Academic Year
The academic year begins in January and final exams are written in late November and schools close in December. The year is split into four terms.

School Admission and Enrolment
The details of enrolment and admission are school specific hence it is important to make an appointment with the chosen school to assess what the requirements are. The process is typically as follows:
Complete an Application Form and pay an application fee (not refundable). Schools will require a copy of the child’s birth certificate and current school records.
Most schools require an assessment – arrangements need to be made for the child to spend 2 hours or more at the school.
On acceptance, all schools require a deposit.

School Curriculum
It is preferable to select a school that offers The International Baccalaureate (IB) as this programme offers high quality international education to a worldwide community of schools.

Pre-Schools and Day Care facilities
For details of pre-schools and day care facilities, please visit the following websites:
Aga Khan
www.akdn.org/tanzania
International School of Tanganyika
www.istafrica.com/elementary/Elementary_Home_ES.htm

Children with Special Needs
International School of Tanganyika offers support services in the areas of English as a Second Language and support for children with mild special needs who can be accommodated in the mainstream classroom. The Elementary School also has a full-time counselor to assist students and their families with the transitions of moving into a new community. The counselor is a strong support for students’ social and emotional growth.

Schools
Expats in Dar es Salaam usually enrol children in the main private schools. There are more than a dozen schools to choose from in Dar es Salaam including International School of Tanganyika (IST) in Oysterbay and IST Elementary school in Upanga. IST is by far the most popular school of choice for expatriates and for that reason alone, it is difficult to get students placed immediately. Sometimes your luck is determined by those leaving a particular grade. The school is extremely expensive but has the best record in the city. There are also seven schools in the Peninsula, Ada Estate and Upanga areas which cater to preschool children. School buses are available, but heavy traffic means that children spend a long time on the bus from very early in the morning. Hence a lot of families drive their children to and from school.
The schools as a rule, insist that their pupils wear uniforms. Sports are not a high priority, but IST does have some activities other than academic.

The  recommended international schools in Dar es Salaam are detailed below.

International School of Tanganyika (IST)
The school was established in 1963 and is a private, co-educational school. The school offers full educational programmes for children from the age of 3 years to pre-university levels. The school is situated on two campuses.
The IST is a world International Baccalaureate (IB) School. The elementary school is composed of the Early Childhood Center (ECC 1-3) and the Elementary School (Grades 1-5). Grades EC 1-5 follow the IB Primary Years Program. The Secondary School consists of grades 6-12. The Middle School follows the IB Middle Years Program. Students in their last two years of high school take the IB Diploma program, a college preparation course of study. The school is a center for PSAT, SAT and TOEFL testing. IST provides ESL services to students through Grade 10. Learning services are also available to qualified students but assistance is limited and does not extend beyond Grade 10. IST is fully accredited by the Council of International Schools, the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools and the International Baccalaureate Organization.
There are over 100 fully qualified teachers from 20 countries; more than half have been recruited from the UK and another 28 from the USA. IST enrolled 915 students, representing 62 nationalities. Admission fees are applicable. The school year commences mid August and consists of four terms. Applications are accepted and processed on a case to case basis, providing space. Current space restrictions are for grades 9, 10 and 11. Applications for these grades need to be attended to immediately. Other grades are also approaching the waiting list stage.
Remember to bring all your children’s school documents including proof of immunisations, certificate of residency, last school report and reference letter from previous their school, with you on your pre-view trip and when relocating.
The school also provides a extensive selection of extra curricular activities such as sports, creative arts and crafts, community services, music, computers, and field trips.
It is advisable to contact the school for the latest school fees breakdown.

School Hours and Sport
The school day runs from 07:30 until 12:30 for Early Childhood levels 1-3 (age 3 years through 5 years), and from 07:10 until 13:15 for grades 1-5. The IST school year starts in August and finishes at the end of June.
The Elementary School has a strong and varied After School Activities program which offers children a choice of sports, games, art, drama and music, and community service activities. Activities are held Monday through Friday in double sessions from 13:30 - 14:15 and 14:15 - 15:00.

International School of Tanganyika, Dar es Salaam
Administration and Elementary School
United Nations Rd, PO Box 2651, Dar es Salaam
Tel: +255 22 215 1817/8

Secondary School
Haile Selassie Rd, Msasani, Dar es Salaam
Tel: +255 22 260 1126/7
www.istafrica.com


Aga Khan Primary & Secondary Schools
The Aga Khan Mzizima Secondary School was established in 1967 as a co-educational institution and the Aga Khan Primary School was established in 1993. The schools strive to continuously create a harmonious balance between academic demands, sport, cultural activities and community life. It challenges its pupils to be intellectually inquisitive and socially conscious. The School believes that while what students know is important, the true measure of a student’s education is the ability to analyse what they do not know.

The Aga Khan Mzizima Secondary School is a accredited IB Curriculum school. The school year commences in August and consists of 3 terms. Admissions close mid May. The current tuition fees range from US$ 2300.00 – 3010.00pa. Admission fees are applicable.
The schools also offer a variety of extra curriculum activities from sport, art, music, crafts etc.
The Aga Khan Primary School is a IB Curriculum candidate and is currently running the programme. The school is in its 3rd year, of the 5 year registration process.  They also offer the IB programme for the nursery years.
Entry to the Aga Khan Primary School, Dar es Salaam is made on a competitive basis, regardless of background, and is based on merit only. Applicants must:
Be of appropriate age
Completed the previous grade in full
Pass English and Mathematics entrance test
Application forms are available without charge from the School Reception from 07:30 to 15:30 on any working day.
It is advisable to contact the school for the latest school fees breakdown.

Plot No 954, Aly Khan Road, Olympio Street, West Upanga, Dar es Salaam
+255 215 2484/ 215 2485
www.agakhanschools.org/tanzania/akpsdar/about.asp

 

For details on additional schools and further information read the Education section of Relocation Africa's guide to Tanzania.