Conakry - Post Report Question and Answers
What is the availability of international schools? What has been your general experience with them, if any?
There is the French School (well-liked) and the American School (not so well-liked). We find that at the American School (AISC) the students are very inclusive and sweet, but under-achieving, generally speaking. In our opinion, the American School has some great teachers, and some truly terrible teachers. The current Director appears well-meaning, but I find him to be ineffective at certain things, such as discipline. I found that some teachers are poorly qualified to teach the subjects they teach. The school is in disrepair (no toilet seats in certain bathrooms, for example) and could use a major clean-up. The library is a box container with a couple dozen books I would not recommend this school. Truly. School has been the biggest disappointment about this post. - Sep 2022
Main ones I know of are the American International School of Conakry (AISC), Albert Camus French school, and Tom Pouce (also in French). Also the Maarif Turkish schools seem interesting, though I don't know much about them. Many francophones send their kids to AISC to be in an English environment, and a fair number of US Embassy folks send their kids to the French schools for the same reason. My kids go to AISC, and we love it. Tight knit community, school focus on solidarity and intellectual curiosity, small class sizes that allow teachers to cater to both faster and slower learners. Despite being an English-medium school, they also have a strong French program, so your kids will learn how to speak French too if they’re there for a few years. My kids have learned a lot about West African culture and history that they wouldn't have received in the US. Special classes at AISC include African dance, chess, double dutch, swimming, martial arts, piano, track, STEAM, depending on the year. Student body is maybe 20% American, 50% Guinean, and the rest from other nationalities, especially African expats from other countries. Very cosmopolitan, pan African environment. - Jun 2021
Embassy employees send their kids to the American International School of Conakry (K-12), the Lycee Albert Camus (nursery school through grade 12), or Tom Pouce (stops at age 10). AISC has consistent challenges and I would not send a child to high school there due to the lack of academic and extracurricular options. It does offer small class sizes and everyone knows each other. - Nov 2019
The American International School of Conakry (AISC) was not up to the job during our tenure there. Very low enrollment. Overstretched and (some) marginally qualified teaching staff. Check on the current situation with someone with kids in the school. Get real-time info only! - May 2016
The French school is excellent (especially for younger children) and offers a bilingual program (sufficient for beginners) from preschool through (I think) 3rd grade equivalent. There have been some major issues with the American school and virtually all parents in the past four years have turned to home schooling after bad experiences there. That said, there are many in the community devoted to turning the school around, so keep an open mind and ask for honest up-to-date analysis. - Dec 2014
The American International School of Conakry is really a blessing. The director, who is new this year, has taken the school and made it into a place that kids love to be. Classes are small and multi-grade, and the teachers do an excellent job at managing this style of learning and making it enriching for the kids. The school offers after-school activities -- everything from African Dance to Science Club -- and the school works hard to build a real sense of community. - May 2009
I know absolutely nothing about the international school (where US kids attend) but if memory serves, it does not have a very good reputation. I've heard good things about the French school. - Mar 2008
