Foundational Principles
The International Community School of Addis Ababa is a premier early childhood through grade 12 school offering a holistic, vigorous, and inclusive program. An International Baccalaureate (IB), Council of International Schools (CIS), and Middle States Association (MSA) accredited school, ICS serves a diverse, multi-cultural student body on a beautiful, well-equipped campus.
Community Conduct Statement: Everyone has the right to feel safe and respected at ICS Addis. To that end, we will not tolerate any abuse of our employees, students, or parents in any form; written, verbal, physical, or otherwise. Anyone who violates this Conduct Statement in any way may be removed from our community
Our mission is to nurture the talents, character, and intellect of all learners, challenging them to be a positive influence and empowering them to excel in their world.
Vision
Our best With Africa and our World.
Definition of Learning:
Learning is an ongoing process in which learners acquire, develop and apply knowledge, skills, and dispositions essential to thrive in, and contribute to, an ever-changing world.
Learning is optimized when it is:
personalized meaningful authentic reflective conceptual collaborative transdisciplinary active
Our History
In April 1964, the Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie, by royal decree, allowed the American Community School (ACS) to be established. The Emperor gave the school a 50 year lease on 15 acres of land on the far, yet to be developed, side of Addis Ababa.
Our doors opened with one classroom block, one gym, a small library and an outdoor amphitheater. We had a handful of teachers, 210 students in kindergarten through grade 12, and a lot of hope, promise and potential.
50+ years on, ICS has grown to nearly one thousand students, 130 teachers and 120 professionals and support staff. We have over 100 classrooms including science labs, computer labs and full music and band rooms. We have a robust athletic and after school activities program with over 100 activities and sports for our students to choose from throughout the year. We’ve had an amazing and inspiring first 50 years and we look forward to what the next 50 years will bring.
The Head of School is selected by the Board of Governors to oversee all operational aspects of the school. He is assisted in this task by the school principals, the deputy head of school for operations, the deputy head of school for finance, the activities and athletics director and the balance of the professional staff. The school also employs a number of teaching assistants who help teachers implement the instructional program and support staff who look after all other aspects of the school’s operation.