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International Schools in Senegal

Compare 8 international schools in Senegal. Filter by curriculum, fees (average XOF 2,066,167), location, and more to find the right international school now.

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Schools listed
8
Curricula
10
Average annual fee
XOF 2,066,167
Fee range
XOF 1,599,000 – 2,899,000
More school facts
Most common curriculum
American Curriculum (4 schools)
Average school size
763 pupils
Largest by enrolment
Lycee Francais Jean Mermoz - Senegal
Oldest
Dakar Academy (1961)
With boarding
1
About international schools in Senegal

Most international schools in Senegal are concentrated in and around Dakar, where families will find French-medium, English-medium and bilingual options that link to the French national system, British (Cambridge) programmes, American curricula and several schools offering International Baccalaureate (IB) programmes. French is the official language of formal education and remains dominant in the country, while many international schools teach in English or bilingually and offer English and French language support; Wolof and other national languages are widely spoken locally. Fees vary widely: small bilingual or private schools can be an affordable option, while long-established international campuses publish annual tuition in the multiple millions of West African CFA francs (with additional costs for transport, meals, uniforms and activity fees). The international school year usually follows a Northern-Hemisphere rhythm (starting in August or September) so families should plan applications several months ahead and check each school’s published admissions and enrolment policies.

View by curriculum (4)

Choosing an international school in Senegal

Curricula

There are 8 international schools in Senegal covering 10 curricula. The most widely offered are American Curriculum (4), French Curriculum (4), IB (DP) (3), IB (PYP) (2), IB (MYP) (2). If your child may move countries again, an internationally-portable curriculum (IB, or Cambridge/British) keeps options open; if you're likely to settle, a curriculum matching your home or target university system can be the better fit.

Fees & what they cover

Annual tuition across Senegal runs from about XOF 1,599,000 to XOF 2,899,000, averaging roughly XOF 2,066,167. Budget for one-off costs on top — application and enrolment fees, a refundable deposit, uniform, transport and exams.

Admissions & timing

Sought-after schools in Senegal run waiting lists, so apply early — ideally a term or two ahead. Most admissions involve an application, prior school reports and an assessment or interview, with entry points often tied to the school year. Each school's profile shows term dates, open days and how to enquire.

Boarding

1 of the 8 schools offer boarding — useful if you're relocating or want weekly or full boarding.

How doris stays impartial

doris lists every international school in Senegal we can find — not only those that pay. We take no placement fees and sell no rankings or "top school" spots, so the schools above aren't ordered by who paid most. Details come from the schools' own information and public sources, and you can compare any of them side by side.

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FAQs for Senegal

What curricula will my child be able to follow in Senegal’s international schools?
You’ll commonly find French curriculum schools (including those linked to the AEFE network), British schools using Cambridge IGCSE/A-Levels, US-style or American high-school programmes and a number of schools authorised to teach IB programmes (PYP, MYP and DP). Which exit qualification a school offers matters for senior-school pathways and university recognition, so check whether a school runs the full programme you need.
What language(s) of instruction should we expect and is support available for non-French speakers?
French is the official language of education in Senegal and is dominant across the country, but many international schools teach in English or bilingually and advertise English language support for arrivals whose first language is not the school medium. Schools differ in the amount and type of language support they provide, so ask about English or French as an additional language programmes, and whether induction or small-group support is included or charged extra.
How much do international schools in Senegal typically cost and what extra charges should we budget for?
Tuition ranges widely: some smaller bilingual schools list modest annual fees, while established international campuses commonly publish secondary-level fees in the multiple millions of West African CFA francs per year; independent guides and school pages show a broad spread depending on age, campus and services. In addition to tuition, budget for application or registration fees (often non-refundable), capital or enrolment deposits, school transport, meals, uniforms, textbooks and extracurricular costs - these extras can add substantially to the headline fee.
When should we apply and how flexible are admissions?
Most international schools follow an August/September start and open applications several months earlier, with many schools running application windows in late winter or spring for the following academic year; some schools also operate rolling admissions or accept mid-year transfers if places are available. If you are relocating, begin enquiries as early as possible and ask each school about waiting lists, assessment requirements and whether priority is given to staff children, siblings or particular passport holders.
What documents and checks are commonly required when applying to a school in Senegal?
Schools commonly ask for the child’s passport or ID, recent school reports, vaccination records and any assessment reports or learning-support documentation; an application form and a non-refundable application fee are frequently required. Before committing, check a school’s accreditation, language-support provision, class sizes, staff turnover and the pastoral/learning-support arrangements so you understand what is included in fees and what may incur additional charges.