Cities / Cairo / Cairo American College
Cairo American College
CAC has anchored the Maadi expat circuit since 1945 and remains the first stop for US embassy and corporate families in Cairo. It is a Pre K through 12 American school with PYP and an IB Diploma option in the senior years, accredited by CIS, MSA, and the IB.
In brief
CAC has anchored the Maadi expat circuit since 1945 and remains the first stop for US embassy and corporate families in Cairo.
It is a Pre-K through 12 American school with PYP and an IB Diploma option in the senior years, accredited by CIS, MSA, and the IB. Around 970 students pass through, drawn from 56 nationalities, with US passport holders the largest single group followed by Egyptians. Facilities include two gyms, an Olympic pool, theatres, and on-campus food, and the swim programme has long been a regional standout.
Loyalty among engaged families runs deep, and the diversity of the community is a real draw. The block schedule, four classes one day and four the next, divides parents. Some families say it suits older students moving toward IB independence. Others find that core subjects feel thin in middle school and that the structure asks for organisational maturity younger pupils do not always have. Visit during a normal week before deciding, and ask about how learning support actually plays out below high school.
Fees
Annual fees
| Year level | Age | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-K 3 | 3 | EGP 488,520 |
| Pre-K 4 | 4 | EGP 759,330 |
| KG1 / Grade 1 | 5 | EGP 1,412,460 |
| Grades 1-5 (Elementary) | 6 | EGP 1,412,460 |
| Grades 6-8 (Middle School) | 11 | EGP 1,441,665 |
| Grades 9-12 (High School / IB) | 14 | EGP 1,452,285 |
One-time fees
| Item | Age | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Capital Fee | EGP 15,930 | |
| Application Fee | EGP 20,709 | |
| Plant Fee | EGP 39,825 | |
| Admission Deposit | EGP 53,100 | |
| Registration Fee (K-12) | EGP 743,400 |
Reviews
The flagship American school in Cairo since 1945, anchored on a green eleven-acre campus in Maadi and tied closely to the US embassy and the wider diplomatic community. Academic register is high, with both the American high school diploma and the IB Diploma Programme on offer and most graduates moving on to US or international universities. Facilities, athletics (the swim programme in particular) and the breadth of nationalities are consistent strengths. Parent voice splits along a familiar fault line: families inside the diplomatic and corporate-expat orbit describe a warm, well-run community, while some others find the social side of the school harder to penetrate and the academic pressure unforgiving.
Positives
- Status in Cairo. Long-established as the reference international school in Cairo, with US State Department recognition, IB, MSA and CIS accreditation and a campus and facilities other schools in the city are measured against.
- Facilities and athletics. Eleven-acre Maadi campus with a 25-metre pool, multiple fields and courts, gyms and a theatre. The swim programme has dominated regional schools competition for years.
- Academic level and university outcomes. Dual pathway through the American diploma and IB Diploma. The graduating cohort moves almost entirely into US and international universities, and the academic register is pitched accordingly.
- International mix. Roughly 58 nationalities on roll, with a strong American core sitting alongside European, Middle Eastern and Egyptian families. Diplomatic and multinational-corporate households make up a large part of the parent body.
Considerations
- Academic pressure. The school is academically competitive and some students find that intensity hard going. The flip side of the strong university outcomes is a workload and a culture that does not suit every child.
- Parent community. Families inside the diplomatic and corporate-expat circuit describe a tight, supportive community. Some parents outside that orbit talk about a cliquey social scene and difficulty getting to know other families despite the school's size.
- Fees. Fees sit at the top of the Cairo market, with the senior years pushing well past EGP 1 million. The price tag is a recurring caveat even in otherwise positive parent accounts.
Leadership
Dr. Jared Harris
Dr. Jared Harris became the Head of School at Cairo American College in August 2019. Previously, he served as the High School Principal at CAC starting in 2014. His prior leadership experience includes roles at the International School Nido de Aguilas in Chile and the American School of Asuncion in Paraguay. Dr. Harris holds a BA in Psychology and Mental Health Services, an M.Ed. in School Counseling from Western Washington University, and an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from Seattle University. He is recognized for leading the school through a period of significant enrollment growth and innovation.
Accreditations
- Council of International Schools 01
- Middle States Association Commissions on Elementary and Secondary Schools 02
Academic results
- IB DP average ~35 (2019)
- University acceptances 90-95% to top US colleges