Acorns International School Rwanda (AIS) is an accredited institution that ensures learners have a solid foundation from the start. Located in Gacuriro, the school, founded in 2017, has kindergarten level to Grade 12, and operates under the Cambridge programme. The school uses English as a medium of communication and French as a subject with different classes like beginners, intermediate and advanced, and recently initiated Diplôme approfondi de langue française (DALF), a French programme, as a means to boost the language to an international standard. Students are required to sit for the DALF exam and obtain an international certificate. The conducive environment of the school allows learners to study, be creative, and craft meaningful friendships. When it comes to classroom size, every class comprises 15 learners, allowing teachers to identify every student’s needs daily in a fostered, friendly and disciplined atmosphere. Uniqueness, values The school, which won Best International School of the Year at the Consumers’ Choice Award 2023 this month, stands out due to high grades in Cambridge exams like Checkpoint for Grade Six and others and uses modern game facilities that allow students to play outside classrooms. Some of these include a swimming pool, basketball court, football field, table and road tennis facilities, badminton court, and others, thus keeping the students active and physically fit, while having fun. Learners have a chance to use smart classrooms with smart boards and have access to fully equipped science laboratories and a music room. AIS’ environment permits students to be comfortable, but most importantly, they are taught by qualified teachers who attend international training sessions. The school is built on values of multilingualism, responsibility, conservation and more, and believes that every student is gifted—through that, they are given a chance to participate in extracurricular activities. All students are registered in different clubs based on their choice and interests. The clubs are merged into school lessons as subjects. Apart from sports, learners relish diverse activities such as debates, poetry, dance, and drama. Teachers at AIS relate with students in the form of interaction through inquiry-based learning strategies. Learners are taught all courses under an active learning model of learning in which the Cambridge learner profile components cut across learning activities as well as students’ behaviour management and well-being. Consequently, learners spontaneously develop their personalities thus being confident, engaged, responsible, reflective, and innovative. Discipline The school doesn’t believe in punishing students, but instead corrects them by giving them guidance and procedures to reflect on the Dos and Don’ts. AIS has a strong disciplinary committee that always reminds students about the discipline policy. With the small size of classes, teachers can easily monitor children’s progress and behaviour. Cultural diversity The school doesn’t entertain any type of harassment, abuse, bullying, laziness, and disrespect. Teachers and heads of the school follow the children’s protection policy. Under pluralism, students learn to value their cultures and respect others’ cultures and beliefs. AIS organises different extracurricular events throughout the year like Global Village, Francophonie Day, Culture Day, and many more, with the aim of assisting learners to comprehend the diversity of cultures from about 20 nationalities or more. Healthcare, meals The school has a sick bay with an experienced school nurse who caters for minor cases that students may encounter at school. However, in cases of anything major, the nurse provides first aid and immediately contacts the parents to rush them to the nearest hospital. Professional chefs prepare a menu every month based on the diversity of food available and ensure that it’s favourable for everyone, making sure that a balanced diet is maintained. The vision of the school is to inspire and empower each other to achieve one’s personal best and the mission is to provide education in an inquiry-based environment that nurtures holistic and balanced lifelong learners who strive to create a better and more peaceful world.
