International Indian School Jeddah (IISJ)

In Brief

The default choice for Indian families in Jeddah, and has been since 1969. CBSE curriculum. English medium. Boys and girls taught on separate campuses (Al-Rehab for boys, Al-Aziziyah for girls), with a separate KG section.

It is enormous. Around 12,000 students, 400+ teachers. That shapes everything.

Fees are very low by international school standards — annual tuition runs roughly SAR 3,360-4,560 depending on grade. For most Indian expat families in Jeddah, it's the affordable, community-rooted option, not the premium one.

What people actually say

The strongest signals are around academics and sports. One alumnus said the competition in academics, sports and co-curriculars was "uncomparable." According to one parent, the CBSE curriculum is "thoroughly taught" and staff are dedicated. The headmaster and teachers come up positively in alumni comments.

The recurring practical issue is admission. The school reportedly receives around 7,000 applications a year for roughly 700 seats. One parent said they had been trying to get their daughter admitted for three years. Apply very early.

The size cuts both ways. A big, established Indian community is a genuine plus — your child will land among thousands of kids from similar backgrounds, with strong CBSE prep for Indian university pathways. The flip side is the obvious one: it's a large institution, run across multiple buildings, and individual attention will depend heavily on the teacher.

Bottom line for your friend

If they want CBSE, an Indian community, and value-for-money, IISJ is the safest, most-established choice in Jeddah — and the one most Indian families default to. If they want small classes, mixed nationalities, or British/IB curriculum, look elsewhere. Either way, get the admission application in as early as humanly possible.