Account
Shortlist
Currency
I

International School of Kigali

Rwanda, Kigali

Shortlist

· Reviewed by · Co-founder & CEO

Managed by doris 👵🏼
The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees RWF 175 - 28,435
Ages 4 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 191
Type Co-educational
Opened 2009
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum Advanced Placement (AP), American Curriculum
Taught languages French, Spanish
Strengths Sport, Visual and Creative Arts, STEM
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language
Stages Early Years, Elementary, Middle School, High School
Introduction

International School of Kigali (ISK) is an independent international school serving students aged 4 to 18. It offers an American curriculum with Advanced Placement coursework, including the AP Capstone Diploma, and a Western-style program that emphasizes diversity, inclusion, critical thinking, creativity, and global citizenship. The Kibagabaga campus, opened in 2021, provides dedicated buildings for Elementary, Middle, and High School, plus two swimming pools, a tennis court, large sports fields, a full-size basketball court, and sizeable outdoor play spaces. Inside, a well-resourced library supports reading and independent research, while spacious art classrooms foster visual and performing arts. High school students can take AP courses and electives such as art, music, drama, and Rwandan studies. Language offerings include French, Spanish, and Kinyarwanda. Service-learning is embedded across the curriculum, with partnerships with local organizations and events like an Annual Climate Action Summit, enriching academic work with real-world impact. ISK emphasizes holistic development and community engagement.

The Essentials

International School of Kigali has 191 pupils, instruction in English.

Location

Kibagabaga, Kigali, Rwanda. The campus moved to Kibagabaga in December 2021. The street address is 10 KG 307 St, Kigali, Rwanda. The area is in Kigali with access via local roads.

Stages

The Elementary School includes Pre-K through Grade 5. The Middle School includes Grade 6 through Grade 8. The High School includes Grade 9 through Grade 12.

Type

Independent international secular; non-profit; non-governmental

Additional learning support

Learning Support and EAL (English as an Additional Language) services are provided to support students' language development and learning needs.

Religious affiliation

Secular; no religious affiliation.

Fees

Annual tuition at International School of Kigali ranges from RWF 175 to RWF 28,435 for 2026/27.

Application and enrollment fees
- Application fee (new students only): USD $175. Non-refundable and payable at the time the application is submitted.
- Enrollment fee (new students only, 2026–2027): USD $3,000 per student or USD $5,000 per family. Payable at the time of the first tuition payment; may be consolidated into the tuition payment plan.
- Deposit on admission (new students): USD $1,000 per student due within 14 days of an offer of admission. This deposit is applied to tuition but is non-refundable and non-transferable if the family cancels or does not arrive.
- Re-enrollment (seat) deposit for returning students: USD $2,000 per student due by 1 May 2026 to reserve a place for the next school year; non‑refundable but applied to tuition. This deposit is waived if tuition is paid in full by May.

Tuition fees (annual and per-term by year group)
- Annual tuition and annual capital levy (amounts shown as USD):
- Pre-K: USD $8,098.00; Annual Capital Levy: USD $500.
- Kindergarten (KG): USD $16,604.00; Annual Capital Levy: USD $1,000.
- Elementary School (Grades 1–5): USD $22,837.00; Annual Capital Levy: USD $1,000.
- Middle School (Grades 6–8): USD $23,453.00; Annual Capital Levy: USD $2,000.
- High School (Grades 9–12): USD $26,435.00; Annual Capital Levy: USD $2,000.
- Per-term (semester) amounts — calculation note: ISK operates on a two‑semester billing schedule with a semester payment plan. Semester installments are calculated here as one half (50%) of the listed annual tuition (capital levy is billed annually unless otherwise arranged). Each semester payment therefore equals approximately:
- Pre-K: USD $4,049.00 per semester (tuition only). Capital Levy: USD $500 annually. (Semester amount is annual tuition ÷ 2.)
- Kindergarten (KG): USD $8,302.00 per semester (tuition only). Capital Levy: USD $1,000 annually. (Semester amount is annual tuition ÷ 2.)
- Elementary (G1–G5): USD $11,418.50 per semester (tuition only). Capital Levy: USD $1,000 annually. (Semester amount is annual tuition ÷ 2.)
- Middle School (G6–G8): USD $11,726.50 per semester (tuition only). Capital Levy: USD $2,000 annually. (Semester amount is annual tuition ÷ 2.)
- High School (G9–G12): USD $13,217.50 per semester (tuition only). Capital Levy: USD $2,000 annually. (Semester amount is annual tuition ÷ 2.)
(Note: these per‑semester figures are derived by dividing the published annual tuition by two to match the school's two‑semester billing schedule; the school specifies semester due dates and an administrative fee for semester payment plans.)

Discounts
- Early payment discount: 2% off tuition for families who pay the full year prior to 1 May. The Annual Capital Levy is excluded from this discount.
- Sibling discount: 15% tuition discount on the second and each additional child; the discount is applied automatically to the portion of tuition paid by the family and is credited to the Semester II invoice. Proof of self‑payment is required and the discount does not apply to capital levy, enrollment, or learning support fees.
- Five‑for‑Five discount: a commitment discount of USD $5,000 per year per child for families who commit to five years at ISK. Recipients of this discount are not eligible for the sibling discount.

Additional and optional fees
- Capital Levy: annual amounts listed above are charged in addition to tuition and support capital development.
- Special education support (Silverback CAVE): USD $5,000 per student per year for the self‑contained CAVE program.
- Shadow teacher (1:1 aide) fee: USD $9,600 per year.
- After‑school activities and athletics: participation fees apply and vary by activity.
- Administrative fee for payment plans: USD $500 per student (applies to semester payment plans and covers administrative costs).
- Bank transfer/intermediary charges: bank transfer charges (including intermediary bank fees) must be added to the tuition amounts; an intermediary bank fee is typically around USD $15 per transfer. All official fees are payable in USD.
- Uniforms and routine school‑supplied materials: specific uniform cost figures are not listed among the school's published fees; uniform and supply costs should be anticipated as additional parent expenses (amounts vary by supplier and purchase).

Billing schedule and payment terms
- Payment structure: the school offers a semester payment plan. Payment for the first semester is due on the first business day of August; payment for the second semester is due before 15 January. Other payment plans may be negotiated but the semester plan includes the USD $500 administrative fee per student.
- Late payments: unless a prior agreement is made, late payments incur a penalty of 2% of the remaining balance. Continued non‑payment may lead to student withdrawal from the school two weeks after the payment deadline.
- Late and short‑term admissions: any student admitted in the first eight weeks of the school year will pay full tuition for the academic year; students admitted after the first eight weeks will be charged prorated tuition based on weeks enrolled plus full application and capital development fees. Short‑term enrollments of less than 28 weeks are charged prorated tuition plus full application and capital development fees. No refund is provided if the student leaves earlier than the agreed end date for short‑term admissions.

Refunds and cancellations
- Unattended semester refund: an unattended semester will be refunded in full.
- Partially attended semester: no refund will be processed for a partially attended semester.
- Deposits: application fees are non‑refundable; the USD $1,000 new‑student deposit is non‑refundable and non‑transferable if the family cancels or does not arrive after an offer. Re‑enrollment (seat) deposits are non‑refundable but applied to tuition.

Boarding
- Boarding is not included in the published fee schedule and no boarding fees are specified; ISK's published materials present the school as a day school with no boarding fee line items.

Fee payment options and banking details
- Currency: all fees are payable in United States Dollars (USD).
- Bank transfer (preferred for exact tuition remittance):
- Bank: I&M Bank (Rwanda) Plc. Account (USD) number: 25044463002. Account name: International School of Kigali. SWIFT: IMRWRWRW. Bank address: KN 03 AVE 9, P.O. BOX 354, Kigali, Rwanda. When paying by bank transfer, add any intermediary bank charges to the tuition amount and include invoice number or student name in the payment memo for reconciliation. Proof of payment is sent to finance@iskr.org.
- Debit/credit card: parents may request a payment link by emailing finance@iskr.org; card payments are available but may attract higher processing charges and are recommended for smaller amounts.

Contacts for billing and finance
- Finance office email for invoices, payment confirmation, or billing inquiries: finance@iskr.org. Phone: +250 786 725 369.
Academics

International School of Kigali teaches Advanced Placement (AP), American Curriculum for students aged 4 to 18.

Curriculum

ISK offers a robust and inclusive curriculum for ages 4 to 18. It provides a Western-style education with a focus on diversity and inclusion, aiming to develop critical thinking, creativity, and global citizenship. High School offers Advanced Placement courses, including the AP Capstone Diploma, with electives such as art, music, drama, and Rwandan studies. The Kibagabaga campus opened in 2021 and features facilities like swimming pools, tennis and basketball courts, and football pitches.

Exam Results

In 2024, 81% of ISK students passed AP exams. AP courses include AP Biology, AP Chemistry, AP Comparative Government and Politics, AP English Literature and Composition, AP French Lang & Culture, AP Spanish Lang & Culture, AP Human Geography, AP Psychology, AP Research, and AP Seminar. ISK also offers the AP Capstone Diploma.

Higher Education Progression

ISK High School is a college preparatory program designed to prepare students for university-level study worldwide. College counseling supports post-secondary planning, including college applications and scholarships, and PSAT 9/10/11 is used for college readiness.

Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)

ISK supports social and emotional learning through its Student Support Services. Counseling services promote emotional well-being, and an Advisory Program provides ongoing social and personal guidance. The Student Support Services team collaborates with teachers, parents, and specialists to support students' holistic development. The approach emphasizes inclusivity and belonging as essential to academic success. Service-learning and leadership opportunities further contribute to students' social and emotional growth.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)

ISK provides Learning Support for students with individualized needs through the Student Support Services. The team collaborates with teachers and specialists to tailor accommodations and targeted interventions for each learner. EAL support is available to help students access the curriculum. Counseling services are available to support emotional well-being as part of the broader support program. The goal is to ensure every student can participate in the curriculum and develop lifelong skills.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)

ISK embraces linguistic diversity with English as the lingua franca during lessons. English as a Language (EAL) support helps bridge language barriers, enabling students to develop language skills at their own pace and fostering their academic, social, and emotional growth. The Support Services determine a baseline level for each child, from which targets are set in a language learning plan. EAL support may be provided in small groups several times a week while students remain in a language-rich classroom. Teaching staff differentiate and use Universal Design for Learning to cater for speakers of other languages in the mainstream classroom.

Mental Wellbeing

ISK is committed to fostering a supportive and inclusive learning environment where all students thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. Counseling services promote emotional well-being, and the Advisory Program provides ongoing social and personal guidance. The Student Support Services team collaborates with teachers, parents, and specialists to support students' holistic development. This holistic approach aims to help students manage stress, build resilience, and develop social-emotional skills.

Admissions

Admissions

1. Inquire – contact admissions to learn about ISK. 2. Visit – schedule a tour of the campus. 3. Apply – submit the online application. 4. Placement review – ISK reviews school records, considers birthdate, and conducts entrance screenings to determine placement. 5. Conditional acceptance – with school records, the child may be conditionally accepted into a certain grade, and screenings on arrival confirm readiness. 6. Grade level determination – ISK uses a September 1 cut-off date to determine the age-appropriate grade level. 7. Age/grade limits – the school will not normally accept a student who would be over nineteen at graduation. 8. Grade 12 exceptions – generally ISK will not accept students into grade 12 after the start of the academic year unless there are extenuating circumstances; the Director may make exceptions based on previous educational experience. 9. English records – all school records, in English, are required prior to acceptance; placement assessments may also be required. 10. Contact details – 10 KG 307 St, Kigali, Rwanda; Phone +250 786 725 369.

Scholarships

ISK offers a financial aid program to help families afford a quality education. Up to 50% of full tuition may be available, depending on family income. Eligibility includes: A. Both Rwandan and non-Rwandan families; B. New applicants without academic or disciplinary issues in previous schools; C. Returning ISK families experiencing unexpected financial hardship. For high school students: maintain a cumulative 2.0 GPA; achieve at least 70% progress of all credits attempted; continue making progress toward the ISK high school diploma each year. Requirements: an ISK application must be completed and the student accepted; families apply for financial aid and provide supporting documentation (business owners must provide certified financial statements; employees must provide current contract and four months of payslips). Process: the Financial Aid committee reviews applications (typically in April for the following school year), conducts a personal interview, and may conduct a home visit. The committee is chaired by the Head of School, and awards up to 50% of tuition on a yearly, renewable basis, requiring annual reapplication. For more information contact admissions@iskr.org or +250 793 762 974.

doris
linked-in-logo facebook-logo instagram-logo
© 2026 doris Worldwide Ltd. All rights reserved.