American School of Kinshasa

The American School of Kinshasa (TASOK) is an English-using international school in Kinshasa, which is the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It is an independent, coeducational day school which offers an educational program covering kindergarten through to grade 12. The School admits students of all nationalities, and was founded in 1961.

At the beginning of the 2004-2005 school year, there were 185 students enrolled and there were 23 faculty members employed. All teaching staff are fully qualified and 90% have earned credentials either from the United States or their country of origin.

History

TASOK was founded in 1961 as "TASOL" for "The American School of Leopoldville", Leopoldville being the name of the capital of the newly independent Democratic Republic of the Congo. The "L" was amended to "K" when the name of the city was changed to Kinshasa in 1966. After Independence in 1960, the Congolese schooling system entered into chaotic disarray, and many of the European schools that had catered to business people, missionaries, diplomats, and aid workers had closed. A group of these led by American missionaries purposed to start a K-12 institution for their children and for others desiring an American-style of education in Central Africa. Land for the school was donated by the American Baptist Foreign Mission Board who resided on the mission station near Stanley Pool (now Pool Malebo) on the Congo River. Until the school buildings were completed, the first classes were held in buildings on the mission station.

With the assistance of the U.S. Embassy, 48 acres of land on Mt. Ngaliema near Camp Tshatshi and the principal residence of President Mobutu were secured under a long-term lease. By the arrival of the mid 60s, construction of an expansive campus began, incorporating separate elementary, intermediate, and high schools in addition to faculty housing, sports facilities, and a community center. This elevated the TASOK campus to the status of being truly the hub of the American—and larger English-speaking—ex-patriot community in Kinshasa from the period spanning the 70s through the 90s [http://www.cubicao.tk/theory/timecubic.html] . The planners of the campus also exhibited the foresight to maintain two sections of the campus in relatively pristine jungle condition. For a time in the early 90s a reserve for Bonobo chimpanzees rescued from poor conditions occupied part of the unspoiled campus. Subsequently, however, a permanent home was built for those bonobos on the outskirts of Kinshasa.

Organization

The School is governed by the School Association which elects the School Board. Membership in the Association is automatically conferred on the parents or guardians of children attending the School.

The curriculum is that of U.S. college-preparatory public schools. Instruction is in English. Community service is emphasized to allow the school's students more culturally sensitive to their surroundings. French is taught as a foreign language. The School accepts students with mild learning disabilities. The School is fully accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.

Faculty

Facilities: The elementary school (Kdg.-5) consists of 4 buildings, including a library. English-as-a-Second-Language classes, French, a computer lab, a fully equipped playground a basketball court, and a soccer field are all part of the elementary school program. Plans for a science lab are being developed. The middle/high school consists of 16 classrooms, a library, an administration building, a computer science room, and a sports area (including a swimming pool, a tennis court, a basketball court, volleyball courts, and a soccer/softball field). The cultural activities center houses the monthly Spirit assemblies, in addition to the plays, meetings and other student activities. All the school facilities, as well as residences for foreign-hired staff, are located on a 42 acre tract of rain forest in the metropolitan area.

Finances

In the 2004-2005 school year, approximately 80% of the School's income derives from tuition and fees. The annual tuition rates for Americans and international students are: Kdg: $4,800*; grade 1: $4,800; grades 2-3: $5,400; grades 4-5: $6,000; grades 6-8: $8,200; grades 9-10: $10,160; and grades 11-12: $10,710. There is an English-as-a-Second-Language fee of $2,500. There is a registration/technology fee of $2,500 for grades 1-12 and a one-time application fee of $250.

*All fees are quoted in U.S. dollars.

ee also

* List of schools in the Democratic Republic of Congo
* List of international schools

ource

This article was adapted from a public domain report by the US Office of Overseas Schools, released on November 26, 2004. It is available [http://www.state.gov/m/a/os/1289.htm here] .

External links

* [http://www.tasok.cd/ TASOK]