High School
School of Hope
Located in Observatory near Cape Town, School of Hope is a registered independent school with the Western Cape Education Department and provides at-risk, vulnerable children and youth a second chance at education. Our 170 learners enjoy individual attention in small classes within a trusting learning environment.
WHY WE DO IT
The Western Cape boasts some of the most prestigious private schools in the country. Sadly, it is also home to a dangerously high dropout rate of over 55%. Some of the reasons include teen pregnancy, drugs and gangsterism. However, the overriding reason seems to be a lack of value placed on education. Young people abandon their studies to assist their desperate families, or they escape poverty and abuse by turning to life on the streets. Over-crowded mainstream schools are ill-equipped to deal with the complexities that these young people face. Often, they are older when they are able to return to school, and no public school is obliged to enrol a learner over 18. Without an education, they lose hope of ever making it in the real world. This results in them being more vulnerable to the downward spiral of negative coping mechanisms.
HOW WE DO IT
- We provide a safe and understanding environment to assist learners in making up the years they have lost.
- Our learners may be former street children, young mothers, rehabilitated drug addicts or come from abusive, neglectful homes; some are simply in need of a nurturing, family-like environment in order to complete school successfully.
- We accept youth up to the age of 21 without prejudice to their background. Those choosing to complete his or her education as opposed to going back to a life of crime, unemployment and poverty.
- We have no more than 35 learners per class and are currently accommodating 170 learners in classes from Grades 8 -12.
- We also provide each of our learners with nutritious meals daily, as many of them don’t receive regular meals at home.
