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Kigali International Community School

Rwanda, Kigali

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees RWF 7,400 - 21,545
Ages 3 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 320
Type Co-educational
Opened 2006
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum American Curriculum, Advanced Placement (AP)
Taught languages French, Spanish, Mandarin
Strengths STEM, Performing Arts, Languages
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language
Stages Preschool, Primary School, Middle School, Secondary School, High School
Introduction

Kigali International Community School (KICS) is a nonprofit, Christ-centered international school in Kigali, Rwanda, serving PreK–12. It provides a US-based curriculum taught in English and offers Advanced Placement (AP) classes in high school. KICS is the first US-accredited school in Rwanda and holds accreditation from the Middle States Association (MSA) and the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI). The school serves students from 27 nationalities and partners with families and Rwanda's education sector to prepare graduates for university study. A planned 8.8-hectare campus will host centers of excellence in Learning Support, ICT, Science, Performing Arts, and Global Leadership, funded through donor contributions. Beyond academics, KICS offers Fine Arts and Athletics, student leadership, and service opportunities, including mission groups and community projects. The language of instruction is English; Kinyarwanda and French are taught, with Spanish or Mandarin available online in higher grades. The school administers ACT, SAT, PSAT, and AP exams.

The Essentials

Kigali International Community School has 320 pupils, instruction in English.

Location
Rwanda

Stages
PreK-12

Type
International Christian school

Pupil Nationality Mix
27 nationalities represented; international community.

Additional learning support
Learning support available; the school serves students with a range of learning needs.

Country affiliation
Rwanda

Religious affiliation
Christian
Diving Deeper

Boarding Arrangements
The school does not have a boarding option.

Uniform Requirement
The school does not have a uniform requirement. T-shirts are available for purchase and are recommended for use during PE classes and school spirit days.

Governance and Ownership
The school is governed by the KICS Board; the Head of School reports to the Board. Christine Baingana is Board Chair.
Fees

Annual tuition at Kigali International Community School ranges from RWF 7,400 to RWF 21,545 for 2026/27.

Application fee

- Application fee: USD 300 per applicant (payable at application). Payment may be made in cash to the KICS finance office or by deposit/transfer into the school bank account.

One-time and recurring family fees

- New Family Enrollment Fee: USD 1,500 (one-time, per family, for new families only).
- Annual Capital Development Fee: USD 900 per year; the schedule notes a maximum of USD 1,800 per family annually.
- Re-enrollment deposit: USD 250 per student due on the re-enrollment date; this deposit is non-refundable and is applied toward tuition for the school year.

Tuition fees by year group (annual and per-term)

- Pre-K: Annual tuition USD 6,500. Per-term amount (annual divided by three) USD 2,166.67.
- Kindergarten: Annual tuition USD 12,791. Per-term amount USD 4,263.67.
- Elementary (Grades 1–5): Annual tuition USD 17,279. Per-term amount USD 5,759.67.
- Middle School (Grades 6–8): Annual tuition USD 18,401. Per-term amount USD 6,133.67.
- High School (Grades 9–12): Annual tuition USD 20,645. Per-term amount USD 6,881.67.

(Note: per-term amounts above are the annual tuition divided by three, consistent with a three-term academic year.)

Payment schedule and billing terms

- Full payment option: Full tuition payment due on or before July 15 (annual deadline).
- Installment option (three scheduled payments):
- 10% of the annual tuition due on May 15.
- 40% of the annual tuition due on July 15.
- Remaining balance (50% of annual tuition) due on December 1.

- Example installment amounts (rounded to cents):
- Pre-K (USD 6,500): 10% = USD 650.00; 40% = USD 2,600.00; balance = USD 3,250.00.
- Kindergarten (USD 12,791): 10% = USD 1,279.10; 40% = USD 5,116.40; balance = USD 6,395.50.
- Elementary (USD 17,279): 10% = USD 1,727.90; 40% = USD 6,911.60; balance = USD 8,640.50.
- Middle (USD 18,401): 10% = USD 1,840.10; 40% = USD 7,360.40; balance = USD 9,200.50.
- High School (USD 20,645): 10% = USD 2,064.50; 40% = USD 8,258.00; balance = USD 10,322.50.

Payment methods and processing fees

- Primary payment methods: bank deposit/transfer to the school's USD accounts at Access Bank or Ecobank. Wire transfers should include an additional USD 30 administrative fee. The tuition schedule also notes payment of fees to the specified bank accounts with student names on the bank slip.
- Application fee payment options: cash at the KICS finance office or bank deposit/transfer.
- Financial aid application processing (FAST) carries a separate application charge of USD 53 payable by credit card (the FAST fee is distinct from tuition payments). Families without a credit card are asked to contact the finance office for payment arrangements.

Boarding and transport

- KICS does not offer boarding. Bus/transportation is not provided.

Uniforms, supplies and other optional costs

- KICS does not require a formal school uniform. KICS T-shirts are available to purchase and are recommended for PE and spirit days. Separate student supplies lists exist for grade levels; parents should budget for recommended supplies and any optional online language course fees (for high school students who choose Spanish or Mandarin online).

Refund information

- The re-enrollment deposit (USD 250) is explicitly stated as non-refundable and is applied to the tuition for the academic year. Other refund terms are not detailed in the tuition & fees schedule.

Other notes on fees and financial aid

- KICS operates a need-based financial aid program and uses FAST to process applications; any financial aid award is determined by the school following FAST analysis. FAST's application fee is USD 53 (credit-card payment). Wire transfers to the school should add USD 30 to cover administrative charges.
Academics

Kigali International Community School teaches American Curriculum, Advanced Placement (AP) for students aged 3 to 18.

Curriculum
The language of instruction is English. The school uses a PreK-12 US-based curriculum and offers Advanced Placement (AP) classes in high school.

Student Teacher Ratio
Small class sizes

Higher Education Progression
Graduates have the opportunity to go to the university of their choice upon graduation.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The school has a Social Emotional Learning Coordinator and a Secondary Social Emotional Learning Coordinator who support students' social and emotional needs; the student services team works to support the whole child and collaborates with teachers, families, and the community to provide needed resources and support.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
Learning challenges and gaps are addressed by Learning Support Teachers.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
The school provides English Language Learning support with an English Language Learning Teacher.

Mental Wellbeing
Social/emotional needs are supported by the Social Emotional Learning Coordinator and the Secondary SEL Coordinator, and college and career guidance counseling is provided.
Parent Experience

History
KICS was established in 2006 in Kigali, Rwanda. It is a Christ-centered, nonprofit institution serving PreK–12 with a U.S.-accredited curriculum. It is the first US-accredited school in Rwanda and is fully accredited by the Middle States Association (MSA) and the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI). The language of instruction is English, and the school serves students from 27 nationalities. The school emphasizes partnerships with families and with Rwanda's education sector to provide Christ-centered education and prepare graduates for university.

Community
KICS is an international community with students and families representing 27 nationalities. Parents participate through the PTO, which supports school events, organizes PTO activities, welcomes new families, collaborates with the student council, and becomes class sponsors. The school calendar includes community and cultural observances such as Umuganura on August 1, 2025, Heroes' Day (February 2, 2026), the Genocide Against the Tutsi Memorial on April 7, 2026, and KICS Remembers on April 24, 2026. The calendar also notes other school-wide events and holidays observed throughout the year.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
KICS has a PTO (Parent-Teacher Organization) that you are welcome to join, and the PTO's role is to support school events, organize PTO events, welcome new families, collaborate with student council, and become class sponsors. The PTO chair has served in leadership roles and even joined the KICS Board after serving as PTO chair for two years. PTO involvement is described as part of school-wide functions and field trips, with active participation by families. Board pages note family involvement and leadership transitions related to PTO leadership, including former PTO chairs moving onto the Board.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
KICS is planning a new campus on an 8.8-hectare site to serve its PreK-12 program. The project is intended to realize the school's vision for a larger, purpose-built home in Kigali. The plan includes centers of excellence in Learning Support, ICT, Science, Performing Arts, and Global Leadership. A donor drive invites gifts to fund these facilities.

Sports Facilities
The school offers Fine Arts & Athletics Programs and sports and extracurricular activities.

Academic Facilities
The language of instruction is English. AP classes are offered in high school. Learning support is available. The school administers ACT, SAT, PSAT, and AP exams.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Fine Arts & Athletics Programs are offered, along with sports and extracurricular activities.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
Student-led clubs are encouraged. Model UN and debate are among the extracurriculars. Electives include band, film making, visual art, guitar, piano, choir, and art and technology. High school offers AP courses.

Arts & Creative
Electives include band, film making, visual art, guitar, piano, choir, and art and technology. Music and performing arts are offered, including theatre and choir. Musical theater is among the extracurricular offerings. The school supports creative expression through these activities.

Cultural & Language
Kinyarwanda and French are taught. Kinyarwanda is taught weekly in the primary grades, and French is taught as a world language in middle school. In high school, French remains the core language offering, with Spanish or Mandarin available online at additional cost.

Social & Hobbies
Student-led clubs are a feature of student life. Extracurricular activities include soccer, basketball, reading club, photography club, and art club. Students are encouraged to start new clubs by partnering with staff.

Community & Service
Service projects are offered as part of extracurricular life. Weekly mission groups provide discipleship and mentorship for secondary students. Field trips and special projects also supplement the program with service-oriented components.

Leadership & Professional
All students in grades 6-12 are assigned mission leaders who mentor them through school life. Student leadership opportunities include a student council and other leadership roles within clubs and projects.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
KICS has a thriving athletics program beyond academics. Sports include basketball, soccer, badminton, swimming, taekwondo, frisbee, and volleyball.
Languages

Language Provision
The language of instruction is English. Primary students study Kinyarwanda and French as foreign languages. Middle school students (6th-8th) are required to study French as a foreign language every year. High school students study a foreign language; French is offered, with Spanish or Mandarin online at an additional cost. English Language Learning support is provided through an English Language Learning Teacher as part of Student Services.
Reputation

Awards
null

Accreditations
The school is accredited through ACSI and MSA and is a full member of CESA. It is the first US-accredited school in Rwanda.
Admissions

Admissions
1. Confirm eligibility. Kigali International Community School admits students from Pre-K through 12th grade. A child must be 3 years old by October 1 to qualify for Pre-K and 5 years old by October 1 to qualify for Kindergarten. The school strictly adheres to these age cut-offs and does not consider any exceptions. English proficiency considerations are assessed during admissions using the WIDA screener to determine ELL support and admission suitability.

2. Submit online application. Submit the online application for your student. The Admissions Office is available to help you throughout each step of the application process during office hours: Monday–Thursday 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. and Friday 8:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m.

3. Admission testing and language assessment. Entry testing is required for admissions. All applicants applying for Grade K-12 will be given a computerized test in reading and math, and a WIDA English proficiency screener is also required. The testing lasts approximately 1 hour for students in K–5 and 1.5 hours for students in 6–12.

4. Admissions decision and enrollment instructions. After completing the application process, the Admissions Committee will review your files. An official determination letter will be sent by email, and if admitted, instructions on how to enroll will follow.

5. Financial aid. KICS operates on a need-based financial aid structure. If you wish to be considered for financial aid, you may apply during the online application process. If approved, you will receive a financial aid award letter along with your final acceptance letter.

6. Waitlist. If a student meets the admissions criteria but their grade is full, they will be placed on the waitlist for the remainder of that academic year. If a place becomes available in that grade, you will be contacted and given an option to enroll. If no place becomes available that academic year, you may re-apply for the future academic year.

Scholarships
Need-based financial aid is offered. Applications for financial aid can be submitted during the online application process. If approved, families receive a financial aid award letter along with the final acceptance letter.

Waitlist
Waitlist overview: If admissions criteria are met but the grade is full, students are placed on the waitlist for the remainder of the academic year. If a place becomes available, families will be contacted with an option to enroll. If no place opens that year, families may re-apply for the following academic year.
School Events
The school has not added events
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