Set Your Child on the Path to Excellence Today

Kgololo Academy is an independent school proudly located in Alexandra. We provide learners with access to a world-class education at an accessible cost.

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 decades, these 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

    Grades R-3: R13 320

    Grades 4-6: R14 520

    Grae 7: R16 920

  • Monthly Fees

    Grades R-3: R1110 x 12

    Grades 4-6: R1210 x 12

    Grades 7- R1410 x 12

  • Registration

    Grades R-3: R2500

    Grades 4-7: R3000

  • Application Fee

    One Time Application Fee: R750

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.

 

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 R-7.

  • 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%.

  • 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).

  • 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.