Set Your Child on the Path to Excellence Today

Kgololo Academy is a combined low-fee independent school. We currently serve 265 scholars across grades R-9. Over the next 3 years, Kgololo Academy will grow to serve grades R-12.

We Learn from Success

Our school is inspired by the success of the education reform movement in the US. Schools like KIPP and Uncommon have proven what is possible in low-income communities. For the past 20 years, their schools have served a similar population to ours and have increased the university graduation rate of their students to over 50% vs. 8% for students from similar demographics. We are building a school that leverages many of their effective practices in a way that is consistent with the South African context.

Driven Educators

Kgololo Academy puts prospective educators through a rigorous interview process designed to ensure that all scholars are taught by a qualified, compassionate, and driven educator who believes in the unlimited potential of ALL children. Kgololo Academy teachers are committed to excellence and make a promise to all families that they will do whatever it takes to ensure that all scholars succeed!

Strong School Culture

Scholars learn in a space where their voices, culture, language, values, and life experiences are valued by their peers and teachers.  In our learning space scholars are pushed to be critical thinkers and are challenged to recognize and address injustice in the world. 

Fees & Tuition

  • Annual Fees

    Grade 1 -7: R12 000

    Grade 8 -10: R15 600

  • Monthly Fees

    Grade 1-7: R1000 x 12 months
    Grade 8 -10: R1300 x 12 months

  • Registration

    Grade 1 to Grade 3 - R2000
    Grade 4 to Grade 9 - R2500

  • Application

    One Time Application Fee R500

NB: Kgololo Academy scholars are not required to purchase textbooks or stationery. Parents need only to purchase their own crayons, colour pencils, ink pens, pencils, and other supplies as needed for their children to use to complete homework.

 

Enroll at Kgololo Academy

To learn more about the enrolment process, complete the form and a member of our team will respond to share details about the process.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Yes, KA is registered with the Gauteng Department of Education and is subject to the same governmental regulations as any other independent school in South Africa.

  • Kgololo Academy is located in the Alexandra Township in Johannesburg, which is in the Gauteng Province.

  • Kgololo Academy was co-founded by Waahida Tolbert-Mbatha and Alexandra native, M.Thulani Mbatha.

  • Kgololo means to set free is Setswana. The name was chosen as the founders believe education can set you free.

  • Kgololo Academy is located in the Alexandra Township. We are located in the Alexandra Township as we believe that children should be able to access a world class education within their communities.

  • KA currently serves scholars in grades 1-7. Kgololo Academy will add a grade each year until it reaches grade 12.

  • Kgololo Academy’s mission is to provide scholars from the Alexandra Township with access to a world-class education at an accessible cost.

  • Parents interested in applying to KA should complete the contact form as the initial step. Parents should note that the application process consists of a short answer questionnaire where parents express why they are interested in KA, an interview with the parents, and parents have to get a recommendation from a community member that outlines the parent’s commitment to doing whatever it takes to ensure that their child succeeds.

  • Yes, families contribute 50% towards the cost of educating their children and the school engages the philanthropic community to raise the remaining 50%.

    School fees are R1300 per month for 12 months.

  • School fees are R1300 ($100.00) per month for 12 months.

    R15 600 ($1200) per annum

  • KA is intentional about engaging with parents. Kgololo Academy hosts frequent Parent Meetings, Parent Teacher Conferences, Math and Literacy events along with other social activities throughout the year. Parents are also engaged to serve as volunteers and there is parent representation on the Kgololo Academy Board.

  • The cost of fees include access to a staff who are committed to doing whatever it takes to ensure that children succeed. The cost also includes an extended school day (KA finishes at 15:00 while most schools finish at 13:30/14:00) and all scholars receive a healthy breakfast and lunch each day.

  • Kgololo Academy uses Common Core Curriculum, which is used in the US for Math and Literacy and uses CAPS (the South African Curriculum) for other subjects.

    KA uses Common Core for Math and Literacy as research suggests that it leads to better outcomes. KA ensures that all curriculum is adapted for the local SA context.

  • KA believes strongly that the educational programme must be driven by the community. KA recruits within the Alexandra Township and throughout the country for teachers eager to make an impact in the Alexandra Township.

  • KA has a school social worker who sees students, teachers, and parents as needed.

  • No, Kgololo Academy has one American founder, however, Kgololo Academy is a South African school designed with support from South Africans.

  • The goal is that students from Kgololo Academy are driven to be agents of change for South Africa. It is not our goal to push students to go abroad, however, if scholars have aspirations to do so, we will support them.

  • During COVID we used the following strategy to teach our scholars:

    -Teachers used WhatsApp to record themselves teaching the lessons for the day

    -Next, teachers sent a screenshot with an example/steps that students should take to complete the work

    -Teachers then sent the accompanying readings/problems sets for students

    -Students completed the work on their own paper

    -On the last day of the week, teachers gave students an assessment that covered the week’s work

    -Students sent screenshots of the work for the week

    -Teachers provide students with feedback

    In addition, students/parents send teachers private messages/voice notes when they don’t understand and teachers respond with a voice note and/or a written example to assist.