Rwanda, Kigali
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1. Confirm eligibility. Kigali International Community School admits students from Pre-K through 12th grade. A child must be 3 years old by October 1 to qualify for Pre-K and 5 years old by October 1 to qualify for Kindergarten. The school strictly adheres to these age cut-offs and does not consider any exceptions. English proficiency considerations are assessed during admissions using the WIDA screener to determine ELL support and admission suitability.
2. Submit online application. Submit the online application for your student. The Admissions Office is available to help you throughout each step of the application process during office hours: Monday–Thursday 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. and Friday 8:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
3. Admission testing and language assessment. Entry testing is required for admissions. All applicants applying for Grade K-12 will be given a computerized test in reading and math, and a WIDA English proficiency screener is also required. The testing lasts approximately 1 hour for students in K–5 and 1.5 hours for students in 6–12.
4. Admissions decision and enrollment instructions. After completing the application process, the Admissions Committee will review your files. An official determination letter will be sent by email, and if admitted, instructions on how to enroll will follow.
5. Financial aid. KICS operates on a need-based financial aid structure. If you wish to be considered for financial aid, you may apply during the online application process. If approved, you will receive a financial aid award letter along with your final acceptance letter.
6. Waitlist. If a student meets the admissions criteria but their grade is full, they will be placed on the waitlist for the remainder of that academic year. If a place becomes available in that grade, you will be contacted and given an option to enroll. If no place becomes available that academic year, you may re-apply for the future academic year.
Waitlist overview: If admissions criteria are met but the grade is full, students are placed on the waitlist for the remainder of the academic year. If a place becomes available, families will be contacted with an option to enroll. If no place opens that year, families may re-apply for the following academic year.
Need-based financial aid is offered. Applications for financial aid can be submitted during the online application process. If approved, families receive a financial aid award letter along with the final acceptance letter.
Kigali International Community School (KICS) is a nonprofit, Christ-centered international school in Kigali, Rwanda, serving PreK–12. It provides a US-based curriculum taught in English and offers Advanced Placement (AP) classes in high school. KICS is the first US-accredited school in Rwanda and holds accreditation from the Middle States Association (MSA) and the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI). The school serves students from 27 nationalities and partners with families and Rwanda's education sector to prepare graduates for university study. A planned 8.8-hectare campus will host centers of excellence in Learning Support, ICT, Science, Performing Arts, and Global Leadership, funded through donor contributions. Beyond academics, KICS offers Fine Arts and Athletics, student leadership, and service opportunities, including mission groups and community projects. The language of instruction is English; Kinyarwanda and French are taught, with Spanish or Mandarin available online in higher grades. The school administers ACT, SAT, PSAT, and AP exams.