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Westwood International School

Botswana, Gaborone

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees BWP 72,600 - 125,100
Ages 5 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 550
Type Co-educational
Opened 1988
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP)
Taught languages English
Strengths Sport, Performing Arts, Service and Sustainability
Clubs Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language, Community and Service
Stages Primary School, Middle School, Secondary School, Sixth Form
Introduction

Westwood International School is an English-medium, independent, not-for-profit IB continuum school established in 1988 to serve Botswana's international community. It offers the full IB continuum—PYP for ages 5–12, MYP for 11–16, and DP for 16–18—with inquiry-based, student-centred learning and service learning at its core. The school is accredited by IB, CIS, and NEASC and is US Department of State-assisted. Its 3.4-hectare, purpose-built campus on the southern edge of Gaborone hosts a 500-seat theatre, a swimming pool, three science laboratories, and a media center with the library and Primary ICT lab. Facilities support academics, arts, sport, and student life, including solar energy and recycling and compost programs. Students represent 39 countries, contributing to a global mindset and culture of global citizenship. Distinctive features include Eco-Schools Green Flag, long-term service partnerships with Botswana organizations, and a strong emphasis on inquiry, critical thinking, and community engagement. Preparing students for university study and citizenship.

Phase 4, Plot 22978, Mmankgwedi Road, Gaborone, Botswana

The Essentials

Westwood International School has 550 pupils, instruction in English.

Location
Phase 4, Plot 22978 Mmankgwedi Road, Gaborone, Botswana

Stages
PYP (5-12), MYP (12-16), DP (16-18)

Type
Independent, not-for-profit international school

Additional learning support
Student Support (Inclusion) Policy & Procedures

Country affiliation
US Department of State-assisted
Diving Deeper

Food Options
On-campus tuck shop with fresh food and drinks; all items are prepared fresh with healthy ingredients; no sweets or soft drinks are sold.

Governance and Ownership
Not-for-profit; independent school governed by a board of founders, parents, diplomats, and other stakeholders. The School Council consists of eight members: three founding members, four parent representatives, and one representative from the United States embassy; council members are elected for two-year terms and decide on constitutional and financial matters.
Fees

Annual tuition at Westwood International School ranges from BWP 72,600 to BWP 125,100 for 2026/27.

Application and Registration Fees
- Application/registration fee: BWP 500 (one-off payment for new applicants).
- One‑time capital / development levy (new students): BWP 20,000 (one‑off, non‑refundable).

Tuition fees by year group (annual and per term)
- The school operates a January–December academic year divided into three terms; term figures below are the annual tuition divided into three equal term payments.

- Reception – Year 2: Annual BWP 72,600. Per term BWP 24,200.
- Years 3 – 6: Annual BWP 76,800. Per term BWP 25,600.
- Year 7: Annual BWP 97,800. Per term BWP 32,600.
- Years 8 – 9: Annual BWP 112,200. Per term BWP 37,400.
- Years 10 – 11: Annual BWP 122,400. Per term BWP 40,800.
- Years 12 – 13 (IB Diploma years): Annual BWP 125,100. Per term BWP 41,700.

Billing schedule and payment terms
- Tuition is billed by term (three terms per school year); a full‑year payment option is offered with an early‑payment discount (published as a 7.5% discount when the full year is paid before the first day of Term 1). Invoices specify the amounts and account/payment instructions.

Boarding fees
- Boarding is not applicable: the school operates as a day school (no boarding fees).

Other costs and mandatory extras
- External examination fees (IB/other external exam entries) are charged in addition to tuition.
- Uniform costs are additional; example retail prices for branded items (indicative) include items such as a school hoodie at approximately BWP 345. Parents should budget separately for full uniform sets.
- Typical additional items that attract charges: school trips and excursions, optional activities and clubs, school lunches or meal plans (if used), transport/bus services (if taken), and any device/learning‑resource charges; these are billed separately.

Refund information
- The capital / development levy is a one‑off charge for new enrolments and is non‑refundable. Other refund or withdrawal terms (for tuition or other charges) follow the school's standard fee and enrolment terms and are applied case‑by‑case as stated on the school invoice and fee contract.

Fee payment options and invoicing
- Invoices carry the school's payment instructions and account details; parents remit fees according to the invoice schedule. The usual methods for settling invoices include bank transfer / electronic funds transfer to the school account as shown on invoices; card payment acceptance and any card surcharge are subject to the school's invoicing terms.

Notes for budgeting
- First‑year cost for a new enrolment should include: the one‑off application/registration fee, the non‑refundable capital/development levy, the termly or annual tuition and any immediate extras (uniform, exam registration, transport deposits, and planned trips). The one‑off levies materially increase the initial year outlay compared with recurring tuition alone.
Academics

Westwood International School teaches IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP) for students aged 5 to 18.

Curriculum
Westwood International School offers the International Baccalaureate (IB) continuum, the only IB continuum school in Botswana. The Primary Years Programme (PYP) for ages 5–12 is transdisciplinary, inquiry-based, and student-centred with responsible action at its core. The Middle Years Programme (MYP) for ages 11–16 provides a framework of learning that encourages creative, critical, and reflective thinking, and includes eight subject groups with language study and community service. The Diploma Programme (DP) for ages 16–18 prepares students for university study, in alignment with IB assessment standards. The IB framework emphasises inquiry-based learning, global-mindedness, and service learning, and the school is accredited by the International Baccalaureate (IB), the Council of International Schools (CIS), and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC).
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The school focuses on the Whole Child, with social, emotional, and ethical development central to the IB approach. The IB Learner Profile guides students to become inquirers, knowledgeable, thinkers, communicators, principled, open-minded, caring, risk-takers, balanced, and reflective.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
The school has a Student Support (Inclusion) Policy & Procedures.

Safeguarding
The school has a Child Protection Policy.
Parent Experience

History
Established in May 1988. Westwood International School serves Botswana's international community with an English-medium international education. It is the only International Baccalaureate continuum school in Botswana. It is accredited by the International Baccalaureate (IB), the Council of International Schools (CIS), and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). It is the US Department of State-assisted school in Botswana.

Community
Westwood International School has about 550 students representing 39 countries. The staff are drawn from Botswana and around the globe. Education at Westwood combines rigorous academics with experiential opportunities in sports, drama, and community service. The school emphasizes sustainability, global citizenship, and the IB Learner Profile.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
Westwood has a strong, active, and supportive Parent Teacher Association. The PTA fosters communication, involvement, and cooperation between home and school through various activities, meetings, and initiatives. PTA leadership includes Dineo Makati (Chair), Eleng Mugabe (Vice Chair), Dudu Gopolang (Treasurer), Dudu Sibanda (Secretary), Samantha Matlhagela, and Ajitha Manjesh Lal. PTA activities support student progress and enrich the school community. The PTA collaborates with the school on events such as sports and cultural activities and the annual Birthday Bash in June. Through these efforts, the home-school partnership at Westwood is strengthened.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
3.4 hectare purpose-built campus established in 1988 on the southern side of Gaborone. The campus is shaded by indigenous trees. It houses a range of facilities to support academics, arts, sport and student life. The facilities include a 500-seat theatre, a pool, three science labs, and a media center with the library and Primary ICT lab. The tuck shop serves fresh, healthy food, and the campus runs recycling and compost programs.

Sports Facilities
Dedicated multipurpose sports fields are used by primary and secondary students for Physical & Health Education and extracurricular sports. The school offers developmental and competitive swimming in a pool, and the swim team hosts meets on campus and travels to other schools in the region. Open-air courts are used for curricular and extra-curricular sports, including tennis, basketball, and netball. These facilities support both classroom-based and after-school athletic programs.

Academic Facilities
Media center sits at the heart of the campus and houses the whole school library and the Primary School ICT lab. The media center is a main research hub for students from Reception to Year 13. Westwood has three fully resourced science laboratories, one dedicated to each science subject, providing hands-on, practical learning. These labs are designed to encourage curiosity, experimentation, and scientific inquiry in a safe and stimulating environment.

Extra Curricular Facilities
The theatre is a 500-seat, purpose-built space fully equipped with audio, video and lighting, used for assemblies, performances, awards and graduations. Open-air courts support curricular and extracurricular sports including tennis, basketball and netball. Swimming provides developmental and competitive opportunities through the school team and meets. The tuck shop offers fresh, healthy food, and environmental initiatives include recycling with ReWaste and a campus compost program.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
The school is the only IB continuum school in Botswana. It offers Primary Years Programme, Middle Years Programme and Diploma Programme. The IB framework emphasizes inquiry‑based learning and a broad, balanced curriculum, shaping students to be inquirers, knowledgeable, thinkers, communicators, principled, open‑minded, caring, risk‑takers, balanced, and reflective.

Arts & Creative
Learning opportunities extend into the extra‑curricular programme with a wide variety of creative activities each term. Westwood has a 500‑seat, purpose‑built theatre used for student assemblies, performances, and award ceremonies. Students also participate in art exchanges with other schools.

Cultural & Language
Westwood represents students from 39 countries, reflecting a diverse and globally minded community. Cultural events are part of school life and a focus on global citizenship is emphasized. The school participates in art exchanges with other schools as part of its cultural offerings.

Social & Hobbies
Each term offers a wide variety of sports, creative, and skills‑building activities. Students compete in ISSSA and ISAB sports competitions. The Eco‑Schools status highlights environmental initiatives and sustainability projects.

Community & Service
The school has long‑term service partnerships with organizations around Botswana. Students support the Mokolodi Nature Reserve and the Dukwi Refugee Center. In 2023, Westwood became the first and only school in Botswana to receive the Green Flag award from the Eco‑Schools Foundation.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
A wide variety of sports and activities are offered each term, including developmental and competitive swimming. Open‑air courts support tennis, basketball, and netball as part of the co‑curricular programme. The campus is powered by solar energy, uses borehole water, and operates a comprehensive recycling and composting program as part of its Eco‑Schools initiatives.
Languages

Language Provision
Requires the study of at least two languages (language of instruction and additional language of choice) to support students in understanding their own cultures and those of others. In the Diploma Programme, literature is studied in English or a student's mother tongue.
Reputation

Awards
Green Flag Eco-School award (2023)

Accreditations
IB, CIS, and NEASC accreditations; US Department of State-assisted; regional accreditations by AISA and ISAB
School Events
The school has not added events
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