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International Community School of Addis Ababa

Ethiopia, Addis Ababa

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees ETB 2,609,354 - 36,520
Ages 3 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 1000
Type Co-educational
Opened 1964
Bus Service No
Availability Not shared by this school
Academic offering
Curriculum IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP), IBCP (International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme), BTEC Qualification, Bespoke Curriculum
Taught languages English, French, Spanish, Afrikaans, German, Swahili, Italian, Arabic, Mandarin, Portuguese
Typical class size 24
Strengths Sport, Visual and Creative Arts, STEM
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Community and Service
Stages Early Years, Preschool, Primary School, Middle School, High School
Introduction

International Community School of Addis Ababa is a non-profit international school in Ethiopia serving students aged 3 to 18. It is an IB World School offering a full continuum: the Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP), Diploma Programme (DP), and Career-related Programme (CP). In addition, the school provides a BTEC qualification and a bespoke curriculum. The DP has been offered since 1982, with the CP added to complete the continuum. The 15-acre campus hosts two grass fields, a FIFA-certified pitch, a 25-meter Aquatics Center and hubs for Elementary and Middle School, plus High School Art Room. An Office of Learning Garden anchors outdoor learning with a student-run garden. ICS draws from over 70 nationalities and offers 200+ activities, 17 service clubs, Model United Nations, a STEAM team, ISSEA participation. The Eagles Leadership Program and Home Language Program with eight languages reinforce student leadership, service, and intercultural engagement globally.

www.icsaddis.org

Vibes and Culture
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The Essentials

International Community School of Addis Ababa has 1,000 pupils, typical class sizes of 24, instruction in English.

Location
Mauritania Rd, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Stages
Early Years 3 to Grade 12 (Primary, Middle, and High School)

Type
Non-profit international school

Pupil Nationality Mix
80+ nationalities represented among our school community

Additional learning support
Learning Support in each grade; English as an Additional Language (EAL); Occupational Therapy; Speech and Language Therapy; Counseling; Evaluations; Student Transition Educational Program

Country affiliation
Ethiopia

School day structure
School hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 8:00 AM–3:20 PM (3:25 PM for MS/HS); Wednesday 8:00 AM–2:00 PM (2:05 PM for MS/HS); After School Activities 3:30–4:30 PM
Diving Deeper
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Fees

Annual tuition at International Community School of Addis Ababa ranges from ETB 2,609,354 to ETB 36,520 for 2026/27.

Tuition fees (annual and per semester, by grade level)

- Early Years 3–4 (Half Day): Annual tuition USD 11,760 — Per semester USD 5,880.
- Early Years 3–4 (Full Day): Annual tuition USD 19,130 — Per semester USD 9,565.
- Early Years 5 (Kindergarten) / Grades 1–5: Annual tuition USD 29,520 — Per semester USD 14,760.
- Grades 6–8 (Middle School): Annual tuition USD 33,480 — Per semester USD 16,740.
- Grades 9–10 (High School): Annual tuition USD 35,120 — Per semester USD 17,560.
- Grades 11–12 (High School): Annual tuition USD 36,520 — Per semester USD 18,260.

All tuition figures are in United States dollars (USD). Semester tuition is half of the annual tuition; semester tuition and the annual capital fee must be paid in full for any student enrolled for any portion of a semester.

Application, registration and capital fees

- New student application fee (all grades): USD 300 (non‑refundable).
- New student capital fee:
- Early Years 3–4: USD 300 (credited toward the EY5 capital fee).
- Early Years 5 – Grade 12: USD 10,000.
- Returning student registration fee (credited toward next year's tuition): USD 300 (non‑refundable).
- Returning student capital fee:
- Early Years 3–4: USD 300 (credited toward EY5).
- Early Years 5: USD 10,000.
- Grades 1–12: USD 1,500.

Billing schedule and payment terms

- The school year is divided into two semesters. Tuition and capital fee payments are due two weeks before the first day of each semester.
- Payment deadlines (example schedule): organizations pay annual tuition and capital fee by 31 July; individuals must pay first semester tuition and full capital fee by 31 July and second semester tuition by 26 December. Tuition and capital fees must be paid in full before a student may attend classes.
- Late payment finance charges: up to two weeks after invoice due date — 2.5% of the total amount due; between two and six weeks — 5% of the total amount due. If payments are not made within six weeks of the original due date, the student(s) will not be permitted to attend classes or participate in school events until all amounts and finance charges for the entire semester (or year for organizations) are paid in full.

Boarding fees

- Boarding is not charged; there are no separate boarding fees listed (no boarding programme fees apply).

Other costs and optional fees

- Lunch (charged separately; lunch deposits must be made in cash).
- Laptop deposit (Grades 6–8) and laptop purchase (Grades 9–12).
- International athletics and activities trips (variable, charged as applicable).
- Uniform for physical education and sports (Grades 4–12).
- Specialized student support (when required):
- Speech and Language Therapy (annual): USD 1,950.
- Occupational Therapy (annual): USD 1,950.
- STEP Program Level 1 (annual): USD 5,880 (includes SLT and OT services).
- STEP Program Level 2 (annual): USD 9,790 (includes SLT and OT services).
- Specialized assessments: If required by the school — one‑time USD 500; if requested by the family — one‑time USD 2,000.
- Families with more than two children receive tuition reductions applied to the third and subsequent children: 3rd child = 5% reduction; 4th child = 10% reduction; 5th and subsequent = 15% reduction (applies to annual tuition only).

Refund information and cancellation policy

- Cancellation of enrollment must be communicated to the Registrar in writing.
- If cancellation is received before the first day of a semester: tuition and capital fee payments already made will be refunded in full for semester 1 cancellations; if cancellation is before semester 2 begins, semester 2 tuition will be refunded in full.
- If cancellation is communicated on or after the first day of a semester: there is no refund of the semester tuition or the capital fee.
- Application and registration fees and the annual capital fee are paid in full and are not prorated or refundable.
- If the campus is closed and the school moves to online delivery for reasons beyond the school's reasonable control, tuition will not be refunded.

Fee payment options and practical payment details

- All tuition and fees must be paid in USD or other hard currency. Accepted payment methods: cash, personal USD check, wire transfer, NR check or FCY check. Cash and checks may be submitted to the Cashier Office; cash payments over USD 2,000 must be deposited directly at the bank.
- Credit card payments can be accepted directly at the school cashier for small transactions (for example, application fee or laptop deposit); larger tuition payments are normally handled by check or wire transfer. Lunch deposits must be made in cash. The school cannot provide refunds in USD cash; refunds are made in Ethiopian birr cash, USD check, or by bank transfer.
- Wire / bank transfer details: the school maintains a US bank account (TD Bank NA) for USD transfers and provides routing and SWIFT instructions; parents are instructed to include the student name and grade on the transfer and to submit transfer confirmation to the Business Office. All bank transfer costs and fees are the responsibility of the payer. Contact the Business Office / Accounts Receivable for full payment details.
Academics

International Community School of Addis Ababa teaches IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP), IBCP (International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme), BTEC Qualification, Bespoke Curriculum for students aged 3 to 18.

Curriculum
ICS Addis is an IB World School offering a full IB continuum. It provides the Primary Years Programme (PYP) for Elementary, the Middle Years Programme (MYP) for Grades 6–8 in the Middle School and Grades 9–10 in the High School, the Diploma Programme (DP) for Grades 11–12, and the Career-related Programme (CP) for Grades 11–12. The DP has been offered since 1982 and the CP was added to complete the continuum. The MYP is taught in the Middle School (Grades 6–8) and High School (Grades 9–10).

Student Teacher Ratio
Student-Teacher ratio: 8:1.

Exam Results
High School Profile 2025-26 shows DP candidates: 35; bilingual diplomas awarded: 9; highest DP points awarded: 40. SAT score averages: total 1133 (Reading and Writing 565; Mathematics 568).

Higher Education Progression
Graduates attend a wide range of universities worldwide, including Quinnipiac University, Randolph-Macon College, RISD, and others in the United States. Universities listed also include the University of Toronto and the University of British Columbia, among several institutions in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and beyond.
Wellbeing
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Parent Experience
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Facilities
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Extra-Curricular Activities
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Languages
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Reputation
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Admissions

Admissions
1. Preparing to apply to ICS. The admissions team supports families through transition and aims to make the process welcoming and transparent. The school is committed to ensuring that all students learn and engage at high levels, and this begins during admissions as the applicant is met and assessed to understand their learning profile and how they might benefit from the ICS program.

2. Applying to Early Years 3 and 4. Early Years 3 and Early Years 4 include students aged 3 to 5. Applications open on November 1 for the next school year. EY3 and EY4 students may start school at any time; there is no deadline. For Admissions Regulations and placement, access the More Information option.

3. Applying from within Ethiopia. Local applicants are those living or attending school in Ethiopia. The local applicant process aims to support a planned transition for these students. Applications open on November 1 for the next school year; Starting School is August enrollment only; Deadline is May 15 for the next school year. For local applicant regulations, access the More Information option.

4. Applying from outside of Ethiopia. International applicants are considered in order of receipt of all application requirements and are admitted on a space-available basis if they meet admissions criteria. Applications open on November 1 for the next school year. Starting School is Open throughout the school year for Early Years 5 to Grade 8; contact ICS for Grades 9–12. Deadline is None. For Admissions Regulations, access the More Information option.

5. Space Availability. Spaces may be limited in some grade levels and in some student support services programs. Families with children who might need special services are encouraged to contact ICS early to determine if appropriate supports can be provided. As an international community school, spaces for Ethiopian citizen students are limited. Contact the Admissions Office for up-to-date information on space availability.

6. Take the Next Step. Online Application: Complete the initial application form on a computer and upload electronic passport-style photos of the applicant and parents/guardians. You can access your account and stay up-to-date with the application through the OpenApply mobile app.

Application Requirements: After submitting the application form, a personalized checklist of requirements is shown; Parents are responsible for obtaining the application requirements.

Application Review and Feedback: After all admissions requirements are received, the Admissions Committee will review the applicant's file and may request additional information, including assessments, interviews or observations, to determine the best fit. During the school year, feedback is provided within two weeks of receipt of a completed application.

Admissions Decision: If accepted and space is available, an offer of acceptance is issued with an Enrollment Contract. If accepted but no space is available, the applicant is placed on the wait list or wait pool based on Applicant Priority Guidelines. If the school cannot meet the applicant's needs, the family is notified and the admissions team can provide recommendations for alternative schooling options in Addis.

Enrollment: Upon receiving the Enrollment Contract, the space is confirmed. If applying for enrollment at a future date, the Admissions Office will stay in touch to support the transition and start of school. If applying for immediate enrollment, internal enrollment processes are initiated and family orientation is organized prior to the first day of school.

Admissions Policy: The school serves the educational needs of the international community in Addis Ababa. ICS Addis accepts students who can be successful in the regular academic program and does not discriminate on religion, ethnicity or national origin, or gender in its admissions and educational policies. Admission is based upon completed application forms, previous school records, and results from previous or current academic testing to determine the applicant's potential to benefit, the school's capacity to meet educational needs, and the ability to meet behavioral or emotional needs.

Scholarships
ICS Addis provides four merit scholarships each year to high achieving Ethiopian students entering Grade 9. The merit scholarship is need-blind and based on merit. Applicants must be nominated by their school and cannot apply independently. Applicants take a three-hour exam in English, mathematics, and cognitive ability. Each year there are 16 scholarship students in Grades 9–12. The scholarship covers full-tuition for four years, enrolling each scholarship recipient into ICS throughout High School.

Waitlist
Waitlist. If an applicant is accepted but no space is available, the applicant is placed on the wait list or wait pool. The wait list/pool is used to fill spaces as they become available. Decisions regarding placement follow the Applicant Priority Guidelines.
School Events
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