The American School of Kinshasa
Web: www.tasok.cd
2008-2009
The American School of Kinshasa is an independent, coeducational day school which offers an educational program from kindergarten through grade 12 for students of all nationalities. The School was founded in 1961. The school year is comprised of 2 semesters extending from August to mid-January and from mid-January to June.
Organization: The School is governed by the TASOK School Association which elects the School Board. Membership in the Association is automatically conferred on the parents or guardians of children attending the School.
Curriculum: The curriculum is that of U.S. college-preparatory public schools. The high school offers AP courses in history, French, calculus, biology, and physics. All instruction is in English. Community service is emphasized in the curriculum. French is taught as a foreign language. The School does accept some students with very mild learning disabilities, but TASOK does not have a special needs teacher or department. The School does offer ESL support. The School is fully accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.
Faculty: In the 2008-2009 school year, there are 23 faculty members. Of the total, 15 are U.S. citizens, 3 are host-country nationals and 5 are third-country nationals. All teaching staff are fully qualified in the United States or their country of origin.
Enrollment: At the beginning of the 2008-2009 school year, enrollment was 271. Of the total, 68 were U.S. citizens, 18 were host-country nationals and 185 were third-country nationals representing 33 different nationalities. Of the U.S. citizens, 30 were dependents of U.S. government personnel.
Facilities: The elementary school (Kdg.-5) consists of 4 pods, including a recently upgraded library and a computer lab. English-as-a-Second-Language classes, French classrooms, an art room, a fully equipped playground, a basketball court, and a soccer field are all part of the elementary school facility. The middle/high school consists of 16 classrooms, a library, an administration building, a computer lab, and a sports area (including a swimming pool, a tennis court, a covered basketball court, 2 volleyball courts, and a soccer field). The school auditorium is a free-standing building with the capacity to seat 300. This facility serves as the venue for performing arts, all school assemblies, large meetings and cultural activities. All the school facilities, including residences for all foreign-hired staff, are located on a 42-acre tract of rain forest in the metropolitan area.
Finances: In the 2008-2009 school year, approximately 90% of the School’s income derives from tuition and fees. The annual tuition rates for American and international students are: Kdg,-grade 1: $6,510; grades 2-3: $7,320; grades 4-5: $8,130; grades 6-8: $10,560; grades 9-10: $12,850; and grades 11-12: $13,550. There is an English-as-a-Second-Language fee of $3,000. There is a registration/technology fee of $3,000 for grades 1-12, and a one-time application fee of $300. (All fees are quoted in U.S. dollars.)
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