Ethiopia is quickly emerging as a hub for international education, with a growing number of international schools catering to the needs of expat families and local students seeking a global education.
These schools provide a unique learning environment that fosters cultural diversity, language development, and a wide range of academic and extracurricular opportunities.
In this article, we will explore some of the top international schools in Ethiopia, their locations, and contacts, helping you find the right fit for your child’s educational needs.
Whether you’re a diplomat, an entrepreneur, or a local parent seeking a world-class education for your child, there’s an international school in Ethiopia that will meet your expectations.
International Community School of Addis Ababa (ICS)
- Location: Old Airport Area, Addis Ababa
- Contacts: +251-11-371-0300, info@icsaddis.org
Sandford International School
- Location: Bole Subcity, Woreda 13, Addis Ababa
- Contacts: +251-11-667-0871, info@sandfordschool.org
Bingham Academy
- Location: Limat, Addis Ababa
- Contacts: +251-11-647-9988, info@binghamacademy.net
Lycee Guebre-Mariam French International School
- Location: Old Airport Road, Addis Ababa
- Contacts: +251-11-667-2525, secretariat@lgm-edu.org
Bambini School
- Location: Bole Subcity, Woreda 8, Addis Ababa
- Contacts: +251-11-667-1818, info@bambinischool.net
Betezata School
- Location: Bole Subcity, Woreda 8, Addis Ababa
- Contacts: +251-11-618-3411, info@betezata.org
Greek Community School
- Location: Bole Subcity, Woreda 13, Addis Ababa
- Contacts: +251-11-662-7225, greekcommunityschool@gmail.com
Ethiopian Academy International School
- Location: Bole Subcity, Woreda 13, Addis Ababa
- Contacts: +251-11-663-0111,
- info@ethiopianacademy.org
Addis Ababa International School
- Location: Bole Subcity, Woreda 13, Addis Ababa
- Contacts: +251-11-662-9694, admissions@aaism.edu.et
Sandford English Preparatory School
- Location: Bole Subcity, Woreda 13, Addis Ababa
- Contacts: +251-11-667-0871, info@sandfordschool.org
Hidase International School
- Location: Bole Subcity, Woreda 13, Addis Ababa
- Contacts: +251-11-667-9989, info@hidaseschool.com
Bilingual School of Ethiopia
- Location: Ayat, Addis Ababa
- Contacts: +251-11-629-0230, info@bse.com.et
Unity School
- Location: Kality, Addis Ababa
- Contacts: +251-11-329-1610, unity_school@hotmail.com
Saint Joseph School
- Location: Mekanissa, Addis Ababa
- Contacts: +251-11-371-4828, stjosephaddis@yahoo.com
Capital City School
- Location: Bole Subcity, Woreda 13, Addis Ababa
- Contacts: +251-11-618-7080, info@capitalcityschool.org
Ethiopia’s education system
Ethiopia has a complex education system with a mix of traditional and modern approaches. The system consists of primary, secondary, and tertiary education.
Primary education in Ethiopia begins at the age of seven and lasts for eight years.
The curriculum includes subjects such as mathematics, science, social studies, and languages, with a focus on Amharic, the official language of Ethiopia.
After completing primary education, students move on to secondary education, which is divided into two cycles: the first cycle lasts for two years, while the second cycle lasts for three years.
Students must pass a national exam at the end of each cycle to progress to the next level.
The secondary education curriculum includes a broad range of subjects, including mathematics, science, social studies, language, and vocational education.
Tertiary education in Ethiopia is offered by universities and technical colleges. Admission to universities is highly competitive, and students must pass the Ethiopian Higher Education Entrance Examination to be considered.
The university curriculum is structured into four-year undergraduate programs and two-year graduate programs. The technical colleges offer vocational education and training in a variety of fields, including
agriculture, health, and engineering.
The Ethiopian government has made significant efforts to improve access to education in recent years, with a particular focus on increasing enrollment rates for girls and students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
However, there are still significant challenges, including insufficient funding, inadequate infrastructure and a shortage of qualified teachers.
