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Namibia, Windhoek: Windhoek International School


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Released by the Office of Overseas Schools
Washington, DC

Date: 12/08/2008 Location: Windhoek, Namibia Description: Windhoek International School students State Dept Photo


Windhoek International School

Web: www.wis.edu.na

 

 



2008-2009

The Windhoek International School (WIS) is a coeducational day school, which offers educational programs from Toddlers/Kindergarten through year 13. The school year runs from mid-August to mid-June.

Organization: The School is governed by a Board of Directors consisting of a maximum of 16 members. Eight members are elected from among the parents of students currently enrolled in the School, up to 6 members can be appointed by the Board from both the expatriate community and the local community, one member is a teacher representative, and one is a Parent Teacher Association representative. The director of the School and the principals serve as ex-officio members of the Board.

Curriculum: The curriculum is international. This lays the foundation for the I.G.C.S.E. in year 11, and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (IB) in years 12-13. The primary school (year 1 through year 6) offers the Primary Years Program of the International Baccalaureate (IBPYP). WIS was one of the first schools worldwide authorized to offer this program. The School’s medium of instruction is English. French, German and Portuguese are offered as first and second languages from year 4 onward. Other mother-tongue languages may be offered in the afternoon program by demand. A well-qualified team supports ESL learners. Students with learning difficulties, and highly able students, provide the opportunity for a range of learning support. All primary students and secondary students through year 9 receive instruction in art, music, computing and physical education in addition to math, science, language and social studies. Drama is taught in grades 6-9. Students at IGCSE and IB levels select individual subject options. WIS is fully accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges and the Council of International Schools, and is authorized by the IB Organization to offer the IBPYP and the IB Diploma program.

Faculty: In the 2008-2009 school year, there are 51 faculty members, including 2 U.S. citizens, 32 host-country nationals and 17 third-country nationals.

Enrollment: At the beginning of the 2008-2009 school year, enrollment was 303. Of the total, 20 were U.S. citizens, 162 host-country nationals and 121 third-country nationals. Of the U.S. enrollment, 10 were dependents of U.S. government direct-hire or contract employees and 10 were dependents of private U.S. citizens.

Facilities: The School moved into purpose-built facilities in 1994. These include classrooms, science and computer laboratories, a library, a music room, a media and resource center, an auditorium, a multipurpose hall, and sports fields.

Finances: In the 2008-2009 school year, most of the School's income derives from an enrollment fee and tuition. Annual tuition rates are as follows: Toddlers/Kdg: N$20,910; Years 1-3: N$84,920; Years 4-6: N$93,470; Years 7-8: N$107,540: Years 10-11: N$118,820; and Years 12-13: N$135,790. The enrollment fee of N$21,000 is payable for each child on joining WIS from year 1. (All fees are quoted in Namibian dollars.)