The Aga Khan Academies aim to develop young people who will have the capacity to lead and to build strong civil democratic societies. As part of achieving this vision, the Academies have enhanced their curriculum with specific areas of focus known as the Aga Khan Curricular Strands (AK Strands).

The AK Strands aim to strengthen understandings and dispositions needed by leaders of the future. They encompass five critical areas of study:

• Ethics
• Pluralism
• Cultures (with an emphasis on Muslim civilisations) 
• Governance and Civil Society
• Economics for Development

The five AK Strands

Two of the AK Strands, Ethics and Pluralism, help students develop values and attitudes required by ethical leaders. Students both discuss these ideas in theory and put them into practice in their daily lives. 

The other three AK Strands concentrate on ideas that are integral to the functioning of societies, and in particular on issues related to societies of the developing world.

Integration into school life

The Aga Khan Curricular Strands are not structured as additional subjects but rather are woven through the existing curriculum. They are also integrated into the broader functioning of the school.

For example, school policies, co-curricular activities and everyday school life are consciously considered through the lens of each Strand.

While the AK Strands examine issues of global importance, they are also tailored to the cultural context of each Academy, which ensures their local relevance. This allows students to engage with international issues and challenges while remaining strongly grounded in their local context.

Through the Aga Khan Academies Network, teachers and students will be able to explore the strands in different cultural contexts through visits and exchanges with other Academies.

The Academies’ programmes aim to develop students who are ethical, public-minded and who possess a pluralistic outlook. Both curricular and co-curricular activities work to educate effective home-grown leaders who are actively engaged in their local communities and are aware of the implications of their actions. Through their participation in co-curricular clubs, students are encouraged to take on leadership positions in a variety of different forms (e.g. house leaders, student council, team captains, dorm duties).

Not only do these opportunities provide an environment to explore and enhance skills such as cooperation and problem solving, they also enable students to set personal goals and challenge themselves.

Student leadership activities vary from community service opportunities to sports and expressive arts. Students have opportunities to participate in the Student Representative Council and other similar activities.

Leadership activities instil in participants a sense of community ownership, creativity and a collaborative spirit, and prepares them for a lifetime of active engagement and leadership.

"The conviction that home-grown intellectual leadership of exceptional calibre is the best driver of a society’s destiny, underpins the Ismaili Imamat’s endeavour to create catalytic centres of educational excellence."His Highness the Aga Khan (Matola, June 2004)

The Aga Khan Academy Mombasa offers an education of an internationally recognised standard of excellence to prepare students to become intellectually curious, global-minded citizens of the world.

The Academy programme develops students who are committed to positive change and are able to understand and analyse complex issues of local, national and global significance.

Our curriculum is built on the framework of the International Baccalaureate (IB). The IB is a thorough, multidisciplinary curriculum that fosters:

• Intellectual curiosity
• Creativity
• Leadership development
• Social consciousness
• A pluralistic sensibility 

The IB is also known for preparing students for admission to the best universities in their own countries and abroad.

Our focus is on developing students' critical thinking skills and the ability to analyse issues. We also emphasise multicultural understanding and awareness. One of the ways in which we help our students develop skills for ethical leadership is through the Aga Khan Curricular Strands. These are cross-disciplinary areas of study that have been developed for the network of Aga Khan Academies.

Overall educational programme

Our curriculum is complemented by co-curricular, athletic and community service initiatives. The overall educational programme is designed to educate well-rounded, civic-minded individuals. It enhances students’ academic excellence, leadership skills, sense of civic responsibility, understanding of global issues, and analytical and study skills. The programme also reinforces an understanding of local languages, history, cultures and environment.

When they graduate from the Academy, students are expected to be computer literate and have a thorough understanding of the diverse academic disciplines covered in the IB curriculum. They should have mastered at least two languages, including English. Through the planned international exchange programme, our students will be able to enhance their foreign language learning and appreciation of other cultures. 

Our graduates are thus well prepared for the rigours of higher education and to pursue opportunities in an increasingly interdependent world.

For further information on the IB programmes offered at the Aga Khan Academy Mombasa please visit the following pages:

• Primary Years Programme (years 1–5)
• Middle Years Programme (years 6–10)
• Diploma Programme (years 11–12)

The network of Aga Khan Academies has been established to provide exceptional students from all backgrounds with an outstanding education. Admissions are currently being accepted for the Primary Years, Middle Years and Diploma Programmes in both Mombasa and Hyderabad and for the Primary Years Programme in Maputo.     

The Academy seeks students from pre-primary through higher secondary levels representing a diverse range of economic, cultural, ethnic and religious backgrounds. Students should have the ability and motivation to excel academically and should demonstrate leadership in community service and other co-curricular pursuits.

Selection is means-blind and competitive, based on student merit.

The Academy endeavours to meet the demonstrated financial need of each admitted student.

Candidate characteristics

The admissions committee evaluates candidates based on a range of measures and selects those demonstrating a high level of motivation and commitment to learning, a strong sense of integrity and respect for others from diverse backgrounds.

Successful applicants typically demonstrate the following characteristics:

"The students at this institution will be distinguished not only for their academic capacity, but for their character and commitment to citizenship."His Highness the Aga Khan (Dar es Salaam, March 2005)

• a record of outstanding academic achievement or potential
• highly motivated and intellectually curious
• a strong sense of integrity – the capacity to judge right and wrong and to stand up for one’s principles
• a high level of social awareness, including openness and sensitivity to those of different backgrounds
• the desire to work towards, and instigate, positive change
• leadership in community service, student government and/or sporting activities
• notable accomplishments in the visual or performing arts.

Please visit the websites of the individual Academies for further information and application forms.

The Aga Khan Academy Mombasa

The Aga Khan Academy Hyderabad

The Aga Khan Academy Maputo

Enrichment programmes enable students to realise their potential in a variety of settings beyond the classroom. Students develop a sense of self-awareness and an understanding of school and community needs and opportunities. They also learn how to apply their gifts and skills to make a positive impact.

At the Academy, we believe in a balanced, rounded, comprehensive school experience. As this includes both academic and co-curricular experiences, we encourage our students to do their best both in and outside the classroom.

We will offer outstanding sports facilities that will include swimming and diving pools and playing fields for a wide variety of sports and athletics.

Children with special sporting gifts will be encouraged to develop their talents in every way. Children with special gifts in music, art or drama will similarly be encouraged through opportunities to practise and perform while at the Academy.

Our enrichment programmes are clustered into three main streams, each with a different focus:

Expression

Whether through visual or performing arts, this cluster engages students to think creatively and express their identities and thoughts aesthetically. Through theatre, art, music and drama, students learn to work together and infuse their projects with values and lessons from other parts of their schooling. Individual and collaborative creative projects emphasise growth and development through personal challenge, ultimately resulting in achievable personal goals.

Action

The student as a reflective practitioner is a basic tenet of the action cluster. Through physical sport, both competitive and non-competitive, students are challenged in their physical growth, and learn values such as good sportsmanship, teamwork and ethical behaviour. We encourage them to extend themselves by trying different activities and working with teammates to pass on their knowledge. In line with developing the student as a whole, a healthy lifestyle complements and enhances academic achievement.

Citizenship

At the Academy, we encourage knowledge and understanding of humanity and civil society. Through their involvement in citizenship activities, students gain an understanding of the practical implications of their work and study. By collaborating with community groups on sustainable projects, they develop an appreciation for human rights, human dignity and of how their actions impact the world around them.

To learn more about the Academy's programme, please visit the Academic Programme page.