Four of Bright School’s lower-primary classrooms are currently housed in space rented from Eglise Presbyterienne au Rwanda.

Construction Phase 1. Our preschool classes are now in this building. Students named this building “New York.” Preschool classrooms are found here.

Construction Phase 2. In 2023 Bright School moved into eight more rooms in this building, named “London.” Upper primary classrooms and a library/resource room all now have sufficient space.

Bright School, TEACH Rwanda's flagship school, was started in 2012 by Louise Batamuriza, a Rwandan teacher who retired in 2016. Bright School has expanded every year. In response to parent demand and TEACH Rwanda’s dedication to provide continuity of education, our first primary 1 class started in 2016. In 2022, the school's first P6 class graduated, and 100% of the eligible students passed their national primary leaving exams!

On June 23, 2022, 10 Bright School students were invited to the Kigali Public Library to demonstrate learning through play. The guests? First Lady Jeannette Kagami and Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall! Two of our students (in red) are shown here.

Bright School P2 students saw how isombe (ground cassava leaves) is made at the Nyabisindu Market. Students used both this modern grinder and a traditional mortar and pestle to grind the leaves.

Bright School began in a small rented house, moved to a bit larger rented house with better ventilation, and then moved into our current home in 2019. TEACH Rwanda now operates six bustling preschool classes as well as Primary 1 through 6 (first through sixth grades) at Bright School. Children from all walks of life attend, from the wealthy to the most vulnerable.

During Enrichment, between school terms, children choose from a variety of opportunities. This Creativity group, led by artist Francois Ingabire, learned how to dye fabric, much to their delight!

Beginning at the age of 3, children at Bright School draw freely. Then they tell their teacher their stories--often very long stories--while the teacher writes the words. Teachers also read books with children every day, using props and much expression. These early literacy experiences assure that children LOVE to learn to read!

Picture Bright School students at all levels, including these P4 children, explore the world around them, as well as beyond their landlocked country.

Our students learn in their community. They go to butchers, beekeepers, clinics, dams, and of course our neighbor, the Zipline Droneport. These drones deliver emergency medicine, blood, and pig semen to remote areas of Rwanda.

Clare Smith, a long-time TR Board Member, teaches 5th grade at Farmersville Elementary School in the Bethlehem Area School District in Pennsylvania. Every year, her class Zooms with our P6 class. This year, they answered each others’ questions about favorite foods, sports, and weather differences. The Zoom call always ends with the classes singing their national anthem for each other.

Each term at Bright School, teachers discuss children’s detailed developmental progress reports with families, including the student. Josiane shares a child’s drawing and original story about it, indicative of the progress this preschooler is making in early literacy and self-expression.

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Liliane’s P4 class quickly settled into their new classroom in London. Small group projects, lots of books to read, children’s illustrated stories, a KWLS chart, snowflakes, and a kind, passionate teacher…all evidence of engaged, integrated learning.

Bright School’s Alpha and Beta teams both participated in Rwanda’s first LEGO Robotics competition.

Even our youngest students are introduced to computers as a means of communication. Soon they will be old enough for our robotics team.

Teamwork, analytical thinking, and planning are three of many executive function skills that are embedded in Bright School’s culture. Rwanda is working toward a vision of being a high-income, well-educated country by 2050. LEGO robotics supports learning through play and projects.

John Park, a volunteer with Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL) in Korea, spent a lovely day at Bright School. In P4, curious students asked about his travel time, living in Korea, and his Korean name. HWPL is active in 170 countries and will support a Peace Club at Bright.

In class…outdoors…on the floor…at a picnic table...in the library—you’ll find students at Bright School reading books wherever they go. Our library now has about 4000 titles from which to choose.

Bright School attracts international visitors, government officials, researchers, other NGOs, and Rwandan educators—all of whom are amazed to see children at Bright write and illustrate original stories at an age when most children in Rwanda are still learning to spell their names. Children are treated with respect by their Rwandan teachers. They work together to explore Rwanda-relevant themes and seek solutions to challenges. Families and visitors are always welcome to see engaging teaching practices in action.
To arrange a visit please contact our school office at +1 078 889 3135.

Bright School's first P6 graduation was held in 2022. Several students in this class started with us in preschool. And 100% of our P6 students passed their national primary leaving exams with high marks!

Eunice and Visha shared a few Bright School memories and expressed their gratitude to the families, teachers, and TEACH Rwanda for supporting them on their roads to bright futures.

Bright School’s Headteacher, Leonce; JMV, P6 teacher; graduates; and their friends danced to celebrate their shared accomplishments in July 2023! Many of these students started preschool at Bright 8 years ago. For the second year, 100% of our students passed the P6 exam with high scores.

Celebratory cake for graduation! Leonce, Headteacher; Aliane, a graduate who began preschool at Bright; Jan, Founder and President of TEACH Rwanda; Pastor Celestin, Pastor Nathan, and Daniel, the District Director of Education, cut the cake. Pastor Celestine, father of Ineza, also a graduate, has been instrumental in helping Bright School find a permanent home.
 

Watch this video to see our students read and reenact one of their favorite books about a female Nobel Peace Prize winner from Africa.

BRIGHT SCHOOL Staff

Who leads TEACH Rwanda’s first Exemplary School? Experienced teachers who are dedicated to sharing their
passion for learning through play and projects with their colleagues.

Leonce Mwizerwa, Headteacher, began as a preschool teacher at Bright School in 2013. After he earned his bachelor’s degree in education and demonstrated his prowess in coaching co-teachers, he advanced to Teacher Mentor at TR’s National Teacher Development Center. Since 2019, he has been Headteacher at Bright! He’s also married now to Chantal and the proud father of a son whose name is Blessing. Blessing is a student in preschool at Bright School.

Liliane Muhorakeye, Bright School Teacher Mentor, started with Bright School as a parent many years ago, when she admired our innovative approach to education. Liliane went back to school to get her teaching credentials. She was an outstanding P4 teacher, and is now mentoring all teachers on our campus. Liliane is also a LEGO robotics coach and mother of one Bright School graduate, one current student, and one future student.
 

Bonfils Iradukunda is Librarian, Resources Manager, and French teacher. Bonfils is from Burundi, where he learned and then taught impeccable French. His two children are Bright School students. Bonfils manages our school library, now with thousands of books. He coordinates daily student volunteers, and a weekly schedule for every class to visit the library. He also maintains our ever-growing inventory of international learning materials, including drums, traditional Rwandan items, puzzles, and pretend vehicles.
 

Jerome Kayiranga is the Accountant and Operations Supervisor at Bright School. With more than 6 years of experience in school operations, I’m deeply driven by a passion for education, vulnerable community empowerment, as well as organizational and personal development.

I’m pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Business Management with a focus on accounting, while also strengthening my skills in data science and analytics courses. I strive to bridge systems and people, using both digital skills and leadership to support growth and excellence.  

Bright School’s talented, dedicated, and passionate teachers are loved by their students and serve as role models for educators in Rwanda and beyond. From preschool through P6, our teachers are outstanding professionals who joyfully implement learning through play and projects at Bright School.