International Community School of Addis Ababa

Mauritania Rd, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Early Years 3 to Grade 12 (Primary, Middle, and High School)

Non-profit international school

80+ nationalities represented among our school community

Learning Support in each grade; English as an Additional Language (EAL); Occupational Therapy; Speech and Language Therapy; Counseling; Evaluations; Student Transition Educational Program

Ethiopia

School hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 8:00 AM–3:20 PM (3:25 PM for MS/HS); Wednesday 8:00 AM–2:00 PM (2:05 PM for MS/HS); After School Activities 3:30–4:30 PM

ICS Addis is an IB World School offering a full IB continuum. It provides the Primary Years Programme (PYP) for Elementary, the Middle Years Programme (MYP) for Grades 6–8 in the Middle School and Grades 9–10 in the High School, the Diploma Programme (DP) for Grades 11–12, and the Career-related Programme (CP) for Grades 11–12. The DP has been offered since 1982 and the CP was added to complete the continuum. The MYP is taught in the Middle School (Grades 6–8) and High School (Grades 9–10).

Student-Teacher ratio: 8:1.

High School Profile 2025-26 shows DP candidates: 35; bilingual diplomas awarded: 9; highest DP points awarded: 40. SAT score averages: total 1133 (Reading and Writing 565; Mathematics 568).

Graduates attend a wide range of universities worldwide, including Quinnipiac University, Randolph-Macon College, RISD, and others in the United States. Universities listed also include the University of Toronto and the University of British Columbia, among several institutions in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and beyond.

Social-emotional learning is at the forefront of the Middle School Advisory program. Positive Action is an international curriculum that teaches self-management and responsible decision-making. Advisory meetings run 45 minutes at the start of school four days each week, with small groups that help students build connections with peers and a trusted adult. The focus of Advisory centers on promoting student wellbeing, gaining self-management skills, and taking ownership of their path to success through goal-setting. A focus on SEL is associated with improvements in academics and overall wellbeing.

The Department of Student Support Services includes Learning Support, English as an Additional Language (EAL), Occupational Therapy, Speech and Language Therapy, Counseling, Evaluations, and a Student Transition Educational Program. Learning Support is offered in each section, with a learning support teacher in every grade from Early Years to Grade 5. EAL provides support for students developing their English language proficiency. A Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) with RTI identifies and addresses academic, emotional, and behavioral needs, providing Tier 1–3 interventions as appropriate. The school describes itself as responsibly inclusive and remains transparent about the scope of services offered.

EAL provides support for students developing their English language proficiency.

Counseling provides emotional and social support to students, as well as university and career guidance to help students plan for life beyond school. A Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) is used to identify and address students' academic, emotional, and behavioral needs, with tiered interventions as required to support growth and wellbeing. The school is committed to supporting the academic, social, and emotional wellbeing of students.

Safeguarding and Child Protection are prioritized to prevent harm to children's health or development, with safeguarding living up to a whole-community responsibility. Staff, students, and families are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the safeguarding handbook to identify and respond to concerns. Key safeguarding practices include a rigorous approach to suspected abuse, comprehensive community education, safe recruitment, clear reporting channels, and campus safety. There are clear reporting channels and confidential forms, with a dedicated safeguarding response team available to support the community.

1. Preparing to apply to ICS. The admissions team supports families through transition and aims to make the process welcoming and transparent. The school is committed to ensuring that all students learn and engage at high levels, and this begins during admissions as the applicant is met and assessed to understand their learning profile and how they might benefit from the ICS program.

2. Applying to Early Years 3 and 4. Early Years 3 and Early Years 4 include students aged 3 to 5. Applications open on November 1 for the next school year. EY3 and EY4 students may start school at any time; there is no deadline. For Admissions Regulations and placement, access the More Information option.

3. Applying from within Ethiopia. Local applicants are those living or attending school in Ethiopia. The local applicant process aims to support a planned transition for these students. Applications open on November 1 for the next school year; Starting School is August enrollment only; Deadline is May 15 for the next school year. For local applicant regulations, access the More Information option.

4. Applying from outside of Ethiopia. International applicants are considered in order of receipt of all application requirements and are admitted on a space-available basis if they meet admissions criteria. Applications open on November 1 for the next school year. Starting School is Open throughout the school year for Early Years 5 to Grade 8; contact ICS for Grades 9–12. Deadline is None. For Admissions Regulations, access the More Information option.

5. Space Availability. Spaces may be limited in some grade levels and in some student support services programs. Families with children who might need special services are encouraged to contact ICS early to determine if appropriate supports can be provided. As an international community school, spaces for Ethiopian citizen students are limited. Contact the Admissions Office for up-to-date information on space availability.

6. Take the Next Step. Online Application: Complete the initial application form on a computer and upload electronic passport-style photos of the applicant and parents/guardians. You can access your account and stay up-to-date with the application through the OpenApply mobile app.

Application Requirements: After submitting the application form, a personalized checklist of requirements is shown; Parents are responsible for obtaining the application requirements.

Application Review and Feedback: After all admissions requirements are received, the Admissions Committee will review the applicant's file and may request additional information, including assessments, interviews or observations, to determine the best fit. During the school year, feedback is provided within two weeks of receipt of a completed application.

Admissions Decision: If accepted and space is available, an offer of acceptance is issued with an Enrollment Contract. If accepted but no space is available, the applicant is placed on the wait list or wait pool based on Applicant Priority Guidelines. If the school cannot meet the applicant's needs, the family is notified and the admissions team can provide recommendations for alternative schooling options in Addis.

Enrollment: Upon receiving the Enrollment Contract, the space is confirmed. If applying for enrollment at a future date, the Admissions Office will stay in touch to support the transition and start of school. If applying for immediate enrollment, internal enrollment processes are initiated and family orientation is organized prior to the first day of school.

Admissions Policy: The school serves the educational needs of the international community in Addis Ababa. ICS Addis accepts students who can be successful in the regular academic program and does not discriminate on religion, ethnicity or national origin, or gender in its admissions and educational policies. Admission is based upon completed application forms, previous school records, and results from previous or current academic testing to determine the applicant's potential to benefit, the school's capacity to meet educational needs, and the ability to meet behavioral or emotional needs.

ICS Addis provides four merit scholarships each year to high achieving Ethiopian students entering Grade 9. The merit scholarship is need-blind and based on merit. Applicants must be nominated by their school and cannot apply independently. Applicants take a three-hour exam in English, mathematics, and cognitive ability. Each year there are 16 scholarship students in Grades 9–12. The scholarship covers full-tuition for four years, enrolling each scholarship recipient into ICS throughout High School.

Waitlist. If an applicant is accepted but no space is available, the applicant is placed on the wait list or wait pool. The wait list/pool is used to fill spaces as they become available. Decisions regarding placement follow the Applicant Priority Guidelines.