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Lycée Guébré-Mariam

Ethiopia, Addis Ababa

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The school at a glance
Instructs in French
Fees ETB 1,114,797 - 716,440
Ages 3 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 1800
Type Co-educational
Opened 1948
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum French Curriculum, Bespoke Curriculum
Taught languages English, Afrikaans, French, German
Typical class size 26
Strengths Languages, Performing Arts, Sport
Clubs Arts and Creative, Academic and Intellectual, Cultural and Language
Stages Preschool, Elementary, Middle School, Secondary School, Senior Secondary School
Introduction

Lycée Guebre-Mariam is a French–Ethiopian lycée on Churchill Avenue in Addis Ababa. It functions as an Établissement en Pleine Responsabilité (EPR) of the Mission Laïque Française and is a signatory of an AEFE convention, certifying the French model of education and enabling it to serve as centre for Diplôme National du Brevet (DNB) and Baccalauréat. The school runs a double curriculum (French and Ethiopian) during compulsory schooling and a multilingual program described as "Two cultures, three languages," with French as the language of schooling, plus English and Amharic; Spanish is available from 5ème. In Première and Terminale, students may specialize in Langues, Littératures et Cultures Étrangères. Centre de Documentation et d'Information (CDI) provides a reading area and 12 computers, and the campus includes a gym and a catering service added in 2025. Most graduates pursue higher education in France or North America, with transfers to other establishments worldwide possible.

The Essentials

Lycée Guébré-Mariam has 1,800 pupils, typical class sizes of 26, instruction in French.

Location
Churchill Avenue, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (P.O. Box 1496).

Stages
Preschool through high school, comprising Maternelle (preschool), Elémentaire (elementary), Collège (middle school) and Lycée (high school).

Type
French-Ethiopian lycée (French international school) affiliated with Mission Laïque Française and AEFE.

Country affiliation
France
Diving Deeper

Uniform Requirement
The school maintains a general dress code and clothing should be neat. Sportswear and appropriate shoes are required for physical education, and cleats are forbidden outside the football field. Clothes must be labeled with the students name; discreet religious signs are tolerated, but ostentatious signs promoting proselytism or discrimination are prohibited.

Food Options
A catering service for meals begins on September 8, 2025. Families provide a lunch box labeled with the childs name, a water bottle labeled with the childs name (metal bottles are not permitted), and a cap labeled with the childs name; a pair of sports shoes and a school bag are also required. We advise bringing lunch and water for children staying in the afternoon; soft drinks are not allowed and meals delivered at lunchtime are prohibited.

Governance and Ownership
The school is a Mission Laïque Française establishment within the AEFE network.
Fees

Annual tuition at Lycée Guébré-Mariam ranges from ETB 1,114,797 to ETB 716,440 for 2026/27.

Application and registration fees

- First (one‑time) enrolment fee: Ethiopian students / students under Ethiopian law — 296,400 ETB (equivalent shown as €1,950). French students and students of other nationalities — €3,900.
- Annual re‑registration fee (payable each year at re‑registration): Ethiopian students / students under Ethiopian law — 18,240 ETB (equivalent shown as €120). French students and students of other nationalities — €240.

Tuition fees by school level (annual and per term)

- Structure: tuition is charged for two terms (first term covers September–December; second term covers January–June). The per‑term amount equals half the annual tuition and is payable according to the billing schedule.

- Primary (annual / per term):
- Ethiopian students and students under Ethiopian law — 401,800 ETB annually (per term 200,900 ETB). An equivalent Euro figure is shown as €2,643 annually (per term €1,321.50).
- French students — €6,750 annually (per term €3,375).
- Students of other nationalities — €8,800 annually (per term €4,400).

- Secondary (annual / per term):
- Ethiopian students and students under Ethiopian law — 420,000 ETB annually (per term 210,000 ETB). An equivalent Euro figure is shown as €2,763 annually (per term €1,381.50).
- French students — €7,150 annually (per term €3,575).
- Students of other nationalities — €9,550 annually (per term €4,775).

Billing schedule and payment terms

- Invoicing and due dates: tuition and associated fees are invoiced in two instalments (September and January). Invoices are payable within 15 days of issuance. A family may choose to pay the full year in a single payment beginning in September.
- Late payment: a penalty (majoration) of 5% may be applied on overdue amounts. Non‑payment after reminders can lead to formal notice and, ultimately, exclusion of the pupil.
- Currency and local payment rule: for Ethiopian nationals (and students under Ethiopian law) tuition and ancillary charges are payable in Ethiopian birr at the rate applied by the school (1 EUR = 152 ETB is used in published tariff conversions). For non‑Ethiopian nationals, payments are required in euros or US dollars where indicated.

Boarding fees

- No boarding (internat) fees are published in the current fee schedules and financial regulation; the published tariffs and payment rules cover day‑school tuition and ancillary charges only.

Other costs and typical ancillary fees

- Supplies / materials (annual):
- Kindergarten (individual supplies) — €110 (16,720 ETB).
- Elementary / Collège / Lycée (individual supplies) — €200 (30,400 ETB).
- Textbook hire (Collège and Lycée) — €150 (22,800 ETB).
- Additional French books for Première students — €50 (7,600 ETB).
- Equipment (one‑off / level specific):
- Collège calculator — €20 (3,040 ETB).
- Lycée calculator — €90 (13,680 ETB).
- Laptop (for Seconde and Première) — €700 (106,400 ETB).
- Entrance, examination and certification fees (per instance):
- LGM entrance test (placement test) — €40 (6,100 ETB).
- Diplôme national du Brevet (DNB) — €50 (7,600 ETB).
- Épreuves anticipées du Baccalauréat (EAB) — €150 (22,800 ETB).
- Baccalauréat (final) — €300 (45,600 ETB).
- DELF — €16 (2,430 ETB).
- Cambridge exam — €50 (7,600 ETB).
- Transport and school catering: these services are organised by the school but specific annual or per‑term rates for transport and catering are not listed in the main published tuition schedule. For budgeting purposes, expect separate billed charges for canteen/meal plans and optional transport if used.

Refund and cancellation rules (financial commitments)

- The first enrolment fee (admission fee) and the annual registration/re‑registration fee are not refundable, including in the event of early departure. "Tout mois commencé est dû" (every started month is due) applies for arrivals or departures during the school year; fees are adjusted only to reflect months of actual presence. Examination fees are not refundable after administrative registration for the exam. Failure to settle outstanding fees prevents re‑enrolment.

Accepted payment methods and practical payment notes

- Accepted methods: bank transfer, cheque payable to "Lycée Guebre‑Mariam", or cash at the school cashier. For non‑Ethiopian nationals, payment is made in euros or US dollars where required. Credit card payment is not listed among the standard methods in the published financial regulation.
- Timing: invoices are issued for each term (September and January); tuition must be paid within 15 days of invoice date unless an annual prepayment is made in September. Late payments may incur the stated penalty and can affect the pupil's continued enrolment.

Discounts, scholarships and staff exemptions

- The school publishes an internal scholarship policy and may grant partial or full tuition abatements on a case‑by‑case basis. Staff with permanent contracts may receive school staff exemptions for a limited number of children according to the school's policy. These measures are discretionary and handled by the administration.
Academics

Lycée Guébré-Mariam teaches French Curriculum, Bespoke Curriculum for students aged 3 to 18.

Curriculum
The school is an Établissement en Pleine Responsabilité (EPR) of the Mission Laïque Française (MLF) and is a signatory of an AEFE convention, certifying the French model of education and enabling it to serve as a center for the Diplôme National du Brevet (DNB) and the Baccalauréat. The French education system is organized in three cycles here: Ecole élémentaire (5 years), Collège (4 years), and Lycée (3 years). At the end of collège, students take the DNB; at the end of lycée, they take the Baccalauréat. The school offers a double curriculum (French and Ethiopian) during compulsory schooling and provides a multilingual program described as “Two cultures, three languages,” with French as the main language of schooling, plus English and Amharique, and Spanish available from the 5ème; In Première and Terminale, students may specialize in Langues, Littératures et cultures étrangères. Most graduates pursue higher education in France or North America, and the school allows transfers to other French establishments worldwide.

Exam Results
Baccalauréat 2025: 100% pass rate; 80% earned a mention, including 44% with Good (Bien) and Very Good (Très Bien) mentions. Brevet 2025: 96% pass rate; 89 mentions, including 64% with Good or Very Good mentions. Grade 8 (Ministry Exam) 2025: 87% pass rate for Ethiopian-nationality students in 5th grade.

Higher Education Progression
For entry into higher education, the Lycée prepares students to obtain the French Baccalauréat; after graduation, the majority pursue studies in France or in North America (Canada and the United States).

Gifted and Talented
Excellence-Major scholarships are offered, funded by the French government through AEFE and MEAE to support top foreign baccalaureate graduates in pursuing advanced studies in France; eligible candidates must be non-French, in Terminale at a French school abroad, have excellent academic results, and intend to pursue French higher education; candidates must apply via Parcoursup or institutional procedures, and recipients must obtain a Very Good or Good grade at the baccalaureat.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The Vie Scolaire manages daily student life, including handling lateness and absences and maintaining a strong link with families. The team includes a CPE (Conseiller Principal d'Education), the Vie Scolaire secretariat, and an Assistant d'éducation. It runs études, the CDI (library), Devoirs faits, the Association Sportive, sports clubs, and a reading club in Amharic. AED provide personalized support to students or groups facing difficulties in school life or personal difficulties. The Vie Scolaire actively fosters close relationships with families to ensure a calm, supportive climate that underpins learning.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
Elèves à Besoins Educatifs Particuliers are cared for through a dedicated SEN pole, enabling inclusion for all pupils in line with directives from the French Ministry of National Education.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
From Moyenne Section, children benefit from 3 hours of initiation to foreign languages as part of the language pathway. The learning of French remains a priority in the school's educational project. The Plus de Maîtres que de Classes approach supports oral French instruction and addresses difficulties faced by some pupils. The maternelle program includes a language track with English or Amharic as the dominant language.

Mental Wellbeing
The school emphasizes pupil development and well-being through projects that foster growth and engagement with digital tools. The Vie Scolaire maintains close links with families to ensure a calm climate conducive to learning. The inclusion and well-being focus runs across the early years and throughout the school.

Safeguarding
The Vie Scolaire unit works with families and school leadership to guarantee a serene climate and to support student safety and well-being. The dedicated SEN pole and ongoing family engagement contribute to safeguarding and inclusive practices.
Parent Experience

History
The Lycée Guebre-Mariam was established in 1947 at the request of Emperor Haïlé Sélassié to the Mission Laïque Française to open a major French-Ethiopian high school in Addis Ababa. The school opened on March 15, 1948 with 176 primary students in six classes, under the administration of the MLF. It was inaugurated on April 11, 1952 in the presence of Emperor Haïlé Sélassié and Marcel Fort, and later hosted visits by leaders including General de Gaulle (1953) and President Pompidou (1973). Facilities were expanded over the years, including a theatre (1959), the grand sports stadium (1960), and the girls' boarding house (CDI building) in 1961. A new bilateral agreement for the Lycée was signed in 2012, the campus lease was signed for 50 years in 2016, and the school celebrated its 70th anniversary in 2019, followed by the inauguration of a gymnasium in 2020.

Community
The LGM community maintains active channels for news and engagement. The school has social media profiles on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and LinkedIn. The site features sections such as Language Week and Science Week, and Actualités show events including end-of-year performances for kindergarten.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
The Lycée Guebre-Mariam is an international French-Ethiopian school located on Churchill Avenue in Addis Ababa. The Centre de Documentation et d'Information (CDI) functions as a library and information hub for students, teachers and staff, offering a reading space, a computer space and access to a diverse range of documents. Twelve computers are available for student use, and the CDI is open on weekdays with hours: Monday 7:50–17:00; Tuesday 7:50–17:00; Wednesday 7:50–16:00; Thursday 7:50–17:00; Friday 7:50–12:00. In 2025 the school introduced a catering service beginning on September 8, 2025. The school provides language instruction in English and Amharic, continuing a language program started in kindergarten, with English or Amharic as a focus; Amharic lessons are compulsory (one hour for all; two hours advanced for Ethiopian nationality students), and English is taught alongside a French subject in English (EMILE).

Academic Facilities
The CDI (Centre de Documentation et d'Information) is an on-site resource center providing a reading area, a document collection and a computer space with 12 computers for student use. It is open on weekdays with hours identical to those listed for the CDI. Language education is a core component, with a language program in elementary continuing from kindergarten, focusing on English or Amharic; Amharic lessons are compulsory (one hour for all students, two hours advanced for Ethiopian nationality students) and English is taught with one French subject in English (EMILE).

Extra Curricular Facilities
Extracurricular life includes a Theatre Club hosted at the CDI that has organized poetry-musical performances, and student journalism activities such as the Young Reporters club that amplifies student voices in the school news. The school also runs language-focused events like Mai des langues and arranges cultural outings, for example visits to Hamere Berhan and other cultural or educational sites.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Cultural & Language
The school operates as a Mission Laïque Française establishment (EPR) with an AEFE convention. French is the language of schooling, and the school follows a policy of 'Two cultures, three languages,' with students mastering French to a high level and taking DELF exams in partnership with the Alliance Ethio-Française Addis-Ababa. From early years, two language tracks are offered: English-speaking or Amharic-speaking, providing strong competence in one language while introducing the other, with 3–4 hours of language study per week continuing through the collège and lycée. In Première and Terminale, students may specialize in Langues, Littératures et Cultures Étrangères, and the program prepares for the Diplôme National du Brevet (DNB) and for the Grade 8 examination, as well as the French Baccalauréat.
Languages

Language Provision
French is the main language of instruction. English and Amharic are offered as two language tracks from early years, with immersion in the chosen language and introduction to the other. Spanish is introduced from year 5. By graduation, students master three to four languages.

Bilingual Teaching
Two language tracks are offered from preschool onward: anglophone (English) and amharique (Amharic), giving strong mastery of one language while introducing the other. French is the main language of instruction, and DELF exams are offered in partnership with the Alliance Ethio-Française. Spanish is introduced from year 5. By graduation, students master three to four languages.

Immersion Programs
From preschool onward, learners follow one of two language tracks—English or Amharic—providing immersion in the chosen language with an introduction to the other. In collège and lycée, language instruction continues with 3–4 hours of classes per week to strengthen mastery of the chosen language. Spanish is introduced in year 5.
Reputation

Awards
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Accreditations
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Admissions

Admissions
1. Determine the appropriate admissions stream. The Lycée Guebre-Mariam accepts new students in Petite Section (PS) for early childhood, MS-CM2 for the elementary to lower primary range, and 6th to Terminale for secondary. Each stream has its own application process and timing for the 2025-2026 academic year. 2. Submit the application via Eduka. Dossiers must be completed on the Eduka platform using the school code 544899. If a family already has an existing account for another child, use the same login (your registered email) and follow the instruction walk-through; the school provides information in a Tutoriel and an English admission page for English speakers. 3. Prepare and attach required documents and a motivation letter. In all streams, a letter of motivation is required; the letter may be written in French, English, or Amharic and will be used to assess interest in the school and the proposed schooling project. In PS, MS-CM2, and Secondary, incomplete dossiers will not be processed, and some documents may be treated as confidential (financial documents, medical form). 4. Complete dossier review and response. After the dossier is complete and accepted, the school will email an acceptance notice and request payment of the registration fees; once the payment is received, the registration is definitively validated. 5. Tests for admission (where applicable). For MS-CM2 and CP-CM2 applicants from non-homologated schools, placement tests are held in the second half of June and are contingent on initial dossier validation; for 6ème-Terminale applicants from non-homologated schools, placement tests occur in the last days of August with dates communicated in due course. 6. Ethiopian nationals and passport alignment. For Ethiopian children, registration is done according to the passport, and there is an age-to-class equivalence framework published for reference; it is advisable to consult the Equivalence age/class guidance when planning entry. 7. Admission in English option. An English-language admission page is available for each stream, providing the English version of the process and links to English-language registration where offered. 8. General notes. The school provides an English and a French version of admission information and maintains a dedicated contact channel for admissions inquiries and financial questions through the listed addresses and office contacts.

Scholarships
1. AEFE scholarship. The consular section of the French Embassy in Ethiopia informs French residents that the second scholarship campaign for the 2022-2023 academic year is open. The local commission will examine requests from families in the consular district after the first commission or in cases of financial need, and there are provisions for revision and renewal requests. Documentation procedures and the required forms (including the scholarship application form and the list of documents) are provided, with a deadline for submissions; renewals are handled by the French service, and first-time requests require appointment through the diplomatic channels. This program is part of the AEFE network and is administered for French residents living abroad. 2. Bourse Excellence-Major. The French government, through AEFE and MEAE, funds Excellence-Major scholarships to support top foreign high-school graduates in pursuing higher education in France. Eligibility requires not having French nationality, being in terminale at a French-education abroad school under homologation, achieving excellent academic results, presenting an orientation project in the French education system, and intending to pursue demanding studies in France. Applicants must also submit Parcoursup or the equivalent application pathway, demonstrate motivation and adaptability for life in France, and have their dossier digitized and evaluated by the AEFE via the cooperation and cultural action service of the French Embassy. Selected candidates must have a top-tier baccalauréat result and be admitted to a French higher education program. 3. Bourses d'étude du Gouvernement Français (bourses scolaires for French children abroad). A formal government scholarship process exists for French children living abroad, with a dedicated application form and detailed family financial information. The form requires data on family composition, resources, housing, assets, and potential supports, along with a declaration of truth and a data-protection notice. Submissions use the official government channels, and data are processed under applicable education and privacy rules with the AEFE responsible for handling the dossier. The forms and guidance are published on the school site, including editable PDFs and instruction documents, to assist families in applying for these government scholarships.
School Events
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