INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY SCHOOL OF ABIDJAN INC

What INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY SCHOOL OF ABIDJAN INC does

International Community School of Abidjan (ICSA) is a nonprofit international school founded in 1972 by diplomatic families associated with the US Embassy in Côte d'Ivoire. Operating under Ivorian law through the International Community School of Abidjan Association, the school serves approximately 500-560 students from over 85 nationalities, with 57 educators (61% holding advanced degrees) drawn from 15-30 countries and a 1:8 student-teacher ratio. The school delivers an American-style curriculum through the International Baccalaureate continuum: authorized PYP (Pre-K to Grade 5), MYP candidacy (Grades 6-10), and fully authorized DP (Grades 11-12 since 2016), supplemented by Middle States Association accreditation and college counseling integrated with BridgeU, Unifrog, CommonApp, and UCAS.

The school's core technology infrastructure is built on third-party SaaS platforms rather than proprietary systems: OpenApply for admissions, Follett Destiny for library management (17,000+ resources), a 1:1 Chromebook program for Grades 6-12, and integration with WIDA for English language learner assessment. Co-curricular programming includes approximately 75 clubs and competitive athletics through the WAISAL league. The campus is a 5.3-hectare purpose-built facility in Riviera 3, Abidjan (relocated in 2013, renovated in 2025), featuring an Olympic-sized swimming pool, modern classrooms, and outdoor learning spaces.

Revenue is generated primarily from tuition fees structured by grade level ($14,005 for Pre-K to $28,562 for Grades 11-12), with additional recurring registration fees ($1,200/year), one-time capital development fees ($9,000), and enrollment fees. ICSA operates a direct-to-consumer admissions model through rolling enrollment, targeting expatriate families, diplomatic families (representing the founding community), and Ivorian host-country families. A modest annual grant from the US government supplements fee revenue. The school is governed by a nine-member Board of Directors and receives additional support from active parent associations.

Name

INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY SCHOOL OF ABIDJAN INC

Legal name

International Community School of Abidjan Association

Website

https://icsabidjan.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1972

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

International Community School of Abidjan is a nonprofit international school founded in 1972, serving approximately 500-560 students from 85+ nationalities through an American-style curriculum and IB continuum (PYP, MYP, DP) in Côte d'Ivoire's financial capital.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

International K-12 School Services

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Elementary and Secondary Schools (611110)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

International/Global Curriculum Schools (IB, Cambridge, etc.) (EDAJABAG)

Keywords

• International school education
• IB Diploma Programme
• K-12 education services
• American curriculum school
• Multicultural learning environment

Headquarters

HQ city

PRINCETON, New Jersey

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Tuition Fees: Annual tuition fees charged per student based on grade level, ranging from Pre-K ($14,005) to Grade 11-12 ($28,562). Payment options include annual or bi-annual installments. Additional fees for IB program in Grade 11.
2. Capital Development Fee: One-time $9,000 capital development fee upon entering the school, contributing to campus infrastructure and facilities.
3. Registration Fee: $1,200 annual registration fee paid yearly to reserve a place for the student.
4. Enrollment Fee: $100 for first student, $50 per sibling for enrollment processing.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

ICSA is a nonprofit international school offering an American-style curriculum delivered through the full IB continuum (PYP, MYP, DP) for students from Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12. The school provides inquiry-based learning, English/French/Spanish language instruction, ELL and learning support services, college counseling, and ~70 co-curricular activities on a modern 5.3-hectare campus in Abidjan.

Product overview

ICSA is a nonprofit international school offering a unified American-style curriculum delivered through the IB continuum. The school provides three integrated IB programmes: Primary Years Programme (PYP - authorized, Pre-K to Grade 5), Middle Years Programme (MYP - candidacy phase, Grades 6-10), and Diploma Programme (DP - authorized since 2015, Grades 11-12). These programmes are supported by comprehensive learning support services including ELL, counseling, and learning support. The school supplements academic programmes with co-curricular athletics (WAISAL league), aquatics, approximately 75 clubs and activities, and a robust community engagement/service learning programme. Students graduate with an American high school diploma and/or IB Diploma, with college counseling supporting university placement through BridgeU, Unifrog, CommonApp, and UCAS platforms.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (PYP)
• International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (MYP)
• International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (DP)
• Learning Support Services
• English Language Learner (ELL) Program
• College Counseling Program
• Co-Curricular Athletics and Activities (CCA)
• ICSA Aquatics Program
• Library Services
• Community Engagement Program

Quantifiable outcome

• 80% of Grade 11-12 students undertake the IB Diploma Programme
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers16 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• West Africa International Schools Activities League (WAISAL)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerICSA is a member of WAISAL, participating in competitive athletics including basketball, football, volleyball, swimming, as well as academic competitions like robotics, MathCounts, and WAISAL Band. Member schools include American International School of Lagos, Lincoln Community School, International School of Dakar, and others across West Africa.
• International Baccalaureate (IB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerICSA is an authorized IB World School for Primary Years Programme (PYP), candidate school for Middle Years Programme (MYP), and fully authorized for Diploma Programme (DP) since 2016. Follows IB continuum of inquiry-based learning.
• Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerICSA is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (USA), ensuring globally recognized educational standards.
• ServairminorOthersInternational catering company providing on-site meal preparation for ICSA's cafeteria. Offers diverse menu from over 100 recipes featuring American, European, and Asian cuisine options.
• BridgeUcoreTechnology or IntegrationCollege counseling platform used by ICSA to assist students in university search and application process. Integrated with other platforms including Unifrog, CommonApp, and UCAS.
• UnifrogcoreTechnology or IntegrationUniversity application platform used for college counseling, supporting students in researching and applying to universities globally.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• International School of Dakar: Dakar, Senegal-based nonprofit international school offering IB continuum to a similarly sized multinational student body. Direct peer within WAISAL and AISA, targeting expatriate and diplomatic families across West Africa.
• American International School of Abuja: Abuja-based American international school with IB programs serving diplomatic (including US Embassy) and expatriate families. Comparable model, accreditation profile (MSA), and tuition positioning to ICSA in the West African market.
• International School of Ouagadougou: Ouagadougou-based international school serving francophone West African diplomatic families. Comparable IB continuum and American/English-language instruction model targeting expatriate community.
• Lincoln Community School: Accra, Ghana-based nonprofit international school offering IB PYP, MYP, and DP, also serving diplomatic and expatriate families in West Africa. Direct peer within WAISAL athletics and AISA, with a comparable tuition tier and IB continuum offering.
• American International School of Lagos: Lagos-based international school serving expatriate and diplomatic families in West Africa with American-style curriculum and IB programs. Direct peer in WAISAL league competitions and an analogous market positioning to ICSA.
• International Community School of Accra: Accra-based international school with the same 'International Community School' brand and similar mission serving diplomatic families in West Africa. Direct peer in mission, curriculum approach, and target customer.
• British International School of Abidjan: Local Abidjan competitor offering British curriculum and IGCSE/A-Levels to the same expatriate and diplomatic community. Direct peer by geography, competing for the same family demographic in the Côte d'Ivoire international school market.

Others

• International Baccalaureate Organization: Geneva-based organization that authorizes and governs the IB continuum (PYP, MYP, DP) that ICSA delivers. Not a commercial peer, but the central enabling institution for ICSA's core curriculum offering and authorization status.
• Association of International Schools in Africa (AISA): Professional membership organization for international schools across Africa of which ICSA is a member. Adjacent peer in ecosystem terms — provides professional development, advocacy, and collaboration that shape ICSA's operating environment.

Regional players

• American School of Kinshasa: Kinshasa-based American international school serving the diplomatic and expatriate community in francophone Africa. Comparable IB/American curriculum model but located in a different Central African market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@communicationicsa8369
• Facebookfacebook.com/p/icsa-abidjan-100014427633426
• Instagraminstagram.com/icsabidjan?igsh=YzljYTk1ODg3Zg==
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/international-community-school-of-abidjan-inc

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY SCHOOL OF ABIDJAN INC