School admissions in Kigali follow a similar pattern at most international and private schools, but the deadlines, documents and fees differ enough to trip families up. This page explains the usual steps, gives a document checklist, sets out key dates for 2026/27 and shows how we help. All details were checked in October 2026 against schools' published admissions information.
The usual admissions steps
- Enquiry or register of interest: you contact the school or fill in an online form. Green Hills Academy, for example, takes a register of interest through an online application platform.
- Visit: many schools invite families for a campus tour. If you are still abroad, ask about a video call or send a relative.
- Application: you submit the form, documents and an application fee.
- Assessment or interview: the school checks grade placement, language level and support needs.
- Offer: the school confirms a place, or a waiting list position.
- Deposit and registration: you pay a deposit or registration fee to secure the place.
- Before day one: uniforms, supplies, lunch and transport arrangements.
Document checklist
Prepare these early, especially if you are moving from abroad. Scan everything into one folder so you can send it quickly.
| Document | Why schools ask for it | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Completed application form | Basic details and consent | Use the same spelling of names as the passport |
| Child's passport copy | Identity and nationality | Also keep the residence permit once issued |
| Birth certificate | Age and parentage | Bring a certified copy and a translation if not in English or French |
| School reports (last two years) | Placement and progress | Ask the current school before term ends |
| Leaving certificate or transfer letter | Proof of departure from previous school | French system schools call this an exeat |
| Immunisation records | Health and safety | Keep a translated copy |
| Passport photos | School ID and records | Bring several |
| Learning support or medical reports | Planning support | Share early, so the school can plan honestly |
The International School of Kigali lists the application form, passport copy, recent academic records and immunisation records. EFASE asks families from French or homologated schools for proof of enrolment, a leaving certificate and reports from the previous two years.
Key dates for 2026/27
| What | Date | Source |
|---|---|---|
| EFASE main registration window | 14 March to 15 May 2026 | EFASE |
| EFASE entry tests (CP to Première) | 23 May 2026, results 1 June | EFASE |
| ISK returning student deposit | Due by 1 May | ISK |
| EFASE second window (if places) | 25 to 28 August 2026 | EFASE |
| National school year starts | Monday 7 September 2026 | NESA calendar |
| National third term ends | Friday 2 July 2027 | NESA calendar |
| Primary Leaving Examination | 6 to 8 July 2027 | NESA calendar |
| Secondary national written exams | 14 to 23 July 2027 | NESA calendar |
ISK reviews financial aid applications in April for the following year, after the student has been accepted. If you need aid, start early.
Assessments and placement
Assessments in Kigali are mostly about placement. ISK says it may assess students to decide the right grade and spot support needs. EFASE tests children coming from non-French systems from CP to Première, but not children entering maternelle.
Placement depends on age cut-offs:
- ISK: age on 1 September. Pre-K at 4, Kindergarten at 5, Grade 1 at 6.
- EFASE: age by 31 December. Petite Section at 3, CP at 6, Sixième at 11.
If your child is moving from a system with a different calendar, such as a January start, discuss placement openly. A child can be offered different year groups by different schools.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Applying to one school only: popular year groups fill. Keep a second option.
- Missing fixed windows: the French school's main window closes in May.
- Forgetting translations: documents in other languages may need translation.
- Underestimating first-year costs: application, enrolment and deposit fees add up. See our school fees guide.
- Ignoring the commute: choose housing and school together. Our relocation guide helps.
If you are applying from abroad
Many families apply before they arrive. Ask each school whether it can run assessments online or accept results from your current school, and whether a video interview can replace a visit. Send documents as clear PDF scans with consistent file names, such as the child's name and document type. Keep originals for when you arrive, because some schools want to see them.
How we support your application
- Shortlist: we match your child to schools by curriculum, age, budget and area. Start with our international schools guide.
- Requirements: we list each school's documents, fees and deadlines in one place.
- Preparation: we help you prepare documents and get ready for assessments and interviews.
- Follow-up: we track offers, waiting lists and deposit deadlines so nothing lapses.
Parents sign forms and pay schools directly. For young children, see our nursery schools guide.
Start your application plan
Use the form on this page to tell us your children's ages, current grades, preferred curriculum, budget and start date. We will send you a clear plan with the schools to approach, the documents to prepare and the dates that matter.
Frequently asked questions
When should I apply to schools in Kigali?
Ideally six to nine months before your child's start date. Some schools run fixed windows: the French school EFASE took 2026/27 applications from 14 March to 15 May 2026. Others, such as the International School of Kigali, accept applications through the year when places are available.
What documents do schools ask for?
The International School of Kigali lists a completed application form, a copy of the student's passport, recent academic records and immunisation records. Other schools ask for similar documents, plus a birth certificate, passport photos, leaving certificates or learning support reports. Requirements differ, so check each school.
Is there an entrance exam?
Many schools assess new students, mostly to decide grade placement and support needs rather than to select. EFASE tests children from CP to Première coming from non-French systems, while ISK says it may conduct assessments to determine placement and learning support needs.
How are children placed in a year group?
Usually by date of birth against a cut-off date, adjusted after reviewing reports and any assessment. ISK uses age on 1 September of the enrolment year; EFASE uses age by 31 December. A child can land in a different year group depending on the school.
When does the school year start in Rwanda?
On the national calendar released by NESA, the 2026/27 year starts on Monday 7 September 2026, the third term ends on 2 July 2027, and the Primary Leaving Examination runs from 6 to 8 July 2027. International schools set their own term dates.
Do I need to pay a deposit to secure a place?
Usually. ISK asks new students for a USD 1,000 admission deposit, applied to tuition, and returning students for USD 2,000 by 1 May. EFASE requires its RWF 500,000 first registration fee and RWF 50,000 file fee to be paid for the application to count.
Can you apply on our behalf?
We guide and support your application: we explain each school's requirements, help you prepare documents, track deadlines and help you prepare for assessments and visits. Parents sign forms and pay schools directly, so you always stay in control of the application.