American families, and many others heading towards North American universities, often look for American curriculum schools in Kigali. Two schools are widely considered: the International School of Kigali (ISK) and Kigali International Community School (KICS). This page sets out neutral, sourced facts about both, explains Advanced Placement (AP), and shows how we help families decide and apply. We do not rank schools or publish reviews.
How the American system works
American schools run from Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12. Students usually start Kindergarten at 5 and Grade 1 at 6, and graduate from Grade 12 at about 17 or 18. Instead of a single national exam at 16 or 18, students earn credits course by course and graduate with a high school diploma.
Advanced Placement (AP) courses are college-level courses run by the College Board, each with an exam scored from 1 to 5. Many universities give credit or placement for strong AP scores. The AP Capstone Diploma goes further: students who score 3 or higher in AP Seminar and AP Research, and on four other AP exams of their choice, receive it.
The two schools at a glance
| International School of Kigali (ISK) | Kigali International Community School (KICS) | |
|---|---|---|
| Location | 10 KG 307 St, Kibagabaga | Caisse Sociale Estates, Gaculiro |
| Founded | 2009 | 2006 |
| Grades | Pre-K to Grade 12 (ages 4 to 18) | PreK to Grade 12 |
| Curriculum | American, with AP and the AP Capstone Diploma | American-based, Christian ethos, with AP courses |
| Accreditation (as stated) | CIS and Middle States Association | ACSI and Middle States Association (2012) |
| Fee currency | US dollars | US dollars (application fees) |
Sources: the ISK website, Wikipedia entries for both schools, and the KICS doris.school profile. Ask each school to confirm current details.
International School of Kigali (ISK)
ISK is a non-profit school founded in 2009 by parents. It moved to its Kibagabaga campus in December 2021. The school says its students come from over 35 countries and that its Grades 9 to 12 programme culminates in the AP Capstone Diploma, with AP physics, chemistry and biology in the sciences.
Published fees (checked October 2026):
| Grade level | Annual tuition | Annual capital levy |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-Kindergarten | USD 8,098 | USD 500 |
| Kindergarten | USD 16,604 | USD 1,000 |
| Grades 1 to 5 | USD 22,837 | USD 1,000 |
| Grades 6 to 8 | USD 23,453 | USD 2,000 |
| Grades 9 to 12 | USD 26,435 | USD 2,000 |
New students also pay a USD 175 application fee, a USD 3,000 enrolment fee per student (USD 5,000 maximum per family) and a USD 1,000 admission deposit applied to tuition. ISK says it accepts applications through the year when places exist, prorates fees for mid-year starts, and reviews financial aid applications in April for the following year.
Kigali International Community School (KICS)
KICS is a non-profit Christian school founded in 2006, located in the Caisse Sociale Estates in Gaculiro. It teaches an American-based, English medium programme from PreK to Grade 12. Its doris.school profile lists a USD 300 application fee and a USD 1,500 new family enrolment fee for 2026/27. We could not confirm tuition from the school directly, so contact us for a current quote.
Choosing between American and other options
- University in the US or Canada: an American diploma with AP scores is familiar to admissions officers there.
- University in the UK or Europe: AP scores are used by many universities, but check entry requirements. Compare with British curriculum schools and IB schools in Kigali.
- Faith ethos: KICS is openly Christian; ISK describes itself as non-denominational. Think about what matters to your family.
- Budget: fees in US dollars protect you from franc movements if your salary is in dollars, but they are among the higher fees in Kigali. Our school fees guide compares currencies and extras.
Location and daily life
Kibagabaga and Gaculiro are both residential areas in the north and north east of the city, so families often rent nearby to shorten the school run. If your office is in the city centre or near Kigali Convention Centre, test the drive at peak time before signing a lease. Our guide to relocating to Kigali with children covers housing areas and permits.
Questions to ask an American curriculum school
- Which AP courses run each year, and how many students take AP exams?
- How do you transfer credits from my child's previous school?
- What university guidance do you offer, and from which grade?
- Which fees, levies and deposits apply to new students this year?
How we help
- Compare: we set ISK, KICS and any other suitable schools side by side for your child's grade.
- Budget: we total tuition, levies, one-time fees and extras for each year your child will attend.
- Apply: we help you gather the documents ISK lists: a completed application form, passport copy, recent academic records and immunisation records.
- Plan: we track deadlines, deposits and assessment dates. See our admissions guide.
Start your American school search
Use the form on this page to tell us your children's ages and grades, your budget and your start date. We will reply with the American curriculum options in Kigali that fit and the steps to apply.
Frequently asked questions
Which American schools are there in Kigali?
Two well known options are the International School of Kigali (ISK) in Kibagabaga, which follows an American curriculum with Advanced Placement for ages 4 to 18, and Kigali International Community School (KICS) in Gaculiro, a Christian American curriculum school for PreK to Grade 12.
How much does the International School of Kigali cost?
ISK publishes its fees in US dollars. Annual tuition is USD 8,098 for Pre-K, USD 16,604 for Kindergarten, USD 22,837 for Grades 1 to 5, USD 23,453 for Grades 6 to 8 and USD 26,435 for Grades 9 to 12, plus an annual capital levy.
What one-time fees do new ISK students pay?
ISK lists a non-refundable application fee of USD 175, an enrolment fee of USD 3,000 per student with a USD 5,000 maximum per family, and a USD 1,000 admission deposit per student that is applied to tuition. Confirm current amounts with the school.
What are KICS application fees?
According to its doris.school profile for 2026/27, Kigali International Community School charges a USD 300 application fee per applicant and a one-time new family enrolment fee of USD 1,500. Contact us for a current tuition quote, as we could not confirm tuition from the school directly.
What is the AP Capstone Diploma?
It is a College Board award for students who score 3 or higher in AP Seminar and AP Research and on four other AP exams of their choice. ISK says its high school prepares students through an extensive AP programme culminating in the AP Capstone Diploma.
What age does my child need to be for ISK's Pre-K?
ISK places children by their age on 1 September of the enrolment year. Pre-K students must be 4, Kindergarten students 5 and Grade 1 students 6. Contact the admissions team for placement in higher grades or if your child has a late birthday.
Are these schools accredited?
ISK says it is accredited by the Council of International Schools (CIS) and the Middle States Association. KICS received accreditation from the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) and the Middle States Association in 2012. Ask each school for its current accreditation status.