St Francis Catholic Secondary at Idimu. Nigerian curriculum with a strong Catholic ethos. Publicly reported ~92% WAEC credit-pass rate — exceptional for the affordable tier. Serves the wider Alimosho catchment.
Fee breakdown
Tuition range
₦80.0K–200.0K
/yr · 2025/2026
Estimated first-year total
₦200.0K
tuition + extras
L
Lagos.Cool Editorial
2 May 2026 · 2 min read
About this school — St Francis Catholic Secondary School
St Francis Catholic Secondary School Idimu is the affordable-tier Catholic school that stands out on WAEC data — publicly reported ~92% credit-pass rate places it above many mid-market international schools in Lagos at a fraction of the cost. Founded 1985 by the Franciscan Order of Friars Minor, the Idimu campus serves the wider Alimosho catchment (Idimu, Egbeda, Isheri, Ikotun). Catholic mission ethos with disciplined academics is the school's brand. Fees are moderate for the tier.
St Francis Catholic Secondary Idimu was founded 1985 by the Franciscan Order of Friars Minor as part of the wider Catholic education expansion in the western Lagos suburbs. What distinguishes the school on data is its WAEC pass rate — the publicly-reported ~92% credit-pass rate places it above many mid-market international schools in Lagos at a fraction of their cost. The Franciscan model produces this outcome through long-serving teachers on modest salaries (many current department heads joined in the 1990s), disciplined classroom culture, extensive after-school and Saturday tutoring, and community fundraising to supplement fees. The trade-off is spartan facilities — Franciscan mission ethos over Franciscan facility investment. Alumni move into LASU, UNILAG, LAUTECH, Covenant, Babcock, and increasingly into scholarship pathways to South African and UK universities.
Strengths & trade-offs
✓ Strengths
✓~92% WAEC credit-pass rate (exceptional for tier)
✓Franciscan Order mission
✓Coed with strong Catholic ethos
✓Alimosho catchment convenience
✓Below international-school pricing but above state
✓Long-serving teaching staff
✗ Trade-offs
✗Catholic ethos non-negotiable
✗Day-only
✗Modest facilities compared to international tier
✗Class sizes 30-40
✗Idimu location
Facilities & campus
●Idimu campus
●Academic blocks
●Three science laboratories
●Small assembly hall
●Chapel
●Basic library
●Outdoor sports areas
Curriculum & exam pathway
Accreditations
• Federal Ministry of Education Nigeria
• WAEC
• Franciscan Order of Friars Minor
University destinations
LASUUNILAGCovenantBabcockLAUTECHNigerian State universitiesNigerian private universitiesOccasional South African universities via scholarship
Admission process
JS1 entry via school entrance examination held quarterly. Catholic family priority. Application fee ₦10,000. Common Entrance results supplementary.
JS1 entrance examination held quarterly. Application fee ₦10,000. Catholic family priority is documented. Sibling priority applies. Common Entrance results considered supplementarily. SS1 transfer entry available for pupils with strong JS3 results seeking Franciscan mission secondary. Interview with the Principal and a designated Sister for shortlisted candidates plus a parent interview to confirm alignment with the Franciscan ethos before offer letters are issued.
Extracurriculars
FootballBasketballAthleticsMusic ensembleChoirDebateBible studyDramaCommunity service
Tuition is only part of the bill. Here's what families actually pay:
Uniform₦20,000–₦40,000
Books + WAEC entries₦25,000–₦80,000/yr
Lunch₦60,000–₦120,000/yr
PTA levy₦10,000–₦20,000/yr
Campus & facilities
The Idimu campus was purpose-built with academic blocks, three science laboratories, a small assembly hall, a chapel, a basic library, and outdoor sports areas. Facilities are modest but well-maintained under Franciscan stewardship. Day-only.
The Idimu campus was purpose-built in 1985 by the Franciscan Order. Facilities include academic blocks organised across a compact plot, three science laboratories, a small assembly hall used for daily morning assemblies and community meetings, the chapel, a basic library, a computer room, and outdoor sports areas (small football pitch and basketball court). Facilities are modest but well-maintained under Franciscan stewardship — the community fundraising model means small but continuous improvements. Power runs on grid + 40KVA generator + inverter. Water from onsite borehole. Day-only.
Publicly reported ~92% credit-pass rate in core subjects. This puts St Francis well above the national and Lagos averages and competitive with many mid-market international schools despite fees that are 10× lower.
The Franciscan mission model — long-serving teachers on modest salaries, disciplined classroom culture, extensive after-school and Saturday tutoring, and community fundraising to supplement fees. The trade-off is spartan facilities compared to international-tier schools.
Yes — Catholic families receive priority but non-Catholic pupils are welcome. Christian Religious Studies is compulsory. Non-Catholic pupils attend morning assembly with Catholic prayers.
Strong LASU, UNILAG, LAUTECH placement plus growing numbers into private universities via scholarship (Covenant, Babcock, Bowen). The top decile occasionally secures scholarship pathways to South African and UK universities.
Yes, arguably. On WAEC results plus affordability plus Catholic ethos, St Francis is the standout choice in the wider Alimosho catchment. The alternatives — public state schools — are far cheaper but rarely match on academic outcomes.