Dover American International School vs Modern English School Cairo
Dover American International School and Modern English School Cairo are both in Cairo, about 23 km apart. Both schools offer American, British, Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels and Cambridge A Levels programmes. Dover American International School also offers Pearson Edexcel IGCSE, and Modern English School Cairo also offers IB. Published annual fees are EGP 104,615 at Dover American International School and EGP 80,000 - 185,000 at Modern English School Cairo, which puts Modern English School Cairo roughly 27% higher. Both take pupils from 3 to 18.
American Curriculum, British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels, Pearson Edexcel IGCSE
Curriculum
British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels, American Curriculum, IB (DP)
Pupils
Pupils
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Pupils
2,400
Typical class size
Typical class size
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Typical class size
20
Instruction language
Instruction language
English
Instruction language
English
Opened
Opened
2010
Opened
1990
Bus service
Bus service
No
Bus service
No
Essentials
Essentials
Location
Location
The school is located in Cairo, Egypt, in El-Shorouk City (Zone 9) on Hamza Ibn Abdel-Motaleb Street. The address is Street (Hamza Ibn Abdel-Motaleb) Zone 9, El-Shorouk City, Cairo, Egypt. It is accessible via local roads in the Cairo area.
Location
New Cairo, South of Police Academy, Cairo, Egypt. The campus is in the New Cairo suburb and is purpose-built with green spaces, open atriums, fish ponds and an aviary. The Primary school is based around a pod layout with year groups clustered in a common corridor, with a shared pod-space connecting all classrooms. A central 400-seat theatre is used for meetings, assemblies and performances.
Stages
Stages
Early Years (KG-2); Elementary School (3-5); Middle School (6-8); High School (9-12)
Stages
Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS); Key Stage 1 (KS1); Key Stage 2 (KS2); British Secondary; American Secondary; IB Diploma Programme.
School type
School type
Private international day school
School type
—
Pupil nationality mix
Pupil nationality mix
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Pupil nationality mix
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Additional learning support
Additional learning support
The school provides Special Education through the Dover Student Development Center (DSDC), offering speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, psychology and behavior programming, with an inclusive classroom model and support from specially trained staff.
Additional learning support
Students with identified exceptionalities may access additional support via Primary LDD and Secondary LDD teams. Provision includes authoring of Individual Education Plans (IEPs), outsourcing to community agencies and exam/testing modifications.
Country affiliation
Country affiliation
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Country affiliation
—
Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation
Islam
Religious affiliation
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School day structure
School day structure
The school day runs Sunday through Thursday from 7:30am to 2:30pm.
School day structure
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Bus service details
Bus service details
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Bus service details
School bussing is available for students and staff to/from most locations in greater Cairo. Our school buses are well maintained to ensure safety and comfort of the highest standard.
Fees
Fees
Fee details
Fee details
Assessment & Application Fees
- Assessment (application) fee: EGP 2,000 (non‑refundable), payable prior to the scheduled interview.
- One‑time non‑refundable pre‑enrolment installment to secure a place: EGP 10,000 for the first child and EGP 5,000 for the second child, payable within 7 working days of an offer.
Annual tuition (per year group) — published schedule (academic year 2025/26)
- Kindergarten I (KG1 / FS2): EGP 104,615 per year. Per term (if paid in four instalments): EGP 26,154.
- Kindergarten II (KG2): EGP 104,615 per year. Per term: EGP 26,154.
- Grade 1: EGP 114,795 per year. Per term: EGP 28,699.
- Grade 2: EGP 114,795 per year. Per term: EGP 28,699.
- Grade 3: EGP 114,795 per year. Per term: EGP 28,699.
- Grade 4: EGP 122,066 per year. Per term: EGP 30,517.
- Grade 5: EGP 122,066 per year. Per term: EGP 30,517.
- Grade 6: EGP 129,337 per year. Per term: EGP 32,334.
- Grade 7: EGP 129,337 per year. Per term: EGP 32,334.
- Grade 8: EGP 129,337 per year. Per term: EGP 32,334.
- Grade 9: EGP 130,791 per year. Per term: EGP 32,698.
- Grade 10: EGP 130,791 per year. Per term: EGP 32,698.
- Grade 11: EGP 139,516 per year. Per term: EGP 34,879.
- Grade 12: EGP 143,970 per year. Per term: EGP 35,993.
Fee components and other mandatory charges
- Activity fee (termly/annual component shown in published schedule): EGP 7,000 (included in the total annual fees shown in the published schedule). Learning‑resources / course materials charge shown as EGP 6,000 (included in the totals). These amounts are applied as part of the yearly fee structure for each grade in the published schedule. Per‑term calculations above divide the published annual totals by four (the school's standard number of instalments).
- Supply and uniform requirements: the school provides a detailed supply list for each division (Early Years, Elementary, Middle School, High School) that lists required stationery, textbooks/supplies and clothing items to be provided by parents. Specific uniform prices are not listed on the supply documents. Parents must purchase the listed supplies and required clothing items before the start of the year.
- Transportation (school bus): published local listings show typical annual bus fees of EGP 7,500 for Sherouk City / Madenaty routes and higher amounts for other areas (e.g., EGP 8,500 for more distant routes). The school maintains a separate bus account for transport payments. Confirm route and exact price with the school's admissions/transport office when enrolling.
Billing schedule, payment terms and discounts
- Standard payment schedule: tuition may be paid in four instalments (termly). The per‑term figures above assume four instalments. The school notes the option to pay the full annual tuition in one single payment. Parents who pay the full annual tuition in one instalment receive a 7% deduction on the total fees if that payment is made by 31 May 2026 (deadline stated for the one‑payment discount).
- Accepted payment channels and banking details: fees are paid at Commercial International Bank (CIB) branches; no cash or checks are accepted at the school. The school publishes a school account number and a separate bus account number for transport payments. Use the school's published accounts when making bank payments.
- Sibling reductions: a sibling discount policy exists; parents should contact the Accounting department for the exact sibling discount schedule and application. The school provides an Accounting contact for fee enquiries.
Refunds and cancellation of enrolment
- Pre‑enrolment refund rule for withdrawals before the academic year: written notification to the school received before July 1, 2026, makes the family eligible for a refund of the full pre‑enrolment fees paid minus a 20% administrative charge. There is no refund of pre‑enrolment fees after July 1, 2026. The assessment fee is non‑refundable. The school's one‑time pre‑enrolment instalment is described as non‑refundable except where the school's published refund condition (notice before July 1) is met as stated above.
Boarding
- Boarding is not provided; the campus description and facilities reference classrooms, sports facilities and day‑school services only. All students must live with parents or an authorized guardian as part of admission requirements.
Contacts for fee queries and payments
- Accounting / fee enquiries: accounting@daisegy.com; phone for Accounting as listed by the school. Use the school's admissions or accounting contacts to confirm route‑specific transport prices, sibling discounts, and to obtain the exact bank reference needed for CIB transfers.
Notes on payment calculations used above
- Annual totals were taken from the school fee schedule published for the 2025/26 academic year and broken down into per‑term figures by dividing the published annual totals by four (the school's standard number of instalments). The school's policies on instalments, one‑time pre‑enrolment payments, payment channels, and refund deadlines are taken from the school's published fee and admissions information.
Fee details
Application and registration fees
- A non‑refundable registration (application) fee is charged for new enrolments; a re‑enrolment deposit equal to 10% of the annual tuition is collected to secure places for continuing pupils.
Tuition — annual and typical instalment amounts (2025/26 fee levels)
- Foundation stage / KG1: EGP 80,000 per year. Typical payment if spread in four instalments: EGP 20,000 per instalment.
- Foundation stage / KG2: EGP 93,000 per year. Typical four‑instalment amount: EGP 23,250 per instalment.
- Primary (Years 1–2): EGP 119,000 per year. Typical four‑instalment amount: EGP 29,750 per instalment.
- Primary (Years 3–6): EGP 131,000 per year. Typical four‑instalment amount: EGP 32,750 per instalment.
- Secondary — American diploma (middle/upper secondary exam years and related grades listed): EGP 161,000 per year. Typical four‑instalment amount: EGP 40,250 per instalment.
- Secondary — British/upper‑secondary exam years (A‑level/IB/UK senior years listed): EGP 185,000 per year. Typical four‑instalment amount: EGP 46,250 per instalment.
(Fees above are shown as annual tuition with a commonly used school instalment structure; the school issues billing and instalment schedules as described below.)
Billing schedule and payment terms
- Tuition is billed as the annual fee but may be paid in instalments. The school's standard instalment plan requires an early re‑enrolment payment (10% of the annual fee) and staged payments through the year (historically shown as further instalments in August, November and March). Transport charges are required in full before the start of the academic year. No student is admitted on the first day of term without settlement of due fees.
- Registration fees for new students are non‑refundable at enrolment. The school operates sibling fee concessions: a reduced registration charge for the second child and additional reductions for third/fourth siblings, and percentage reductions on tuition for multiple children.
Boarding
- The school is a day school; no boarding fees apply.
Other costs and recurring charges
- Transportation: school bus service is charged in addition to tuition; published listings for the 2025/26 year show transportation charges reported at EGP 10,400 (charged separately and payable in advance). Transport must be paid in full before the start of the academic year (exact amount may vary by route).
- Examinations and external exam fees (IGCSE/GCSE/A‑level, SAT/TOEFL, IB) are billed separately and are not included in tuition.
- Books, activity fees and similar consumable or programme costs are not included in the published tuition figures and are charged separately.
- Uniform: official school uniform is required. Uniform items are available from the school uniform shop and may be purchased online via the parent portal; uniform costs are charged separately. The school maintains a published uniform policy listing required items by year group.
- Other potential additional charges include specific trips, optional extracurricular activities that require extra payment, learning‑support or EAL services if applicable, and exam administration fees. External exam charges and some activity costs are billed separately from tuition.
Refunds and withdrawal terms
- The school operates an explicit re‑enrolment and withdrawal policy: parents are required to notify the school in writing by stated deadlines to be eligible for any partial refund of re‑enrolment payments; a historical example of the policy requires written notice before the school's published cut‑off date (example given as July 1 in earlier documentation) to qualify for a refund of the re‑enrolment payment less an administrative charge; beyond the deadline re‑enrolment fees may not be refundable. Parents are bound by the school's written terms and conditions when enrolling or withdrawing a pupil.
Fee payment options and instructions
- Accepted payment methods include bank transfer to the school's accounts, card payments (Visa/MasterCard), and electronic instalment plans through third‑party finance partners (valU has been offered as an option). Cheques are not accepted. The school publishes account details and an accounts e‑mail contact for fee queries and payment confirmations.
Quick practical points for parents
- Tuition amounts shown above are annual figures; the school issues invoices and an instalment schedule. Typical instalments are calculated by splitting the annual fee over the school's accepted number of instalments (the school's standard plan has historically used four instalments).
- Transport, uniforms, books, exam fees and many trips/activities are additional to tuition and must be budgeted for separately.
- There are sibling discounts and reduced registration terms for second and further children.
Diving deeper
Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements
Boarding arrangements
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Boarding arrangements
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Uniform requirement
Uniform requirement
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Uniform requirement
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Food options
Food options
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Food options
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House system
House system
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House system
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Governance and ownership
Governance and ownership
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Governance and ownership
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Academics
Academics
Curriculum details
Curriculum details
The school offers an American and international college-preparatory curriculum. The curriculum is developed through collaborative planning and is based on the Common Core State Standards in English and Math, NGSS for Science, Virginia State Standards, and the Egyptian Ministry of Education curricula for Arabic Studies. Curriculum maps are developed with corresponding unit plans, and project-based and cooperative learning permit students to investigate topics in depth. English Language Arts in the middle and high school is aligned with the Common Core State Standards; French and German language courses are taught based on Virginia Standards aligned with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. The school serves Kindergarten through Grade 12. The program aims to prepare students for entry into highly competitive universities in Egypt and abroad.
Curriculum details
Early Years follows the Early Years curriculum with an emphasis on play, early childhood development and interpersonal skills. They progress to KS1 and then KS2, where the National Curriculum of England underpins learning with adjustments for local context and international culture. In Secondary, students choose between the British Secondary pathway (a 2-year KS3 programme with GCSE/IGCSE, followed by AS/A Levels) or the American Secondary pathway (a 2-year Middle School Programme followed by a 4-year High School Diploma Programme). At the completion of Year 10/Grade 10, students can pursue graduation via the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme if they prefer. All pathways lead to graduation and university access.
The program aims to prepare students for entry into highly competitive universities in Egypt and abroad.
Higher education progression
Our Secondary Leadership Team provides university counselling and information on virtually any university destination worldwide, including Egypt, with visits by reputable tertiary institutions throughout the academic year. Students are encouraged to utilise school resources to support their university planning, and not outsource to third parties.
Gifted and talented
Gifted and talented
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Gifted and talented
For Gifted and Talented students there is an opportunity to take an additional two subjects, PE and Global Perspectives.
Academic calendar
Academic calendar
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Academic calendar
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Wellbeing & support
Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning
Social & emotional learning
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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
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English as an additional language
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Mental wellbeing
Mental wellbeing
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Mental wellbeing
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Safeguarding
Safeguarding
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Safeguarding
—
Safeguarding policy
Safeguarding policy
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Safeguarding policy
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Facilities
Facilities
Facilities overview
Facilities overview
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Facilities overview
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Sports facilities
Sports facilities
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Sports facilities
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Academic facilities
Academic facilities
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Academic facilities
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Extra curricular facilities
Extra curricular facilities
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Extra curricular facilities
—
Parent experience
Parent experience
History
History
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History
—
Community
Community
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Community
—
Parent teacher association
Parent teacher association
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Parent teacher association
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Extra-curricular
Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual
Academic & intellectual
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Academic & intellectual
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Arts & creative
Arts & creative
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Arts & creative
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Cultural & language
Cultural & language
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Cultural & language
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Social & hobbies
Social & hobbies
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Social & hobbies
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Community & service
Community & service
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Community & service
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Leadership & professional
Leadership & professional
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Leadership & professional
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Lifestyle & wellbeing
Lifestyle & wellbeing
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Lifestyle & wellbeing
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Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
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Language provision
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Bilingual teaching
Bilingual teaching
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Bilingual teaching
—
Immersion programs
Immersion programs
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Immersion programs
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Reputation
Reputation
Awards
Awards
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Awards
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Accreditations
Accreditations
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Accreditations
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Admissions
Admissions
Admissions
Admissions
Step 1: Book an assessment appointment through the site and fill in your details. An approval email is sent once your information has been reviewed. Admission is considered on an individual basis and finalization requires completion of all relevant paperwork, evaluation of previous school records, an admissions examination, and possibly a personal interview with the Director.
Step 2: After approval, pay the application/assessment fee 3–7 days before the appointment to confirm attendance. The assessment fee is non-refundable. There is a stated assessment fee (2,000 LE) payable prior to the scheduled interview.
Step 3: On the assessment appointment day, the process lasts 3–4 hours and includes a student placement examination, a medical assessment by the school doctor, and a student/parent interview. The required documents depend on whether the applicant is Egyptian or non-Egyptian and are listed below.
Egyptian Applicants (Transfers within Egypt): - 6 recent passport-sized (4×6) color photographs - Copy of electronic birth certificate - Copy of vaccination record - Copy of both parents' national IDs - Copy of student's passport (If available) - Copy of end-of-year reports for the previous two years (including most recent report) stamped from the previous school - Sequence of previous academic years and transfer request stamped by the Ministry of Education - (Grade 9 only) any transfers from national schools require a stamped report card by the Ministry of Education - From Grade 9, GPA, credit hours and grading key stamped by Cognia or a comparable accrediting agency - Confidential (sealed) Behavior Report from the most recent school
Non-Egyptian Applicants (Transfers from Abroad): - 6 recent passport-sized (4×6) color photographs - Copy of birth certificate - Copy of student's passport - Egyptians – copy of both parents' national IDs - Non-Egyptians – copy of both parents' passports - Copy of vaccination record - Copy of end-of-year reports for the previous two years (including most recent report) stamped by the country's MOE and the Egyptian MOFA - Sequence of previous academic years and transfer request stamped by the MOE - Confidential (sealed) Behavior Report or School recommendation letter - From Grade 9, GPA, credit hours and grading key stamped by Cognia or an equivalent accrediting agency
Step 4: You will be notified of acceptance within one week. Admittance is finalized upon payment of the registration fees.
Admissions
Admission priorities: First consideration is given to students who already have siblings registered in MES Cairo. Second consideration is given to students who apply from schools which offer similar academic programmes or follow a similar academic syllabus. Third consideration is given to students with the most academic ability, keeping in mind space availability and the date when the application was first processed. All other considerations may or may not play a major role in the admission process depending on the individual case.
Application steps: 1. Complete MES Cairo Application Form online. 2. Visit MES Cairo to sign the application and submit the required documents. Your application is not submitted into the system until step 1 and step 2 are both completed. 3. Assessment results are announced within two weeks from the assessment date. If accepted, a deposit will be required within seven days of receiving the acceptance call to secure the student's place.
Required documents: Part I – The required documents for the admission process: Original birth certificate – computer generated (Egyptian students); Copy of student's passport and residence visa valid for no less than six months – this should not be a tourist visa (non-Egyptian students); Two recent passport-size photos of student; Copy of mother and father's ID (National Number) and passport copies of non-Egyptian parents; Original academic report from previous school for last two academic years; Stamped attendance statement from previous school starting from Year 1; Letter of good conduct from previous school for students in Year 6 and above; Copy of parents/guardian's education certificates. Part II – Additional documents required for those transferring within Egypt: Attendance statement or progress report for last academic year stamped by the Educational District; Transfer request stamped from both the school the student is transferring from and the Educational District; Electronic transfer request from previous school. Part III – Additional documents required for students transferring from abroad: Attendance statement from previous school stamped by the Ministry of Education of the country the student is transferring from, as well as by the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Last school report stamped by the Ministry of Education in the country the student is transferring from, as well as by the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Issuing a letter of admission from the Educational District for both Egyptian and non-Egyptian students transferring from abroad.