Modern English School, Cairo
Key Stats
Annual Fees: US$2K - US$4K
Curriculum: British · American · IB
Age Range: 3-18
Students: ~2,400
Location: New Cairo, Cairo
Updated April 2026
In Brief
MES is Cairo's best-value multi-curriculum school for locally based families who want IGCSE, A-Level or American Diploma without paying USD-denominated fees. It is not the right fit if you need a predominantly international student body or strong classroom management as a baseline.
MES is the largest international-curriculum school in Cairo by enrolment, with around 2,400 students on a purpose-built New Cairo campus. Fees in EGP (EGP 80,000-185,000 per year) make it far more accessible than dollar or sterling-quoted competitors - roughly US$1,700-3,900 at current rates. The curriculum breadth is genuine: families can choose between British (IGCSE, A-Level), American Diploma, and IB Diploma tracks in secondary. The school has held BSO, MSA and COGNIA accreditations, which matter for university applications.
The campus is well equipped - a 400-seat theatre, science labs, sports halls and broad co-curricular offerings. Drama and music production standards are cited by families who have attended events. Students who eventually apply to the American University in Cairo, the German University of Cairo or UK universities go through pathways here that have a long track record. The school director since 2023, Melanie Midwood, comes with a background in Manchester schools.
The honest trade-off is that MES is overwhelmingly Egyptian in its student body - typically more than 90%. International families who want their children in a genuinely multinational environment will find the mix limited compared to CAC or BISC. Teacher turnover and classroom management in the lower secondary years are recurring themes in independent feedback and worth asking about directly before enrolling a middle-school-aged child.
What parents value
- –EGP-denominated fees make MES the most accessible of the three major Cairo international schools for locally based families. EGP 80,000-185,000 per year is a fraction of dollar- or sterling-quoted competitors.
- –Three curriculum tracks - British, American and IB - on a single campus with shared facilities. Families with mixed priorities or uncertain destination countries value the flexibility.
- –Established exam record: 100% A-Level pass rate across 11 subjects in 2018, IGCSE results above UK national average in the same year. University destinations include AUC, GUC, BUE and UK institutions.
Points of consideration
- –The student body is predominantly Egyptian, with limited international representation. Families specifically seeking a multicultural environment should ask for the current nationality breakdown.
- –Lower secondary classroom management is worth asking about. Independent feedback consistently mentions this as an area where the school's performance varies by section and year group.
- –Class sizes run to 20-25 and the school is at or above capacity. Ask about class sizes in your child's specific year group before enrolling.
Annual Fees
| Year Group | Age | USDTotal Annual Fee |
|---|---|---|
| KG1 | 3 | NaN |
| KG2 | 4 | NaN |
| Grade 1 | 5 | NaN |
| Grade 2 | 6 | NaN |
| Grade 3 | 7 | NaN |
| Grade 4 | 8 | NaN |
| Grade 5 | 9 | NaN |
| Grade 6 | 10 | NaN |
| Grade 7-12 (American Diploma) | 11 | NaN |
| Grade 7-12 (British / IB) | 11 | NaN |
Fees converted from EGP. For the most up to date and accurate figures please double check with the school.
Additional Fees
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Transport (annual, approx) | NaN |
Photos
Academic Results
| A-Level pass rate | 100% (2018) |
| IGCSE results | Above UK national average (2018) |
Key results: A-Level pass rate 100% (2018), IGCSE results Above UK national average (2018).
Extra Curriculars
Contact the school for details on co-curricular activities, facilities and what a typical week outside lessons looks like for your child's age group.
Inspections & Accreditations
Inspection
No published inspection details are currently available.
Accreditations
Accreditation details are not publicly listed.
Memberships
Membership details are not publicly listed.
Student Body
Cairo's international schools serve a mix of diplomatic, corporate-expat and Egyptian-international families. Contact the school for current enrolment and nationality breakdown.
Leadership
Melanie Jane Midwood
School Director since August 2023. Educated at Manchester Metropolitan University and University of Manchester (BA, MA, postgraduate education). Previously taught in Manchester.