FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: Is South Gate Academy Private Christian School registered?
A: Yes, South Gate Academy is a mainstream, independent private christian school, and is according to the SA Schools Act of 84 of 1996, a fully registered Independent School with the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) with an EMIS number and Registration Certificate.
Q: What is the difference between a public school and South Gate Academy Private Christian School?
A: According to the Constitution of South Africa, everyone has the right to basic education within their own language and be part of an association with their own culture, values and religion . Everyone has the right to establish an independent educational institution. South Gate Academy therefore has the right and privilege to implement an educational system with policies according to a biblical world view with christian values and principles. This creates a platform to develop students with strong character together with a high quality academic qualification.
Q: What curriculum is used?
A: SGA has a blended approach (various methodologies of teaching and materials) and uses two CAPS aligned, international christian curriculums. Accelerated Christian Education (ACE) is used for Grades 2&3 (currently phasing out) and Switchedon Education is used for all other grades (digital & online from Grade 4).
Q: Do you offer a matric certificate and what type of matric?
***SGA is currently registered up to Grade 9 and will be extending the registration to include the FET phase (grades 10 – 12) in 2025 ***
A: SGA will have a few options for a matric certificate. The first option will be a BTEC vocational matric (practical knowledge and employability skills) and the other option a General or Advanced American High School Diploma (AHSD).
Q: Can a SGA matriculant be accepted in a South African University/College or only Christian tertiary institutions?
A: Although SGA is a Private Christian School, our SGA matric certificate (AHSD) is internationally and nationally recognised and accepted by ANY University and/or College according to their application policies. There is clear and well established admissions channels/pathways available for any student with a BTEC or AHSD.
Q: What languages are used at South Gate Academy?
A: Our language of learning and teaching (LOLT) is pre-dominantly English, due to our international curriculum, with Afrikaans as first additional language. All of our teachers are however bilingual and they love to teach and communicate with children using both Afrikaans and English.
Q: Do you offer Sport and Creative Arts at South Gate Academy?
A: South Gate Academy offers various sports like soccer, netball, volleyball, tennis, mini cricket, archery, cross country running and athletics. Sport is a valuable part of the development of children and therefore we have sport as dedicated periods within a normal school day.
The Creative Arts are a priority for SGA because it teaches students to express themselves through the creativity God has given each one of them. We have dance, drama and fine arts as part of our curriculum leading up to an annual Production/Concert as the highlight of the year.
Q: How many students are there per class?
A: Our educational model enables us to have smaller class sizes with individual attention, and the numbers are ranging between 10 – 16 students per class.
Q: Do you have qualified educators?
A: As a registered school, our educators are suitably qualified and SACE registered where needed.
Q: How do you admit students from other schools which have been taught in a different curriculum and language?
A: We have an easy to follow Admissions Policy & Procedure . After the student enrolment form has been received, the new potential student completes a diagnostic placement assessment which will determine on what academic level of understanding the student is regarding our curriculum. Due to our individualised model of learning, it will allow us to structure the learning modules according to the current academic level of the student. Language proficiency will be a determining factor depending on the age of the student.
Q: If, for what ever reason, my child needs to move into a public school, will my child be accepted after learning on the SGA curriculum?
A: The SGA curriculum is CAPS aligned, and due to it being an internationally accredited curriculum (Cognia), it is of a higher standard than the normal public school curriculum (CAPS) and therefore academically your child with an SGA academic report, should be accepted in any other public school.
Q: Do you have to be in the church to enrol your child in SGA?
A: No, anyone who agrees with our Vision, Educational Philosophy, Values and Statement of Faith can enrol their child in SGA.
Q: Are there any admissions or application procedures?
A: Yes, please click on Admissions & Application Policy and Procedure to find out more.