International School of Dakar 

Dakar, Senegal 

About the International School of Dakar: The International School of Dakar (ISD) is a coeducational non profit international school. With an elected parent board, the school is made up of around 800 students from around the globe.

School Vision: The school community leads, inspires and impacts global change with compassion and wisdom.

School Mission:

  • To nurture each learner’s growth.
  • To embrace each other and the local community.
  • To foster diverse perspectives and global citizenship.

Visit the school website for more information.

ITF Review
(Based on Independent Research)

Would you recommend this school to other teaching families?

Highly recommend – based on our research the school offers a great package for families (though only two dependents are covered which may be an issue for large families)

There have been some recent negative reviews on Reddit (but some query whether it’s the same person) so ask questions in your interview to make sure it’s the right school for your family

Overall compensation package rating

Excellent – generous for families with a decent ability to save and support your family

Tuition benefits

Two dependents per teacher (100% of tuition covered)

Housing

Large houses and apartments provided by the school – fully furnished including major appliances

Flights

Yearly flight allowance for teachers and families

Healthcare

Insurance for teacher and dependents including vision and wellness coverage

Disability coverage is also provided as part of the benefits package

Adjustment for kids

Diverse teaching staff made up of American, EU, British, Australian and Canadian teachers to help children settle

The majority of students are international

All lessons taught in English (except specific languages)

Average class sizes

Maximum class size of 20 students (less in nursery)

Teaching experience required

Minimum of two years experience required and prospective teachers are required to hold a teaching certification and a Bachelor’s degree

Curriculum

International Baccalaureate (PYP, MYP and DP)

Retirement/pension benefits

Yes, private pension scheme included in package (details TBC)

School history & stability

School was initially established in 1983

The International School of Dakar – Additional Benefits

  • Relocation allowance
  • Disability Insurance
  • Tax paid by school
  • Utility allowance
  • Dental coverage
  • Employment opportunities for non teaching spouses
  • Salary paid in USD
  • Personal leave days
  • 2 extra curricular hours per week

What Teachers are Saying Online About The International School of Dakar

The salary is decent and paid in USD which is great. It’s nice to live in a city that’s still near the sea and the study body is very diverse – as is the staff. There are also great work resources for teachers.

EX TEACHER AT ISD

There are so many amazing people that work at this school. But the current leadership does need to make some big changes to ensure they remain at the school.

CURRENT INTERNATIONAL TEACHER, ISD

There is no accountability among leadership and the HR system is very ineffective. It’s also disappointing that no real action is taken by the Board of Directors, despite employees filing grievances with the Board directly.

EX INTERNATIONAL TEACHER AT ISD
A man playing the trombone on a beach in Dakar, Senegal
Woman posing by a colourful lifeguard station on Dakar Beach, Senegal
Colourful colonial buildings and boats on Goree Island, Senegal

Safety, Adaptability & Cost of Living

  • Safety: Fair to Good – Dakar is considered one of the safer cities in West Africa, especially for expats. Violent crime is rare, and the city has a strong diplomatic and NGO presence. Many international families live in areas like Almadies, Mermoz, and Point E, where security and housing is good.
  • Adaptability: High – Dakar offers a warm, welcoming environment. English is increasingly spoken within the international school and expat community, though French is the official language. The city has a vibrant culture, with music, food, art, and a strong sense of community. There are great beaches, parks, and weekend adventures available outside the city.
  • Cost of Living: Moderate – Local groceries and domestic help are affordable. Imported goods and dining out in expat-style cafés or restaurants can be more expensive, but most families find the salary package comfortably covers everyday living. With furnished housing and utilities provided by the school, you can enjoy a balanced lifestyle with opportunities for savings and travel.

General Overview for Teaching Families

The International School of Dakar (ISD) is a not-for-profit international school located in Dakar, Senegal. Founded in 1983, ISD has around 800 students from over 100 nationalities. It’s built a reputation as one of the top international schools in West Africa. It offers the full International Baccalaureate continuum (PYP, MYP, and DP), with English as the primary language of instruction and additional languages including French and Spanish.

ISD has a welcoming, close-knit school community, small class sizes, and strong academic program. The school supports a diverse student body with a wide range of abilities, with an emphasis on academics and personal development. Its curriculum includes a focus on the arts, athletics, service learning, and extracurricular programs. Teachers have spoken highly of the extensive professional development opportunities at the school in recent years.

Recruitment for teaching roles typically begins in October. Teachers need to hold a teaching certification and have at least two years of experience. According to their website, a strong commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice (DEIJ) underpins their recruitment and educational philosophy – although in the last year there have been some negative Reddit threads that appear to contradict this (we encourage you to do your own research and talk to current teachers if considering working at the school to get the most up to date information).

Teachers receive a competitive salary package paid in USD, with no local taxes. Other teaching benefits include fully furnished housing, a generous utilities allowance, private medical insurance (including dependents), tuition-free schooling for up to two kids, and an annual professional development budget. There is a yearly flight allowance and a relocation allowance.

ISD appears to offer an excellent quality of life for families. The school’s location in Dakar provides access to a tropical coastal lifestyle, proximity to Europe, and a friendly expat community. Dependents are welcomed into the school, and the school also states that spouses may find employment opportunities. The salary is sufficient to support a family with decent savings potential.

If you currently work at this school (or used to) we’d love to get your insights. Please get in touch with us or complete our teacher survey to help other teaching families.

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