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.

Angelique Musabyemariya volunteered as a parent and served a a substitute teacher at Bright for years. She has a bachelor’s degree in accounting and her son is a happy primary student. Since 2019, she has been our Accountant Secretary, which means she handles almost everything in the Bright School office.

Xaver Nyinawumuntu is Bright School Library and General Assistant. She maintains our ever-expanding school library and array of teaching materials, as well as substitute teaches, and monitors our school buses. She is the mother of two Bright School primary students.

Mignone Niyoniringiye is Bright School’s Substitute Teacher and Office Assistant.

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.