Yaounde, Cameroon Report of what it's like to live there - 01/28/25
Personal Experiences from Yaounde, Cameroon
School Name:
ASOY
Background Information:
1. Are you the parent of a child(ren) attending this school? A teacher at the school? Or both?
Parent.
2. What grade or grades do/did your children attend at the school? During what year(s) did they attend the school?
Elementary. 2024-2025
3. What years did you live here?
2023-2025
4. What was your reason for living in the city where the school is located (e.g., government, military, corporate, NGO, retired)?
NGO post ended.
5. Are other schools available to expatriates in this city? Why did you choose this particular school?
We chose ASOY because we were referred there by one of the staff members we met in an embassy playgroup.
Admissions & Welcome:
1. Are the admissions and placement procedures clearly stated to prospective families, either on the school website or through other means of communication?
Some yes and some no. This school is in need of improvement It has so much potential. Sadly, the current administration is not the best in our opinion.
2. How would you rate the school's support and welcome/integration of new students and their families, and why?
1/10. The PYP curriculum coordinator was lovely, warm, and friendly. She was the reason we joined in the first place. But then, the administration took over and it was a big disappointment for us.
Administration & School Procedures:
1. How is the overall communication between teachers and parents, and the administration and parents? How is communication facilitated?
Terrible. Little or no relevant communication. I find that the PTO is a waste of time because parents have no say or room to speak and even when they do, the administration does not want to listen. In fact, I find the administration very difficult for anyone to work and interact with.
2. Aside from school fees, are there required expenses such as uniforms, laptops/tablets, musical instruments, or field trips that parents are expected to cover? What are the approximate costs?
Cost for transportation, field trips if any, lunch and some ASAs.
Academics & Resources:
1. What personal or academic counseling resources are available at this school? Is there a dedicated college counselor at the school? Is he/she familiar with universities worldwide?
There is 1 ELL teacher who seems nice but we only met her once. The LS teacher seems nice but never met her.
2. Is there before and/or after-school daycare available? What are the costs?
Yes, $100-$200 a session.
3. Does the school have a library? How large is it? How updated are the books? Can students borrow books to read at home?
Yes, the librarian is also nice but seems to be afraid to interact with people. The environment overall feels very tense and fake.
4. What are the technology requirements for students? Do they need their own laptops/ipads? How is technology integrated into the classroom and homework?
Students have tablets in class, but I hear they don't work and I would prefer for my child to not be on a tablet in the first place.
5. How are information technology resources at the school. Are they up-to-date? Is there a computer lab?
Yes a computer lab. No, I don't want to for littles.
6. Describe the physical education resources at the school. Is there a gym? A swimming pool? Are there playing fields or tennis courts available?
Swimming pool, but not very clean at times. 2 tennis courts but no shade. 1 small playground, 1 football field and 1 basketball court that students are not able to use.
7. What is the approximate teacher-to-student ratio in the grades that your child attended?
The enrollment in ASOY has been consistently going down year after year due to issues with administration, it seems to us.
8. Are Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) courses available in upper grades? If this is an IB school, is the full diploma required of all students?
Yes, full IB.
9. Are students generally challenged appropriately by the curriculum? Please describe any particular strengths or weaknesses in this area. Do you have any thoughts how the curriculum is applied and implemented at this school?
No, many Cameroonian staff use old, outdated methods. Classes feel dirty and cluttered. Most teachers are older (55+) and appear just tired.
10. Is the amount and type of homework generally appropriate for the age and grade of the students?
No homework.
11. What fine arts electives are available (music, drama, visual arts)?
Music twice a week and some art but not for the Pre-k to Grade 1 students.
12. Are the teachers at the school required to speak English as a first language--or at least fluently?
The class is bilingual. There is some French but mostly English.
13. What services are available for gifted/advanced students at the school? Please describe your experience with these services, if applicable.
NONE.
14. What services are available for students with learning disabilities at this school? Please describe your experience with these services, if applicable.
Very little. In my opinion, this is a major area of concern and one that needs immediate attention.
15. What services are available for students with physical disabilities at this school? Please describe your experience with these services, if applicable.
NONE.
16. What services are provided for speakers of English as a second language at this school? Please describe your experience with these services, if applicable.
There is 1 ELL teacher for the whole school, but we have never used her.
Social & Emotional Well-Being:
1. Do expatriate students socialize with local students at the school? Are both groups successfully integrated into the school culture?
Rarely as they get older. I am aware of issues with local students vs. expats.
2. Are there are any problems with exclusionary behavior, cliques, or bullying at this school? Please describe any problems your children may have experienced in this area.
YES! We found the bus to be too dangerous and we removed our daughter.
3. What can you say about diversity among the faculty and staff at the school and their experience in supporting minority students?
There are only 4 Americans in the whole school and 3 are leaving soon.
Overall Impressions:
1. What letter grade (ranging from A, excellent, to F, fail) would you assign to this school based on your overall experience? Would you choose it again?
D+.
2. Please tell us anything else you think prospective parents and students should know about this school. Thanks for your contribution!
I feel that this school is not the best in the country. We moved our daughter out of this school.
