Avi-Cenna International School vs The RiverBank School

	A Avi-Cenna International School Lagos, Nigeria	T The RiverBank School Lagos, Nigeria
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year NGN 2,500,000	Fees / year NGN 2,500,000
Age range	Age range 2 - 16 years	Age range 1 - 11 years
Type	Type Co-educational, Co-educational (boarding)	Type —
Curriculum	Curriculum British Curriculum, EYFS (Early years foundation stage)	Curriculum British Curriculum, EYFS (Early years foundation stage), Montessori Curriculum, Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge IGCSE
Pupils	Pupils 365	Pupils 1,280
Typical class size	Typical class size 20	Typical class size 18
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened 1989	Opened 2009
Bus service	Bus service No	Bus service No
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location 6 Harold Shodipo Crescent GRA, Lagos, Nigeria	Location 2, COD Road, RCCG City of David, Oniru Estate, Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria. Located on Victoria Island, Lagos.
Stages	Stages Early Years (2.5–5), Primary (6–10), Secondary (11–16)	Stages Crèche, Nursery, Primary, Secondary.
School type	School type Independent, secular day and boarding school for boys and girls	School type The RiverBank School is a Christian British school in Nigeria.
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix —
Additional learning support	Additional learning support —	Additional learning support —
Country affiliation	Country affiliation Nigeria; Cambridge International Examinations is used for IGCSE	Country affiliation Nigeria
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation Secular; no religious affiliation	Religious affiliation Christian
School day structure	School day structure —	School day structure —
Bus service details	Bus service details —	Bus service details —
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Application / Registration - Application forms are available for a one-time fee of ₦50,000. Payments may be made by POS, bank transfer or direct deposit. Account details for deposits are provided by the school. Tuition (annual / per-term information) - The school operates as an independent day and boarding school; published, itemised tuition amounts by specific year group and per-term breakdown are not posted publicly. - Publicly available fee reports and local listings show varying annual tuition figures for recent academic sessions. Figures reported by multiple local sources for the 2024–2026 period fall broadly in the ranges below (no official year-by-year schedule is published): - Day students: commonly reported around ₦1,000,000 per year by some listings; other listings report ranges between approximately ₦1,000,000 and ₦3,000,000 per year. - Boarding students / weekly or full-board options: third‑party listings report higher annual totals (some sources quote ranges up to several million naira per year), reflecting separate boarding charges in addition to tuition. Exact boarding charges are not published on the school's public pages. Billing schedule and payment terms - Fees may be paid either for the full year or on a termly basis; a deposit is required to reserve an offered place. The school accepts POS, bank transfer and direct deposit for payments. Specific term-by-term instalment amounts and formal payment deadlines are not publicly itemised. Boarding fees and arrangements - Avi‑Cenna provides boarding options (the school is described as a day and boarding school). No publicly posted, itemised boarding fee schedule (weekly or full‑board rates) is available on the school's public pages. Separate charges for boarding are reported by third parties but precise, official boarding rates and what they include are not published. Other costs and compulsory extras - Uniform: a full school uniform is required; descriptions of required items for boys, girls and PE kits are published (blazer with school badge, shirts, trousers/skirts, PE kit items, etc.). Specific prices for uniform items are not published. - Admission deposit: an unspecified deposit is required to reserve an offered place (amount not published). - Typical additional items that are commonly charged by similar schools and that appear in third‑party fee lists (but are not itemised officially by Avi‑Cenna) include examination fees, practical/science fees, activity or PTA levies, and stationery/uniform extras; no official line‑by‑line public amounts for these at Avi‑Cenna were located. Refunds and deposits - No publicly posted refund policy or a published schedule stating refundable/ non‑refundable amounts for deposits or fees was found on the school's public pages. A deposit is required to reserve a place, but whether that deposit is refundable and under what conditions is not published. Accepted payment methods - The school accepts POS, bank transfer and direct deposit for application and school payments. Bank account name and account number for deposits are published for use when completing admission-related payments. Summary of availability of official fee detail - The school publishes the application form price, payment channels (POS, bank transfer, direct deposit) and that a deposit is needed to reserve a place. The school's public pages do not publish an itemised, year‑group by year/group termly fee schedule, formal refund policy, or detailed boarding charges. Independent/local listings and news aggregators report annual tuition amounts that vary by source; those sources were consulted for reported ranges but do not replace an official, itemised fee schedule.	Fee details Application and registration fees - Application/Admissions pack: NGN 20,000 for Primary and NGN 40,000 for Secondary (paid to obtain and submit the application pack). Tuition fees (by school level) — published detail not available; observed ranges - The school does not publish a line-by-line tuition schedule by year group on its public admissions pages. Third‑party school-fee listings and market fee surveys for RiverBank School show the following observed ranges for recent sessions: - Termly fee range (observed on third‑party listings): NGN 400,000 to NGN 850,000 per term. - Annual fee estimates (observed in 2025/26 comparative fee summaries): NGN 2,500,000 to NGN 4,500,000 per year (total annual tuition range used by market comparisons). - Because the school's published material does not contain a grade‑by‑grade fee table, parents should treat the figures above as observed market ranges for RiverBank School rather than an itemised fee schedule. Billing schedule and payment terms - Typical pattern in listings and in the market for comparable Nigerian British‑curriculum independent schools is termly billing (three terms per academic year). Third‑party listings describe RiverBank fees on a termly/semester basis. - The admissions information indicates that, when a place is offered, parents will be required to pay the joining fee and the fees promptly (parents are contacted and asked to pay joining fee and fees as soon as possible). Exact invoice dates, early‑payment discounts, and instalment options are not published on the admissions page. Boarding fees - RiverBank School is listed as a day school (no boarding provision listed). There are therefore no boarding fees applicable. Other costs and recurring levies - Common additional charges reported in fee comparisons and market listings include: development levy, PTA (parent teacher association) levy, technology and sports levies, examination fees, textbooks and stationery, uniform, and transport (school bus) where required. These categories are commonly billed in addition to tuition by comparable schools and appear in fee summaries for RiverBank in third‑party comparisons. - Uniforms and school‑branded items are typically required and are usually purchased through the school or an approved supplier; parents should budget for uniform purchase(s) in addition to tuition. (Specific uniform pricing is not published.) Refunds, deposits and refundable monies - The admissions material requires payment of an application pack fee and states that parents must pay joining fees and fees when offered a place; the school's public admissions pages do not publish a comprehensive refund policy or deposit/refund table. Where a school‑published refund or deposit policy is not available, common practice in the sector is to treat non‑refundable registration or joining fees and to make refundable security/caution deposits explicit in a written fee schedule or agreement. No specific refundable deposit amounts or refund conditions are published on the school's admissions page. Fee payment options (typical options where school-specific detail is not published) - The RiverBank admissions materials do not publish a detailed set of accepted payment methods. Schools of similar profile and the wider independent‑school sector commonly accept bank transfer, direct deposit, and (where enabled) credit/debit card payments or managed card‑payment services; instalment/direct‑debit options may be offered by some independent schools. Parents should be prepared to pay by bank transfer or the school's invoicing method unless an alternative is specified by the school. Summary of findings and availability of detailed line‑items - The school's public admissions page explicitly sets the application pack fees (NGN 20,000 Primary; NGN 40,000 Secondary) and describes the admissions process. A detailed, grade‑by‑grade published fee schedule (per year group and per term) and an explicit, published refund policy for the 2026/27 session were not available on the school's public admissions pages at the time of review. Market fee summaries and third‑party school directories list RiverBank School as a day school and show a termly range of NGN 400,000–NGN 850,000 and annual market estimates of approximately NGN 2,500,000–NGN 4,500,000; additional levies and costs (development/PTA/transport/uniform/exam/textbooks) are commonly charged in addition to tuition. Parents requiring an itemised, per‑grade fee table, exact payment deadlines, formal refund terms, or official transport/uniform pricing should obtain the school's formal fee schedule or invoice from the school's admissions/accounts office.
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 The school is a British school and has adopted the national curriculum of England and Wales. The Early Years uses the EYFS framework. The Primary curriculum follows the National Curriculum for England and Wales and ends with the KS2 SATs. The Secondary curriculum covers Years 7–9 (Key Stage 3) and Years 10–11 (Key Stage 4) with Cambridge IGCSE; languages include French and Arabic.	Curriculum details The RiverBank School offers a broad and balanced curriculum based on the National Curriculum of England and Wales. In Key Stage 3, English develops reading, writing, speaking and listening and includes the Cambridge Lower Secondary Checkpoint in Year 9. The secondary curriculum includes a two-year Cambridge IGCSE programme for English Language and English Literature, with study of non-fiction and literary texts, poetry and a range of writing skills. Reading is supported through broad reading and independent reading development, and ICT and media resources are integrated across subjects. The school provides a well-resourced learning environment including a language room, laptops, interactive whiteboards, wowbii, video clips, PowerPoint presentations and online resources accessible on tablets and laptops.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio —	Student teacher ratio Average class size is 18. Class sizes are kept small to provide a tailored, child-centred and balanced academic experience.
Exam results	Exam results Consistent recognition from Cambridge as top performers in the IGCSE examinations.	Exam results Cambridge Checkpoint results for 2024/2025: English: 98% Outstanding-High and 100% Outstanding to Good; Mathematics: 88% Outstanding-High and 98% Outstanding to Good; Science: 95% Outstanding-High and 100% Outstanding to Good.
Higher education progression	Higher education progression —	Higher education progression —
Gifted and talented	Gifted and talented —	Gifted and talented A broad range of enrichment activities and clubs are offered to develop talents, including Chess, Robotics/Coding, UN Model, Flow, Swimming, Choir, Ballet, Guitar and other options; enrichment opportunities are led by staff and supported by external providers as described in the enrichment policy.
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 1. Obtain the Admission Form. The form costs ₦50,000 and can be paid via POS, bank transfer, or direct deposit. Cash payments go to Zenith Bank, account 1014076258, in the name Jodar Avi-Cenna International Ltd; the bank slip is submitted to the Registrar to obtain the Admission Form. 2. Submit the completed forms and documents. Completed forms should be returned to the Registrar to arrange the entrance examination date. The submission must include 1 passport photograph, a copy of the birth certificate, a copy of the passport information page, and the academic transcript or last three full reports from the previous school. The school reviews the documents to confirm eligibility. 3. Entrance examination. Prospective students sit for an entrance examination designed to indicate a student's academic level, taking age into account. The examination helps determine the appropriate year-level placement in relation to the student's age. The results guide the next steps in the admissions process. 4. Interview. Successful applicants are invited to an interview with the Principal to discuss readiness and fit. The interview complements the examination results in the decision-making process. The interview provides an opportunity for families to ask questions. 5. Offer and deposit. An offer of a place is made if the candidate meets the criteria. Upon offer, a deposit is required to reserve the place. The deposit confirms the allocation and holds the slot. 6. Year-group placement. Based on experience, Avi-Cenna avoids placing a student in a year group above their age and will not consider doing so. The policy supports appropriate academic and social development. The school uses age and readiness to guide final placement. The policy is applied consistently for all admissions.	Admissions 1. Rolling admissions and student support: Enrolment is conducted on a rolling basis over the academic year and is subject to space availability. Applications are reviewed by the Admissions Officer on an ongoing basis and in order of completion. The admissions team supports applicants from the initial enquiry through the pupil's first day in school, and the process can be adapted to meet family needs. 2. Requirements and application pack: To proceed, purchase an application pack from the Admissions Office. Primary School packs cost ₦20,000 and Secondary School packs cost ₦40,000. Submit the following with the application: a birth certificate (original for sighting), immunisation record (original for sighting), three recent passport photographs, a copy of the current school report, a medical report certified by the issuing physician, and any relevant reports on the pupil's educational background or needs. An informal school tour may be arranged with permission from the Head of School. 3. Entrance assessments: After the application is received, an entrance assessment will be scheduled. EYFS admission may be informal or formal, or a combination, and additional educational or psychological evaluations may be requested to support individual learners. Primary admissions use a written entrance assessment in English, Mathematics, and Science. Secondary admissions use an online CAT4 assessment covering Verbal, Non-verbal, Spatial, and Quantitative Reasoning. The time and venue are communicated to all applicants. A face-to-face interview with the Head of School is mandatory for the pupil and the parents/guardians. 4. Interview and decision: If the pupil meets the required cut-off mark, an interview with the Head of School will be scheduled. Admission may or may not be offered after the interview. 5. Waiting list: If there are no openings available, successful applications are placed on a waiting list. Parents will be contacted as soon as a space becomes available and will have to pay the joining fee and fees as soon as possible. 6. To proceed with the application process, fill the registration form. Click Here To Apply.
Scholarships	Scholarships Academic scholarships are offered to students who demonstrate exceptional academic ability and potential for continued development. After a scholarship examination, suitable candidates are invited to interview prior to awards. The size of a scholarship ranges from 50% to 100% of tuition fees. Typically, up to 10 scholarships are awarded each year for entry into the Secondary School, with applications available from the School or the website.	Scholarships —
Waitlist	Waitlist —	Waitlist If there are no openings, successful applications are placed on a waiting list. Parents will be contacted as soon as a space becomes available and will have to pay the joining fee and fees as soon as possible.
	View full profile →	View full profile →