American Cooperative School of Tunis

Tunis, Tunisia

About American Cooperative School of Tunis: The American Cooperative School of Tunis (ACST) is a K-12 school in Tunis, Tunisia. It’s the first IB school in the country and runs as an independent, non-profit, co-educational day school.

School Mission: The American Cooperative School of Tunis will inspire a passion for learning, while endowing students with the expertise and confidence necessary to pursue dreams in and for a global society.


Check out the school’s website for further information and details.

ITF Review
(Based on Independent Research)

Would you recommend this school to other teaching families?

Highly recommend – the school has a reputation as being the top international school in Tunis and offers a good package for teaching families to live comfortably and save. Feedback from teaching families indicates that it offers a welcoming, close-knit community.

Overall compensation package rating

Excellent – teachers salaries average from around USD 34,000 to USD 72,000 depending on your experience and role. The salary is provided tax-free.

Tuition benefits

100% discount for teacher’s kids.

Housing

Housing (including all utilities) is provided for staff.

Flights

Annual flights to your home country are included.

Healthcare

Medical insurance (with international coverage) is included as part of the compensation package for teachers and families.

Adjustment for kids

The majority of students attending this school are international (representing 54 nationalities). It’s a relatively small school so kids can benefit from being part of a tight-knit community.

Average class sizes

Maximum primary school classes are 20 students, which reduces to around 13 in senior classes.

Teaching experience required

This school looks for highly experienced teachers – asking for a minimum of five years teaching experience. All teachers must hold formal teaching qualifications and a Bachelor’s degree.

Curriculum

American and International Baccalaureate (DP).

Retirement/pension benefits

A private pension scheme is included as part of your teaching package – 10% contribution.

School history & stability

The school has a strong history, first established in 1959.

American Cooperative School of Tunis – Additional Benefits

  • Allowance at start and end of placement for relocation
  • Annual salary step increase offered
  • Strong PD and salary adjustments based on educational milestones
  • Transparent salaries
  • Excellent worldwide medical coverage

What Teachers are Saying Online About American Cooperative School of Tunis

It’s a fantastic school. The teachers are mostly great, and the IB program is excellent. There is lots of culture and history in Tunisia but it can get boring in Tunis. That said, it’s easy to get to Europe and other destinations.

CURRENT TEACHER, ACST

Tunis is relatively expensive to live and there are restrictions on transferring or carrying money out. ACST is the only decent international school here.

EX TEACHER IN TUNIS

ACT is a great school in a lovely location. Flights to Europe are cheap and you’ll have enough money to enjoy your travels.

CURRENT TEACHER, AMERICAN COOPERATIVE SCHOOL OF TUNIS
White buildings with blue accents in a street in Tunis
Minaret of the Zitouna mosque at sunset in Tunis, Tunisia
View of a historic mosque in Monastir, Tunisia along the coastline - a sight you could see if you choose to work at the American Cooperative School of Tunis

Safety, Adaptability & Cost of Living

  • Safety: Generally manageable – Most expat families find Tunis safe. But like any city, be aware of your surroundings, and avoid protests or large public gatherings when possible. Political demonstrations do happen from time to time.
  • Adaptability: Mixed – While urban Tunisians often speak some English, the primary languages are Arabic and French. The local culture is friendly and family-oriented, but you’ll need time to adjust to bureaucratic systems, variable service standards, and local expectations around gender roles, particularly in terms of dress and public behaviour.
  • Cost of Living: Balanced – Local goods and services are fairly budget-friendly. But, if you’re seeking international products, costs can rise quickly. It’s affordable day-to-day, but lifestyle choices make a big difference.

General Overview for Teaching Families

The American Cooperative School of Tunis (ACST) is a long-established, not-for-profit international school located in Tunisia’s capital. Founded in 1959, it offers an American-style education alongside the IB Diploma Programme, serving around 450 students from preschool through high school. The student body is overwhelmingly international (99%), with English as the primary language of instruction and additional courses in French, German, and Arabic.

The school maintains small class sizes (averaging 13 in secondary) and based on our research, offers a supportive teaching environment. Teachers need to have at least five years of experience and hold a bachelor’s degree along with a recognised teaching qualification. The compensation package is competitive and tax-free, and teaching benefits include housing, private healthcare, full tuition coverage for dependents, annual flights, a professional development budget, and a 10% school pension contribution. Many teachers report they can save well and support a family.

ACST offers an attractive opportunity for experienced educators seeking a role in North Africa.

Do you currently teach at ACST? If so we’d love to hear from you. Get in touch to share your experience with us or complete our teacher survey!

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