School Counselor - School Profile

Founded in 1990, the American International School of Mozambique (AISM) is an IB World School offering a US-style college preparatory program covering ELC through grade 12. AISM is recognized and supported by the US State Department Office of Overseas Schools. The language of instruction is English and the school year follows a typical American school calendar with classes beginning mid-August and ending mid-June.

AISM is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools and is authorized to offer the Diploma Program of the International Baccalaureate Organization, the IB Middle Years Program (MYP), and the IB Primary Years Program (PYP). The school is governed by a 7 member Board of Directors, 6 of whom are elected by the AISM Association and one appointed by the US Ambassador.

Curriculum: The AISM curriculum is centered on the requirements and philosophical tenets of the International Baccalaureate. The PYP, for students in ELC through grade five, focuses on the development of the whole child, addressing social, emotional, physical, cultural and intellectual needs organized around six themes. The MYP, for students in grades 6-10, is organized around a set of perspectives that provide an interconnected framework for learning in all major disciplines. The Diploma Program, for students in grades 11 and 12, offers a broad and balanced curriculum with emphasis on critical thinking as well as intercultural understanding and respect for others.

After school activities: Model United Nations, service learning, debate club, photography, graphics, volleyball, soccer, basketball, swimming, judo, jiu jitsu, capoeira, gymnastics, dance, band and choir, guitar club and drama. Note: students cannot work part-time, after school in Mozambique.

Faculty: In the 2010-2011 school year, there are 59 academic staff members, including a school director, 2 principals, 2 counselors, 2 librarians, specialists for literacy development, ESOL and learning support, coordinators for PYP, MYP, and DP, an athletics director and a community service coordinator (20 of whom are US citizens, 5 host-country nationals and 34 third-country nationals).

Enrollment: Current enrollment is 461 students with 235 students in the secondary school, including US citizens, host country nationals and a large majority of third-country nationals. There are 28 seniors graduating in 2011, our sixth graduating class.

Facilities: The primary and secondary buildings house administration, support services, music, art, technology, two libraries and a total of 40 classrooms. The libraries are fully automated, contain more than 20,000 volumes, and are designed, among other things, to support scholarly research required by the IB Diploma Program. AISM currently maintains two technology centers with 60 networked computers and permanent internet access. Sports and recreational facilities include a 25-meter outdoor swimming pool, a covered sports court, playgrounds, and soccer field. A cafeteria provides daily lunch and snacks. As of January 2011, AISM will inaugurate new libraries, 4 technology labs, an auditorium and a fine arts complex, comprising purpose-built space for drama, music, visual arts and design technology. Two additional science labs will be constructed from vacated rooms.