Best schools in Cairo

Central Cairo district, Maadi, has always been a draw for foreigners, particularly the areas close to the Nile, as it is wonderfully green and comparatively cool by city standards. It also has the largest choice of international schools within reach, as well as bars and restaurants.

Beautiful view of Cairo downtown and the Nile from above, Egypt.

Education in Cairo

Cairo is huge - more than 20 million people live here - but the neighbourhood options for expats with children are often narrowed to only two: the established district of Maadi and the 21st century permanent encampment in the desert, 6th of October City and its satellites.

In an attempt to limit the accidents on Cairo’s ring-road, there are no longer advertising hoardings to tempt you. Instead there are glimpses of the grandiose structures of some of the international schools, complete with Grecian pillars or modern domes.

This choice of schools near Maadi makes it an attractive, as well as a leafy and civilised, place to live and educate your children. But while the choice may be smaller out in the desert, bear in mind that the houses are much more glamourous, the school run is less hair-raising, and you can leave it to the breadwinner to be the only member of the family to suffer behind the wheel, each day.

Choosing a school in Cairo

The aspirations are high, but the achievements can be less apparent. Designed to attract the burgeoning middle class of Cairo, who despair of the national education system, many international schools are newish and privately-owned. Those which have a much longer history were, in the main, specifically set up to cater to foreign embassy and company staff.

Several schools, together with parents and staff, have moved to locations away from the central madness. The clean air, pools, gardens and rapidly expanding but less congested infrastructure are the attractions of 6th of October City, Sheikh Zayed City and other residential developments built in the desert to the west.

Reaching these schools from Maadi or central Cairo is always something of a nightmare and can take an hour in the afternoon, along what is perceived to be one of Egypt’s most dangerous roads. This horror can last up to two hours if children stay for after-school clubs and can lead to some younger children missing out on these, as parents throw in the towel. Anyway, you might prefer to live in a shiny new city, particularly in Al-Motamayez, an Egyptian version of Beverley Hills, with houses (and prices) that can be as eye-catching as the Californian original. There’s even a group of schools in Sheikh Zayed City itself.

Special education needs in Cairo

The Learning Resource Centre (LRC) was established in 1996 and is now widely considered the leading institution in Egypt catering to children with special needs. LRC invests heavily in training and development and co-operates with cutting-edge international organisations including the Institute of Education, University of London.

It provides educational support services to a number of leading international schools which regularly refer children for assessment and individual assistance (some say too readily). Part and full-time specialists from a range of disciplines - psychologists, behavioural therapists, speech and language pathologists, occupational and physical therapists and educational specialists – are also available for individual consultations, although there are waiting lists for some.

LRC is proud of its inter-disciplinary diagnostic approach. A four-step procedure assesses the child’s needs and leads to detailed recommendations and an individual plan of action. Support and counselling is provided to children and parents at LRC and through a number of schools and nurseries in Cairo. Parents are impressed by the thoroughness and professionalism of staff and, although some of the services are pricey, they are generally considered good value for money.

LRC operates from a house in a leafy residential suburb of Cairo with a small garden and playground. It also clinically supervises the nearby Advance Centre which caters to children aged 2-21 with autism and related disorders.

Pre-schools, kindergarten and nurseries in Cairo

Nurseries and kindergartens flourish here – the two most popular are Stepping Stones and Small Talks, both described as ‘absolutely amazing’ by parents. There is a choice of Montessori schools, including the central International Montessori Preschool and the Montessori Child’s House Nursery Academy. The long-standing and well-considered Irish School in Giza (30 minutes by car) takes children from nursery up to 11 years old.