International Curriculum International Schools in Lagos, Nigeria
Compare 5 International Curriculum international schools in Lagos, Nigeria. Filter by curriculum, fees (average NGN 7,320,450), location, and more to find the right international school now.
International-curriculum schools in Lagos form a large, mixed market that serves expatriate, diplomatic, oil-and-gas and returning Nigerian families and is concentrated along the Victoria Island/Ikoyi - Lekki corridor and in mainland clusters such as Ikeja. Most schools offer British qualifications (Cambridge IGCSE and A-Level pathways), the International Baccalaureate (PYP/MYP/DP) and American-style or dual-diploma programmes, and there are also French and other single-language schools on the island. English is the normal medium of instruction, while French, German and Spanish are commonly offered alongside local languages (Yoruba is taught at many schools in Lagos). Fees vary widely depending on location and programme - many international options fall in a mid-range measured in hundreds of thousands to low millions of naira per year, while premium schools charge substantially more - and families should expect applications, records and assessments well before a September term start under Lagos’s three-term calendar.
What international curricula are commonly offered in Lagos and how do they differ?
The most common options are British (Cambridge IGCSE and A-Level), the International Baccalaureate (PYP/MYP/DP) and American-style high-school pathways (US diploma/AP). British programmes are exam-driven with staged public qualifications, the IB emphasises inquiry, continuous assessment and the DP for university preparation, and American pathways typically centre on a US diploma plus optional AP or SAT preparation; French schools follow the French national programme in French. Schools will often combine or offer transfer routes between these systems, so check specific subject and university-entry support with each school.
How much do international schools in Lagos cost?
Tuition varies substantially: many schools sit in a mid-range where annual fees are measured in hundreds of thousands to a few million naira, and a typical figure reported across the market sits around the mid-range of that band; there are also premium schools charging many millions of naira (equivalent to tens of thousands of US dollars). In addition to tuition expect extra charges for registration/acceptance levies, transport, uniforms and exam or activity fees, and some schools require an acceptance payment to secure a place. Budget carefully for both tuition and these recurring extras.
When does the school year run and how far ahead should I apply?
Most international and private schools in Lagos align to the Lagos State three-term academic calendar that runs roughly from September to July, and the state publishes harmonised resumption and term dates (schools following international programmes may apply for permitted date flexibility). Places for nursery and other key entry years can fill many months in advance, so families usually begin enquiries and applications in the previous term/season and should allow time for assessments, interviews and document checks.
What language support and second languages can my child expect?
English is the primary medium of instruction in virtually every international-curriculum school you will consider; French-language schools and other single-language institutions teach mainly in their language of origin. Most international schools also offer modern languages such as French, German or Spanish and include local languages - Yoruba is commonly taught or offered as part of the programme in Lagos schools - either as a subject or via cultural activities. If bilingual or immersion provision is essential, check each school’s staffing and native-speaker availability.
What documents and assessments do schools typically require for admission?
Schools commonly ask for a completed application form plus proof of identity (passport and/or birth certificate), immigration or residency documentation if applicable, recent school reports or transcripts and an up-to-date immunisation record. Many schools also hold an entrance assessment or interview, and places can be subject to waiting lists and a deposit or acceptance fee once offered; if your child has additional learning needs, provide any previous assessments so the school can advise on suitability.
