Our school program is based on Charlotte Mason's philosophy and approach to education and on Dr Maria Montessori's scientific study of the growth phases of the child. Both approaches emphasize kindness, disciplined self-motivation, a love of learning, and a passion for nature. The subjects include Mathematics, Social Sciences (Geography and History), Natural Science & Biology, English (including Literature and Poetry) and conversational Afrikaans. (Senior students have the option to study different languages.) We use various resources, including what we call "living books” - the kind of books you love to pour over and read with enthusiasm.
We also do music, movement, and art. In these subjects, we have loads of fun while developing our creativity along with some knowledge and skills. Charlotte Mason encouraged children to spend as much time as possible outdoors. The students have Physical Education once a week, but we also incorporate additional outside time for games and free play, and our school activities and curricula are proactive in encouraging this. For practical life skills, the students learn to prepare healthy meals and spend time gardening.
1. British educator Charlotte Mason’s inspired use of Living Books and Living Subjects; including Mathematics, Natural Science, Biology, English, Nature Study, Music, Art Appreciation, movement, and outdoor learning. Since the early 1900s, tens of thousands of home-schoolers worldwide have used her methods.
2. Italian physician and pedagogue Dr Maria Montessori’s developmental stages of childhood. Her work is internationally celebrated and used by thousands of schools. Her approach promotes self-sufficiency, including cooking, cleaning, sewing, woodwork, basic repairs and maintenance. She emphasized “hands-on” and tactical learning in the classroom.
3. Finnish Education – Since the 1970s, the Finnish system has been considered one of the top schooling systems in the world. Their approach is characterized by small classrooms for individual attention, a relaxed environment, minimal homework, and hands-on practical skills. There is also less standardized testing and more time for extra-curricular activities. our overall approach is similar.
4. IXL – A USA-originated website used by over 16 million students in schools & homeschools, which encourages critical thinking. We use IXL for practice and mastery from Grade 4 to high school, especially for Mathematics and English Language. It has a vast number of lessons, videos, and exercises to help students master specific skills. With IXL, teachers can work out a personalized set of goals for each student, depending on the individual’s needs and skill levels.
The IXL exercises support the class lessons and supply additional opportunities for mastery. What is more, the exercises are designed in such a way as to promote critical thinking (instead of rote learning or regurgitation of information). This is the ideal system to prepare the students for their final GED exam.
5. GED – The General Education Diploma – recognized by over 85 countries including South Africa. The GED® Testing Service is a joint venture between the American Council on Education and Pearson, a leading global education company. Over 20 million GED® graduates around the world have gone on to attend university in the U.S. and other countries. Students can start the GED preparation by the age of sixteen but can only sit for the exams from the age of seventeen. Students only do this when they are ready for each subject on a day and date that suits them.
Additional Information
Our school follows a four-term structure. We start school at 8 am in summer (first and last terms) and 8.30 in winter (second and third terms). The school day ends at 2 pm year-round. All pupils are registered by us with the Department of Education in the Western Cape.
We take the stress out of education and focus on learning to:
LIVE healthy
Love to LEARN
Learn to LEAD
Live, Learn, Lead!
Our senior classes are given more time and space for creative and life skills-focused projects. Throughout their high school career, our students will have the opportunity to learn the following life skills:
how to grow their own food
how to make their own compost
how to cook healthy, nutritious meals
basic sewing skills
how to create a personal brand
how to start a business
how to develop a website and app
and much more!
We truly believe that through these projects, our students will discover their purpose and passion and improve their self-esteem as they realize how capable they are of taking care of themselves and contributing positively to the world.