A landmark partnership in international education has been announced, with Fulton Science Academy, among the best private STEM schools in the United States, joining forces with Saudi operator MindSpire Education to launch a new American curriculum school in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, opening in September 2026.
This powerful partnership between Fulton Science Academy and MindSpire Education was facilitated by ISC Research, the leading provider of market intelligence and advisory services for the international schools market. ISC Research helps schools and investors structure partnerships and launch ventures around the world.
Kenan Sener, CEO of Fulton Science Academy, praised the process: “The team at ISC Research has been incredibly supportive throughout the entire process, from start to finish. This is the second partnership ISC Research has facilitated for us, following our successful collaboration in Jeju, South Korea. On both occasions, they played a pivotal role in bringing the right partners together and demonstrated professionalism, dedication, and support at every stage of the journey.”
Founded in 2012, Fulton Science Academy is a non-profit institution based in Georgia, USA, accredited by Cognia and designated as a STEM-certified school. FSA is recognised for its inquiry-led STEM curriculum, strong academic outcomes, and consistent record of preparing students for placement at globally top-ranked universities.
For Amr Sherif, CFO of MindSpire Education, the partnership reflected ISC Research’s grasp of both sides’ needs: “ISC Research provided exceptional support throughout the partnership process. Their deep understanding of our requirements and ability to identify the right partner were instrumental in making this collaboration a reality. Their professionalism, responsiveness, and commitment were evident at every stage.”
MindSpire Education manages a portfolio of more than twenty schools and twelve pre-schools across the MENA region, and operates in Egypt through the Egypt Education Platform (EEP). The group is backed by leading institutional investors, including EFG Hermes.
The new school, Hayah International Academy, will operate as a purpose-built campus in Riyadh, aligned with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 ambitions for the education sector. It joins a pipeline of new international schools opening across the GCC, a pipeline that ISC Research tracks in detail through its country Market Intelligence Briefs and bespoke research for operators, investors, and M&A teams active in the region.
Leigh Webb, CEO of ISC Research, said the region is driving the trend: “The Gulf remains the single most active region globally for international school development, and Saudi Arabia is now at the centre of that activity. Partnerships of this kind — pairing a proven regional operator with a recognised international brand — are the model we expect to see more of, and ISC Research is positioned at the point where those
“At ISC Research, we are committed to connecting schools with highly reputable and like-minded partners to build successful, long-term collaborations. Fulton Science Academy and MindSpire Education each bring distinctive strengths — academic excellence, innovation, and operational expertise. It has been a privilege to support the creation of what will be a world-class American curriculum school in Riyadh,”
Bharati Thakore
Head of School Development at ISC Research
To find out more about this project or how ISC Research can support your development plans, book a consultation or email Bharati Thakore, Head of School Development at ISC Research.
