Frequently Asked Questions

What curriculum will I study?

We offer the IB curriculum, which is enriched with the Aga Khan Curricular Strands at the Primary Years Programme, Middle Years Programme and Diploma Programme. See the academic programme page to learn more.

What subjects will I take?

Please see our Primary Years Programme, Middle Years Programme and Diploma Programme pages for details.

What are the term dates?

11 August 2025–2 February 2026, 3 February 2026–19 June 2026.

What extra academic support is available?

In the Junior School, we have a learning support team focusing on helping students with literacy and numeracy. In the Senior School, students receive support every week from their teachers during a timetabled period or Academic Support (ACSU). We also have a trained psychologist who can help identify any learning barriers and support teachers with strategies for inclusion.

What sports might I learn?

We offer sports including swimming, dance, cricket, rounders, basketball, squash, tennis, badminton, hockey, netball, football, rugby and athletics. Explore our sports facilities.

What other activities might I take?

We offer a selection of creative expression, action and service activities. Many of our activities are student-initiated, and therefore change. Recent activities have included:

• Model United Nations
• School Choir
• TedxYouth@AKAMombasa
• Photography club

What off-campus excursions are available?

Every grade level has a bonding trip from Grade 3 onwards, starting with an overnight camp to an outdoor team building experience for DP1. Every trip has a team building, service and cultural focus and enables students to experience the different geographies and peoples of Kenya from the beaches to the hills and national parks.

Additionally, some subjects include unit-based excursions and trips as part of the curriculum to offer students an enriching learning experience.

What Service Learning opportunities are there?

Service Learning plays a significant part in the student experience at the Academies. Senior School students engage in Service Learning every week. Service as Action is an integral part of the Middle Years Programme (MYP), and many students choose a service focus for their MYP personal project. In the Diploma Programme (DP,) every student completes a service component for their CAS accreditation. Our students also enrol in initiatives with local organisations, intern with local agencies of the Aga Khan Development Network or create their own sustainable community service projects. Read more here.

How does the residential system work?

Our residential students live in residence buildings separated by gender and grade. However, sports and residential activities are co-ed. We assign all students a dorm parent. Dorm parents are a carefully chosen group of teachers who live in faculty apartments in the residential buildings with the students. They are there to ensure a safe, nurturing and comfortable environment for students. Learn more here.

How often may parents visit?

Parents are welcome to visit whenever they wish, as long as they make an appointment and give advance notice. The residential programme is busy, so any parent visit should not disrupt the student engagement with planned activities where possible.

What are the rooms like?

The rooms (single, double or quads) are spacious, well-equipped and comfortable.

Can students visit Mombasa?

There are planned trips to local restaurants and excursions as well as regular visits to the shops for provisions.

What dietary needs are catered for?

We can cater for any dietary needs as long as we are informed in advance. e.g lactose intolerant. We aim for meals to be nutritious and delicious and for mealtimes to be an important aspect of Academy life. We are committed to providing balanced vegetarian and non-vegetarian options for all meals. The kitchen and all foods are certified Halal. See a typical menu here.

How are religious/spiritual needs met?

AKA Mombasa is a non-denominational school. Students from across all religions are allowed to practice their beliefs. We have a prayer room for any student and staff to access. For students in residences, on admission, parents are asked to state which house of prayer they wish their child to attend. We take the students by bus to the various worship places and pick them up, as long as it is on the island. On Fridays, it is the mosque and temple, on Saturdays and Sundays, various churches. On special prayer days, we arrange food and transport logistics. These include Easter, Ramadhan etc.

What university and career guidance will I receive?

We offer an extensive university counselling programme, assistance with finding internships and career guidance. To assist students in their post-secondary planning, there is a University Counselling department dedicated to providing students with relevant information and advice to guide their decision-making. Weekly sessions are offered to cover topics such as the application and scholarship process, research, essay writing, admissions exams, exploring various higher education systems, and transitioning to university. Learn more here.

What university connections does the Academy have?

The Aga Khan Schools has numerous university connections to prestigious universities, such as Huron University College, the University of Northern British Columbia, The University of Texas at Dallas and more. Academies’ graduates have also benefited from these relationships through exclusive scholarship opportunities.

How can I find out about the Academy’s policies and procedures?

Please contact the school office at info@agakhanacademies.org to find out more about our procedures or read our terms and conditions and privacy policy. We have a student handbook for MYP and DP students that contains our policies and procedures.

How can I contact the Academy?

Please visit the contact page for AKA Mombasa. To contact the Academies Network, please click here.