Kallamino Special High School (KSHS) is one of the flagship institutions of the Tigray Development Association (TDA). Established on 6 December 1997, KSHS is a full-scholarship boarding secondary school that recruits academically talented students through competitive selection, primarily from across the Tigray National Regional State. The School has recently celebrated its 28th anniversary, marking nearly three decades of sustained contribution to educational excellence and human capital development.

From its inception, KSHS was designed as a center of excellence in science- and technology-oriented education, with the explicit aim of nurturing innovative, creative, confident, and productive generations. Beyond academic instruction, the School lays a strong foundation for students’ personal development, leadership, and social responsibility, equipping them to contribute meaningfully to the realization of Tigray’s long-term aspirations.

To date, KSHS has enrolled a cumulative total of 2,868 students, of whom 2,071 have successfully graduated. Enrollment patterns over the years show a progressive expansion in student intake, reflecting the School’s growing reputation and its role in fostering academic competition among primary school students throughout the region. This competitive enrollment strategy has further reinforced KSHS’s standing as a benchmark institution for secondary education in Ethiopia.

KSHS has applied different admission policies at various stages of its development, responding to contextual realities and policy priorities. In its early years, the School selected candidates for entrance examinations by considering the top three students and one top-performing female student from each junior school, admitting the highest scorers purely on merit. Over time, admission policies evolved to include gender and zonal considerations, as well as limited self-sponsorship modalities, alongside merit-based criteria. Currently, KSHS admits students solely based on performance in a competitive entrance examination, selecting from among the top Grade 8 achievers in the region.

Throughout its history, KSHS has consistently outperformed many secondary schools in Ethiopia, particularly in national and university entrance examinations. Its graduates are widely recognized for their strong academic foundations, discipline, and readiness for higher education. The School has been instrumental in preparing students for universities and colleges, thereby contributing decisively to the development of skilled human capital capable of combating poverty and driving socio-economic transformation.

The impact of KSHS extends well beyond secondary education. A significant proportion of its graduates have excelled in higher education, particularly in Engineering, Technology, and Health Sciences, fields critical to national development. To date, 2,071 former students have transitioned to universities, and over 1,500 alumni have since established themselves in diverse professional fields. Many alumni serve as university lecturers and researchers, while others have established and lead successful enterprises; in addition, a growing number are engaged in digital technology–driven fields, including software engineering, information and communication technology, and data-related professions.

At the national level, KSHS alumni are represented in key institutions such as INSA, Ethio Telecom, Ethiopian Airlines, and numerous universities and hospitals. Internationally, some graduates have advanced into leading multinational corporations and research institutions, underscoring the caliber and competitiveness of the education provided by KSHS.

Currently, KSHS serves 490 students in grades 9–12 and operates with a total staff complement of 154 employees, including 27 teachers, supported by administrative, boarding, student welfare, security, and campus operations staff essential for a large residential school situated on a 100-hectare campus.