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International School of Lusaka

Lusaka, Zambia
Photo by Lighton Phiri on Unsplash
Grades
PK-12
Type
Private
Founded
1996
Languages
English

"The International School of Lusaka is a private English-medium school serving students from pre-kindergarten through Grade 12 in Zambia's capital city."

Founded in 1996, the school has established itself as one of Lusaka's premier destinations for internationally minded families seeking a rigorous, globally recognized education. Its mission centers on developing well-rounded, principled learners who are prepared to engage thoughtfully with the world beyond the classroom, making it a natural fit for expatriate families, relocating professionals, and Zambian families who value an international educational framework. Academically, the school is authorized to deliver programs of the International Baccalaureate Organization, offering both the Primary Years Programme for younger students and the Diploma Programme at the senior secondary level. The Primary Years Programme provides a transdisciplinary, inquiry-based framework that encourages children from the earliest grades to ask questions, make connections, and develop a sense of agency in their own learning. As students progress toward the end of their secondary education, the IB Diploma Programme offers one of the most respected pre-university qualifications in the world, recognized by universities across Europe, North America, and beyond. For families who move frequently between countries, the continuity of the IB framework is a particularly compelling advantage, as it ensures a familiar and consistent educational philosophy regardless of where a student has studied previously. Instruction across all year groups is delivered in English, which provides a common academic language for the diverse international community the school serves. This shared language of learning helps students integrate smoothly into the school's academic life, while the IB's emphasis on multilingualism and global awareness ensures that cultural and linguistic diversity remains central to the school's ethos. Lusaka, as Zambia's largest city and administrative hub, is home to a significant diplomatic, NGO, and business community, and the International School of Lusaka reflects that cosmopolitan character in its student body. Families arriving from across Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Americas will find a community where diversity is not merely tolerated but genuinely celebrated. The school's relatively small and intimate size means that students are known as individuals, and the sense of community among families tends to be close-knit and welcoming — a quality that parents new to Lusaka consistently find reassuring during what can otherwise be a challenging relocation transition. The school's campus is situated within Lusaka, placing it within accessible reach of the city's expatriate residential areas and the many international organizations headquartered in the capital. Campus life is designed to support the whole child, with academic ambition balanced by attention to social, creative, and physical development in keeping with the holistic philosophy that underpins the IB approach. For families weighing their schooling options in Lusaka, the International School of Lusaka offers a well-established, internationally accredited environment where children can thrive academically and personally. With nearly three decades of experience educating internationally mobile students, it stands as a stable and trusted institution in the heart of one of southern Africa's most dynamic capital cities.

IB Programmes
PYP
Primary Years Programme
DP
Diploma Programme
Campus Environs
Campus Environs
Location
Lusaka, Zambia
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