Monrovia, Liberia Report of what it's like to live there - 04/04/25
Personal Experiences from Monrovia, Liberia
School Name:
American International School of Monrovia
Background Information:
1. Are you the parent of a child(ren) attending this school? A teacher at the school? Or both?
Parent
2. What was your reason for living in the city where the school is located (e.g., government, military, corporate, NGO, retired)?
USAID/Embassy
3. Are other schools available to expatriates in this city? Why did you choose this particular school?
Not really many other schools in Monrovia. There is a school named HILA. HILA is mostly Liberian students. There are a few who use it and like it.
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?
There are no admissions to AISM. If you are ok with paying high tuition then the school will accept the children.
2. How would you rate the school's support and welcome/integration of new students and their families, and why?
There is not much support on arrival. This may have changed now but when we arrived in 2021 there was not much to help.
Administration & School Procedures:
1. How is the overall communication between teachers and parents, and the administration and parents? How is communication facilitated?
All communication is done through Jupiter. Parent conferences are ok and work ok. Some classes are i-Ready but you should research i-Ready before putting children in AISM.
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?
Uniforms are expensive but everything in Liberia is expensive. Chromebook for all students. There are no music classes so no need for musical instruments.
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?
The counselor is good but not maybe for helping college admissions in my opinion. There is no real high school and I don't think this would work for colleges. I think one student did made college after AISM.
2. Is there before and/or after-school daycare available? What are the costs?
After-school programs are not organized.
3. Does the school have a library? How large is it? How updated are the books? Can students borrow books to read at home?
There is a small library but not too many books.
4. What are the technology requirements for students? Do they need their own laptops/ipads? How is technology integrated into the classroom and homework?
Chromebook for everyone. All work is done on Chromebook.
5. How are information technology resources at the school. Are they up-to-date? Is there a computer lab?
I don't think the technology resources are up to date with EU or US standards.
6. Describe the physical education resources at the school. Is there a gym? A swimming pool? Are there playing fields or tennis courts available?
There is no real organized physical education programs other than some time in the gym. No pool and a small field.
7. What is the approximate teacher-to-student ratio in the grades that your child attended?
Small classes. Maybe 5 to 7 kids in a class. High school has few students in each class.
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?
I don't think there is a real high school. There is talk of AP but I do not think AISM is good for children who want to attend college. Boarding school would be needed for children going to college from Liberia in my opinion.
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?
Children are not really challenged. I think most will fall behind but the school is trying.
10. Is the amount and type of homework generally appropriate for the age and grade of the students?
Homework is done on Chromebook.
11. What fine arts electives are available (music, drama, visual arts)?
There are no fine arts at AISM.
12. Are the teachers at the school required to speak English as a first language--or at least fluently?
I think all teachers speak English.
13. What services are available for gifted/advanced students at the school? Please describe your experience with these services, if applicable.
There are no gifted/advanced services.
14. What services are available for students with learning disabilities at this school? Please describe your experience with these services, if applicable.
There are no services available for students with learning disability.
15. What services are available for students with physical disabilities at this school? Please describe your experience with these services, if applicable.
There are no services available for students with physical disability.
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 are no services available for students who are ESL students.
17. What extra-curricular activities (including sports) are available at this school? Have your children participated in these activities? What activities do you feel are missing at the school?
There are a few extra curricular activities but not many.
Social & Emotional Well-Being:
1. What is the climate for children with special needs? Is there a general attitude of inclusion for children with special needs?
There are no services available for children with special needs.
2. What is the climate for LGBT+ kids at this school? Are there resources they can draw upon? Does there appear to be any exclusionary behavior?
There are no resources available for LGBT+ students.
3. Do expatriate students socialize with local students at the school? Are both groups successfully integrated into the school culture?
Expatriate students do not normally socialize with Liberian children.
4. 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.
I found that bullying is a problem at AISM as it is at many schools.
5. What is the climate for students who identify as ethnic, race/racial minorities or religious minorities at this school? Are there resources they can draw upon? Have your children had any experiences in this area?
I don't think there is any problem for racial or ethnic minority children.
6. What can you say about diversity among the faculty and staff at the school and their experience in supporting minority students?
The staff is very diverse.
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?
The school is trying hard but it scores a D for us for keeping my children up to date. I think my kids are ok with the school but I would not come back here with children now.
2. Please describe some of your child's/children's highlights and challenges during their time at this school.
There is nothing for many children to do in Monrovia. I think this is a good place for singles and couples with no children.
3. Please tell us anything else you think prospective parents and students should know about this school. Thanks for your contribution!
The school is getting small now with USAID leaving.
