The American International School of Nouakchott (AISN), founded in 1978, is a nonprofit, private, coeducational day school that offers an educational program to students from pre-K through grade 12. The school year runs from August through June.
Organization: A six-member board of directors, five of whom are voting members elected by the school association and one who is a non-voting member appointed by the U.S. Ambassador, govern the school. At least three of the five voting members must be U.S. citizens.
Curriculum: The curriculum is based on U.S. stateside standards (Project AERO), is similar to that of most U.S. public schools, and was recently re-accredited PK-12 by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSA) through December 2028. Advanced Placement (AP) courses are offered to 11th and 12th grade students. The language of instruction is English. The core subjects are English, mathematics, science, and social studies. Special subjects included in the K-12 curriculum are French, music, art, physical education, and robotics. Technology is integrated into the curriculum through core subjects. A current U.S. curriculum designed by Edmentum to include Courseware (middle and high school) and Calvert Learning (elementary) is delivered by AISN teachers. Skill development is supported through the Exact Path digital platform. The school music program includes a student band. Local and international field trips are available to supplement student learning. * The school is using the Measurement of Academic Progress (MAP) computerized standardized assessment developed by the Northwest Evaluation Association. Students are tested in September to determine areas for improvement to focus on throughout the year. Students are again tested in May to measure their achievement gain. The curriculum is supplemented by an after-school activities program that includes offerings in athletics, the arts, and advanced academics. * *Some changes in services are due to COVID restrictions.
Faculty: In the 2022-2023 school year, AISN has 32 total staff including 14 teachers, 4 of whom are U.S. citizens, 3 host-country nationals, and 7 third-country nationals. Our faculty and staff represent 12 nationalities including: Canada, Ireland, Botswana, Ukraine, Algeria, Myanmar, France, Tunisia, Togo, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Mauritania. All teachers maintain a teaching certificate/credential from their countries of origin and are supported by the school to complete U.S. Certification and a master’s of education from a U.S. university.
Enrollment: At the beginning of the 2022-2023 school year, enrollment was 85 students (PK-5: 51; Grades 6-8: 20; and Grades 9-12:14 and 19 nationalities represented). Of the total, 20 are U.S. citizens; 23 Mauritanians; and 16 are third-country nationals. The maximum class size is 15 students with an average of 10 students per class.
Facilities: The school is located on the grounds of the former U.S. Embassy. The facility has been recently upgraded to include a refurbished Middle/High School building. This new innovative two-story building provides a 21st Century space for learning for our oldest students. The library is integrated into the design and the rooms designs support individual, small group and whole group teaching. The Elementary facility is comprised of 15 instructional areas including classrooms, a science lab, an art classroom, a music classroom, and a multi-media center/library. On the school grounds, there is a playground for younger children and a small area for soccer. There is a large space for basketball, handball, and volleyball on the adjoining former U.S. Embassy grounds has now been acquired by the school. The school provides after-school swimming using the former U.S. Embassy’s swimming pool during the fall and spring.
Finances: Finances: In the 2022-2023 school year, approximately 97% of the school’s income is derived from tuition. The annual tuition rates are as follows: PK $8,000; K-grade 5: $16,600; and grades 6-12: $18,700. There is a one-time Capital Development Fee of $4500 followed by an annual capital development fee of $900 for all students in grades K-12. There is a first-time enrollment fee of $100. (All fees are quoted in U.S. dollars.)
Special Needs: Download the Special Needs Profile (2023 Special Needs- Mauritania, Nouakchott) 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 2021 and are provided by the school