The American International School of Bamako (AISB) is an independent, coeducational private day school which offers a full U.S. educational program from prekindergarten (age two) through grade 12 and a complete high school program including Advanced Placement (AP) courses. The school was established in 1977 to serve the needs of American and international community students seeking an English-language education. The school year is divided into two semesters which begin in mid-August and in late January. There are 180 days in the school year.
Organization: The school is governed by a nine-member board of directors with seven voting members elected by the AISB Association. There is an appointed representative of the U.S. Embassy. Membership in the association is automatically conferred on the parents or guardians of children enrolled in the school and to all professional staff.
Curriculum: The curriculum is similar to that of other American international schools and offers AP courses. Teaching materials are from the United States and around the world. In addition to the regular and AP academic courses, French, ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages), technology, music, art, and physical education classes are offered. The school has a purpose-built library with 12,500 volumes for reference work and for supplemental reading. The school has a Bring Your Own Device program in the secondary (grades 3-12) and uses a school owned Chromebooks in grades K-2. A wide variety of extracurricular activities is available. AISB provides some special needs services but is unable to accept high or moderate special needs children within the offered program. Please note that consideration may be given on a case-by-case basis if the parents can provide additional funding or staffing for a special needs student. The school is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.
Faculty: In the 2022-2023 school year, AISB has 46 total staff including 16 teachers, 1 of whom are U.S. citizens, 2 host-country nationals, and 14 third-country nationals. Our faculty and staff represent 14 nationalities including Mali, France, South Africa, Togo, Canada, Kenya, Panama, New Zealand, Mauritania, Cuba, Holland, Pakistan, Ghana, and the US. All teaching faculty maintain a teaching certification/credential from their home country or from the US.
Enrollment: Early in the 2022-2023 school year, enrollment was 120 (PreK-G5: 76; G6-G8: 19; G9-G12: 26), including 26 U.S. citizens, 19 host-country nationals, and 75 third-country nationals. Several students hold more than one passport.
Facilities: The school occupies a purpose-built facility located on five hectares of land on the banks of the Niger River. The buildings include 15 classrooms, a science lab, a technology lab, a library, a Maker Space, an aerobics/resistance training gym, a multipurpose room used as performance space and indoor activities area for PE, office areas, basketball courts, playground equipment, and a playing field. A multi-use pool suitable for competitive meets and curricular swimming lessons has recently been built.
Finances: In the 2022-2023 school year, admission is based on previous school records, age, and a personal interview. The annual tuition rates are as follows: PK2-3: $5,153; PK4: $5,794; K-grade 5: $18,746; grades 6-8: $19,989; and grades 9-12: $20,313. The school also charges a one-time registration fee of $350 and a one-time capital development fee of $4,500 upon inscription, as well as a $1,000 annual capital fee in subsequent years. There is an optional transportation service fee of $2,000 per year.
Special Needs: Download the Special Needs Profile (2023 Special Needs Mali, Bamako) for this school to learn more about their capability to support students with exceptionalities.
This Fact Sheet is intended to provide general information. Prospective users of the schools may wish to inquire further of A/OPR/OS or contact the school directly for more specific and up-to-the-minute information. Information and statistics are current as of September 2022 and are provided by the school.