Gabon, Libreville: American International School of Libreville
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Released by the Office of Overseas Schools
Washington, DC
American International School of Libreville
2008-2009
The American International School of Libreville (AISL), founded in 1975, is a private, nonprofit, coeducational day school offering an educational program from 3 years old to grade 8. High School courses may be offered at the discretion of the Director in conjunction with a high school correspondence program. AISL was established to provide an American education to dependents of the American community in Libreville and other families seeking an English-medium education regardless of race, religion or nationality. The school year is comprised of 4 quarters and extends from approximately the end of August to the second week of June, excluding a holiday spanning approximately three weeks during December and a one week spring break.
Organization: The American Educational Association of Libreville sponsors the School. Membership in the Association is automatically conferred upon the parents or guardians of children enrolled in the School and upon the full-time professional staff. The School is governed by a 6-member Board of Directors elected from among the members of the Association. The U.S. Ambassador to Gabon appoints an additional seventh Board member. No single corporation or entity can have a majority on the Board.
Curriculum: The curriculum is based on learning standards developed by U.S. based professional organizations across the content areas. All materials and teaching methods are current. English is the language of instruction with French taught daily as a foreign language beginning in Kindergarten. The Stanford 9 Achievement Test is given annually, and the School serves as a testing center for the Educational Testing Service. The School is fully accredited (PK-8) by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.
Faculty: In the 2008-2009 school year, there are 7 full-time and 1 part-time faculty members, including 3 U.S. citizens and 5 third-country nationals. Core instructional staff members are fully certified in the United States. The director is a U.S. citizen.
Enrollment: At the beginning of the 2008-2009 school year, enrollment was 50 (3 year olds-grade 8), including 9 U.S. citizens, 2 host-country nationals, and 39 third-country nationals. Of the U.S. enrollment, 3 are dependents of U.S. government direct-hire or contract employees.
Facilities: The School occupies an air-conditioned villa bordering the Atlantic Ocean in the central section of Libreville within 0.5 kilometers of the American Embassy. The building, once the U.S. Marine House, contains classrooms, a computer lab, a science lab, a music room, library, offices, and a staff room. There is a grass covered playground.
Finances: In the 2008-2009 school year, approximately 95% of the School's income derives from tuition and registration fees. Annual tuition is as follows: Age 3 & 4: $5,500; and Kdg.-grade 8: $15,000. (All fees are quoted in U.S. dollars.)
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