Zega International School

For Kindergarten, children must be 3 years old by September 1st. Grade 1 requires children to be 6 years old by this date. We follow an age-appropriate placement policy across all grade levels to ensure developmental readiness.

We welcome applications from all students regardless of nationality, ethnicity, or religion. Our diverse community includes local Ethiopian students, international students, and children of expatriates working in Ethiopia.

While our main intake is at the beginning of the academic year in September, we do consider mid-year admissions based on availability. Transfer students may join throughout the year if space permits and the student meets our academic requirements.

We offer a blended international curriculum incorporating the best of British and American educational frameworks, enhanced with Ethiopian cultural elements. Our program prepares students for IGCSE and A-Level examinations while maintaining global standards.

Applications can be submitted online through our portal or in person at our admissions office. The online application includes a non-refundable processing fee of 500 ETB. You'll need to create an account, fill out the form, and upload required documents.

Required documents include: birth certificate, 4 recent passport photos, immunization records, previous school reports (for grades 1-12), any educational assessment reports, and copies of parents' IDs. International students need additional documentation including passport copies and residency permits.

Applications for the September intake open on January 15th. Priority consideration is given to applications received by March 31st. Late applications are accepted based on availability. Mid-year applications are reviewed on a rolling basis with decisions typically within 2-3 weeks of assessment.

Absolutely! We encourage prospective families to schedule a campus tour through our admissions office. Tours are available Monday-Thursday at 9:30am and 2:00pm. We also host Open House events twice per term where you can meet faculty and current parents.

Tuition varies by grade level, ranging from 85,000 ETB per year for Kindergarten to 145,000 ETB for high school. Fees cover tuition, most learning materials, and standard extracurricular activities. A detailed fee schedule is available upon request from our finance office.

Additional costs may include: registration fee (10,000 ETB, one-time), uniform (approx. 4,500 ETB), optional after-school programs, field trips, and specialized exam fees for older students. Transportation and lunch programs are available at extra cost.

We accept bank transfers (preferred), credit/debit cards (Visa/Mastercard), mobile banking (CBE Birr, M-Birr), and cash payments at our finance office. Installment plans are available with 50% due at registration and the balance in two equal payments during the academic year.

Registration fees are non-refundable. Tuition refunds are prorated based on withdrawal date: 90% before term starts, 50% in first month, 25% in second month. No refunds after mid-term. Special circumstances may be considered by the school board on a case-by-case basis.

Students applying for Grade 1 and above complete age-appropriate assessments in English, Mathematics, and general reasoning. Kindergarten applicants participate in play-based readiness observations. These help us understand each child's learning needs and ensure proper placement.

For younger students, we conduct informal interactions to assess social-emotional development. Older students have structured interviews focusing on academic interests and goals. Parents also meet with admissions staff to discuss educational philosophy alignment and answer any questions.

Yes, we offer trial days for students in Grades 1-12 after the initial assessment. Your child will spend a full day with their prospective class, participating in regular activities. This helps both the school and family evaluate the fit. Kindergarten trial sessions are shorter (2-3 hours) and parent-accompanied.

Complete applications typically receive decisions within 10-14 business days after all assessments and interviews. Priority round applicants (by March 31) receive notifications by April 15. Mid-year applications are processed within 2 weeks. All decisions are communicated via email followed by official letter.

To secure your child's place, you must submit the signed enrollment contract and pay the registration fee within 14 days of acceptance. For international families, we may hold the spot for 21 days to accommodate visa processes. Late confirmations may forfeit the spot to waitlisted applicants.

New student orientation occurs the week before term starts. Families attend a welcome session, students meet teachers and classmates, and we conduct placement tests where needed. Kindergarten has a phased entry with shorter days in the first week to ease transition.

Deferral requests must be made in writing before the term begins. We can typically hold a spot for one academic year with a non-refundable deposit of 25% tuition. Subsequent deferrals require reapplication. Kindergarten spots cannot be deferred beyond age eligibility limits.

Transfer students follow the standard application process with additional emphasis on previous school records. We require official transcripts, recommendation forms from current teachers, and often conduct more comprehensive assessments to determine proper grade placement and identify any learning gaps.

We need official transcripts covering at least the two most recent academic years, translated to English if necessary. For high school transfers, course descriptions/syllabi help with credit transfer. International transfers may need credential evaluation for non-US/UK curriculum schools.