The American International School of Niamey (AISN), established in 1982, is an independent, coeducational day school offering an educational program from preschool through grade 12. The school year consists of two semesters that begin in mid-August and end in mid-June.
Organization: The school is governed by a seven-member board of directors, six of whom are elected by the AISN Association for two-year terms. Membership in the association is automatically given to all parents of AISN students and faculty members.
Curriculum: The curriculum is similar to that of most U.S. public schools. Class sizes are small, and students are grouped in multi-age level groups. Instruction is in English. In addition to language arts, reading, math, science, and social studies, the curriculum includes music/band, art, French, and physical education. All grades 1-12 receive three 65-minute periods per week of French language instruction. Preschool and kindergarten receive two periods of French language instruction per week. The school offers Advanced Placement courses taught both in person and online through a provider. AISN has a strong community-based education program. Standardized achievement tests are administered biannually. AISN is fully accredited from preschool to grade 12 by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools and is a member of the Association of International Schools in Africa (AISA).
The Learning Support Program at AISN focuses on strengthening academic skills within the context of a student’s emotional, social, and cognitive development, taking a collaborative approach to meeting the needs of learning support students of all levels of English Proficiency and students with mild to moderate special needs. Mild/moderate special needs include (but are not limited to) specific learning disabilities such as Dyslexia, emotional and behavioral disorders, ADD, ADHD, mild intellectual disabilities, SCD (Social Communication Disorder), and (when appropriate) autism spectrum disorder. The curriculum ensures that every individual student at AISN is challenged academically.
Faculty: In the 2022-2023 school year, AISN has 122 total staff including 24 teachers, 6 of whom are U.S. citizens, 6 host-country nationals, and 12 third-country nationals. Our faculty and staff represent 12 nationalities, including Canada, Niger, Togo, Benin, Nigeria, Myanmar, UK, Belgium, India, South Africa, Pakistan and the United States.
Enrollment: At the beginning of the 2022-2023 school year, enrollment was 104 (PreK: 14, K-8: 71, 9-12: 19), including 30 U.S. citizens, 10 host-country nationals, and 64 third-country nationals. Of the U.S. enrollment, 20 are dependents of U.S. government direct-hire or contract employees. The cut-off for age requirement for grade placement is September 1.
Facilities: The school consists of four single-story, air-conditioned buildings with nine classrooms, a science lab, a computer lab, a multipurpose room, two student toilet blocks, a preschool classroom, administration offices, locker rooms, a workout gym, and a dance studio. The playground area includes a grass athletic field a covered basketball and volleyball court, along with an assortment of other playground structures. The cafeteria and community center includes a dining hall and café, a pool, a tennis court, and a full-service kitchen. Dinner service and special activities, such as Quiz Night and Karaoke Night, are also organized to take place at what is called the AISN Rec Center after 3:00 pm. All students, parents, and official U.S. personnel are members of the AISN Rec Center.
Finances: In the 2022-2023 school year, more than 95% of the school’s income derives from tuition and fees. Annual tuition rates are as follows: Preschool – $6,000 for half-day and $7600 for full-day per year, Kindergarten – Grade 5 – $18,500 per year, Grade 6 – 8 – $20,000 per year, Grade 9-12 – $22,000 per year. (All fees quoted in U.S. dollars.) There is a one-time capital levy for new students Grades K to 12 of $5,000 and an annual $3,000 levy for all students in Grades K to 12.
Special Needs: Download the Special Needs Profile (2023 Special Needs- Niger, Niamey) 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.