Our Story
Our Philosophy: Why Cosaan?
At Cosaan International Academy, where 'Cosaan,' a word from the Wolof language, signifies roots, origin, and heritage, education begins not merely with knowledge, but with identity, consciousness, and purpose. Our curriculum is rooted in three foundational pillars: American Common Core Standards for academic rigor, Pan-African perspectives for identity and cultural strength, and Islamic values for character and discipline.
Our academic program is deliberately interdisciplinary and conceptually rigorous. Core subjects — mathematics, the sciences, social studies, and the humanities — are taught through a Pan-African lens that draws on the intellectual legacies of civilizations such as Ancient Kemet, the Mali Empire, and the Songhai Empire. Each lesson is designed as a dialogue between heritage and modernity, cultivating the ability to synthesize, critique, and innovate.
“Sunu Cosaan, Sunu Ëllëg — Our heritage, our future.”
Our mission extends beyond preparation for exams. It is a call to purpose. At Cosaan International Academy, students are not only scholars, but emerging thinkers, builders, and visionaries. They graduate with a deep awareness of who they are, an unshakable connection to their heritage, and the intellectual confidence to explore, shape, and lead the world.
Vision
To become the leading school network in Africa — nurturing brilliant minds rooted in Pan-African intellectual tradition, equipped with world-class academic skills, and ready to transform the continent and the world.
Mission
To deliver world-class education rooted in three pillars: American Common Core Standards for academic rigor, Pan-African perspectives for identity and cultural strength, and Islamic values for character and discipline — preparing every child to be a scholar, an ethical leader, and a global citizen.
Our Founders' Story
At Cosaan International Academy, our story begins not just as educators, but as parents. Like many families, we struggled to find a school that truly met the needs of our own children—one that combined strong academics, structure, and a global outlook without losing care, discipline, and intention. As American-trained educators with international teaching experience, we knew what was possible, yet we couldn't find a program that delivered it fully. So we made a decision: we would build the school we wished existed.
Our founders are also visionaries of Pan-African education. Through the Sunu Thiossane community, they have built an ecosystem dedicated to preserving and transmitting African cultural heritage. Cosaan International Academy is the natural culmination of this vision—a school where every African child can thrive in an environment that celebrates their roots while preparing them for the challenges of the modern world.
Cosaan was created to give children more than just an education—it was built to give them confidence, mastery, and the ability to thrive in any environment. Every lesson, every routine, and every expectation is designed with purpose, because we are not only shaping students—we are nurturing the same level of excellence and care we demand for our own children.
Our Core Values
Ubuntu
'I am because we are.' Community is at the heart of our educational approach.
Excellence
We pursue excellence in everything we do — from teaching to hospitality, from sports to the arts.
Integrity (Amanah)
Trust and honesty are the foundations of every relationship in our school community.
Innovation
Preparing children for tomorrow's world by integrating technology and creative thinking from the earliest age.
Cultural Pride
Every language, every tradition, every African story is a treasure to celebrate and transmit.
Global Stewardship
Rooted in Africa, open to the world — our students are responsible global citizens.
Our Journey
Sunu Thiossane Founded
Our founders launch Sunu Thiossane, a Pan-African cultural network.
The C.I.A. Vision
The idea for an international school is born from the needs of the Sunu Thiossane community.
Grand Opening
C.I.A. opens its doors in Dakar with 75 students, from Pre-K to Kindergarten.
K-12 Expansion
Progressive expansion into primary and secondary education.
Franchise Model
Deploying the C.I.A. model in other African cities.