You will find below a list of the most popular international and bilingual schools for expats in Ethiopia with fee information. It includes nursery schools, primary and secondary (high) schools and you will find the right school to prepare for International Baccalaureate, and other diploma in Ethiopia. Some schools will follow the American or British curriculums with English speaking programs while others are regulated under the French or German education system.

Education in Ethiopia

Education in Ethiopia was traditionally based on principles of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. Secular education was adopted in the early 1900s as the system continues to develop and change. There is still a need for improvement as illiteracy remains high, even when compared with other areas of Africa. Rural areas are still poorly served, and girls drop our at a higher rate than their male counterparts.

The sequence of general education in Ethiopia is eight years of primary school, two years of lower secondary school and two years of higher secondary school. Foreign nationals are not accepted in the public schools of Ethiopia.

International Schools

International schools can be the perfect solution for an expat student (multinational corporation executives, children of diplomats, NGO staff) in Ethiopia. Schools are usually geared for an international student body and follow a curriculum model from the US, UK, or France. Primary instruction may be any language (and multiple languages are usually taught), but it is usually in English or French. Schools provide similar standards of schooling around the globe, providing for an easy transition between schools whether they are in France or Vietnam. Schools also provide internationally accepted accreditation such as the international baccalaureate.

Admission and enrollment procedures vary from school to school. Space is often limited and preference may be given to students based on nationality. Tuition tends to be expensive based on local standards, but offers high standards of learning, boast smaller class sizes, first-rate facilities, and extracurricular. Boarding facilities are available at some schools, but most only provide day classes.

Accreditation & Membership

• The CoIS (Council of International Schools) is a non-profit association of international schools and post-secondary institutions which provides educational accreditation, teacher and leadership recruitment services, links to higher education, governance assistance and help with founding new schools.
• Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSA) is among the premier accrediting associations in the world.
• Association of International Schools in Africa (AISA) is a membership network for international Schools in Africa.

Addis Ababa

Good Beginnings Daycare and Preschool
Address: P.O.Box 4249 | Filwoha,
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Tel: +251 911503521
Email: good.beginnings@hotmail.com
Tuition Rates: US$ 4200-6000per year

Good Beginnings is a franchise international preschool that has gone through careful authorization procedures and demonstrated an internationally acceptable commitment to professionalism and education. They provide care for children aged 6 months to school age.

International Community School of Addis Ababa (ICSAA)
Address: Mauritania Road
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Tel: (251-11) 3711544
Tuition Rates: US$ 7,100 - 23,200 per year

U.S. curriculum, English language, college-preparatory school from pre-kindergarten to Grade 12. French and Spanish are taught as foreign languages. ICSAA is fully accredited in the U.S. by the MSA and provides the IB diploma program. The school year comprises 2 semesters extending approximately from mid-August to mid-June.

Sandford International School
Address: P.O Box 30056 MA
Addis Ababa Ethiopia
Tel: +251 111 23 38 92
Tuition Rates: US$ 6,807 - 13,515 per year

This school fits both British and Ethiopian interests as an English-language school. It is divided into three sections: the Primary School from Nursery to Year 6, the Secondary School from Year 7 to Year 13, and the Adult Evening School. Public examinations offered are the Ethiopian National Examinations at Year 8, and Year 10, the IGCSE at Year 11 and the International Baccalaureate at Year 13. The School works closely with various offices including the Ethiopian Ministry of Education, Ministry of labor and social affairs and it is a member of AISA. It includes a majority of Ethiopian students.

One Planet International School
Address: Near Megenagna; House No: 106
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Tel: +251-116-18-10-10
Tuition Rates: Inquire at school

This school offers Nursery (Age 2-3), Lower Kindergarten (Age 3-4), Upper Kindergarten (Age 4-5), and Preparatory (Age 5-6). Accredited by the Ethiopian Ministry of Education, this international school uses a US based curriculum with English and Amharic languages for instruction.

British International School Ethiopia (BIS)
Address: Sherif Building, Bole Ring Road / P.O.Box 5583
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Tel: +251 11 663 07 07
Tuition Rates: Inquire at school

English language education with a primary and secondary school.

Andinet International School (AIS)
Address: P.O. Box 1289
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Tel: +251-011-618-6541
Tuition Rates: US$ 1,669 - 3,626 per year

This is a co-educational primary, middle, and high school from nursery through grade ten (with plans to expand). International English is the language of instruction, and Amharic, French, and Arabic are offered beginning in early childhood. AIS works closely with the Ethiopian Ministry of Education. AIS prepares Ethiopian Students for the National Exam.

Bingham Academy
Address: Kolfe Keranio
Addis Ababa 4937, Ethiopia
Tel: +251 11 279 1791
Tuition Rates: Inquire at school

Christian education school that uses the Cambridge International Curriculum as follows: KG – Grade 5 is the Cambridge International Primary Curriculum, Grades 6-8 is the Cambridge International Lower Secondary Curriculum, Grades 9-10 is the International General Certificate in Secondary Education and Grades 11-12 is the Cambridge International AS and A Levels.

French School in Addis Ababa

Lycée Guebre-Mariam
Address: Churchill Road PO Box 1496
Addis Abeba Ethiopie
Tel: (251) 11 155 16 03
Tuition Rates: Inquire at school

Lycée Guebre-Mariam was founded by the French Lay Mission in 1947. This is a Franco-Ethiopian institution with French instruction. It is approved for pre-kindergarten to graduation (ES channels, L and S) by the French Ministry of National Education and is subsidized by the AEFE.

German School in Addis Ababa

Deutschen Botschaftsschule Addis Abeba (DBSAA)
Address: P.O. Box 1372
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Tel: +251 (0) 11 55 34 465
Tuition Rates: Inquire at school

A German language school with an approved German curriculum. It is one of the oldest German schools in Africa and is funded and staffed by the Federal Republic of Germany.