GEMS Academy Alexandria vs International British School of Alexandria

	G GEMS Academy Alexandria Alexandria, Egypt	I International British School of Alexandria Alexandria, Egypt
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year EGP 8,000 - 77,500	Fees / year EGP 30,000 - 146,000
Age range	Age range 3 - 18 years	Age range 3 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum EYFS (Early years foundation stage), Cambridge IGCSE, British Curriculum, IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP), American Curriculum	Curriculum British Curriculum, EYFS (Early years foundation stage)
Pupils	Pupils 100	Pupils —
Typical class size	Typical class size —	Typical class size —
Instruction language	Instruction language French	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened 2011	Opened 2005
Bus service	Bus service No	Bus service No
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location Kilo 13 Alexandria-Cairo Agricultural Road, Alexandria, Egypt.	Location Agricultural Road, 500 meters past Abees Gate, Alexandria, Egypt. It shares a campus with Molière and is part of the International Schools of Egypt Group (ISE). The campus is in the Abees Gate area of Alexandria.
Stages	Stages Foundation Stage; British School; IB School; American School	Stages Foundation Stage (EYFS); Key Stage 1 – Lower Primary (Years 1–3); Key Stage 2 – Upper Primary (Years 4–6); Key Stage 3 – Lower Secondary (Years 7–9).
School type	School type —	School type Private international day school offering the English National Curriculum; teaching is in English.
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix —
Additional learning support	Additional learning support —	Additional learning support —
Country affiliation	Country affiliation Egypt	Country affiliation United Kingdom (British-style education based on the English National Curriculum)
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation —	Religious affiliation —
School day structure	School day structure —	School day structure —
Bus service details	Bus service details Air-conditioned buses with seat belts; each bus is monitored by staff for student safety. Transportation is available to GAA students.	Bus service details —
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Fees overview (academic year referenced: 2025/2026) Application / registration fee - A registration fee is required to secure an offer and must be paid within 10 days of acceptance to guarantee a place. - Publicly listed figures for a one‑time registration/confirmation charge are EGP 35,000 (reported in local school directories). Annual tuition fees by year group (annual amounts in Egyptian pounds, EGP) - KG 1: EGP 55,500. - KG 2: EGP 55,500. - Primary 1: EGP 58,550. - Primary 2: EGP 58,550. - Primary 3: EGP 58,550. - Primary 4: EGP 64,500. - Primary 5: EGP 64,500. - Primary 6: EGP 70,750. - Preparatory (Year 1): EGP 73,200. - Preparatory (Year 2): EGP 77,500. Notes on tuition amounts - Some local school directories report higher headline figures for early years (for example, FS1/FS2 listed as EGP 100,000 in one directory) and other directories list slightly different historic figures; the list above reflects the detailed year‑group breakdown published in local school directories. Tuition per term / instalments - The school indicates that tuition is payable by instalments; specific per‑term amounts or an official multi‑term schedule are not published in the available public listings. Parents should expect an instalment option rather than a single lump sum. Billing schedule and payment terms - To guarantee a place, the registration fee must be paid within 10 days of notification of acceptance. - The school is described in public directories as operating an instalment payment arrangement for tuition (number and timing of instalments are not published in the available public listings). Sibling discounts are noted in local information listings. Boarding / accommodation fees - No boarding programme or annual boarding fee is listed for GEMS Academy Alexandria in the publicly available school information; only day‑school provision and student transport (bus) are listed. Boarding is therefore not applicable based on available public information. Transport / bus fees - Transport (school bus) fees are published in local listings as a separate additional charge; reported figures vary by source and distance, for example EGP 8,000 in one listing and up to EGP 20,000 in another for minimum distance routes — expect an additional transport charge that depends on route. Other fees and typical additional costs - Textbooks: tuition listings indicate that tuition generally covers school textbooks. - Uniform: a separate uniform cost is not itemised in the public listings; parents should budget for a uniform purchase as an additional one‑off cost (not explicitly quantified in available public listings). - Extra‑curricular activities, sports trips and certain specialist course fees are commonly charged separately by international schools; specific charges for these items are not published in the public listings for GEMS Academy Alexandria. Refund information - The school requires prompt payment of registration fees to secure a place; a formal, published refund policy for registration or tuition is not available in the school's public admission information. Other GEMS schools commonly treat registration/deposit payments as non‑refundable; however, GEMS Academy Alexandria's public admission page does not publish a specific refund schedule. Fee payment options - Local school directories note that tuition is payable by instalments; the school's admission guidance states the registration payment timing but does not publish a comprehensive list of accepted payment methods (bank transfer, card, in‑person). Expect standard institutional payment channels (bank transfer and in‑person payments) to be available; exact accepted methods and any online payment portal are provided to parents during the enrolment process. Final note on availability and currency of figures - A full, official school fee schedule for the 2026/27 academic year was not publicly available in the school's admission pages or in an official fee document at the time of this review. The figures above reflect the detailed year‑group amounts and ancillary charges listed by local school directories and the school's own admission guidance for the academic year information that is publicly posted; reported transport and registration figures vary between sources. For absolute confirmation of per‑term instalment amounts, current transport zones and the school's formal refund and accepted payment methods, refer to the school's admissions office at the time of application.	Fee details School year and currency Fees and payment figures below apply to the School Year 2025/2026 and are shown in EGP (Egyptian pounds). Application fee No separate application or non‑refundable registration fee is published in the school's published fee schedule; an application form must be completed to begin the admissions process. Tuition fees (annual total and three-installment breakdown) — 2025/2026 - FS1 — Annual tuition: EGP 90,000. Payments: EGP 36,000 (40%) + EGP 27,000 (30%) + EGP 27,000 (30%). - FS2 — Annual tuition: EGP 90,000. Payments: EGP 36,000 (40%) + EGP 27,000 (30%) + EGP 27,000 (30%). - Year 1 — Annual tuition: EGP 91,000. Payments: EGP 36,400 (40%) + EGP 27,300 (30%) + EGP 27,300 (30%). - Year 2 — Annual tuition: EGP 110,000. Payments: EGP 44,000 (40%) + EGP 33,000 (30%) + EGP 33,000 (30%). - Year 3 — Annual tuition: EGP 110,000. Payments: EGP 44,000 (40%) + EGP 33,000 (30%) + EGP 33,000 (30%). - Year 4 — Annual tuition: EGP 116,000. Payments: EGP 46,400 (40%) + EGP 34,800 (30%) + EGP 34,800 (30%). - Year 5 — Annual tuition: EGP 116,000. Payments: EGP 46,400 (40%) + EGP 34,800 (30%) + EGP 34,800 (30%). - Year 6 — Annual tuition: EGP 116,000. Payments: EGP 46,400 (40%) + EGP 34,800 (30%) + EGP 34,800 (30%). - Year 7 — Annual tuition: EGP 130,000. Payments: EGP 52,000 (40%) + EGP 39,000 (30%) + EGP 39,000 (30%). - Year 8 — Annual tuition: EGP 131,000. Payments: EGP 52,400 (40%) + EGP 39,300 (30%) + EGP 39,300 (30%). - Year 9 — Annual tuition: EGP 138,000. Payments: EGP 55,200 (40%) + EGP 41,400 (30%) + EGP 41,400 (30%). - Year 10 — Annual tuition: EGP 143,000. Payments: EGP 57,200 (40%) + EGP 42,900 (30%) + EGP 42,900 (30%). - Year 11 — Annual tuition: EGP 146,000. Payments: EGP 58,400 (40%) + EGP 43,800 (30%) + EGP 43,800 (30%). - Year 12 — Annual tuition: EGP 40,000. Payments: EGP 16,000 (40%) + EGP 12,000 (30%) + EGP 12,000 (30%). - Year 13 — Annual tuition: EGP 30,000. Payments: EGP 12,000 (40%) + EGP 9,000 (30%) + EGP 9,000 (30%). All amounts and installment values above are published as the School Tuition Fees for 2025/2026. Billing schedule and payment terms - Tuition is billed on an annual basis with a three‑payment schedule: first instalment at 40% of the annual tuition, followed by two instalments of 30% each. Specific due dates for each instalment are not published on the fee schedule. Boarding fees - The school operates as a day school; no boarding provision or boarding fees are published. Other costs and additional fees - The published tuition schedule does not itemise separate charges for uniforms, transportation, examination charges, activities, meals or textbook packs. Parents should expect that such items (transport, uniforms, extra‑curricular activities and external exam fees) are commonly charged by international schools, but no separate amounts for these items are listed in the school's published tuition schedule. Refund information - A specific refund or payment‑default policy is not published on the school's fee schedule or in the policies index made available with the fees listing. Fee payment options - The published materials do not specify accepted payment methods (bank transfer, card, cash, etc.) or available discounts. The school uses email and its communication systems for administrative contact and notices related to admissions and fees.
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements —	Boarding arrangements —
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement —	Uniform requirement —
Food options	Food options On-site canteen provides food for children and the meals are appealing and healthy. Healthy eating is vital to a child's physical and academic development, and the school encourages children to develop healthy eating habits and family values.	Food options —
House system	House system —	House system —
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership —	Governance and ownership Part of the International Schools of Egypt Group (ISE); IBSA and Molière operate on the same campus.
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details Foundation Stage uses the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework, with Cambridge curriculum knowledge applied in classroom teaching. GEMS Academy Alexandria offers British School, IB School, and American School tracks. The IB continuum is available across nursery to high school (PP, PEI, and DP). German language is taught in upper grades (grades 7–9). ICT & E-learning are integrated across the school with interactive whiteboards and tablets; the library, on-site doctors, transportation and a canteen support student welfare and learning.	Curriculum details IBSA follows an adapted British curriculum based on the National Curriculum for England and Wales, modified to include Egyptian cultural experiences. The Foundation Stage (EYFS) through Key Stage 3 are taught within this framework; the Key Stage pages reflect the English National Curriculum with Egyptian Ministry of Education elements. Arabic is taught through the Arabic Curriculum, and French is offered as a Modern Foreign Language. The curriculum emphasises holistic learning and a strong PSHE program to develop knowledge, skills and global citizenship.
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 a safe, inclusive, and engaging learning environment that supports student-centered learning, character development and personal growth.	Social & emotional learning The Early Years Foundation Stage centers on personal, social and emotional development as one of three prime areas of learning, alongside communication and language and physical development. The school also runs a pastoral and PSHE programme to support students' social and emotional growth toward the school's vision.
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) Teaching is tailored to the specific needs of students.	Special educational needs (SEN) —
English as an additional language	English as an additional language —	English as an additional language —
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing The school creates a safe, inclusive, and engaging learning environment that fosters personal growth.	Mental wellbeing Mental Health & Wellbeing is a PSHE unit that helps students understand issues around mental health and wellbeing, with a focus on removing stigma and building resilience through healthy coping strategies.
Safeguarding	Safeguarding The school prioritizes child safety and protection; it provides air-conditioned buses with seating and seatbelts, a monitor on each bus, on-site doctors, and healthy canteen provisions.	Safeguarding Safeguarding-related topics are addressed through the PSHE/Pastoral Care framework, including Keeping Safe Online, Relationships Education, and anti-bullying measures to promote student safety and well-being.
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview The school has bright, spacious and well-ventilated classrooms. The school has a 2-adult per class policy with a teacher and teaching assistant in each class to support both academic and social needs. The school has a library with books for academic use and for leisure reading, plus a borrowing scheme. The school has gymnasiums, an outdoor pool with a lifeguard, and courts for football and volleyball. The school provides air-conditioned transportation with seating and seatbelts, and a monitor on each bus to ensure student safety.	Facilities overview The school was founded to provide the very best British style of education for the children of Alexandria. It uses an adapted National Curriculum for England and Wales, modified to include the richness of cultural experiences available in Egypt whilst maintaining the discipline and high standards of achievement synonymous with the British Curriculum.
Sports facilities	Sports facilities The school provides ample space and a variety of sporting activities as part of physical education. The school has gymnasiums for indoor activities. The school has an outdoor pool with a lifeguard and several courts and spaces for football and volleyball. The school encourages students to join extra-curricular sporting activities and to compete locally with other schools.	Sports facilities —
Academic facilities	Academic facilities The school has bright, spacious and well-ventilated classrooms. The school has a 2-adult per class policy with a teacher and teaching assistant in every class. The school has a library with books for both academic use and reading for pleasure, plus a borrowing scheme. This combination supports learning across all stages.	Academic facilities The school teaches the National Curriculum for England and Wales in English and modifies it to include cultural experiences available in Egypt while maintaining the discipline and high standards of achievement synonymous with the British Curriculum.
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities The school provides access to gymnasiums for a range of activities. The school has an outdoor pool with a lifeguard. There are courts and spaces for football and volleyball. Students are encouraged to participate in extra-curricular sporting activities and to compete locally with other schools.	Extra curricular facilities —
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History GEMS Academy Alexandria was established in 2011 in the coastal city of Alexandria. The school has two divisions: an IGCSE British Division (including EYFS) and an IB French Division. The school provides a comprehensive educational experience with holistic development and pastoral care. The classrooms are bright, spacious and well ventilated, and child safety is prioritized with continual camera surveillance.	History IBSA was founded to provide the very best British style of education for the children of Alexandria. It uses an adapted curriculum based on the National Curriculum for England and Wales, modified to include the richness of cultural experiences available in Egypt while maintaining the discipline and high standards of the British Curriculum. Our pupils come from both Egyptian and expatriate families, and we provide a broad, international education that is relevant to the times in which we live. The school is guided by values including Respect, Integrity, Responsibility, Commitment, Excellence and Empathy.
Community	Community Building a strong sense of community is important at GAA, and the school uses different Community-Building Approaches to help us be a family. Vision emphasizes holistic development and global citizenship as part of the school's educational experience, underscoring a culture of independent learning and pastoral care. The school fosters a sense of belonging among students and staff by promoting a collaborative, family-like community.	Community IBSA maintains an active school community with regular events that bring students, families and staff together. The school's News and Events section highlights activities such as Sports Week, Book Week and Fun Day, along with other cultural and school-wide events. These events emphasize participation in sports, reading, and community engagement. The community calendar demonstrates ongoing opportunities for family involvement and school pride.
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association —	Parent teacher association —
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual Literacy and Numeracy skills are priorities and are integrated throughout the school curriculum. ICT & E-learning provide access to interactive whiteboards and educational tablets to support 21st-century learning. Science is supported by variety of laboratories designed to develop students' curiosity and enquiry. The school prepares students to be active, informed citizens in a digital world.	Academic & intellectual IBSA uses an adapted English National Curriculum framework, enriched with Egyptian cultural experiences. In Key Stage 2, learning is active through scientific experiments and mathematical investigations, with opportunities to perform. Pupils strengthen interpersonal skills and teamwork through the comprehensive sports programme. The curriculum also encourages pupils to explore future roles as mathematicians, scientists, historians, authors, musicians, or artists.
Arts & creative	Arts & creative Music and Drama are integral to student life, not only as part of the curriculum but as avenues to build creativity and confidence. The school has an expansive two-tier auditorium to showcase student talents. Students are encouraged to express themselves through performances and exhibitions.	Arts & creative Music and Art are part of IBSA's Creative Curriculum and are taught across the early years and primary stages. The EYFS and Key Stage 1 curricula include Music and Art as core creative subjects, with Art and Music listed in Creative Curriculum resources. The curriculum supports expressive arts and design and includes opportunities for musical performances.
Cultural & language	Cultural & language Four languages are taught on campus: French as Language of Instruction, English as Language Acquisition, German language classes guided by the Goethe Institute, and Arabic as Mother Tongue.	Cultural & language Arabic is taught as part of the Modern Foreign Languages program; an Arabic Curriculum is available. French is taught as part of the Modern Foreign Languages program; a French curriculum is downloadable.
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies —	Social & hobbies PSHE programs promote social development, encouraging collaboration, tolerance, respect, and integrity. Students participate in volunteer activities and social settings to develop responsibility and community awareness. A broad range of cultural activities, including music and sport, supports well-rounded social development.
Community & service	Community & service Building a strong sense of community is a priority at GAA. The school uses different Community-Building Approaches to foster a family-like environment. This approach supports collaboration, respect, and social responsibility among students and staff.	Community & service Volunteer activities and community engagement are encouraged.
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional —	Leadership & professional —
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing Physical Education is a major part of the school, with gymnasiums, an outdoor pool with a lifeguard, and courts for football and volleyball. Students are encouraged to join extra-curricular sporting activities and may compete locally with other schools. An on-site doctor is available for medical checks and emergencies. Healthy eating is encouraged via an on-site canteen.	Lifestyle & wellbeing Physical Education is part of the curriculum and supports fitness and physical health through a comprehensive sports programme. PSHE promotes mental health, resilience, and well-being to help students live healthy, balanced lives.
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision French is the language of instruction; English is taught as a language acquisition; German language classes are guided by the Goethe Institute; Arabic is the mother tongue.	Language provision The school offers Modern Foreign Languages, including Arabic and French. An Arabic Curriculum is provided. A French Curriculum is offered at Key Stage 1. The curriculum is based on the National Curriculum for England and Wales.
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching French is the language of instruction on campus. English is taught as a language acquisition. German language classes are offered with Goethe Institute guidance, and Arabic is the mother tongue. GAA aims to offer the IB continuum in French for ages 3 to 18, including English, Arabic and an Additional Language.	Bilingual teaching —
Immersion programs	Immersion programs —	Immersion programs —
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards —	Awards —
Accreditations	Accreditations —	Accreditations —
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions Admission Process: New families are welcomed to complete a student application form and tour the facilities. If you live outside of Egypt, information is provided by telephone or email and the student application form is emailed accordingly. The school has two divisions: an IGCSE British Division (including EYFS) and an IB French Division. After submission, the registrar will contact you to schedule a 1:1 student assessment with a teacher to gauge your child's academic level; during the assessment you may meet the School Principal to discuss questions about school life. Please bring your child's previous report cards for review. If accepted, the registrar will provide full enrollment details. To guarantee a place, registration fees must be paid within 10 days after notification of acceptance and all necessary paperwork must be submitted. Online Admission is available; upon arrival you will receive a private campus tour along with the interview.	Admissions 1. The admission process begins a year in advance of the September admission. Families should plan ahead for the September start, following the stated timeline. MOE regulations apply to admissions and will be observed throughout the process. 2. The purpose is to ensure admissions are fair, open and consistent, reflect the school's vision and values, and support the English National Curriculum. The procedures are designed to ensure that admitted students receive a quality education that meets their needs. The MOE regulations govern age requirements and other stipulations for admission. The procedures are communicated clearly to prospective families. 3. Responsibilities: The school will ensure that all enrolment information is clearly communicated and MOE regulations are followed, determine enrolment numbers per grade, and oversee the communications with parents regarding acceptance and the offer of a place. Parents will enrol their age-appropriate child and provide all required documentation, and pay the stipulated fees within the applicable due dates. Parents will ensure that their child is present for baseline testing and any interviews at the scheduled time. They will provide pertinent information so the school can ensure their child is understood, well cared for, and can make progress. 4. Procedures: Criteria for Admission require sufficient space for the student to be enrolled in the appropriate year level. All required documentation must be received, including an ISE family questionnaire, medical records, and previous school records (including report cards for the previous three years, if applicable), plus any transfer certificate or other relevant documentation. If prior records are deemed authentic, the final stage includes an entrance assessment appropriate to the child's age and a face-to-face interview with the Head of School attended by both parents. A prospective student will be given priority for an available place if the child is the offspring of a school educator or if a sibling is already accepted and attending. The offer of a place is first-come, first-served for available places, and acceptance of the placement must be provided in writing within a given deadline. 5. Orientation: At least one orientation and information day will be provided for prospective parents and students in late May or June, and one for admitted students and parents in late August at the start of the school year. The Admissions Officer welcomes all enrolling families during orientation. 6. Enrolment Register: An application form must be completed and submitted for each student. The form collects details such as the child's name, date of birth, father's name, mother's name, phone number, email address, year group, district, and country as applicable. The information is used to process enrolment and to arrange testing and interviews as needed.
Scholarships	Scholarships —	Scholarships —
Waitlist	Waitlist —	Waitlist —
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