High School
AISN High School
2024-2025 School Year
Posted on AISN Web Page
Welcome to the American International School of Nouakchott (AISN), where our commitment to excellence has been unwavering since 1978. As Mauritania’s first accredited American high school (2011), AISN has fostered generations of students who now thrive at prestigious universities worldwide. This success is a testament to the exceptional education and nurturing environment we provide.
At AISN, our fully accredited Advanced Placement (AP) high school program is designed to equip students for the complexities of the modern world. We offer a rich and diverse curriculum that emphasizes core subjects such as English, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, and French. Nearly all our high school courses, including Pre-Calculus/Calculus, US and World History, French Language and Culture, English Literature and Composition, and 2D/3D Art, are AP certified. We are thrilled to announce that starting next year, we will expand our AP offerings to include high school sciences, enhancing our students’ learning opportunities.
Our commitment to academic excellence is reflected in our students’ performance on the PSAT, with many scoring in the top 85% worldwide. Those who engage in diligent study, what we call the “right hard work” are achieving scores in the 98-99% percentile, demonstrating the effectiveness of our curriculum and the dedication of our teaching staff. This past year AISN moved the high school to a pre-college PSAT so as to better assess where our students stand in college preparedness.
At the heart of our educational philosophy is the AISN Portrait of a Graduate. We strive to develop Problem Solvers, Skilled Communicators, Team Players, Innovative Thinkers, and Informed and Engaged Citizens. Our approach nurtures independence, curiosity, and confidence, ensuring our students are well-equipped to excel in a rapidly changing world.
Technology plays a pivotal role in our learning environment. We seamlessly integrate tools like smartphones and artificial intelligence to properly and with integrity prepare students with essential 21st-century skills. Moreover, students have the opportunity to enroll in online classes through accredited programs, broadening their educational horizons. Our curriculum includes a strong Performing and Visual Arts Program as well as Physical Education/Health. It allows our students to explore and develop their unique interests and brings balance. We expect each student to be fully engaged in the entire curriculum, carrying a minimum of seven classes each semester in grades 9-12, with graduation requirements ranging from 23 to 28 credits based on individual performance.
AISN is dedicated to preparing students for college and beyond. We provide advisory periods and a college counselor focused on academic planning and college readiness. Our campus serves as an official testing center for the PSAT, ACT, SAT, and AP exams, offering a familiar and supportive environment for our students. For younger students, from Kindergarten through 7th grade, we administer the Measurement of Academic Progress (MAP) tests three times a year, ensuring they are on track for future success.
We believe in the importance of community engagement and service. High school students are required to complete at least ten hours of approved service annually, fostering a sense of responsibility and citizenship as part of our graduation requirements.
Our commitment to a well-rounded education extends to enriching extracurricular opportunities. AISN students participate in diverse activities, including international trips, Mauritanian field studies, and student internships, enhancing their cultural understanding and global perspective.
As we look forward to the 2024-25 school year, I am excited to continue leading AISN as the School Director in my second year. Our dedicated staff and the high demand for enrollment reflect the strong community we have built. With support from the US Embassy, AISN remains the premier American school in Nouakchott.
This coming year (2024-25), we are expanding our after-school offerings with an optional eighth period (3:00 PM – 3:50 PM), where students can access a range of online courses facilitated by a teacher of record. These courses, chosen and paid for by students and parents, can complement, but not supercede, our established curriculum and include subjects like advanced languages, high-level sciences, engineering, or business. Onsite, we are enhancing our STEAM and art courses and adding more music classes. Our increased involvement (post covid) in the West African International Schools Athletics (Activities) League (WAISAL) will expand to include band, swimming, Math Counts, and Model United Nations. Additionally, we are introducing eSports programming for the first time in 2024-25, adding to our vibrant extracurricular landscape. Students can also join the Yearbook Club or participate in Student Council Leadership, developing lifelong skills.
Join us at AISN, where we nurture well-rounded individuals ready to tackle the future with confidence, creativity, and a sense of purpose. Welcome to a community where your potential knows no bounds.
Supplies: At AISN, we provide all necessary school supplies, and students are encouraged to bring personal items that enhance their learning experience. A school bag, water bottle, and outdoor gear like hats and sunglasses are recommended to keep students comfortable and prepared. We offer a limited number of lockers and students may order a catered lunch. Access to our library is located online through our AISN Webpage: Library
Smartphones: AISN encourages and supports the appropriate use of all technology. Those few who may be using their smartphone, earbuds or laptop inappropriately during class instruction may find that a staff member confiscates the device(s) until the end of the period or for repeat offenses turning the device(s) into the office. Devices turned into the office remain locked in the Principal or Director office until a parent is involved in picking up the device. Students are responsible for self managing and keeping track of their devices. Inappropriate gaming, streaming, photos, videos non-instructional related are strictly prohibited and will result in immediate confiscation and parent involvement by the Principal and/or Director. Disciplinary action may result.
Laptops: All high school students are highly recommended (not required) to have their own personal MacBook Air and must bring it fully charged each day. A limited number of ten (10) MacBook Airs and magic mice will be available for purchase from AISN with shipping calculations. The specifications on the devices are a MacBook Air 13″ screen with M3 chip (if shopping on your own M2 chip is fine), 8 Core CPU, GPU and 8 GB of memory, 256 GB SSD, and a white magic mouse. Not included, but recommended are a USB – C Digital AV Multiport Adapter and USB to C Adapter. AISN has found that the chromebook quality has decreased and having all learners and staff using a similar tool assists in learning.
Attendance/Tardies: All AISN students must attend school 80% or more per School Board policy, we try to account for families living abroad. A small number of high school students find themselves struggling with attendance, which results in credit issues. Students in high school are required to pass a course with a D or better to obtain class credit. So grades and attendance matter in high school. To be clear, there are 90 school days in each semester and below is how attendance and tardies are managed at AISN.
- AISN recognizes publically, perfect attendance at 180 days. (100%)
- AISN recognizes publically, excellent attendance at 170 out of 180 days (94-99%)
- Good attendance is 160 out of 180 days (88-93%)
- Poor attendance is less than 144 days in attendance.
- Note: High school students may not receive course credit if attending less than 72 out of 80 days per semester. Credits are earned at the semester.
- Any recorded tardy in the Student Information System (SIS) to school or class counts as 1/10th of an absence. 10 tardies = 1 day of absence.
AISN does not judge excused or unexcused absences or tardies. A tardy or absence is simply recorded as tardy or absent. There is no excused or unexcused.
