Top 10 Best‑Rated Primary Schools In Kwara State

Choosing a quality primary school in Kwara State is a critical decision for many parents. A strong academic foundation, a nurturing environment, and well‑structured extracurriculars contribute to lifelong learning and success. While public schools continue to benefit from the state’s Every Child Counts reforms, which have elevated teaching standards and infrastructure , many parents still opt for private primary schools known for consistent high performance, modern facilities, and holistic development.

Below is a carefully curated list—blending authoritative sources like NaijSchools and FineLib, local directories, and known reputations—for the top 10 primary schools in Kwara State.

1. Adetayo Nursery and Primary School, Ilorin

Why it's top‑rated: Featured at the very top in NaijSchools’ list of best primary schools in Kwara State.

Strengths:

Solid academic performance.

Good facilities and engaging learning environment.

Known for early childhood development programs aligned with local needs.

Reputation: Frequently praised for quality teaching and safe school environment by local parents.

2. Al Qalam Kiddies School, Ilorin

Named among the top primary schools in Kwara by NaijSchools.

Highlights:

Qualified teachers with strong early years pedagogy.

Balanced curriculum including moral values and basic technology use.

Recognized for discipline and student conduct.

3. Aries Nursery and Primary School, Ilorin

Ranked #3 on NaijSchools’ top‑rated list.

Key features:

Well‑structured curriculum from Nursery through Primary.

Engaging co‑curricular activities—arts, quizzes, sports.

Impressive classroom environments and parent‑teacher collaboration.

4. Samlea Nursery and Primary School, Ilorin

Ranked among top 10 by NaijSchools.

Why it stands out:

Known for child‑centered, individualized teaching.

Emphasis on creativity and inquiry‑based learning.

Notable for quality student results and local competition participation.

5. Ayoson Nursery and Primary School, Ilorin

Listed in NaijSchools’ best primary schools in Kwara.

Strong points:

Blend of British and Nigerian curricula.

Focus on moral, academic and leadership skills.

Supportive environment for both academical and character growth.

6. Cac Nursery and Primary School, Ilorin

Also featured in NaijSchools’ top‑rated list.

What makes it good:

Well‑resourced classrooms.

Strong academic culture with regular assessments.

Active extracurricular calendar.

7. Moronranti Standard Nursery & Primary School, Ilorin

Ranked in top 10 by NaijSchools.

Reputation:

Strong results in national assessments and common‑entrance.

Considered one of the established schools in Ilorin with stable growth.

8. IGS Basic School, Ilorin

Included among top primary schools in NaijSchools list.

Features:

Balanced emphasis on academics and values.

Strong environmental and social awareness in the curriculum.

Consistently good parent reviews and referrals.

9. Nurture Learning Academy, Ilorin

Recognized by both NaijSchools and FineLib directories.

Why it’s highly rated:

Offers British‑style curriculum alongside Nigerian curriculum.

Emphasis on moral, cognitive, and Islamic etiquette teaching.

Weekend classes and broader developmental approach.

10. Adetayo/Aries/Al Qalam Tier Re‑ranking – plus Roemichs, Faith Academy, Flora & St Josephs

While many top‑10 lists overlap in ranking, some privately published sources like WoodWilling provide additional names visible within Ilorin’s top tier primary schools. I expand slightly to include a few more noteworthy schools to enrich the list:

Roemichs Group of Schools (Offa Garage Road, Ilorin)

Identified among Ilorin’s “5 best primary schools” on WoodWilling . Known for:

Foreign national teachers.

Strong academic ethos and a motto of “Excellence in all things”.

Modern facilities and secure environment.

Molly’s International School (Tanke, Ilorin)

From the same WoodWilling list :

Newer school (est. 2016) but quickly recognized.

State‑of‑the‑art facilities (music room, interactive whiteboards).

Strong moral foundation and academic rigour.

Faith Academy (Sango–Kunlede Road, Ilorin)

Also featured by WoodWilling :

Built by Living Faith International Church.

Known for inter‑house sports, strong staffs, and excellent common‑entrance outcomes.

Flora Schools (Tanke, Ilorin)

Listed in WoodWilling’s list :

Government‑approved, led by education specialists.

Focus on youth development aligning with international standards and cost-effective fees.

St Joseph’s Nursery & Primary School (Ahmadu Bello Way, Ilorin)

Also among Ilorin’s top primary schools per WoodWilling:

Established in 1969, long track record.

Frequently wins sports, quiz and debate competitions.

Strong community recognition and consistent academic performance.

Summary Table (Top 10‑12 Primary Schools in Kwara State)

Rank/Group School Name Location Highlights

1 Adetayo Nursery & Primary School Ilorin Top ranking, academic excellence, community trust

2 Al Qalam Kiddies School Ilorin Strong early years teaching, moral and academic blend

3 Aries Nursery & Primary School Ilorin Co‑curricular focus, creative learning environment

4 Samlea Nursery & Primary School Ilorin Child‑centered learning, reputation for excellence

5 Ayoson Nursery & Primary School Ilorin Curriculum mix, character development emphasis

6 Cac Nursery & Primary School Ilorin Consistent academic achievements, extracurricular support

7 Moronranti Standard Nursery & Primary Ilorin Well‑established, consistent performance

8 IGS Basic School Ilorin Balanced education, social/environmental awareness

9 Nurture Learning Academy Ilorin British & Nigerian curriculum, moral/Islamic etiquette integration

10 Roemichs Group of Schools Ilorin Foreign-trained teachers, prestigious academics

– Molly’s International School Ilorin Modern facilities, rapid reputation growth

– Faith Academy Ilorin Sports, academics, church-based governance

– Flora Schools Ilorin Education specialist leadership, affordable fees

– St Joseph’s Nursery & Primary Ilorin Historic school, community lauded, multi-discipline success

What Makes These Schools Stand Out?

1. Academic Performance & Common Entrance Excellence

Many schools on this list (e.g. Faith Academy, Roemichs, Adetayo, Aries, Nurture) regularly produce students with top marks in Common Entrance Examinations and Primary School Assessment Tests, positioning them for admission into top secondary schools across Nigeria. Their structured curriculum and continuous assessment models support this outcome.

2. Quality of Teaching & Infrastructure

Schools like Roemichs, Molly’s International, and Nurture Learning Academy boast modern classrooms, ICT facilities, music rooms, interactive whiteboards, and well-trained staff—some even with foreign‐trained educators. Even more established names like St Joseph’s and Flora maintain traditional excellence through well‑qualified Nigerian teachers.

3. Holistic Education: Extracurriculars & Character

Sports competitions, debate clubs, quizzes, moral education, and arts festivals are integral to schools like Faith Academy, St Joseph’s, Samlea, and Aries. These institutions foster well-rounded development beyond academics.

4. Safety, Morals & Values

Christian and Islamic value systems are woven into the school cultures—Nurture Learning Academy is known for Islamic etiquette as well as academic blend; Faith Academy and Emmanuel Baptist/Ebco (primary section) emphasize Christian morals. Discipline and character formation are central.

5. Reputation & Longevity

Long‑standing schools like St Joseph’s (since 1969) and Roemichs (since 2006) enjoy community trust, successful alumni, and consistent results, while newer entrants like Molly’s (est. 2016) and Nurture rapidly earn high ratings through innovation.

The Context: Kwara’s Education Reform

It’s worth noting the broader reform context—Kwara State’s Every Child Counts education initiative, rolled out since 2007, has significantly improved teaching standards, curriculum relevance, and inspection systems in public schools . This means some public primary schools are also steadily improving and there may be rising stars in government-run schools too.

However, private schools continue to be preferred by many due to more consistent quality assurance, smaller class sizes, better facilities, and healthier student environments.

Advice for Parents: Choosing the Right School

Visit the school: Inspect learning tools, classrooms, playgrounds. Talk to staff and observe the learning environment.

Review curriculum balance: Consider if the school offers British, Nigerian, or a blended curriculum. Also assess the extent of co-curricular offerings.

Assess values and discipline: Some schools emphasize religious moral education; others focus more on secular values. Choose based on alignment with your values.

Check academic outcomes: Ask for recent common entrance performance stats or student competition records.

Consider affordability: Fees can vary widely. Roemichs, Flora, Molly’s typically charge moderate to high fees, while others maintain competitive tuition.

Class size and teacher quality: Smaller classes and qualified teachers tend to enhance learning outcomes. Schools like Adetayo, IGS, Nurture, Aries, and Faith Academy often offer smaller, attentive classrooms.

Parental involvement: Schools with strong parent‑teacher associations and open communication channels tend to foster collaborative learning atmospheres.

Local Listings & Reviews

Local directories such as FineLib.com list many of these schools and provide contact details. For instance:

Aderoju International Schools, Chaste Intellect International, Future Leaders Schools, Grace Christian Schools, Socrates College, A + Solid Foundation, Adenike International, Beautiful Tomorrow International, Triumph Islamic Schools, etc.—all located in Ilorin—are frequently mentioned as quality institutions .

While not all appear in NaijSchools or WoodWilling’s “top 10,” they are well-rated locally and often compete regionally in exams and extracurriculars.

Final Thoughts

Selecting the ideal primary school in Kwara State depends on many factors—academic rigor, cost, values, facility quality, and your child’s needs. The schools listed in the top 10 above stand out for their combined strength across these domains, based on available public ratings, directories, and local reputation:

1. Adetayo Nursery & Primary

2. Al Qalam Kiddies School

3. Aries Nursery & Primary

4. Samlea Nursery & Primary

5. Ayoson Nursery & Primary

6. Cac Nursery & Primary

7. Moronranti Standard Nursery & Primary

8. IGS Basic School

9. Nurture Learning Academy

10. Roemichs Group of Schools (and closely: Molly’s Int’l, Faith Academy, Flora, St Joseph’s)

Keep in mind many of these schools continue to evolve and expand their offerings. I encourage visits, parent testimonials, and open days to decide which environment best resonates with your goals for your child’s early education.