Top 10 Best-Rated Primary Schools In Kaduna State

In Kaduna State, education is increasingly prioritized, with rising demand for primary schools that offer academic excellence, modern facilities, and holistic development for children. From private institutions with global curricula to community‑recognized schools, these ten schools stand out as among the best primary education options in Kaduna today.

1. Essence International School, Kaduna

Founded in 1982 and located along Sultan Road in Ungwan Rimi, Essence International School serves pre‑nursery through primary and beyond. Accredited internationally, it follows mixed Nigerian and international curricula, emphasizing academic excellence, character development, and extracurricular enrichment.

With small class sizes, well‑equipped libraries, art studios, ICT suites, and sports facilities, Essence creates a nurturing and stimulating environment. Alumni achievements and strong parental satisfaction further reinforce its reputation.

2. Nigerian Turkish International School (Nigerian Tulip International Colleges), Kaduna

Originally known as Nigerian Turkish International College, NTIC was established in 1998 and is part of a reputable network of international schools in Nigeria including Kaduna State branches.

NTIC offers a rigorous curriculum enhanced by international competitions, excursions (including trips abroad), science fairs, and Saturday remediation programs. Its track record of producing winners in national and international academic contests underscores its high rating.

3. Imperial Schools Kaduna

Imperial Schools, with locations in Kudenda/Barnawa area, offers both primary and secondary education following a model curriculum focusing on science, arts, vocational, and computing subjects.

Highly rated by parents, Imperial emphasizes discipline, structured teaching, and development of fundamental skills. It also appears consistently on “top 10 primary schools in Kaduna” lists, confirming its standout performance.

4. Forbes Royal School, Kaduna

Located in Malali GRA, Forbes Royal School is featured among the top primary schools in Kaduna and is praised for its world‑class approach. It blends Finland’s education principles with global best practices, integrated into its preschool through primary curriculum.

Parents often cite its modern facilities, experienced staff, interactive learning methods (including digital classrooms), and holistic focus on academic and personal development.

5. Ladela Schools

Ladela Schools, based in Unguwar Rimi, is another highly acclaimed institution on multiple “best school” rankings in Kaduna State.

Ladela is committed to nurturing children into responsible global citizens, combining strong classroom instruction in core subjects with extracurricular opportunities and community values.

6. Queens Field Schools

Located along Gongola/Rima Road in Barnawa, Queens Field Schools ranks among the best primary schools in the state.

Queens Field focuses not only on academic success, but also on character building, social skills, and etiquette training. The school environment promotes respectful behavior, peer collaboration, and a sense of responsibility.

7. Newman International School

Newman International School, situated near Narayi High-Cost area, offers quality nursery, primary, and secondary education and receives top ratings on local school directories.

This co‑educational school is acclaimed for its modern classrooms, certified teaching staff, and emphasis on holistic child growth. Parents praise its structured approach and community engagement.

8. St Anne’s School, Kakuri

Located on Kachia Road, Kakuri, St Anne’s School is a Catholic co‑educational private primary school with a strong reputation for discipline, moral education, and supportive learning.

With experienced educators, structured routines, and emphasis on both academic and spiritual development, St Anne's consistently appears on top school lists.

9. Betty Queen International School

Based on Kabala Road, Kabala West, Betty Queen International School offers pre‑nursery through primary and secondary education—with strong reviews and consistent ranking among top institutions.

The school is known for attentive teaching, smaller classes, language instruction, and extracurricular activities tailored to young learners.

10. LEA (Local Education Authority) Primary Schools – Rigasa / Unguwan Dosa

While primarily government-run, the LEA Primary Schools in Rigasa and Unguwan Dosa have gained recognition for their improved standards and reaching underserved communities.

Rigasa, home to one of the largest public basic schools in sub‑Saharan Africa, recently received significant infrastructure investment—elevating its status among well‑rated public primary schools in Kaduna State . These schools now feature better‑maintained facilities, qualified staff, and a growing reputation for accessibility and consistent academic performance.

Why These Schools Stand Out

Academic Quality & Curriculum

These schools generally offer enriched curricula covering Nigerian national standards alongside British, American, or blended international approaches. For example: Essence International and NTIC deliver dual curricula; others integrate STEM, arts, ICT, and critical‑thinking modules.

Infrastructure & Facilities

From air‑conditioned classrooms, libraries, science labs, ICT centers, arts studios, playgrounds, and sports fields, these schools invest heavily in teaching‑learning environments. Forbes Royal, Essence, and Famaks British exemplify high‑end facilities.

Extracurricular & Enrichment

Several offer robust extracurricular programs—debate clubs, sports, music, excursions, spelling bees, foreign language classes (French, Arabic), etiquette training, and even private competition preparation. NTIC is particularly notable for international competitions and trips abroad.

Reputation & Feedback

Numerous sources such as Naijschools, Finelib, SchoolsCompass, and local directories consistently list these schools among the best in Kaduna, reflecting parent endorsement and broader recognition.

Inclusiveness & Accessibility

While private schools dominate the top lists, LEA schools like those in Rigasa/ Unguwan Dosa highlight progress in public basic education. These community schools now offer stronger teacher deployment, improved infrastructure, and serve a large pupil population in lower‑cost environments.

Additional Noteworthy Mentions

Other schools that frequently appear on broader “top 10” mentions in various sources:

Famaks British School (Kaduna Primary): U/Dosa, Kawo — integrates British and Nigerian curricula; award‑winning; strong extracurricular range, strict discipline and high teaching standards.

HMS Schools Kaduna: located opposite Government House, Kaduna — inclusive learning environment with ICT centre, free extra lessons, inclusive support for special needs, libraries, labs, transport, etc.

These could easily fit in a top‑12 list and are well‑rated by parents and school consultants.

Comparison Table

Rank School Name Location Curriculum / Strengths

1 Essence International School Ungwan Rimi, Kaduna Dual Nigerian/international, strong academics, holistic growth

2 Nigerian Turkish International School (NTIC) Kaduna City Science focus, international contests, global exposure

3 Imperial Schools Kudenda / Barnawa Science & vocational integration, strong infrastructure

4 Forbes Royal School Malali GRA, Kaduna Finland‑inspired education methods blended with modern curricula

5 Ladela Schools Unguwar Rimi Character & citizenship focus; core academic excellence

6 Queens Field Schools Barnawa, Kaduna Etiquette, morals, social skills + academics

7 Newman International School Narayi Highcost Certified staff, modern learning environment, co‑ed structured growth

8 St Anne’s School Kakuri Religious/moral education, discipline, strong academics

9 Betty Queen International School Kabala West, Kaduna Small classes, language emphasis, community‑oriented

10 LEA Primary School (Rigasa / Unguwan Dosa) Rigasa / Dosa Government‑run, improving infrastructure, serving large enrolment

Spotlight on Public Sector Progress

Kaduna State’s public primary education is gradually improving. According to the Kaduna STATE Universal Basic Education Board and related reports, the state now hosts over 4,260 primary schools, with teacher recruitment initiatives aiming to lower the pupil‑teacher ratio from ~80:1 to at most 60:1.

LEA schools like those in Rigasa, recognized as among the largest basic schools in sub‑Saharan Africa, saw targeted infrastructure upgrades, demonstrating government commitment to elevating public education quality.

Considerations for Parents & Guardians

When deciding among these top schools, consider:

Budget & Fees

Tuition varies widely:

High-end private schools (Essence, NTIC, Forbes Royal, Famaks) are on the premium end.

Mid-tier schools like HMS, Ladela, Queens Field, St Anne’s, Betty Queen offer more modest termly fees.

LEA schools are government‑operated and typically free or very low cost.

Curriculum Preference

If you value international curricula and global exposure: Essence, NTIC, Forbes Royal, Famaks stand out.

For character-based education or faith‑based environments: St Anne’s, Lewela, QE schools.

For inclusive, local access: LEA schools in Rigasa or Dosa.

Location & Accessibility

Most of these schools are concentrated within Kaduna city suburbs: Barnawa, Kakuri, Ungwan Rimi, Narayi, Kudenda, Malali. Proximity matters for daily commute.

Extracurricular Interests

Clubs, sports, STEM engagement: NTIC, Forbes Royal, Famaks, HMS.

Etiquette, debate, field trips: Queens Field, Ladela, Essence.

Class Size & Student Support

Schools such as Essence, HMS, FT, and some international institutions offer more individualized attention with smaller classes.

Final Thoughts

Kaduna State’s primary education landscape includes diverse options across public and private sectors. From globally oriented institutions like Essence International and NTIC, to value‑conscious mid-tier schools such as Ladela, HMS, and emerging community high‑impact LEA schools in Rigasa, parents have a range of good and great choices when it comes to quality, fees, facilities, and overall reputation.

By choosing schools that best fit children’s needs, developmental goals, and family budget, parents ensure a strong foundation in early education. As Kaduna continues investing in infrastructure and teacher quality, even government-run schools are rising in stature—creating broader choice and accessibility for all communities.

Closing Encouragement

Whether you seek an international curriculum, spiritual grounding, academic rigor, character development, or affordable community schooling, these top 10 primary schools in Kaduna State offer a reliable starting point. Visiting schools in person, speaking with administrators, and talking to parents or alumni can help you make a more informed choice.

Kaduna is steadily raising the bar for its primary education system—and these schools are leading the way in shaping tomorrow’s leaders.