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International School of Dakar

Senegal, Dakar

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees Fees not listed
Ages 3 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 780
Type Co-educational
Opened 1983
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP), IBCP (International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme)
Taught languages French, English, Spanish
Typical class size 16
Strengths STEM, Performing Arts, Languages
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language
Stages Preschool, Early Years, Primary School, Middle School, Secondary School, High School
Introduction

ISD is an independent, non-profit, co-educational day school in Dakar welcoming students aged 3 to 18. The school offers an IB continuum: PYP in elementary, MYP in middle years, DP in the final grades, with an IB Career-related Programme (IBCP) option. All programs are taught in English, with a strong emphasis on multilingualism and daily French across Elementary, plus World Culture Days highlighting diverse backgrounds. The 8-acre campus in Mermoz hosts facilities: science and computer labs, a library, multiple arts spaces including a 350-seat theater and a pottery room, and a dedicated Design and Innovation Center with robotics and 3D printers. A 1:1 device program begins in 2025-26. Competitive small class sizes (typically 12–20 students; 1–5 up to 22 per class) support personalized learning. The school emphasizes service through Community Engagement and fosters leadership via committees and partnerships. The ASA program anchors after-school offerings in arts, sports, STEM, and service.

The Essentials

International School of Dakar has 780 pupils, typical class sizes of 16, instruction in English.

Location
ISD sits on an eight-acre campus in Dakar's Mermoz neighborhood, near the Corniche. Mailing address: BP 5136, 10700 Dakar Fann, Senegal.

Stages
Pre-Kindergarten (age 3) through Grade 12.

Type
Independent, non-profit, co-educational day school.

Pupil Nationality Mix
Diverse community of over 111 nationalities.

Additional learning support
Learning Support, Language Learning, Social and Emotional Learning, and Counseling; English as an Additional Language (EAL) and English Language Learner (ELL) programs; Educational Psychological Assessment.

School day structure
Academic year runs from mid-August to mid-June.

Bus service
The school does not provide a bus service for families.
Diving Deeper

Boarding Arrangements
The school is a day school; no boarding is offered.

Uniform Requirement
There is no school uniform.

Food Options
Kanaicha provides the school canteen; lunches and snacks can be ordered online or at the school entrance using Wave or Orange Money, with Grab & Go options available.

House System
ISD has House groups for teamwork in the secondary program.

Governance and Ownership
ISD is independent and non-profit; governance is by a Board of Trustees.
Fees
Application and Reservation Fees

- Application fee (new students): USD 250, non‑refundable.
- Reservation fee (upon acceptance): USD 750; this amount is deducted from the total tuition and fees invoice.

Capital Development Fee

- Capital Development Fee (New students, PreK–Grade 12): USD 8,000.
- Capital Development Fee (Returning students, Kindergarten): USD 8,000.
- Capital Development Fee (Returning students, Grade 1–12): USD 1,250.
- The capital development fee must be included in the first tuition payment (or the first installment) when paying by installments.

Annual Tuition and Installment Breakdown (2026–2027 academic year)

- PreKindergarten 3 & 4 (Preschool):
- Annual tuition: USD 12,000.
- Two-installment option (total shown): USD 12,480 — Installment 1: USD 6,480; Installment 2: USD 6,000.
- Three-installment option (total shown): USD 12,720 — Installment 1: USD 4,540; Installment 2: USD 4,180; Installment 3: USD 4,000.

- Grades K–5:
- Annual tuition: USD 25,200.
- Two-installment option (total shown): USD 26,208 — Installment 1: USD 13,608; Installment 2: USD 12,600.
- Three-installment option (total shown): USD 26,712 — Installment 1: USD 9,534; Installment 2: USD 8,778; Installment 3: USD 8,400.

- Grades 6–8:
- Annual tuition: USD 28,400.
- Two-installment option (total shown): USD 29,536 — Installment 1: USD 15,336; Installment 2: USD 14,200.
- Three-installment option (total shown): USD 30,104 — Installment 1: USD 10,745; Installment 2: USD 9,893; Installment 3: USD 9,467.

- Grades 9–10:
- Annual tuition: USD 31,500.
- Two-installment option (total shown): USD 32,760 — Installment 1: USD 17,010; Installment 2: USD 15,750.
- Three-installment option (total shown): USD 33,390 — Installment 1: USD 11,918; Installment 2: USD 10,973; Installment 3: USD 10,500.

- Grades 11–12:
- Annual tuition: USD 32,100.
- Two-installment option (total shown): USD 33,384 — Installment 1: USD 17,334; Installment 2: USD 16,050.
- Three-installment option (total shown): USD 34,026 — Installment 1: USD 12,145; Installment 2: USD 11,182; Installment 3: USD 10,700.

Payment Installment Dates (2026–2027 schedule)

- Payments will be accepted between August 1 and August 13, 2026 for returning students, or within seven calendar days of acceptance for new students.
- Three scheduled confirmation dates (examples used for the installment schedule):
- 1st payment: 3 August 2026.
- 2nd payment: 2 November 2026.
- 3rd payment: 12 February 2027.

Billing Schedule and Payment Terms

- Payment options: full annual payment, two installments, or three installments.
- Single-payment option: at least the first installment must be paid by August 1 (or within seven days of arrival for new families) and the balance by October 9, 2026. Unpaid balances after that date convert automatically to a two-payment plan and the standard installment fee applies.
- Two-payment option: all fees must be paid by November 20, 2026. Unpaid balances after that date convert automatically to a three-payment plan and the standard installment fee applies.
- Parents must submit written applications to pay by installments on the school's Tuition Agreement Form no later than June 18, 2026 for returning families and upon acceptance for new families. At least one installment plus the capital development fee (if applicable) must be paid before a student may start school.

Late Payment, Collections and Holds

- Late fee: installment payments not received by the due date accrue a late fee at the rate of 1.5% per month on the outstanding balance.
- Students with overdue tuition are not permitted to attend school; all school records are held until full payment is received.

Other Costs and Boarding

- Boarding: Not applicable — no boarding fees are charged.
- The published fee schedule itemizes application, reservation and capital development fees in addition to tuition and the installment amounts above. Specific charges for services such as transportation, meals, uniforms, extracurricular activity fees, examination fees, or other optional items are not included in the annual tuition figures above and are billed separately when applicable.

Refunds

- Partial refunds of prepaid annual tuition (when paid in full in advance) are available only according to the following withdrawal dates and percentages:
- 67% refund if withdrawal occurs by 13 November 2026.
- 50% refund if withdrawal occurs by 11 January 2027.
- 33% refund if withdrawal occurs by 12 February 2027.
- No refunds are issued after 12 February 2027. Installment payments, application/registration fees and capital development fees are non‑refundable. Refunds are processed by electronic transfer or by check; parents must submit a letter with bank details to the Business Office to request a refund.

Payment Methods and Currency

- Fees are stated and billed in US dollars (USD). Payments are accepted by electronic bank transfer or US dollar check. Payments in CFA francs are accepted at an exchange rate set weekly by the Business Office; payers are responsible for any bank transfer or related charges. Refunds are processed by electronic transfer or check.

Key administrative notes related to fees

- The capital development fee is payable with the first payment and is not refundable.
- Failure to submit the mandatory application fee will render an application incomplete; reservation fee is required to secure an offered place.
Academics

International School of Dakar teaches IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP), IBCP (International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme) for students aged 3 to 18.

Curriculum
ISD offers an IB continuum: Primary Years Programme (PYP) for Pre-K3 to Grade 5; Middle Years Programme (MYP) for Grade 6 to 10; and Diploma Programme (DP) for Grade 11 and 12. All programs are taught in English, and the school celebrates multilingualism within the community. In Elementary School, learning is inquiry-based under the PYP, with Language Arts, Math, Art, Music, PE, Technology, and daily French classes. In Secondary School, ISD offers IB MYP for Grades 6–10 and DP for Grades 11–12, complemented by co-curriculars in music, visual arts, theatre, sports, and community engagement. ISD emphasizes small-class learning, with typical class sizes of 12–20 students, and Grades 1–5 capped at 22 students per class.

Student Teacher Ratio
Small class sizes: 12–20 students per class, with Grades 1–5 capped at 22 students.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
ISD offers Social and Emotional Learning through its Counseling team and a dedicated Student Support Department. The department includes Learning Support, Language Acquisition, Counseling, and Educational Psychological Assessment. Counselors work with teachers to support students' behavioral, mental health, and social-emotional needs. Counseling is available at elementary, middle, and high school levels. The program fosters a safe, welcoming environment where students can express themselves and participate in learning.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
ISD offers Learning Support and Language Acquisition services, and Educational Psychological Assessment. The school is well-resourced to support a managed number of students with mild to moderate learning differences and can support higher levels of need on a case-by-case basis, depending on interventions and available resources. The approach emphasizes inclusive teaching with tailored instruction and targeted strategies to help each student succeed.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
The English as an Additional Language (EAL) and English Language Learner (ELL) program is fundamental to academic success. Developing English enables students to confidently participate in all subjects and connect with the school community.

Mental Wellbeing
ISD provides mental wellbeing support through its counseling program. Elementary, middle, and high school counseling are available, with staff including a Mental Health Counselor. Counselors work with students to address behavioral, mental health, and social-emotional needs and to support transitions between grades.

Safeguarding
The Board-endorsed Child Protection Policy reflects the highest international standards and guides staff and families in safeguarding the health, safety, and emotional security of every child. The Child Protection Officer is Tracy Yates.
Parent Experience

History
Established in 1983, the International School of Dakar (ISD) is an independent, non-profit, co-educational day school for Pre-Kindergarten (age 3) through Grade 12. It provides an enriched international education reflecting the diverse backgrounds of its students and faculty. The academic year runs from mid-August to mid-June. All ISD programs are run in English while celebrating multilingualism of the community.

Community
ISD's community is dedicated to providing enriching educational experiences that encourage self-discovery and mutual understanding, fostering unity and peace. ISD strives to ensure every voice is heard, respected, and valued in all aspects of school life. Flexibility and compassion guide how students learn and grow together.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
The ISD Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) is a voluntary organization open to all current parents of ISD students and current teachers. The PTO welcomes all ISD parents and teachers to join in enriching the school community. It manages the Jaguar Spirit Shop and co-manages the ISD Closed Facebook group. The PTO plays a vital role in key school events through volunteer support and organizes activities such as new family orientations and Teacher & Staff Appreciation Day. It proposes funding and grant opportunities that directly benefit ISD academic initiatives. Weekly meetings are held every Wednesday morning (08:30 - 09:30) and you can contact pto@parent.isd.sn to join the mailing list.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
ISD's eight-acre campus is in Dakar's Mermoz neighborhood, near the Corniche, with modern facilities. The campus includes science and computer labs, bright classrooms, a library, outdoor playgrounds, and a food service area. Our arts facilities feature a 350-seat theater, a black-box theater, an art studio, and a pottery room. A dedicated sports hub includes a gymnasium, a sports field, a swimming pool, two courts, and a track, supporting many after-school and weekend activities.

Sports Facilities
ISD has a gymnasium, a sports field, a swimming pool, two courts, and a track. These facilities support after-school athletic activities and weekend programming. They form the campus-wide sports hub that enables student participation in physical education and athletics.

Academic Facilities
ISD has well-equipped science and computer labs, bright classrooms, a library, outdoor playgrounds, and a food service area. The arts facilities include a 350-seat theater, a black-box theater, an art studio, and a pottery room. Starting in 2025-26, the school runs a 1:1 device program to support tailored learning, and the Design and Innovation Center offers robotics, 3D printers, and a recycling machine.

Extra Curricular Facilities
The school hosts many after-school and weekend activities. Arts clubs and performances are supported by the 350-seat theater, the black-box theater, the art studio, and the pottery room. Sports programs use the gymnasium, sports field, swimming pool, two courts, and the track. The Design and Innovation Center and the 1:1 device program support technology and maker-space clubs.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
The school offers After School Activities (ASA) with opportunities in academics, sports, STEM, the arts, and more. The ASA program runs for 10 weeks per trimester and offers a range of activities from Monday to Friday. Students of all ages can explore new interests, develop skills, and even create their own ASAs to foster leadership. Activities are led by ISD staff and outside instructors for a fee per term, and parent volunteers are welcome.

Arts & Creative
The Visual & Performing Arts program offers drama, music, dance, visual arts, and filmmaking for Pre-K through Grade 10, with Grades 11 and 12 able to pursue IB Diploma options in Theatre, Film, and Visual Arts. The co‑curricular program provides opportunities to engage in musicals, plays, dance shows, music production, concerts, and more. The arts facilities include dedicated spaces and multiple studios to support creativity.

Cultural & Language
All ISD programs are run in English while cultivating multilingualism within the community. Daily French classes are offered in the Elementary School, catering to all language levels. World Culture Days feature a Parade of Nations and world culture workshops that bring together students from around the world.

Social & Hobbies
The After School Activities program includes Dance, Robotics, Arts and Crafts, Fencing, Taekwondo, Home Language, Chess, Ceramics, and Community Engagement with partner organizations, plus many more. The ASA runs 10 weeks per trimester and is open to students of all ages, with activities taught by ISD staff and outside instructors for a per-term fee.

Community & Service
Community Engagement & Service Learning has been a cornerstone since 2000, with collaborative partnerships with local associations that promote mutual understanding and growth. These engagements range from cultural exchange programs to projects with local schools and organizations, building empathy and reciprocal learning. Our service learning program provides a platform to apply knowledge to real-world needs in Dakar, including educational and environmental initiatives, fostering critical thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork.

Leadership & Professional
Leadership opportunities include the High School Culture & Service Committee within Jag Leadership, which designs workshops for ISD events such as World Culture Days. ISD Innovation Funds and Grants provide funding for student-driven ideas that challenge, create, and change the school and the community. The Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) supports ISD through volunteer efforts, orientation for new families, and funding that benefits academic initiatives.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
ISD follows a three-season athletics schedule: Fall includes High School Volleyball and Middle School Football; Winter includes High School Football and Middle School Basketball; Spring includes High School Basketball and Middle School Volleyball. ISD participates in WAISAL events, with traveling teams competing against local clubs and schools and WAISAL tournaments. The ASA program also includes activities like Dance, Taekwondo, and more, supporting physical activity and wellbeing beyond the classroom.
Languages

Language Provision
ISD provides English-medium instruction for Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12. The Elementary Program follows the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) with daily French classes, and English-language Learning (EAL) support is available for students beginning English through Grade 8. ISD is an IB World School offering PYP in elementary and MYP and DP in secondary, with a Career-Related Programme in Grades 11–12.
Admissions

Admissions
ISD offers Pre-K through Grade 12 in English and is an IB World School. ISD has a rolling admissions policy and begins accepting applications for the next school year on January 1. Applicants submit an online application via OpenApply with the required documents (official records for the past two years, a confidential recommendation form, high school transcript for Grades 9–11, immunization/health records, a copy of passport or birth certificate, and one passport photo) and a $250 application fee. Submitting an application does not guarantee admission. An Admissions Committee, including the Principal, Counselor, English as an Additional Language teachers, Learning Support, and a grade-level teacher as needed, reviews each application; the Principal makes the final grade placement and admissions decision. All applicants complete an academic screening in math, reading, and writing; learners with English as an Additional Language are screened by the ELL specialist and may be asked to meet with the Principal or attend Visit Day. In some cases, a provisional admission may be offered to better understand a student's learning background. After acceptance, students can start classes soon after screening and interview; the formal acceptance letter and enrollment contract are emailed, and the contract must be signed and returned within two days to receive an invoice for fees.

Waitlist
When a grade level is filled, a wait list is established. As vacancies occur, students are placed in classes according to priority: 1) children of ISD faculty and staff, 2) children of US citizens employed by the US Government in Senegal, 3) siblings of currently enrolled students, 4) children of diplomatic and international organizations and businesses, 5) applicants transferring from other English-speaking international schools, 6) students currently enrolled in a local school. If there are more candidates in a category than spaces, admissions are first come, first served based on the date of receipt of the completed application (including the $250 application fee). Being on the wait list is not a guarantee of space.
School Events
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