Email: administration@aics.org.er
Web: www.aicsasmara.com
2011-2012
The Asmara International Community School (AICS) is a nonprofit, independent, coeducational day school which offers an educational program to children from Pre-Kindergarten (age 3) through grade 12. The school was founded in 1994 to serve the needs of the international community and other students seeking a rigorous education in English. The school year begins in August and ends in June.
Organization: AICS is governed by a 7-member Board of Governors. Five of the board members are elected by the AICS Parents’ Association. Two board members are appointed. Membership in the association is automatically conferred to the parents or guardians of children enrolled in the school.
Curriculum: The curriculum is similar to that of other international schools. Imported textbooks and teaching materials are used. The Pre-Kindergarten class is based on a traditional approach. Grades K-6 are self-contained and follow an inquiry based program. Middle school and high school are departmentalized by core subject: English, Mathematics, science, and social studies. In addition to the regular academic courses, there are specialist teachers for music, art, physical education and French at all grade levels. Information technology is also integrated into classroom learning. English language support (English-as-a-Second-Language) is provided to students whose first language is not English. AICS is accredited from Kindergarten through grade 12 by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.
Faculty: In the 2011-2012 school year, there are 19 full-time and 2 part-time faculty. The teaching faculty is certified and degreed from their respective home countries. Included in the list of faculty members are 5 instructional assistants serving in classrooms from PK through grade 6.
Enrollment: At the beginning of the 2011-2012 school year, enrollment was approximately 169 (PK-Kdg.: 17; grades 1-6: 91; grades 7-12: 61).
Facilities: AICS consists of a purpose-built brick building with 10 large classrooms and 4 small classrooms. The School has a library containing 4,500 volumes for reference work, supplemental reading and pleasure reading. There are 25 computers used for instruction, of which 20 are in the computer lab for computer literacy classes. The school has a gym/auditorium as part of the building for use in physical education, drama productions and other group gathering events. The School maintains self-contained classrooms whenever possible. There are grounds with ample area to play as well as playground equipment, a basketball court, and a soccer pitch.
Tuition and Fees: In the 2011-2012 school year, the annual tuition rates are as follows: PK: $3,402; KG: $5,400; and grade 1: $6,804; grades 2-12: $18,592. Students in grades 1–12 pay a one-time registration fee of $2,900 per family which includes a one-time $100 application fee for each applicant. Tuition is payable in U.S. dollars by all those with access to hard currency. School fees must be paid prior to the child’s first day of school. Payments may be made annually, semi-annually or quarterly on a schedule established by the business manager. (All fees are quoted in U.S. dollars.)
