Nomination Process for the Grade 6 Residential Programme
Identification of Gifted Students for the Residential Programme at the Aga Khan Academies
The Aga Khan Academy, Mombasa, is the first of a network of Academies being established to provide exceptional students from all backgrounds with a world-class education in preparation for future leadership in all fields. The Academy recruits students from diverse socio-economic, ethnic and religious backgrounds and recognizes the importance of gender balance. The Academy was established in 2003 as a day school and became a national residential school in 2009, serving Mombasa-area students as well as students from across Kenya.
Aim
To identify highly motivated students who are in the top 10% of their peer cohort in terms of intellectual ability and who demonstrate exceptional leadership potential. These students should also be keen to participate fully in the life of a boarding-school community.
Objectives
To identify students who:
- are academically capable and highly self-motivated
- have exhibited leadership qualities through their involvement in extracurricular or community activities
- have well developed social skills and morally sound values
Students to be identified
The cohort will primarily be current Grade 6 students from private and government schools. The students will come to the Academy in Mombasa in January 2010 to participate in a Bridging Programme designed to support their academic and social adaptation to the Academy. Following the July-August holidays 2010, students will return to Mombasa to begin Grade 7. Grade 7 students at the Aga Khan Academy follow the Middle Years Programme (MYP) leading to the International Baccalaureate (IB) certificate. The IB is recognized for developing and enhancing students’ problem-solving skills and critical thinking ability, thus preparing them for success in university.
Number to be identified
The intake will comprise between 18-24 girls and boys who will join the Academy in January 2010. As part of the Bridging Programme, the new students will be included in the current Grade 6 classes; space has been planned for their arrival in the three Grade 6 sections. While many will have completed Grade 6 in the Kenyan system by the time they arrive at the Academy, their inclusion in Grade 6 will introduce them to the teaching approach of the International Baccalaureate programme and allow them to begin to get to know their classmates.
How to be considered for a place on the residential programme
The identification process is intended to be an inclusive process. To be considered for a place on the Grade 6 residential programme, the student must be nominated by the Headteacher of his/her current school. In preparing the nomination statement, Headteachers are expected to discuss the student’s academic achievements and involvement in co-curricular activities with the Grade 6/Standard 6 teachers. The Admissions Panel at the Academy respects and values the input of the Headteachers and the Grade 6/Standard 6 teachers. The Admissions Panel is really interested in learning how the student thinks. To gain an understanding of this, the student is asked to complete a questionnaire that is submitted along with the nomination form from the Headteacher.
Note: This process is only applicable to students who are in Grade 6/Standard 6 in August 2009.
Headteacher nomination form
A key goal of the Academies is to foster in students a leadership capacity that will enable them to make a significant contribution to their communities in the future. The Headteachers are requested to comment on aspects of leadership, sense of initiative and co-curricular involvement. In addition, they are asked to comment on the student’s self-motivation and inquisitiveness and other aspects that have contributed to the student’s academic success. The balance of academic or analytical abilities, practical aptitude, creative and interpersonal skills are important contributors to future leadership potential. The Headteachers are encouraged to provide evidence of these behavioural characteristics.
Student Questionnaire
The input of the nominated student is an important aspect of the admission process. This gives the Admissions Panel an early opportunity to assess students’ potential. All nominated students are expected to complete this in their own words. Students are given an opportunity to state what motivates them to learn, what they like learning about and why. There are also two open-ended questions to answer, for which there are no right or wrong answers. We are seeking to understand how nominated students think and view the world.
Student Reports
The students’ academic record and reports also play an important part of the initial screening process. The students should be in the top 10% of the grade level, attaining scores close to 400 in KCPE and either As and 6-7 in other examination systems. The Admission Panel will be looking for academic strength in both Mathematics and Languages (either English or Kiswahili).
How to make a nomination
Headteachers and individuals working with organizations that work with young adolescents are eligible to nominate students. Parents who recognize that their children satisfy the stated selection criteria (i.e academic strength, involvement in extra-curricular activities, leadership potential, sound moral values and the willingness to contribute to a residential programme) are welcome to join the nomination process by addressing a letter to the Dean of Admissions.
Please download the forms below. Pass the Headteacher Form to the Headteacher of the student’s current school for completion. Ask the student to complete the Student Questionnaire and return it to the Headteacher once completed. The Headteacher is kindly requested to return the Nomination form, the Student Questionnaire and two sets of school reports to:
The Dean of Admissions
The Aga Khan Academy
P.O Box 90066
Postal Code 80100
Mombasa
KENYA
or by email to paul.davis@akam.ac.ke
The closing date for the submission of nominations is 17th August 2009.
Please do not hesitate to contact the Dean of Admissions on +254 737696930 or on the given email address if you have any further questions regarding this nomination process:
Download 2009-2010 Headteacher Nomination
Download 2009-2010 Student Questionnaire
View Questions and Answers about the Residential Programme and the IB Curriculum
Review of nominations and Prescreening
The nomination forms, student questionnaire and student reports will be reviewed by the Admissions Panel. The Admissions Panel is comprised of teachers from the junior and secondary school, the Dean of Admissions and the Principal of the Senior School. Successful nominees shall be invited to undertake a pre-screening exercise at a venue near to their home. This will either be in Kisumu, Nairobi or Mombasa. The students will be asked to undertake verbal, non-verbal and mathematics assessments. Those students who meet the admissions requirements of the pre-screening exercise will be invited to the secondary screening at the Academy in Mombasa.
Secondary screening
Students who have performed well in the prescreening shall be invited to the Academy for secondary screening. The secondary screening aims to identify high-ability learning characteristics using a variety of assessment tools; it is the final stage of the selection process. A student’s performance at this stage and in previous assessments will determine whether the student is admitted into the Academy.
A parent/guardian will also be invited to accompany the student to the Academy at this time. This provides an opportunity to have a tour of the school facilities, meet with dorm parents, as well as class teachers and students.
The secondary screening takes place over two days in late September.
Assessments used in the Secondary screening
The assessments are designed to give students from all backgrounds an equal chance of success, irrespective of their socio-economic status, race or religious affiliation. All students undertake the same assessments; students cannot really prepare for these. The best preparation is to be well rested. There is a strong emphasis on problem solving ability, creativity and analytical thinking. The aim is to allow the students to tell the admissions panel what they know and how they learn.
Offer of a place on the residential programme
Students will be notified of the outcome of the selection process in October.
Financial Aid
Students who require financial aid to attend the Academy should submit a Financial Aid application directly to the Academy at the same time as the nomination is being submitted by the Headteacher.
