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American International School of Lagos

Nigeria, Lagos

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees NGN 24,653 - 35,336
Ages 3 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 600
Type Co-educational
Opened 1964
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum American Curriculum, IB (MYP), IB (DP)
Taught languages French, Spanish
Typical class size 18
Strengths Sport, Languages, Visual and Creative Arts
Clubs Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language, Leadership and Professional
Stages Preschool, Kindergarten, Primary School, Middle School, High School
Introduction

The American International School of Lagos, AISL, serves students aged 3 to 18 on a Lagos campus. English is the language of instruction. AISL combines an American High School Diploma with the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) for Grades 11–12. In Grades 9–10, core courses include English Language Arts, Sciences, Mathematics and Individuals and Societies, with Modern Languages offered in French and Spanish. DP core features Theory of Knowledge, Extended Essay (up to 4,000 words) and Creativity, Activity, Service, with six subjects drawn from Groups 1–6. Grade 10 Morrisby assessments guide DP subject selection and post-secondary planning, with University and Career Counseling. AISL is accredited by the Council of International Schools and the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, and the IB Diploma Programme is authorized by the IBO. Facilities include the Innovation and Design Centre and a planned library as the campus expands. Extracurriculars cover competitive sport—swimming, soccer, volleyball, basketball—and arts, language and service activities.

The Essentials

American International School of Lagos has 600 pupils, typical class sizes of 18, instruction in English.

Location
Behind 1004 Estates, Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria. AISL is in the Victoria Island district. Directions and map access are provided on the Plan a Visit page.

Stages
Early Childhood (Preschool to Prekindergarten, ages 3–4); Primary School (Kindergarten to 5th Grade, ages 5–10); Middle School (6th–8th Grade, ages 11–14); High School (9th–12th Grade, ages 15–18); IB Diploma Programme (Grades 11–12).

Type
International school

Pupil Nationality Mix
Pupils represent over 60 nationalities.

Additional learning support
Learning Support; English as an Additional Language; Counseling; Health Services; Speech and Language Therapy; Occupational Therapy

Country affiliation
American

Bus service
No bus transportation; parents provide transportation; some employers offer busing.
Diving Deeper

Uniform Requirement
Uniforms are required. Parents must purchase uniforms themselves.

Food Options
Lunch meals are ordered in advance via a form; snacks and a la carte options are available; weekly menus are posted for selection.

Governance and Ownership
AISL is a not-for-profit private school governed by a Board of Directors. The Board hires the Head of School, develops strategic plans and policy, ensures the financial health of the school, and leads fundraising.
Fees

Annual tuition at American International School of Lagos ranges from NGN 24,653 to NGN 35,336 for 2026/27.

Application and one‑time registration fees
- Application fee (non‑refundable): USD 700 per student.
- Registration fee (one‑time, non‑refundable) payable on first year's tuition: USD 13,998 per student.

Tuition fees by grade band (annual and per‑term)
- Preschool / Pre‑Kindergarten: USD 17,638 per year. Per term (if divided equally over three terms): USD 5,879 per term.
- Elementary (Kindergarten – Grade 5): USD 21,653 per year. Per term: USD 7,218 per term.
- Middle School (Grades 6–8): USD 28,049 per year. Per term: USD 9,350 per term.
- High School (Grades 9–12): USD 32,165 per year. Per term: USD 10,722 per term.

Other recurring / program fees
- Annual capital / capital improvement fee (typical): USD 3,000 (historically the school has charged a capital improvement or similar levy).
- Special Assessment Fee (applied to certain sponsoring companies / guaranteed‑enrollment arrangements): USD 10,487 (non‑refundable where assessed).
- English Language Learners (ELL) / Learning Support: USD 6,920 per year (charged when services are required).
- Miscellaneous program or activity fees (charged as needed): band equipment rental, after‑school activities, specific field trips (including international trips), photographs, library fines and similar items. These are charged separately as applicable.

Billing schedule and payment terms
- The Business Office issues tuition and fee invoices to returning families in May; payment is due within 30 days of issue. New‑student invoices are issued on acceptance; payment is due within 30 days of issue. A late fee of 1% per month applies to overdue invoices.
- All enrolled students are billed for the full year's tuition; private‑pay families may elect installment plans. Installment plan options include Semester, Quarter, and Monthly plans; plan surcharges (example from school policy) were USD 250 (Semester), USD 350 (Quarter), and USD 500 (Monthly) when an installment plan is chosen. The school may place an unpaid account on a default installment plan if no arrangement is made.
- For students enrolling after the start of the school year, tuition is billed for the semesters the student will attend (either in full or for the initial semester) and other relevant fees are billed in full.
- Returned checks and late payments incur penalties. Repeated non‑payment may result in placement of the offered place to another student.

Payment methods and currencies accepted
- Fees and invoices are denominated in U.S. dollars but may be paid in U.S. dollars or Nigerian naira. When paying in naira the school sets the exchange rate at the time of payment. Accepted payment methods include:
- Bank wire transfer (payer responsible for transfer fees).
- Checks in U.S. dollars or Nigerian naira (U.S. dollar checks must be drawn on a U.S. bank).
- Point‑of‑Service (POS) payments at the Business Office (POS payments may carry a small surcharge).
- Electronic bank payment/wire as instructed by the Business Office.
- Families who require invoicing for employer payment should work directly with the Business Office's billing function; invoices for employer‑paid tuition are expected to be paid in full by the due date.

Boarding fees
- Boarding is not applicable. The school is an independent, non‑profit day school (no boarding houses are operated).

Uniforms, supplies and additional costs
- Uniforms and required supplies are additional to tuition and are purchased separately. The school lists approved uniform suppliers (School Kit Shop and United Uniforms) and specifies uniform expectations; costs for uniform sets and supplies vary by supplier and grade level. Other common additional costs include school transport (bus service), school lunch/meal plans if applicable, textbooks, and incidental activity fees.

Refunds and non‑refundable items
- Application fees, registration fees, and Special Assessment Fees (where assessed) are non‑refundable. Tuition billing and adjustments for mid‑year enrolment are handled per Business Office policy (students enrolling after the start of the semester are billed for the semesters attended). Late‑payment penalties and installment plan surcharges apply as stated in school policy.

Notes about invoicing and employer billing
- Employer‑paid invoices (guaranteed enrollment or company arrangements) are invoiced to the company and are expected to be paid in full by the invoice due date; families whose employers pay tuition should provide the Business Office with the appropriate billing contact.

(For the school's stated fee schedule and published business office payment terms, see the school's admissions/financial policies and Business Office guidance.)
Academics

American International School of Lagos teaches American Curriculum, IB (MYP), IB (DP) for students aged 3 to 18.

Curriculum
The AIS Lagos curriculum includes an American High School Diploma and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) for Grades 11-12. Grades 9-10 core courses include English Language Arts, Sciences, Mathematics, and Individuals and Societies, with Modern Languages offered in French and Spanish. The DP core comprises Theory of Knowledge, the Extended Essay (up to 4,000 words), and Creativity, Activity, Service. DP requires six subjects drawn from Groups 1–6. University and Career Counseling provides guidance, with Grade 10 Morrisby assessments to help select DP subjects and plan post-secondary pathways. AISL graduates gain admission to selective universities worldwide, including institutions in Europe and North America.

Higher Education Progression
Graduates gain admission to selective universities around the world, including Europe and North America. The University and Career Counseling program guides students through the college application process with one-on-one support. University acceptances include institutions across Canada, the United States, and Europe.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
SEL is integrated into the curriculum at every grade level starting in Early Childhood. The Counseling program supports students' well-being by helping them understand themselves and others, manage emotions, build healthy relationships, and make responsible decisions. In Elementary, the counselor provides bi-weekly classroom lessons for grades K-5 focusing on self-concept, relationship-building, child protection, responsible decision-making, and growth mindset. In Middle and High School, a University/Career Counselor supports academic advising, career exploration, and university planning, guiding socio-emotional development during transitions.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
Learning Support employs a multidisciplinary team to identify learning needs and provide early intervention and individualized services for students with specific learning needs. The Student Support Services department provides learning support, English language acquisition, counseling, health services, speech and language therapy, and occupational therapy to support diverse student needs.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
English as an Additional Language is supported by a team of English language learning specialists who provide instruction and support to develop academic English language acquisition.

Mental Wellbeing
The Counseling program focuses on student well-being and socio-emotional development, guiding students to manage emotions, build relationships, and navigate transitions. The Student Support Services offer social-emotional support through a multidisciplinary approach to inclusion and wellbeing.

Safeguarding
AISL has a Child Protection policy and Guidebook, and a home/school partnership is central to safety and care for children. The Child Protection Curriculum educates students to recognize unsafe situations, refuse assertively, and report concerns using Second Step (EC-Grade 5) and the AISA Child Protection curriculum (Grades 6-12).
Parent Experience

History
AISL began in 1964 with 30 students. For over six decades AISL has nurtured a warm, inclusive community of students, faculty, parents, and alumni. The AISL 60th Anniversary Gala was held in Houston in 2019.

Community
For over six decades AISL has nurtured a warm and inclusive community of students, faculty, parents, and alumni. Our students currently represent 46 nationalities, and the school promotes an inclusive environment with dignity, respect, and tolerance. The AISL Alumni Relations program was established in 2015 to connect former students, faculty, and parents; alumni events have included local and international gatherings and career-related activities.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
AISL parents join the Parent Association, led by the AISL PTO. The AISL PTO helps organize community-wide celebrations such as Nigerian Culture Day, International Day, Thanksgiving, Chinese New Year, and Eid. Parents also serve as guest speakers in classrooms across grade levels and act as real-world learning partners to classroom learning.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
AISL opened the Innovation and Design Centre, which has become a vibrant hub for creativity and collaboration. The school is expanding its campus with a new building that will feature a modern library. English is the medium of instruction. AISL is fully accredited by the Council of International Schools and the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, and the International Baccalaureate Organization authorizes the IB Diploma Programme. The campus is located behind 1004 Estates, Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria.

Sports Facilities
The school offers competitive sports including swimming, soccer, volleyball, and basketball.

Academic Facilities
English is the medium of instruction. The school offers the IB Diploma Programme. AISL is fully accredited by the Council of International Schools and the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, and the IB Diploma Programme is authorized by the International Baccalaureate Organization.

Extra Curricular Facilities
After-school activities include chess, karate, fencing, and boxing; cooking club; and competitive sports such as swimming, soccer, volleyball, and basketball.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
AIS Lagos offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme for Grades 11 and 12, using the IB framework as part of its upper-secondary curriculum. The language of instruction is English.

Arts & Creative
Specialist Classes include Performing Arts and Visual Arts. After-school activities feature art, drama, and music. Early Childhood also includes Performing Arts as part of its specialist offerings.

Cultural & Language
World Languages in the Primary School include French and Spanish. In Early Childhood, French and Spanish are introduced as language specialists.

Social & Hobbies
AIS Lagos offers a vibrant set of after-school activities, including competitive sports, games, digital media, robotics, art, drama, and music.

Community & Service
AIS Lagos partners with local community service providers to integrate therapeutic interventions into the school day. WAISAL membership also provides opportunities for leadership and activities such as Band, Model United Nations, and robotics.

Leadership & Professional
AIS Lagos participates in WAISAL, offering leadership opportunities and activities such as Leadership, Model United Nations, and robotics. The school provides University and Career Counseling in the High School program.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
WAISAL provides athletic opportunities in Volleyball, Basketball, Football, and Swimming. The WAISAL framework supports a range of sports and activities for student wellbeing.
Languages

Language Provision
English is the language used for core instruction, including English Language Arts. World Languages are taught across the school, with French and Spanish offered in Primary and continued in Middle and High School. In Early Childhood, French and Spanish are introduced as language experiences through Specialist Classes. English language learning support is available through Student Support Services.
Admissions

Admissions
1. Grade Level Placements: New students gain admission based on official school records for the last two years, showing the student is succeeding at or above the average in a mainstream classroom. Students entering from a U.S.-based system are placed with their age group, typically Kindergarten at age 5 and about 13 years of schooling before university entrance around age 18. Students entering from a British-based system are placed by age and years in school; those from other calendars are placed on a case-by-case basis. Any initial placement is tentative and may be adjusted after assessment, and entrance testing may be required for all applicants. 2. Age Appropriate Placement: The designated grade level is determined by the student's birthdate. Early Childhood 1 requires age 3 by August 31; Early Childhood 2 requires age 4 by August 31; Kindergarten requires age 5 by August 31; Grade 1 requires age 6 by August 31; and so on up through Grade 12, with specific birthdate cutoffs listed for each grade. Children entering AISL's Early Childhood Program must be toilet-trained prior to the first day of school in August. 3. Requirements: The application must include: payment receipt of the application fee; AISL's confidential school report from the current school; copies of the applicant's passport data page or birth certificate; copies of both parents' passport data pages; copy of the primary parent's US passport if employed in Nigeria; parent STR Visa/CERPAC (where applicable); a recent child photo; immunization records; all school reports for the last two years with transcripts as applicable; all standardized testing results including any IEPs or psycho-educational evaluations; and a completed online application. The online application can be started before all documents are submitted but is not considered complete until all required documents are received and the fee is paid. 4. Admissions Priority: Priority categories include dependents of US State Department & Consular employees, AISL faculty & staff, and certain Special Assessment companies; dependents of Guaranteed Enrollment Plan companies; dependents US citizens on expatriate assignment in Nigeria; dependents of non-US citizens on expatriate assignment in Nigeria; siblings and previously enrolled students; dependents of US citizens who are permanent residents of Nigeria; dependents of non-US citizens who are permanent residents of Nigeria. Special Assessment Companies include Chevron, ExxonMobil, Schlumberger, and Shell; dependents of AISL alumni are considered at one category higher to a maximum of Category 4. AISL does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion or sex. 5. Timeline: The school year runs from August to June. Applicants are encouraged to apply early as some grade levels may reach capacity. During the school session, complete applications are typically processed in 5 to 10 working days; during June and July, processing may take up to three weeks. To help ensure a complete submission, request that AISL's confidential report be completed before summer break. 6. Review: The Office of Admissions and Enrollment Management reviews applications and will contact families if additional information or screening is required. Only complete applications are reviewed by the Admissions Committee for an admission decision. If there is an opening and criteria are met, an offer of admission is sent by email and via the Veracross portal and requires a reply. If admission is not possible, a denial is issued by email and the portal. 7. Student Assessment: Applicants may be called in for an entrance assessment when a vacancy occurs at the appropriate grade level; the assessment may include basic skills, vocabulary, reading comprehension, spelling, mathematics and written expression, and students must score at or above grade level to be admitted. 8. Waitlist: If an application meets admission requirements but the grade level is full, the applicant is placed on the waiting list. The waiting list is maintained by the date of the completed application and priority category. The position on the wait list can change if new applications from other categories are received. Parents must email the Admissions and Enrollment Management Office to update their child's file at least every six months (also via the Admissions Portal) to keep the application active; failure to update can result in removal from the waitlist. Only complete and updated applications will be considered for admission when spaces become available.

Waitlist
If an application meets admission requirements but the grade level is full, the applicant is placed on the waiting list. The waiting list is maintained in priority order by the date of the completed application (including all documents) and by priority category. The position on the wait list may change as new applications from other categories are received. Parents must email the Admissions and Enrollment Management Office to update their child's file at least every six months to keep the file active, and updates can also be made via the Admissions Portal. Failure to update will result in removal from the waitlist. Only applications that are complete and include updated records will be considered for admission when spaces become available.
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