What are the school days and school hours?
School days are Monday-Friday from 8:00am to 3:00pm. After School Activities run from 3:15 to 4:15pm. Some programs in the upper school run before school, after school, and on the weekends.
What grade levels does ICSA serve?
The Lower School serves students from Pre-Kindergarten (4 year olds) to Grade 5.
The Upper School serves students from Grades 6 to 12. The IB Diploma begins in Grade 11 and ends in Grade 12.
When does ICSA’s school year begin and end?
ICSA’s school year is from August through June. You can see ICSA’s calendar here.
Elementary School: Trimesters (August-November, November-March, March-June)
Upper School: Quarters (August-October, October-January, January-April, April-June) and Semesters (August-January, January-June).
What is ICSA’s curriculum?
ICSA offers and American-style curriculum and follows the framework of the Common Ground Collaborative (CGC). We have been an IB World School since 2015 and are authorized to offer the Diploma Programme. As it is in most international schools, ICSA is focused on the whole child’s development. So, while we offer a rigorous college preparatory curriculum, we also make sure we take care of the softer skills needed to be successful in life. ICSA awards graduates an American high school diploma and/or the International Baccalaureate Diploma, equipping them to enter top universities worldwide. The school is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (USA). The language of instruction is English.
Follow the links below to learn more about each division’s curriculum:
Who are ICSA’s students?
ICSA has nearly 600 stude6nts from more than 85 countries. Many of these students come from the USA (20 percent) while students from our host country, Cote d’Ivoire, represent 13 percent. The remaining 67 percent are from third countries.
Who are ICSA’s faculty?
We have 57 of the world’s strongest educators from United States, United Kingdom, Canada, France, Belgium, Cote d’Ivoire, and 15 other countries. 61% of our teachers hold advanced degrees.
How do I begin the application process for my child?
Read the pages under Admissions on this site and then complete the necessary forms. Our Admissions Office is always here to help (admissions@icsabidjan.org).
How are parents involved with ICSA?
At ICSA, parents play an integral role in the school and their participation is encouraged. Parents are members of the ICSA Association (the organization that oversees the management of the school), the Board of Directors (parents are elected to the Board to govern the school), various committees of the Board, and the Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO).
I am not coming from an American style education system. How do I know what grade my child is eligible for at ICSA?
For those applicants coming from non-US school systems, please reference this weblink Grade Map for ICSA Grade equivalencies to help determine appropriate ICSA grade levels.
Applicants applying from schools using calendar year school years, from January/April until November/March, (as in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, South America, Singapore, Japan, Korea) need to apply to the grade level that extends their current school year. In other words, applicants applying for August enrollment should apply for the grade level they are currently attending; applicants applying for January enrollment should apply to join the grade level they are completing.
My child speaks limited English. How do I know if my child will be eligible to attend ICSA?
ICSA provides English language support for EAL (English as an Additional Language) students at all grade levels. However, we only offer beginning EAL support for students through Grade 8. Students entering Grades 9 and above must meet ICSA’s established minimum levels of English proficiency. Read more about our English Language Learners.
My child has learning needs. Will ICSA will be able to accommodate them?
ICSA does not have a comprehensive special education program. We may not be able to admit students whose needs are beyond the scope of programs currently being offered by the school. The school expects that parents will provide all of the appropriate documentation one would expect when seeking to enroll a child in a new school, especially if the child has previously been enrolled in a special education program. This is needed in order for us to make the best decision in your child’s interest.
During the admission process, it is important to be open about your child’s specific needs from the beginning. We will ask that you provide ICSA with as much information regarding their needs as possible, including, but not limited to, a most recent psycho-educational assessment, past testing, support plans (IEP’s, behavioral contracts, etc), as well as narrative comments from previous schools.
At what age is my child eligible for admission to ICSA?
All applicants must be toilet trained and meet the minimum age requirements below (age by October 31st of the school year):
Pre-Kindergarten (Pre-K4): 4 years old
Kindergarten: 5 years old
Grade 1: 6 years old
What community service opportunities does ICSA provide for its students?
The Service Learning Program at ICSA supports our mission by providing students the opportunity to learn about their communities, serve others in those communities, and learn from those experiences. Our program seeks to enhance the lives of others through our collective initiative, programs, and resources. To learn more, you may visit the SL page.
What languages are offered?
French: All students in Kindergarten through Grade 10 receive French instruction four to five times a week. Students are divided by ability level.
Spanish: Students in Grades 9 and 10 have this option. ICSA offers the AB Initio for IB Diploma students beginning in Grade 11.
What after school activities (ASA) are offered?
ICSA has an extensive ASA program with a wide range of offerings throughout the school year. For a full list, visit our After School Activities page.
What sporting events does ICSA compete in?
ICSA is a member of the West Africa International Schools Activities League (WAISAL). As such, our students participate each year in competitions and tournaments hosted by international schools throughout West Africa. Visit our Athletics page for a complete list of sports offerings.
Is food available on campus?
ICSA is lucky enough to have our food made daily by Tamu Tamu Cuisine—a company established by a group of parents in 2015 in order to bring ICSA fresh, healthy meals made onsite. Tamu Tamu creates lunches and snacks from a diverse menu, featuring African, American, European and Asian cuisine.
Is there a health clinic on campus?
ICSA has a Health Clinic staffed by two qualified, experienced nurses. Both health clinics nurses provide care for acute and chronic illnesses, health screening, first aid, and health education for children, teachers, and parents. The nurses can be reached at infirmary@icsabidjan.org.
Is there a school bus service?
At this time, ICSA does not provide this service.
Is there a school uniform?
Yes. And all students are expected to follow it. It can be found here.
Where do ICSA graduates attend university?
Since the IB Diploma Program is so well regarded, our students have been accepted to some of the world’s most prestigious universities. Just in in the last few years, ICSA students have attended Columbia University, Yale, UCLA, American University of Paris, Cornell, Boston University, Johns Hopkins, Iowa State, Purdue, Rutgers, University of Texas, Berklee College of Music, University of Toronto, Queen Mary University, Amsterdam University College, and the University of British Columbia (to name a few!)