Riyadh’s School Population is Diversifying—So Are Their Education Expectations

In a recent webinar, Bennett Global Team Lead and Senior Education Consultant Aamynah Nagji reflects on the shifting preferences within Riyadh’s school-aged population—highlighting the evolving expectations of local, returning, and international families, and the demand this creates for diverse school offerings.

As Saudi Arabia’s education landscape continues to evolve, local families are increasingly moving away from public schools and seeking out private, international-style education. These families value a global outlook and access to international curricula yet remain deeply connected to their cultural roots. They want their children to learn Arabic and grow up with a strong sense of Saudi identity while also benefiting from a broader, global perspective.

At the same time, a growing number of Saudi nationals are returning from government-sponsored study abroad programs, bringing with them a new set of expectations. These returning families often want their children to have an authentically international education in preparation for future university study abroad. For them, avoiding culture shock later on is a key priority. While they, too, value Arabic language and cultural continuity, they are often less focused on conservatism and more open to progressive, globally minded school environments.

Overlaying this is the presence of international expatriate families, who primarily seek schools that align with familiar international curricula and offer a fully global education experience.

What becomes clear across all three groups—local, returning, and international families—is that a one-size-fits-all model no longer works. Each group brings unique needs and expectations to the table. The real challenge for the education sector in Riyadh is not simply expanding capacity but opening up more schools that meet the needs of these distinct populations simultaneously.

As Riyadh continues to grow as a global hub, the demand for nuanced, culturally respectful, and academically rigorous education options will only increase.

Over the years, Bennett International Education Consultancy has worked with hundreds of corporations across the globe, many of them Fortune 500 companies, providing domestic and international school advisement & placement services - preschool through university - to the dependents of relocating employees. In addition to education placement, our team provides customized consulting for corporations with a range of education issues: education policy writing & benchmarking, tuition studies, group move advisement & planning, and remote education solutions.