International School of Dakar

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

Pre-Kindergarten (age 3) through Grade 12.

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

Diverse community of over 111 nationalities.

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.

Academic year runs from mid-August to mid-June.

The school does not provide a bus service for families.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.