In the soul of the adolescent great values are hidden, and in the minds of these boys and girls there lies all our hope of future progress. – Dr Maria Montessori

In the High School Programme the adolescent makes cognitive progress by integrating ideas and values in conjunction with currents affairs, home life and special community based programmes.

Our High School students follow the Cambridge University International Curriculum from Grade 8 to 12. We are an Associate Centre of the British Council.

Children are allowed to study at their own pace and in a self directed manner. Tutors are available in class and online. The Grade 7 students are included in the High School as their needs differ from those in Senior Primary. They also form a natural part of the 12 to 15 year old community.

Montessori education at secondary level has great relevance in our modern world. Traditional high schools prepare students for further studies: they do not concentrate to the same degree on guiding young people to independence and the ability to adapt to social life.

Cambridge 

Village Montessori High School is an Associate Centre of the British Council.

We begin the Cambridge curriculum in year 7, not in year 8 as is the usual practice. We align ourselves with the British time line for completing these studies.

Unlike schools that have a more traditional approach, students in our school work in a more self-directed manner and are allowed to pace themselves. Should a child achieve exceptionally well in certain subjects, he may progress sooner than usual to a next phase for such subjects. The IGCSE phase should be completed over a minimum of 2 years, but a pupil may, for instance, complete his two languages at the end of his first year and then concentrate on subjects such as mathematics and science in the second year.

Alternatively he may choose to commence with the languages on AS level in his final IGCSE year, in order to complete all languages earlier. This will enable him to concentrate on only three subjects in his final year of school. This prepares the child for the independent way of working at university, and he learns to take responsibility

IGCSE Phase

The International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) is an international qualification which has been designed to equip students with the skills needed for immediate employment. IGCSE provides a broad study programme by drawing subjects from five areas: Languages, Humanities, Social Sciences, Mathematics, Creative, Technical and Vocational.

Within the curriculum there is a balanced mix of practical experience and theoretical knowledge. This course is equivalent to the British GCSE or O levels and the students write external exams which are marked by University of Cambridge International Examinations (Examinations Authority). Students complete this phase over two years.

AS Level

AS-Level is the first stage of A-levels and is equivalent to year 11 and 12 of South African schooling. Due to the high  academic level required students will complete the AS-level over 18 months to two years. A-level is not offered at our school.