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American International School of Abuja

Nigeria, Abuja

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees Fees not listed
Ages 3 - 17 years
Pupil numbers 472
Type Co-educational
Opened 1993
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum American Curriculum, Advanced Placement (AP)
Taught languages French, Spanish, English
Typical class size 22
Strengths Sport, Performing Arts, Visual and Creative Arts
Clubs Arts and Creative, Leadership and Professional, Community and Service
Stages Preschool, Kindergarten, Elementary, Middle School, High School
Introduction

American International School of Abuja (AISA) offers an American standards-based curriculum from preschool through Grade 12. Instruction is in English, with World Languages and EAL support for Grades 1–8. The program follows U.S. standards and uses NWEA MAP Growth assessments for Grades 2–10; high school students take the PSAT, SAT and AP exams, including AP Capstone. The curriculum emphasizes science and mathematics problem-solving and a global Social Studies focus, with Visual and Performing Arts, Design Technology, World Languages, and Physical Education integrated. The school serves more than 40 nationalities and was founded in 1993; it moved to a new campus in 2006 featuring two science labs, a renovated library, a fine-arts building, a pool, track, and athletic facilities. WAISAL competitions, drama, band, and Model United Nations are active; AISA is one of two AP Capstone schools in Africa.

The Essentials

American International School of Abuja has 472 pupils, typical class sizes of 22, instruction in English.

Location
The American International School of Abuja is located in the Durumi District, Abuja, Nigeria. The street address is Plot 346 Cadastral Zone B 02, Durumi District. The postal code is 900104.

Stages
Preschool through Grade 12; Early Childhood, Elementary School (Kindergarten–Grade 5), Middle School (Grade 6–8), High School (Grade 9–12).

Type
International day school.

Additional learning support
English as an Additional Language (EAL) and Learning Support Services; counselors and language/special needs specialists support students.

Country affiliation
American
Diving Deeper

Governance and Ownership
The school is governed by a Board of Governors and a Board of Trustees. The Board of Governors includes Felix Ross, Maryam Uthman, Derek Worman, Sandra Spadoni, Katherine Gardner, Adeola Adeyeye, and Lillian Adebayo. The Board of Trustees includes Thaddeus Hoyt, Joseph Zadrozny, and Liyel-Imoke.
Fees
Application fees

- The school charges a non‑waivable application/registration component as part of its enrolment process, but no fixed public amount for an application fee for the 2026/27 or 2025/26 academic year is published.

Tuition fees by school year (per term / per year)

- There is no publicly posted, itemised tuition schedule by grade for the 2026/27 academic year or for 2025/26 that lists term or annual amounts per year group.

- Directory listings that aggregate school fee information indicate an annual tuition range for the school in broad terms; reported annual ranges that appear in third‑party school directories place yearly fees broadly in the equivalent of approximately USD 7,800 to USD 21,400 (these are aggregated directory figures and not a grade‑by‑grade official schedule). Use these reported ranges only as a general indicator rather than definitive grade‑level charges.

Billing schedule and payment terms

- No publicly published detailed billing calendar or formal payment‑plan terms (for example: number of installments, exact installment due dates, late‑payment penalties) are available. Families should expect standard international school billing practices (advance deposit on acceptance, termly or annual invoicing, and penalties for late payment) unless otherwise specified by the school's finance office.

Boarding fees (if applicable)

- The school operates as a day school; boarding services are not listed as an offered option. There are no published boarding fees.

Other costs or fees

- In addition to tuition and application/registration charges, the school's fee structure historically includes other named components that are commonly charged by the school: an annual development/capital levy, fees for English Language Learner (ELL) support, learning support or special education services, and other levies such as building/capital fees or activity fees. These specific ancillary fee types have been referenced in public reports about the school's billing components. Exact amounts for these additional charges are not publicly posted by grade or year.

- Typical additional costs for families at international schools that may apply here include uniforms, school supplies, extracurricular activity fees, school trips, examination fees (where applicable), and optional transport — however, no definitive published price list for these items for 2026/27 or 2025/26 is publicly available.

Refund information

- The school has handled advance‑fee refunds in the past and has processed refunds related to advance payments in public accounts; this demonstrates that refunds are possible under some circumstances, but official refund terms and conditions (for example refundable vs non‑refundable items, deadlines for withdrawal refunds, or pro‑rata refunds for mid‑term withdrawal) are not published in a public fee schedule. Families should expect that certain items (application fees, confirmation deposits, or non‑tuition levies) are often treated as non‑refundable in many international school policies unless a specific written exception is provided.

Fee payment options

- No public, itemised list of accepted payment methods for school fees (for example: bank transfer, credit card, local bank deposit, online payment portal) is published. The school's finance office should be contacted directly for the current accepted payment channels and instructions. Contact details: Finance — finance@aisabuja.com; general enquiries — enquiries@aisabuja.com; phone +234 703 215 3798.

Summary guidance for parents (facts only)

- The school is a day school and charges tuition plus additional levies (development/capital levy, learning support/ELL fees and similar ancillary charges). Exact per‑grade tuition amounts, the per‑term breakdown, billing calendar, payment methods, and the full refund policy are not publicly posted for the 2026/27 or 2025/26 academic years. Directory sources report a broad annual tuition range of approximately USD 7,800 to USD 21,400, but no official grade‑level schedule is available in the public domain.

- For a formal, itemised invoice or official fee schedule (application fee amount, tuition by grade, term amounts, payment deadlines, ancillary fee amounts, and the detailed refund policy), contact the school's finance office at finance@aisabuja.com or by telephone at +234 703 215 3798.
Academics

American International School of Abuja teaches American Curriculum, Advanced Placement (AP) for students aged 3 to 17.

Curriculum
The school offers a current U.S. standards-based curriculum for preschool through Grade 12. All instruction is in English, with foreign language classes offered as part of the World Languages program. The standards guiding the curriculum are those recommended by U.S. professional organizations, and the school uses the NWEA MAP Growth assessments for Grades 2–10; high school students take the PSAT, SAT, and AP exams. The International Education program supports multilingual students with English language development (EAL) for Grades 1–8 and a global Social Studies focus, while Science and Mathematics emphasize problem solving and the scientific method. The program also provides Visual and Performing Arts, Design Technology, World Languages, and Physical Education.

Exam Results
AP courses began in 2007-2008. Since then, all graduates have taken one or more AP exams, and many students earn AP Scholar awards. About 70 high school students take AP courses each year, and approximately 190 AP exams are administered annually. AP Capstone is offered and includes AP Seminar and AP Research; AP Capstone Diploma requires completion of at least four AP courses plus Seminar and Research.

Higher Education Progression
Graduates attend universities around the world, including the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Duke University in the United States; the University of Bradford in the United Kingdom; the University of Applied Sciences in the Netherlands; and Schiller International University in Germany.

Gifted and Talented
AP Capstone and Pre-AP courses support high-achieving students. AP Capstone includes AP Seminar and AP Research; Pre-AP courses are offered as part of the AP program. The school is one of two AP Capstone schools in Africa.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
Counselors support students' academic, social, and emotional needs.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
The school has a team of language and special needs specialists to support diverse learners.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
The school offers an English as an Additional Language (EAL) Program to students in Grades 1–8; an EAL team supports students new to English.

Mental Wellbeing
Counselors support students' emotional wellbeing.

Safeguarding
The school has counselors, language specialists, and special needs specialists to ensure students are well cared for in the school environment.
Parent Experience

History
The American International School of Abuja was founded in 1993 by a group of parents and U.S. Embassy officials who recognized the need for a school to prepare Nigerian-resident students to continue their education in American schools overseas. The school grew to become the leading international school in Abuja and gained a diverse international population. It has more than 40 nationalities represented among its student and staff population, with the majority of students and faculty coming from overseas, and it remains part of the local community by celebrating the local culture each year.

Community
AISA has a diverse community of students, parents, educators and staff from 41 different countries nestled in Abuja with its vibrant culture and community. The school is an active part of the local community and annually takes time to celebrate the local culture.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
The PTA is managed by a team of five parents, a teacher representative and a representative of the administration. The PTA President for 2024-2025 is Muna H. Daoud. The PTA regularly hosts events and volunteers to support school activities, operates the PTA Shop and Lounge, and funds events and outreach such as concessions tables during events, WAISAL and club trips. Donations can be made in cash or in-kind by contacting pta.adminsecretary@aisabuja.com.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
August 2006 AIS Abuja relocated to a brand new facility in the Durumi District. The campus includes classrooms, two science labs, a renovated library media center, and a dedicated fine arts building. Recreational and athletic facilities include a multi-purpose hall, a basketball court, a swimming pool, an outdoor soccer field, and a track. There are two fully functioning playgrounds on campus, and a garden with benches for student use.

Sports Facilities
Recreational and athletic facilities include a multi-purpose hall, a basketball court, a swimming pool, an outdoor soccer field, and a track. Two playgrounds support student recreation on campus. Athletics programs include soccer, swimming, volleyball, and basketball. WAISAL competitions allow hosting visiting athletes and travel to games around West Africa. Season 2 adds Basketball, MathCounts, Model U.N., Robotics, Soccer and Volleyball.

Academic Facilities
Two science labs are available on campus. The library media center has been renovated to support research and learning. A dedicated fine arts building supports drama, visual arts, and music. The curriculum includes Visual and Performing Arts, Design Technology, World Languages, and Physical Education and Health. Instruction is delivered in English for all subjects except foreign languages.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Athletics and after-school activities include soccer, swimming, volleyball, and basketball, with WAISAL participation. Season 1 includes Athletics Leadership, Soccer, Swimming and Volleyball. Season 2 adds Basketball, MathCounts, Model U.N., Robotics, Soccer and Volleyball. The AISA Bunny Club is listed as an extracurricular. The Drama program hosts an annual public production, and the Band program features two major performances each year.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
AP courses at AISA began in 2007-2008. About 70 high school students take AP courses, and roughly 190 AP exams are administered annually. AP Capstone is offered, with the Capstone Diploma earned by completing four AP courses plus AP Seminar and AP Research; AP Capstone is recognized by many top universities, and AISA is one of two AP Capstone schools in Africa. The AP program includes courses such as Biology, Calculus, Chemistry, Computer Science Principles, English Language and Composition, English Literature and Composition, Environmental Science, French, Human Geography, Macroeconomics, Physics, Psychology, US History, and World History.”

Arts & Creative
The Drama program offers middle and high school courses with annual public productions, as students read, write, rehearse, and perform works and explore theatre for social change. Visual Arts provides elementary, middle, and high school instruction with exhibitions displayed around campus and in Abuja to share student work. The Music program includes elementary to high school courses, with band opportunities, regular performances, and involvement in WAISAL Band Festival. The High School Band performs publicly up to eight times a year and has participated in WAISAL events and collaborations with external partners.”

Cultural & Language
Model United Nations is a core cultural and diplomatic activity that emphasizes debates, negotiations, public speaking, global issue awareness, leadership, and networking; AISA delegates have participated in overseas conferences such as Al Hekma International in Bahrain and the Georgetown Conference in Doha. French is offered as an AP course, reflecting world-language study alongside other languages; English is the language of instruction, with English as an Additional Language (EAL) support available for students new to academic English.”

Social & Hobbies
Student Council is a student leadership group that represents grade-level peers and helps organize events such as talent shows, bake sales, and dances. The National Honor Society and National Junior Honor Society recognize and develop scholarship, leadership, service, and character, with NJHS students raising funds through bake sales to support community projects. AISA Bunny Club is among the informal student groups, and MUN and other student activities provide additional opportunities for social and hobby-based engagement.”

Community & Service
The National Honor Society honors scholars who demonstrate service, leadership, and character, while the National Junior Honor Society volunteers through bake sales and projects that benefit the local community. NJHS specifically raises funds and carries out projects to give back to the local community, reflecting the school's commitment to civic engagement. Student organizations collaborate on community outreach and service-oriented activities throughout the year.”

Leadership & Professional
Student Council is a leadership group where students represent their peers and help organize school activities, developing interpersonal and negotiating skills. NHS members are recognized leaders who demonstrate scholarship, service, leadership, and character, while NJHS members apply leadership and service to real projects. Model United Nations builds diplomatic and public-speaking skills, and has involved students in overseas conferences, expanding leadership and professional networks.”

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
The AISA Crocs Athletics Program competes in WAISAL, hosting visiting teams and traveling to competitions across West Africa. Season 1 includes Athletics Leadership, Soccer, Swimming, and Volleyball; Season 2 includes Basketball, MathCounts, Model UN, Robotics, Soccer, and Volleyball, with WAISAL events and a band program that participates in WAISAL Band Festival. The program emphasizes sport, competition, and public performance opportunities, contributing to physical wellness and school spirit.”
Languages

Language Provision
All instruction is presented in English, with foreign language classes taught separately. English as an Additional Language is provided for students in Grades 1–8; Grades 9–12 must meet grade-level English language requirements. World Languages are part of the curriculum; French and Spanish are offered as language options, with a French/Spanish placement test for Grades 6–12. There are five dedicated EAL teachers to support language development.
Reputation

Awards
Most Outstanding International School in Nigeria — National Education Summit and Awards (2021)
AP College Board — 2020 & 2021
Computer Science Female Diversity Award

Accreditations
MSA/CESS (Middle States Association Commissions on Elementary and Secondary Schools) — The American International School of Abuja is accredited by MSA/CESS.
AISA — The American International School of Abuja is a member of the Association of International Schools in Africa.
Admissions

Admissions
1. Schedule a visit and begin the application. Prospective families schedule a school visit by contacting the Admissions Office. Most students are admitted at the beginning of the school year. AISA has rolling admissions and admits students all year round provided they meet all admission criteria and there is available class space. In Abuja, use the Inquiry Form to arrange a visit.

2. Submit the online application and gather supporting documents. Use the online application form and checklist to submit and upload the required documents. These include a copy of the passport information page, a copy of the birth certificate, a passport-sized photograph, immunizations as required on the Health Form, and the report cards for the last three years (official transcripts for Grades 10–12). Official translations are required for documents not issued in English. For Early Childhood, also complete the Early Childhood Parent Questionnaire and arrange for recommended forms and transfer/withdrawal certificates to be sent from the current school. If you are in Abuja, you can arrange these steps via the inquiry form.

3. Complete admissions assessments and language considerations. All prospective students are assessed during the admissions process. Entrance tests are typically based on the NWEA MAP Admissions Screening Test and include Mathematics and Reading; overseas applicants to Grades 2–12 are encouraged to submit recent MAP scores, with additional assessments such as a Writing Sample, a Mathematics Paper, and a French/Spanish Placement Test for Grades 6–12. Remote testing is available for overseas applicants, and Preschool–Kindergarten require an on-site classroom observation. For non-English speaking applicants, an onsite Language Proficiency Test is used; English as an Additional Language (EAL) support is available for Grades 1–8, and Grades 9–12 must meet English language requirements. If there are concerns about special needs, documentation such as a psychological evaluation or IEP may be requested to determine fit.

4. Determine grade placement and observe age policies. Grade-level placement depends on the child's current curriculum, academic ability, and developmental readiness. Students transferring from a US curriculum are placed based on the completed grade level, provided they meet the corresponding requirements. Students transferring from other school systems are placed in the equivalent grade based on the completed curriculum and meeting grade-level requirements. The Age Policy is effective from the start of the school year for new students.

5. Wait for review, notification, and next steps. After assessment and documentation are reviewed, the Admissions team communicates next steps by email. There is no deadline for applications; AISA maintains rolling admissions and makes offers when space is available. If a grade is full, a waitlist is used; being on the waitlist does not guarantee placement.

Waitlist
AISA has a waitlist. An applicant is placed on the waitlist when they have applied to a full grade and have met admission requirements, including the successful completion of an admissions assessment. Based on AISA's Priority of Admission, an applicant's priority level may change as new applications are received. When a space becomes available, parents are notified and receive an offer of admission. Being on the waitlist does not guarantee placement.
School Events
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