You will find below a list of the most popular international and bilingual schools for expats in Zimbabwe 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 Zimbabwe. Schools may follow the American or British curriculums with English speaking programs, with others providing French education.

Zimbabwe Education

Zimbabwe has faced serious economic issues, but focus on education has allowed the country to maintain one of the highest ranking education systems in Africa. Adult literacy hovers around 90 percent and there is an established education system.The country’s school system is regulated through the Education Act of 1987 and every child has equal access to earlyeducation.

Early Childhood Development (ECD) begins at the age of 3 and continues til 5. Primary school starts at four to six years of age for grade 1 and continues to grade 7. Kindergartens, primary and secondary schools are usually run by the state, local authorities, religious organisations. One teacher instructs for all subjects in each class at the early levels. 

At the end of Grade 7, students take a national examination in Mathematics, English, Shona or Ndebele and general subjects. Secondary school is not funded by the government and require an enrollment fee. There are two cycles: General Certificate of Education (Ordinary Level) or General Certificate of Education Advanced Level. Three terms are generally from January to March, May to July, and September to early December. Vacations are 4 to 6 weeks.

Students completeing this stage may choose to continue with A-Levels or technical training. If a student chooses A-Level education, they must take the Advanced Level Certificate Examination after a total of six years of secondary education. A-Levels are required for entry to universities in Zimbabwe. This structure was adopted from the British system.

International Schools

Education standards at the public level remain below global standards and many international families choose to send their children to international schools. Some of these schools operate on a religious or language-specific basis.

International schools can be the perfect solution for an expat student (multinational corporation executives, children of diplomats, NGO staff) in Zimbabwe. There may be some local population, but the schools are geared for an international student body. Schools usually 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. Many schools provide similar standards of schooling around the globe, providing for an easy transition between schools whether they are in France or Vietnam. Schools often 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.

Accreditation

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. The Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) is an accrediting body for schools around the world.

Membership in the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC), Association of International Schools in Africa (AISA), Association for the Advancement of International Education (AAIE) and the Association for School Curriculum and Development (ASCD), Association of Trust Schools (ATS) also provide information about standards and practices.

International Schools in Harare

Arundel School
Address: Arundel School Rd
Mount Pleasant, Harare, Zimbabwe
Tel: 263(0242)-335654-7
Tuition Rates: $2,945 - 4,755 per term

Arundel is a private, day and boarding school for girls aged 12–18. It is a member of the ATS and CHISZ. Uniforms are required and boarding facilities are offered.

Chisipite Senior School
Address: Hindhead Ave
Chisipite, Harare, Zimbabwe
Tel: 263 4 490714
Tuition Rates: Inquire at the school

Chisipiti is the first inter-denominational private girls school in Central Africa. Uniforms are required and boarding facilities are offered.

Gateway High School
Address: Golden Stairs Rd
in Emerald Hill, Harare, Zimbabwe
Tel: 263 4 302990
Tuition Rates: Inquire at the school

This is a Christian, co-educational, independent school. It caters to students fromForm 1 to Upper 6. The school prepares students for the Cambridge IGCSE and A-Level examinations. Gateway High School is a member of the ATS and CHISZ. Uniforms are required.

Harare International School (HIS)
Address: 66 Pendennis Road
Mount Pleasant, Harare, Zimbabwe
Tel: 263 242 870 514 / 263 772 423 493
Tuition Rates: 6,000 - 28,230

Founded in 1992, HIS is an independent, non-profit school. It provides education from Early Childhood to Grade 12. HIS is an IB World School with the Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP) and the Diploma Programme (DP). HIS is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State and provides international and North American curriculum. It is accredited by the CoIS, NEASC and is a member of AISA, AAIE, and ASCD. 

Hellenic Academy
Address: P/Bag 3713
Harare, Zimbabwe
Tel: 263 242 744996
Tuition Rates: Inquire at the school

Hellenic is an independent, co-educational, day school. It was founded by the local Greek community. They offer a variety of extra-curriculars.

The Heritage School
Address: Heritage Drive
Harare, Zimbabwe
Tel: 263 242 862 285
Tuition Rates: Inquire at the school

The Heritage School is an independent, co-ed school with modern facilities for students from one to eighteen. It utilizes British National curriculum adapted for Zimbabwe. The school offers an array of activities from archery to motorcross. There are boarding facilities and uniforms are required.

Littlerock International School
Address: 28 Josiah Tongogara Street 
Harare, Zimbabwe
Tel: 263 4 792989
Tuition Rates: $450 - 750 per term

Littlerock is a Cambridge international school registered with the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education in Zimbabwe. There is primary and secondary classes including A-levels. They offer faith intergrated curriculum, physical activities and work program.​

Peterhouse Boys' School
Address: Mashonaland East, Zimbabwe
Tel: 263 (0)65-2322200-4
Tuition Rates: Inquire at the school

Peterhouse is a group of schools which consists of Peterhouse Boys, Peterhouse Girls, Springvale House Preparatory School and Peterhouse Nursery school. The schools are situated on two estates and share two conservation areas, Calderwood Park and Gosho Park. It caters to students from pre-school to tertiary education and is a Cambridge international school. Uniforms are required and boarding is available. The school is a founding member of the ATS, a member of CHISZ and HMC.

Ruzawi School
Address: P/Bag 3713
Marondera Mashonaland East Zimbabwe
Tel: 263 65 23 24104/5
Tuition Rates: $450 - 750 per term

Ruzawi was established in 1928 as a boarding school for boys. This Christian school became co-educational in January 2003 and takes students from 6 to 12 years and provides Cambridge education. Boarding is available and uniforms are required.

Westridge High School
Address: cnr. Ganges/Starliner Roads 
Ridgeview, Harare, Zimbabwe
Tel: 263 4 741248 / 741876 / 778320
Tuition Rates: Inquire at the school

Westridge High School is an independent, day school. The school caters to students in Form One (Freshman) to Form 6 (Seniors). Westridge High School follows the traditional Zimbabwean-British system of education in which examinations are administered at both Ordinary Level and A Level. It has facilities for sports and technology as well as many clubs. It is a member of the ATS.

French International School in Zimbabwe

Ecole Française de Harare
Address: 1 Teign Rd.Vainona
Harare, Zimbabwe
Tel: 263 (0) 242 88 22 74
Tuition Rates: Inquire at the school

This is a French language international school that has been around for over 30 years. It is part of a network of schools in 130 countries all over the world, catering primarily to the French and Francophone communities. Each school falls under the authority of the French Ministry of Education and regular inspections are carried out in order to ensure that French standards are maintained and the curriculum is followed. More than 30 nationalities are currently represented within this school in various classes of 15 to 25 students. The French School follows the European school calendar from  September to June. There is nursery and primary school available til secondary. Students are not required to wear a school uniform. All text books and exercise books are provided in the Nursery and Primary school, but have to be purchased for the Secondary school. Students prepare for the the French “Brevet des Collèges” (equivalent to “0” level) and the French “Baccalauréat” (equivalent to “A” level). English and Spanish as second languages are compulsory subjects for both the “Brevet” and “Baccalauréat”. The English component of the bilingual classes follows the Cambridge Primary Certificate curriculum.