The American School of Kinshasa was founded in 1961. It is a private, co-educational, day school that provides educational services for students from Kindergarten through Grade 12. TASOK is accredited by the Middle States Association of Schools and Colleges. There are about 250 students studying at TASOK.
Mission
The school’s mission is to give English-speaking students a quality education.
Facilities
The school campus is 42-acres set in a residential area of Kinshasa. Facilities include 40 classrooms, 2 computer labs, 2 libraries with 18,000 volumes, 2 science labs, gyms, sports fields, 2 art rooms, a 25-meter pool, 2 volleyball courts and more.
Curriculum
The school uses an American standards-based curriculum. High School students make take a number of Advanced Placement courses.
Extracurricular Activities
The school has a variety of after school activities including Model United Nations, Debate Society, Arabic Language, Soccer, Drama, Basketball and more. TASOK has basketball, soccer and swim teams that play against local schools as well as in international tournaments around Africa.
Technology
Every classroom has internet connectivity. There are 2 computer labs. The campus has wireless intranet. Computer classes are taught as a specialist subject as well as an elective in the Middle School.
Professional Development
No information is available on the school website.
Employment
TASOK is very honest about the situation in Kinshasa on their recruiting page. They discuss the political problems that the Democratic Republic of the Congo has had over the past 20 years and note that there are still problems there including power and water shortages and violence. They comment that teaching there is “not for everyone.” The website does say that teachers at TASOK have a chance to make a difference, and if that’s for you, then it might be worth your while to send in an inquiry about the salaries and benefits since they don’t list them on the website. If you are interested in working at TASOK, you can send your resume along with questions about the school and the position that you are interested in. Send these in PDF to the Superintendent at irene.epp@gmail.com. And take a look at the page describing life at TASOK.
The school wants teachers that are student-centered, resilient, imaginative, team players, optimistic, courageous in the face of adversity, have a university degree, are certified, and work for the good of the whole.
About Kinshasa
Kinshasa is the capital of the Congo with a population of 12 million. The city has major problems with infrastructure due to years of war and turmoil. Despite this, there are a lot of choices when it comes to shopping for food. The school shows new teachers the most efficient ways to shop during the orientation period. Kinshasa has a vibrant music and art scene, and teachers who enjoy eating out have a variety of choices from local food to international. The school has an active commitment to service projects, and teachers who enjoy working in development projects will have a lot to do and will likely find this school a good fit.
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