Is the American HS Diploma Recognized in South Africa?

Absolutely!

The American HS Diploma holds significant recognition in South Africa as the preferred North American academic qualification. It is widely acknowledged and utilized both domestically and globally.

Moreover, our HLA Diploma has received recognition and acceptance from various authorities in South Africa. It has been recognized by our Matriculation Board (USAf) for university exemption, assessed for NQF equivalency by SAQA, and embraced by local universities.

Our past graduates pursuing tertiary studies have been fortunate to gain admission to local (public and private) as well as USA-based universities and colleges.

Which Subjects do we Offer?

What distinguishes our Gr R-12 educational solution from others is its unparalleled flexibility. You have the autonomy to select your own subjects and opt for the most suitable resources (curriculum) for each subject as long as these meets the CAPS minimum requirements (for our Gr R-9 students). This grants you access to a diverse range of subjects and learning approaches!

For deeper insights into potential resources for each subject area, including comprehensive curriculum options, we encourage you to explore these curriculum choices, or these popular curricula. However, please note that numerous other options are also readily accessible and utilized by our students.

As part of your enrollment with Kairos & HLA, you’ll also enjoy access to exclusive curriculum and partner discounts. Additionally, you’ll have the opportunity to pursue dual credits to enrich your educational experience even further.

How do I Determine Which Subjects my Child Should Take?

The decision largely hinges on your child’s age, developmental stage, and interests. And meeting the CAPS minimum requirements during Grades R-9 (our families usually go far over and above!). Additionally, for our high school students, we advocate for goal-oriented planning to align with HLA’s graduation criteria and your student’s future tertiary education aspirations.

Thankfully, our seasoned education consultants and supportive Kairos community are available to assist you every step of the way. For tailored guidance based on age groups, please refer to:

What Types of Subjects are Available for me to Choose From?

Our clients have varied preferences when it comes to selecting subjects. While some prefer pre-packaged solutions for most subjects, others opt for a textbook-based approach. Similarly, some may prefer faith-based materials, while others prefer secular options. With us, you have the flexibility to choose from these and other subject options, as well as various learning approaches. It’s all about finding the best fit for your student and family!

Take a look at three possible scenarios for inspiration:

What are Our Matriculation Requirements?

These requirements represent the minimum standards that your student must meet, which typically involve taking 5-6 subjects per year during the Grade 9-12 years.

You have the flexibility to explore further options, and our academically inclined students often choose to take 6-8 subjects per year.

How can I Determine if a Subject Earns Credits?

In the American education system, the term “credit” is specifically used for high school-level courses (Grades 9 and above). It denotes the nature and duration of time dedicated to a particular high school-level course.

Typically, completing a full 2-semester high school course or engaging in 150 hours of study equates to earning 1 high school credit. However, we advise families not to overly focus on counting hours. If a course is designated as credit-worthy by the curriculum provider, we accept it as such. The primary focus should be on learning!

Am I Able to Transfer from Public, Private, or Homeschooling to Kairos?

Absolutely! For students in Grades 9-11 who are considering transferring to us, previous high school credits obtained from a public, private, or homeschooling environment will be carefully assessed for inclusion into your HLA transcript.

For students transitioning from the CAPS or IEB systems in Grades 9-11, credits will be evaluated based on CAPS requirements, with each subject typically worth 0.5 to 1 credit. Meanwhile, students transferring from the Cambridge system will have their Pre-IGCSE (Grade 9), IGCSE, AS, and A-levels assessed, with each subject usually earning 1 credit.

As for primary school students, no transfer records are necessary.

Are Exams Mandatory for Matriculation?

No, exams or standardized testing are not compulsory for matriculation purposes through us.

Moreover, as a parent, together with your subject tutor(s), you have the flexibility to determine the most suitable assessment methodology for your student in each subject. Many of the high-quality homeschool resources utilized by our families already incorporate established assessment methodologies, which you may find beneficial to adopt for your student as well.

Do Students Need to Take Exams for Tertiary Admission?

If your student intends to join a university or college, the Matriculation Board or the institution they’re applying to (be it local or international) may demand standardized tests as part of the application, exemption, or merit assessment. Fortunately, these standardized test prerequisites are notably fewer compared to other matriculation pathways.

In South Africa, the Matriculation Board (USAf) considers your child’s qualifying SAT score (a two-hour digital test assessing math and English proficiency) or two qualifying AP subject exams, along with their HLA Diploma and Transcript (with a minimum GPA of 3.5), for university exemption of their 26 members.

Certain local South African tertiary institutions may ask for your SAQA NQF4-equivalency letter alongside the HLA Diploma and Transcript for admission purposes.

In the United States, the SAT remains a common requirement for both college admission and scholarships. Additionally, some institutions might require a language proficiency test like TOEFL.

In Europe, universities may request SAT scores, AP exams, and/or language proficiency tests for admission.

Can my Student Attend University or Return to Public School?

Yes! You’ll be pleased to hear that our alumni are enrolled in esteemed universities in South Africa and the USA.

By opting for our HLA Diploma solution, your student will create an academic record suitable for university applications or school transfers. Naturally, it’s essential to ensure that your chosen course of study aligns with the admission requirements of the institution.

Does Kairos Register our Families / Students with the Department of Basic Education?

No, Kairos does not register our families or individual students with the various provincial education departments. Registration may not be done by a third party, and must be done by the parents themselves through the DBE website.

When Can I Enroll?

We don’t impose a fixed start and end date for the school year. However, we do provide two academic calendars for administrative convenience. You can choose the one that best fits your family’s needs.

Alpha Calendar (~January to December)
20 Oct – 30 November	Submit Kairos Academy SA’s enrollment/re-enrollment form & pay the invoice
30 January	Your HLA enrollment/re-enrollment for the new academic year is finalized
January to June	Spring Semester (reporting by 15 June)
July to December	Fall Semester (reporting by 15 January)
1 October	Last day to enroll new students for the current academic year
15 October	Seniors: earliest release of final transcript & diploma
15 March	Seniors: Last date to graduate in this academic year

Alternatively our:

US Standard Calendar (~July/Aug/Sept to June/July/Aug)
15 June to 30 July	Submit Kairos Academy SA’s enrollment/re-enrollment form & pay the invoice
30 July	Your HLA enrollment/re-enrollment for the new academic year is finalized
July/Aug/Sept to Dec	Fall Semester (reporting by 15 January)
January to June	Fall Semester reporting deadline (reporting by 15 June)
15 April	Seniors: earliest release of final transcript & diploma
1 May	Last day to enroll new students for the current academic year
May / June	The academic year ends unless you incorporate a Summer Semester
15 September	Summer Semester reporting deadline (if applied)
15 September	Seniors: Last date to graduate in this academic year

What Support can You Expect as Family / Learning Center when Enrolled for our Gr R-12 HLA Education?

Our Grade R-12 educational system has been successfully implemented for over 20 years, demonstrating its robustness and effectiveness through extensive testing and establishment

In the Homeschooling Environment

Communication will primarily occur between you as the family and Kairos Academy. The core responsibilities of parents, HLA, and Kairos are as follows:

Tutor Support and / or Classical Conversation Communities

In the case of tutor support and/or CC communities, the core responsibilities of the tutors, parents, HLA, and Kairos can involve:

Is the American High School Diploma the Same as the GED?

Since both the American High School Diploma and the GED are U.S. qualifications, there is often some confusion between the two. The comparison table provided here is designed to highlight the key differences, with a specific focus on the academic content and structure of each pathway.

We always encourage goal-based planning when choosing the best educational route for your student. It’s essential to select a path that will support your child’s success both in the short term and in the long term, without unintentionally limiting future opportunities.

The table provided outlines the minimum credit requirements, but many of our academically motivated students complete 6–8 credits per year, often graduating with 24–32 credits overall. However, we always prioritise the quality of learning over the quantity of credits.

Subject Area	American High School Diploma via Kairos with HLA	GED Level
Mathematics	4 years of Mathematics: typically, Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, and Pre-Calculus, or Mathematics Literacy 10-12	Algebra I level (basic algebra, geometry, reading graphs)
English	4 years of English: English 9, 10, 11, 12 including essays, literature, and language skills	Reading comprehension and essay writing
Science	3 years of Science: typically, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, or equivalents (e.g. Agri Sciences)	General science (life, physical, and earth sciences)
Social Studies	3 years of Social Studies: e.g. History, Geography, Government, Economics	Basic civics, U.S. history, economics, geography
Personal Development	Physical Education, Personal Finance, and Health & Wellness	Not applicable
Electives	Minimum of 6 elective credits: may include Business, Entrepreneurship, Accounting, Technology, Art, Foreign Languages (e.g. an official SA language), etc.	Not applicable
Total Credits	Minimum of 22 credits (year-long subjects) over 3-5 years	Not applicable
Assessments	No standardized exams needed for matriculation, but often needed for tertiary application (e.g. US College Board’s AP and/or SAT exams)	4 standardized exams in Maths, English, Science, and Social Studies
Academic Depth	In-depth, versatile study with broad subject choice and flexible pacing over 3-5 years possible	Basic high school equivalency (approximately Grade 10-11 level)