Independent Schools in Africa
About to be posted to a major city in Africa? Got questions about schools for your kids?
We receive lots of inquiries from parents asking about private schools in Africa. Most of the time parents want information about schools, tuition fees, available places, and so on.
Now, if you're an expat looking for schools, not to worry! Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, South Africa, Kenya, and all the other African nations have plenty of private schools to choose from. Of course, it stands to reason that the bugger the city, the more schools it will have. I've listed some of the schools that teach American, British, Canadian, Italian, French, and German curricula.
So, whether you are being posted to Cairo or Tunis, you will be able to find a school that follows the curriculum your kids would have had back home. That way, once your tour of duty is over, your kids will be right up to speed when you get back home.
I was an expat! So, I speak from my own experience as an expat whose daughter attended a private high school in The Bahamas. While obviously there were subtle differences in the curriculum and the way it was taught, she adjusted well. Indeed, she subsequently attended two distinguished universities and earned a master's degree.
Photo of Lycée Français International du Cap, Cape Town, South Africa courtesy the school
List of Schools
Two things: this list is by no means exhaustive. But hopefully it gives you an idea of what's available for your kids.
Secondly, swipe the name of a school and paste it into your YouTube search. The school videos are a terrific way to see what each school is all about.
Al Akhawayn School of Ifrane (ASI), Ifrane, Morocco
Operates under the auspices of Al Akhawayn University, offering an American curriculum. It serves students in a unique educational environment near Fes.
American Academy Casablanca, Casablanca, Morocco
Offers an American-style curriculum, though specific details about its programs are limited.
American Cooperative School of Tunis (ACST) El Aouina, Tunis
ACST is a non-profit, private school offering an American curriculum with an International Baccalaureate Diploma Program. It caters to students from preschool to grade 12 and is known for its diverse international community.
American International School in Egypt (AISE), New Cairo and Sheikh Zayed City
Provides an American curriculum with options for AP and the IB Diploma. It is a co-educational day school for students aged 3 to 18, part of the Esol Education network.
Braeburn School, Nairobi, Kenya
Offers a British curriculum with options for IGCSEs and A Levels. It is a co-educational day school for students aged 2 to 18, known for its diverse international community.
Braeburn Garden Estate School, Nairobi, Kenya
Provides a British curriculum with a focus on academic excellence and extracurricular activities. It is a co-educational day school for students aged 2 to 18.
Bridge House School, Franschhoek, South Africa
Situated in the Cape Winelands, offering a sustainable learning environment.
The British Academy School Marrakech (BASM), Marrakech, Morocco
Founded in 2019, BASM is Morocco's first fully recognized British International School. It offers the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and the National Curriculum for England and Wales, culminating in Edexcel iGCSE and international A Level examinations.
The British International School Cairo (BISC), Cairo, Egypt
Offers the National Curriculum for England, GCSEs, and the International Baccalaureate Diploma. It is a co-educational day school for students aged 3 to 18, known for its international community and British-style education.
British International School of Tunis, La Soukra, Tunis
This co-educational day school provides a British curriculum, offering A Levels and IGCSEs. It serves students aged 3 to 18 and emphasizes English as the primary language of instruction.
British International School of Casablanca, Casablanca, Morocco
Offers a British curriculum, though specific details about its programs are limited.
Cairo American College (CAC), Maadi, Cairo, Egypt
Provides an American curriculum with options for AP and IB Diploma. It is a co-educational day school for students aged 4 to 18, emphasizing American culture and Egyptian history.
Cairo English School (CES), Cairo, Egypt
Offers an adapted National Curriculum for England, leading to IGCSEs, A Levels, and the IB Diploma. It is a co-educational day school for students aged 3 to 18, with a predominantly Egyptian student body.
Canopus International School of Tunis (CIST), Charguia 1, Tunis
While specific details are limited, CIST is recognized as an international school in Tunisia, likely offering a diverse curriculum to cater to its international student body.
Charterhouse Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria
A British independent school offering the British curriculum with boarding and day options. It is part of the Charterhouse family of schools, known for its academic excellence and traditional values.
This video shows you a bit about CharterHouse School in Lagos, Nigeria.
Dakar Academy, Dakar, Senegal
Offers a U.S.-style curriculum with a focus on athletics and fine arts.
Deutsche Internationale Schule Johannesburg (DSJ), Parktown, Johannesburg, South Africa
Founded in 1890, DSJ is one of the oldest and largest German schools in Africa. It provides a bilingual education with both the South African Matric and the German Abitur.
Deutsche Höhere Privatschule Windhoek (DHPS), Windhoek, Namibia
Established in 1909, DHPS offers a German curriculum with options for the Cambridge certificate or the German International Abitur. It is funded by the German Federal Government and by school fees.
Deutsche Schule Durban (DSD), Durban, South Africa
Offers a holistic German education for children from 18 months to Grade 7. It emphasizes German culture and language while also teaching English, Afrikaans, and Zulu.
Deutsche Schule Pretoria (DSP), Pretoria, South Africa
Offers a German curriculum with a focus on bilingual education, though specific details about its programs are limited.
École Canadienne de Tunis, unis, Tunisia
The school offers a personalized educational path for students aged 3 to 18, focusing on academic excellence through internationally accredited programs. It aims to foster global awareness and personal growth.
École Française de Tunis, Tunis, Tunisia
While specific details are limited, this school is likely part of the AEFE network, offering a French curriculum to students in Tunisia.
École Trilingue Internationale, Casablanca, Morocco
Provides trilingual education (French, English, Arabic) from kindergarten to high school, inspired by international pedagogical practices while respecting the Moroccan framework.
George Washington Academy (GWA), Casablanca, Morocco
A nonprofit, independent American school serving students from PreK to Grade 12. GWA offers the Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (IB DP), emphasizing multilingualism with English, French, and Arabic.
German International School Cape Town (DSK), Cape Town, South Africa
Provides bilingual education from Grade 1 to 12, offering qualifications for both South African and European universities. It emphasizes German culture and language.
German International School Accra (GISA), Accra, Ghana
Offers a German-based curriculum with elements of the British Cambridge system. It is recognized as an "excellent" German international school in West Africa.
German School Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
Provides German education from kindergarten to year 12, allowing students to earn German school-leaving certificates, including the German International Abitur.
Green Hills Academy, Kigali, Rwanda
Offers a comprehensive international curriculum.
Find out about the Green Hills Academy's boarding facilities in this video.
Grey High School, Gqeberha, Eastern Cape, South Africa
Established in 1856, known for its academic excellence.
International School of Carthage, Carthage, Tunis
This school provides international education, though specific details about its curriculum or programs are not widely available.
International School of Choueifat - Cairo (ISC-Cairo), New Maadi, Cairo
Follows the SABIS curriculum, known for its academic rigor and modern facilities. It is a co-educational day school for students aged 3 to 18.
International School of Morocco (ISM), Casablanca, Morocco
Focuses on inquiry-based learning and collaborative play. It is an IB PYP school with British School Overseas accreditations, offering a child-centered approach with small class sizes.
Istituto Scolastico Italiano "Giovan Battista Hodierna", El Menzah, Tunis
This Italian international school serves preschool through upper secondary levels. It was established in 1966 and provides a comprehensive Italian curriculum.
Kheireddine Tunisian International School, Tunis, Tunisia
Founded in 2013, KTIS offers education from kindergarten to 7th grade, with plans to expand. It emphasizes English as the primary language, with French and Arabic as secondary languages.
King's School The Crown, West Cairo, Egypt
Inaugurated in 2023, it offers an integrated British curriculum from early years to secondary school. It is part of the King's College Schools network, providing a premium education with a focus on academic excellence.
London Academy Casablanca, Casablanca, Morocco
Offers a British-style education, though detailed information about its curriculum is not readily available.
London Academy Rabat, Rabat, Morocco
Provides a British-style education, though specific details about its programs are limited.
Lycée Français International du Cap, Cape Town, South Africa
Offers a bilingual French/English education for students aged 2 to 18. It is part of the AEFE network and provides three international diplomas: the French Baccalaureate, the British International Section, and the Cambridge International Examinations.
Lycée Jules Verne, Johannesburg, South Africa (with a satellite school in Pretoria)
A bilingual French/English school that follows the French curriculum. It is also part of the AEFE network and prepares students for the French Baccalaureate.
Lycée Français Denis Diderot, Nairobi, Kenya
Offers a bilingual French-English education for students aged 2 to 18. It is certified by the French Ministry of Education and a member of the AEFE network.
Lycée Français d'Alexandrie, Alexandria, Egypt
Offers a French curriculum and is part of the AEFE network, though detailed information about its programs is not readily available.
Lycée Français du Caire, Cairo, Egypt
Provides a French education and is part of the AEFE network. It offers the French Baccalaureate and emphasizes French culture and language.
Lycée Français Guy de Maupassant, Casablanca, Morocco
Offers trilingual teaching (French, Arabic, English) and delivers the French National Curriculum. It is located on a modern campus.
Lycée Français Sophie Germain, Rabat, Morrocco
Offers trilingual teaching (French, English, Arabic) from the earliest age, focusing on children's wellbeing. It delivers a French baccalaureate and provides modern facilities.
Maadi British International School (MBIS), Maadi, Cairo, Egypt
Offers a British-style education following the National Curriculum for England. It is a co-educational day school for students aged 2 to 13, known for its community-driven governance.
Malvern College Egypt (MCE), New Cairo, Egypt
Offers a British curriculum with options for IGCSEs, A Levels, and the IB Diploma. It is a co-educational day school for students aged 3 to 17, part of the Malvern College international network.
Metropolitan School Cairo (MSC), Cairo, Egypt
Offers an adapted American curriculum with a focus on entrepreneurship and Egyptian culture. It is a co-educational day school for students aged 3 to 13.
Modern English School, Cairo (MES), New Cairo City, Egypt
Provides both American and British curricula, leading to IGCSEs, A Levels, and the IB Diploma. It is a co-educational day school for students aged 3 to 18, with a strong record of university placements.
New Cairo British International School, New Cairo City
Offers a British curriculum with options for IGCSEs and the IB Diploma. It is a co-educational day school for students aged 3 to 18, known for its diverse expatriate community.
Peponi School, Ruiru, Kenya
Offers a British curriculum with a strong Christian ethos.
Pioneer School of Ariana, Ariana, Tunisia
Known for its high-quality education and competitive environment, this school is prestigious in Tunisia. It focuses on scientific subjects and has a 100% success rate at the Baccalaureate exam.
Rabat American School (RAS), Rabat, Morocco
Founded in 1962, RAS is a nonprofit, independent American school offering a standards-based, university-preparatory curriculum accredited by the U.S. Middle States Association and the International Baccalaureate Organization.
Repton Cairo School, New Cairo, Egypt
Provides a British-style education with a focus on academic excellence and extracurricular activities. It is part of the Repton School network and is known for its high-quality educational standards.
Sadiki College, Tunis, Tunisia
While specific details are limited, Sadiki College is a notable educational institution in Tunisia, historically significant and respected for its academic standards.
St. Andrew's School, Turi, Turi, Molo, Kenya
Focuses on academic excellence and character development.
Starehe Boys' Centre and School, Nairobi, Kenya
Known for its academic rigor and community service.
St Cyprian's School, Cape Town, South Africa
Offers a comprehensive curriculum with a focus on character development.
Taïeb Mhiri School, Tunis, Tunisia
Known for its historical significance, Taïeb Mhiri School is a prominent educational establishment in Tunisia, though detailed information about its curriculum or current status is not readily available.
Conclusion
Africa’s international schools offer expat families a gateway to global education while embracing local cultures and languages. From the British-structured rigor of Cairo English School to the French bilingual programs in Cape Town and the pioneering SABIS curriculum in Nairobi, these institutions blend academic excellence with cultural adaptability.
Whether seeking American AP courses, German Abitur qualifications, or multilingual immersion, Africa’s diverse educational ecosystem ensures students thrive in an interconnected world. For families navigating relocation, these schools provide stability, community, and a passport to future opportunities, proving that quality education knows no borders.
If you were an expat posted to a city in an African country, we'd love to hear about your experiences. Leave a comment below. I know other readers would enjoy hearing about your experiences.
Questions? Contact us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. @privateschoolreview
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Editor's note: This article was assisted by AI tools, specifically Perplexity (Sonar), which provided suggestions and ideas during the research phase.
