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Week Day Tours of the Academy
Official Academy tours of the campus occur each week day starting at 10.00am. Please report to the main Reception area before the departure time. All welcome.
Aga Khan Academy students making a difference
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Year One Open Day
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International Artistic Recognition for Aga Khan Academy Mombasa Student
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The Aga Khan Academy, Mombasa has been awarded IB Status by the International Body
Questions and Answers about the Residential Programme and the IB Curriculum
What is the fee structure?
The fees for 2009-2010 are as follows:
| Residential (Tuition & Boarding) | Proposed Residential School Fees | Fees/Terms Outside Africa (US$) |
Annual (Ksh) Africa only |
Annual (US$) Oustide Africa |
| Grade 7 | 165,000 | 3,250 | 495,000 | 9,750 |
| Grade 8 | 190,000 | 3,750 | 570,000 | 11,250 |
| Grade 12 | 240,000 | 4,800 | 720,000 | 14,400 |
| Grade 13 | 240,000 | 4,800 | 720,000 | 14,400 |
These are extremely competitive compared with those of other residential programmes within Kenya.
What is not included within the fee structure?
The following items are not included within the fee structure:
- Examination fees
- The cost of transport home and back to the Academy at the end of each term
- Any postage costs for university applications etc
What is the IB?
The International Baccalaureate (IB) is a non profit educational organization that strives to develop “inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect.”
What is the IB programme?
The IB Program is an internationally-recognized programme established in 1968 and noted for its depth and challenging curriculum. The programme is comprised of the Primary Years Programme (PYP) for grades 1-6, The Middle Years Programme (MYP) for grades 7-10 and the Diploma Programme (DP) for grades 11 and 12. The programme requires students to participate in the learning process by asking questions, exploring, investigating and participating in hands on learning exercises.
How does the IB system differ from other systems?
In other systems the focus is primarily on academic subjects whereas the IB has a much more holistic approach to education in that it encompasses other areas such as community service and how a student learns or analyzes his/her work. The IB curriculum places a lot of emphasis on child-centred learning and an enquiry approach whereby students are encouraged to conduct their own research. The students learn content as well.
The IB curriculum ensures that students receive a broad education. Students do not need to specialize in subject areas at a very young age, thus allowing them to keep their options open in terms of career and university choices. The programme still allows students to have specialized study in particular areas of interest to them and their future career plans. The IB academic training provides students with the skills and opportunities to enable them to succeed in the changing world of employment.
How is the Academy different from other schools?
There is a strong emphasis on leadership within the whole school. Children are encouraged to take up leadership positions within the school from a very young age. This might take the form of standing for the Student Representative Council or helping to organize the house swim team. Children are nurtured to assume these responsibility positions and learn from these experiences.
In addition, there are strands that have been developed in the academic curriculum. The school utilizes the Rubicon Atlas to plan the curriculum and develop these strands at suitable stages within the curriculum and the academic year. These strands consist of important themes such as good governance, pluralism, ethics, global economics and the respect and appreciation of other religions and cultures.
Is this examination recognized by external sources throughout the world?
The IB course is recognized worldwide as an excellent preparation for university education. In the Diploma Programme the students undertake their own personal enquiry in the form of an extended essay. This is not unlike a mini dissertation that would be the ultimate piece of work in a degree or post-degree qualification.
These important additions to the curriculum as well as its independent nature are considered to be very valuable for further education. IB World Schools score highly in a range of criteria:
- 92% of University Education Officers believe they encourage independent inquiry
- 88% say they help develop an ability to cope with pressure and maintain an open mind
- 80% say they encourage creativity
In the USA and Canada, the qualification can enable a student to be considered for advanced standing.
What is the difference in teaching between the residential and day school?
Day students and boarders follow the same academic programme. At the end of the day the day students go home. The residential students remain and do their own study, receive academic support etc.. The residential students also enjoy a programme of special outings and other weekend opportunities, including facilitating their participation in their faith communities.
What challenges do the students face if they were to join grade 6?The approach to learning will be very different - e.g in English they may be asked to write summaries of a text, to analyse stories and to compare characters that they have learnt about. In maths they will be expected to undertake problem solving and develop thinking strategies that may be unfamiliar to them.
All of the students who join the grade 6 residential programme would be in the same situation - ones form the KCPE system and those joining from the international systems would be at the same starting point. The Bridging Programme exists to prepare them for the style of delivery in the IB system and the language that will be used.
If a student comes from the IGCSE system or Kenyan system how easily do they adapt to the IB system?
There have been a number of new students who had adapted very well despite having come from different courses prior to the Academy.
Are you confident that the MYP will prepare students for the Diploma programme?
The MYP is currently being taught to grades 7 and 8 students. The teachers already have two years teaching experience in this progamme. The teachers have also undergone considerable training to prepare them for the delivery of this programme.
What is the ratio of students to teaching staff?
The ratio of students to teachers is a very favourable at 6.8 :1
Are all the teachers at the senior school graduates?
All senior school teachers are university graduates. They have also received considerable training in terms of the MYP and IB and, in the case of dorm parents, training for that role.
What are the connections with universites? Sometimes students are just left alone to apply? Will this happen?
Links are being established with universities to ensure that the students are well prepared for their university applications. Two staff oversee the university application process and guide students through the process.
What reassurances can you give parents who want to send their children to the other part of Kenya that may be unfamiliar to them?There will be a strong link between the dorm parents and the parents to ensure that parents are kept informed of the students’ performance and personal growth. The dorm parents are also full-time teaching staff. This enables the students to be helped with their academic work in the evenings. Dorm parents live on the same floor as the students. This ensures that the students are closely monitored. Some degree of home sickness is normal initially, and the Academy does all it can to support students as they adapt to their new surroundings. The campus is very safe.
How does the school combat bullying?
Bullying has no place at the Aga Khan Academy. The Academy has high expectations of all, academically and personally. When offences occur, a meshed approach is used to counter the problem. This incorporates awareness and punishment, as appropriate. Other students who observe bullying are expected and encouraged to intervene.
Do you have Parent Weekends?
There will be two Parents’ Weekends, one at the end of the first term and the other at the end of the third term. There are also other opportunities for visits as well.
Is sport compulsory?
There is compulsory sports in the main curriculum, and students have a choice to participate in extra-curricular sporting activities.
