International Schools in Cameroon

Diploma and graduate hat - Fotolia

You will find below a list of the most popular international and bilingual schools for expats in Cameroon with fee information. It includes nursery schools, primary and secondary (high) schools and you will find the right school to prepare for International Baccalaureate, and other diploma in Cameroon. Some schools will follow the American or British curriculums with English speaking programs while others are regulated under the French education system.

Cameroon Education

Education in Cameroon is among the best in Africa, but can be below the standards international students are used to. Primary school education has been free since 2000; but families must pay for uniforms and book fees. These fees can make school unaffordable for many local families. In addition, fewer girls enroll in primary school than boys. The north is more sparsely populated and has the lowest rates of enrollment. Hence the adult literacy rate is only 67.9 percent.

Education is compulsory through the age of 14 years. There were two separate systems of education used in Cameroon after independence; East Cameroon's system was based on the French model, West Cameroon's on the British model. The two systems merged in 1976. Christian mission schools have been an important element in to the development of the system. Unfortunately, many of the wealthiest and best-educated students leave the country to study and live abroad.

International Schools

International schools can be the perfect solution for an expat student (multinational corporation executives, children of diplomats, NGO staff) in Cameroon. There may be some local population, but the schools are geared for an international student body. Schools usually follow a curriculum model from the US, UK, France, Canada or Australia/New Zealand. Primary instruction may be any language (and multiple languages are usually taught), but it is usually in English, French, Spanish, German, or Japanese. Many schools provide similar standards of schooling around the globe, providing for an easy transition between schools whether they are in France or Vietnam. Schools often provide internationally accepted accreditation such as the international baccalaureate.

Admission and enrollment procedures vary from school to school. Space is often limited and preference may be given to students based on nationality. Tuition tends to be expensive based on local standards, but offers high standards of learning, boast smaller class sizes, first-rate facilities, and extracurricular. Boarding facilities are available at some schools, but most only provide day classes.

Accreditation

The CoIS (Council of International Schools) is a non-profit association of international schools and post-secondary institutions which provides educational accreditation, teacher and leadership recruitment services, links to higher education, governance assistance and help with founding new schools. The Association of International Schools in Africa (AISA) has a membership of schools in Africa with some schools based on an American based curriculum, others on British, and still others have an eclectic mix.

Yaounde

American School of Yaounde (ASOY)
Address: Rue Martin Paul Samba
Carrefour EMIA, BP 7475, Yaounde, Cameroon
Tel: 237 223 0421
Tuition Rates (US $): $5,570 - 18,150 per year

Courses are available from pre-school to 12th grade. Curriculum is based on the American system and instruction is in English (new high school students not proficient in English will typically not be admitted after Grade 10). There are also summer programs. The secondary program offered at ASOY leads to a U.S. high school diploma, attainable after successfully completing four years of high school and earning a minimum of 25.0 credits. Boarding programs are available.

Rain Forest International School
Address: SIL - BP 1299
Yaounde, Cameroon
Tel: 237-77937162
Tuition Rates: Inquire at school

This school provides a secondary education with a Christian world view. English is the language of instruction.

Enko La Gaieté International School
Address: Nouvelle Route bastos (échangeur simplifié)
Yaounde, Cameroon
Tel: +237 698 156 176 or +237 653 235 652
Tuition Rates: 2 000 000 FCFA per year

Enko La Gaieté is an International school covering Form 1 to Upper 6th. Cambridge’s world class curriculums are taught up to Form 5 and lead to the International Baccalaureate diploma programme in Lower 6th and Upper 6th. The programme is taught in English and admissions are based on an entrance test.

French Schools in Yaounde

Fustel de Coulanges à Yaoundé
Address: 96 BP11
Yaounde, Cameroun
Tel: (00237) 22 65 15 44
Tuition Rates: €1,132 - 3,894 per year

Founded in 1967 under the leadership of the Association of French Cameroon, the school admits students from 3 years old to 2nde aux Terminales L-ES-S. Additional languages of English, German, Spanish and Latin are offered.

Ecole International Le Flamboyant
Address: BP 6241
Quartier de Bastos, Yaounde, Cameroun, Africa
Tel: 237 22212077
Tuition Rates: €1,494 - 2,515 per year

A private French school managed by an association of parents. The curriculum is approved by the Ministry of Education French and is attached to the Agency for French Teaching Abroad (EFMA). Classes range from kindergarten classes (2 to 5 years) to elementary (6 to 10 years).

Douala

American School of Douala (ASD)
Address: 767, Ave. De Palmiers
Douala BP 1909 Republic of Cameroon
Tel: +237 342 1437
Tuition Rates: Inquire at school

Founded in 1978, the American School of Douala is an independent, co-educational, non-sectarian school based on American curriculum. Core courses include core English, Social Studies, Math, Science, and French. Children are accepted from Pre-Kindergarten (age 3) through Grade 10; Grade 11 is planned for 2013. Instruction is in English with Preschool programs taught in both French and English. Both English and French language immersion PreK programs are available.

British Isles International School (BIIS)
Address: Rue Makepe Parcours Vita
Douala 5 Republic of Cameroon
Tel: +237 694 374 994 / +237 699 214 452
Tuition Rates: Nursery 500 000 CFA Primary 700000CFA Secondary 1080000 CFA

British Isles International School is a private School devoted to providing an education of a high quality to national and international students between (1-18) years. All BIIS students follow a British-based curriculum up to age 16 (I)GCSE, adapted to European context and international standards.

Enko Bonanjo International School
Address: Bonanjo, rue 1036, face Camwater
Douala, Cameroon
Tel: +237 652 569 613 or +237 693 068 298
Tuition Rates: 2 000 000 FCFA per year

Enko Bonanjo International School is an international school covering Form 1 to Upper 6th. Cambridge's world class curriculums are taught up to Form 5 and lead to the International Baccalaureate diploma programme in Lower 6th and Upper 6th. The medium of instruction is English and admissions are based on an entrance test.

The Bridge International Shool
Address: 4157 Denver - Bonamoussadi
Douala, Cameroon
Tel: +237 (6)56282927
Tuition Rates: 2,000,000 FCFA

The Bridge International School is a co-educational school. They have chosen to follow the internationally-recognised Cambridge International Examinations programmes: the Cambridge International Primary Programme for Years 1 to 6, Cambridge Secondary 1 in Years 7 to 9, and Cambridge Secondary 2 (Year 10 and 11) or the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSEs) and the Advanced Subsidiary (AS)/ Advanced Level Certificate (A2) also known as 6th Form or GCE/Year 12 and 13.

French Schools in Douala

Dominique Savio à Douala
Address: BP 1007
Douala, Cameroun
Tel: (00 237) 33-43-67-57
Tuition Rates: €1,086 to 2,871 per year

Enko Bonanjo International School is an international school covering Form 1 to Upper 6th. Cambridge's world class curriculums are taught up to Form 5 and lead to the International Baccalaureate diploma programme in Lower 6th and Upper 6th. The medium of instruction is English and admissions are based on an entrance test.

Centre Scolaire Alucam
Address: 54
Edea, Douala, Cameroun
Tel: 33.46.43.11
E-mail: centresco_alucam@yahoo.fr
Tuition Rates: Inquire at school

The school offers French instruction and curriculum from preschool (3 years) to elementary to College.

Bafoussam

French School in Bafoussam

Ecole française le Baobab de Bafoussam
Address: 674 Bafoussam
Bafoussam, Cameroun
Tel: (237) 33 04 00 45 / (237) 344 53 62
E-mail: ecolefranbaf@yahoo.fr
Tuition Rates: €336 - 1829 per year

The school offers enrollment from CM2 and through 12th grade.

Garoua

French School of Garoua

Le Tinguelin à Garoua
Address: PO Box 1540
Garoua, Cameroun
Tel: 00 237 99 97 88 48
E-mail: efg_garoua@yahoo.fr
Tuition Rates: €686 - 891 per year

This school was established by the Association of Parents, funded by the French government which maintains a director. The rest of the staff is provided by local recruitment and remunerated by the EPA. Children are accepted from 2 years to college which corresponds with CNED. The school is an exam center for GCSE.

Maroua

French School of Maroua

Ecole française les Boukarous de Maroua
Address: B.P. 369
Maroua, Cameroun
Tel: 237 99 89 00 18
Tuition Rates: Inquire at school

This secular school is composed of a nursery and primary school, a college and a school. Since September 2006, the primary school is approved by the Agency for French Teaching Abroad ( EFMA ). Instruction is in French following the French system.

Ngaoundéré

French School in Ngaoundéré

Ecole française de l'Adamaoua
Address: Quartier Baladj 2
Ngaoundéré, Cameroun
Tel: 00 237 225 24 31
E-mail: efadamaoua@yahoo.fr
Tuition Rates: Inquire at school

Schools provides French instruction with approved French curriculum.