Get Ahead Schools

HISTORY

Get Ahead Schools was established in 1992 under the Get Ahead Project Trust (NPO 033-051, PBO 130002093) with a bold vision: to give black, Xhosa-speaking preschool children in Komani (formerly Queenstown), Eastern Cape, the chance to “get ahead” in life by accessing quality English-medium education. What began as a single preschool class of 26 children has grown, through community demand and trust, into a network of three low-fee, independent schools – two primary schools and one high school – collectively serving over 1,100 students from Grade 0 to Grade 12.

Our schools are located in Komani and Whittlesea, deeply rural towns in the Eastern Cape. The region is one of South Africa’s poorest, marked by high unemployment, poverty and limited access to quality education. Despite this, Get Ahead has consistently delivered strong results, becoming a beacon of opportunity and hope in the community.

MISSION AND GOALS

Our mission is to prepare students for a rapidly changing world by:

• Creating an environment that fosters innovation, creativity, resilience, and adaptability.
• Empowering students to become independent, responsible citizens and future leaders.
• Cultivating entrepreneurial mindsets, encouraging critical thinking and problem-solving.
• Recruiting, investing in, and retaining a diverse team of dedicated educators and professionals.

Our overarching goal is simple yet transformative: to break cycles of poverty and inequality by equipping young people with the education, values and skills to thrive in higher education, employment and society.

CORE FOCUS AREAS:

1. ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE

We offer a fully integrated academic programme that is externally benchmarked, orientated towards the Independent Examinations Board (IEB) in all grades, and offers both academic excellence and dedicated academic support. We follow South Africa’s CAPS curriculum across our primary schools, while our high school, Get Ahead College, offers the IEB qualification – the only IEB school within a 200km radius. This internationally recognized credential ensures our students gain access to top universities and future career pathways. With a consistent matric pass rate above the provincial and national average (91% in 2024), our results prove the impact of our approach.

2. DIGITAL ACCESS

We embrace technology as an enabler: we use technology to bring the world to Komani, and take Komani to the world. Recognizing the digital divide in our communities, we invested in laying private internet fibre to our campuses in 2023/24. Today, all three campuses have stable Wi-Fi, ensuring students and teachers can integrate digital learning daily. Many of our students do not have computers or connectivity at home, so this access is critical for leveling the playing field.

3. STUDENT WELLBEING

Every child feels worthy and validated, and staff flourish in an environment that is empowering and positively challenging. Families feel a connectedness to the supportive environment of the school. We employ a full-time, qualified social worker who provides counselling, intervention programmes and referral support. This role is vital in communities where abuse, poverty and family instability are common. Our wellbeing programme addresses not just academic but also emotional and social development, ensuring holistic support.

4. SCHOLARSHIPS AND ACCESS

For over 15 years, the Get Ahead College Scholarship Programme has offered academically gifted but financially disadvantaged students access to quality education. Covering 75% of tuition (with families contributing 25%), the programme combines financial assistance with mentorship, counselling, and, when needed, discretionary support such as uniforms, food or medical care. In 2025, 37 students benefitted from full or partial scholarships.

PAST AND RECENT ACHIEVEMENTS (2021 to 2025):

Scholarship Programme: 37 full and partial scholarships funded by local and international donors and LiftEd Canada.

Student Wellbeing Programme: Expanded counselling and intervention services for at-risk students.

Digital Fibre Installation: A 7.5km fibre line project, ensuring digital access across campuses.

Solar Power Installation: Installing solar systems across all campuses, ensuring uninterrupted teaching and reducing operational costs.

These projects reflect our commitment to innovation, resilience and sustainability in the face of South Africa’s systemic challenges.

CURRENT ACTIVITIES

Delivering CAPS and IEB curricula across three campuses.

Offering comprehensive extra-curricular activities, including sports, debating, arts and cultural programmes.

Running professional development workshops for teachers.

Maintaining strong partnerships with local and international organizations, including LiftEd Canada, Branksome Hall, Twizza and the Queenstown Education Foundation.

Expanding scholarship support for high-potential students in need.

Hosting community outreach initiatives such as blood drives and support for local old-age homes.

FUTURE PLANS

Looking ahead, Get Ahead Schools aims to:

Expand the Scholarship Programme to support more students, ensuring access for those who would otherwise be excluded due to poverty.

Develop a middle-school programme enabling students with IT, coding and robotic skills.

Strengthen wellbeing services by expanding our counselling programme and building capacity to address mental health challenges among youth.

Deepen sustainability efforts by further reducing operational costs through green energy initiatives and diversifying funding streams.

Grow partnerships locally and internationally to bring additional expertise, resources, and opportunities to our students.

IMPACT AND VISION

Every student at Get Ahead Schools represents more than just an individual success – they represent a family, a household and a community being uplifted. We celebrate graduates who go on to study medicine, engineering, law, and education at top universities in South Africa. We also celebrate those who build successful businesses, trades or become nurturing parents. This diversity of outcomes reflects the true measure of our success: preparing young people to thrive in whichever path they choose.

Our vision is for every child in our community to have access to quality education, regardless of their background. With continued support, we aim to expand opportunities for students, strengthen our capacity and remain a model of excellence and hope in the Eastern Cape.