Cambridge Academy Ethiopia vs Sandford International School

	C Cambridge Academy Ethiopia Addis Ababa, Ethiopia	S Sandford International School Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year ETB 6,232 - 10,594	Fees / year ETB 6,575
Age range	Age range 2 - 18 years	Age range 3 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum British Curriculum, Pearson Edexcel IGCSE	Curriculum British Curriculum, IPC (International Primary Curriculum), Cambridge IGCSE, IB (DP)
Pupils	Pupils 1,400	Pupils 400
Typical class size	Typical class size —	Typical class size —
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened —	Opened 1947
Bus service	Bus service No	Bus service No
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location —	Location Sandford International School is located on Shewareged Gedle Street, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. It markets itself as providing quality international education in Addis Ababa. The school serves three levels: Early Years (ages 3-5), Primary (ages 5-11), and Secondary (ages 11-18).
Stages	Stages EYFS, Primary, and Secondary (IGCSE and A‑Level pathways). Ages 3–18.	Stages EYFS Ages 3-5; Primary School Ages 5-11; Secondary School Ages 11-18.
School type	School type Private international school offering the National Curriculum for England. Pearson Edexcel accredited.	School type The school is an international school.
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix —
Additional learning support	Additional learning support —	Additional learning support —
Country affiliation	Country affiliation England	Country affiliation —
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation —	Religious affiliation —
School day structure	School day structure —	School day structure —
Bus service details	Bus service details School transport with a fleet of well-maintained buses, GPS tracking, and safety features; routes are designed to accommodate a variety of locations.	Bus service details —
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Tuition fees (annual and per term by year group — Academic year 2025–2026) - Nursery (N): Annual USD 6,231.51 — Per term (three-term billing) USD 2,077.17. - FS1: Annual USD 6,571.41 — Per term USD 2,190.47. - FS2: Annual USD 6,571.41 — Per term USD 2,190.47. - Years 1–3: Annual USD 6,798.00 — Per term USD 2,266.00. - Years 4–6: Annual USD 7,364.49 — Per term USD 2,454.83. - Years 7–9: Annual USD 8,497.50 — Per term USD 2,832.50. - Years 10–13: Annual USD 10,593.54 — Per term USD 3,531.18. Application and joining fees - Application fee (new students): USD 150 due on submission of application; refundable only if a place is not offered. - Registration deposit (to secure an offered place, new students): USD 300; non-refundable once an offer is accepted. - Re-registration deposit (returning students): USD 250 per year to guarantee a place for the following academic year; non-refundable. Capital levy (one-off/annual capital contribution) - Capital levy depends on year of enrolment for new students and for students already registered prior to 2025–26. New-student capital levy ranges from USD 500 up to USD 1,800 depending on entry year/grade. For students registered before 2025–26 the levy varies by year group (examples in the published schedule show amounts from USD 250 up to USD 750 depending on year of enrolment). Exact levy is set by year group at enrolment. Billing schedule and payment terms - Billing structure: tuition is treated on a per-term basis. The first term's tuition must be paid at least two weeks before the start of term for returning students; for new students the application fee, registration deposit, capital levy and the first term's tuition must be paid prior to the student's first day. Subsequent terms require tuition payment two weeks before the start of each term. Company-sponsored accounts are expected to settle the full year's tuition in advance. Currencies and local payment note - International students: fees payable in convertible currencies (USD, EUR or GBP). - Ethiopian (local) students: fees payable in Ethiopian Birr with a required smaller portion paid in USD; the USD portion for local students is shown as between USD 500 and USD 750 depending on the year of enrolment. Boarding fees - Boarding is not applicable; the school operates as a day school and publishes fees for tuition and associated day-school charges (transport, catering, etc.) rather than boarding packages. Other charges and typical additional costs - Transport: a school transport service is provided; transport charges are additional to tuition (specific route and fare schedules are set separately by the school). - Catering (meals): catering is available and charged in addition to tuition; menus and catering arrangements are managed by the school's catering service. - Uniforms and textbooks: uniforms and textbooks are listed as additional fees and are required items for families to purchase; the school groups these under ‘other fees' and applies charges for them as part of overall school costs. - Optional extras: extra-curricular activities, trips, specific learning support or exam fees may incur separate charges and are billed in addition to tuition when taken. Discounts and concessions - Sibling discount on tuition only: 5% for second child, 10% for third child and 15% for fourth child from the same family. - Early-payment discount: 5% off annual tuition when full annual tuition is paid before the start of the school year (does not apply to company-sponsored fees). These discounts apply to tuition only and not to registration, capital levy or other fees. Refund and withdrawal policy - Registration and re-registration deposits are non-refundable. - Tuition refunds: if a student withdraws before the academic year begins, tuition paid is refunded minus the deposit. For students who have attended, refunds are calculated from the official withdrawal date: enrolment up to two weeks results in a one-month deduction; enrolment between two weeks and one month results in a two-month deduction; enrolment beyond one month requires full payment of the term's fees. Refunds are calculated from the official date of withdrawal request. Non-payment and late payment consequences - If fees remain unpaid six weeks after the due date, the school may suspend a student's attendance and participation in events until outstanding balances are cleared; report cards, transfer certificates and re-registration may be withheld. Students are not prevented from sitting examinations. The school may consider payment plans in cases of genuine hardship at the discretion of the finance office and school board. Accepted payment methods (currencies noted above) - The school publishes the accepted currencies for international and local billing (USD, EUR, GBP and Ethiopian Birr with a USD component for local students). Specific payment channels (for example bank transfer, in-person card payment or online payment portals) are managed by the school's finance office and are applied according to the school's billing instructions for each family account.	Fee details Application fees - No specific, school-published application or one‑time enrollment fee amount is publicly available for Sandford International School. Searches of the school's School Fees page and admissions information do not list a published application fee. Tuition fees by school year (per term / per year) - Sandford does not publish a detailed, grade-by-grade fee schedule for the 2026/27 or 2025/26 academic years. There is no publicly available breakdown showing exact fees per term for individual year groups. - Independent and international school databases provide estimated annual day‑tuition ranges for Sandford for recent years: US$3,150 to US$10,000 per year (reported in one international school directory) and, in local currency estimates for 2025/26, approximately 2,609,354 ETB to 4,981,371 ETB per year in other aggregated listings. These figures are presented as external estimates rather than a published school fee schedule. Sandford is listed as a day school (non‑boarding). Billing schedule and payment terms - The school operates on a three‑term academic calendar (Term 1, Term 2, Term 3) for the 2025/26 academic year with the term dates published by the school. It is common for international schools in the region to align billing with the academic terms, but Sandford has not published an explicit public billing timetable (e.g., whether invoices are issued termly, monthly or annually) or the precise payment deadlines for each term. The school's term dates are: Term 1 (27 August 2025 – 19 December 2025), Term 2 (12 January 2026 – 17 April 2026), Term 3 (4 May 2026 – 26 June 2026). - There has been public reporting that Sandford's management previously quoted fees in US dollars and allowed nationals to pay in Ethiopian Birr at the prevailing exchange rate, and that this practice was subject to regulatory scrutiny and parent complaints; this history may affect currency and billing arrangements for families. No single, current public statement listing accepted currencies and exact payment deadlines was found. Boarding fees - Sandford is identified as a day school and is reported as non‑boarding; therefore there are no published boarding fees for the school. Other costs and likely additional charges - No detailed, school‑published schedule for additional costs (uniforms, transport, exam fees, activity fees, school lunch, school supplies or capital levies) was located. External guides for international schools in Addis Ababa note that families commonly pay additional charges for uniforms, textbooks, transport, external exam fees and occasional capital or registration levies, but Sandford's specific amounts for these items are not publicly listed. Refund information - There is no publicly available, school‑published refund policy or fee‑refund schedule located in the materials reviewed. No precise statement was found that sets out conditions for refunds of tuition, deposits, or registration fees. Fee payment options (methods) - A definitive, published list of accepted payment methods (for example, bank transfer, credit/debit card, cash, mobile money) was not found. Historical reporting about Sandford's billing practice refers to invoicing in foreign currency (US dollars) with local Birr payment options at exchange rates, but specific modern payment methods accepted by the school are not published in the publicly available materials reviewed. Summary of findings and limits of available information - Sandford International School's public pages do not contain a complete, grade‑by‑grade fee schedule, per‑term amounts, or a detailed published refunds and payment‑methods policy for the 2026/27 or 2025/26 academic year; a dedicated School Fees page is present but marked under construction. Published third‑party directories and news reports provide estimated annual ranges and background context (including a currency/billing dispute and tax/regulatory attention), but those external figures are not a formal school fee schedule. The most load‑bearing public references consulted include the school's own pages (term dates and school fee placeholder), international school directories that provide estimated annual fee ranges, and recent news coverage about the school's fee and currency practices.
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 Follows the National Curriculum for England from Early Years through to secondary. EYFS: Ages 3–5; KS1: 5–7; KS2: 7–11; KS3: 11–14; KS4: 14–16 (IGCSE preparation); KS5: 16–18 (A Levels). Languages studied are English, French, and either Amharic or Afan Oromo. Cambridge Academy Ethiopia is Pearson Edexcel accredited. Core subjects are taught across the stages with a broad range of foundation subjects.	Curriculum details Primary Curriculum uses English as the language of instruction, with Amharic and French classes. Secondary Curriculum offers IGCSE and the IB Diploma Programme.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio Approximately 4.8:1 (based on 1,400+ students and 290+ staff).	Student teacher ratio A dedicated teacher and teaching assistant support each primary classroom.
Exam results	Exam results —	Exam results IGCSE Section features 17 timetabled courses with 9 examinations each year; subjects include Mathematics, English, a modern foreign language, at least one Science, and one Humanity; results surpass the world average.
Higher education progression	Higher education progression The school provides a University Counsellor to support progression to higher education; graduates pursue universities around the world.	Higher education progression Over 90% of Sandford graduates attend university within one year of graduation; most go to universities in the United States and United Kingdom. Destination universities include Bentley University, Rochester Institute of Technology, Santa Clara University, Goldsmiths, University of London, Addis Ababa University, and Carnegie Mellon University-Qatar, among others.
Gifted and talented	Gifted and talented Advanced learning plans and provisions for gifted and talented students are included in admissions documentation.	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 1. Schedule a visit to Cambridge Academy Ethiopia to tour facilities, meet staff, and experience the learning environment. Families are welcome to visit prior to registration. Tours are available Monday to Friday from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, with weekend visits possible on request. To arrange a visit, contact the Admissions Office by email or phone. 2. Complete the Online Application Form with all required information and upload the necessary documents, including academic records, birth certificate, passport copy or ID, and any relevant reports (e.g., medical or learning support needs). After submission, the Admissions Team will confirm receipt and guide the family through the next steps. 3. For Early Years applicants (Nursery, FS1, FS2), all are welcomed without formal entrance tests. A gentle school readiness assessment is conducted to observe interaction with peers and adults, identify developmental milestones, and assess English language proficiency (for EAL learners). The purpose is to tailor support from day one, not to determine admission eligibility. 4. Admission of Students with SEN: The school provides an inclusive learning environment with support for students with mild to moderate SEN, including targeted intervention plans and ongoing collaboration with families and specialists. If additional support is required, a tailored readiness assessment may be requested to plan appropriate interventions. If the school cannot meet a child's needs adequately, this will be communicated transparently with the child's best interests in mind. 5. Offer and acceptance: After an offer is made, the family confirms acceptance and completes payment steps. A $300 registration deposit is required to secure the student's place, and a capital levy is charged to support facility investments (amount varies by year of enrolment, from $500 to $1,800 for new students and $250 to $500 for students enrolled before 2025–26). Returning students pay a $250 re-registration deposit to guarantee their place for the next academic year. 6. Fees and payment terms: Returning students must settle the first term's tuition at least two weeks before the term starts, and all registration and levy fees for the following year before the current year ends. For new students, all required fees—including application, registration, capital levy, and the first term's tuition—must be paid before their first day. International students pay in USD, EUR, or GBP; Ethiopian students pay in Birr with a small portion in USD. Discounts include a 5% sibling discount for the second child, 10% for the third, 15% for the fourth, and a 5% early payment discount for paying the full annual tuition. 7. Refunds and non-payment: Registration and re-registration deposits are non-refundable. If a student withdraws before the academic year begins, tuition paid is refunded minus the deposit. If attendance begins, refunds follow an attendance-based schedule: up to two weeks' attendance yields one month's deduction, up to one month's attendance yields two months' deduction, and attendance beyond one month requires full payment of the term's fees. If fees remain unpaid six weeks after the due date, attendance may be suspended and report cards or re-registration may be withheld; families may request a payment plan through the finance office, which is considered on a case-by-case basis.	Admissions 1. Submit an online application. Sandford uses an interactive online Application Form as the standard method of applying for international admissions. The application has a nonrefundable fee of 2,000 birr for Ethiopian applicants or 50 USD for international applicants. The Admissions Department acknowledges receipt of the application immediately and posts the names and grades of applicants to ensure transparency. 2. Prepare and submit required documents. Before admission, the following must be submitted: the Signed Student Application Form with a passport photo; transcripts covering two complete years (in English or with translations); school testimonials of good conduct; parents' documents (passports, work permit and residency/visa); and vaccination cards. The Admissions Committee may request additional documents and may conduct interviews or school visits as needed. 3. Undergo assessments. For Nursery, Reception and Year 1, an EYFS assessment/observation is conducted by the Primary School; for other years, CAT4 tests are administered by the Admissions Committee. CAT4 targets include Verbal, Non-Verbal, Quantitative and Spatial reasoning, with CAT4 scores above 100 (Stanine 5) used in decision-making. 4. Admissions decision and timelines. Applications are reviewed weekly by the Admissions Committee, and a decision is typically issued within five days of a completed application. The Admissions Committee's decision is usually final, though an appeal may be considered in exceptional cases. 5. Admission categories and priority. Students are categorized as National, International, Staff or Scholarship; National parents cannot gain a place merely by paying fees. There is allocated space balancing between international and national admissions, and the Board of Governors may admit up to five students per year under certain conditions (e.g., government or school contribution) but only if space and CAT4 criteria permit. 6. Lottery and waiting lists. National Nursery and Year 1 admissions are through a Lottery system or sibling placements; international spaces are reserved where available. If no immediate vacancy exists, applicants may be placed on a Waiting List (and cannot be CAT4 tested until a vacancy appears). 7. Registration and induction. An accepted applicant's place is guaranteed only after a completed Enrollment Contract, the Registration Fee, and any required contracts are received and the remainder of tuition is invoiced. A formal re-registration process occurs annually in May/June with a Registration Contract and Deposit due by the stated deadline. Successful applicants complete an induction program, and new student files are handed to the relevant school offices with orientation procedures to follow. 8. Follow-up procedures. Before the start of the school year, new student files are reviewed by the appropriate year and there is an orientation session for new Primary students (Nursery–Year 6) to ensure a smooth transition.
Scholarships	Scholarships Scholarships are awarded to Ethiopian students who demonstrate outstanding merit, whether through academic excellence, exceptional talent, or athletic achievement. These awards are highly competitive and may provide partial or full support toward tuition fees, textbooks, and other educational costs. Bursaries are means-tested financial assistance based on demonstrated need and may cover tuition in full or in part, with no repayment required. Fee Waivers are available for a select group of staff members as part of supporting the school's workforce.	Scholarships Scholarships are offered for admission to Sandford International School. A scholarship opportunity is available for Year 7 entrants (as announced for 2024/25), with up to twenty places per year; Ethiopian nationals in government schools are eligible, must be nominated by their current school, and must meet criteria including a high Year 6 national exam score, an entrance examination in English and Maths, a CAT4 test, excellent behavior and attendance, consistent prior performance, and a suitable age (eleven to thirteen) at entry. Government schools are notified of this opportunity, and nominations proceed to a scholarship committee for evaluation. In addition, scholarships may be awarded to new Secondary-level students based on policy and available space, with criteria set by the Ministry of Education and the Board of Governors.
Waitlist	Waitlist —	Waitlist National Nursery and Year 1 admissions are via Lottery or sibling placements. If demand exceeds places, a Waiting List may be used, and applicants on the Waiting List cannot be CAT4 tested until a vacancy exists. When placed on the Waiting List, applicants receive notification by letter or email about their status. Waiting List procedures and lottery-related appendices are described in the admissions policy.
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