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Rainbow Schools

Botswana, Gaborone

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The school at a glance
Fees BWP 24,300 - 81,360
Ages 2 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 1200
Type Co-educational
Opened 1990
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum Cambridge (Primary), Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels
Taught languages English, French
Typical class size 22
Strengths Sport, STEM, Visual and Creative Arts
Clubs Arts and Creative, Social and Hobbies, Community and Service
Stages Preschool, Primary School, High School
Introduction

Rainbow Schools in Gaborone offers a Cambridge-based education for ages 2 to 18 across two campuses in a private, co-educational setting. Pre-School focuses on Early Childhood Development in an activity-based, safe learning environment, with After-School Care available. Primary School (Standard 1–7) provides Cambridge and PSLE curricula, a Learning Support department, and introduces Robotics as part of its integrated STEM learning. High School delivers Cambridge Checkpoint at the primary level and IGCSE and A-Level (CAIE) programs with a wide range of Cambridge subjects across sciences, humanities, business, and arts. The campus features six science laboratories, four art laboratories, six computer laboratories, two robotics laboratories, and four music classrooms, plus extensive sports facilities including multiple courts, three football pitches and three swimming pools. Rainbow Hall and the Rainbow High School Library are notable campus landmarks, reflecting a long-standing commitment to development and modernization since 1994. A welcoming community supports international families globally.

Plot 24436, Block 9 (Monganaokodu / Namutupeka area), Gaborone West, Gaborone, Botswana

The Essentials

Rainbow Schools has 1,200 pupils, typical class sizes of 22.

Location

Rainbow Schools are located at Plot 24436, Gaborone West, Gaborone, Botswana. The school operates across two campuses: a Primary School campus and a High School campus, both within Gaborone. It serves a multicultural and socially diverse student population.

Stages

Pre-School, Primary School, High School, A Levels

Type

Private, co-educational

Country affiliation

Botswana
Diving Deeper

House System

Inter-House Music Competitions are held as part of Rainbow Schools' house system.

Governance and Ownership

Rainbow Schools is privately owned. Governance is via Rainbow School Management, comprising an Executive Committee and a Board of Directors; Pauline Motswagae is the Managing Director. Executive Committee members include Labbeaus Peloewetse (High School Principal) and Esther Ndagurwa (Primary School Principal); Board Members include Asad Petkar (Board Chairperson), Bafana Molomo (Executive Director), Kamogelo Mowaneng, Genevieve Allen, Dr. Felicity Coughlan, and Amantle Moreetsi.
Fees

Annual tuition at Rainbow Schools ranges from BWP 24,300 to BWP 81,360 for 2026/27.

Application and registration fees

- Registration (application) fee: BWP 250.00, non‑refundable; this amount must accompany the application.
- Entrance fee (paid on acceptance): Primary entrants BWP 2,000.00; Secondary entrants BWP 2,500.00.
- Development (enrolment) levy (one‑off for new enrolments): BWP 5,000.00 for Reception, Primary and High School entrants; Preschool Classes 3 and 4 are exempt from this levy for the duration of their primary education. The development levy is payable on first entry and is a compulsory contribution.

Tuition fees (termly and annual) by year group

All amounts shown are tuition only (BWP = Botswana Pula). Fees listed below are the published termly fee and the equivalent annual fee.

- Pre‑School (Pre School): Termly fee BWP 8,100; Annual fee BWP 24,300.
- Pre‑School (Reception): Termly fee BWP 11,700; Annual fee BWP 35,100.

- Primary – Standard 1: Termly fee BWP 15,250; Annual fee BWP 45,750.
- Primary – Standards 2–6: Termly fee BWP 16,500; Annual fee BWP 49,500.
- Primary – Standard 7: Termly fee BWP 24,750 (paid over two terms only); Annual fee BWP 49,500.

- High School – Form 1: Termly fee BWP 21,500; Annual fee BWP 64,500.
- High School – Forms 2–3: Termly fee BWP 21,990; Annual fee BWP 65,970.
- High School – Form 4: Termly fee BWP 23,440; Annual fee BWP 70,320.
- High School – Form 5: Termly fee BWP 35,160 (paid over two terms only); Annual fee BWP 70,320.
- High School – Form 6 (AS / A2): Termly fee BWP 40,680 (paid over two terms only); Annual fee BWP 81,360.

Billing schedule and payment terms

- Standard billing options: fees may be paid in instalments (2‑month or 3‑month instalments) or spread over 10 months. A stated schedule for the published cycle was net 30 days from December to September for the 2026 schedule. All fees are payable in advance of each term unless another instalment plan is agreed.
- Early payment discount: a published early‑payment discount (example: 7% for annual payments made on or before 10 January 2026 on the 2026 schedule). Early payment discounts apply to tuition (school fees) only and do not apply to levies.
- Family discount: published family discounts apply to school fees (not levies): 10% for the second child, 15% for the third child and 20% for the fourth child.
- Instalment terms and default: fees must be paid either in advance per term or using the agreed instalment option; failure to follow the chosen payment schedule may lead to suspension of the pupil until full payment is received. A term's notice is required for withdrawal; without that notice one term's fee is payable.

Boarding fees

- Boarding provision and boarding fees are not applicable for the Rainbow Schools day programme as published for the school's Pre‑School, Primary and High School offerings. (No boarding fee schedule is published for this school's Gaborone campus.)

Other costs and ongoing charges

- Enrolment levies (development levy): one‑off BWP 5,000 payable on first entry for Reception/Primary/High School as described above; this levy is a compulsory contribution and is separate from tuition.
- Levies/other charges: the school distinguishes levies from tuition and excludes levies from early‑payment and family discounts. Specific periodic levies (for activities, exams, transport, meals, etc.) may apply but are listed separately when billed; parents should expect additional charges beyond published tuition for optional services and consumables.
- Uniform: a uniform policy and a Uniform Shop are in place; uniform items are purchased separately through the school's uniform arrangement (Uniform Shop contact is provided by the school). Uniform prices are not included in the tuition figures above and are handled through the school's uniform supply.

Refunds and withdrawal policy

- Registration (application) fee: non‑refundable.
- Development / enrolment levy: presented as a once‑off compulsory contribution payable on acceptance; levies are treated separately to fees and are not eligible for early‑payment or family discounts. The levy is payable on first entry and is not refundable.
- Withdrawal and notice: a term's notice is required for withdrawal; failing to provide a term's notice results in a charge equal to one term's tuition. The school reserves the right to suspend a pupil for non‑payment until fees are brought up to date.

Fee payment options and bank details

- Accepted payment channels: Electronic funds transfer (EFT) and bank deposit into the school's accounts; some published guidance also refers to cash deposit into the bank account. The school does not accept cash at the school premises nor POS machine payments for school fees.

- Published bank accounts (examples shown below for fee payments):
- Pre & Primary School (First National Bank): Account name Rainbow Schools; Account number 62920474096; Branch code 282867; SWIFT FIRNBWGX.
- High School (First National Bank): Account name Rainbow Schools; Account number 62911613570; Branch code 282867; SWIFT FIRNBWGX.
- Additional Standard Chartered accounts are published for the 2026 schedule (separate account numbers for Pre/Primary and High School). Details for the correct account to use are provided by the school's bursary/bursar offices.

Notes on discounts and instalments

- Early‑payment discounts and family discounts apply only to tuition (school fees) and explicitly exclude levies. Instalment options exist (short‑term instalments or extended 10‑month schedules) and specific cut‑off dates for early payment discounts are published annually.

Practical points for parents

- New applicants should budget for the registration fee, any entrance fee required on acceptance, and the development levy in addition to the first term's tuition payment.
- Uniforms, exam fees, optional activities, transport and meals are typically billed separately or purchased in addition to tuition and levies.
Academics

Rainbow Schools teaches Cambridge (Primary), Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels for students aged 2 to 18.

Curriculum

Rainbow Schools provides a Cambridge-based curriculum across all levels. Pre-School emphasizes Early Childhood Development with an activity-based, safe learning environment and After-School Care. Primary School (Standard 1–7) offers Cambridge and PSLE curricula with a Learning Support department and introduces subjects such as Robotics. High School offers Cambridge Checkpoint at the primary level and IGCSE and A-Level (CAIE) courses, with a wide range of Cambridge subjects across sciences, humanities, business, and arts. Extra-curricular activities are integrated into the learning experience.

Higher Education Progression

A-levels provide access to international universities through Cambridge CAIE qualifications; the school offers IGCSE and A-Level courses designed to prepare students for higher education worldwide.

Gifted and Talented

There is an academic acceleration programme for high-performing learners; learners who score 80% or higher in all eight subjects at the end of Year 3 may fast-track to the IGCSE in Year 4.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)

The school promotes holistic development through a broad curriculum that includes arts, academics, and sports. The school uses sports to support physical fitness and positive mental health, contributing to students' social and emotional growth.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)

The school has a Learning support department that supports weaker learners to achieve academic success.

Mental Wellbeing

The school uses sports to maintain positive mental health and overall wellbeing in students, supporting holistic development.
Parent Experience

History

Rainbow Primary School started in January 1994 with four blocks offering Standard 1 to Standard 4 and about 90 students. In 1998 the High School opened in a newly built block with eight classrooms, a library and a computer room, starting with 75 students under the Botswana Junior Certificate curriculum. In 2001 the school moved to the Cambridge IGCSE framework, with first examinations sat in 2002. The Rainbow Hall was officially opened on 16 November 2010 by President Seretse Khama Ian Khama, and the Rainbow High School Library opened on 8 September 2011 by US Ambassador Michelle D. Davin. In 2016, after a change in ownership, the school began a modernization program to equip staff and students for the modern world.

Community

Rainbow Schools maintains a thriving, multicultural community across Pre-School to A-Levels. The campus emphasizes arts and culture, sports and fitness as part of student life. The school hosts events such as Rainbow School Mall Activation, Rainbow Schools Art Exhibition & Open Day 2026, and Inter-House Music Competitions 2026, reflecting an active calendar of activities. Environmental and social initiatives are integrated through ESG principles, with a focus on community engagement and sustainable practices.
Facilities

Facilities Overview

The school has two spacious, air-conditioned halls seating 400–1200 people in a cinema-style layout. The primary school has designated age-group appropriate play areas. The school has multiple badminton, basketball, netball, tennis and volleyball courts. The school has three football pitches and one softball pitch. The school has three swimming pools: main pool (25m by 13m), intermediate pool (10.5m by 7m), and baby pool (7m by 7m).

Sports Facilities

The school has multiple courts for badminton, basketball, netball, tennis and volleyball. It has three football pitches and one softball pitch. It has three swimming pools: main pool (25m by 13m), intermediate pool (10.5m by 7m), and baby pool (7m by 7m). The facilities support physical education and competitive teams.

Academic Facilities

The school has six science laboratories. The school has four art laboratories. The school has six computer laboratories. The school has two robotics laboratories. The school has four dedicated music classrooms.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual

The school offers classes from pre-school through A-Levels.

Arts & Creative

Arts and culture are part of Rainbow Schools' life, with engagement in music, dance, and visual arts to enhance learning and collaborative skills.

Cultural & Language

The school has a multicultural and socially diverse student population.

Social & Hobbies

The Extra Curricular Activities (ECA) programme includes student-led clubs and events, such as Civvies Day, Talent Show, and the Rainbow High School Charity Club.

Community & Service

Students lead community service initiatives, including donations to SOS Children's Village in Tlokweng.

Leadership & Professional

Through the ECA, students develop leadership, budgeting, and coordination skills, with teachers acting as mentors.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing

Sports occupy a vital role and are integrated into the curriculum to support physical fitness and positive mental health for students of all ages.
Reputation

Awards

Cambridge High Achiever Program: Top Student in the World in Physical Education; awarded by the University of Cambridge for exceptional IGCSE performance.
Admissions

Admissions

1. Entry points and waitlist: Rainbow School has four main entry points for admission: Pre-School, Reception, Standard 1–7, Form 1, and A Levels. Limited space is available in other standards and forms and is subject to availability and meeting all entrance requirements. There is a waiting list for placements when spaces are not immediately available. The Cambridge GCSE and A Level Programme is applied across the school.

Waitlist

There is a waiting list for placements when spaces are not immediately available. Space is limited and subject to availability and meeting entrance requirements. Acceptance from the waiting list is possible when spaces become available.
School Events
The school has not added events