Ages 
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 and North American families are concerned.
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Overview
- Student numbers
- 220
- Curricula
- International
- American
- SEN provision
- Mainstream with SEN support
- Religion
- Non-denominational
- Fees
- US$ 20,026 / R 380,494 - US$ 31,210 / R 592,990. Fees can be paid in $US or ZAR
- Linked schools
Head of school
Director
Michael Schooler
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
Entrance
Not yet at capacity. Pupils can start at any time throughout the year, in any grade.
Exit
After grade 8, pupils move up to the high school on the Johannesburg campus, a good 40-50 minutes away by car, longer on the school bus. Bus network is extensive, offering a door-to-door service, but it’s an early start and a long day, especially for
Latest results
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Teaching & learning
American Common Core standards form the basis of the curriculum here. From grade 1, pupils visit specialist teachers for PE, French or Spanish, music, art and library, while homeroom teachers cover language arts, maths, science and social studies,
- Curricula & qualifications
- International - International Baccalaureate - PYP (candidate)
- American - Common Core (US)
- Bilingual programmes
- Other/English
Learning support & SEN
A comprehensive support programme for students with learning differences who can access the mainstream curriculum falls under ‘student support services’ or S3. The lead counsellor is based in the Jo’burg campus but is regularly found here, with a
Language support
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.
Arts & extracurricular
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
Sport
For a relatively small school in terms of numbers, the campus is surprisingly spacious and facilities impressive. With an outdoor 25-meter, six-lane pool, new multi-purpose hall, mini artificial football pitch, outdoor basketball court and lovely
Ethos & heritage
The Pretoria campus was founded in 2002 to meet demand from the huge diplomatic and NGO community in the city, the country’s administrative capital. Not surprisingly, almost a half of the children are American, many from the American Embassy, but
Pastoral care, inclusivity & discipline
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
Classroom & community
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
- School year
- August – June, with three terms
- School hours
- 7:40am – 2:50pm, 1:30pm on Wednesdays
- Student nationalities
- Almost 50% American, with 3-4% of students from UK, India, South Africa, Denmark, Sweden and Canada. 32% coming from other countries.
- Uniform requirements
- No
Money matters
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
- Annual fee range
- US$ 20,026 / R 380,494 - US$ 31,210 / R 592,990. Fees can be paid in $US or ZAR
- Fee information
- Application fee: registration fee US$ 240 / R 4,560.
New students pay: non-refundable deposit of US$ 2,600/R 49,400 offset against tuition fees.
For students joining from K through G12 there is also a non-refundable new student capital fee of US$ 11,025 / R 209,475.
Fees do not include lunch, extended trips or bus transport.
The last word
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
Accreditations, inspections & memberships
- Memberships
- ISASA
