About us
Founder's Message
“At Leadstar Schools, our vision goes far beyond the classroom. We are producing global leaders—young people who will shape the future with courage, compassion, and conviction.”
Welcome to Leadstar Schools—a growing family of transformative learning communities, united by a deep belief in the power of education to shape lives, build futures, and uplift entire societies.
As Chairman and Founder, it is both an honour and a joy to welcome you to our schools, where integrity, leadership, success, and learning are not simply values—they are the pillars on which every student experience is built. My personal journey has been guided by a long-held belief in the transformative power of education. I have witnessed, time and again, how a great education can open minds, unlock potential, and empower individuals to change not only their own lives, but also the communities and countries they call home.
Whether you are joining us at Hawassa International School, Cambridge Academy Ethiopia, or one of our other schools, you are stepping into a community committed to more than academic achievement. We are here to nurture courageous thinkers, ethical leaders, and lifelong learners—young people ready to make a difference in Ethiopia, across Africa, and around the world.
Our mission is clear: to empower students with character and confidence, inspire a love of learning, and prepare them to thrive in a complex, fast-changing global landscape.
Leadstar Schools is building a legacy of excellence in education. Our classrooms are alive with curiosity and collaboration; our teachers are passionate professionals committed to student growth; and our families are partners in a shared journey of discovery and transformation.
Whether you are a prospective student, parent, educator, or partner, I invite you to be part of this exciting story. Together, we are building more than schools—we are shaping a generation of changemakers who will lead with integrity, achieve with purpose, and learn for life.
Welcome to Leadstar Schools. Welcome to a brighter future.
Prof. Gemechis Buba
Chairman and Founder
Leadership Team
Prof. Gemechis Buba – Chairman & Founder
Reverend Prof. Gemechis Buba is a distinguished Ethiopian educator, theologian, and global mission leader whose work bridges faith, education, and leadership development.
Reverend Prof. Gemechis Buba's academic journey began with a Bachelor of Theology with high distinction from Mekane Yesus Theological Seminary in Ethiopia, where he also served as a professor. He pursued further studies in Church History at the Ethiopian Graduate School of Theology before moving to the United States. There, he earned a Master of Divinity and a Master of Arts in Christian Education from the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, Georgia. In 2006, he completed his Doctorate in Missional Leadership at Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Georgia.
Reverend Prof. Gemechis Buba has emerged as one of Ethiopia’s most visionary educational leaders, spearheading a transformative movement in the country’s private education sector through the establishment of the Leadstar Schools network. With a steadfast belief in the power of education to shape individuals and uplift communities, Prof. Gemechis has successfully founded and grown a portfolio of high-quality schools that serve as models of academic excellence, values-based learning, and inclusive leadership.
His journey in the K-12 sector began with the founding of Leadstar International Academy in Shashamene in 2015. Building on this success, Prof. Gemechis launched Cambridge Academy Ethiopia in Addis Ababa, offering the British National Curriculum from Early Years through to A Levels and BTEC qualifications. Accredited by Pearson Edexcel, Cambridge Academy Ethiopia has rapidly earned a reputation as one of Ethiopia’s leading international schools.
Further extending his vision, Leadstar Academy Nekemte marks another milestone in Prof. Gemechis’s mission to broaden access to quality education across Ethiopia. Within just weeks of launching, the school enrolled over 500 students, a testament to the community’s trust and the strong demand for the values-driven education Leadstar represents.
Most recently, Hawassa International School has been established on the shores of Lake Hawassa—delivering the British curriculum in a unique lakeside setting. Hawassa International School reflects Prof. Gemechis's commitment to creating inclusive, inspiring environments where students are nurtured to become capable, confident, and compassionate global citizens.
Through these strategically launched institutions, Prof. Gemechis has not only expanded access to world-class education in Ethiopia but also built a sustainable model that blends international curricula with local values. His work is a compelling example of how visionary leadership, faith in education, and strategic execution can yield lasting change. Leadstar Schools stand today as a powerful legacy of his educational mission—producing global leaders across Ethiopia.
Mark Whitfield – Education Director & Board Member
Mark Whitfield is an accomplished international educator with nearly thirty years of experience in founding, developing, and managing schools across the globe. Mark has played a critical role in supporting school owners, operators, and investors to launch and grow high-impact educational institutions, ensuring academic excellence, operational efficiency, and financial sustainability.
While Mark continues to lead education projects in diverse regions—including new school pre-opening initiatives in the UAE and Saudi Arabia—his work in Ethiopia has become a defining feature of his current focus. He is a strong supporter of Prof. Gemechis Buba’s vision to transform education in Ethiopia through the Leadstar Schools network, which includes renowned institutions such as Cambridge Academy Ethiopia and Hawassa International School. In his role as a Non-Executive Board Member at Cambridge Academy Ethiopia, Mark provides strategic oversight and practical guidance to help shape the future of values-driven, internationally aligned education in the country.
Mark’s leadership is marked by a deep commitment to raising standards in teaching and learning, alongside proven expertise in academic planning, school improvement, and curriculum design. His financial acumen and operational insight have helped numerous schools worldwide reach sustainability and scale without compromising on quality.
Known for his integrity, authenticity, and thoughtful, solutions-focused leadership, Mark thrives in complex and dynamic environments. He brings originality, a strong work ethic, and a culturally responsive mindset to every project, successfully translating vision into measurable outcomes.
Mark holds an MA in Education (Leadership & Management) and a BA (Hons.) in Religious Studies & Education with Qualified Teacher Status from Lancaster University. His global perspective and unwavering commitment to educational excellence continue to make him a trusted advisor and innovator in the international education landscape—especially as he helps realise Ethiopia’s educational potential in partnership with visionary leaders like Prof. Gemechis.
Mission & Vision
Mission
To empower students with integrity, inspire leadership, and ignite a lifelong love of learning—equipping them to succeed and make a positive impact in a changing world.
Vision
To be Ethiopia’s leading network of transformative schools—shaping confident, ethical, and future-ready leaders through world-class education rooted in local values.
Our Values & Philosophy
Our Values
At Leadstar Schools, our work is grounded in four core values that shape every aspect of our educational journey:
1. Integrity
We believe in doing the right thing—even when no one is watching. We foster a culture of honesty, transparency, and accountability. Our schools cultivate ethical behaviour and strong moral character in every student and staff member.2. Leadership
We believe that every learner has the potential to lead. Through nurturing confidence, initiative, and vision, we empower students to become agents of change—within their communities and beyond.3. Success
We define success broadly—as academic achievement, personal growth, and social responsibility. We prepare our students not just for exams, but for life, ensuring they are ready to thrive in a competitive and complex world.4. Learning
Learning is at the heart of everything we do. We champion curiosity, critical thinking, creativity, and a love for lifelong learning. We strive to make learning meaningful, relevant, and joyful for all.
Our Educational Philosophy
We believe education is a transformative force—a means not just to acquire knowledge, but to build character, unlock potential, and contribute to society. Our philosophy is shaped by the following principles:
Holistic Development: Education should develop the whole child—academically, socially, emotionally, and morally.
Global Standards, Local Relevance: We deliver internationally respected curricula (such as the Cambridge Curriculum and National Curriculum for England), contextualised to reflect Ethiopian culture, values, and needs.
Inclusive Excellence: Every learner matters. We embrace diversity and ensure every student is supported, challenged, and celebrated.
Future-Readiness: We prepare students for the opportunities and challenges of a rapidly evolving world—equipping them with 21st-century skills, digital fluency, and a sense of global citizenship.
Community Impact: Education should be a catalyst for positive change. We inspire students to use their knowledge and skills to serve others and strengthen the communities around them.
Governance
At Leadstar Schools, effective governance is the cornerstone of sustainable excellence. Each of our schools is guided by a dedicated School Board that holds ultimate responsibility for the long-term strategic direction, educational quality, and financial sustainability of the institution.
While the daily operations of each school are led by the school management, the School Board sets the vision, approves strategic priorities, and ensures that the educational experience meets the highest international standards—aligned with both our mission and our core values of integrity, leadership, success, and learning.
Board members serve as stewards of the school’s mission, working collaboratively with leadership to monitor progress, uphold accountability, and promote innovation.
Board members engage actively with school life, participate in ongoing governance development, and act at all times in the best interests of the school community. In turn, our schools are committed to maintaining open, timely, and transparent communication with their boards, creating a culture of mutual trust and continuous improvement.
Governance at Leadstar Schools is not about management—it is about mission. Through shared purpose, professionalism, and strategic oversight, our boards help ensure that every Leadstar School flourishes as a beacon of quality education and community transformation in Ethiopia and beyond.
Accreditation
At Leadstar Schools, accreditation is a foundational commitment—an assurance that our institutions meet the highest standards of academic excellence, operational integrity, and continuous improvement. Our schools pursue and maintain international and national accreditations to ensure every learner receives a world-class education rooted in global best practices and responsive to the Ethiopian context.
Our schools are proudly aligned with internationally respected British curricula, with accreditation pathways that include:
Accreditation at Leadstar Schools is not simply a badge—it is a strategic framework for excellence, accountability, and opportunity. It represents our dedication to delivering quality education, empowering our educators with world-class professional development, and equipping our students with the tools they need to thrive—academically, personally, and professionally—whether in Ethiopia or anywhere their dreams may lead.