American International School of Lusaka vs International School of Lusaka

	A American International School of Lusaka Lusaka, Zambia	I International School of Lusaka Lusaka, Zambia
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year ZMW 7,700 - 18,950	Fees / year ZMW 7,950
Age range	Age range 3 - 18 years	Age range 2 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type —
Curriculum	Curriculum IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP), American Curriculum	Curriculum IB (PYP), IMYC (International Middle Years Curriculum), Cambridge IGCSE, IB (DP)
Pupils	Pupils 480	Pupils 721
Typical class size	Typical class size 7	Typical class size 10
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened 1986	Opened 1963
Bus service	Bus service No	Bus service No
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location 487 A/F/3 Leopard's Hill Road, Lusaka, Zambia. The campus is on Leopards Hill Road and described as a 25-acre, secure, purpose-built site. AIS Lusaka serves students from preschool through grade 12 and uses an English-medium international curriculum.	Location The school is located at 6945 Nangwenya Road, Ridgeway, Lusaka, Zambia (PO Box 50121).
Stages	Stages preschool through grade 12	Stages The school serves students from nursery to Year 13, including Early Years, Primary School, Middle School and High School.
School type	School type independent, co-educational day school	School type The school is an international day school.
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix 40 nations represented; approximately 21% European, 28% North and South American, and 22% African.	Pupil nationality mix The school represents 60 nationalities among learners and staff.
Additional learning support	Additional learning support Learning specialists work with classroom teachers to remediate language-processing difficulties and other learning differences. Educational assessments determine current performance levels; IEPs and SAPs are created to ensure access to the curriculum. The Inclusion Team uses RTI, and auxiliary services such as occupational, physical, or speech therapy are provided by external specialists when available.	Additional learning support Learning Support and ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) are provided across Primary and Secondary.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation Associated with the American Embassy (United States)	Country affiliation —
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation —	Religious affiliation No religious affiliation; ISL does not align itself to any political or religious creed.
School day structure	School day structure —	School day structure Nursery 08:00–12:00; Preschool 08:00–12:40; Reception 07:05–12:40; Years 1–13 07:05–13:30.
Bus service details	Bus service details —	Bus service details —
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Application / Admission fees - One-time admission/registration fee: USD 7,000. - Capital levy (annual family contribution / facilities levy): USD 750 per year. Tuition fees by year group (annual and per term) - Early Learning Centre (preschool): - Annual: USD 7,700. - Per term (calculated as annual ÷ 3, based on the school calendar's three sessions): USD 2,567 per term. - Kindergarten – Grade 5 (Primary): - Annual: USD 18,950. - Per term (annual ÷ 3): USD 6,317 per term. - Grades 6 – 10 (Middle/Lower Secondary): - Annual: USD 21,800. - Per term (annual ÷ 3): USD 7,267 per term. - Grades 11 – 12 (Upper Secondary / IB Diploma): - Annual: USD 24,800. - Per term (annual ÷ 3): USD 8,267 per term. (Note: the per-term figures above are calculated by dividing the published annual tuition by three, because the published school calendar uses three academic sessions/terms. This division is a calculated value for per-term display. ) Other one-off or recurring fees and deposits - Equipment deposit / grade-specific deposits (example shown for upper grades): USD 500 (used as an equipment deposit in published fee summaries). - School bus / transport: separate annual transport charges apply; amounts vary by route and are billed in addition to tuition. (Transport is itemised separately in published fee summaries.) - Uniforms and school-store purchases: uniforms are sold through the school store; all items priced in dollars must be paid in dollars (or at the daily exchange rate advised by the accounts office). Once clothing is purchased it cannot be returned or refunded. Billing schedule and payment terms - To secure a place for the new school year starting in August, a non-refundable payment of at least 25% of the tuition fee must be paid by 1 June. - For applications made during the school year, an invoice is issued with the acceptance letter and payment is due within two weeks of acceptance unless otherwise indicated. Failure to meet deadlines can result in the place being revoked. - The school issues invoices for tuition and other fees; parents will be billed separately for capital levies, transport, equipment deposits and school-store purchases. Published fee summaries and product listings show annual totals that combine tuition and specific levies or deposits. Boarding fees - The American International School of Lusaka is an independent day school; boarding is not offered. Refund information - The initial deposit required to secure a place (minimum 25% of tuition, payable by 1 June) is non-refundable. - School-store clothing purchases are non-returnable and non-refundable. - Other refund or pro‑rata arrangements (for mid-year withdrawals, partial-term attendance, or refunds of other fees) are governed by the school's full fee schedule and enrolment/finance policies as administered by the Business/Accounts Office; families should follow the school's invoicing and acceptance documents for the specific conditions that apply to deposits, levies and other charges. Fee payment options and contact for payments - The school store and accounts note that dollar‑priced items must be paid in USD or at the daily exchange rate advised by the accounts office; the school's Business/Accounts Office handles invoicing and payment arrangements. Parents should contact the school's Business/Accounts Office or the Admissions/Finance contacts for the accepted payment methods for tuition and levies. General and admissions contact details are published by the school. Summary (concise checklist for parents) - One-time admission fee: USD 7,000. - Annual capital levy: USD 750. - Annual tuition (by group): ELC USD 7,700; K–G5 USD 18,950; G6–G10 USD 21,800; G11–G12 USD 24,800. - Minimum non-refundable deposit to secure a place: 25% of tuition, due 1 June. - Uniforms sold through the school store; clothing purchases are not refundable.	Fee details Application / Registration Fees - A one-time registration/enrolment fee is charged at admission. Tuition fees (by year group and billing frequency) - The school charges annual tuition that is structured by age/grade. Published public summaries report a broad annual day‑student range rather than a publicly accessible term‑by‑term breakdown: approximately USD 3,300 to USD 20,000+ per year depending on grade level and programme. Specific fee amounts by exact year group (per term and per year) are not publicly available in an itemised fee schedule. Billing schedule and payment terms - Tuition is billed on an annual basis with school practice commonly using termly instalments; families are expected to follow the published billing schedule and payment deadlines set by the school. Precise term dates, instalment deadlines, and penalty or late‑payment terms are set by the school's finance office. Boarding fees - The International School of Lusaka operates as a day school; no full‑time or weekly boarding programme is listed and boarding fees are not applicable. Other compulsory or regular charges - An annual capital/building levy or similar development contribution is commonly charged by comparable Lusaka international schools; summaries and local guides refer to annual levies and other recurring charges such as activity or capital levies. Exact amounts for levies (if applicable) are set by the school and shown on its fee schedule. Optional / additional fees - Additional charges that may apply include: examination fees (IGCSE / IB), extra‑curricular activity fees, school trips, specialist course fees, learning‑support or EAL support fees, textbooks, and instrument or sports hire where relevant. Exact pricing for these optional items is published by the school on its fee schedule or communicated at enrolment. Uniforms and equipment - A uniform cost is charged; families are required to purchase the school uniform and any required equipment. Exact uniform price points are listed in the school's fee or admissions pack. Refunds and withdrawal charges - Standard international‑school practice applies: withdrawal after term commencement generally triggers liability for fees according to the school's tuition policy (examples elsewhere typically require payment of the term or a portion of the annual fee). The school's formal tuition and refund/withdrawal policy sets any non‑refundable registration amounts and the refund rules for mid‑year withdrawal. Fee payment options - The school accepts standard institutional payment methods. Contact and administrative portals are maintained for parents and the school operates a parent/administration portal for fee transactions. For PTA and community payments, the school uses an online payments platform. Families may pay via bank transfer or the school's authorised online payment channels as specified by the finance office. Concise summary of availability (important) - A detailed, itemised schedule showing exact amounts per year group and per term for the 2026/27 academic year (or 2025/26 where 2026/27 is not issued) is not publicly accessible in the sources consulted. The facts above reflect the school's structure (day school), commonly charged items (registration fee, possible capital levy, uniforms, exam and activity fees) and publicly referenced annual fee ranges. For exact figures by year group and the school's formal payment / refund terms you will need the school's official fee schedule or fee policy published to parents.
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements —	Boarding arrangements —
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement —	Uniform requirement —
Food options	Food options —	Food options —
House system	House system —	House system —
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership —	Governance and ownership —
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details AISL is authorized to deliver the International Baccalaureate programmes: Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP), and Diploma Programme (DP). The IB framework emphasizes independent thinking, intercultural understanding, and language development. The IB curriculum provides a continuous program from primary through high school, with the Diploma Programme available for eligible students.	Curriculum details ISL follows the International Baccalaureate continuum, from the Primary Years Programme to the Diploma Programme. In High School, Cambridge IGCSE is offered alongside the IB Diploma Programme. ISL staff are IB (PYP, DP) trained and also trained in Cambridge (IGCSE) and IMYC. ESOL support is provided at Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced levels in both Primary and Secondary. French and Spanish lessons run from Reception to Year 13, Chinyanja language lessons are offered, Zambian Studies are included, and English for Speakers of Other Languages is available.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio —	Student teacher ratio There are 721 students and over 80 teachers and teaching assistants, giving a student-to-staff ratio of about 9:1.
Exam results	Exam results —	Exam results —
Higher education progression	Higher education progression The IB programmes prepare students for higher education at universities around the world.	Higher education progression —
Gifted and talented	Gifted and talented AISL offers the US Ambassador's Merit-Based Scholarship Programme for highly capable and financially needy Zambian students to attend AISL High School and pursue the IB MYP and DP. Scholarship students are expected to perform at a high academic level and participate in a comprehensive extracurricular program. AISL provides scholarship recipients with full tuition, school supplies including an iPad (later a laptop), a home Internet bundle, all examination and university application fees, university and scholarship guidance, local transport, school lunches, and funded opportunities to participate in school-sponsored trips in Zambia and overseas.	Gifted and talented —
Academic calendar	Academic calendar —	Academic calendar —
Wellbeing & support	Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning	Social & emotional learning —	Social & emotional learning —
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) —	Special educational needs (SEN) —
English as an additional language	English as an additional language —	English as an additional language —
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing —	Mental wellbeing —
Safeguarding	Safeguarding —	Safeguarding —
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview —	Facilities overview —
Sports facilities	Sports facilities —	Sports facilities —
Academic facilities	Academic facilities —	Academic facilities —
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities —	Extra curricular facilities —
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History —	History —
Community	Community —	Community —
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association —	Parent teacher association —
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual —	Academic & intellectual —
Arts & creative	Arts & creative —	Arts & creative —
Cultural & language	Cultural & language —	Cultural & language —
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies —	Social & hobbies —
Community & service	Community & service —	Community & service —
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional —	Leadership & professional —
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing —	Lifestyle & wellbeing —
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision —	Language provision —
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching —	Bilingual teaching —
Immersion programs	Immersion programs —	Immersion programs —
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards —	Awards —
Accreditations	Accreditations —	Accreditations —
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions AISL admits students from diverse educational systems and backgrounds for ELC through Grade 12, providing an international English-language education in a mainstream environment. It supports learners with Special Educational Needs and English as an Additional Language, with Learning Support enrollment normally not exceeding 15% of a grade's enrollment and moderate support normally not exceeding 5% of total enrollment, with no more than four moderate students per grade. When spaces are limited, admission follows priorities: children of United States government employees receiving an educational allowance (ELC through Grade 12), AISL faculty children, siblings of enrolled students, siblings enrolling concurrently, and all other applicants. Children of US government employees applying for ELC must apply by April 1 of the previous year; those applying after April may be accommodated as spaces become available. ELC admits up to the first day after the Spring holiday. Students must be toilet trained to be admitted. Kindergarten through Grade 12 cannot be admitted within 30 school days of the end of the school year, and Grade 11 entrants after October 1 are considered case-by-case due to graduation requirements. Students must intend to attend for at least one semester. If a grade reaches capacity, applicants are placed in the Waiting Pool and offered a space as it becomes available based on the admissions criteria; if more applicants exist in a category than spaces, admissions are first-come, first-served within that category. When a space opens, tuition is due from the date the space becomes available, even if the student begins later in the year; for start-of-year admissions, a 25% deposit is due by June 1 to secure the place. Families should regularly check in with the Admissions Manager to confirm continued interest; failure to do so may result in removal from the waiting pool. Acceptance occurs after all paperwork and assessments are reviewed by the Admissions Committee, following a student interview; parents are informed by the Admissions Manager. All acceptances are provisional for the first semester; the school may adjust grade placement or, in rare cases, determine that the needs cannot be met; the school may help locate an alternative education. After acceptance, a non-refundable payment of at least 25% of the tuition is due by 1 June to secure a space; if applying mid-year, an invoice is issued and payment is due within two weeks; failure to pay may revoke admission.	Admissions 1. Confirm eligibility and year placement. The minimum age to join ISL is 2 years by September 1 in the year of admission; Nursery must be over 2, Pre-School over 3, Reception over 4, and Year 1 over 5 by that date. Students are placed by age and school history, and ISL normally will not place a child more than one year outside the year appropriate for their age. 2. Start the online application. Begin via the ISL OpenApply portal by selecting 'Register Your Interest' or 'Apply Now' to start the application process. 3. Submit required documents and pay fees. Provide date of birth, academic records from the previous school, and the intended date of admission; complete the online medical form with vaccination details; the Registration Fee is non-refundable. The Capital Levy (Enrolment Fee) is payable after accepting a place and there is a 50% discount for second and subsequent children. 4. Undergo assessments for placement. ISL has an open admissions policy and an assessment is required for Years 1–13 to ensure correct class placement and to address any specific needs. Primary assessments are done by the class teacher; Secondary assessments cover English and Maths, with potential ESOL or Learning Support assessments if needed. 5. Receive and accept an offer. After an offer is made, acceptance is required and the Capital Levy must be paid by the date stated on the offer. ISL also notes that there is a 50% discount for second and subsequent children. 6. Induction and first day planning. Once an offer is accepted, new families attend a morning induction for Primary families and a New Students Orientation for all new students; new pupils can start the following day or as agreed. Details are shared closer to the start of the school year. 7. Start date and ongoing welcome. New students begin on the agreed start date, with induction and orientation arrangements completed prior to the first day of school.
Scholarships	Scholarships AISL Merit Scholarship Programme provides a Merit Scholarship to attend the high school. Merit Scholars are expected to perform at a high academic level and participate in a comprehensive co-curricular programme. AISL provides Merit Scholars with full AISL tuition fees, a loaned iPad/Laptop and calculator, all examination and university application fees, university and scholarship guidance, transport to and from school on an established bus route, and fully-funded school-sponsored trips in Zambia and overseas. The scholarship does not include boarding, housing, or financial assistance after leaving the school beyond the scholarship contract. A complete application consists of a signed Application Form, birth record or affidavit, Gr. 9 JSSLE results or equivalent (if taken), most recent school report, Writing Assignment, and Mathematics Assignment; the Scholarship Admissions Committee requires a complete application to be considered. A 2026-2027 Application Form is available, and additional information including the Merit Based Scholarship Brochure can be accessed via the Scholarships page. For questions, contact scholarship@aislusaka.org.	Scholarships ISL offers a limited number of scholarships each year for exceptional students. The Scholarship Selection Committee welcomes external applicants who demonstrate excellence in academics and the potential to be a positive and contributing member of the ISL community, with the aim of providing access to an excellent academic programme for families who otherwise may not be able to afford it. There are two scholarships available for external candidates: one for students entering the two-year Year 10–11 IGCSE programme and the other for students entering the two-year Year 12–13 IB Diploma Programme. Beacon Scholarship ISL partners with the Beacon Scholarship programme for students with strong leadership qualities. The Beacon Scholarship provides access for financially disadvantaged students to top-tier secondary schools in their home country and undergraduate programmes at world-class universities in the UK. The programme includes leadership training and mentoring, as well as a goal-setting performance management system; applicants must demonstrate that they are ‘Changemakers'—they are already making a difference and have the capacity to influence others.
Waitlist	Waitlist Waiting Pool: When a grade level reaches capacity, applicants are placed in the waiting pool and offered a space as soon as one becomes available, based on the admissions criteria; if there are more applicants in a category than spaces, admission is granted on a first-come, first-served basis within that category. Once a space becomes available, tuition fees are due from the date the space opens, even if the student will not begin classes until later in the school year. For the start of a new school year, a 25% deposit of the tuition is required by June 1 to secure the place for August. Families should regularly check in with the Admissions Manager to confirm continued interest; failure to do so may result in removal from the waiting pool. If a place is offered and the family declines but remains in the waiting pool, the student is moved to the bottom of the list for their admission category.	Waitlist ISL maintains waiting lists when necessary due to ongoing turnover; if a class is full, a waiting list is opened for the respective year level concerned.
	View full profile →	View full profile →