Search Assists New Director Appointment in Mali

The worldwide search for the next Head of the American International School of Bamako (AISB) in Bamako, Mali has been fulfilled. Senior Associate Ralph Jahr announced that the Search Committee and AISB Board of Directors have appointed Mr. Brad Waugh as new Director, beginning August of 2015.

Mr. Waugh’s career in international education has certainly taken him to exotic places. Currently he is the Secondary School Principal of Lincoln School in Kathmandu, Nepal, a position he has held since 2011. Prior to that, he was K-12 Principal at Khartoum American School and taught math and science at the American School of Kinshasa, at Cochabamba Cooperative School in Bolivia, and in Ontario, Canada.

The American International School of Bamako (AISB), established in 1977, is an independent, coeducational, private day school which offers a full U.S. educational program from pre-kindergarten (Pre-K) through grade 12. Currently, 160 students of more than 30 different nationalities follow a US Common Core curriculum designed to prepare students for a university-level education. High school students have the opportunity to take Advanced Placement (AP) exams. While the language of instruction is English, all students also learn French.

Ralph praises,

“The school is one of the up and coming schools in Africa, and I believe it has a bright future.”

AISB, seated on twelve beautifully-landscaped green acres overlooking the Niger River, is occupied by spacious classrooms, athletic fields, and playgrounds. A secondary wing displays two science labs and student lounge areas, two computer labs, the library, and performing and visual arts facilities. Wireless internet access runs throughout the building for easy accessibility to the worldwide web by all students and faculty. AISB is making plans to expand in the future to offer more recreational activities for the students. Plans to construct teacher housing and a swimming pool are in development. AISB also operates a satellite campus in Sadiola, Mali for the AngloGold mining company.

AISB is proud to have a diverse faculty, including a full-time director and 20 teachers with university degrees and teaching certificates from various countries around the world.

It is also fully accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSA) and approved by the Department of Defence Dependents Schools (DoDDS).

Mr. Waugh says,

“I see AISB as a vibrant, student-centered school with its heart in the right place, and it is with great pleasure that I look forward to joining AISB on its journey next year.”

Search Associates congratulates Brad on his new adventure at AISB, knowing the defining impact he will have on the continued success of the school. We also look forward to a long working relationship with AISB as one of our member schools.