year. The following are general age guidelines:
PreSchool: 2 years and 9 months
KG 1: 3 years and 9 months
KG 2: 4 years and 9 months
Grade 1: 5 years and 9 months

A parent or guardian is required to submit a withdrawal request at least ONE WEEK BEFORE the beginning of any new semester.  If the student file remains at the school in the week before the start of the academic year (or any semester), it will be considered an implicit approval that the student will continue, and the parent/guardian will be responsible for the payment installment due at that time.  This will pertain to both tuition and transportation fees.

All registrations for SAT exams must be through their official
website: www.collegeboard.org
‍*It is the student’s responsibility to check for SAT test dates and register for his/her exam(s).
* We recommend this to be done well in advance in order to register for the desired test date and testing center.

Test date, test center, and test type (SAT or SAT Subject Test) changes must be made in advance through the College Board official website; these changes cannot be made on test day. Test center and test type changes must be made by the date listed on your ticket in order to test on the same test day. An additional fee is charged for any changes.

Al Faris International School is an authorized IB World School for the PYP, MYP and DP programs. For more information on IB programs, please visit ibo.org. We are also accredited by Cognia, a global accrediting agency which works with a network of schools worldwide to maintain quality standards and assist in implementing improvements.

Yes, you may pay your fees by cash, check, Mada cards.
The following information should be used for bank transfers:
IBAN :SA9030400108056443360011
ARAB NATIONAL BANKAL FARIS INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL

School is in session Sunday-Thursday. All students must arrive to school no later than 7:15 a.m. The first period begins promptly at 7:30 a.m. KG classes dismiss at 1:30 p.m. Dismissal time for Grades 1-12 is 2:15 p.m. Our Admissions and Accounting office is open from 7:30 a.m. -1:30 p.m. during school days.

Our new Student Management System includes a mobile app where parents can receive school messages, view marks and access our Student Calling System at dismissal time.  Microsoft Teams is our platform for online learning, class resources and connection to teachers in class groups.  Students will be assigned a Microsoft Teams account upon enrollment in the school.  Parents will also be connected to their floor supervisors and can arrange a phone call or meeting with a teacher if necessary.  General parent-teacher meetings to discuss student progress are arranged at intervals during the year.

Most students take the SAT during the spring of their junior year of high school (Grade 11). Many students choose to take the SAT a second time in the fall of their senior year after becoming familiar with the test day experience.

Al Faris International School(FIS) is under the auspices of the Saudi Ministry of Education. Curriculum decisions are made by the Director/Owner of Al Faris International School while adhering to Ministry guidelines and requirements.

Al Faris International School (FIS) strives to give our students a comprehensive educational experience which will prepare them to be effective contributors in today’s global arena as well as life-long learners. To this aim, we continuously keep informed of the latest educational programs and trends worldwide and implement those which we feel effective in order to give your child the best in global education. At the same time, we offer a strong Arabic language program as well as Islamic studies and regional History and Geography, thus maintaining the crucial balance between our world outreach and our cultural heritage. Our staff of teachers is global, experienced and receive continuous training to implement our curriculum effectively.  We have exceptional facilities for an effective, pleasant and safe learning environment.  Additionally, we offer extracurricular activities such as sports and clubs, including an active high school Model United Nations (MUN) club.

All prospective students are required to complete an entrance exam/interview. We also conduct interviews with both parents. Successful applicants will be invited to complete the registration process. Please contact the school to arrange for an entrance exam during our Spring enrollment period in April/May or at the beginning of each semester.

Al Faris International School(FIS) bases our academic calendar on two semesters as outlined by the Saudi Ministry of Education. Semester beginning and ending dates as well as vacations are those designated by the Ministry for each academic year.

Sports activities are available for kids of all levels. Students also take part in appropriate school field trips during the year as well as inter-school academic competitions. Grade 7-12 students take part in community service activities as part of their community service requirement for graduation.

Our curriculum is based on American common-core state standards, and we are fully authorized in the PYP, MYP and DP levels of the internationally-recognized IB programs. Al Faris students will be well-prepared to enter any international curriculum at any grade level.

The following documents and certifications are required for transfer students:
‍
-Transferring from an international school in Riyadh: Original report cards from Grade 1 until the last grade attended are required from the previous school
-Transferring from a public or private school in Riyadh: Original report cards from Grade 1 until the last grade attended, with the most recent report card stamped by the Ministry of Education.
-Transferring from a public, private or international school in another city or region within Saudi Arabia: Original report cards from Grade 1 until the last grade attended, with the most recent report card stamped by the Ministry of Education in that region.
-Transferring from outside Saudi Arabia: Original report cards from Grade 1 until the last grade attended, with the two most recent report cards stamped by the Ministry of Education, the Saudi Embassy and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, according to the regulations of that country.

*Required stamps from abroad must be obtained in order for Ministry of Education equivalency upon arrival to Saudi Arabia

Students in grades 1-5 are assessed on a periodic basis. Parents are provided with a complete exam, classwork and homework schedule for each learning cycle. Grade 1-5 students are given standardized assessments at the end of the academic year to ensure that they are prepared for success in the next grade level. Students in Grades 6-12 will have mid-term and final exams for each of the three semesters.  Students are given multiple methods and opportunities to demonstrate their comprehension of subject material. These methods include tests, exams and quizzes, individual and group projects, essays and research, performances, portfolios, exhibitions, rubrics and self-reflection.

PE is a part of the curriculum from KG – Grade 12. In addition, high school students can participate in extra-curricular sports competitions as part of our affiliation with the International Schools Sports League in Riyadh. We also have an after school activities program and the Al Faris Academy offering sports classes for students and as well as community members. For more information please contact 0505355970.

All enrolled students are automatically a part of the IB PYP and MYP programs. At Grade 11 (Year 1 DP), students will have the choice to pursue an IB full diploma, an IB course certificate or to continue with the American curriculum which prepares students for the SAT exams and confers the equivalent of an American High School Diploma. Entrance to the IB-DP program is subject to diagnostic testing at Grade 10.