Cairo English School, usually shortened to CES, is one of the larger British curriculum schools on our Cairo city hub. It opened in 2006 with around 130 students on a purpose built campus in New Cairo and has since grown into a school of well over a thousand pupils from the early years to the sixth form. Its distinctive feature is the choice it offers at the top of the school, where students can finish on either Cambridge A Levels or the IB Diploma.
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At a glance
Curriculum and academics
CES follows the English National Curriculum from the early years foundation stage through to Cambridge IGCSE, the international version of the GCSE sat in the middle of secondary school. What sets the school apart is the sixth form, where students choose between two distinct leaving routes: the focused three or four subject Cambridge A Level course, or the broad two year IB Diploma with its six subjects across the disciplines, Theory of Knowledge, extended essay and creativity, activity and service. Offering both under one roof is unusual and lets families pick the route that fits the child rather than the school.
As an Egyptian school teaching a British programme, CES also delivers the Arabic, religion and social studies subjects required by the Ministry of Education. The school is an IB World School and is inspected under the British Schools Overseas framework, the same external inspection regime used for British schools abroad. Families deciding between the two sixth form routes can read our IB Diploma guide and the British curriculum guide to compare how each is assessed and read by universities.
Weighing CES against other New Cairo schools?
Put CES side by side with up to two other Cairo schools on curriculum, fees and the sixth form choice before you decide.
Cairo English School fees
CES sits in the upper part of the Cairo market. Our Cairo international school fees guide places established Cambridge and IGCSE schools in the upper mid international band, with the sixth form years the most expensive. Like most established Cairo schools, CES sets fees that rise stage by stage, and many schools here now quote in or peg to US dollars to manage movements in the Egyptian pound, so confirm the current schedule and the billing currency directly before budgeting from abroad.
Tuition is only the start. Budget for a one off registration or enrolment charge, a place confirmation deposit, school transport across greater Cairo, lunches, uniform, trips and activities, and in the sixth form the external Cambridge or IB examination entry fees charged separately. Ask how fees are staged across the year and use our fee tools to model the full annual cost rather than the headline tuition alone.
Admissions
CES admits for a September start and reviews applications through the year where places remain. Entry draws on prior school reports and an age appropriate assessment, used to place a child correctly and confirm readiness rather than to select aggressively. Particular attention goes into the IGCSE years, where subject choices begin, and into the sixth form, where the decision between A Levels and the IB Diploma shapes the final two years.
As a large and established school in a fast growing part of the city, CES sees steady demand, so popular year groups can fill ahead of the new academic year. Families planning a move should apply early, ask directly about availability in their child's year, and discuss the sixth form pathway in good time, since the A Level and IB Diploma options each require different subject planning.
Location and who goes there
The campus sits in New Cairo, the planned expansion east of the historic centre that has grown rapidly over the past two decades into one of the capital's main hubs for newer housing, business and international schools. A purpose built site here gave CES room for the facilities a school of its size needs, and put it within reach of the gated compounds and residential districts where many of its families live. For families on the eastern side of greater Cairo, New Cairo is convenient; those further west should factor in the commute.
The community is international with a strong British curriculum core, alongside a large number of internationally minded Egyptian families who want a British or IB education close to home. For the wider picture of where expatriate families settle across the capital and how the British options compare with the American, IB and bilingual schools, see the Cairo city hub and our guide to the best international schools in Cairo for British families.
Reviews
We do not yet hold verified parent reviews for Cairo English School. GlobalSchoolGuide is independent and no school pays to be listed, so we publish reviews only once we can confirm they come from real families. If your child attends or has attended CES, we would value your first hand account. Share it through the school reviews hub and help the next relocating family decide with better information.
Frequently asked questions
How much are Cairo English School fees?
Cairo English School sits in the upper part of the local market, in line with established Cambridge and IGCSE schools in the upper mid international band described in our Cairo fees guide, with the sixth form the most expensive. Fees rise stage by stage and many Cairo schools now quote in or peg to US dollars, so confirm the current schedule and billing currency directly.
Is Cairo English School a good school?
Cairo English School is a large, established British curriculum school in New Cairo, opened in 2006, teaching to IGCSE then offering both A Levels and the IB Diploma. It is an IB World School inspected under the British Schools Overseas framework. Whether it suits depends on your child, and we do not publish a rating without verified reviews.
What curriculum does Cairo English School follow?
The school follows the English National Curriculum to Cambridge IGCSE, then offers a choice in the sixth form between Cambridge A Levels and the IB Diploma, alongside the Arabic and Egyptian subjects required by the Ministry of Education.
Where is Cairo English School located?
The school is on a purpose built campus in New Cairo, the planned expansion east of the historic centre and one of the capital's main hubs for newer housing and international schools.
When do Cairo English School applications open?
The school admits for a September start and reviews applications through the year subject to space. Entry uses prior records and an assessment, so families planning a move should apply ahead and confirm availability in their child's year group.
