FAQ
FAQ
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
Tuition Fees for Academic Year 2020-21 are as follows:
KG Section: 35,000 SR Grade 1 to Grade 5: 37,000 SR Grade 6 to Grade 9: 39,000 SR Grade 10 to Grade 12: 42,500 SR The following discount will be given to families based on the number of children at school:
- One registered student will pay full tuition fees
- Second student – 5% discount
- Third student and more – 10% discount
*Books and transportation fees are not included.
*Tuition fees are subject to change.
All students are considered enrolled at the start of the academic year unless a parent or guardian has previously submitted a formal request of withdrawal. It is therefore required that the request for withdrawal be submitted BEFORE the beginning of the new semester. If a guardian is late to withdraw a student, the following applies:
25% of the semester fees must be paid for students who transfer during the first week.
50% of the semester fees must be paid for students who transfer during the second week.
Full semester fees will be due for students who transfer during the third week and beyond.
This applies for tuition fees and transportation and is valid for Term 1 and Term 2
Transportation fees for the Academic Year 2020-21 are as follows:
One way: 3,000 SAR’s
Two ways: 5,000 SAR’s
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 BANK
AL 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.
We have implemented the Edmodo connected classroom which will allow parents to directly message teachers with everyday inquiries and keep informed of classroom activities. In addition, parents will receive school messages and may access their student accounts through our Al Faris mobile app. Parents are welcome to arrange a meeting at any time with a teacher to discuss issues of more serious concern. General parent-teacher meetings to discuss student progress are arranged each semester.
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. Examples include inquiry-based learning, the Lucy Calkins Writing Workshop, the Daily 5 Literacy Program, Connected online books and our IB World School authorization. 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. In addition, Al Faris International School(FIS) has the exceptional facilities for an effective, pleasant and safe learning environment.
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.
Parents are required to present all original, certified report cards from Grade 1 up to the current Grade level.
For students transferring from another region within Saudi Arabia:The two most recent report cards must be stamped by the Ministry of Education in that region.
For students transferring from Arab countries: The two most recent report cards must be stamped by the Ministry of Education, the Saudi Embassy and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in that country.
For students transferring from all other countries (U.S.A., EU, etc.): The two most recent report cards must be stamped by the Saudi Embassy in that country.
DOCUMENTS WITHOUT THE PROPER CERTIFICATION FROM ALL REQUIRED AGENCIES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
Only students with valid residency (iqama) for Saudi Arabia can be enrolled. Visiting visas are not accepted.
Students in grades 1-6 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 two semesters.
Al Faris(FIS) 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.