The American School of Kinshasa (TASOK), founded in 1961, is an independent, coeducational day school offering an educational program from preschool through grade 12 for students of all nationalities. The school year is comprised of two semesters running from mid-August through mid-June. TASOK has continued its long-standing tradition of providing a rigorous academic American High School program. To this end, the school graduated its first International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program Candidates in May 2019. TASOK is a fully accredited IB World School, offering all three of the IB Programs: Primary Years Program (PYP), Middle Years Program (MYP), and Diploma Program (DP).
Organization: The school is governed by an eight member board elected by the TASOK School Association. Membership in the association is automatically conferred on the parents or guardians of children attending the school. Additionally, members include an USG Representative, Missionary Representative, and appointed U.S. Ambassador Representative.
Curriculum: TASOK is accredited as an U.S. college-preparatory school through the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, and member of the Council of International Schools. Additionally, TASOK is a fully accredited IB World School, offering all three of the IB Programs: Primary Years Program (PYP), Middle Years Program (MYP), and Diploma Program (DP). Common Core standards are used for curriculum development, and students are assessed twice per year using the Measures of Academic Progress (MAP). All instruction is in English. Community service is emphasized in their curriculum. French is taught at all levels taught as a foreign language. The school does accept some students with mild learning disabilities, but resources are limited in Kinshasa. There are two full-time learning support teachers offering support based on their learning support guidelines. The school offers English language support (EAL) with two full time EAL teachers.
Faculty: In the 2022-2023 school year, TASOK has 124 total staff including 43 teachers, 22 of whom are U.S. citizens, 2 host-country nationals, and 16 third-country nationals from ten different countries. All teaching faculty maintain a valid teaching certificate from their host country or U.S.
Enrollment: At the beginning of the 2022-2023 school year, enrollment was 336. Of the total, 91 were U.S. citizens, 69 were host-country nationals, and 176 were third-country nationals. Of the U.S. citizens, 62 were dependents of U.S. government direct-hire or contract personnel. TASOK has over 43 nationalities represented in our students.
Facilities: The elementary school (PS-grade 5) consists of seven buildings, including the library and computer lab. Construction of two new classrooms, IT room, counseling offices, and self-contained gym are underway with a completion date of March 2023, English-as-an-Additional-Language classes, French classrooms, art room, fully equipped playground, basketball court, cafeteria, and soccer field are all part of the elementary school facilities. Secondary school consists of 23 classrooms: library, administration building, design labs, and sports area (including swimming pool, covered basketball court, two volleyball courts, and a soccer field). The school theater is a free-standing building with the capacity to seat 350. This facility serves as the performing arts venue, all school assemblies, large meetings, and cultural activities. All the school facilities, including residences for all foreign-hired staff, are located on a 42-acre tract of gardens and rain forest in the metropolitan area. TASOK has created a botanical garden on site with plants and trees representative of the region. The Campus Master Plan under works calls for LEEDS standards of renovation of every building on campus, with each roof ready for solar panels and water catchment built into the design. At present 12 new buildings have been completed (secondary school classrooms, secondary library, elementary classrooms for preschool and kindergarten and grade 1, a secondary art and design space, secondary school humanities and performing arts classrooms). In addition, completion of a new TASOK Community Center (TCC) and campus security entrances with state of the art access controls.
Finances: For the 2022-2023 school year, approximately 97% of the school’s income derives from tuition and fees. The annual tuition rates for Plan A are: preschool: $9,030; K-grade 1: $14,510; grades 2-3: $16,330; grades 4-5: $18,150; grades 6-8: $22,240; grades 9-10: $25,010; and grades 11-12: $26,390. The school charges an English-as-an-Additional-Language fee of $3,000, a Learning Support fee of $3,000, and Special Education Support Services fee of $9,750. There is a one-time Capital Development fee of $4,000 for K-grade 12, and a one-time Admission fee of $300. (All fees are quoted in U.S. dollars). **Tuition rates vary with flexible payment plans B & C.
Special Needs: Download the Special Needs Profile (2023 Special Needs DRC, Kinshasa) 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.