Cairo American College

Cairo American College (CAC) is a K-12 American/International school located in Cairo, Egypt which aims to affirm the voice, passions, and talents of students and inspire them to use their hearts and minds as global citizens. CAC should not be confused with The American International School in Egypt or The American University of Cairo.

The school is located in Maadi, and enjoys a strategic and rare location in a quiet suburb of Cairo. Compared to the average U.S. state public school, CAC is better in every objective category. Teachers at CAC are all educated in either American or Canadian universities or equivalent institutions in Egypt, like the American University in Cairo.

Cairo American College offers a rigorous educational program, which follows a general U.S. standards referenced curriculum model. International Baccalaureate and Advanced Placement courses are offered in the high school and, starting in the eleventh grade students may elect to pursue an International Baccalaureate Diploma. School instruction is in English. World languages include Arabic, French, and Spanish, which are taught in grades 1-12. Instruction in Chinese-as-a-first-language is offered in grades 1-10. Studies include the history and culture of Egypt, and technology is integrated into the curriculum school-wide. CAC is a non-sectarian institution. Ninety-five percent of the school's graduates go on to colleges and universities in the United States or other countries. Cairo American College is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.

The United States Department of State provides direct and indirect support to CAC. CAC is not a Department of Defense (DOD) school, however, the vast majority of dependents of the American Embassy attend CAC. CAC enjoys a diverse and multinational student population with students from all over the world. As of the beginning of the 2010-2011 school year, enrollment is 1,405 (PK: 30, K.-grade 5: 521; grades 6-8: 332; and grades 9-12: 522). Of the total, 700 are U.S. citizens, 194 are host-country nationals, and 511 are of other nationalities. Of the U.S. enrollment, 239 are dependents of U.S. Government direct-hire or contract employees, and 461 of either U.S. business and foundation employees or other private U.S. citizens.

CAC is involved in various Middle Eastern, Asian, and European athletic conferences. The Screaming Eagles enjoy a reputation among international schools as being one of the more successful teams worldwide, particularly in swimming, baseball, and volleyball. CAC also boasts a reputable visual and performing arts program, hosting international art, choral, and drama festivals.

CAC also offers the Week Without Walls program, which gives their high school students the opportunity to spend a week either travelling to another country or participating in trips around Egypt. The trips are meant for students to learn about other cultures or to take part in community service projects.

One of the most unique and magnificent aspects of CAC is its High School graduation ceremony. Seniors graduate directly in front of the Sphinx and Giza Pyramids. CAC is the only school in Egypt which performs its graduation ceremony at the pyramids.

Annual tuition in 2010-2011 is $10,800 for Pre-K; $16,820 for grades K-5; $17,260 for grades 6-8, and $17,440 for grades 9-12.

The Good Schools Guide International has reviewed the school and noted that "CAC enjoys a good reputation amongst international American schools and generally attracts and retains a number of staff. While the central curriculum is American, it’s augmented by AP courses offered from 10th grade and the IB curriculum in 11th/12th grade.