International Schools in Senegal

Diploma and graduate hat - Fotolia

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

Education in Senegal

Education in Senegal is free and compulsory until the age of 16. Since 2000, the nation has made significant headway in improving primary school enrolment rates— raising it from 69.8 percent to a steady 92.5%. However, the difficulty is in retaining students: many are discouraged from continuing education after the primary level because of untrained staff, challenging school environments and resource shortages.

  • Preschool: In Senegal preschool is provided for children ages 3-5, for up to three years of study. Children who attend preschool have the opportunity to enroll in induction courses at the age of six instead of having to wait until they are seven. Preschool is not obligatory.
  • Primary School: Primary school is designed for children ages 7 to 12. The Senegalese primary education system divides six years of study into three cycles of two years that culminate in the successful completion of the CFEE (Certificate of Elementary Completion) and an entrance test into the next cycle of education.
  • Middle School: Middle school education is aimed at students ages 13 and is composed of four years of study. To successfully pass middle school students must succeed on their BFEM (brevet de fin d'études moyennes).
  • High School: Senegalese secondary education can be "general" or technical (adhering to the standards of the French system of the lycée). These secondary study programs last three years and are officially approved by the French baccalaureate. The technical secondary education program culminates in the passing of the BEP (brevet d'études professionnelles) and the BT (brevet de technicien).

Senegalese state schools do not offer religious education, so children are sent to Koranic school instead.

International Schools

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

Admission and enrolment 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 & Membership

  • 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.
  • European Council of International Schools (ECIS) is a collaborative network promoting the ideals and best practice of international education, complemented by grants and awards.
  • Council of British International Schools (COBIS) is a responsive organisation that serves, supports and represents its member schools.
  • New England Association of Schools & Colleges (NEASC) is a regional accrediting association which establishes standards for all levels of education, from pre-K to doctoral.
  • Agency for French Education Abroad (Agence pour l'enseignement français à l'étranger, AEFE) is a national public agency under the administration of the French government that assures the quality of schools teaching the French national curriculum outside France.
  • National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) represents over 1100 independent schools and associations in the United States and abroad.

International schools in Dakar

École Actuelle Bilingue (EBA)
B.P. 21901, Corniche Ouest, Fenêtre Mermoz,
Dakar, Senegal
Tel: + 221 33 825 4825
Email: infos@ecoleactuellebilingue.org
Tuition Rates: From 1,655,000 Fcfa ($2,850) to 2,140,000 Fcfa ($3,680) [school year 2021/22]

The school welcomes students from 35 different countries and provides excellent and plurilingual education. Its program is structured around three sections: The classic section: From CP to CM2, the French curriculum is taught. These levels are approved by the French Ministry of National Education. Because the EAB is an international and Senegalese school, the program is enriched by 4 weekly English sessions. The bilingual section: From Petite Section to CM2: a bi-curricular approach that combines the best of French and American programs by following the International Baccalaureate programs. The program is taught equally in French and English. The alternative sector: In order to accommodate students with a specific profile under the best possible conditions, the EAB has created a Relai class for students with proven learning difficulties. Students benefit from an individualized program and psychological support.

International School of Dakar
BP 5136, 10700 Dakar Fann
Senegal
Tel: +221 33 825 0871 or +221 - 33 860 2332 
Email: admissions@faculty.isd.sn
Tuition Rates: From $21,590 to $27,490 [school year 2021/22]

International School of Dakar is a diverse community of learners that fosters creativity, open-mindedness, responsibility and excellence.  As an IB World School, ISD promotes student achievement and global citizenship following the International Baccalaureate Program.

Dakar Academy
69 Rue des Pères Maristes
Dakar 10200, Senegal
Tel: +221 33 832 5934
Email: communications@dakar-academy.org
Tuition Rates: From $12,240 to $20,400 [school year 2021/22]

Dakar Academy will enrol students without regard to color, race, religion or creed who either speak English as a native language or are able to obtain the Limited English Proficiency (LEP) level on the IDEA Oral Language Proficiency Test. Along its three campuses, Dakar Academy Schools, their qualified teachers create an environment of student-centred learning utilizing a vertically aligned American curriculum helping the students to become more independent problem-solvers as they.

Enko Education - African International Schools
Enko Keur Gorgui Campus
Dakar, Senegal
Tel: +221 33 821 3064
Email: dakar@enkoeducation.com
Tuition Rates: From 1,792,650 Fcfa ($3,080) to 2,422,500 Fcfa ($4,160) [school year 2021/22]

Enko Dakar (Keur Gorgui campus) holds the IB authorization for the teaching of the Intermediate Education Program (MYP) designed by the International Baccalaureate Organization. From 6th to 2nd year (PEI 1 to PEI5), the Enko Dakar Campus Keur Gorgui program prepares students for the International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma. Enko Dakar International School (Keur Gorgui campus) is the first school in the Enko Education network to fully offer the Intermediate Education Program (college level) and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (high school level).

Enko Education - African International Schools
Enko Waka Campus (ex Lycée International Bilingue)
Les Almadies face hotel Meridien Président, Dakar
Dakar, Senegal
Tel: +221 33 820 4949 / +221 33 820 1050
Email: waka@enkoeducation.com
Tuition Rates: From 1,614,050 Fcfa ($2,775) to 2,422,500 Fcfa ($4,160) [school year 2021/22]

West African College of the Atlantic (Waka) has been an IB World School since March 2000 and it welcomes students from 7th to 13th grade. It offers the IB Diploma Programme and it is taught in French. The school is open to male and female students. Students at this school usually take IB exams in May.

Ecole Scientifique Internationale d’Excellence – ESIEX
Rue 48 X rue de Kaolack - Point E
Dakar, Senegal
Tel: +221 33 859 9595
Email: esiex@esiex.sn
Tuition Rates: 682,500 Fcfa ($1,050) [school year 2021/22]

Esiex high school offers its students the possibility of having quality training to better prepare for their scientific baccalaureates. To achieve its objectives, Esiex relies on 27 years of expertise and with its various educational partnerships, including the prestigious Lakanal high school (one of the best high schools in France). ESIEX also has a laboratory with international standards and a well-equipped computer room to combine practice with theory and make scientific teaching concrete. From the start of the 2020 school year, ESIEX will be present in Dakar (Point E) and the city of Thiès.

International Bilingual School (IBS)
Villa 237 Liberté 6 Extension, BP 25408
Dakar, Senegal
Tel: +221 78 231 6697
Email: info@ibsdakar.net
Tuition Rates: Inquire at school

Founded in 2009, IBS aims to offer high quality, bilingual education to children of both Senegalese and expatriate families. IBS started with only 34 children in 2009 with nursery and early reception classes and has grown astronomically to over 200 students. It has 3 classes in the nursery section, six primary classes and 7 secondary classes. IBS offers the Senegalese national curriculum reinforced by elements of the British/American programs based in English, while computer literacy are introduced from the early stages of nursery and primary. IBS was sponsored by the British Council on a "Connecting classrooms project" which paired us with Newtown Primary School, Exeter in the UK. This project aimed to make joint study programs on education and global citizenship.

Noor International Academy (NIA)
10A Sotrac Mermoz,
N/A Dakar, Senegal
Tel: +221 77 465 1201 / +221 33 860 3306
Email: contact@sen-noor.org / fdiamanka@gmail.com
Tuition Rates: Inquire at school

Noor‌ ‌International‌ ‌Academy‌ ‌ (NIA) ‌is an Islamic and bilingual private school. It welcomes its students in two school campuses: Mermoz Sotrac 110A (from PS to CM2) and VDN x Ancienne Piste Mermoz Pyrotechnie opposite SONATEL (from CM2 onwards). The NIA project was born of a desire to create a school of excellence in Senegal and to establish an institution that offers quality education based on Islamic values ​​promoting self-knowledge, self-esteem and self-confidence. NIA implements an educational policy based on competence approach and Quran & Islamic education training through the French, English and the Arabic languages.