In a city shaped by global communities and multiple education pathways, the idea of “high school” is not always a single, fixed model. International schools in Riyadh often follow systems drawn from different curricula, each with its own approach to grades, subjects, assessments, and progression to university.
Understanding how these high school structures work, and how they differ from the national system, helps families make informed choices early, rather than reacting later when course selections, assessments, and graduation requirements are already in motion.
What is the high school system in Saudi Arabia?
In Saudi Arabia, the term “high school” can mean different things depending on the school system. In the national framework, high school often refers to the secondary stage. In many international schools, especially those following the American curriculum, high school normally covers Grades 9 through 12.
High School Grades in the American Curriculum
A comprehensive American high school program is usually built on two pillars:
- A structured set of graduation requirements
- Flexible course pathways that reflect a student’s interests, strengths, and university plans
In the OWIS Riyadh high school program students follow an American curriculum aligned to the California Common Core State Standards, working toward an accredited American High School Diploma.
Graduation requirements
In our program structure:
- A student earns credit by passing a course with 60% (D) or higher
- A full-year course usually equals 1.0 credit, and each semester equals 0.5 credits
- Graduation requires a minimum number of credits across subject areas
The breakdown matters because it shows what a school considers “core”:
- English and Math are year-on-year priorities
- Science includes lab-designated courses (often Biology, Chemistry, Physics)
- World language is not optional
- Social studies, PE/Health, arts, and electives round out a transcript in ways universities understand
High School Subjects in Riyadh Schools
International high schools in Riyadh commonly organize learning around a set of core subjects plus electives. In the OWIS Riyadh structure, the menu is broad and familiar:
English Language Arts
English is taught as a progression:
- Grade 9 builds foundational reading and writing skills
- Grade 10 deepens analysis
- Grade 11 focuses on American literature
- Grade 12 moves to global perspectives and post-secondary preparation
There are also electives such as Speech & Debate, English Literature, and Journalism – options that suit students who want to sharpen public speaking or writing.
Mathematics
The math pathway is built to move students toward higher-level options:
- Integrated Mathematics I and II
- Statistics and Probability
- Pre-Calculus
- Calculus (Non-AP)
- AP Calculus AB (for students meeting prerequisites)
Science
Science follows a lab-based progression:
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Physics (Calculus-based)
- Geology/Earth Science or General Science
There are also electives that speak to specific interests – Nutrition & Food Science, Genetics, and Organic Chemistry, which can be useful for students exploring health sciences or engineering-related directions.
World Languages
In Riyadh, Arabic is central. In this structure, Arabic is required for all students, with placement based on proficiency:
- Arabic A for native speakers (aligned to the Saudi MOE curriculum)
- Arabic B for non-native speakers (MOE-aligned, focused on language acquisition)
Additional language electives such as French and Chinese are offered at beginner and intermediate levels in this model, useful for globally mobile families and students who want language strength on a transcript.
Social Studies
- Geography
- World History
- Economics, Psychology, Sociology
In the OWIS model, there is also KSA Social Studies (MOE-aligned, delivered in Arabic), which supports national identity and local context while students continue in an international academic framework.
Physical Education (PE)/Health, Arts, and career-linked electives
- PE is present across Grades 9–12
- Arts include Art, Music, and a Grade 9 rotation across music/art/drama
Career and college readiness electives include Business Studies, Entrepreneurship, Accounting, and IT pathways such as Coding & Robotics, Computer Science, Design & Technology, and Programming
Explore OWIS Riyadh High School Program
To learn more about our high school offerings, download the course description for a closer look at subjects, pathways, and learning experiences.
Click hereAdvanced Placement (AP)
AP courses are one of the clearer signals of academic challenge within an American curriculum school. At OWIS Riyadh, AP is positioned as optional, not required for graduation, and recommended for students who are ready for college-level expectations.
Key points:
- AP is available to Grades 10–12
- Grade 10 students may be limited to one AP course with teacher recommendation (example: AP Biology)
- AP courses end with an external exam administered by the College Board, with families responsible for exam fees
- AP grades may carry additional GPA weighting in transcript calculations
International schools usually run course selection in the spring for the following year, guided by counselors and teachers. At OWIS Riyadh, families are expected to be part of that process, and students are encouraged to build a four-year academic plan.
That planning matters because it keeps students on track for:
- Graduation credit requirements
- University subject expectations
- A balanced workload across semesters
At OWIS Riyadh, we are here to help parents better understand the high school learning programs and the pathways available for their children. If you have any questions or would like further guidance, our Admissions and Academic teams are always ready to support you with the information you need to make confident decisions.
