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SOS-Hermann Gmeiner International College

Ghana, Tema

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees GHS 96,000
Ages Not listed
Pupil numbers 350
Type Co-educational (boarding)
Opened 1990
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum IB (MYP), IB (DP)
Taught languages English, French, Swahili, Spanish, Armenian
Typical class size 9
Strengths STEM, Languages, Visual and Creative Arts
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Cultural and Language, Community and Service
Stages Middle School, Secondary School, Senior Secondary School
Introduction

SOS-Hermann Gmeiner International College (SOS-HGIC) is a private boarding IB World School in Tema, Ghana, founded in 1990 as a Pan-African centre of academic excellence. It offers the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) and the IB Diploma Programme (DP), with non-language subjects taught in English and a DP core of Theory of Knowledge, the Extended Essay and Creativity, Activity and Service. The DP groups cover Studies in Language and Literature (English, Amharic, Swahili, French A), Language Acquisition, Individuals and Societies, Sciences, Mathematics and the Arts. The school operates on two campuses: an Academic Campus with classrooms, a library, science and computer labs, an auditorium and dedicated spaces for music, theatre and visual arts; and a residential campus with 17 hostels, dining, sports fields, a swimming pool and gym. An active clubs programme includes Probotics, Modern Languages Club and Interact, alongside Global Awareness, Pan-African and MUN activities. The campus hosts strong STEM and arts offerings and a 40,000‑volume library.

The Essentials

SOS-Hermann Gmeiner International College has 350 pupils, typical class sizes of 9, instruction in English.

Location
Tema, Ghana. Port city of Tema in the Greater Accra Region, about 30 km from Accra. SOS-HGIC operates across two campuses in Tema: the Academic campus in Community 6 (near the Valco flats) and Hostels in Community 10. Private Mail Bag, Community 6, Tema, Ghana.

Stages
IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) and IB Diploma Programme (DP).

Type
Private; boarding.

Pupil Nationality Mix
America, Britain, Burundi, Canada, China, Ethiopia, Germany, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Uganda, Zimbabwe.

Additional learning support
Guidance Counselling is available to support academic development and college admissions.

Country affiliation
Ghana

School day structure
Weekdays: 5:30am rising bell; 6:10am morning inspection; 6:30am breakfast; 6:55am departure from hostels to the academic campus; 7:20am all students arrive at the academic campus; 7:30am form meeting; 7:50am–4:10pm classes; 9:10am–9:30am morning snack; 12:10pm–12:50pm lunch; 3:00pm–3:45pm Friday assembly; 3:30pm–5:00pm sports (Mon/Wed) or club meetings/CAS (Tue/Thu); 6:00pm–6:45pm supper; 7:00pm–8:45pm prep; 9:20pm curfew; 9:30pm lights out for MYP; 10:30pm lights out for DP; extended time for prefects in some cases.
Diving Deeper

Boarding Arrangements
The school is a residential institution with boarding hostels where students live as a community with a strong personal and social education programme. The hostels consist of 17 units (8 male and 9 female), organized in twin clusters and overseen by Hostel Tutors, with Hostel Prefects leading student life, and the hostels are named after rivers across Africa.

Uniform Requirement
Uniforms must be obtained from the school and worn on all official school occasions; the College provides one set of uniforms to each student in MYP4 and DP1, with additional sets available on request. Badges are part of the uniform, and students may wear traditional dress on designated days; African attire is encouraged on the last Friday of each month. Appearance rules require neat grooming; moustaches and beards are restricted, and headgear is not permitted with the uniform.

Food Options
Dining is in the Dining Hall with a cafeteria system for meals. Breakfast runs 7:00–7:30, lunch 1:00–1:30, and supper 6:30–7:00, with meals served by canteen staff; students must be punctual and clear their plates after meals.

House System
Hostels function as the college's houses, comprising 17 hostel units (8 male, 9 female) overseen by a Hostel Tutor and led by a Hostel Prefect, with monitors providing support. Hostels are named after rivers (e.g., Mano, Nile, Volta, etc.). Inter-hostel events include Singing, Debate, and Athletics announcements throughout the year.

Governance and Ownership
SOS-HGIC was founded in 1990 by SOS Kinderdorf International, a worldwide charitable organization.
Fees

Annual tuition at SOS-Hermann Gmeiner International College ranges from GHS 96,000 for 2026/27.

Application & Admission Fees
- An application fee is required for all applicants. The school requires an admission fee to be paid on acceptance of an offer; the admission fee is non‑refundable.

Tuition (structure and published detail)
- Tuition and boarding are charged as a single holistic fee that covers tuition, hostel boarding, staffing, facilities, books and other academic resources (including CAS, equipment, feeding, art, music, photography supplies and similar items). Fees are not presented as separate line‑item tuition/boarding breakdowns.
- The school does not publish a line‑by‑line public fee table (per year group and per term) in the student handbook; amounts for specific year groups and per‑term totals are not stated in the handbook.

Billing schedule and payment terms
- The academic year is organised in two semesters (August–December and January–June). Semester fees must be paid in advance. Annual payment (for the full year) or semester payment is accepted; fees are payable a week before the reopening date of each semester. A full semester's fee is payable regardless of the date of admission, re‑entry, expulsion, government shutdowns, or withdrawal.
- Late payment: failure to pay semester fees a week before the reopening date will attract a 10% surcharge on outstanding balances unless an approved instalment plan is in place. Instalment plans (maximum three months) are only approved on payment of 50% up front and are limited to a small percentage of the student body; there are further restrictions by year group (final year students and certain new admits are ineligible).
- Parents must give one semester's notice in writing to withdraw a student; failure to do so may require payment of an additional semester's fees.

Boarding fees (hostel) and access to residence
- Boarding is included within the holistic fee charged to residential students. Students are issued an admissions chit by the Accounts Office as proof of payment; students must present this admissions chit to gain entry into residence on arrival. Students are expected to pay semester fees in full before moving into residence.

Other costs and typical additional charges
- The overall fee covers most academic and boarding services, but families should anticipate additional one‑off or variable costs such as:
- Examination/entrance exam fees for applicants.
- Uniform and kit items (the school publishes a boys' and girls' kit list for admitted students).
- Personal items, pocket money, travel to/from school on exeats, and any optional extra‑curricular activities that require outside vendors or travel.

Refunds and non‑refundability
- Fees are non‑refundable under any circumstances stated in school policy. Fees already paid are not refundable in the event of withdrawal, expulsion, or other circumstances described in the regulations. The admission fee specifically is non‑refundable even if the student later declines the offer.

Currency and invoicing
- Fees for Ghanaian students are quoted and payable in Ghana cedi. The school provides invoicing with bank account details; payments are to be deposited or transferred into the school account as specified on invoices. No cash or cheque payments are accepted at the school. Parents are instructed to contact the Accounts Office (accounts@soshgic.edu.gh) for bank transaction details.

Accepted payment methods and payment options
- Payments are accepted by direct bank transfer/deposit into the school account (details appear on the invoice). No cash or cheque payments are accepted at the school; direct transfer is the required method. The student handbook describes the use of invoicing and bank transfers as the official payment route and directs parents to the Accounts Office for transaction details.

Reported fee amounts from independent publications (for context only)
- Independent media and school‑listing sites have reported a range of published/estimated amounts for SOS‑HGIC boarding tuition in recent years; these independent listings have cited per‑term fees in the tens of thousands of Ghana cedi (examples include reported per‑term figures and annual totals across different sources). These third‑party figures vary between sources and should be treated as independent estimates rather than official published school line items.

Summary of findings relevant to parents
- The school requires an application fee, an admission fee (non‑refundable), and semester or annual prepayment for fees. Fees are charged holistically (tuition + boarding + most services bundled together) rather than as a public line‑by‑line schedule in the student handbook. Semester fees are due a week before each semester starts; late payment attracts a 10% surcharge unless an agreed instalment plan applies; instalment plans have eligibility limits and conditions. Fees are non‑refundable. Payments must be made by bank transfer to the school's account; cash and cheques are not accepted.

(If you require published numeric fee tables for specific year groups and per‑term amounts, those precise line‑item amounts are not published in the school's student handbook; independent publications that quote numeric ranges exist but show variation across sources. The handbook contains the official fee rules, payment schedule, refund policy and methods described above.)
Academics

SOS-Hermann Gmeiner International College teaches IB (MYP), IB (DP).

Curriculum
SOS-HGIC offers the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) and the IB Diploma Programme (DP), providing an IB continuum across four years. DP subjects are organized into six groups: Group 1 Studies in Language and Literature (English A; Amharic A; Swahili A; French A); Group 2 Language Acquisition (English B; French B; Swahili B; Swahili/Spanish ab initio); Group 3 Individuals and Societies (History; Geography; Economics; Social and Cultural Anthropology; Information Technology in a Global Society); Group 4 Sciences (Biology; Chemistry; Physics; Computer Science); Group 5 Mathematics (Mathematics: Analysis & Approaches; Mathematics: Applications & Interpretation); Group 6 The Arts (Visual Arts; Drama; Music). All non-language subjects are taught in English. The DP core comprises Theory of Knowledge (TOK), the Extended Essay (EE), and Creativity, Activity and Service (CAS). Current DP programs have a historical record of strong results, with mean diploma aggregates around 32–33 points and a pass rate above 93%.

Exam Results
DP results include mean diploma aggregates around 32–33 points, with over 1,480 students having completed the full Diploma Programme and a pass rate over 93%; approximately 70 students have achieved 40+ points. In 2023/2024, the Class of 2024 had 119 universities admit them from 953 applications across 16 countries, with scholarship offers totaling over $1.704 million; notable admissions included Dartmouth and Princeton in the US, and Bath, Warwick, Edinburgh, and Manchester in the UK.

Higher Education Progression
Graduates go on to universities worldwide, including UK universities such as The University of Bath, The University of Warwick, Loughborough University, The University of Edinburgh, and The University of Manchester; US universities include Dartmouth and Princeton among others; Canadian admissions included the University of Toronto and the University of British Columbia.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The Guidance Counseling Department supports students through college admissions and the financial aid process, ensuring each student finds a college that fits their interests and values. It provides individualized career counseling on a regular basis to guide the transition from academic studies to a self-supporting career. It prepares students for entrance into universities of high international standards. It develops formal and informal relationships with universities in Ghana and abroad to ensure smooth transitions for graduates. Career fairs are held annually where students meet professionals from various fields to learn about opportunities. The Guidance Counseling Department's mission is to graduate life-long learners who are fully prepared for the best universities worldwide.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
SOS-HGIC provides support to students with special needs. The Emotional Counselling Department offers ongoing individual and group sessions to address social, emotional, and behavioral needs and to develop individualized education plans (IEPs) where appropriate. When challenges affect learning, a tracking system monitors progress and informs decisions about supports. The school facilitates learning support for students with learning difficulties and arranges for assessments when needed. Staff receive training on differentiation to help all students, and parents are kept informed about progress. Admissions and ongoing provision are coordinated to meet each student's needs.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
English is the medium of instruction for non-language subjects. The English Department is responsible for language development of all students and ensures native-language proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, writing, and presenting. MYP students study English Language and Literature and Language Acquisition. In the Diploma Programme, English A: Literature, English A: Language and Literature and English B are available.

Mental Wellbeing
The Emotional Counselling Department provides ongoing support for students' mental health and well-being through individual and group counseling. The department develops strategies with staff and parents to help students meet their full potential and assists with the development of Individualized Education Plans where needed. It offers out-of-classroom interventions and referrals when necessary, including arrangements for outside assessments. The department works to help students cope with social, emotional or behavioral challenges and to promote overall well-being.

Safeguarding
The Safeguarding Policy covers safeguarding and child protection across all departments and activities. There are two Designated Safeguarding Leads and a Child Protection Officer, with specified contact emails and phone numbers. The policy outlines aims, responsibilities and procedures for safeguarding, reporting, and responding to abuse. All staff and students must report suspected abuse, with procedures for confidential reporting, timelines and follow-up. The policy includes staff training and annual awareness activities and references the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and national laws to ensure student safety.
Parent Experience

History
The school was established in 1990 as a Pan-African school of academic excellence, educating SOS Children's Villages across Africa alongside students from Ghana, our host country. The college embraces internationalism in its widest sense, equipping learners to become compassionate, reflective individuals who are aware of their shared humanity and proud of their African identity. In 2025, SOS-HGIC celebrated 35 years of Pan-African education, a milestone that reflects both its rich legacy and its future. It is a full International Baccalaureate (IB) World School offering the Middle Years Programme (MYP) and the Diploma Programme (DP).

Community
Community life at SOS-HGIC includes events such as parent-teacher conferences and forums for prospective parents. The 2024 calendar lists a parent-teacher conference on January 12, 2024, and a Prospective Parents Forum on February 9, 2024. It also notes activities like Band concerts and Visiting Sundays as part of campus life.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
SOS-HGIC operates on two campuses in Tema: the Academic Campus in Community 6 and the Hostels in Community 10. The Academic Campus features classrooms, a library, science labs, computer labs, an auditorium, a dining area and spaces for music, theatre and visual arts. The Residential Campus houses 17 hostel units and a central dining hall, with outdoor facilities including a track, football field, tennis courts, a swimming pool and a gym. Creativity Lab, Makerspace and other facilities support arts and hands-on learning.

Sports Facilities
Facilities for sport include tennis courts, soccer fields, a swimming pool, an athletic oval and a basketball court. A gymnasium is available for strength and conditioning. The College Profile lists a football field. Sports offered include Track & Field, Basketball, Field Hockey, Handball, Soccer, Swimming, Tennis, Volleyball and Table Tennis. Weekend recreation includes access to the pool.

Academic Facilities
Science Labs, Computer Labs and Creativity Lab are on campus. The library has a 40,000-volume collection. A Modern Languages Laboratory was launched in the Hermann Gmeiner Block. The Arts Department covers Visual Art, Music and Drama. Music and Theatre Spaces are provided as part of the campus facilities.

Extra Curricular Facilities
SOS-HGIC offers a broad clubs program including Mogul Club, Probotics Club, Cricket Club, Illera Club, Global Awareness Club and Modern Languages Club. Chess Club, Interact Club, Consortium Club and Pan-African Club are also active. Photography Club and Science & Environment Club are among the science and arts‑related clubs. College Mag Club and Model United Nations (MUN) Club are part of student leadership and debate opportunities. Additional clubs include 8-Count Club and TED-Ed. CAS experiences include activities such as music, drama, pottery, wire sculpture, tie-dye, mural painting and community service projects.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
Probotics is a student‑led robotics and programming club where members design projects, assemble robots and develop prototypes to solve real‑world problems. Students work on diverse robotics and software projects, building devices and applications to apply their learning. They participate in local and international STEM competitions such as the First Lego League and the Pan‑African Robotics Competition, and engage in Digital Workshops. The GIS initiative engages students with data analysis and geospatial projects, including events and competitions that apply data to community problems.

Arts & Creative
The Arts Department covers visual art, music, and drama with courses running from MYP to DP. The visual art program follows the IB Visual Art framework, enabling students to explore ideas across media. The music unit provides opportunities to create, perform, listen to and analyze music, including theory, production and history. The Arts Department is actively involved in co‑curricular and extra‑curricular activities under CAS – Creativity, Action, Service – including learning musical instruments, drama performances, pottery, wire sculpture, tie‑dye, mural painting and assisting with school productions.

Cultural & Language
Global Connections expresses commitment to internationalism through intercultural activities and global exchanges. Students and teachers have participated in international exchange programmes with schools in Norway, the United States and elsewhere, and have engaged in virtual exchanges and conferences. InterAct fosters international understanding and community service, and the Pan African Club promotes African unity and cultural understanding.

Social & Hobbies
There is a wide range of student‑run clubs and societies. 8 Counts is a dance club; Beyond Bars provides a platform for original music across genres and features rap, DJing, spoken word and poetry. Chess, Consortium, Debate Club, Global Awareness, Math Club, Pan African Club and Photography are active clubs that broaden social and intellectual engagement.

Community & Service
Interact fosters international understanding, goodwill and peace through community service activities. These programs provide opportunities for students to engage in service while learning about global issues.

Leadership & Professional
The Prefect System includes Head Boy/Head Girl, CAS and Clubs Prefects, IT Prefects, Dining Hall Monitors, Sports Monitors, Entertainment Monitors, Hostel Monitors and Comportment Monitors. Prefects organise, coordinate, lead and apply disciplinary measures, and oversee monitors and designated areas to support school life. The Student Representative Council (SRC) has aims and an election process to represent student interests.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
8 Counts focuses on dance and movement as a wellbeing activity; the ILERA Initiative promotes good health and nutrition and includes activities such as Fitness Fridays. The school also supports sports through coordinated activities, gym and swimming sessions, and related supervision by Sports Monitors and staff.
Languages

Language Provision
The school has a Modern Languages Laboratory to support language learning. It is used by various foreign language classes throughout the week as a teaching and research facility and as an open lab space for students. Swahili is taught by the Head of Department, Mr. Mensah.
Reputation

Awards
Gold Medal: Kekeli Agbozo – for an outstanding and impactful submission in the Peace, You Have My Word writing competition.
Silver Medal: Nevin Dabrah – for a beautifully written piece demonstrating a deep commitment to the cause of peace.
Bronze Medal: Tallissa Tamaklo – for a compelling and thoughtful narrative that impressed all.
Honourable Mention: Kimberly Soussoudis – for a creative and heartfelt contribution that stood out among many.

Accreditations
IB World School – Diploma Programme, Authorised 12 March 1993.
IB World School – Middle Years Programme, Authorised 8 October 2020.
School Events
The school has not added events
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