You will find below a list of the most popular international and bilingual schools for expats in Congo 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 Congo. Some schools will follow the American or British curriculums with English speaking programs while others are regulated under the French education system.

Education in Congo

Children in the Congo start school at 5 and a half years old and is compulsory (Article 43 of the 2005 Congolese Constitution). Primary school consists of six grades; two preparatory, two elementary, and two medium classes. As a French-speaking country, the term college refers to the first four grades of the Secondary School (grades 7, 8, 9 and 10). The term lycée refers to the three last grades of Secondary Level (grades 11, 12 and 13). There are three kinds of lycées:

• Agricultural (farming)
• Technical (mechanics, engineering and architecture)
• General Lycées (all other fields)

The education system is based on the Belgium model. Three government ministries manage the system: the Ministère de l'Enseignement Primaire, Secondaire et Professionnel (MEPSP), the Ministère de l'Enseignement Supérieur et Universitaire (MESU) and the Ministère des Affaires Sociales (MAS). The literacy rate is 81.1 percent.

International Schools

International schools can be the perfect solution for an expat student (multinational corporation executives, children of diplomats, NGO staff) in the Congo. 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 Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools is among the premier accrediting associations in the world. The school is an affiliate member of the Association of International Schools in Africa and a member of the .

Brazzaville

American International School of Brazzaville (AISB)
Address: BP 7475
Yaounde, Cameroon
Tel: 237 2223 0421
E-mail: info@aisbzv.org
Tuition Rates: Inquire at school

Founded in 2012 and currently under construction, the school is partnered with a school in Yaounde, Cameroon. There are boarding facilities and it will serve students from kindergarten to 5th grade.

French School of Brazzaville

Lycée français Saint-Exupéry de Brazzaville
Address: BP 31
Brazzaville, Republic of Congo
Tel: (242) 666 61 41
Tuition Rates: 1,615 to 2,630 euros per year

A French language school offering classes from pre-school to CM2. In addition, English is offered from kindergarten and Spanish is offered in later courses. The school corresponds with CNED.

Brazzaville

American International School of Brazzaville (AISB)
Address: BP 7475
Yaounde, Cameroon
Tel: 237 2223 0421
E-mail: info@aisbzv.org
Tuition Rates: Inquire at school

Founded in 2012 and currently under construction, the school is partnered with a school in Yaounde, Cameroon. There are boarding facilities and it will serve students from kindergarten to 5th grade.

Pointe Noire

International School Pointe Noire (ISPN)
Address: Lotissement Tchikobo / BP 4453
Pointe-Noire, Republic of Congo
Tel: (+ 242) 74 87 700
Tuition Rates: Inquire at school

International School Pointe-Noire is a private, co-educational, non-profit school. It serves students in grades pre-Kindergarten through grade six. The school operates from September to June and the language of instruction is English, with French also taught. The curriculum is international (founded in principles and practices of IBO) with language of instruction in English and French.

French School of Pointe Noire

Lycée Français Charlemagne
Address: BP 1256
Pointe-Noire, Republic of Congo
Tel: (00 242) 05 363 20 25
Tuition Rates: 1,871,000 - 3,500,000 Fcfa per year

This French language school has a curriculum based on the French system. It includes a primary and secondary school. The school follows the tropical climate of the Congo and the absence of half-board service by offering a long break at midday.