A new Russian school with a planned capacity of 500 students has opened its doors in Saudi Arabia on October 8, marking a significant milestone in regional education. The announcement came through the school’s press service, which emphasized the institution’s role as a key part of a broader network within the ONE system of special education and an International School framework designed to foster strong academic foundations and cross-cultural learning.
The site is set to operate as a branch of a larger educational network, with this year bringing not only a full-scale middle and primary program but also a dedicated kindergarten. Each elementary and preschool classroom is designed to accommodate up to 20 children, ensuring a focused, small-class experience that supports individualized attention and a secure learning environment. The curriculum will lean on Russian educational materials and textbooks, preserving core standards and methods, while Arabic language instruction is included to enable bilingual proficiency and smoother integration for students coming from diverse linguistic backgrounds. Upon graduation, students will receive certificates acknowledging their completion of secondary education within the Russian and Arabic education tracks, expanding their options for further study and global mobility.
For Russian and regional expatriate communities, the new school is seen as a strategic asset. Stanislav Yankovets, the Trade Representative of the Russian Federation to Saudi Arabia, suggested that the campus could quickly become a preferred choice for Russians residing in the Gulf region and for local families planning future study in Russia. This perspective aligns with a broader push to raise the profile of Russian education in the Arab world, highlighting a long-standing tradition of high standards and a value-based approach that many families find appealing in an international context.
The project represents a substantial investment in educational infrastructure, with total funding surpassing 25 million dollars. The funding supports state-of-the-art classroom equipment, with each classroom outfitted to a value of around 10,000 dollars. Kindergarten groups are estimated at approximately 7,000 dollars per unit, reflecting the early childhood components that are integral to the school’s growth and readiness philosophy. The financial commitment signals confidence in delivering a robust, scalable model that can adapt to evolving student needs while maintaining rigorous academic expectations and a nurturing environment.
Earlier cultural activity in the region has also illustrated a growing interest in cross-cultural exchange. For instance, a recent event showcased a major exhibition at the New Tretyakov Gallery commemorating the 150th anniversary of Roerich, highlighting a broader regional appetite for collaboration and shared cultural heritage. This context helps frame the new Russian school as part of a wider ecosystem in which education, art, and international engagement reinforce each other, contributing to a more interconnected global community in which Canadian and American families might consider pursuing international education opportunities for children and teens.