American International School of Johannesburg (Pretoria)

Since 2024, Michael Schooler, an American newly arrived in South Africa after two longish stints in leadership positions in Egypt and Ethiopia; head of school at Shutz American School (Alexandria) from 2018 and, previously, 11 years as head of

Currently around 260 pupils with a maximum capacity of 300. Pupils can start at any time, in any grade.

After grade 8, pupils move up to the high school on the Johannesburg campus, a good 50 minutes away by car, longer on the school bus. School bus network is extensive, offering a door-to-door service, but it’s an early start (pick up around 6.30am)

American common core standards form the basis of the curriculum here. From grade 1, pupils visit specialist teachers for PE, Spanish, music, art and library, while homeroom teachers cover language arts, maths, science and social studies, encompassing

A comprehensive learning support programme comes under the umbrella of ‘inclusion services’, which also includes language support and counselling. The lead counsellor is based in the Jo’burg campus but is regularly found here, with a team of learning

Children can join elementary and middle school with any level of English. ELL provision is offered through individual lessons (out of class) or with an ELL specialist giving extra help and attention alongside the class teacher.

Like everything else here, the art classrooms are enormous, bright and welcoming, and benefit from an attached outside space. We spot a grade 1 class busy working together to map out a picture of the Taj Mahal on the floor, a landmark chosen by the

For a relatively small school in terms of numbers, the campus is surprisingly spacious and facilities impressive. With an outdoor 25-meter, 6-lane pool, new multi-purpose hall, mini artificial football pitch, outdoor basketball court and lovely green

School does a 'great job' of integrating nationalities and races, and there are few issues with this young age group. A dedicated counsellor supports social and emotional issues, but teachers are also praised for their kindness and interest in

One parent claims (only half-jokingly), ‘Our campus has the parents who want to save the world, whereas the Johannesburg campus has the corporate types.’ Many families, especially diplomats, live in and around Waterkloof, near the Embassies and High

Fees are at the top end for international schools in South Africa, and one parent tells us, 'I don’t think I have met a single family that isn’t having the fees at least partially covered by their employer.' Head is keen to stress that they benchmark

A truly international and diverse school, with fantastic facilities, it’s the school of choice for many families of all nationalities in the diplomatic and NGO communities. The August start to the school year is the cherry on top as far as European