International Schools

The American International School of Bamako (AISB) is an independent, coeducational, private day school which offers a fullU..S. educational program from pre-kindergarten (age 3) through grade12. The School was established in 1977 to serve the needs of American andinternational community students seeking an English-language education. The school year is divided into 2 semesters. AISB also operates a satellite campus in Sadiola, Malifor the AngloGold mining company. A 9-member Board of Directors governs the School, with 7 members elected by the AISB Association. There is also an appointed representative of the U.S. Embassy and the school director serves on the Board as a non-voting member. Membership in the Association is automatically conferred on the parents or guardians of children enrolled in the School and to all professional staff. AISB is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools with provisional accreditation in Grades 10-12. It is also approved as a class school by DoDDs. AISB offers a full U.S. educational program from pre-kindergarten (age 3) through grade 12. The curriculum is similar to that of other American International Schools. Classes use up-to-date American textbooks and teaching materials from the United States and around the world. In addition to the regular academic courses, French, ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages), Computer, Music, Drama, Art, and Physical Education classes are offered. The School has a purpose-built library with 9,000 volumes for reference work and for supplemental reading. There is an 18-station iMac computer lab in the elementary and a 12-station computer lab in the Upper School. The school year of approximately 175 days iscomprised of 2 semesters divided into 2 quarters each. School runs from late August until early June. Three long holidays occur during the year, one in October, one in December and one in April. The school day begins at 7:30 a.m. and ends at 2:20 p.m. Grades are issued at the end of each quarter. The School occupies purpose-built facilities located on a site overlooking the Niger River. The buildings include 14 classrooms, a computer lab, a library, a MultiPurpose Room used as a performance space and indoor activities area for PE, an office, a flagstone courtyard, and landscaped grounds with playground equipment and a playing field. One nearby villa serves as the Early Learning Center. Two, large nearby villas serve as the Middle School and High School (grades 6-12). Both the ELC and the Middle/High School villas have recreation areas, lunch areas and complete educational facilities with a newly remodeled Science Lab. There is a covered play area in the elementary school. AISB also operates a satellite-campus in Sadiola for the children of the AngloGold Mining Company employees. To meet the growing demand for an Anglophone High School and an expanded purpose-built facility in Bamako, a new campus is planned to be+C396 under construction starting in the Spring of 2008. The new campus will include the following facilities: individual classrooms for all primary grades, an upper school campus, full athletic facilities, science labs, a computer lab and a connected campus via wireless network, library and performing and visual arts facilities.