Welcome to Rwamagana Leaders' School
Empowering minds, shaping futures. Join our community of learners where excellence meets innovation in education.
Our Mission
We provide high quality secondary education in Rwanda by offering a secure and nurturing school environment that transforms vulnerable youth into future leaders and problem solvers who champion environmental sustainability and social change. It is all about our students… our student body says “Thank you!”.
Excellence in Education
A rigorous curriculum and strong support systems prepare students for higher education and real-world problem solving.
Expert Faculty
Dedicated teachers committed to nurturing learners into confident, responsible leaders.
Award-Winning Programs
Recognized for innovation in STEM, experiential learning, and holistic education.
Future Leaders
Every student is prepared to lead with integrity, empathy, and competence by the end of high school.
Mr. Moses Ssenyonjo
Director, Rwamagana Leaders' School
With over 15 years of experience in educational leadership, Mr. Moses Ssenyonjo has been instrumental in shaping the vision and growth of Rwamagana Leaders' School. His commitment to academic excellence, student development, and sustainability has made him a respected leader in the education sector.
About Rwamagana Leaders' School
Discover our history, our vision for Rwanda’s youth, and the governance and leadership behind Rwamagana Leaders' School.
Our History
Founded in 2008, Rwamagana Leaders' School began as a small educational institution with a big vision: to create a learning environment where every student could reach their full potential.
We started with about 40 students and have grown into a thriving educational community of over 400 students. RLS opened as a secondary school in 2010 and continues to grow in both academic excellence and impact.
Our journey is closely linked to Rwanda’s broader transformation from conflict and poverty to peace and purposeful development. High-quality education is a key “game-changer” in this story, and RLS is proud to be part of that change.
Our Vision
Education for All
We envision quality secondary education that is universally accessible and equitable, so that Rwanda’s youth are equipped with the skills and tools to become the next generation of skilled and compassionate leaders.
Transformational Leadership
We aim to develop young people who will lead in their families, communities, and the nation with integrity, courage, and a deep sense of responsibility.
Our Core Values
We set standards for responsibility and high achievement, and we develop an inclusive, supportive, and trusting student body that uses critical thinking to make a meaningful impact in their communities and beyond.
Core to our philosophy is experiential learning: cross-disciplinary instruction, project-based learning, global awareness, and character building.
Founded upon the principles of Christianity, we welcome and respect students from all religious backgrounds. We promote a school culture of awareness, respect, and tolerance.
Integrity
Honesty, accountability, and ethical behavior in all we do.
Innovation
Creative problem-solving and openness to new ideas and approaches.
Inclusivity
A welcoming environment where every student feels valued and supported.
Our Approach
Social sustainability. Environmental sustainability. Economic sustainability. All of these are important to us at Rwamagana Leaders' School.
Social Sustainability & School Culture
School culture is fundamental, especially in a country rebuilding after genocide and where corporal punishment was once routine. RLS has a clear code of conduct for both students and staff.
Each student belongs to a small Crew of around fifteen students with one adult mentor, staying together for three years. We encourage students to compete with personal and academic standards, not against each other. Teamwork, participation, and welcoming new students are expected and celebrated.
Community Service
We are steadily integrating community service and learning into the school experience. One example is our project of making nearly a thousand mud bricks for an orphan-headed household nearby.
In the best cases, community service builds long-term relationships that are meaningful to all parties and helps students understand the needs and strengths of their wider community.
Environmental & Economic Sustainability
Rwanda is Africa’s most densely populated country. Resources like energy, water, and healthy soil are limited. We want our campus to be a working model for sustainability and student learning.
On campus we already have rainwater catchment, solar power, biogas digesters, and small-scale livestock (chickens and a cow). We sort waste for recycling and aim to expand into greenhouse projects and other sustainable initiatives.
We are working to develop an A-Level curriculum that prepares students to be competitive in fields such as green architecture, waste management, alternative energy, water management, soil science, family planning, and environmental law.
Our goal is to see greater economic sustainability for families and for the school. As Rwanda moves towards “trade, not aid”, parents can increasingly contribute school fees, and RLS can run income-generating projects. While some students will always need financial support, we are aiming for around 65% economic independence through tuition and entrepreneurial projects.
Expeditionary Learning
We use Expeditionary Learning (EL) to drive critical thinking, cross-curricular connections, extensive reading and writing, and inquiry-based math and science.
EL helps us improve professional development for teachers, assessment for learning, and the use of data to understand student progress. In an EL school, character development and community service are just as important as academics.
Founders & Leadership
Meet the Founder, Robin Strickler
Robin started as a middle school music teacher, later earned an MA in linguistics, worked in personnel management, and taught English at a Japanese university for eight years — an unusual but powerful background for founding a high school in Rwanda.
Her path to Rwanda began when she married her husband John, a Rwandan Lutheran pastor born in exile in Tanzania. John was given a slim opportunity to attend secondary school, which changed his life. That experience, combined with Robin’s own schooling, convinced her that quality education is a true “game-changer”.
Rwanda is undergoing deep transformation from poverty, war, and genocide to a successful and purposeful nation. Rwamagana Leaders' School is one part of that story.
Meet the Founding President, Karl Smith
Karl taught mathematics while pursuing his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at UCLA, then became a national teaching fellow at Whitworth College before joining Santa Rosa Junior College in 1968. Over 35 years, he taught mathematics, chaired the department, and was deeply involved in mathematics education in the United States.
He authored over 50 college-level mathematics textbooks with a focus on making mathematics accessible to all. After retirement, he visited Rwanda less than 20 years after the 1994 genocide. Meeting the children and seeing the need for secondary education changed his life.
Shortly after his visit, Robin arrived to start a school. They joined forces to create the Rwanda School Project and open Rwamagana Leaders’ School in 2010, with a strong emphasis on girls’ education and support for orphans.
Governance & Boards
The governance of Rwamagana Leaders’ School is shared between two boards to ensure both international support and strong local leadership.
Rwanda School Project Board (North America)
The North American governing board is the Rwanda School Project Board. This board has a fifteen-member executive committee providing organizational oversight for all operations not specifically handled by the LEDO Board.
Its responsibilities include financial oversight, fundraising, campus planning, and hiring and supervising the Program Director.
The Rwanda School Project is recognized as a
501(c)(3) organization
Tax ID: 20-354545455.
LEDO Board (Rwanda)
The Rwandan governing board is the Leaders’ Educational Development Organization (LEDO) Board. This nine-member executive committee provides educational oversight for the operation of Rwamagana Leaders’ School.
The LEDO Board ensures that Rwandan laws and customs are followed. It supervises the Program Director in day-to-day operations, hires all school staff (except the Program Director), and oversees curriculum and matters related to local customs and requirements.
The LEDO Board is recognized as an NGO in Rwanda
Registration: N537/RGB/NGO/LP/07/2019.
Academics
Our academic program is designed to challenge and inspire, preparing students for success in higher education, careers, and leadership.
Our Programs
Biology
The study of living organisms and their interactions with the environment.
Mathematics
Numbers, patterns, reasoning, and problem-solving for everyday life and advanced study.
Computer Science
How computers and algorithms are used to solve complex real-world problems.
Physics
The science of matter, energy, motion, and the fundamental laws of the universe.
Geography
Earth’s physical features, human environments, and the link between people and place.
Chemistry
Substances, their properties, and how they combine and react to form new materials.
Literature
The study of written works, language, and human experience expressed through text.
History
Past events, societies, and how they shape the present and future.
Curriculum Overview
Elementary Subjects
Strong foundations built through engaging, hands-on learning.
Advanced Subjects
A college-preparatory program with strong science, math, and humanities.
Sample Weekly Schedule
High School (O' Level & A' Level)
| Time | Activities | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5:30–6:00 |
Wake up
Dormitory |
Take a shower
Dormitory |
Prepare for the day
Dormitory |
Wear school uniform
Dormitory |
Move to first prep
Classrooms |
| 6:00–7:00 |
First prep
All rooms |
||||
| 7:00–8:00 |
Breakfast
Cafeteria |
||||
| 8:00–10:40 |
Class time
All rooms |
||||
| 11:00–12:20 |
Class time
All rooms |
||||
| 12:20–13:20 |
Lunch time
Cafeteria |
||||
| 13:20–16:00 |
Class time
All rooms |
||||
| 16:00–19:10 |
Afternoon prep / clubs
All students |
||||
| 19:10–20:00 |
Supper
All students |
||||
| 20:00–21:30 |
Evening prep
All rooms |
Special Programs & Opportunities
STEM & Innovation
Strong emphasis on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, with project-based learning.
Environmental Projects
Students engage in environmental stewardship through school gardens, recycling, and sustainability projects.
Leadership & Character
Crew system, mentorship, and leadership opportunities develop confidence and character.
Community Engagement
Service projects help students understand community needs and build long-term relationships.
Photo Gallery
Explore our vibrant campus life, state-of-the-art facilities, and memorable moments that make Rwamagana Leaders' School a special place to learn and grow.
News & Events
Stay updated with the latest news and upcoming events at our school.
Latest News
Upcoming Events
Contact Us
Get in touch to learn more about our school or to schedule a campus visit.
Visit Our Campus
Rwamagana District, Eastern Province
Republic of Rwanda
Secretariat: +250 783 755 971
Director: +250 788 982 206
Secretariat Email: info@rls.ac.rw
Director Email: director@rls.ac.rw
Send us a Message
Admissions
Join our community of learners and be part of a school committed to excellence, character, and sustainability.
Admission Process
Submit Application
Complete the application form with all required information.
Interview & Tour
Meet our team, ask questions, and experience the campus and culture.
Receive Decision
Admission decisions are communicated within a short period after review.
Tuition & Fees
| Levels | Boarders | Day Scholars |
|---|---|---|
| Ordinary Level | 430,000 RWF | 220,000 RWF |
| Advanced Level | 430,000 RWF | 220,000 RWF |