Our mission, Vision, & Values
Robb Warfield, Superintendent of DA Schools
Letter From the Superintendent
Welcome to Dakar Academy Schools — we’re glad you’re here! It won’t take long for you to discover what’s different about life at DA. From our teaching staff to our students, the diversity and character of our community has been an integral part of the Dakar scene for over 60 years. Our campus welcomes students from all walks of life, and there are over 50 different countries currently represented in our student body. As a Christian educational institution, our vision is to produce well-rounded students, prepared for university-level studies, whose Christian worldview permeates all aspects of their lives.
The heart of our mission as a school is captured in the phrase, So ALL Can Serve — and that “all” includes our students. We provide unique opportunities every year for our students to be involved in community service and outreach — right here in our neighborhood, in the city of Dakar, in more remote corners of Senegal and across West Africa.
You won’t find a more dedicated, caring teaching staff anywhere. Our teachers come to DA Schools because they WANT to be here — not because it’s easy or convenient! It’s not uncommon to find staff members playing a pickup game of basketball or court soccer with a group of students, chatting with students at picnic tables during lunch, or praying with and encouraging students who might be struggling.
Because at DA Schools, we’re more than just a learning community — we’re a family.
And that’s the Dakar Academy Difference.
So ALL Can Serve
Dakar Academy was established in 1961 in Hann Maristes by United World Mission to serve the educational needs of missionary families living and working in Senegal and other parts of West Africa.
Today, DA Schools welcome students from around the world with diverse backgrounds and experiences on multiple campuses. The heart of our mission is captured in the phrase, So All Can Serve — partnering in the advancement of the Kingdom of God by providing educational services for the children of Christian ministry workers. While these students are given enrollment priority at DA, our doors are open to students from all walks of life as space permits, regardless of faith background or Christian ministry involvement.
As a Christian educational institution, our vision is to produce well-rounded students, prepared for university-level studies, whose Christian worldview permeates all aspects of their lives. To that end, we strive to enable every child to:
CHOOSE CHRIST.
Take personal responsibility for his or her faith and choose to follow Christ.
GROW STRONG.
Grow strong in his or her spiritual walk.
KNOW TRUTH.
Have an overview of God’s word and be able to see where God is at work personally and in the world at large.
BE CHALLENGED.
Academically, physically, socially, spiritually and morally.
BE FLEXIBLE.
Integrate easily into a North American school system after leaving Dakar Academy.
BE READY.
Armed with necessary life skills for functioning as an adult after graduation.
Non-discrimination Statement
Dakar Academy will enroll students without regard to color, race, or ethnicity who either speak English as a native language or are able to obtain the Limited English Proficiency (LEP) level on the IDEA Oral Language Proficiency Test. LEP students are required to participate in DA's English Language Learners (ELL) program.