Compare British Curriculum International Schools in Ethiopia

EYFS, Primary, and Secondary (IGCSE and A‑Level pathways). Ages 3–18.

Private international school offering the National Curriculum for England. Pearson Edexcel accredited.

England

School transport with a fleet of well-maintained buses, GPS tracking, and safety features; routes are designed to accommodate a variety of locations.

The school has a designated uniform. All students wear the school uniform, which reflects unity, equality, and pride in belonging to the school. Uniforms promote a professional atmosphere and help reduce distractions and social pressures.

The catering service provides nutritious, well-balanced meals using fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Menus accommodate dietary needs and celebrate cultural diversity, and the program emphasises sustainability and reducing waste.

Governance is provided by a Board of Trustees; day-to-day management is led by the Principal and leadership team. Cambridge Academy Ethiopia is licensed by Ethiopia's Ministry of Education to operate as a British-curriculum international school and is accredited by Pearson Edexcel.

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.

Approximately 4.8:1 (based on 1,400+ students and 290+ staff).

The school provides a University Counsellor to support progression to higher education; graduates pursue universities around the world.

Advanced learning plans and provisions for gifted and talented students are included in admissions documentation.

Social, emotional, and physical wellbeing are a core focus. The school provides a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment where learners are known and supported. Pastoral care and caring relationships foster wellbeing, and the school emphasises connection, belonging, and partnership with families to support social and emotional development.

The language program includes English as a core subject; languages studied are English, French, and either Amharic or Afan Oromo.

Sport is an essential part of education; physical activity supports mental well being, reduces stress, and builds emotional resilience.

The school provides a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment in partnership with parents to protect and support every learner.

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.

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.

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).

EYFS Ages 3-5; Primary School Ages 5-11; Secondary School Ages 11-18.

The school is an international school.

The school is non-boarding. It serves nursery through to pre-university.

The school is governed by the Board of Governance (BoG). The BoG oversees governance and management of Sandford International School.

Primary Curriculum uses English as the language of instruction, with Amharic and French classes. Secondary Curriculum offers IGCSE and the IB Diploma Programme.

A dedicated teacher and teaching assistant support each primary classroom.

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.

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.

Sandford International School provides pastoral care that supports students' emotional and social development alongside academics. The pastoral care team comprises experienced counselors who offer confidential one-on-one counseling. They also run group counseling to address issues such as stress, anxiety, and peer pressure. The team collaborates with teachers and parents to identify students who may be struggling and to provide timely support. The school runs a peer mentoring program where older students support younger students, helping to foster a caring and inclusive community. Overall, the pastoral care program contributes to the holistic development and well-being of students.

The PSHE program covers topics such as healthy living, relationships, personal safety, financial management, and global citizenship. It is taught by experienced teachers using a variety of teaching methods and is supported by extracurricular activities to reinforce the program. The program aims to promote physical, mental, and emotional well-being and to enable students to become responsible, engaged members of the wider community. Wellbeing provisions include confidential one-on-one counseling and group counseling as part of the pastoral care offering. Students are encouraged to speak up and report issues to ensure timely intervention. The school's wellbeing and safeguarding efforts work together to support mental health across the year groups.

Sandford is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children; child protection lies at the core of all we do. The safeguarding framework includes a dedicated pastoral care team, site security measures, and formal reporting channels for safeguarding concerns. There are safeguarding and bullying reporting forms available for use by students, staff, and families. The school emphasizes partnerships with families to achieve child safety. Site security measures include uniformed guards, a 24/7 CCTV system, staff sign-in with face recognition, and gate passes for visitors. All community members are expected to uphold equality and reject discrimination.

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 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.

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.

Part of The British International School network with a Head Office; eight campuses for 2025-2026: Kindergarten campuses Unity-Gerji-KG, Summit-KG, and Haya-Hulet KG; Primary campuses Unity-Primary, Unity-Primary-No.2, Summit-Primary, and Lemi Kura; Secondary campus Sherif-Bole-Secondary and Head Office.

The school offers a British-Ethiopian curriculum from the Early Years Foundation Stage through IGCSEs and Grade 12 National Examinations. The International Curriculum works toward IGCSE, AS and A2 examinations, offered by Edexcel (London). Subjects include English Language, English as a Second Language, English Literature, French, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Business Studies, Information Technology, Geography, History, and Development Studies. Preparatory-level courses are planned to enable university admissions in Ethiopia and elsewhere, including AS level offerings in English Language and Literature, Mathematics (Pure, Applied and Statistics), Business Studies, Physics, Chemistry, and Development Studies.

The upper part of the school prepares students for higher education at universities and colleges throughout the world as well as universities within Ethiopia. The national track specializes in the sciences. BTec courses in ICT and Health and Social Care are offered under Edexcel (London) examinations.

The Early Years Foundation Stage emphasizes Personal, Social and Emotional Development.

A Learning Support Consultant supports students with Special Educational Needs; EAL and SEN assessments are conducted where necessary; acceptance is conditional on available resources.

English Language and English as a Second Language are offered.

1. Priority of admission is according to order of application. BIS serves children from both overseas and local communities. In principle BIS is non-selective, but admissions occur only if BIS can cater for the child's personal, social, academic and physical needs. Some places are reserved for expatriate children who join the school during the academic year. 2. Application forms may be obtained from Admissions and completed forms should be returned. A tour of the school can be arranged by appointment. Registration is completed when the registration is accepted and validated by the school stamp, which guarantees a place. 3. Applications are considered in strict order by date of application. In the event of over-subscription, pupils will be given preference in the following year's admissions. Preference is also given to siblings of current or past pupils. 4. Requirements and assessments: The sequence includes written assessment tests in Maths and English and an interview, with possible additional spoken and written EAL and SEN assessments as needed. A place may be offered based on a Learning Support Consultant's assessment at the parent's cost. Placement may be deferred if there are no vacancies or if BIS cannot meet the child's needs. 5. Knowledge of English and SEN: Students with less than fluent English may need additional support. For the final four years, English proficiency is assessed by interview to determine course availability. Acceptance for students with Special Educational Needs is conditional on resource availability and may incur additional charges. 6. Placement in the class: Children joining BIS from other systems are placed in the class that will best support their progress. Each class tends to have an age span wider than one year but normally less than two years, with one mixed-ability class at each level from Pre-kindergarten upwards. Some subjects may be organized into sets, and above Grade 6, options allow differentiation. Progression to the next year occurs automatically unless exceptional circumstances; placement depends on English fluency and prior educational background and ability.

RICE is located in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. It operates two campuses: Meskel Flower Campus for Year 1-6 in the Meskel Flower area, and Agona Campus for Year 7-13 in the Agona Cinema area. The school began in 2014 in Addis Ababa.

RICE follows the Cambridge International curriculum for ages 3-19, from Cambridge Early Years through Cambridge Advanced. Cambridge IGCSEs and AS/A Levels are offered. The medium of instruction is English, with Amharic taught as a second language.

Cambridge International School

Ethiopia

The school is a Cambridge International school and follows the Cambridge curriculum. Students work toward Cambridge qualifications such as Cambridge IGCSEs and Cambridge International A Levels, which are recognized by universities and employers worldwide.

Cambridge qualifications are recognized by universities worldwide.

RICE emphasises developing the whole child through Curriculum, Character, and Community. The vision states that students are shaped emotionally, socially, physically and spiritually as part of being a ‘whole child.' The mission highlights character development with core values such as resilience, integrity, and a Community of Grace. The school fosters a sense of community by working with parents to support students' growth. The program includes 21st Century life-skills to prepare graduates for success after leaving RICE. The overall aim is to enrich lives through learning and to develop the whole child.

The medium of instruction is English, with Amharic taught as the next main language. Cambridge IGCSE includes English as a Second Language (ESL) as one of its subjects. Amharic is included in the Ethiopian National Curriculum for Years 1-11. RICE facilitates students who want to take the national Grade 6, 8, and 12 exams, and offers Saturday revision classes for these exams. From Year 1 to Year 9, Cambridge subjects include Global English, Mathematics, Science, Global Perspectives and Computing, with progression tests to monitor progress.

The school shapes students emotionally, socially, physically and spiritually as part of its holistic approach. Resilience is a core value that helps students withstand challenges. Integrity and a Community of Grace foster a caring and supportive environment for well-being. Community involvement with parents supports student growth in a safe and nurturing setting. The mission includes equipping students with 21st Century life-skills to support personal development and future success. The Belief value underlines the dignity of each person and reinforces a caring school community.

1. Registration for the 2026-2027 school year is open and will close at 5pm Ethiopia Time on February 28, 2026. A Google Forms registration link is provided for applicants. Campus visits can be arranged on Thursdays from 10:00 to 13:30 through February 26, 2026. 2. Registration for Year 1 (Preparatory) requires the child to be aged 5 by the start of the school year. Siblings of children already at RICE receive priority. The Entrance Assessment covers English, Math, and Amharic, and includes cognitive and aptitude evaluation. A passing result is required, followed by an interview with parents. 3. Registration for Year 2–13 (Grade 1–12) begins in May when current families commit for the following year. Space availability determines invitations for new entrants to join for an Entrance Assessment. The Entrance Assessment covers English, Math, and Amharic (Years 1–6) and includes a cognitive/aptitude component for Year 2; Years 7 and above are assessed in English, Math, and Science. A child must pass these assessments, and there is an interview with both student and parents. 4. Admission process timeline: The admissions process begins in January with families registering their interest online. The waiting list remains open for four weeks from the start date. The waiting list is reviewed February and March, with priority given to siblings and to those who have registered for the third year in a row (or longer). By April and May, assessments for Year 1 are conducted, and by late May there is clearer information about spaces for Years 2–13; invitations for assessments are issued when spaces are available, followed by interviews. 5. Notes: The process is not first-come-first-served. The waiting list identifies priority and available spaces. Registration on the waiting list does not carry forward to the next year. If a family has registered for the third year in a row, they receive priority after siblings, where spaces are available. 6. Tuition Fees 2025–2026: Annual fees are $2,180 for Year 1–6, $2,320 for Year 7–9, and $2,420 for Year 10–13; Capital Development Fee per family is $600; Registration Fee for new families is $500. Cambridge exam fees are not included in tuition. Placement considerations and class size restrictions apply, with a maximum of 24 students per class.

Registration for the waiting list is open for four weeks from the start date in January. The waiting list is reviewed in January through February to determine spaces and invitations for Year 1 assessments. Priority is given to siblings and to families who have registered for the third year in a row (or longer), where spaces are available. The waiting list is not carried forward to the next year and the school does not operate on a first-come-first-served basis.