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 Russ Menard, Director
Greetings and welcome to the website of the American International School of Lusaka (AISL). I sincerely hope that you will linger here for a while and learn more about our school. Situated on a beautiful and secure 25-acre purpose-built campus located on the outskirts of Lusaka, we offer the most robust academic and extracurricular programs of any school in the country.
We were founded in 1986 to provide an international education in Zambia. Therefore, we look beyond Zambia and benchmark our programs, faculty, facilities, and results against the finest international schools in the region. Please come visit us and I think you'll quickly see what I mean. AISL is a close-knit school community committed to our vision of helping every student thrive. Our highly-qualified multinational faculty strives to realize this vision daily by challenging students intellectually while supporting their physical, social, and emotional well-being. Working in partnership with parents, AISL also encourages students to develop an appreciation for and understanding of Zambia and to celebrate the diversity of the more than 40 nationalities on campus. Tomorrow's diplomatic, business, educational, and scientific leaders are enrolled in our school today. Please take a few minutes to watch the videos below. I think you will be impressed. Better still, please contact our Admissions Manager, Ms. Natasha Chalikulima (admissions@aislusaka.org), and arrange a campus tour. We are very proud of our school and would love to show you around. |
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In Focus...
Who we are
Our Vision
Commitment to Learning
Board of Directors
Strategic Plan
Facilities Master Site Plan
Who we are
Founded in 1986, the American International School of Lusaka (AISL) is an independent co-educational day school that welcomes children from 3 to 18 years of age. With a student body of approximately 500 students, the school is fully accredited internationally by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (US) and the Council of International Schools (UK). The school attracts students from a wide range of nationalities, including approximately 26% European, 31% North and South American, 28% African. The international nature at AISL is reflected in the school's curriculum and programs. AISL is one of a handful of schools in Africa authorized to deliver all three of the International Baccalaureate (IB) programs: the Primary Years Program (PYP), the Middle Years Program (MYP), and the International Baccalaureate Diploma.
AISL’s purpose-built campus is located 15 kilometers outside the city center on the edge of the bush. Located on a 25 acre beautifully landscaped campus, AISL features a library, media center, a 400 seat performing arts center, two computer labs, specialized classrooms for art, music and science, as well as sports facilities including playing fields, an athletic track, two tennis courts, two swimming pools, a covered playing court and changing/shower rooms. The school also operates a canteen that offers students and parents a range of foods, including a daily hot lunch. A newly constructed secondary school science center opened in August 2013.
Find out more about AISL from our students
Our Vision
AISL Mission: |
AISL is a compassionate community of innovative and courageous learners preparing for the challenges of the future.
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AISL Vision:
We value:
- Compassion: Our actions show how we value others.
- Courage: We meet challenges with confidence.
- Community: Our entire community helps every student thrive.
- Creativity: We innovate and create to solve problems and express ourselves.
- Respect: We respect ourselves, each other, our school, and the environment.
- Resilience: We view setbacks as catalysts for reflection and growth.
- Excellence: We strive for our personal best in all that we do.
- Inquiry: Our questions drive our learning.
- Joy: A spirit of fun makes learning engaging.
- Internationalism: We engage with and learn from our global community.
Commitment to Learning
- How does AISL demonstrate a commitment to high quality international education to parents, students and staff members?
- How do we ensure that AISL is continually improving and keeping up with the best international education standards?
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CIS/MSA School Evaluation and Accreditation is an evaluation process that drives a school’s continuous improvement, through:
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The American International of Lusaka is currently accredited through the Council of International Schools (CIS) www.cois.org and the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSA) www.middlestates.org. AISL is very proud to have achieved CIS/MSA Accreditation in August 2015 as it highlights the quality and international nature of education on offer.
The CIS/MSA re-accreditation process requires AISL to conduct a comprehensive self-study in relation to detailed educational and operational standards and indicators. These standards and indicators are organized in the following manner:
A. School Guiding Statements
B. Teaching & Learning
C. Governance & Leadership
D. Faculty & Support Staff E. Access to Teaching & Learning
F. School Culture & Partnerships for Learning
G. Operational Systems
The CIS/MSA re-accreditation process requires AISL to conduct a comprehensive self-study in relation to detailed educational and operational standards and indicators. These standards and indicators are organized in the following manner:
A. School Guiding Statements
B. Teaching & Learning
C. Governance & Leadership
D. Faculty & Support Staff E. Access to Teaching & Learning
F. School Culture & Partnerships for Learning
G. Operational Systems
Board of Directors
A seven-member Board of Directors governs AISL. The US Ambassador to Zambia appoints two of the Board members, and one of the appointed Board members will also serve as the Chairperson of the Board. The five remaining members are elected by the AISL Parent Association, which is composed of parents and legal guardians of students who are enrolled at AISL. Of these members, two must be affiliated with the US Government, and the other three are elected from the general parent community. Board members serve for two years and are eligible for re-election.
The overall role of the AISL Board of Directors is to oversee the strategic direction of the school. More specifically, the Board hires the Director to implement the strategic plan and to oversee the day-to-day operations of the school. The Board also provides fiduciary oversight by approving an annual budget and setting school fees. The Board also establishes broad school policy in accordance with the school vision, mission, and core values. Most of the work of the Board is accomplished by Board committees, which also include parent/guardians who do not serve on the Board.
The AISL Board of Directors holds Open Meetings five times during the course of the year. An Annual General Meeting (AGM) is held in September while an Election General Meeting (EGM) is held in early June. Meeting dates and agenda are communicated through the weekly school newsletter (Leopard’s Tale).
The AISL Board membership is as follows:
The overall role of the AISL Board of Directors is to oversee the strategic direction of the school. More specifically, the Board hires the Director to implement the strategic plan and to oversee the day-to-day operations of the school. The Board also provides fiduciary oversight by approving an annual budget and setting school fees. The Board also establishes broad school policy in accordance with the school vision, mission, and core values. Most of the work of the Board is accomplished by Board committees, which also include parent/guardians who do not serve on the Board.
The AISL Board of Directors holds Open Meetings five times during the course of the year. An Annual General Meeting (AGM) is held in September while an Election General Meeting (EGM) is held in early June. Meeting dates and agenda are communicated through the weekly school newsletter (Leopard’s Tale).
The AISL Board membership is as follows:
US Government Appointed
Ms. Sarah Crites - Chair
Sarah Crites has served on the board as a U.S. Ambassador-appointed member since August 2019. Sarah is the Board Chairperson and Governance Committee chair. Sarah moved to Zambia in 2018 with her husband and twin son and daughter, both in Grade 5. Sarah serves as the Education Director for USAID in Zambia, working to improve learning achievement in Zambia's public primary and community schools. Sarah has a passion for service and has designed and managed education and community service programs at Peace Corps and the Corporation for National and Community Service (known as the domestic U.S. Peace Corps). She began her career in international development as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Honduras, where she taught environmental education and English. She is proud to claim home on both sides of the U.S., in Maine and California. A committed educator, Sarah shares and embraces AISL's vision to ensure Every Student Thrives.
Katrina Simon-Agolory
Katrina Simon-Agolory moved to Zambia in January 2018 and joined the AISL Board of Directors in August 2018 as an Ambassador appointee. She is a member of the board’s Governance Committee. She has two sons in middle school and is pleased with the school’s ability to meet the needs of her two very different children. Katrina worked for close to twenty years in the public sector before entering academia. She teaches operations and project management in graduate schools of business. She is a proud graduate of an Atlanta-area public school system. She later earned degrees from the University of Richmond, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and Columbia Business School. The greenery in Zambia makes her happy and she gets great joy from eating food directly from her garden.
Ms. Sarah Crites - Chair
Sarah Crites has served on the board as a U.S. Ambassador-appointed member since August 2019. Sarah is the Board Chairperson and Governance Committee chair. Sarah moved to Zambia in 2018 with her husband and twin son and daughter, both in Grade 5. Sarah serves as the Education Director for USAID in Zambia, working to improve learning achievement in Zambia's public primary and community schools. Sarah has a passion for service and has designed and managed education and community service programs at Peace Corps and the Corporation for National and Community Service (known as the domestic U.S. Peace Corps). She began her career in international development as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Honduras, where she taught environmental education and English. She is proud to claim home on both sides of the U.S., in Maine and California. A committed educator, Sarah shares and embraces AISL's vision to ensure Every Student Thrives.
Katrina Simon-Agolory
Katrina Simon-Agolory moved to Zambia in January 2018 and joined the AISL Board of Directors in August 2018 as an Ambassador appointee. She is a member of the board’s Governance Committee. She has two sons in middle school and is pleased with the school’s ability to meet the needs of her two very different children. Katrina worked for close to twenty years in the public sector before entering academia. She teaches operations and project management in graduate schools of business. She is a proud graduate of an Atlanta-area public school system. She later earned degrees from the University of Richmond, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and Columbia Business School. The greenery in Zambia makes her happy and she gets great joy from eating food directly from her garden.
US Government Affiliation
Mr. John Boos
John J. Boos has served as one of the community elected US Embassy members of the Board of Directors since August 2018 and as chair of the Building Committee. He and his wife have two children, one of whom is in the 9th Grade at AISL. John Boos is an international development professional with more than 20 years of experience. He specializes in Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and integrates those two areas to strengthen narratives, decision making, information design, visualization, and reporting for international development donors, contractors, and NGOs. He has used his skills in the public health, environment, climate change, and agriculture sectors.
Ms. Andrea Heiland
Andrea Heiland has served as one of the community elected Embassy members of the Board of Directors since August 2019 and as Treasurer is chair of the Finance Committee. She and her husband have three children, aged 24, 20 and 13. Their two older children are in the United States, and their youngest is in Grade 7 at AISL. All were astounded and thrilled with the inclusive and nurturing environment offered at AISL.
Mr. John Boos
John J. Boos has served as one of the community elected US Embassy members of the Board of Directors since August 2018 and as chair of the Building Committee. He and his wife have two children, one of whom is in the 9th Grade at AISL. John Boos is an international development professional with more than 20 years of experience. He specializes in Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and integrates those two areas to strengthen narratives, decision making, information design, visualization, and reporting for international development donors, contractors, and NGOs. He has used his skills in the public health, environment, climate change, and agriculture sectors.
Ms. Andrea Heiland
Andrea Heiland has served as one of the community elected Embassy members of the Board of Directors since August 2019 and as Treasurer is chair of the Finance Committee. She and her husband have three children, aged 24, 20 and 13. Their two older children are in the United States, and their youngest is in Grade 7 at AISL. All were astounded and thrilled with the inclusive and nurturing environment offered at AISL.
General Parent Community
Mr. Sipho Phiri - Vice Chair
Sipho Phiri has served on the AISL board for 16 years as a local elected member and is in the role of Vice Chair. He has an in depth understanding of the school governance structures and the various constituencies within the school. Sipho is a vital member of three committees. He has watched his children grow up in AISL with two successful alumnis and one in 11th grade. Sipho is a banker by profession; however, he left the consulting and finance world in 2006 to pursue his own business interests utilising his skills in both Corporate Finance and Banking to establish specialised property development companies and an infrastructure project. Sipho is currently the Honorary Consul for the Kingdom of Denmark in Zambia and has a wide range of business interests including the development of a 180MW run of river Hydroelectricity Power Station on the Zambezi River in Western Province of Zambia, a private cemetery and various property development interests.
Mr. Rob Munro
Rob Munro has served as a local elected member of the AISL Board of Directors since August 2018. He currently serves as the Board Secretary and a member of three of the Board Committees. Rob is the father of students in Grade 7 and Grade 5. Both children have thrived at the school since they were six. They are developing into independent, confident young people that the school is so good at nurturing. A British citizen, Rob has lived and worked in Zambia for the last 27 years, initially in management positions in the commercial farming world and then in the field of agricultural development. Most recently he has been the Director of Strategy at Musika, a Zambian non-profit company that he helped to create and shape into what is Zambia’s leading agricultural market development organisation. He has now embarked on a new career in environmental protection as the Zambia Country Director of The Nature Conservancy.
Mr. Aki Georgiou
Aki Georgiou has served as a local elected member of the AISL Board of Directors since August 2018. He currently is an active member of the Building committee (since 2014), Chairman of the Marketing Committee (2019) and a member of the Legal/Ownership committee (2019). Aki has 2 children attending AISL, his daughter in Kindergarten and his son in Grade 4. Both kids have blossomed under the guidance of AISL. Aki is a Permanent Resident of Zambia. He has spent his working life in the digital printing and advertising industry. He was the Co-Founder and owner of Grandad Digital Printing and is currently the CEO of Six Light Media. Nothing is more important than family to Aki. Keeping his children close, in a school that has high international standards, teaches them independence and at the same time makes it fun is why Aki and his kids and love AISL.
Mr. Sipho Phiri - Vice Chair
Sipho Phiri has served on the AISL board for 16 years as a local elected member and is in the role of Vice Chair. He has an in depth understanding of the school governance structures and the various constituencies within the school. Sipho is a vital member of three committees. He has watched his children grow up in AISL with two successful alumnis and one in 11th grade. Sipho is a banker by profession; however, he left the consulting and finance world in 2006 to pursue his own business interests utilising his skills in both Corporate Finance and Banking to establish specialised property development companies and an infrastructure project. Sipho is currently the Honorary Consul for the Kingdom of Denmark in Zambia and has a wide range of business interests including the development of a 180MW run of river Hydroelectricity Power Station on the Zambezi River in Western Province of Zambia, a private cemetery and various property development interests.
Mr. Rob Munro
Rob Munro has served as a local elected member of the AISL Board of Directors since August 2018. He currently serves as the Board Secretary and a member of three of the Board Committees. Rob is the father of students in Grade 7 and Grade 5. Both children have thrived at the school since they were six. They are developing into independent, confident young people that the school is so good at nurturing. A British citizen, Rob has lived and worked in Zambia for the last 27 years, initially in management positions in the commercial farming world and then in the field of agricultural development. Most recently he has been the Director of Strategy at Musika, a Zambian non-profit company that he helped to create and shape into what is Zambia’s leading agricultural market development organisation. He has now embarked on a new career in environmental protection as the Zambia Country Director of The Nature Conservancy.
Mr. Aki Georgiou
Aki Georgiou has served as a local elected member of the AISL Board of Directors since August 2018. He currently is an active member of the Building committee (since 2014), Chairman of the Marketing Committee (2019) and a member of the Legal/Ownership committee (2019). Aki has 2 children attending AISL, his daughter in Kindergarten and his son in Grade 4. Both kids have blossomed under the guidance of AISL. Aki is a Permanent Resident of Zambia. He has spent his working life in the digital printing and advertising industry. He was the Co-Founder and owner of Grandad Digital Printing and is currently the CEO of Six Light Media. Nothing is more important than family to Aki. Keeping his children close, in a school that has high international standards, teaches them independence and at the same time makes it fun is why Aki and his kids and love AISL.
For more information about the Board, along with meeting minutes and reports can be found here - just use the Parent Portal password to access...
Strategic Plan
Where are we going and what do we hope to achieve?
A 21st century education of the highest standard should allow students to acquire the academic knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to succeed in an increasingly complex and rapidly changing world. At AISL, we have made a commitment not only to keep up with change, but to anticipate it through an inquiry-based approach to learning.
The AISL 2011-2020 Strategic Map is aligned with a broader AISL 10 Year Strategic Plan and a more defined 3- year plan. The map serves as a blueprint that guides our response to a rapidly changing world through thoughtful and innovative actions to ensure that every student achieves his/her personal and academic potential. The map reflects our commitment to realizing our vision and our core values by articulating seven functional areas and 11 strategic goals defining what the school hopes to achieve. Below is the map:
A 21st century education of the highest standard should allow students to acquire the academic knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to succeed in an increasingly complex and rapidly changing world. At AISL, we have made a commitment not only to keep up with change, but to anticipate it through an inquiry-based approach to learning.
The AISL 2011-2020 Strategic Map is aligned with a broader AISL 10 Year Strategic Plan and a more defined 3- year plan. The map serves as a blueprint that guides our response to a rapidly changing world through thoughtful and innovative actions to ensure that every student achieves his/her personal and academic potential. The map reflects our commitment to realizing our vision and our core values by articulating seven functional areas and 11 strategic goals defining what the school hopes to achieve. Below is the map:
Facilities Master Site Plan
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In April of 2016, the AISL Board of Directors adopted a 10-year Facilities Master Site Plan with a feasible project sequence that is responsive to 21st century teaching and learning. The plan provides a framework to guide feasible short term (1-3 years), medium term (4-6 years), and long term 7-10 years) facility development projects. The Facilities Master Plan provides a “road map” to guide the growth and improvement of the AISL physical plan in an effort to support program development in academics, athletics, the arts, and global citizenship
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25Acre Secure Purpose-Built Campus
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41Nationalities Represented
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1:8Teacher to Student Ratio
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60+Extra -curricular Opportunities
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500+AISL Students
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40+Parent workshops Annually
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1:1Laptop/ iPad Program
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100+Hours of Staff Training Annually
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