ACADEMICS
Academics
at Michaelhouse
Academic pursuits receive priority at Michaelhouse. Research shows that a boy’s learning needs are quite different to those of a girl. Michaelhouse places special emphasis on teaching programmes that support this difference.
There are several examining bodies in South Africa. Michaelhouse, along with most other independent schools, has elected to write the examinations of the Independent Examinations Board (IEB), which is fully accredited by the national governing education council, Umalusi. The standards of the IEB are held in high regard by international and South African tertiary institutions.
The National Senior Certificate with endorsement (university entrance) written in A Block (Grade 12) is equivalent to GCE AS level and the Scottish Higher Standard, and the learning outcomes are equivalent to the Australian Senior Certificate which provides admission to higher education.
ACADEMICS
A Fully Resident
Academic Staff
Makes All the Difference
At Michaelhouse our staff are in a different class of educator – they are on campus all day, every day. Their engagement with the boys extends well beyond interactions in the classroom or on the sports field. They bump into each other in the corridors and quadrangles between lessons, they eat meals together, they cross paths in the coffee shop, on our running trails or in the High Performance Centre. Our staff are available and present in the Houses after supper, during prep and if necessary, any time of the day or night. It’s not unusual to walk past a classroom outside of the school day and to catch a glimpse of a member of staff and some boys recapping, brainstorming, catching up on missed work, going over a difficult concept or being extended beyond the syllabus. There is a committed and compassionate teacher in Balgowan for every eight Michaelhouse boys, and they are all in it together pulling in the same direction. The quality of these daily interactions ensure an environment which is happy and geared towards academics, curiosity and confidence.
Classes are small at Michaelhouse and in a boy’s first two years he will participate in the middle school programme where many of the regular core subjects are combined into broader learning areas. This exposure to a wider scope of learning allows our boys to make an informed decision about the subject package chosen for their matriculation course. At the end of D Block (Grade 9), a package of seven subjects is selected for a three year course, from C Block through to A Block (Grade 10 to Grade 12). A stimulating number of subject package options offers the opportunity to gain a National Senior Certificate with university entrance dispensation. Boys sit this National Senior Certificate examination in A Block (Grade 12).
Languages – English, Further Studies English, Afrikaans, isiZulu, French, Conversational isiZulu (E Block)
Arts & Culture – Music, Visual Arts, Dramatic Arts
Human & Social Studies – Geography, History, Life Orientation
Sciences – Physical Sciences (Physics and Chemistry), Further Studies Physics and Chemistry, Life Science (Biology)
Mathematics – Mathematics, Mathematical Literacy, Further Studies Mathematics
Commerce – Accounting, Economics
Engineering and Technology – Engineering Graphics and Design, Computer Applications Technology, Information Technology, Coding & Robotics
We have chosen to write the Independent Examinations Board (IEB) exams rather than those set by the Department of Education. While the curricula are largely the same, we feel that the IEB sets a higher academic standard, emphasizing Higher Order Thinking Skills. The management and marking of IEB examinations are world-class and beyond reproach, ensuring credibility and excellence.
An IEB matric offers significant advantages, demonstrated by the success of IEB candidates at universities both locally and internationally. While we have explored alternative curricula such as the IB and A Levels, we firmly believe that the IEB provides an excellent foundation for academics. Our students have gained admission to top universities, including Durham, Edinburgh, St Andrews, UPenn, and Cornell. Although Oxford and Cambridge typically require A Levels, gaining entry is highly competitive even with outstanding results. We are exceptionally proud that our 2024 Second Prefect, Luke Kaufmann, was recently accepted into Cambridge University.
As an African school, it is important that we remain relevant to the South African students we serve while continuing to uphold excellence in academics.
Learning support at Michaelhouse is a significant differentiator and is the bedrock of our school’s consistently remarkable academic achievements. Our learning support department is dedicated to guiding every boy towards his academic potential, as much as in learning areas which may be proving to be a challenge as in his particular areas of strength. Learning support at Michaelhouse plays two key roles: helping boys develop effective learning strategies like time management, filing, and note-taking, and assisting boys with learning barriers by means of examination accommodations, personalised learning strategies and collaboration with the educator and pastoral teams.
The first port of call for any boy struggling with any subject is always his teacher. This might be in the form of a once off session because the boy is struggling with a certain concept or a specific section of work, or it might be a series of extra lessons to catch up on subject material which was missed due to illness or a sports tour.
If a boy requires more regular help, then he will always be encouraged to attend that specific subject’s academic support sessions which are available every afternoon from Monday to Thursday in the case of Mathematics, and on specific weekdays for Physical Science, English, Afrikaans and isiZulu. Additional extra support group sessions are offered during the afternoons and evenings closer to the crunch of exams.
For boys who require closer attention in the form of one-on-one tutoring the world-class Michaelhouse Teacher Intern Programme offers a rich and enthusiastic resource for parents who may opt to secure regular support sessions with one of our interns.