Nigeria, Abuja: American International School of Abuja
Other Releases
Released by the Office of Overseas Schools
Washington, DC
American International School of Abuja
Web: www.aisabuja.com
2008-2009
The American International School of Abuja (AISA) is a coeducational, international day school which offers an American educational program from Preschool to grade 12 for English-speaking students of all nationalities. An independent study high school program from the University of Nebraska is offered for grade 12. Located in Nigeria's capital city of Abuja, AISA was founded in 1993. The school year runs from August to June with 180 days of instruction.
Organization: The School is governed by a 7-member Board of Governors. The Board consists of 4 Americans, including the U.S. Ambassador's appointed representative and 3 other members elected by the School Association. The Director holds an ex-officio, non-voting position.
Curriculum: AISA offers an American curriculum based on U.S. standards for Kindergarten to grade 12. Apart from French classes, all lessons are taught in English. The School offers an English-as-a-Second Language program for students who need this assistance. In addition to core academic subjects, instruction is also provided in information technology, art, health, music, physical education and library skills. After-school clubs are offered including swimming, gymnastics, various sports, cooking, drama, and arts and crafts. AISA is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools through grade 11. The accreditation process for 12th will be completed in 2009.
Faculty: In the 2008-2009 school year, AISA’s staff was made up of the following positions: Director, middle/high school principal, elementary principal, guidance counselor, special education specialist, full time nurse, 39 faculty members and teaching assistants. 34 of the faculty members were trained in the United States, U.K., or Canada. The faculty includes 24 U.S. citizens, 7 host-country nationals, and 9 third-country nationals.
Enrollment: At the beginning of the 2008-2009 school year, enrollment was 450 students (Preschool-Grade 12). Of the total, 112 were U.S. citizens, 112 were host-country nationals and 226 were third-country nationals. Of the U.S. enrollment, 50 are dependents of U.S. government direct-hire or contract employees. Optimal class size is 22 students. The families of many students are posted to Abuja with international construction companies, business organizations or the growing diplomatic community.
Facilities: AISA is situated on a 13-acre tract of land in the Durumi district of Abuja. The brand new campus is designed to accommodate a full high school program that is fully implemented in August 2008. We will have the first graduating class of AISA in June 2009. The School has 36 classrooms, a science lab, a library, a computer lab, swimming pool, basketball court, soccer field, playground equipment, snack shop, a separate music and art building, a clinic and 8 administrative offices. When Phase II construction is completed, the AISA campus will include a tennis court, a gymnasium, a cafeteria and living quarters for the teachers.
Finances: In the 2008-2009 school year, the majority of the School's income is derived from tuition fees. Annual tuition rates are as follows: Preschool: $3,817; PK: $5,244; Kdg.: $8,794; grades 1-5: $11,786; grades 6-8: $12,352; grades 9-12 $13,790. A one-time capital building fee of $5,000 (for K-12), and $2,500 for Preschool-Pre-K (balance of $2,500 due when child moves to Kindergarten) per child is assessed upon entry into the school. (All fees are quoted in U.S. dollars.)
The Office of Electronic Information, Bureau of Public Affairs, manages this site as a portal for information from the U.S. State Department. External links to other Internet sites should not be construed as an endorsement of the views or privacy policies contained therein.