Curriculum Information

Grades RR - 7 (Foundation Phase and Intermediate Phase)

In Foundation Phase and Intermediate Phase, students follow a blended curriculum of CAPS and American Common Core. These grades are taught by their base class teachers, with Afrikaans being taught from Grade 1 onwards by dedicated Afrikaans teachers. Coding and Robotics is also taught from Grade R to Grade 7 by a qualified instructor.

From Grade 8, students are able to choose one of 3 curriculums: CAPS, GED, or American Highschool Diploma.

CAPS

Learners who are wanting to complete a CAPS Matric use the Think Digital platform (https://za.thinkdigitalacademy.org/).  Think Digital is a registered curriculum provider.  They use an Online Platform that presents the curriculum and examinations based on the CAPS curriculum used in South African schools.  Their final examinations are written at a registered examination venue and they receive a National Senior Certificate at completion.  The NBT (National Benchmark Test) may be a requirement for university.

Advantages

·       Well known and accepted in South Africa

·       Simplest path to South African universities for learners who are wanting to pursue an academic career

·       30%/40% pass rate.  50% is a bachelors pass

·       Easy transition from mainstream schools and back again

·       All exams are online for grade 8 and 9.  From 10 – 12, all mid-year and end-year exams are written under strict exam conditions

·       Think Digital uses the mastery approach

·       7 subjects (2 official languages, Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy, Life Orientation, and 3 electives)

Who is it for?

·       Learners who are coping with mainstream content but want a different environment

·       Those wanting easy entrance into South African universities

·       Those considering mainstream schooling

Cost

The cost of CAPS (Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement) education in 2026 will vary depending on the specific school or institution offering the program.  The cost of a CAPS curriculum at The Study Squad is currently as follows (subject to Annual Budget Review and the AGM):

Access to the Think Digital platform ranges between +- R12 000 and R18 000 per year depending on the grade.  This excludes exam fees from Grade 10 to Grade 12.  These can range from about R1000 in Grade 10 to R22 000.00 for a final Grade 12 exam. These fees are paid by the parent directly to Think Digital and excludes our tutoring fees.

Our tutoring fees for Grade 8 – 12 CAPS:   Monthly fee – R3 440.00 plus an additional resource fee of R1 500.00.  (This equates to R42 780.00 annually and is subject to Annual inflation related increases, sibling discounts and settlement discounts). 

Both Think Digital and The Study Squad fees are based roughly on current 2025 fees.  Please visit Think Digital using the link above to confirm their fees closer toward year end.  The Study Squad fees will be shared on our Facebook page and all other platforms after the Budget Review and our AGM.

Pre-GED (My Online School)

This award-winning video based online school program (affiliated with Pass GED Academy) was successfully launched in 2022.  My Online School is not a virtual online school but an online educational program.  It is most valuable to Grade 8-10 students who will be engaged by online videos, transcripts, quizzes and practise tests.  It is ideally suited to students who have chosen to work towards their GED as a grade 12 option.

Subjects included are:

Mathematics

English

Earth Science

Physical Science

Life Science

Biology

Physical Science

English Literature

Geography

French

German

Spanish

World History

Social Studies

Drama

Music Theory

Cost

The cost for My Online School for 2026 is R4 500.00 which includes all subjects, exams and assessments, but excludes our tutoring fee, which can be found on the fee structure document

GED

The General Education Development tests are an American-based qualification.  Our learners work from an online platform and write their exams at a designated examination venue.  Exams can be booked as soon as learners are 17 and ready to write.  The pass rate is 72.5%.  Learners can book mock exams online to help them prepare for their final examinations.

Advantages

·       Most affordable

·       4 Subjects (no Afrikaans)

·       Can be accelerated

·       Can complete one subject at a time (self-paced workload)

·       Can prepare thoroughly for exams

·       College entrance in South Africa

·       Internationally recognised at university level

Who is it for?

·       Sports people with limited time to study

·       Fast pacers

·       International travellers

·       Those with an entrepreneurial mindset

Cost

In 2026, to complete the GED in South Africa will likely be around R12 000.00 – R15 000.00, excluding the cost of any study materials or support from an educational institution or tutoring support.  This includes four GED subject tests, which are $85 USD each, and the cost of the GED Ready practice tests, which are around $7.99 USD each according to Pass GED Academy.

Detailed breakdown:

Subject tests:  $85 USD each, depending on the exchange rate +- R1 445 per subject

GED Ready Tests:  $7.99 USD, depending on the exchange rate +- R544 (You will probably need to do one per subject)

Tutoring Support:  The Study Squad cost for the GED curriculum grade 8-12, is currently R4 000.00/month (before budget review)

Other potential costs:  These include SAQA verification (+- R2 270) if required and USAF accreditation for university clearance.  You will also pay for a paper transcript and diploma at $15 each.  Should your student wish to sit for their SAT’s to get university clearance, this will cost an additional $111 dollars (+- R2000 depending on the exchange rate).  The nearest venue for these exams for our students is situated in Queenstown.

Please remember that the most accurate costing can be obtained directly from the myGED platform, as all figures are subject to change.

American High School Diploma

The American High School Diploma is a 4 year North American school leaving qualification course.  Learners accumulate 24 credits, while maintaining a 3.5 grade average to get this qualification.  All subjects are recorded on a transcript over 4 years.  Those wanting to go to university need to write the SAT after completion.

Advantages

·       No formal exams – learners accumulate credits and maintain a GPA

·       Accepted at South African and International universities

·       Minimum of 6 subjects per year including English, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies and electives

·       Affordable

·       60% to 70% pass rate

·       Can blend curriculums

·       Wide range of resources

·       Difficulty varies. Can do without university exemption.  Can be tailored to be career based.

Who is this for?

·       Learners who get anxious about exams

·       Those who have specific career interests

·       Those who want a combination of academic and non-academic subjects

·       Those wanting a flexible and pressure free experience

·       Those with a future-mindset

Cost

Current Kairos Registration Costs: (Kairos Academy is the SA umbrella body for AHD)

Registration Fee: To begin, there is a non-refundable registration fee of R1,000, after payment, you’ll gain access to an enrolment form online, which you will fill out for your family.  Within a few days, you’ll receive an invoice via email for $190 (+- R3 500.00) for a family enrolment (applicable to your entire family). This does not include the tutoring fee for The Study Squad of R3 440/month (subject to our annual increase after budget review).

Possible additional costs

As with the GED, these include SAQA verification (+- R2 270) if required and USAF accreditation for university clearance.  You will also pay for a paper transcript and diploma at $15 each.  Should your student wish to sit for their SAT’s to get university clearance, this will cost an additional $111 dollars (+- R2000 depending on the exchange rate).  The nearest venue for these exams for our students is situated in Queenstown.

Should this be your choice, we suggest that you book a mutually accepted time for an appointment with our office to finalise the application process and discuss the benefits of the role of Kairos Academy as intermediary with Homelife Academy.

Finally:

Making informed curriculum choices is vital for students, as it plays a significant role in shaping their academic journey and aligning their outcomes with their plans for their future. With so many resources available, choosing the right ones can be overwhelming. As a parent, supporting your child in these decision-making processes is essential to choosing a goal-orientated path forward.