At a glance
- Eastern Province 1448 start
- Sunday 23 August 2026
- Last day
- Thursday 24 June 2027
- Mid-year break
- 8 to 16 January 2027
- Semesters
- Two
Private national schools in Dammam and Al Khobar
National (Ahliya) schools teach the Ministry curriculum. Checked on the school groups' websites on 6 October 2026.
| School | Area | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Manarat Al Dammam National Schools | Dammam | Maarif group national school |
| Manarat Al Khobar National Schools | Al Khobar | Maarif group national school; the group also runs an international school in Khobar |
| Al Hussan National Schools (boys) | Al Muraikabat, Dammam | Primary and intermediate, with a separate international programme |
| Al Hussan National Schools (girls) | Al Mazrouiyah, Dammam | KG to secondary, plus an international section |
| El Nokhba Science National Schools | Dammam | Listed as a bilingual national school |
The two Al Hussan entries are separate boys' and girls' schools in the same group. Ask each school which secondary tracks it offers.
The national curriculum in the Eastern Province
The Ministry of Education's Eastern Province directorate oversees every public and private national school in Dammam, Al Khobar and Dhahran, using the same textbooks and exam rules as the rest of the Kingdom. Students move from primary to three intermediate years and three secondary years, and choose a secondary track under the Pathways system: General, Computer Science and Engineering, Health and Life Sciences, Business Administration or Sharia.
A feature of the area is the national school with an international programme on the side, as at Al Hussan. These programmes add English-medium teaching but keep the Ministry curriculum and its exams, so the core content is the same as in a public school.
The 1448 calendar for Dammam and Al Khobar
| Event | Dates |
|---|---|
| First day for students | 23 August 2026 |
| Autumn break | 20 to 28 November 2026 |
| Mid-year break | 8 to 16 January 2027 |
| Eid al-Fitr holiday | 26 February to 13 March 2027 |
| Eid al-Adha holiday | 7 to 22 May 2027 |
| Year ends | 24 June 2027 |
From the published 1448 general education calendar; confirm exam weeks with your school.
How online tutoring fits, and the language question
The usual needs are intermediate and secondary maths, secondary physics and chemistry, and English. A tutor works through the Ministry textbook chapter by chapter, sets short exercises between lessons and, before each semester's finals, switches to past exam questions under time. For students in the international programmes, a tutor who teaches in English is often exactly what is needed.
Where your child needs explanations in Arabic, availability is limited: we have a small number of Arabic-speaking tutors, and only for some subjects. Tell us when you book and we will say honestly whether we can match one. Lessons are 60 minutes, one to one, online at UTC+3, after school Sunday to Thursday or at weekends.
Common questions
Do national schools in Dammam teach in English?
The Ministry curriculum is taught in Arabic, but some national schools add an English-medium international programme or section, as Al Hussan National Schools do. Ask the school how many subjects are taught in English.
Can I get an Arabic-speaking tutor for my son's maths?
Possibly. We have a small number of Arabic-speaking tutors for some subjects. Tell us the grade and subject and we will confirm honestly before you pay anything.
When is the mid-year break in 1448?
8 to 16 January 2027 in the general education calendar. The Eastern Province follows the main calendar, a week earlier than Jeddah and Makkah.
How much do lessons cost?
$15 a lesson for any grade or subject, on a plan of 1 to 5 lessons a week billed monthly ($120 a month for two a week). The first lesson is a free trial.
Can tutoring help prepare for Tahsili?
Yes, for the maths and science content. Tahsili draws on all three secondary years, so steady help through secondary school is the best preparation.
Sources
Dates and figures on this page come from these official and published sources. Always confirm deadlines on the official page before acting on them.
- General education calendar 1448 (2026-27), Royal Commission education directorate (Arabic)
- Okaz: 1448 school year start dates by region (Arabic)
- Saudi Ministry of Education: two semesters approved for 1447 and 1448 (Arabic)
- Saudipedia: university admission tests in Saudi Arabia
- Manarat Al Khobar National Schools (Maarif)
- Manarat Al Dammam National Schools (Maarif)
- Al Hussan National Schools, Dammam (boys)
- Al Hussan National Schools, Dammam (girls)
- Mdares: schools in Dammam (El Nokhba Science National Schools, bilingual)