A New Chapter in Saudi Arabia’s Education Sector
Saudi Arabia is entering one of the most significant periods of educational expansion in its history. Across Riyadh, Jeddah and other major cities, new schools, nurseries and universities are opening or preparing to launch for the 2026-27 academic year as part of the Kingdom’s wider Vision 2030 transformation agenda.
The rapid growth reflects increasing demand from both Saudi and expatriate families for international curricula, future-focused learning environments and stronger higher education pathways. The Kingdom is also actively attracting international education providers through initiatives such as the Royal Commission for Riyadh City’s International Schools Attraction Programme.
British curriculum schools continue to dominate much of the expansion, although American, IB and bilingual models are also growing rapidly. At the same time, Saudi Arabia’s higher education sector is becoming increasingly international, with global universities preparing to establish branch campuses in Riyadh.
This new generation of schools and universities reflects changing parental expectations around innovation, artificial intelligence, wellbeing, entrepreneurship and global citizenship.
What New Schools and Universities Are Opening in Saudi Arabia in 2026-2027?
The 2026-27 academic year will see the opening or expansion of several major education projects across Saudi Arabia. Many of these institutions are designed around modern campuses, technology-led learning and international partnerships aligned with Vision 2030 goals.
Below are some of the most notable confirmed openings and expansions.
Riyadh: International Education Expansion Accelerates
1. OWIS Al Jazeera Riyadh (Opening 2026–27)
Curriculum: American Curriculum with NGSS Framework
Location: Al Jazeera District, Riyadh
Age Range: KG1 to Grade 5 initially
Expected fees: SAR 27,800 – SAR 33,200 annually
One World International School (OWIS) Al Jazeera is among the newest international schools opening in Riyadh for the 2026–27 academic year. Operated by Global Schools Group, the campus forms part of the organisation’s wider Saudi Arabia expansion strategy.
The school will initially offer KG1 to Grade 5 before expanding year by year. Its educational model combines the American Common Core curriculum with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), alongside a strong emphasis on inquiry-based learning, global citizenship and personalised education.
OWIS Al Jazeera’s early years programme has also been designed around play-based learning, communication development and creativity.
2. EtonHouse International School Riyadh (Opening 2026)
Curriculum: International Early Years and Primary Education
Location: Granada District, Riyadh
Expected fees: SAR 35,000 – SAR 65,000 annually
EtonHouse International School is officially opening in Riyadh’s Granada district as part of the Royal Commission for Riyadh City’s initiative to attract leading international schools to the capital. Headquartered in Singapore, EtonHouse operates more than 100 schools globally and is recognised for its Reggio Emilia-inspired approach to early childhood education.
The Riyadh campus is expected to focus strongly on inquiry-led learning, multilingual education and child-centred teaching approaches.
3. King’s College Riyadh SEDRA Campus (Opening 2027)
Curriculum: British
Location: SEDRA, North Riyadh
Age Range: Pre-School to Year 9 initially
Expected fees: SAR 45,000 – SAR 95,000 annually
King’s College Riyadh is expanding with a major new all-through campus in SEDRA through a partnership between ROSHN Group and Cognita Middle East.
Opening in the third quarter of 2027, the purpose-built campus will initially welcome pupils from Pre-School to Year 9 before gradually expanding to Year 13. The school aims to extend the prestigious King’s College educational model from the UK into one of Riyadh’s fastest-growing residential communities.
Facilities are expected to include advanced science labs, innovation spaces, sports facilities and dedicated performing arts areas.
4. NCLE Educational Complexes Riyadh (Opening 2026–27)
Curriculum: National and International Streams
Location: Ishbiliyah, Al Rabie and Dhahrat Laban, Riyadh
Expected fees: SAR 18,000 – SAR 40,000 annually
The National Company for Learning and Education (NCLE) is opening several major educational complexes across Riyadh for the 2026–27 academic year.
The projects include campuses in:
• Ishbiliyah
• Al Rabie
• Dhahrat Laban
Collectively, the new schools are expected to accommodate thousands of students as demand for private education continues to grow across the capital.
Jeddah: Expanding Education Infrastructure
5. NCLE North Obhur Educational Complex (Planned Expansion)
Curriculum: National and International Streams
Location: North Obhur, Jeddah
Expected fees: SAR 25,000 – SAR 60,000 annually
NCLE is also developing a large educational complex in North Obhur, Jeddah, although the opening timeline has shifted towards the 2027–28 academic year due to construction and permit delays.
Riyadh: International Early Years Providers Expand
6. OWIS Al Jazeera Kindergarten Riyadh (Opening 2026–27)
Curriculum: American Curriculum with Inquiry-Based Early Years Programme
Location: Al Jazeera District, Riyadh
Fees: Expected SAR 28,000 – SAR 45,000 annually
Age Group: KG1 and KG2
One World International School (OWIS) Al Jazeera is launching a new kindergarten and primary school campus in Riyadh as part of Global Schools Group’s expansion in Saudi Arabia.
The preschool section has been designed around play-based learning, communication skills, creativity and social-emotional development. The environment focuses on hands-on learning experiences and inquiry-led exploration to support early childhood growth.
The school is expected to appeal to families seeking a modern international early years environment with a strong emphasis on personalised learning and global citizenship.
7. EtonHouse International Preschool Riyadh (Opening 2026)
Curriculum: Reggio Emilia Inspired Early Years Education
Location: Granada District, Riyadh
Fees: Expected SAR 35,000 – SAR 60,000 annually
Age Group: Nursery to Kindergarten
Singapore-based EtonHouse International Education Group is preparing to open its first Riyadh campus as part of the Royal Commission for Riyadh City’s initiative to attract leading international schools and nurseries. EtonHouse is internationally recognised for its Reggio Emilia-inspired approach, which encourages curiosity, creativity, collaboration and inquiry-led learning during the early years.
The Riyadh preschool is expected to feature multilingual learning environments, child-led exploration spaces and strong parent engagement programmes.
Higher Education: International Universities Enter Saudi Arabia
8. University of New Haven Riyadh Campus (Opening Fall 2026)
Programmes: Business, Engineering, Digital Innovation and Applied Sciences
Location: Riyadh
Expected fees: SAR 90,000 – SAR 110,000 annually
The University of New Haven is preparing to open one of the first American international branch campuses in Saudi Arabia.
Scheduled to launch in autumn 2026, the Riyadh campus will offer undergraduate and postgraduate programmes focused on:
• Business and Digital Innovation
• Engineering and Advanced Manufacturing
• Arts and Applied Sciences
The expansion forms part of Saudi Arabia’s wider ambition to position itself as a regional centre for international higher education and knowledge industries.
Final Word: What This Means for Families in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia’s education landscape is evolving at remarkable speed. From British premium schools and play-based nurseries to American university campuses and innovation-led learning environments, families now have more choice than ever before.
For parents relocating to Riyadh or Jeddah, the 2026–27 academic year is expected to bring a significant expansion in educational opportunities across all age groups.
As Vision 2030 continues to reshape the Kingdom, education remains one of the country’s fastest-growing and most strategically important sectors.
Want to be first in line? Explore our School Directory or sign up for the latest Newsletters.