International Schools in Ethiopia
Compare 25 international schools in Ethiopia. Filter by curriculum, fees (average ETB 210,981), location, and more to find the right international school now.
Edited by Nik Higgins · Co-founder & CEO
- Schools listed
- 25
- Curricula
- 23
- Average annual fee
- ETB 11,748
- Fee range
- ETB 2,180 – 37,500
More school facts
- Most common curriculum
- Bespoke Curriculum (12 schools)
- Average school size
- 1,060 pupils
- Largest by enrolment
- International Maarif Schools of Ethiopia
- Oldest
- German Embassy School Addis Ababa (1926)
- With boarding
- 2
About international schools in Ethiopia
International schools in Ethiopia are concentrated mainly in Addis Ababa and serve a mix of expatriate families, returning Ethiopians and local families seeking international qualifications; they commonly offer International Baccalaureate, British (Cambridge) and American-style programmes, and a number operate blended models that include the Ethiopian curriculum. Instruction is typically in English, with Amharic and other local languages offered as subjects or additional language options rather than the medium of instruction. Fees vary widely: some long-established USD-priced schools charge in the low-to-mid five figures per year while smaller or national-curriculum and blended schools are substantially less; for example, a well-established IB/US-model school in Addis published annual tuition figures ranging from about $11,500 for early years to roughly $36,000 for upper secondary for 2024 - 25. Admissions follow an academic year that in many international schools begins around August with two semesters, places can be limited and local-applicant timelines and priority rules differ from those for overseas applicants, so families should check each school’s admissions calendar well before a planned move.
View by curriculum (7)
View by curriculum
20 international schools in Addis Ababa
See all 20 →
2 international schools in Bahir Dar
See all 2 →1 international school in Harar
See all 1 →1 international school in Mekelle
See all 1 →1 international school in Bishoftu
See all 1 →Choosing an international school in Ethiopia
Curricula
There are 25 international schools in Ethiopia covering 23 curricula. The most widely offered are Bespoke Curriculum (12), Cambridge (Secondary) (7), Cambridge IGCSE (7), British Curriculum (7), Cambridge (Primary) (6). If your child may move countries again, an internationally-portable curriculum (IB, or Cambridge/British) keeps options open; if you're likely to settle, a curriculum matching your home or target university system can be the better fit.
Fees & what they cover
Annual tuition across Ethiopia runs from about ETB 2,180 to ETB 37,500, averaging roughly ETB 11,748. Budget for one-off costs on top — application and enrolment fees, a refundable deposit, uniform, transport and exams.
Admissions & timing
Sought-after schools in Ethiopia run waiting lists, so apply early — ideally a term or two ahead. Most admissions involve an application, prior school reports and an assessment or interview, with entry points often tied to the school year. Each school's profile shows term dates, open days and how to enquire.
Boarding
2 of the 25 schools offer boarding — useful if you're relocating or want weekly or full boarding.
How doris stays impartial
doris lists every international school in Ethiopia we can find — not only those that pay. We take no placement fees and sell no rankings or "top school" spots, so the schools above aren't ordered by who paid most. Details come from the schools' own information and public sources, and you can compare any of them side by side.