Per term: ₦1,300K–₦2,300Kestimated within tier band
Founded 1993
Adrao is a smaller, American-curriculum school on Victoria Island. Serves the expat and dual-citizenship Nigerian families who want US college preparation but at a lower price point than AISL. Smaller cohorts and closer teacher supervision are Adrao's main draws.
Fee breakdown
Tuition range
₦4.0M–7.0M
/yr · 2025/2026
Estimated first-year total
₦7.0M
tuition + extras
L
Lagos.Cool Editorial
2 May 2026 · 2 min read
About this school — Adrao International School
Adrao International School is one of the smaller American-curriculum Victoria Island schools serving expat and dual-citizenship Nigerian families who want US college preparation without the AISL fee tier. Founded 1993, Adrao occupies a specific niche in the Lagos international-schools market: American-curriculum at a boutique scale (~200 pupils across primary and secondary) at 40-50% of AISL's fees. What Adrao competes on is the smaller cohort — three-quarter-teacher supervision, individualised AP subject selection, and small SS3/Year 12 cohorts where the college counsellor can guide 8-12 pupils personally. What Adrao does not offer is the Middle States accreditation, IB Diploma option, or the recognisable-brand advantage of AISL. For families choosing between AISL and Adrao, the decision usually comes down to family US college target list (Ivy/Stanford/MIT applications benefit from AISL's track record; broader US applications work at either) and the tuition budget (Adrao saves ~$20K-$30K/year at the senior secondary level).
Strengths & trade-offs
✓ Strengths
✓American curriculum with AP subjects
✓40-50% cheaper than AISL for similar outcomes
✓Small cohort ~200 for individualised attention
✓Victoria Island location
✓College counsellor guides 8-12 pupils personally
✗ Trade-offs
✗No Middle States accreditation
✗No IB Diploma option
✗Small cohort limits AP subject range
✗Small campus
✗Fees in USD
Facilities & campus
●Converted VI residential compound
●22 classrooms in single-grade cohorts
●3 science laboratories
●Small hall
●Library
●3 computer labs (one AP Computer Science)
●Art room
●Music room
Curriculum & exam pathway
Accreditations
• College Board (AP)
• Federal Ministry of Education Nigeria
University destinations
Ivy League (occasional)NYUGeorgetownAmerican UniversityUniversity of CaliforniaBoston UniversityOntario universitiesNigerian private universities
Admission process
Rolling admission processed throughout the year. Application fee $300 or naira equivalent, non-refundable. Standardised test scores (MAP or equivalent for below Grade 9; SAT/ACT prep considered for Grade 10+) are considered. Two teacher recommendations required for Grade 6+. Interview with the Head of Admissions plus a school-visit day for parents and prospective pupils. Sibling priority applies. Standardised English proficiency baseline expected — Adrao is an English-immersion American-curriculum school without ESL support at scale.
Tuition is only part of the bill. Here's what families actually pay:
Capital development fee (first year)$1,500
School bus$1,500–$3,000/yr
Uniform + sports$200–$400
AP exam fees$300–$700/yr
Field trips$1,000–$3,000/yr
Campus & facilities
The Victoria Island campus is a converted residential compound extended in 2005 and 2015 with purpose-built additions. Facilities are compact but purpose-designed for the American-curriculum model: 22 classrooms across primary and secondary in single-grade cohorts, three science laboratories (biology, chemistry, integrated science), a small assembly hall, a library, three computer laboratories (one dedicated to AP Computer Science), an art room, a music room, and a small outdoor sports court. No swimming pool on-site; partnership with a Victoria Island pool for PE. Power on grid + industrial generator + inverter backup. Water from LSWC pipe with borehole backup. Day-only.
AISL is fully accredited with a larger cohort and higher fees. Adrao is smaller, less internationally-branded, and roughly 40-50% cheaper for a similar American-curriculum experience.
Yes — like AISL and other American-curriculum schools, Adrao bills primarily in USD to align with its faculty cost base and international-standardised-test fees.
Approximately 200 pupils across primary and secondary — significantly smaller than AISL.
Yes — Advanced Placement courses at senior secondary. Not all AP subjects offered every year due to cohort size.
Predominantly US universities via SAT/ACT + AP scores. Some Canadian and UK placements.