SABIS
SABIS is a privately held global K-12 education network operating more than 30 schools across 21 countries on five continents through wholly-owned, charter, and managed public-private partnership models. It delivers a proprietary 135-year-old educational methodology supported by integrated digital platforms, targeting both premium and value-conscious middle-class families.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1886
- HeadquartersEden Prairie, United States
- Headcount5,001–10,000
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What SABIS does
SABIS is a privately held global education network founded in 1886 in Choueifat, Lebanon, currently operating schools in 21 countries across five continents under multiple sub-brands including International School of Choueifat (ISC), SABIS International School (SIS), CADMUS International Schools, SABIS SUN, SABIS ULINK, and Meltho International School. The company serves K-12 students through private schools as well as US charter schools and public-private partnerships (including UAE Military High Schools), targeting both premium families and the value-conscious middle-class segment via its CADMUS sub-brand. Headquartered in Adma, Lebanon with US operations in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, SABIS employs between 5,001 and 10,000 people across more than 30 named school locations.
The company's core product is the proprietary SABIS Educational System, a methodology developed and refined over more than 135 years that bundles curriculum delivery, weekly assessment (SABIS Academic Monitoring System), and the SABIS Student Life Organization (SLO) leadership program. It is operationalized through a technology stack consisting of the SABIS Digital Platform (with a SABIS Parent mobile app), the Integrated Learning System (ILS), the Integrated Testing and Learning (ITL) System, and On-Demand Tutoring videos. Network schools hold accreditations from the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSA), Accreditation International (Ai), and the National Council for Private School Accreditation (NCPSA), and deliver international credentials including IGCSE, AS & A Levels, and AP exams, with select sites operating as Pearson Edexcel exam centers.
SABIS generates revenue primarily through recurring tuition and school fees across its network, augmented by management fees from charter schools, managed schools, and public-private partnerships. Go-to-market is direct-to-consumer at the school level: families apply via individual school websites, complete diagnostics, and enroll on multi-year horizons that align with the K-12 path. Customer segments split between private K-12 students (primary), public-sector students under managed models, and university-aspiring families, with non-selective admissions and university counseling starting in Grade 9 serving as the central value proposition. Notable university placement outcomes (University of Pennsylvania, Imperial College London, UCL) and consecutive Pearson Edexcel Outstanding Learner Awards (2023-2025) function as the primary marketing assets.
SABIS firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- SABIS
- Legal name
- SABIS Educational Services S.A.L.
- Website
- https://sabis.net
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1886
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 5,001–10,000 employees
- Short description
- SABIS is a privately held global K-12 education network operating more than 30 schools across 21 countries on five continents through wholly-owned, charter, and managed public-private partnership models. It delivers a proprietary 135-year-old educational methodology supported by integrated digital platforms, targeting both premium and value-conscious middle-class families.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
SABIS industry classification
Industry- Product category
- K-12 Education Services
- NAICS
- Elementary and Secondary Schools (611110)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Student Information Systems (SIS) & School Administration Platforms (EDAJAMAB)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- K–12 SIS & District Administration Platforms (EDAFAEAA)
Keywords
Where SABIS is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Eden Prairie
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices36 records
Markets served
SABIS business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Tuition and School Fees: Revenue generated from tuition fees paid by students attending SABIS network schools, including private schools across 21 countries.
- School Management Services: SABIS manages schools through various operational models including Managed Schools (private partners assign management to SABIS), Charter Schools, and Public-Private Partnerships, generating revenue through management fees.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | CADMUS International School - Tuition fees available via private PDF |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels4 records
SABIS product offering
Product offeringCore offering
SABIS operates a global network of K-12 schools delivering a standardized proprietary curriculum through the SABIS Educational System. The organization licenses its educational system to schools in multiple countries and provides ongoing curriculum support, teacher development, and the SABIS Digital Platform to deliver consistent learning outcomes across its network. SABIS also manages public charter schools in select markets using the same proprietary system.
Product overview
SABIS is a global education network operating schools across 21 countries on five continents. The core offering is the proprietary SABIS Educational System, a comprehensive educational methodology developed over 135+ years. Supporting this core are technology platforms including the SABIS Digital Platform (web-based teaching and learning), the Integrated Learning System (ILS), Integrated Testing and Learning (ITL) System, and the SABIS Academic Monitoring System. Student engagement is facilitated through the SABIS Student Life Organization (SLO). SABIS operates multiple school sub-brands: International School of Choueifat (ISC), SABIS International School (SIS), CADMUS International Schools (targeting value-conscious families), SABIS SUN, and SABIS ULINK. Additional offerings include On-Demand Tutoring videos and the SABIS UniApp for university applications. Schools are operated across private, charter, and managed public-private partnership models.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- CADMUS International Schools: A concept by SABIS providing value-conscious, high-quality international education. CADMUS schools serve aspiring middle-class parents who seek quality education at reasonable cost.
- SABIS SUN
Products and services
- SABIS Educational System Proprietary K-12 educational system and curriculum licensed to schools within the SABIS network, providing standardized instructional methods, assessment frameworks, and continuous academic monitoring.
- SABIS Digital Platform Proprietary digital learning environment that delivers curriculum content, assessments, and academic monitoring tools for SABIS schools worldwide.
- The International School of Choueifat (ISC) Flagship K-12 school brand under SABIS originating from the original founding campus, offering the SABIS Educational System to families.
- SABIS International School (SIS) International private K-12 school brand in the SABIS network offering the SABIS Educational System to local and expatriate families across multiple countries.
- CADMUS SABIS school brand targeting students in select regions, delivering the SABIS Educational System and Digital Platform under the network's standardized model.
- SABIS Charter School Management Management and operation of public charter schools in select markets that deliver the SABIS Educational System under charter agreements with authorizing bodies.
Quantifiable outcome
- Graduates gain admission to top universities worldwide including University of Pennsylvania, Imperial College London, UCL
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use SABIS
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles1 record
SABIS technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration8 records
Feature7 records
SABIS partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
SABIS competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- Maple Bear Global Schools: Canadian-curriculum K-12 franchise operating 400+ schools across 30+ countries, with growing MENA and Latin America presence. Comparable to SABIS in international-school franchising model and emerging-market expansion approach, though at earlier stage.
Direct peers
- GEMS Education: Largest MENA-based K-12 private school operator with schools across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and beyond. Directly competes with SABIS in the premium international-school segment, particularly through brands like GEMS World Academy and GEMS Wellington, serving expatriate families with British/American/IB curricula.
- International Schools Partnership (ISP): PE-backed global K-12 school group with 80+ schools across multiple countries including MENA. Operates similar multi-brand, multi-curriculum model with focus on premium international education — direct comparable for SABIS's managed-school growth strategy.
- Dulwich College International: Premium international K-12 school network with campuses across China, Singapore, Seoul, and other markets, offering British curriculum and IB programmes. Comparable to SABIS premium ISC/SIS schools in targeting affluent expatriate families seeking university-prep credentials.
- Nord Anglia Education: Premium international K-12 school network operating ~80 schools globally, including flagship campuses in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and other markets SABIS serves. Competes for affluent expatriate families seeking international curricula with strong university placement outcomes.
- Cognita Schools: Global private K-12 school operator with ~100 schools across multiple countries, including MENA presence. Competes with SABIS through similar proprietary curriculum approaches, multi-brand portfolio, and managed-school/partnership models.
- Esol Education: K-12 international school operator with campuses across UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Egypt, and Lebanon. Directly overlaps SABIS's Gulf/Levant footprint and serves similar expatriate families with American/British/IB curricula.
- ACS International Schools: International school group operating multiple campuses across the Middle East (UAE, Qatar) and beyond, offering American/IB curriculum. Competes with SABIS for premium expatriate enrollment in Gulf markets.
Broad incumbents
- Bright Scholar Education: Largest operator of international and bilingual K-12 schools in China, previously listed on NYSE. Operates large-scale school networks with proprietary curricula — broader geographic overlap with SABIS Asia footprint but different primary market.
Regional players
- Taaleem: UAE-headquartered premium K-12 school operator listed on Dubai Financial Market, operating brands such as Dubai British School and Jumeira Baccalaureate School. Directly competes with SABIS ISC/SIS schools in the UAE premium expatriate market.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
SABIS social profiles
Digital presenceSABIS compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance4 records
SABIS financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
SABIS leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
SABIS subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries36 records
SABIS funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
SABIS M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about SABIS
What does SABIS do?
SABIS operates a global network of K-12 schools delivering a standardized proprietary curriculum through the SABIS Educational System. The organization licenses its educational system to schools in multiple countries and provides ongoing curriculum support, teacher development, and the SABIS Digital Platform to deliver consistent learning outcomes across its network. SABIS also manages public charter schools in select markets using the same proprietary system.
Is SABIS a public or private company?
SABIS is a private company. It is classified as unknown and is currently operating.
When was SABIS founded?
SABIS was founded in 1886. It employs 5,001 to 10,000 people.
Where is SABIS based?
SABIS is headquartered in Eden Prairie, United States, in the North America region.
How does SABIS make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Tuition and School Fees are the primary driver. The others are school Management Services.
Who are SABIS's main competitors?
Maple Bear Global Schools is listed as an emerging player. Direct peers are GEMS Education, International Schools Partnership (ISP), Dulwich College International, Nord Anglia Education, Cognita Schools, Esol Education and ACS International Schools. Bright Scholar Education is listed as a broad incumbent. Taaleem is listed as a regional player.
Does SABIS have an API?
No public API is recorded for SABIS.
What industry is SABIS in?
SABIS's product category is K-12 Education Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAJAMAB, Student Information Systems (SIS) & School Administration Platforms, with a secondary code of EDAFAEAA, K–12 SIS & District Administration Platforms. Its NAICS code is 611110 and its SIC code is 8200.