Back to School 2025/26
Dear Parents,
Welcome to a brand-new school year at Discovery International School. Together, we look forward to a year of academic excellence, joyful learning, and a strong parent–school partnership. Thank you for continuing to walk this journey with us.
Here is some important information as you prepare for school to resume next week.
Key Dates
Meet the Teacher Sessions
• Friday 29 & Saturday 30 August – Early Years and Primary (ages 2–11 years)
• Saturday 30 August – 6e, Year 7, Year 8, Year 9
• Kindly note that 30th August is Umuganda. Slots will be available from 12:00 pm.
• Appointments will open soon on Access Center.
• If your child has any health conditions, allergies, intolerances, or dietary restrictions, please review these again with their homeroom teacher.
• If your child is aged 4 and below and is starting school or joining Discovery for the first time, please read this page.
The New School Calendar (2025-2026)
First Day of Classes
• Tuesday 2 September – Gisozi Campus (ages 6+ years)
• Tuesday 2 September – Kibagabaga Campus (all classes)
• Wednesday 3 September – Gisozi Campus (ages 2–5 years)
Morning Arrival Time
Arrival at 7:40 am - In time for dedicated revision for primary students (Accelerator Work for ages 6 and above)
Your cooperation will help us maximize their learning potential and set a positive tone for the rest of the day.
For our youngest learners, aged 5 and below, this time is especially beneficial as it offers individualized learning and support.
Arrival at 8:30 am - For parents who want to walk their child to class. 8:30 is the arrival time for parents of younger children who need the support (this should only last a few days).
At arrival - use the drive-through for morning drop-offs to minimize parking congestion.
Once again, if you want to walk children to class: plan to arrive after 8:30 am when traffic has cleared.
Dismissal and School Day Timings
Half Days (Wednesdays and Fridays, until clubs resume in the second week of school)
• 12:30 pm – Early Years half-day students (all week)
• 1:00 pm – Students aged 6–11 years and their younger siblings
• 1:30 pm – Year 6, 6e, Year 7, 8, 9 and CM2, plus younger siblings
• 1:45 pm – Dismissal closes; late pick-up fines apply
Full Days (Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, before new After-School Clubs start)
• 3:30 pm – Early Years and siblings
• 3:45 pm – Students aged 6+ years with no younger siblings
• 4:00 pm – Year 6, 6e, Year 7, 8, 9, CM2, and their siblings
• 4:20 pm – Dismissal closes; late pick-up fines apply
Extended Full Days (Effective from Monday 8 September)
• 4:30 pm – Year 7, 8, 9, and 6e (Middle School dismissal)
• 3:30 pm – All other students (CM2 and below, Year 6 and below, including Early Years)
After-School Clubs
3:30 pm Clubs (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday)
• New schedule launches from the second week of school (Monday, 8th September).
• Activities will run daily, including options for siblings who may need to wait until 4:30 pm.
Half-Day Clubs (Wednesday and Friday)
• Resume on Wednesday 10 and Friday 12 September.
• Soccer and Dance continue, with more activities to be introduced during the term.
Club Registration and Payment
• Parents must register and pay for clubs.
• Free trial sessions will be offered during the first week of school (full days only).
• Once clubs resume, dismissal for students not in clubs will be 1:00 pm on half days and 3:30 pm on full days.
Growing Beyond Primary
This year, Discovery extends the Cambridge Pathway into IGCSE and A-Levels, preparing learners not only for university but also for meaningful lives beyond school. Our commitment is to nurture each child academically, personally, and socially — preparing them for life, not just exams.
Introducing Discovery House – Gisozi
We are excited to announce the opening of Discovery House in Gisozi, our third Discovery location. Discovery House is a dedicated bilingual hub for Year 7, Year 8, and Year 9. Located just before the Catholic Church and near Alarm Ministries, this new building will deliver the Cambridge Lower Secondary curriculum in a calm, disciplined, and innovative environment.
Discovery House is more than a building - it is a milestone in our growth. It extends our Cambridge pathway beyond Primary, laying a strong foundation for IGCSE and A-Levels, while equipping students with the skills, confidence, and character they need for university, the workplace, and life.
Traffic Flow Management
Dismissal Time: Our priority is to get children safely into the right cars and to keep traffic flowing.
Avoid arriving more than 5 minutes before gates open
Follow the dismissal slots given to each age group at Discovery
Dismissal Process: This may require our dismissal supervisors to guide some cars to park and some cars to circulate more to ease traffic flow. Please be patient with the process and cooperate with the given instructions to facilitate a smooth dismissal
Your cooperation is greatly appreciated in ensuring a safe and efficient traffic flow!
Important Reminders
Inform the class teacher anytime someone other than parents will pick up your children.
Clearly mark all your child’s personal belongings.
Tuition Update 2025–2026
You will notice that tuition has been adjusted by 15–25% as we begin the 2025–2026 school year. This step was taken to harmonize rates across year groups and ensure fairness as students progress from one level to another. Parents will also notice that children transitioning from Early Years into Primary, or from Primary into Middle School, are assigned new rates.
Like many other private and international schools in Kigali, increments have also been necessary at Discovery in response to the rising cost of living, including staff development, food and transport services, and foreign currency risk. These adjustments allow us to sustain the high-quality learning environment, dedicated staff, and strong support that define Discovery.
Most families have already received their updated rates, but if you would like a copy of your statement or have any questions, please contact our finance team at finance@discoveryrwanda.org.
For direct assistance, English-speaking families may reach out to Ms. Gloria (0784 732 294), and French-speaking families to Ms. Claudine (0783 627 836).
Finance Department
• Finance and admin desks open from 1:30–5:30 pm daily in September (2nd–30th).
• Please ensure Term 1 tuition and fees are settled before school begins.
• Children whose accounts remain unsettled may be asked to stay home until payments are cleared.
Payment Details
• MTN Mobile Money: 18281*040894
• I&M Bank (DISCAL LTD): RWF 20097706001 | USD 20097706002
• Urwego Bank (DISCAL LTD): RWF 1116293050122 | USD 1116293050114
For a personalised tuition statement, email finance@discoveryrwanda.org (cc info@discoveryrwanda.org).
International Transfer Details
Account name: Discal Ltd
Account number: 20097706002
Bank name: I&M Bank (Rwanda) PLC
Branch: Kigali HQ Branch
Bank address: KN 03AV/9 Kigali, Rwanda
Swift code: IMRWRWRW
How to Contact Us
Call/WhatsApp: +250 781 111 002
• General inquiries: reception@discoveryrwanda.org, info@discoveryrwanda.org
• Administrative matters: info@discoveryrwanda.org
• Contacting your child’s teacher:
Aim to contact your child's teacher between 4:15 pm and 5:30 pm for any concerns, or schedule a face-to-face meeting after school hours.
Teachers are unlikely to respond promptly to you when they are attending to students.
Department Contacts
• Early Years Section (Ages 1–5): Vanessa Rwiyereka – vanessa@discoveryrwanda.org | +250 788 570 485
• French Primary Section: Adelard Karubu – adelard@discoveryrwanda.org | +250 782 171 997
• English Primary Section & Middle School: Laura Nyarora – laura@discoveryrwanda.org | +250 788 574 373
• Admin, Finance, Operations: Elsie Kaneza / Gloria Tunga – info@discoveryrwanda.org | +250 781 111 002
• Board & Senior Management: Alpha Akariza – director@discoveryrwanda.org | +250 781 111 002
We are here to support you with any questions, great or small.
Welcome back to Discovery International School — where every learner is known, challenged, and prepared for life.
Together, let’s make 2025–2026 another year to remember!
