Education and Schools in Angola
International schools in Luanda
All expat schools in Luanda are supported by the companies that founded them. Tuition is extremely high (up to 40,000 USD per annum) and is usually paid by the employing company. Expats moving to Angola with kids of school age must absolutely make sure that an allowance for education is included in their contract.
As a result of the limited number of schools for expat children, and further limits on the number of students per class, all schools have waiting lists, sometimes as long as two years. Do not accept an assignment to Luanda without first obtaining assurance of a space for your child in the school of your choice.Angolan law requires international schools to enrol both expats and local students - usually children of high government officials. Security is very tight at all schools, so safety need not be a concern.
Most expat parents seem to feel that the standard of education provided to students in early grades is "acceptable", but few would branch out and brag about any of the institutions. As there are very few students in high school in Angola, the standard of education seems to deteriorate among the higher grade levels. Furthermore, class choices and extra-curricular offerings are extremely limited. Many families choose boarding school in the USA or Europe to better prepare students for university.
Practicalities
School class rooms are air-conditioned, and there is a reasonable play/sports area. Electricity, water and Internet generally have good back-up systems, so they are usually reliable. Some schools offer cafeteria lunch, others end the day early so lunch is taken at home.
Finding qualified teachers willing to live and work in Luanda is a challenge for all schools. There are few local staff - but most teachers, like the students, are expats. The quality of education can be inconsistent because teachers change from year to year. Students and teachers alike have visa renewal issues, causing both to miss large blocks of school that can be difficult to make up.
Schools have limited extra-curricular activities. There are sports activities and swimming, but music and art offerings are limited. All schools except the Luanda International School (LIS) require that students wear uniforms.
LIS is a casual dress environment. The dress code for tops and bottoms is any solid colour of navy, white, tan or green khaki. No denim. No stripes, florals or plaids. No words or conspicuous logos. Any colour sock and closed shoe is allowed.Kids either go to school with the car and driver provided by their employer, or the sponsoring company provides a bus; schools in Angola do not have their own buses. For the companies that provide a bus from the compound, the expat moms take turns being "bus mom". Bus drivers in Angola rarely speak English, so for safety the company requires a mom on board to handle whatever comes up in English - kid lost their glasses, kid won't wear seatbelt, etc. The moms coordinate the "bus mom" schedule amongst themselves, and arrange a substitute themselves if something comes up when it's their turn.
Homeschooling in Angola
Homeschooling is an option if you bring curriculum with you. That said, Internet service at home is not reliable and textbooks and libraries do not exist outside of the schools.
List of International Schools in Luanda
Ecole/Lycee Francais de Luanda (French School)
http://www.lfluanda.net
Sex: Co-educational
Curriculum: French
Ages: 3 to 18
French company families (Total, Technip, etc.) have priority. Follows French school calendar. English is taught as a second language. Located in the city centre.
Escola Portuguesa de Luanda (Portuguese School)
www.epluanda.com
Sex: Co-educational
Curriculum: European and Southern African
Ages: 3 to 18
Brazilian and Portuguese families. English is taught as a second language. Follows European school calendar - not Brazilian calendar. Located in the city centre.
English School Community of Luanda Angola (ESCOLA)
www.escolaangola.org
Sex: Co-educational
Curriculum: European and Southern African
Ages: 3 to 13
Embassy and NGO families have priority. Follows American school calendar.
Pre-primary through elementary grades only. Located in the city centre.
Luanda International School (LIS)
www.lisluanda.com
Sex: Co-educational
Curriculum: Interational Baccalaureate and
Ages: 3 to 18
Founding companies (Exxon/Esso, BP, Chevron, Schlumberger, Halliburton) and embassy families have priority. Located in Luanda Sul.
