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The new school will offer a specialized enrichment program for intermediate school students aimed at developing their mathematical abilities and supporting Saudi Vision 2030 goals for human capital development, according to the Ministry of Education. It is dedicated to identifying gifted students through rigorous criteria and providing content aligned with the highest international standards and practices. The program seeks to establish global academic partnerships, prepare future scientific leaders and foster research projects under the guidance of KAUST experts, the ministry stated in its announcement. The partnership with Al-Aqeel Charity further supports community contributions to these national efforts.
Online registration for the school has opened, the partners reported. The official opening is set for August 30, with the facility offering high-quality training for both intermediate and high school levels. Annual intensive training will exceed 400 hours at the school and KAUST facilities, supplemented by science camps during school holidays inside and outside the kingdom, program details show. The curriculum will emphasize specialized scientific tracks to ready students for international competitions and Olympiads, according to the Ministry of Education.
This initiative aligns with the Human Capability Development Program outlined on the Vision 2030 website, which aims to elevate citizens’ global competitiveness and improve Saudi Arabia’s position in the World Bank Human Capital Index. The program has set targets such as enrolling 40 percent of children in kindergarten and ranking six Saudi universities among the top 200 globally. Gifted education has been a focus, with the Mawhiba Foundation advancing enrichment programs and national competitions, an analysis of Vision 2030 education efforts found.
The mathematics school extends the Ministry of Education’s ongoing work in specialized education, following the opening of the first technological high school for gifted students in Riyadh in December 2024 by Education Minister Yousef Al-Benyan, Arab News reported. Plans for five new tech high schools in cities including Jeddah were announced in 2025, according to Gulf News. KAUST has supported talent discovery through its national mathematics competition organized with the ministry and other partners, the university’s records indicate.
Students completing the program will benefit from enhanced opportunities to excel in competitions and build strong academic profiles for admission to leading international universities, the announcement noted. The partnership with KAUST, a premier research institution in the Middle East, will provide access to advanced facilities and expert mentorship. Al-Aqeel Charity’s role underscores community involvement in national education priorities, as highlighted in Vision 2030 frameworks.
The launch comes as Saudi Arabia continues to reform its education system to meet the demands of a knowledge-based economy, with the Ministry of Education driving multiple initiatives to nurture STEM talent across the kingdom. More than six million students are served by the education system, which has integrated elements like a nationwide AI curriculum starting in the 2025-2026 academic year, according to a sector review by EDT Partners.
