Capital International Schools vs GEMS International School Cairo

	C Capital International Schools Cairo, Egypt	G GEMS International School Cairo Cairo, Egypt
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year EGP 100,000 - 204,500	Fees / year EGP 122,243 - 184,831
Age range	Age range 3 - 18 years	Age range 3 - 18 years
Type	Type —	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum American Curriculum, Advanced Placement (AP), Cambridge (Primary), Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels, Pearson Edexcel IGCSE, IB (DP), EYFS (Early years foundation stage)	Curriculum American Curriculum, IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP)
Pupils	Pupils —	Pupils 1,400
Typical class size	Typical class size 22	Typical class size —
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened 2016	Opened 2022
Bus service	Bus service No	Bus service No
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location Main Campus: Area 17 KH-El Narges district - New Cairo, Egypt; Lotus Campus: Golden Square, Plot 114E, Northern, North Lotus	Location Al Rehab Extension, Zone 8, New Cairo, Egypt. The campus is in the New Cairo area.
Stages	Stages FS / KG; American School; British School; IGCSE; IB Diploma Programme	Stages Early Years; Elementary; Middle-High School.
School type	School type The school offers American, British and IB Diploma Programmes.	School type IB World School offering PYP, MYP, and DP and the American International Curriculum; international day school.
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix —
Additional learning support	Additional learning support —	Additional learning support Support and Inclusion Department; SEN Specialists include Alaa Lasheen and Noha Thabet.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation United Kingdom and United States	Country affiliation —
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation —	Religious affiliation —
School day structure	School day structure —	School day structure Ramadan working hours: 8:30 to 2:00.
Bus service details	Bus service details —	Bus service details Option Travel provides bus transport for all students; 300+ buses with GPS tracking, pick-up/drop-off notifications, and speed control; well-trained drivers and bus supervisors. Contact 01033715744 or [email protected].
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Application & assessment fees - Application fee: EGP 4,000 (one‑off at time of application). - New‑student evaluation / assessment fee: EGP 2,000 (one‑off). Tuition fees by year group (published for the 2025/2026 academic year) - Pre‑School (Preschool): Annual tuition EGP 100,000 — Per term (three equal terms) EGP 33,333.33. - KG1–KG2: Annual tuition EGP 183,500 — Per term (three equal terms) EGP 61,166.67. - Grade 1–5: Annual tuition EGP 192,000 — Per term (three equal terms) EGP 64,000.00. - Grade 6: Annual tuition EGP 204,500 — Per term (three equal terms) EGP 68,166.67. - Grade 7–9: Annual tuition EGP 214,500 — Per term (three equal terms) EGP 71,500.00. Boarding fees - Boarding: Not applicable. Capital International Schools is presented as a day school; no boarding fees or boarding provision are published. Other costs and typical ancillary fees - Books: The published tuition figures are noted to include book costs in the school's published fee summary. - School bus / transportation: Annual bus fees shown in published material (example amounts published): EGP 39,000 (main campus summary). Separate campus listings show similar bus fees (examples: EGP 35,000 on Lotus campus listings). Parents should expect an annual bus charge if using school transport. - Uniforms, lunch, extra‑curricular activities, examination fees and some assessed tests: these items are commonly charged in addition to tuition at comparable international schools; the school's Lotus campus listings show separate book/resource amounts for particular grades. Where a separate charge is published for a grade (for example book or resource lists), that amount is listed alongside the tuition on campus‑specific notices. Parents should budget for optional services (lunch, extra activities) where applicable. Billing schedule and payment terms - Academic structure and instalments: The admissions/registration system lists three academic terms (Term 1, Term 2, Term 3). Per‑term amounts above are shown as the annual tuition divided into three equal instalments to reflect the school's three‑term billing framework; the school's online admission form references the three terms. (Per‑term amounts in this summary are calculated from the published annual tuition divided by three.) - Timing and immediate charges: Application and assessment fees are payable at application/registration. Transport and other optional services are typically charged on an annual basis or per term depending on the service; parents selecting transport will incur the annual bus fee. Refund information - No published, detailed refund policy for application, registration, tuition or transport charges was located in the school's publicly posted fee summaries for the 2025/2026 academic year. Where a school does publish a refundable deposit or specific refund rules those are normally called out in the terms and conditions or fee schedule; no such itemised refund clause was found in the fee information available for 2025/2026. Parents should treat application and assessment charges as one‑off payments unless otherwise advised in formal acceptance paperwork. Fee payment options - Publicly listed payment methods are not itemised in the published fee listings found for 2025/2026. The school operates an online admissions/parent portal (Engage) which indicates an electronic payment and invoicing workflow is in use for applications and registrations; expect standard options such as bank transfer and card payments to be available through the school's finance office or online portal, but the school's published materials do not provide a definitive, itemised list of accepted payment channels. Contact the school's admissions/finance office for confirmed payment methods when completing registration. Practical notes (brief) - The figures provided above are the published annual tuition amounts for the 2025/2026 academic year and the one‑off application/evaluation charges shown in the school's published fee summaries. Per‑term amounts shown are calculated by dividing the published annual tuition by three because the school's admissions form lists three academic terms; that calculation is an arithmetic division to present per‑term instalments consistent with the school's three‑term billing framework. What was not found in the public fee materials - The publicly available fee information for 2025/2026 did not include a clear, itemised refund policy, detailed payment‑method list (bank account numbers or card merchant details), explicit per‑term invoices/dates, or published late‑payment penalties tied specifically to Capital International Schools. The school's admissions/finance office or formal contract at acceptance normally supplies these operational details; they were not present in the fee summaries located for 2025/2026.	Fee details Application and Assessment Fees - Application fee: EGP 1,700 (one-off payable at application). - Assessment fee: An assessment fee is required to confirm an assessment/booking for entry; this must be settled before the assessment takes place. - Re-registration / enrolment deposit for returning students: EGP 15,000 (one-off at re-enrolment). Tuition fees by year group (annual amounts) - Pre-K / KG1–KG2: EGP 122,243 per year. - Grade 1–2: EGP 152,635 per year. - Grade 3–5: EGP 167,845 per year. - Grade 6–9: EGP 184,831 per year. Tuition fees per term (three-term billing - equal instalments) - Per-term amounts (three equal terms) are: 1) Pre-K / KG1–KG2: EGP 40,748 per term; 2) Grade 1–2: EGP 50,879 per term; 3) Grade 3–5: EGP 55,948 per term; 4) Grade 6–9: EGP 61,610 per term. The school operates a three-term academic year. Billing schedule and payment terms - First school payment is required within 7 days of receiving the formal Enrollment Offer Letter. - Invoices are issued electronically; families receive a payment link via message/email and may pay online using the link. Payment can be made by credit/debit card (Visa and MasterCard in EGP) or via the school's installment options offered through the online payment process. - Transport fees (if purchased) require a down payment to secure a seat; the remainder is payable in scheduled instalments (transport down payment adjustable against the first instalment; remainder payable in two instalments, typically timed around the start of the academic year and mid-term). Term dates and term lengths follow the school academic calendar. Boarding fees - Boarding facilities are not offered; the school operates as a day school with on-campus academic and co-curricular facilities and an optional school transport service. Other costs and typical additional fees - School transport: Bus fares are offered as an optional paid service; published local summaries show a typical range of EGP 20,500–27,500 for annual bus service (route and exact fare depend on pick-up/drop-off location). The bus service is charged as an annual fee with a down payment and instalment schedule. - Uniforms and school clothing: Uniforms are purchased through the school's authorised online supplier (shopping4school), with individual item pricing shown on that supplier's online store. Families buy required pieces (uniform set, PE kit, etc.) through the online shop. - Other standard extras commonly charged: optional after-school activities / clubs, school trips, examination fees for external qualifications (where applicable in upper years), books/learning resources, and individual consumables; these are charged in addition to tuition when applicable. (Transport and activity billing follows the school's invoicing schedule.) Refunds and cancellations - Refunds are processed only through the original mode of payment used for the transaction. The school maintains a refund and cancellation policy for online payments and related transactions. Fee payment options and accepted methods - Online credit/debit card payments (Visa and MasterCard) in EGP via the school's secure payment link. Installment payment options are available through the online payment flow. Families receive invoice links by email/SMS and use the online gateway to pay. Important administrative notes on payments - Transport enrolment is confirmed only after payment of the transport down payment and any required re-enrolment deposit; transport fees are not refundable once the service has been used for any period. Transport payments are typically split into scheduled instalments covering the full academic year. - The school requires the initial payment to be made promptly after the offer and uses electronic invoicing; families should ensure payments are made by the requested due dates to secure enrolment and transportation places.
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements —	Boarding arrangements —
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement —	Uniform requirement The school has a uniform; uniforms can be purchased online by grade or by product.
Food options	Food options The school has eight cafeterias on site.	Food options The school has a canteen; snack and lunch provision is referenced in newsletters with information to be provided about the canteen service.
House system	House system —	House system —
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership The school is governed by a Board of Directors.	Governance and ownership The school is part of the GEMS Education network.
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details British School, American School, and IB Diploma Programme (IB DP) are offered. The school provides MYP (Grades 9–10) and DP (Grades 11–12). There are two campuses: Main Campus and Lotus Campus. Entry Year Groups span from Year 1 to Year 12 across British and American streams, with DP1 and DP2 available in the Diploma Programme. The American School option allows selecting a second language: French, German, or Spanish.	Curriculum details IB Continuum (PYP, MYP, and DP). From Pre-K to G11.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio —	Student teacher ratio —
Exam results	Exam results —	Exam results —
Higher education progression	Higher education progression —	Higher education progression —
Gifted and talented	Gifted and talented —	Gifted and talented —
Academic calendar	Academic calendar —	Academic calendar —
Wellbeing & support	Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning	Social & emotional learning The school fosters individualized experiences within a supportive community, enabling each child to develop into an independent, confident, and capable young learner with well-rounded cognitive, social, and emotional skills. It provides a caring atmosphere that caters for each child's needs and supports an excellent academic environment.	Social & emotional learning The program develops students' academic, social, and emotional wellbeing. It gives every student a voice, choice, and ownership in learning. It uses a transdisciplinary, inquiry-based approach with real-world contexts to build intercultural understanding. Life skills are embedded alongside academics, including interpersonal skills, self-management, and communication. This combination supports students' ongoing social and emotional development.
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) The school identifies a student's areas of weakness through assessments and addresses those areas through a variety of support plans.	Special educational needs (SEN) EAL support is provided by dedicated EAL teachers as part of the school's inclusion provisions. The EAL program is led by a Language Acquisition Department. EAL teachers include Farah Hassan and Hend Wahby. Soha Abd El Gawad is Head of Language Acquisition Department. The Middle and High School Program includes Language Acquisition (World Language) as part of its subjects.
English as an additional language	English as an additional language —	English as an additional language EAL support is provided by dedicated EAL teachers and a Language Acquisition Department. Farah Hassan and Hend Wahby serve as EAL teachers, and Soha Abd El Gawad leads Language Acquisition. The Middle and High School Program includes Language Acquisition (World Language) as a subject.
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing The IB Diploma Programme has been designed to address the intellectual, social, emotional and physical well-being of students.	Mental wellbeing The Elementary Program emphasizes students' wellbeing, including social and emotional aspects. It integrates life skills alongside academics and supports interpersonal skills, self-management, and communication. The program aims to foster a reflective, inquiry-based learning culture that connects learning to real-world contexts and diverse cultural perspectives.
Safeguarding	Safeguarding The wellbeing of students is the number one priority. Any concerns or signs of abuse or neglect are immediately reported to a Child Protection Officer. Students in need of psychological and moral support have access to the school psychologist and class advocate.	Safeguarding Safeguarding policies are in place and overseen by a dedicated Safeguarding Team. A GEMS Safeguarding Policy defines child protection procedures for the school community. The current policy version POLCSG001V4 is effective from 01 August 2024 and is scheduled for annual review; an Egypt-specific safeguarding policy (v2) is also available.
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview Capital International Schools have two campuses, American and British, in New Cairo. The campus provides a range of facilities, including three computer labs per school, a Mac lab, four science labs per school (elementary, physics, biology, chemistry), and four music studios. It also features a gymnasium, a semi-Olympic heated swimming pool, eight cafeterias, three libraries per school, two dining halls, an auditorium with a 700-person capacity, and an innovation lab. The school has play areas, art studios, lecture halls, two tennis courts, two basketball courts, and 700 m3 soccer courts. Classrooms are spacious, bright, ventilated, well-furnished, and equipped with smart boards and high-tech teaching solutions.	Facilities overview The school is the first purpose-built, high-tech, and environmentally conscious GEMS IB Continuum School in Egypt, located in Rehab 2, New Cairo. It serves students from Pre-K to G11. It is an IB World School authorized to offer the Primary Years Programme, Middle Years Programme, and Diploma Programme. A gallery of facilities includes a Football Court, a Makerspace, a Multi-Purpose Hall, a Design Tech Lab, a Library, and a Pool.
Sports facilities	Sports facilities Key sports facilities include two basketball courts, two tennis courts, soccer courts, a gymnasium, and a semi-Olympic, covered and heated swimming pool.	Sports facilities Football Court provides outdoor playing space for team and individual sports. Pool provides aquatic facilities. Multi-Purpose Hall supports indoor physical activities.
Academic facilities	Academic facilities Academic facilities include four science labs per school (elementary, physics, biology, chemistry), a Mac lab, and three computer labs per school. Two lecture halls, an innovation lab, art studios, music studios, and libraries support learning.	Academic facilities The Library, Makerspace, and Design Tech Lab are academic facilities.
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities —	Extra curricular facilities —
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History Capital International Schools was founded in 2016. The school is governed by a Board of Directors. The expansion included the opening of the Lotus Campus. The superintendent message emphasizes partnerships with families as a core part of ongoing growth and the school's commitment to holistic education.	History GEMS International School Cairo opened in 2022 in Rehab 2, New Cairo, as the first purpose-built, high-tech, environmentally conscious GEMS IB Continuum school in Egypt. It is part of the GEMS Education network and offers the Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP), and Diploma Programme (DP). For the 2026-27 school year, enrollment is projected to reach just under 1,400 students from PreK through Grade 12. The school emphasises inclusion and diversity and aims to develop global citizens.
Community	Community Community events and cultural activities are featured in CIS News, including orientations and start dates for Lotus Campus 2025-2026 and Main Campus 2025-2026; the Annual Art Exhibition 2025 at the American School; Book Character Day; and the CIS Football Tournament, which showcases competitions and cup wins by CIS British and American high school teams in Ramadan tournaments.	Community From the inception of GEMS International School Cairo, personal values have been central to plans for the highest quality educational experience. GEMS Core Values and Gems of Kindness are embedded in the GISC Legacy, with students described as Inspiring Leaders, Future Thinkers, Fearless Explorers, and Diversity Ambassadors. Within the International Baccalaureate continuum, global citizenship is a required cornerstone throughout the curriculum.
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association —	Parent teacher association —
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual The Innovation Lab is a hub of creativity where students discover, create, and develop ideas using makerspace tools. It prepares students to navigate the world with innovative thinking. Students have the opportunity to participate in national and international school competitions through the Innovation Lab. The initiative develops critical thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork.	Academic & intellectual The school offers the IB Continuum: Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP), and Diploma Programme (DP). MAP Tests are administered three times a year for Grades 2 through 11. The curriculum combines an American International Curriculum with IB principles to support holistic development. Teaching emphasizes inquiry, action, and reflection, helping students develop independent thinking and problem-solving.
Arts & creative	Arts & creative Art Studios and four Music Studios support visual and performing arts on campus. AP Art Classes are offered within the American program. An Annual Art Exhibition is held for Grades 1–12, including IB and AP artists. The American Gallery showcases events such as the American Talent Show, Wax Museum, Shark Tank, MFL Spelling Bee, and Art Awards Ceremony.	Arts & creative Facilities include a Makerspace, a Design Tech Lab, a library, and a Multi-Purpose Hall. The campus supports performing and visual arts. Culinary arts are offered as extracurricular activities. A football court and pool complement arts-based pursuits with opportunities for performance and creativity outside the classroom.
Cultural & language	Cultural & language Book Character Day is featured among CIS News events. MFL Spelling Bee is listed in the American Gallery. Quraan Competition is included among school activities. American MUN is part of student opportunities.	Cultural & language In Early Years, English language knowledge is refined and a second language is introduced. World languages are part of the program. The IB Programme fosters international-mindedness and global engagement.
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies CIS Football Tournament is hosted, with CIS British and American High School teams achieving success in Ramadan football competitions. The campus facilities include soccer courts, two basketball courts, and two tennis courts for sports activities. A multipurpose hall and gymnasium support a wide range of athletic activities.	Social & hobbies Facilities including the Makerspace, library, and Multi-Purpose Hall support clubs and collaborative activities. Sports facilities such as a football court and a pool enable physical recreation. The school environment encourages social and creative collaboration among students.
Community & service	Community & service CIS Code Of Kindness Campaign promotes intentional acts of kindness within the school community.	Community & service Community service clubs exist at GISC. Debates and international affairs clubs are part of student activities, alongside culinary arts offerings as extracurricular options. These activities support social responsibility and global engagement.
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional Design my Class Workshop, led with Engineer Mona Hussein Design House, exposed senior students and alumni to real-world challenges. American MUN is part of student leadership and debate opportunities, alongside activities such as the American Talent Show and related competitions.	Leadership & professional Debate and international affairs clubs are part of student activities. The IB Continuum and American International Curriculum support leadership and global citizenship. The school emphasizes a values-driven community and future readiness to develop student leadership.
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing The campus features a semi-Olympic, covered and heated swimming pool. There is a gymnasium on site. Outdoor athletic facilities include two basketball courts and two tennis courts, along with soccer courts for diverse sports and fitness activities.	Lifestyle & wellbeing The campus is environmentally conscious and modern. Sports facilities include a football court and a pool to support physical activity. The school emphasizes inclusion and diversity, contributing to a supportive wellbeing environment.
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision English is the instructional and communication language in the British Programme. French and German are offered as second languages in the British School, and Arabic Language, Religious Studies, and Egyptian Social Studies are taught under the Egyptian Ministry of Education curriculum. The American Programme provides foreign languages—French, German and Spanish—starting in Grade 1. In the IB Diploma Programme, students study at least two languages and may take examinations in English, French or Spanish.	Language provision English is the language and Literature subject; Arabic is Language and Literature (Arabic). Language Acquisition (World Language) is offered as a World Language course. The curriculum spans Early Years through the Diploma Programme (DP), within an IB continuum (PYP, MYP, DP).
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching —	Bilingual teaching English and Arabic are taught as language subjects. Language and Literature are offered in English and in Arabic. A World Language (Language Acquisition) course is included.
Immersion programs	Immersion programs —	Immersion programs —
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards —	Awards null
Accreditations	Accreditations —	Accreditations GISC is an IB World School authorized to offer the PYP, MYP, and DP, making it a continuum school. It has Cognia accreditation as an outstanding School of Distinction, membership in the UN Global Schools Program, affiliate membership in NESA, and IB Schools in Egypt Association (IBSEA). It also holds a Certificate of Excellence from Excellence in Education Expat.
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions Admissions Procedures: The Admissions Office is open Sunday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. School tours are scheduled at 11:00 a.m. on Mondays for the British School and 10:00 a.m. on Wednesdays for the American School. To schedule a tour, call the Front Desk at 01000093155 or 01000087742. Complete the Online Application to receive a confirmation email. Within one week of submitting the application, visit the Admission Office to schedule your child's assessment and the family interview. The final decision is communicated within five working days after the assessment. Required documents include: original birth certificate (Egyptian students); copy of student's passport and residence visa valid for at least six months (non-Egyptian students); two passport photos; copies of mother and father's IDs or passports; copies of academic reports for the last two academic years and this year's term report; letter of good conduct from the previous school for students in Year 1 and above; nursery report for KG I and FS I; for American high school, an official transcript of courses and credits (Grades 9–12). Assessments include: FS/KG – one-on-one and group observations; Years 1–3 – one-on-one; older years – English and Math assessment plus a family interview. British School: Mondays at 11:00 a.m.; American School: Wednesdays at 10:00 a.m. Address: Area 17 KH-El Narges district, New Cairo, Egypt. Phone: +2-260-565-66 / +2-260-565-68. Additional contacts: +20-100-009-3155 / +20-100-008-7742.	Admissions 1. Provide details by filling the Interest Form for our admission team to contact you with further details. The team will contact you to discuss your child's needs and the next steps. This initial contact sets expectations and timelines for the application. You can expect a follow-up from the admissions team after submission. 2. Download and fill out the GISC Application Form to share with our admission team in person or by email. The form collects information about the student and family. The admissions team will acknowledge receipt and guide you toward the next steps. You will receive a reply with further instructions. 3. Submit the required documents, see the Required Documents section below. Submit the documents listed in the Required Documents section. The documents are reviewed by the admissions team as part of the decision process. If additional information is needed, the team will request it. 4. You will receive a call from our admissions' team to book your child's assessment date from the available assessment slots according to his/her grade level. The team will propose suitable dates and times. Families should select a slot that works and confirm. The admissions team will provide details about the assessment day. 5. Settle the assessment fees to confirm your booking. Pay the assessment fees to confirm the booking. The admissions team will provide payment details. After payment, the booking is secured. 6. Attend with your child for the assessment and the family interview on the scheduled date. The assessment procedures vary by grade level. The family interview allows the school to understand the child's needs and goals. Please arrive on time with required documents. 7. Successful students will be contacted within 72 hours from the assessment date. The notification will include whether enrollment is offered and next steps. Families should monitor email and phone for a response. The admissions team may request additional information if needed. 8. You will need to make your first school payment within 7 days from receiving the Enrollment Offer Letter. The Enrollment Offer Letter will outline the due date. Payment confirms enrollment and secures the place. Late payment may affect enrollment.
Scholarships	Scholarships —	Scholarships The Egypt Education Platform (EEP) Scholarship Program offers a range of scholarships to recognize exceptional student achievement. The program includes the Academic Scholarship, the Co-Curricular Scholarship, the Top Attendance Scholarship, the Academic University Award, and the Study Abroad Scholarship. Each scholarship offers the chance to receive financial support, industry mentorship, and access to the GIS network. The Academic Scholarship rewards academic excellence; the Co-Curricular Scholarship recognizes talents in arts, sports, and various other areas; the Top Attendance Scholarship recognizes consistent attendance; the Academic University Award supports top graduates pursuing higher education at prestigious institutions; and the Study Abroad Scholarship provides a financial award to outstanding students to study abroad.
Waitlist	Waitlist —	Waitlist —
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