International Schools Directory

The International School of Dakar (ISD), which opened in 1983, is the only non-sectarian English language school in Dakar. ISD is an independent, coeducational day school offering an enriched American educational program to reflect the diverse international background of the student body and the faculty. Classes for the school year 2006-2007 are offered in preschool through grade 12. The school year extends from late August to mid-June. The School is governed by a 7-member Board of Directors elected by the International School Association of Dakar, the sponsoring body of the school. Membership in the Association is automatically conferred on the parents or guardians of children enrolled in the School and to the teaching faculty. Ex-officio members of the Board include a representative of the U.S. Ambassador, the president of the Parent Teacher Association and a teacher’s Representative. ISD follows a curriculum found in most American schools. Instruction is in English. French is offered at four levels every day to students from K-12. Every student also has classes in art, music, computers, and physical education. Advanced Placement classes are offered in environmental science, calculus, French, English literature and physics. The middle school program provides a partially integrated curriculum and includes a daily exploratory period and community meeting time. The preschool class is for three and four-year-old children and is a half day program in a self-contained classroom. Grades K-5 have full-day programs in self-contained classrooms for core subjects. The School, committed to quality education in an international environment, provides specialized training in English-as-a-Second-Language, as well as limited Special Needs Program. ISD is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. In the 2006-2007 school year there are 28 full-time and 3 part-time faculty members. All full-time teachers are certified in their country of origin, and several hold Master’s Degrees (or equivalent). There are also 5 teacher aides in the elementary classes, and 1 full-time aide for the library. The School, built in 1988, sits on four acres overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, on the outskirts of Dakar. It includes a library; a science lab; 2 computer labs, art and music rooms; a soccer field and playground; and a multipurpose gymnasium/auditorium. The Atlantic Club, adjoining the School, offers students access to tennis, swimming, basketball, and other sports.