The American International School of Johannesburg (AISJ) is a leading pre-K through grade 12 co-educational school founded in 1982. AISJ is situated on two beautiful and spacious campuses, with state-of-the-art facilities that serve Johannesburg and Pretoria. AISJ is a truly international community which values and embraces the diversity of its students, faculty and staff. AISJ offers a nurturing and engaging learning environment, small class sizes, international opportunities, and a range of teaching strategies aimed at providing optimal learning and growth for all students. AISJ offers a balanced program with emphasis on the four pillars: academics, athletics and activities, arts, and service learning. AISJ is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSA), a member of the Association of International Schools in Africa (AISA), and also a member of the Independent Schools Association of Southern Africa (ISASA).
Organization: AISJ is governed by a board of directors comprised of not fewer than three and not more than eleven directors. The board consists of up to five elected directors, up to four directors appointed by the board, and up to two directors seconded by the board. A representative of the U.S Ambassador and the school director serve as non-voting special observers to the board’s activities. Voting rights to elect board directors are automatically conferred on the parents or guardians of children enrolled at AISJ.
Curriculum: The curriculum is that of U.S. college-preparatory public schools with a strong international influence. In the high school there are two pathways available for graduation. For students in grades 11 and 12, the school offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (IBDP) or the AISJ High School Program (HSP). Instruction is in English. Spanish is taught as a foreign language in grades 1 to 5; and Spanish and French are taught as foreign languages in grades 6 to 12. An extensive range of electives and after-school activities are offered.
Faculty: In the 2022-2023 school year, AISJ has 280 total staff including 142 teachers, 48 of whom are U.S. citizens, 52 host-country nationals, and 42 third-country nationals from 17 different countries. All teaching faculty must hold a B.A./B.S. degree from a recognized tertiary institution and a valid teaching license/certificate from a state or national licensing body or certification agency.
Enrollment: At the beginning of the 2022-2023 school year, enrollment was 786. Of the total, 257 were U.S. citizens, 85 were host‑country nationals, and 444 were third-country nationals. AISJ has a very diverse student population representing over 70 nationalities.
Johannesburg Campus Facilities: Johannesburg Campus Facilities: The Johannesburg Campus, which includes elementary, middle and high school is set on 80 acres. The campus is comprised of 85 classrooms, 10 science laboratories, two computer laboratories, three libraries, one multipurpose gymnasium, one basketball/volleyball gymnasium, two presentation rooms, three soccer fields, a golf practice facility, a dance studio, a fitness center, three outdoor basketball courts (one undercover court), three tennis courts, a fine arts center, a lecture hall, an aquatic center with two pools, a dining commons, and a 520-seat theater.
Pretoria Campus Facilities: The Pretoria Campus, which includes elementary and middle school is set on 5.9 acres. The campus is comprised of 23 classrooms, two science labs, one library, a media space, multi-purpose center which also serves as a gymnasium and a theatre, undercover assembly area and stage, two swimming pools, a cafeteria, two playgrounds, a dual-purpose tennis and basketball area with a synthetic soccer field, and a multi-purpose center.
Finances: In the 2022-2023 school year, approximately 98% of the school’s income derives from tuition and other fees. Annual tuition rates are denominated in U.S. Dollars (US$) and South African Rands (ZAR). AISJ allows for tuition fees to be paid in either US$ or ZAR. Annual tuition rates for the 2022-23 school year are as follows: Pre-K: $18 892 or R302 272; Elementary (K – 5): $25 198 or R403 168; Middle School (6 – 8): $29 443 or R471 088; High School (9 – 10): $32 713 or R523 408; High School (11 – 12): $33 913 or R542 608. The invoice may be paid in one currency or the other. Other fees are as follows: Application Fee: R4, 250; Capital Fee on entry for new students: $ 11 025 or R176 400; Capital Fee for returning students $1 103 or R17 648; Annual Bus Fees: R44 171 or R44 281(no U.S. Dollar option). The foreign exchange rate set by AISJ for billing purposes is ZAR 16 / US$ 1 for the 2022-2023 school year.
Special Needs: Download the Special Needs Profile (2023 Special Needs- South Africa, Johannesburg) 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 provided by the school.