What Lincoln Community School does

Lincoln Community School (LCS) is a non-profit international school founded in 1968 by six American families and based in Abelemkpe, Accra, Ghana. Operating across a Pre-K through Grade 12 continuum with approximately 540 students and 288 employees, LCS delivers the full International Baccalaureate Continuum — Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP), and Diploma Programme (IBDP) — through U.S. standards-based curricular frameworks. The school is accredited by the Council of International Schools (CIS) and Middle States Association (MSA), and is one of few schools in Africa authorized to offer the complete IB pathway. The community comprises over 60 nationalities and 70+ languages, with an intentionally diverse faculty drawn from more than 20 countries.

Core educational infrastructure centers on IB-authorized programmes plus supporting facilities including the Akyɛdeɛ building (Elementary School, libraries, Grade Hubs/teaching pods, Nkɔsuɔ Bea auditorium), the Nilee building (High School and student support services), and East Campus (administration, swimming pool, Spirit Store). Supplementary learning offerings — robotics, makerspaces, smart classrooms, and design labs — are positioned as future-ready STEM infrastructure. Ancillary programmes include Learning Support (Individual Learning Plans, Academic Resource Center, EAL), College Counseling (Grade 9–12, serving global destinations), Arts (visual arts, music, drama, dance, film), Athletics (swimming, basketball, soccer, volleyball with WAISAL competition), and Service Learning embedded ECC–Grade 12. Two add-on products open to non-LCS students — Lincoln Academy (Saturday, ages 4–16) and the 5-week Summer Camp (ages 5–16) — function as both community offerings and acquisition funnels.

LCS's business model is tuition-based, non-profit, and USD-denominated. The 2026/27 annual tuition ranges from USD 16,985 (Pre-K 1&2) to USD 29,589 (Grades 11–12), plus USD 2,000 maintenance per student, a one-time non-refundable registration of USD 10,000 (K–Grade 12), a USD 200 non-refundable application fee, and a USD 500 reservation fee for returning students. Enrollment is processed year-round via the OpenApply self-serve platform, supplemented by individual campus tours, virtual Zoom meetings, and semesterly Open Houses. Distribution relies on word-of-mouth within the Accra expatriate and diplomatic communities, regional school-network participation (AISA, WAISAL), and event-driven touchpoints (GHAMUN, athletic tournaments). Governance is by a nine-member Board of Trustees (four parent-elected, two board-appointed, three appointed by the U.S. Ambassador); the Head of School Lesley Tait reports to the Board.

Name

Lincoln Community School

Legal name

Lincoln Community School

Website

https://lincoln.edu.gh

Company type

Private

Founded year

1968

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Lincoln Community School is a non-profit, U.S.-style international school in Accra, Ghana, founded in 1968, delivering the full IB Continuum (PYP, MYP, IBDP) to ~540 Pre-K–Grade 12 students drawn from over 60 nationalities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

International K-12 Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Educational Services (61)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

International/Global Curriculum Schools (IB, Cambridge, etc.) (EDAJABAG)

Keywords

• International K-12 education
• IB World School
• IB Diploma Programme
• International baccalaureate continuum
• Private international school

Headquarters

HQ city

Accra

HQ country

Ghana

HQ region

Africa

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Fees: As a non-profit institution, all revenue is reinvested into creating an innovative and engaging learning experience. Revenue is generated through annual tuition fees, application fees, registration fees, and maintenance fees. IB Diploma Exam fees are billed separately. Additional revenue comes from the LCS Spirit Store (merchandise) and summer camp programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Lincoln Community School is a non-profit international school in Accra, Ghana, delivering the full International Baccalaureate (IB) Continuum — Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP), and IB Diploma Programme (IBDP) — alongside a U.S. standards-based high school diploma for students from Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12. The school enrolls approximately 530–550 students representing over 60 nationalities, and supplements academic instruction with athletics, arts, service learning, learning support, English as an Additional Language (EAL), and college counseling programs.

Product overview

Lincoln Community School offers a comprehensive Pre-K through Grade 12 international education built around the full IB Continuum (Primary Years Programme, Middle Years Programme, and Diploma Programme) delivered through U.S. curricular standards. The school provides a portfolio of educational programs including core academic programs (PYP, MYP, IBDP), supplementary programs (Lincoln Academy on Saturdays, Summer Camp for 5 weeks annually), specialized support services (Learning Support, EAL, College Counseling), and extracurricular offerings (Athletics, Arts, Service Learning). The school also offers a scholarship program (Dr. Dennis Larkin) for Ghanaian students. All revenue is reinvested as a non-profit institution.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Primary Years Programme (PYP) IB curriculum framework for students aged 3-11 (Pre-K through Grade 5) focusing on inquiry-based learning and developing the whole child through six units of inquiry per year.
• Middle Years Programme (MYP) IB framework for students in Grades 6-10 that encourages practical connections between studies and the real world, including eight subject groups and a personal project in Grade 10.
• IB Diploma Programme (IBDP) Pre-university program for Grades 11-12 recognized by universities worldwide, offering three Higher Level and three Standard Level subjects along with TOK, Extended Essay, and CAS components.
• LCS Summer Camp

Quantifiable outcome

• 91% of graduating class completed the full IB diploma vs. 78.4% worldwide average
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Cuisine by PalomaminorOthers · 1 January 2024Cuisine by Paloma was appointed as the primary food services provider on the LCS campus, beginning in August 2024. They provide daily food service for students, staff, and parents through a pre-order and walk-up purchase system. The appointment followed a competitive tender process reviewed against LCS policy at the end of the 2023-24 school year.
• West African International Schools Activity League (WAISAL)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLCS is a founding member of WAISAL. The league enables LCS Middle and High School athletics teams to participate in competitive sports events throughout West Africa, including tournaments in Nigeria, Senegal, Cote d'Ivoire, and Burkina Faso. LCS teams have a strong history of success at WAISAL tournaments.
• Korle Bu Teaching HospitalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe LCS Operation Smile club visits Korle Bu Teaching Hospital to spend time with cleft palate patients, distribute Smile Bags (care packages), and learn about life-changing surgical work being done there. LCS students engage with surgeons, doctors, and anesthesiologists from Sweden and Ghana.
• GHAMUN Host Schools NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLCS hosts its annual GHAMUN conference and has partnered with schools in Ghana (Ghana International School, Alpha Beta Christian College, International Community School, Beacon College International, Eden International School) and internationally (International School of Lusaka, Zambia; Windhoek International School, Namibia) to expand the MUN program across the region.
• AISA (Association of International Schools in Africa)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLCS is an active member of AISA. Students attend AISA GISS (Global Issues Service Summit) conferences, and LCS has received AISA awards for community engagement. AISA serves as a network for professional development, student conferences, and recognition across African international schools.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Ghana International School: Accra-based international school offering Pre-K through Grade 12 with IB programmes, directly competing for the same expatriate and premium-local families as Lincoln Community School. Listed as a GHAMUN partner of LCS, indicating they operate in the same market.
• International School of Lusaka: Zambia-based IB World School that partners with LCS in the GHAMUN network. Comparable international school in southern Africa serving a similar expatriate and corporate family base.
• International School of Dakar: Senegal-based IB World School serving francophone West Africa's expatriate community. Direct regional peer competing for mission-mobile families relocating within West Africa.
• Alpha Beta Christian College: Accra-based private school partnering with LCS in the GHAMUN network. Competes in the premium K-12 segment in Accra, serving families seeking international-style education in Ghana.
• American International School of Abuja: U.S.-style international school in West Africa offering IB and American curriculum to expatriate families. Competes in the same WAISAL athletics network as LCS and serves a similar mission-mobile clientele across the region.
• International Community School (Accra): Accra-based international school participating in the GHAMUN partner network with LCS. Serves a similar expatriate and internationally mobile family base with comparable K-12 international curriculum offerings.
• American School of Brasilia: American international school in Brazil offering IB programmes. Notably, LCS's current Head of School previously served as Director of Teaching & Learning and Interim Head of School here, evidencing direct institutional and curricular comparability.
• American International School of Lagos: Lagos-based American international school with IB programmes serving the Nigerian expatriate and corporate community. Direct peer in West African international school segment; participates in WAISAL athletics and AISA networks alongside LCS.
• Beacon College International: Ghanaian international school participating in GHAMUN alongside LCS. Direct competitor in the Accra premium K-12 segment with similar international curriculum orientation.

Others

• Council of International Schools (CIS): Global accrediting body for international schools, of which LCS is a member. Not a competitor but the governing ecosystem whose accreditation standards LCS meets; relevant context for evaluating LCS's quality positioning.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/LCSGhana
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC7bBvyvHVmTtDV987Qr-CXA
• Facebookfacebook.com/LCSGhanaa
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/lincoln-community-school
• Instagraminstagram.com/lcsghana

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Lincoln Community School