Yaounde, Cameroon Report of what it's like to live there - 02/12/23
Personal Experiences from Yaounde, Cameroon
School Name:
American School of Yaounde
Background Information:
1. Are you the parent of a child(ren) attending this school? A teacher at the school? Or both?
Both
2. What grade or grades do/did your children attend at the school? During what year(s) did they attend the school?
Pre-K3 and Grade 1
My children started in 2022-2023.
3. What years did you live here?
2022-present.
4. Are other schools available to expatriates in this city? Why did you choose this particular school?
This is the only non-religious, fully English speaking, American school in Yaounde.
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?
Yes. on the ASOY website.
2. How would you rate the school's support and welcome/integration of new students and their families, and why?
Excellent, the school is smaller and is a lovely community. You see school parents and students even out and about in town.
Administration & School Procedures:
1. How is the overall communication between teachers and parents, and the administration and parents? How is communication facilitated?
Official communication is by email or via Managebac. Parents can also come to school after booking an appointment with teachers. Some communication can also be shared via class/grade level WhatsApp groups.
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?
Lunch is a separate fee as well as school provided transportation.
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 a PYP level counselor as well as an MYP/DP/College counselor/advisor.
2. Is there before and/or after-school daycare available? What are the costs?
Yes, free mostly, some external providers were 20,000 for a 10-week 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, an amazing library. More than 12,000 books. New ones coming in all the time. Yes, students can check out books for home.
4. What are the technology requirements for students? Do they need their own laptops/ipads? How is technology integrated into the classroom and homework?
In PYP, chromebooks are provided for students. As well as a shared classroom iMac for extra research.
5. How are information technology resources at the school. Are they up-to-date? Is there a computer lab?
Yes, a computer lab for more than 17 students. Students have their own printers and the library has space for those with their own devices.
6. Describe the physical education resources at the school. Is there a gym? A swimming pool? Are there playing fields or tennis courts available?
Gym, lap pool, kids pool, basketball courts, tennis courts, football field, playground, greenhouse...
7. What is the approximate teacher-to-student ratio in the grades that your child attended?
16:1 is the biggest I have seen.
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?
The school is fully IB PYP, MYP and DP.
9. Is the amount and type of homework generally appropriate for the age and grade of the students?
Yes. 3 a week in upper PYP. No homework below grade 3.
10. What fine arts electives are available (music, drama, visual arts)?
French, art, music, ICT and PE.
11. Are the teachers at the school required to speak English as a first language--or at least fluently?
Yes. All education is delivered in English, apart from French elective classes.
12. What services are available for students with learning disabilities at this school? Please describe your experience with these services, if applicable.
Learning support has dedicated resources and 2 LS teachers.
13. What services are provided for speakers of English as a second language at this school? Please describe your experience with these services, if applicable.
An ELL teacher is provided for all grades.
14. 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?
Swimming pool needs a update. But tennis, jujitsu, volleyball, crafts, cooking, animation, ICT skills... so many
Social & Emotional Well-Being:
1. Do expatriate students socialize with local students at the school? Are both groups successfully integrated into the school culture?
Yes, both local and expat are in the same class. The school is very diverse and internationally minded.
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?
A!! I love the school, the smaller community, the support, if you need help with anything there is someone there to help you and answer questions.
2. Please describe some of your child's/children's highlights and challenges during their time at this school.
HIghlights: making friends so easily, the food in the cafeteria is delicious, the outdoor spaces are many to choose from to play.
Challenge: having so much of the outside community only speaking French and learning a whole new language.
