Originally contracted by the Royal Commission to serve expatriate families in the Jubail Industrial City area, ISG Jubail was established in 1978 as Jubail Academy. It is now operated by International Schools Group – a not for profit group of five schools in the Eastern Province.

The story so far...

Located some 100km north of Dammam, ISG Jubail is part of the International Schools Group (ISG) Dhahran District and a not-for-profit, KG to Grade 12 international school serving the American community as well as the needs of the diverse international population in Jubail. ISG Jubail offers an American standards-based curriculum culminating in the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program.

The Senior class of 2016 marked ISG Jubail School’s first graduating class. In 2018, the school received its International Baccalaureate Diploma Program accreditation.  It is also accredited by the Middle States Association, ensuring that the High School Diploma achieved by students is recognised in colleges and universities both in the USA and internationally.

Currently, the school has approximately 415 students of 34 different nationalities predominantly represented by American, Canadian, Indian, Malaysian, British and South African passport holders.

It is led by Principal Brent Wingers who joined ISG in 2016 as a Social Studies teacher having graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2007 with majors in History and Secondary Education. Mr. Wingers began his international teaching career in Honduras while also completing his Master’s degree in Educational Leadership through Framingham State University in Massachusetts.  He has taught and lived in Central America, Myanmar and Indonesia. 

The ISG Jubail Mission, in common with all five schools in the group, is: ‘We inspire innovation and compassionate action’. According to the school “throughout their lives, our children will need to find innovative solutions to problems in a rapidly changing world. They will also need to act compassionately to ensure that the world they create is peaceful and humane.  Our mission is ambitious, but it impacts everything we do.”

What about the curriculum?

ISG Jubail offers an American Common Core standards-based curriculum including English/Language Arts, Social Studies, Science and Mathematics, culminating in the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program. Specialist classes are an essential part of the curriculum and include Art, Music, Information Technology, Library, Physical Education and Counseling.  In alignment with the Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Education, Elementary students in Kindergarten 2 to Grade 5 also participate in Arabic Language classes.

The curriculum has been developed using the ‘Understanding by Design’ model.  Units of study encourage active inquiry, promote critical thinking, and move from the concrete to the abstract.   These units are designed to stimulate and challenge students to try on new roles, experiment with ideas and materials, as well as solve real problems. 

The Early Years program covers Kindergarten 1 and 2, where the curriculum is based on the Reggio Emilia approach, allowing students to follow their own interests with inquiry, play-based projects.  Students focus on six themes – Communication, Self-management skills, Research Skills, Creative, Critical, and Reflective Thinking, Social Competence and Physical Development.

The Elementary program at ISG Jubail consists of Kindergarten 2 to Grade 5. The Lower Primary program runs from Grade 1 to Grade 2, with the Upper Primary program running from Grade 3 to Grade 5. Students develop their skills in the areas of language arts, numeracy, science, art, physical education and music.  Teachers work on building students’ skills and competencies along with their self-confidence and self-advocacy. In addition to the core curriculum subjects, technology is embedded in students' everyday learning, including in their regular visits to the school library. Experiential learning beyond the classroom through field trips keeps them engaged in learning in the wider world.

Continuing through Middle School and Junior High to Grade 10,  students participate in English Language Arts and Mathematics  based on the Common Core State Standards (CCSS),  Science, based on Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), Social Studies - College, Career, and Civic Life Standards (C3), Physical Education - SHAPE America Standards (SHAPE), Global Languages - American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages Standards (ACTFL), Technology - International Society for Technology in Education Standards (ISTE), Arts - National Core Arts Standards (NCAS) and Counseling - International School Counselor Association Standards (ISCA). 

These standards were the result of an extensive development effort in the United States informed by the best standards already in existence; the experience of teachers, content experts, states, and leading thinkers; as well as feedback from the public.   

Music and Visual Arts are offered to Middle and High School students. Grade 6 to 8 brass, percussion and woodwind players may participate in Middle School Band focusing on improving their ensemble playing in a concert band setting, and on improving technique, sound, and reading music. Students perform in large and small ensembles out in the community and in school concerts. These performances are graded and are requirements of the course. 

Visual Arts is offered to Middle School students, with Middle School Art an extension of Elementary Art in that students are continuing to expand their conceptual understanding of art and its impact on society and culture. By making art, students strengthen their ability to manipulate the Elements of Art and Principles of Design to create images that reflect meaningful making.

Middle/High School Band offers an advanced course which provides auditioned students with the opportunity to perform the various styles of jazz. Emphasis is placed upon performance and culminates in an evening of jazz concert. All performances are graded and are requirements of the course. 

In Grades 11 and 12, students follow the rigorous but balanced International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (IBDP). The IBDP program focuses on teaching students to think critically and independently, as well as to inquire with both care and logic.  It consists of six subject groups surrounding a core of Theory of Knowledge (TOK), Creativity, Activity and Service (CAS), and an Extended Essay. The program is designed to support students with entry to university programs around the world, and IBDP students are highly regarded by universities around the world. 

Ensuring that students do not solely focus on the academic, every ISG Jubail graduate is required to commit to 10 hours of 'service' per year, the total 40 hours of service being reflected on their official High School transcript. The school defines ‘Service’ as volunteering for the student’s school, city, country and/or even the world community. Service must take place outside of class time. Hours are approved and recorded by the college counselor.

Among the community service opportunities at ISG Jubail are MS Student Council, HS Student Council, National Honors Society, Habitat for Humanity International, Week Without Walls (WWW), Model United Nations, Yearbook club, ISGJ today, ASA: Peer-to-Peer Tutoring/Study Buddies, Custodians Appreciation Luncheon, Fun Run at Murjan, Me to We, PALs: Peers as Leaders, Spring Spectacular, Usher Jaguars and Community Service Opportunity.

The pass rate at IGS Jubail for the IB Diploma is 100%; students are also able to obtain a US High School Diploma through the school’s accreditation with the Middle States Association.  The school publishes its High School Profile which can be found here.

Co-curricular and extra-curricular activities are a feature of the school. Currently ISG Jubail offers over 30 after school activities and fifteen Sports teams, offering opportunities for intra-Kingdom travel and competition in a variety of athletic and academic events.  

ISG Juhail says “An integral part of every child’s education is not only what happens in the classroom, but after school as well. As we focus on the rounded development of the individual, we encourage all students to participate in at least one extra-curricular activity.”

ISG Jubail is a member of SAIK-AC (Saudi Arabian Intra-Kingdom Athletics Conference), an organization that includes 16 schools throughout the Kingdom. Through this, students have the opportunity to compete in Table Tennis, Volleyball, Soccer, Cross Country, Cricket, Basketball, Badminton, Netball and Softball tournaments.

What about additional language support?

The language of instruction throughout the school is English for the majority of classes.  ISG Jubail offers a strong program of support for students with English as an Additional Language (EAL). Prospective EAL students are assessed with a specific language screening test. Specialist teachers work closely with classroom teachers to help children develop English language skills, reading and writing strategies, and cultural awareness to enable them to work successfully with ISG school curriculum.

A student requiring EAL support will be admitted provided that there are resources that adequately balance the level of EAL support required from the specialist and the class teacher, the balance of the overall school population to support further EAL students, and whether the class can support an additional EAL student. Students who are placed in KG1 and KG2 classes do not receive specialist EAL support. The school points out that in the Upper Elementary school years, limited English proficiency will affect the student’s ability to engage with a curriculum that becomes increasingly more demanding in each successive year.

What about the facilities?

The school campus includes four buildings with over 40 classrooms, two open turf fields, a covered multi-court area, two covered playgrounds and an internal covered courtyard.

The Early Learning Center building houses classrooms and facilities specifically for Kindergarten 1 and 2 students. A crèche is also located here. 

The main building has classrooms for both Elementary and Middle/High school students with specialist facilities which include physics and chemistry labs, two technology labs, band and a black box theatre drama rooms. During recess, students are able to spend some time outdoors, at several playgrounds designed for Elementary students of all the age groups.

The main building is also equipped with a library which provides print, electronic and technological resources to support recreational reading and the curriculum needs of the school population. Resources include over 20,000 items including books, audio books, periodicals, online databases, DVDs, follet e-books and professional development titles. The majority of titles are in English, but the collection contains books in Arabic, French, Korean and Spanish. 

All Grade 5 classrooms are located in the second building. It also contains three spacious art rooms, for younger students to those studying IB Art. A gymnasium hosts most of athletic events, SAIKAC tournaments, Middle and High school assemblies and all-school events.

A Multi-Purpose Room (MPR) in the main building is used for music and band performances, as well as Elementary School assemblies. The MPR is also used for the lunch breaks, as it hosts the school's cafeteria. The cafeteria operates on a pre-order system and is available to students from KG2 to Grade12. 

The Buzz

As part of the International Schools Group, ISG Jubail can be expected to offer a similar standard of high quality US education, adapted to its international student cohort with the addition of the highly regarded International Baccalaureate Diploma Program. 

All ISG schools aim to ensure that parents are involved in the life of the school through its School Advisory Council and Parent/Teacher Organization. 

The school notes that "the ISG Jubail community is diverse and dynamic, welcoming families every year from all over the world. We understand the challenges and opportunities involved in making an international move to Saudi Arabia. For families coming from International schools, the classrooms here will feel familiar, and you'll have the chance to see just how effectively new students settle in and become comfortable in and around the school. We work tirelessly to offer a comprehensive and positive school experience—academics, extracurricular, social - to each student.

Parents are encouraged to be involved in the school. ISG Jubail believes that working with parents is not an option; it is essential, as children whose parents are interested in their work do better at school. "In this spirit, we encourage our parents and teachers to work together toward educational growth for each individual child." 

The School Advisory Council meets four times per year and is designed to provide input to the Principal on school improvement issues. The agenda usually includes the current state of the school, facilities and academics.  The school also has an 'active and involved' parent volunteer group and all parents are encouraged to become part of the PTO, a nonprofit Parent/Teacher Organization whose membership includes all parents, legal guardians and staff at ISG Jubail.

The PTO sponsors multiple community-building and fund-raising activities during the course of the school year. The PTO sponsors assistance to teachers in classroom setting, holds fund-raisers for supplemental educational materials, supports school and family social interaction, and provides a non-biased forum for sharing information on issues that impact ISG Jubail students. 

If you are a parent, teacher or senior student at ISG Jubail, please share your opinions and experience with other potential members of your community and complete our Survey.

What about the fees?

Fees at ISG Jubail range from 72,069 SAR in KG1 and 2, falling to 66,872 SAR in Grades 1 to 5, and rising to 73,008 SAR for Grades 9 to 12.  Fees are exclusive of VAT.

The school offers a Sibling Discount to families with three or more children at an ISG school. The discount applies to the third child (and subsequent children) in the youngest grade(s) only. The discount is 20% of that child's tuition. If the installment plan is chosen, the discounted rate will be applied equally to all installment payments.

In addition, there are a number of additional fees including an application fee of  1,380 SAR (1,200 SAR plus 15% VAT) which must accompany each application. A non-refundable 5,000 SAR seat deposit, per student, is required to reserve a seat for the school year. This is not an additional fee; this amount is credited towards tuition. New students enrolled in KG1 to Grade 12are charged a non-refundable New Student Enrollment Fee of  10,000 SAR (excl. VAT). The New Student Fee is applied if a student returns to ISG after an absence of more than three years.

ISG schools also offer the option to pay the annual Tuition and Fees in three installments through the Installment Plan Method. There is an additional cost for the Installment Plan of 2,000 SAR (excl. VAT) per student per year. And for students who will not be in attendance for the whole school year, provided it is declared before the start of the school year, a Partial-Year Enrollment Plan is available at a cost of 2,000 SAR(excl. VAT).

ISG Jubail provides a transportation option for students living in the Royal Commission. The annual fee is 8,000 SAR (excl. VAT). The school does not offer transportation to students living outside the Royal Commission.

Are you looking for a place for your child, and want help from our school consultants? If so, click on the link below, and we will forward your request for information to the school or schools of the same type that we are confident have availability. This is a free service for our readers. Request Information