You will find below a list of the most popular international and bilingual schools for expats in Djibouti with fee information. It includes nursery schools, primary and secondary (high) schools and you will find the right school to prepare for International Baccalaureate, and other diploma in Djibouti. Some schools will follow the French education system.

Education in Djibouti

Djibouti's education system is generally poor, but efforts are being made to improve it. The system originally only catered to elites and borrowed heavily from the French system. Illiteracy is currently a severe problem at about 70 - 85%. The education system is costly, but there is an increased demand for quality education.

A restructured education system is in place and consists of a compulsory nine years. There are five years of primary education followed by four years of middle education. In order to enter into the secondary educational system of three years, a Certificate of Fundamental Education is required.

International Schools

International schools can be the perfect solution for an expat student (multinational corporation executives, children of diplomats, NGO staff) in Djibouti. There may be some local population, but the schools are usually geared for an international student body. Schools may follow a curriculum model from the US, UK, or usually that of France. Primary instruction may be any language (and multiple languages are usually taught), but it is usually in English, French, Spanish, German, or Japanese. Schools provide similar standards of schooling around the globe, providing for an easy transition between schools whether they are in France or Vietnam. Schools also provide internationally accepted accreditation such as the international baccalaureate.

Admission and enrollment procedures vary from school to school. Space is often limited and preference may be given to students based on nationality. Tuition tends to be expensive based on local standards, but offers high standards of learning, boast smaller class sizes, first-rate facilities, and extracurricular. Boarding facilities are available at some schools, but most only provide day classes.

Accreditation

The CoIS (Council of International Schools) is a non-profit association of international schools and post-secondary institutions which provides educational accreditation, teacher and leadership recruitment services, links to higher education, governance assistance and help with founding new schools.

Djibouti

International School of Djibouti (ISD)
Address: Rue Bourhan Bey, Djibouti
Tel: (253) 77280023
Tuition Rates: for 2016-2017, lowest tuition is $3900 and it goes up from there depending on year in school, nationality and guardian's work contract in Djibouti.

The mission of ISD is to provide students in Djibouti an education in English focused on discovery, creativity, and problem-solving to develop global citizens. Their goal is to provide a family-friendly education that promotes community and benefits both student and Djibouti. Proceeds from ISD will be poured directly back into the school to ensure ongoing local growth and improvement.

International School of Africa – ISA Djibouti
Address (1): Villa Bellevue, Rue Nelson Mandela, Djibouti (temporary location for registration)
Address (2): Nagad, Near the Italian Camp, Djibouti
Tel: (+253) 21 34 44 60, (+253) 77 07 93 93
Tuition Rates: Inquiry at school

The school provides an English-medium international curriculum, in addition to French and Arabic as offered languages, the integration of technology in teaching and learning, and a state of the art purpose-built campus (ICT, arts and sports facilities). ISA Djibouti (open September 2016) is the newest member of the learner’s world international schools (LWIS) network managed by school development consultants (SDC).

French School in Djibouti

Lycée d'Etat de Djibouti
Address: 36 Boulevard de Gaulle, Djibouti
Tel: (253) 35-17-87
E-mail: led@intnet.dj
Tuition Rates: Inquire at school

Classes range from second grade to twelfth grade. The language of instruction is in French and the curriculum is based on the French system.