TEACH Rwanda has high standards for its Exemplary Schools, including:
- 20 children per preschool classroom
- 2 Rwandan teachers in each preschool classroom
- up to 25 children with one Rwandan teacher in each primary classroom
- abundant hands-on learning materials including fiction and nonfiction books for children
- evidence-based, respectful teaching practices
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Only those schools that have a TEACH Rwanda record of continuous quality improvements are awarded the Exemplary School status. These schools then can become sites for teachers from around the country—and around the world—to discover how evidence-based practices can be implemented in ways that demonstrate respect for Rwanda's CBC, culture, AND reflect current child development research about the values of learning through play and projects.
Our teachers are dedicated, enthusiastic professionals who continue to learn as TEACH Rwanda staff and volunteers mentor them. Many arrived at early childhood education through other fields, found their work rewarding, and are becoming TEACH Rwanda leaders themselves! |
What about the children? They are thriving! Then rush into school each day and are filled with joy! Their elaborate block constructions, intricate drawings, detailed stories, delightful pretend play scenarios, compelling projects, and engagement in reenacting children’s literature reveal how a Rwandan, integrated, enriched, competency-based curriculum is succeeding!
And the families? They are thrilled! And recognize what a difference TEACH Rwanda has made in their children’s lives. Families frequently tell us that neighbors’ children who are far older do not have the skills that children in TEACH Rwanda schools have: cognitive, language/literacy, math, physical, social, and personal. “What are you doing to my daughter?” asked the father of a girl in P1. “At home every day she is writing, organizing things, doing calculation in math: addition, subtraction. She’s independent.” The journals he got for her to write in are full. “She is like a genius!"
And the families? They are thrilled! And recognize what a difference TEACH Rwanda has made in their children’s lives. Families frequently tell us that neighbors’ children who are far older do not have the skills that children in TEACH Rwanda schools have: cognitive, language/literacy, math, physical, social, and personal. “What are you doing to my daughter?” asked the father of a girl in P1. “At home every day she is writing, organizing things, doing calculation in math: addition, subtraction. She’s independent.” The journals he got for her to write in are full. “She is like a genius!"
Four of Bright School’s lower-primary classrooms are housed in space rented from Eglise Presbyterienne au Rwanda.
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Students named this building “New York.” Preschool classrooms are found here.
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Our preschool classes are now in this building. Change caption to centered (it’s flush right now)
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Construction Phase 2. Progress on EIGHT more much-needed classrooms, as of the end of October 2022.
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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
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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.
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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!
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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, markets, clinics, dams, and of course our neighbor, the Zipline Droneport. These drones deliver medicine, blood, and pig semen to remote areas of Rwanda.
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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.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’
Each term at Bright School, children’s detailed developmental progress reports are discussed with families, including the student. Josiane shares a child’s drawing and original story about it, indicative of the progress she 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, and snowflakes, and a kind, passionate teacher…all evidence of engaged, integrated learning.
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Bright School’s Alpha and Beta teams both participated in Rwanda’s first LEGO Robotics competition.
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Even our youngest students are introduced to computers as a means of communication. Soon they will be old enough for our robotics team.
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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.
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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.
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Read Goats
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.
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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 8893 3135.
To arrange a visit please contact our school office at +1 078 8893 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!
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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.
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Bright School’s Head Teacher, Leonce; JMV, P6 teacher; graduates; and 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. |
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Celebratory cake. Jan is President and Founder of TR. Aliane, who has Turner Syndrome Leonce, Aliane, Jan, Pastor Celestin, Pastor Nathan, and Daniel, DDE cut the, began preschool at Bright. Pastor Celestine, father of Ineza, also a graduate, has been instrumental in helping Bright School find a permanent home. |
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Watch this video to see our students read and reenact one of their favorite books about a female Nobel Peace Prize winner from Africa. |
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"Reading books is |
BRIGHT SCHOOL Staff
Who leads TEACH Rwanda’s first Exemplary School? Experienced teachers who are dedicated to sharing their
passion for learning through play with their colleagues.
passion for learning through play with their colleagues.
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Leonce Mwizerwa, Head Master, 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 Headmaster at Bright! He’s also married now to Chantal and the proud father of a son whose name is Blessing. Blessing is in preschool at Bright School.
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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.
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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.
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Mignone Niyoniringiye is Bright School’s Substitute Teacher and Office Assistant.
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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. |
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HARMONY SCHOOL/READY FOR READING, RWINKWAVU
The Rwinkwavu Community Library and Learning Center is home to Harmony School, TEACH Rwanda's second Exemplary School, which opened in 2015. The school has one preschool classroom with morning and afternoon sessions. Emyme Dufitumukiza, the lead teacher, and Odette Mukamurenzi, assistant are the two experienced teachers. Both of them continue to be mentored by Anitha Meleka, TEACH Rwanda's Teacher Mentor.
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Rwinkwavu is a small village on the road to Akagera National Wildlife Park. Although zebra, elephants, lions, giraffes, and baboons live just minutes away, few children or teachers in this low-income area ever have the opportunity to see them. Goats, cows, and chickens, on the other hand, are part of their lives. Teachers, especially those who live in Rwanda’s Eastern Province, and visitors to the library, find a remarkable, lively, modern classroom, where children learn through play, on site!
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Come visit us!
The road to TEACH Rwanda’s passion for quality improvement in Rwandan schools began with one teacher and one school in Muhanga in 2012. We are still refining our accreditation system for schools who meet our standards. The system is designed to be a continuous improvement process.
TEACH Rwanda welcomes new partners who begin this process as Project Schools. It usually takes about 2 years of Exemplary School observations, engaging workshops, in-class mentoring, and meeting goals set with stakeholders including school owners, administrators, and teachers for a committed Project School to become a TR-accredited Exemplary School. Soon educators from around the world will be able to observe learning through play and projects in a variety of locations in Rwanda.
We are currently at various stages in this professional development process with these six partner Project Schools.
We are currently at various stages in this professional development process with these six partner Project Schools.
Dignity Academy, a Girls’ Dignity for the Nation preschool and primary school, in Kamonyi District
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Bright Horizon School, a nursery school in rural Rwanda, strives to offer opportunities for each child and family to reach their full potential
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REAP, Ineza Academy, in Rwamagana District, operates a preschool for local children
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Zion Education Centre in Muhanga, offers pre-primary through P6 classes
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Togetherness School, supported by African Road, is a preschool in Gasabo District, just outside of Kigali
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Komeza Children relocated from Kigali to Bugasera, to continue to serve vulnerable preschool children
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WHAT VISITORS SEE in
tr exemplary schools
Take a virtual tour!
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As part of their theme on water, P3 students created their own hydroelectric dam. |
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Watch what happens when children in P2 decide to form their own band! |
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See what happens when children in P2 set up their own pretend market. |
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What can P1 students do with blocks, rocks, and recycled boards? See how they work together! |
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Compare the differences with the P2 pretend market—P5 students set up a Forex (foreign money exchange), and a fraud unit, as well as sellers!
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By P4, our drummers are ready to take on some difficult beats. |
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Preschoolers love sand and water play, with just a few recycled items. |
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Watch three preschoolers collaborate on their own joyful musical composition |
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Alexandre Ireriteka, from the Umuduri Band, joined students for a delightful lunch hour on our Outdoor Learning Area. Bright School is always under construction. See how Interlocking Soil-Stabilized Blocks—to become classroom walls—are made with our own excavated soil.
Every student in P6 has BIG dreams! Visha predicted his future in this realistic newscast with his classmates.
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Watch children ride tires on our Outdoor Learning Area. Natural clay is abundant just a short walk from school. These P4 children demonstrate some of their favorite sculpting techniques. |
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WHAT DO VISITORS TO
BRIGHT SCHOOL TELL US?
I was super amazed by the work you are doing and congratulate you for all the efforts.” Private school administrator from Kigali |
What a wonderful opportunity for children to learn collaboratively and through self-directed learning.” Visitor from the U.S. |
A school leader from Kigali wrote: “What a magical place! I wish I could go back in time and study here. You are doing a great job. Congratulations." |
“What an inspiration. Many elements apply to special education.” Special educator in Rwanda |
“I will teach student-teachers how to initiate the students to talk through storytelling using local materials. It was a very inspiring approach.” Rwandan TTC tutor “I was inspired by the way teachers teach, the approach used, and smart school. This model school does the best in teaching and use of the national curriculum.” VVOB Education Manager |
A TTC representative and leader of a Catholic school in Rwanda wrote that “Bright School is advanced. My school can learn more and make changes.” A REB official commented: “I see you have good vision to learners with challenges. Please keep it. Hope to come again.” |
Great work being done by staff, warmly received. "Enjoyed the lively classes. Keep it up.” School leader, Kigali |
“It was a pleasure to see your pedagogy in action and to meet your wonderful students and teachers. Thank you so much for welcoming me.” Visitor |
A Rwandan TTC Tutor wrote, “I will let teacher trainees participate actively in the activities…. That approach will help them to develop competences that I hope in turn will be applied in classrooms with their children through learning activities.” |
“During teacher training, we will take Bright School’s Exemplary model, and share learning with teachers, showing them that teaching numeracy through play, involving children in planning, integration of teaching, and cross-curricular teaching, and finding teaching materials ourselves, [are all] possible.” Rwandan TTC staff |
Amazing work.” School leader, Kigali |
A teacher from a nearby school wrote: “We interacted with the students and the teachers. The curriculum is so rich! This visit was so great because I have learned more on how to handle and play with young children.” |
