# Abidjan Classical High School

The Lycée Classique d'Abidjan (LCA) is a public secondary school in Côte d'Ivoire located in the Cocody district. This lycée is renowned throughout Côte d'Ivoire and the sub-region for the quality of its teaching and the level of its students. It is one of the prestigious lycées, along with the École militaire préparatoire technique (EMPT) in Bingerville, the Lycée Classique de Bouaké, the Lycée Sainte-Marie d'Abidjan, and the Lycée Scientifique de Yamoussoukro.

## History

The lycée was created and opened during the 1945–1946 school year under the name Protestant Secondary School of Abidjan, which quickly evolved to become the "Lycée Classique d'Abidjan." Pierre Paris, the first principal, insisted that it be open to young Africans from French West Africa, as originally it was reserved for Europeans.
Initially located in the premises of the current Collège Moderne in Le Plateau, the administrative and commercial center of Abidjan, it was later moved to its current site in Cocody under the name Collège Classique d'Abidjan. It became Lycée Classique d'Abidjan in 1966 with classes ranging from the fourth year to the final year. From 1969 onwards, it adopted its current structure with classes from the second year to the final year.
The Lycée Classique d'Abidjan was managed by French technical assistants from 1945 to 1970, and thereafter exclusively by Ivorian nationals.

## Evolution of the type of education offered

* 1946-1947: Secondary School of Abidjan from 6th to 2nd year
* 1947-1949: Classical School of Abidjan from 6th to 1st year
* 1950-1953/1954: Classical School of Abidjan from 6th to final year
* 1955-1966/1967: Lycée Classique d'Abidjan from 4th to final year
* 1968-1969: Lycée Classique d'Abidjan from 3rd to final year
* Since 1970: Lycée Classique d'Abidjan from 2nd to final year

## Environment and studies at the lycée

The lycée accommodates around 4,000 students each year and is known for the rigor of its teaching and its teachers. The lycée has around 80 classes, including 72 functional ones, 2 large fields, and numerous playgrounds.
In terms of infrastructure, the Lycée Classique d'Abidjan is built on an area of about ten hectares and has 9 buildings. It has 21 offices for administrative and supervisory staff, an archive room, a non-functional documentation and information center (CDI), a computer room, a multimedia room donated by MTN, 2 teachers' rooms, an infirmary, 2 large football fields, 3 basketball courts, 2 handball courts, 2 volleyball courts, and numerous playgrounds.
Each year, the lycée's results are significantly above the national average, mainly due to the selection process for entry into the school. The Lycée Classique d'Abidjan, with its tradition of excellence, is known for having educated many of the country's leaders.
The students of the Lycée Classique are commonly called "caïmans."

## Notable alumni

* Charles Blé Goudé
* Isaach de Bankolé
* Jean-Jacques Béchio
* Freeze Corleone
* GauZ'
* Simone Gbagbo
* Laurent Gbagbo
* Daniel Kablan Duncan
* Amadou Koné
* Kouassi Kouamé Patrice
* Philippe Lacôte
* Philippe Mangou
* Tidjane Thiam
* Francis Wodié
* Tidjane Thiam

## Notable faculty

* Laurent Gbagbo
* Jean-Marie Adiaffi
* Hubertine Rose Éholie
* Joachim Bony

## Principals since 1945

* 1945-1954: Pierre Paris (French)
* 1954-1959: André Chotard (French)
* 1959-1961: Jean Carnet (French)
* 1961-1963: Antoine Gioud (French)
* 1963-1964: Maurice Thomas (French)
* 1964-1970: Roland Ltreyte (French)
* 1970-1972: Mory Doumbia (Ivorian)
* 1972-1973: Noël K. N'Guessan (Ivorian)
* 1973-1977: Joachim Koffi (Ivorian)
* 1977-1979: N'gbala N'Guessan (Ivorian)
* 1979-1981: Assana Sarr (Ivorian)
* 1981-1983: Rémy Soro Tiorna (Ivorian)
* 1983-1985: Souleymane Sall (Ivorian)
* 1985-March 1990: Jean L. Beugregbo (Ivorian)
* March 1990-December 1990: Kouassi Kan Ekra (Ivorian)
* 1991-1994: Adé Louis Diolori (Ivorian)
* 1994-2002: Dorcas Adou (Ivorian)
* 2002-2005: Djidja Tayou (Ivorian)
* 2005-2009: Lassinan Sylla (Ivorian)
* 2009-2011: Albert Bosson Kouamenan (Ivorian)
* 2011-2020: Alain-Victor Kone (Ivorian)
* 2020–present: Jean-Baptiste N'Dja Kolé (Ivorian)