Compare American Curriculum International Schools in Nigeria

Behind 1004 Estates, Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria. AISL is in the Victoria Island district. Directions and map access are provided on the Plan a Visit page.

Early Childhood (Preschool to Prekindergarten, ages 3–4); Primary School (Kindergarten to 5th Grade, ages 5–10); Middle School (6th–8th Grade, ages 11–14); High School (9th–12th Grade, ages 15–18); IB Diploma Programme (Grades 11–12).

International school

Pupils represent over 60 nationalities.

Learning Support; English as an Additional Language; Counseling; Health Services; Speech and Language Therapy; Occupational Therapy

American

No bus transportation; parents provide transportation; some employers offer busing.

Uniforms are required. Parents must purchase uniforms themselves.

Lunch meals are ordered in advance via a form; snacks and a la carte options are available; weekly menus are posted for selection.

AISL is a not-for-profit private school governed by a Board of Directors. The Board hires the Head of School, develops strategic plans and policy, ensures the financial health of the school, and leads fundraising.

The AIS Lagos curriculum includes an American High School Diploma and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) for Grades 11-12. Grades 9-10 core courses include English Language Arts, Sciences, Mathematics, and Individuals and Societies, with Modern Languages offered in French and Spanish. The DP core comprises Theory of Knowledge, the Extended Essay (up to 4,000 words), and Creativity, Activity, Service. DP requires six subjects drawn from Groups 1–6. University and Career Counseling provides guidance, with Grade 10 Morrisby assessments to help select DP subjects and plan post-secondary pathways. AISL graduates gain admission to selective universities worldwide, including institutions in Europe and North America.

Graduates gain admission to selective universities around the world, including Europe and North America. The University and Career Counseling program guides students through the college application process with one-on-one support. University acceptances include institutions across Canada, the United States, and Europe.

SEL is integrated into the curriculum at every grade level starting in Early Childhood. The Counseling program supports students' well-being by helping them understand themselves and others, manage emotions, build healthy relationships, and make responsible decisions. In Elementary, the counselor provides bi-weekly classroom lessons for grades K-5 focusing on self-concept, relationship-building, child protection, responsible decision-making, and growth mindset. In Middle and High School, a University/Career Counselor supports academic advising, career exploration, and university planning, guiding socio-emotional development during transitions.

Learning Support employs a multidisciplinary team to identify learning needs and provide early intervention and individualized services for students with specific learning needs. The Student Support Services department provides learning support, English language acquisition, counseling, health services, speech and language therapy, and occupational therapy to support diverse student needs.

English as an Additional Language is supported by a team of English language learning specialists who provide instruction and support to develop academic English language acquisition.

The Counseling program focuses on student well-being and socio-emotional development, guiding students to manage emotions, build relationships, and navigate transitions. The Student Support Services offer social-emotional support through a multidisciplinary approach to inclusion and wellbeing.

AISL has a Child Protection policy and Guidebook, and a home/school partnership is central to safety and care for children. The Child Protection Curriculum educates students to recognize unsafe situations, refuse assertively, and report concerns using Second Step (EC-Grade 5) and the AISA Child Protection curriculum (Grades 6-12).

1. Grade Level Placements: New students gain admission based on official school records for the last two years, showing the student is succeeding at or above the average in a mainstream classroom. Students entering from a U.S.-based system are placed with their age group, typically Kindergarten at age 5 and about 13 years of schooling before university entrance around age 18. Students entering from a British-based system are placed by age and years in school; those from other calendars are placed on a case-by-case basis. Any initial placement is tentative and may be adjusted after assessment, and entrance testing may be required for all applicants. 2. Age Appropriate Placement: The designated grade level is determined by the student's birthdate. Early Childhood 1 requires age 3 by August 31; Early Childhood 2 requires age 4 by August 31; Kindergarten requires age 5 by August 31; Grade 1 requires age 6 by August 31; and so on up through Grade 12, with specific birthdate cutoffs listed for each grade. Children entering AISL's Early Childhood Program must be toilet-trained prior to the first day of school in August. 3. Requirements: The application must include: payment receipt of the application fee; AISL's confidential school report from the current school; copies of the applicant's passport data page or birth certificate; copies of both parents' passport data pages; copy of the primary parent's US passport if employed in Nigeria; parent STR Visa/CERPAC (where applicable); a recent child photo; immunization records; all school reports for the last two years with transcripts as applicable; all standardized testing results including any IEPs or psycho-educational evaluations; and a completed online application. The online application can be started before all documents are submitted but is not considered complete until all required documents are received and the fee is paid. 4. Admissions Priority: Priority categories include dependents of US State Department & Consular employees, AISL faculty & staff, and certain Special Assessment companies; dependents of Guaranteed Enrollment Plan companies; dependents US citizens on expatriate assignment in Nigeria; dependents of non-US citizens on expatriate assignment in Nigeria; siblings and previously enrolled students; dependents of US citizens who are permanent residents of Nigeria; dependents of non-US citizens who are permanent residents of Nigeria. Special Assessment Companies include Chevron, ExxonMobil, Schlumberger, and Shell; dependents of AISL alumni are considered at one category higher to a maximum of Category 4. AISL does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion or sex. 5. Timeline: The school year runs from August to June. Applicants are encouraged to apply early as some grade levels may reach capacity. During the school session, complete applications are typically processed in 5 to 10 working days; during June and July, processing may take up to three weeks. To help ensure a complete submission, request that AISL's confidential report be completed before summer break. 6. Review: The Office of Admissions and Enrollment Management reviews applications and will contact families if additional information or screening is required. Only complete applications are reviewed by the Admissions Committee for an admission decision. If there is an opening and criteria are met, an offer of admission is sent by email and via the Veracross portal and requires a reply. If admission is not possible, a denial is issued by email and the portal. 7. Student Assessment: Applicants may be called in for an entrance assessment when a vacancy occurs at the appropriate grade level; the assessment may include basic skills, vocabulary, reading comprehension, spelling, mathematics and written expression, and students must score at or above grade level to be admitted. 8. Waitlist: If an application meets admission requirements but the grade level is full, the applicant is placed on the waiting list. The waiting list is maintained by the date of the completed application and priority category. The position on the wait list can change if new applications from other categories are received. Parents must email the Admissions and Enrollment Management Office to update their child's file at least every six months (also via the Admissions Portal) to keep the application active; failure to update can result in removal from the waitlist. Only complete and updated applications will be considered for admission when spaces become available.

If an application meets admission requirements but the grade level is full, the applicant is placed on the waiting list. The waiting list is maintained in priority order by the date of the completed application (including all documents) and by priority category. The position on the wait list may change as new applications from other categories are received. Parents must email the Admissions and Enrollment Management Office to update their child's file at least every six months to keep the file active, and updates can also be made via the Admissions Portal. Failure to update will result in removal from the waitlist. Only applications that are complete and include updated records will be considered for admission when spaces become available.

The Abraham Lincoln American Academy operates two campuses in Nigeria. Abuja Campus is at 3683 Erie Crescent off Nile Street, Maitama, Abuja. Lagos Campus is at 13 Olugun Agbaje Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Early Childhood Program (Toddler – Pre-K); Elementary School (Kindergarten through Grade 5); Middle School Program (Grades 6–8).

Transportation is available as an optional service for an additional fee.

The school is governed by a Board of Directors.

Kindergarten–5th Grade curriculum is centered on United States standards with English Language Arts and Mathematics as core components. In addition to ELA and Math, students study History, Foreign Language, Science, Physical Education, Performing Arts, Music, Entrepreneurial and Leadership classes, and Sports including Swimming, Soccer, Basketball, Tennis, and Horseback Riding. English Language Arts emphasizes reading comprehension, writing, speaking, listening, and vocabulary, with explicit phonics, spelling, and grammar taught within context through high-impact reading lessons. Social Studies focuses on responsible citizenship with year-long explorations of the African continent, American history, and world geography, supporting critical thinking and information literacy. Mathematics emphasizes depth over coverage, developing conceptual understanding, procedural fluency, and real-world application; the eight Principles of Mathematical Practice guide problem solving and reasoning. Middle School Program (Grades 6–8) follows a U.S. Curriculum with Core Academics—Mathematics, English, Science, and History—plus Strong English Skills, Hands-On Learning, Arts & Creativity, Technology & AI, and a Whole-Child Development focus on character, leadership, and collaboration.

Social-emotional development is integrated across ALAA. In Pre-School, Personal, Social and Emotional Development is emphasized as part of the Early Years Foundation Stage. In Elementary, Social Studies supports socio-emotional development and interpersonal skills. In Middle School, the program prioritizes social-emotional growth, leadership, and collaboration, helping students develop confidence and resilience.

Foreign Language is part of the curriculum.

The Middle School Program prioritizes social-emotional growth, leadership, and collaboration; students develop confidence, resilience, and a sense of responsibility in a supportive, values-driven environment.

Step 1: Submit the online application. Families are encouraged to apply to Abraham Lincoln American Academy online using the provided link. The application process is described as online to support a sustainability initiative. Questions can be directed to the Admissions Team at +234(0)8179111188.
Step 2: Admissions operate on a rolling basis. Applications are reviewed as they are received, with decisions issued throughout the year. This approach allows families to apply at any time and receive timely responses.
Step 3: For questions, contact Student Services. The Abuja Campus is located at 3683 Erie Crescent off Nile Street Maitama Abuja, and the Lagos Campus is located at 13 Olugun Agbaje Street Victoria Island Lagos.
Step 4: Programs and curriculum. The school operates three programs: Early Childhood, Elementary, and Middle School. The Early Childhood Program serves Toddler to Pre-K; the Elementary School provides data-driven instruction; the Middle School Program (Grades 6–8) follows a U.S. Curriculum, indicating an American-style educational approach.