The American School of Tripoli
Web: www.americanschooloftripoli.com
2007-2008
The American School of Tripoli (AST) is a private, coeducational day school offering an educational program from preschool through grade 9 for qualified students of all nationalities. The School plans to add grade 10 in the 2008-2009 school year. The School was founded in 2005. The school year extends from late August to mid June.
Organization: The School is governed by a 9-person Board of Directors, composed of members appointed by the founding companies of the School. The School is sponsored by the USLO in Libya and operates under status conferred by the Libyan Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Curriculum: AST offers a U.S. curriculum, using standards and objectives developed under Project AERO: American Education Reaches Out. The School utilizes U.S. textbooks to provide an educational program comparable to that found in other international schools. AST’s program also aims to prepare its students for a smooth transition back to schools in their home countries or to other international schools. Elementary classes are self-contained except for music, PE, Arabic, library, and computer, which have separate classrooms. English-as-a-Second-Language is taught within the regular classroom, with the exception of some pullout classes for beginning students. Grades 6-9 classes have block scheduling with specialist classes in PE, music, art, Arabic, Spanish, and computer technology. The School does not offer a special education program for students with learning or physical disabilities, nor are there such services available in the local community. AST is a member of the Near East South Asia Council of Overseas Schools.
Faculty: In the 2007-2008 school year, there are 13 full time and 5 part-time faculty members. Recommended maximum class size in the preschool and elementary grades is 15 and in the middle school 18 students.
Enrollment: At the beginning of the 2007-2008 school year, enrollment was 106 (PS-grade 9).
Facilities: AST is located in two villas, converted to school use, in the area of Seraj, about 20 minutes from downtown Tripoli. All rooms have air-conditioning and U.S.-style school furniture. In addition to the 11 classrooms presently in use, the villas also have separate rooms for the science lab and for Arabic, Spanish, music, library, and computer. The School’s library has over 4,500 volumes. There is a basketball court, tennis court, two small grass fields, and play equipment.
Finances: In the 2007-2008 school year, the School’s income is derived from tuition. The annual tuition rates are as follows: PK: $5,000; and Kdg.-grade 9: $14,500. The School also charges an application fee of $200 and a yearly capital fee of $2,000 per student. These fees are payable in U.S. dollars or Libyan dinars. (All fees are quoted in U.S. dollars.)
