The International School of Ouagadougou (ISO) is a nonprofit, independent, coeducational day school that offers an English language educational program to children between the ages of three and 19, from PK-grade 12. The school was established in 1976, and its mission is to provide an education to children from wide ranging backgrounds, including children of diplomats, businesspeople, and international development organizations. The school year is comprised of 180 days of instruction, organized into two semesters, extending from August through January and from February into June. The International School of Ouagadougou cultivates diversity, respect, knowledge, and character, and strives to develop global citizens who contribute towards a better, more peaceful world. ISO is fully accredited through the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSA). The last accreditation visit was in October of 2020 and resulted in the school being re-accredited through May 1, 2028.
Organization: The school is governed by a nine-member board of trustees. One member, the U.S. Ambassador’s representative, also sits on the board, while all other members are members of the Association of the International School of Ougadagagou. The Board of Trustees is strategic in nature and hires a director to oversee the day-to-day operations of the school.
Curriculum: The school follows an American-style curriculum adapted to emphasize intercultural understanding, character development, and community involvement. The ISO elementary school focuses on the total development of each child and provides many opportunities for personal and academic growth in a nurturing, structured environment. As learning progresses through the upper grades, an increasing emphasis on inquiry-led and independent study seeks to instill in each student a life-long love of learning. French is taught daily from K‑grade 12. The newly introduced IB Program courses in grades 11 and 12 provides students with the skills needed for success in tertiary institutions.
Faculty: In the 2022-2023 school year, there are 65 faculty members including 32 teaching staff members. Of the teaching staff 12 were U.S. citizens, 10 host-county nationals, and 10 third‑country nationals representing United States, Burkina Faso, Jamaica, UK, the Philippines, and others. All Teachers are registered teachers, either in their home of origin, or through the United States.
Enrollment: At the beginning of the 2022-2023 school year, enrollment was at 170 students (PK-grade 5: 74 grades 6-8: 38 grades 9-12: 55), 33 of which are U.S nationals, 38 are host-country nationals, and 98 are third-country nationals. Of the U.S. student enrolment, due to external variables, there were no dependents of U.S. government direct-hire or contract employees, at the start of the present school year.
Facilities: The school is on a seven-acre, purpose-built campus located adjacent to the city’s main residential section. The facility is walled and secured. ISO has a large, grassed playing field, dressing rooms, a multi-sport court, a swimming pool, a basketball court, and a tennis court. There are 10 major buildings housing the classrooms, administration, and resource areas, including a library of 15,000 volumes, 2 IT labs, a science laboratory, a maker’s space for the elementary school, an upper school student center, and a snack bar. The school has a dedicated service line for Internet and is completely networked. There are 80 computers for student use in the computer lab, library, and classrooms. Construction of a new secondary building was completed seven years ago. This building houses a 300-seat auditorium, two science labs, two computer labs, seven regular classrooms, and a student study area.
Finances: In the 2022-2023 school year, the annual tuition rates are as follows: PreK 3 3,166 Euros Pre K 4 5,489 Euros Kinder – 5 16,572 Euros 6-8 18,163 Euros High School 18, 746 Euros (All fees are quoted in euros.)
Special Needs: Download the Special Needs Profile (2023 Special Needs- Burkina Faso, Ouagadougou) 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.