Comparing 4 schools side by side in USD.
Villa 237 Liberté 6 Extension, Dakar, Senegal (BP 25408). Liberté 6 Extension is a neighbourhood in Dakar.
Kindergarten to high school.
Private school.
Senegalese curriculum with elements of British and American programs.
Monday–Friday 08:00–17:00; Saturday 09:00–13:00.
The school is a private school offering preschool through secondary, authorized and accredited by the Ministry of National Education since January 2015.
Senegalese national curriculum enhanced with elements of the British and American programs, leading to SAT and IGCSE international examinations.
Class sizes are limited to 25 students per class; each class has a class teacher and an assistant.
The school places the child at the heart of its pedagogy, makes learning engaging, and transmits fundamental life values in a respectful environment. It is partnered with international programs to enrich education and citizenship, including collaboration with the British Council through the Connecting Classrooms Project with Newtown Primary School in Exeter. The school emphasizes world citizenship education as a core aspect of its teaching. It fosters an inclusive, diverse community and centers student well-being within daily practice. The school reports strong outcomes in national exams, including the CFEE, BFEM, and BAC, over several years.
The school enables students to speak and work in both French and English, supporting English speakers in learning French and vice versa. English Language (Langue Anglaise) is part of the primary curriculum and is delivered to reinforce bilingual proficiency. The English component is integrated through CE2, after which emphasis shifts toward preparing for national exams. English-language instruction extends to subject areas delivered in English, including Mathematics in English and Science in English. The bilingual approach aims to develop fluency in both languages.
1. Admissions begin in June. 2. Class sizes are limited to 25 students, so spaces are highly competitive. 3. Applicants should apply early and contact the school office for more details.
Dakar Academy operates across three campuses in Senegal: Central Campus in the Hann Maristes neighborhood of Dakar; West Campus in the Mamelles neighborhood of Dakar; and South Campus on the Petite Côte near Popenguine.
Central Campus serves PreK3–Grade 12; West Campus serves PreK–Grade 8 (with the Explorer Learner Program for Grades 6–8); South Campus serves PreK–Grade 9.
The school is an international Christian school system.
Central Campus serves students from 40+ nationalities. West Campus serves students from 30+ nationalities. South Campus serves students from 10+ nationalities.
The school offers English Language Learner (ELL) and Special Education programs.
Senegal.
Christian.
DA Central Main Office hours are Mon–Fri: 7:45 AM–3:15 PM GMT. DA West Main Office hours are Mon–Fri: 8:00 AM–3:30 PM GMT. DA South Main Office hours are Mon–Fri: 8:00 AM–4:00 PM GMT.
Boarding is available for Grades 9–12 at Dakar Academy Central Campus. The boarding homes are family-style and led by full-time boarding parents, with no more than three students per room and shared bathrooms, common lounges, and dining. Breakfast is provided, and family-style dinners are part of the routine; weekend activities include beach trips, snorkeling, and camping. Campus homes feature kitchens, laundry facilities, and a home-parent apartment.
The school uses a dress code for all students, including athletics. Athletics uniforms are issued by coaches, and may be slightly out of dress code because team sets are purchased as whole sets and may not fit every student exactly.
Boarders receive meals on campus, including breakfast and family-style dinners. Dakar Academy Central boarding homes have full kitchens and dining services on site.
The Board of Directors governs Dakar Academy and is comprised of representatives from DA's owning and cooperating mission organizations. The Board works with the Superintendent and administrative team to fulfill Dakar Academy's mission and goals.
U.S.-based, North American curriculum taught in English, with Advanced Placement (AP) courses, CLEP exams, and dual-credit options; English Language Learning (ELL) support and special education; North American standards adapted to an international, multicultural setting.
Pre-K: 12:1; Dakar Academy South: 7:1
Graduates attend universities across Africa, North America, and Europe.
Advanced coursework includes AP courses, CLEP exams, and dual-credit options.
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1. Complete Online Application and submit the nonrefundable $100 application fee. Plan for up to 30 minutes to complete and submit the online application. Create an account on the Dakar Academy Admissions Portal to begin the process. You will receive login details by email after submitting the initial application.
2. Complete the Online Application. Gather and upload the following documents as PDFs: Passport; Immunization Records; Previous year's report card for Grades 1-5; Previous two years' report cards for Grades 6-8; Unofficial transcript for Grades 9-12; Standardized or achievement test results; Special learning needs documentation, if applicable. Within the online application, provide the name and email address of a non-family member to serve as a Character Reference. That reference will automatically receive a questionnaire as part of the admission process.
3. Credit Evaluation (Transfer Students). If transferring from another school system, you may be asked to submit student records to a third party for a high school credit evaluation. The admissions team will contact you if this applies to your situation. The evaluation helps determine appropriate high school credit and placement.
4. Testing. After the application and supporting documents have been submitted, the admissions team will assemble the student's file. The team will contact you to initiate English Language testing and/or achievement testing. The testing determines language readiness and academic placement.
5. Family Interview. Every family applying for admission will meet in person or by phone with a school administrator. The interview provides an opportunity for parents to ask questions and for the school to assess fit for the student. The process helps determine whether Dakar Academy is the best match.
6. Acceptance Notification. An acceptance email will be sent starting in March for the next school year. The email will confirm acceptance status and outline next steps. Families should review the information carefully and prepare to complete enrollment once accepted. Enrollment is completed online within the specified timeframe to secure placement.
7. Enroll & Secure Your Spot. To guarantee placement, enroll and register within the timeframe specified in the acceptance email. If online enrollment is not completed within the required days, the student may be placed back on the prospective student list. The process ensures the school reserves a place for the student and completes any remaining enrollment tasks.
Ouakam district, Dakar, Senegal. Address: Avenue Cheikh Anta Diop, BP 3222, Dakar, Senegal. The main entrance is on Route de Ouakam, near the TOTAL station.
Primary (ages 6 to 11) and Secondary (ages 11 to 18) with an American International Section.
French international school (AEFE network, directly managed).
The school welcomes children of all nationalities. It offers a multilingual and multicultural education.
The secondary offers three tutoring programs: general tutoring for 6th and 5th grades; peer tutoring for 4th grade; and the 'Mieux Réussir' program for 3rd and 2nd years with teacher-led sessions.
France (affiliated via the AEFE network).
Public hours run 7:45 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday to Friday, with Wednesday hours 7:45 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Hours may change during school holidays; consult the calendar.
Bus service provided by external operator GIE ATOS MERMOZ; routes serve many points in Dakar; service is paid.
School meals are provided by an outsourced service provider, Ambiance Restauration Sénégal. Meals are prepared on site, cooked, and served to all students and staff. Snack options are also available in the secondary. Payments are made via a prepaid badge system. Menus are available and published on Ambiance Restauration Sénégal's channels.
Maison des Élèves (MDE) is a student association to develop student responsibility, creativity, and teamwork. It helps contribute to the school's cultural life and organizes events like the Bal des Lycéens and clubs (extracurricular activities) such as video, graffiti, theatre, music, and chess.
The school is an AEFE direct-managed establishment (EGD) within the AEFE network, approved by the French Ministry of National Education. The Regional Institute of Formation for the West Africa Zone (IRF ZAO) is located at the school. Governance includes the Conseil d'Établissement, the Conseil de l'École, and student bodies CVL (Conseil de Vie Lycéenne) and CVC (Conseil de Vie Collégienne); the Association of Parents of LFJM (APE TERANGA) represents parents and participates in governance.
The school follows the official French program and is AEFE-affiliated. The curriculum covers from CP to Terminale, with Primary from CP to CM2 and Secondary from 6th grade to Terminale, and a Section Internationale Américaine across the curriculum leading to the Baccalauréat Français International. The school promotes multilingual education, teaching French alongside English, Spanish and German, with a Parle Anglais program in the middle years and a European English section in the lycée with a DNL option. Optional and specialized offerings include a Théâtre option, Latin, and a range of specialty subjects in Première and Terminale for the general and technological tracks. The lycée also provides complementary programs such as Prépa Scientifique, Prépa Sciences Po Paris, and Prépa Arts to support high-achieving students.
The International Section allows students to pursue the Baccalauréat Français International and prepares them for higher education in France or elsewhere. During terminale, students dedicate a substantial portion of their time to building a higher-education project through Parcoursup, the national platform for pre-registration to higher education in France.
Prépa Scientifique, Prépa Sciences Po Paris, and Prépa Arts offer enrichment and targeted preparation for selective higher-education pathways.
The school provides a pleasant and serene environment that supports student well-being and helps them flourish in learning. This calm atmosphere is described as fostering a conducive climate for growth and achievement.
The school hosts events focused on dyslexia (DYS) and other atypical learner needs to promote awareness and inclusion.
The school runs the American International Section (SIA), a bilingual program in English and French from primary through secondary, in addition to the French program. The SIA aims to achieve expert language proficiency and intercultural competence, with English used as the language of instruction in literature and history-geography, and it integrates English-speaking international students into the French education system by providing instruction in their mother tongue. The SIA leads to two official exams: Diplôme National du Brevet International and Baccalauréat Français International (BFI). The organization of instruction provides English hours across levels: CP–CE2: 4h; CM1–CM2: 4h English language & literature + 2h history-geography; 6ème–3ème: 3h LV1 + 4h English language & literature + 2h histoire-géographie; 2nde: 2.5h LV1 + 4h language & literature américaine + 2h connaissance du monde; 1ère: 2.5h LV1 + 2h connaissance du monde + 2h approfondissement culturel et linguistique + 2h histoire-géographie; Terminale: 2h LV1 + 2h connaissance du monde + 2h approfondissement culturel et linguistique + 2h histoire-géographie.
A conducive and serene school environment supports student well-being and enables them to thrive in their studies.
Throughout the year, awareness and prevention activities ensure a caring school environment where every student feels safe and respected. The school also hosts events addressing dyslexia (DYS) and other atypical learner needs to support inclusion.
New enrollments for the 2026-2027 school year are open. Registrations are online via the Eduka platform. The re-enrollment period for the 2026-2027 school year runs from February 3, 2026 to March 13, 2026. Admission to certain sections and options is conditional on tests or space availability: SIA (American International Section) requires passing an entrance test at the requested level (from CP to CM2); Theatre (CE1–CM2) and Tablet (CM2) classes are available on family request and with the approval of the teachers' council, subject to space. In secondary, Latin is available for 6th graders who wish to start from 5th; registration is online via Eduka and admission is possible subject to space. Entrance into SIA/BFI (Baccalauréat Français International) is conditioned on passing an entrance test (from 6ème to 1ère); a student already enrolled in SIA/BFI in 2024-2025 is automatically continued to the next level without a test or special Eduka operation. LCE (Langue et Culture Étrangère) in Spanish is for students in 5ème wishing to begin this option from 4ème; registration is online via Eduka and admission is possible subject to space. DNL HSELO (Discipline Non Linguistique Hors Section Européenne ou Langues Orientales) in Spanish is for students in 3ème wishing to begin this option from 2nde; registration is online via Eduka and admission is possible subject to space. The European English Section (Euro) is for students in 3ème wishing to enter the European section from 2nde; registration is online via Eduka and admission is possible subject to space. SSSB (Section Sportive Scolaire Basket) access is conditioned on passing an entrance test at the end of the school year; a student already enrolled in SSSB in 2024-2025 is automatically continued to the next level. Theatre at the lycée is available on request for 3ème, 2nde and 1ère on Eduka and after approval by theatre teachers in September 2025. PARLE is offered to all cycle 4 students and does not require online inscription. Choices of specialty courses at the end of the second year are final after orientation decisions and parental approval; no modifications are possible during the terminal cycle (1ère and Terminale). Choices of a non-pursued specialty at the end of Première are final; choices of the Complementary Mathematics or Mathematics Expert options must be continued throughout Terminale. Admission to a section or option commits the pupil to the entire cycle; examples illustrate that starting Latin in 5ème commits to the option through 3ème, starting LCE esp in 4ème commits until 3ème, and starting DNL HSELO in espagnol commits until Terminale. Some sections carry a supplementary financial participation. (1)
AEFE provides school scholarships to students of French nationality enrolled at the French Consulate General in Dakar, subject to income-based eligibility.
Corniche Ouest Campus and Ngor Campus, Dakar, Senegal. Corniche Ouest Campus houses Preschool and Elementary (French track, bilingual track, and special needs program); Ngor Campus houses Preschool (Pre-K and K) and Elementary (French track and bilingual track).
Preschool through Grade 5, with French track and bilingual track on both campuses; special needs program available at Corniche Ouest.
Private international school in Dakar, Senegal; part of the Cité Scolaire Internationale (CSI).
Students come from about 35 different countries.
Special needs program (Relais) with individualized support and psychological assistance.
Part of the Cité Scolaire Internationale (CSI), a Senegal-based network of international schools.
Preschool starts at 8:00 and ends at 2:45; Elementary starts at 8:00 and ends at 3:00; mid-morning recess and lunch breaks; rest period for PS and MS in the early afternoon.
Bus service is provided (optional). A bus company with safety belts, air conditioning, and an experienced driver is used.
The school uses a dress code / uniforms. Proper clothing is required; students may wear the school uniform or follow the dress/color code: plain dark blue skirt, pants, or shorts (jeans allowed); plain white shirt or T‑shirt; plain dark blue or white sweaters; for gym class: school T‑shirt and shorts. Clothes must be marked with the child's full name. On the last day of school, forgotten and unclaimed clothes will be donated to charity.
Parents can register their children at the school canteen or provide them with a lunch-box. Meals are taken in the same dedicated area under supervision by school staff. Meals provided by the canteen include a starter, a main dish and two desserts; menus are prepared to help kids discover various dishes.
The school is part of the AEFE network and is accredited by the Senegalese Ministry of Education; the Classic track is accredited by the French Ministry of Education. It is a member of Cité Scolaire Internationale and the International School Association (ISA).
The school offers three streams: French track, bilingual track, and an alternative track for students with Special Needs. The French track runs from 1st grade to 5th grade and follows the French national curriculum, accredited by the French Ministry of National Education; the program is supplemented by four English sessions per week. The bilingual track runs from Nursery to Grade 5 and is taught equally in French and English by two teachers per class. The alternative track provides a Special Needs program with an individualized plan and psychological support. The school participates in the AEFE network, is recognized by the Senegalese Ministry of National Education, the classical section is homologated by the French Ministry of National Education, and it is a component of La Cité Scolaire Internationale and a member of the International Schools Association (ISA).
French track (accredited by the French Ministry of Education) admissions are granted in accordance with rules prevailing within AEFE and MLF. Students from non-accredited classes will be required to take French and Maths achievement tests. Bilingual track: In Preschool, admission is open to all subject to availability, the age of students (3 years old for Nursery) and previous grade level attended. We have two Preschool campuses: Corniche Ouest (from Nursery to Kindergarten) and Ngor (Pre-K and Kindergarten). For First and Second grades, admission is open to all students who are comfortable with one language of instruction (French or English) and basic knowledge of the other language. For Third, Fourth and Fifth grades, admission requires proven skills in both languages of instruction. Enrollment for the 2025-2026 academic year: French track new student enrollment starts on April 5 via the website created by the French Embassy: https://www.efsenegal-ifs.org/20252026/. Decisions of admissions will be made by the “Commission des affectations” in June. Enrollment for the bilingual track (Preschool and Elementary) and Special needs starts on April 15; the Admission form will be available on the website and you can send it or drop it off starting April 1. Administrative fees of 20,000 Fcfa for each admission request (non-refundable). If you want to proceed online, pay the Administrative fees first, then go to the online Admission Form. Forms to print, fill out and submit are available via links, including Formulaire de demande d'inscription 2025-2026 (non-homologué), Formulaire évaluation fr 2025-2026 élèves PS-CP (fr), Version in English: Admission_eval_eleves_PS_CP_eng_25_26.pdf, Formulaire évaluation fr 2025-2026 élèves CE1-CM2 (fr), Version in English: Admission_eval_eleves_CE1_CM2_eng_25_26.pdf.
French scholarships: Information not available in English. French Consulate General in Dakar.
