JOHANNESBURG SOUTH – As the year 2015 fast approaches, the urgency of finding a school that offers high quality education is growing for parents in the South of Johannesburg.
Admission into public schools continues to be a challenge for many, and private schools are often too expensive or too far away.
Pioneer Academies has been started by a group of local and international educators to address that need for world-class affordable private schools in South Africa, and they are opening a flagship school in the South of Johannesburg, Pioneer Academy in Ormonde.
Pioneer Academies’ educational model is designed with an eye to the future: preparing students not just to qualify for university, but for success once there and in 21st century life beyond school.
This means emphasising students’ holistic development, including academic rigour, problem-solving, leadership, service and character development.
Pioneer also offers a redesigned teaching and learning model that sees each learner being supported by a team of teachers, as opposed to a standard classroom setup, where one teacher is responsible for a class of learners.
This student-centered approach enables highly individualised attention for learners, and constant collaboration among staff and students.
It also matches every student with a faculty member, who acts as their Personal Development Coach, ensuring they are challenged and supported across academic and non-academic developmental areas.
Pioneer Academy Ormonde will use the locally and internationally recognised Cambridge curriculum.
On Saturday September 6, The school held an Open Day, where parents and learners were able to tour the tranquil school premises and view the facilities for 2015.
Visitors were welcomed by the Head of School, Gavin Esterhuizen, who has held school leadership and teaching positions in prominent schools in South Africa and the United Kingdom. Parents also met teaching staff who further elaborated on the learning model.
Pioneer Academy Ormonde opens in January of 2015, with grades R, one, and two in its primary school, and grades seven and eight in its secondary school. It will thereafter expand to additional grades each year, to ultimately offer all grades.
The school will offer extra-curricular activities, aftercare, meal plans and transport services to high demand areas in and around Johannesburg South.
Student applications are open, including for a limited number of merit-based scholarships.
Staff members are also available at Pioneer Academy Ormonde to meet parents on Wednesdays between 15:00 and 17:00.
The school can be contacted on 011 496 1201 or through learn@pioneeracademies.com.
More information can be received by visiting the school’s website at www.pioneeracademies.co.za
