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Frequently Asked Questions

Have a question about Koa Academy? We’re here to help! Have a look through our FAQs below, or feel free to reach out to us on [email protected].
Online Schooling
The IEB Curriculum
Academics
Your Role as a Parent
Koa’s Pods
IT Requirements

Online Schooling

Homeschooling usually puts the responsibility on parents to manage lessons, source materials, and keep their child on track. Koa is different: we are a fully registered online school with qualified teachers, a structured curriculum, and regular assessments. Parents don’t have to teach — our qualified and experienced teachers lead the learning, while families are kept informed and supported every step of the way.

Koa Academy is a fully fledged online school, not a tutoring service. Students are enrolled full-time and complete their entire schooling journey with us, learning in small Pods of just 8 students with dedicated teachers.

No — Koa Academy is fully online. Our academics are delivered entirely through our purpose-built online model, with dedicated Pod Teachers and structured lessons. But we also know how important belonging is, so we build in opportunities for in-person connection through socials, clubs, and outings. Parents can be confident that while Koa is a fully online school, it also creates space for friendships and community.

Koa Academy is designed for families who want more than just traditional schooling — those looking for a personalised, future-focused education that equips students with strong academics, real-world skills, and the confidence to thrive beyond the classroom.

It’s ideal for families who want the flexibility of online learning while still benefiting from structure and quality academics, and for students who thrive in an engaged school environment where they are known, supported, and challenged every step of the way.

Our approach is highly interactive and student-centred. Pods of just 8 students allow teachers to give personalised attention and encourage participation. Regular teacher check-ins help ensure every student stays on track and feels supported, while daily updated dashboards make progress visible and help students build accountability for their learning. Teachers use these insights to step in quickly when support is needed — and parents can easily stay up to date with how their child is progressing. Clubs also give them a chance to explore passions beyond academics. This combination of structure, personal support, accountability, and variety keeps students focused and motivated.

Yes. At Koa, friendship and belonging are a big part of the learning experience. Small Pods of just 8 students create space for real connection, where classmates get to know each other well and work together daily.

Beyond the classroom, students can join online clubs, collaborate on projects, and take part in regular in-person socials and educational outings in cities like Nairobi. These experiences give them opportunities to bond, build friendships, and feel part of a supportive community – both online and in person.

The IEB Curriculum

Koa Academy is registered with the Independent Examinations Board (IEB) – a globally respected examinations body, trusted for its rigorous academic standards.

We are registered with the Independent Examinations Board (IEB) to offer the South African CAPS curriculum. The IEB is known for its rigorous academic standards and internationally recognised qualifications, helping prepare students for university pathways and future opportunities.

How does the IEB compare to Cambridge? The IEB’s National Senior Certificate is considered comparable to Cambridge Advanced Subsidiary (AS) level. With past IEB students admitted to, and excelling at, elite global universities. The National Senior Certificate is recognised by all South African universities and over 300 universities and colleges globally.

Yes. Right up until grade 10, a Koa student would be able to transition across to a range of curricula, including Cambridge (IGCSE and A Levels), The International Baccalaureate (IB), the Kenyan National Curriculum (CBC) and more. That’s because Koa’s programme in grades 4-9 is designed with international content and assessment standards in mind. Students from Koa can also seamlessly transfer back into traditional physical school models if the need arises.

Academics

Koa provides every student with an individualised timetable that balances structure with flexibility. Some parts of the day are scheduled — like Pod Connect sessions and live Masterclasses — ensuring accountability, routine, and regular teacher support. The rest of the timetable allows students to work through content at their own pace, giving families room to shape the day around their child’s strengths, interests, and home rhythms.

This “structured flexibility” means students get the best of both worlds: the consistency of scheduled classes and the freedom to manage independent learning in a way that works for them.

View our curriculum pages for more details.

We are big believers that assessments should be age-appropriate. In grades 4-9 we work on the principles of ‘mastery based learning’. Assessments are ongoing with automatic feedback, and the learner progresses as they master each part of a subject. In grades 10-12 we follow the IEB assessment patterns in preparation for final Grade 12 exams.

All assessments up to the final Grade 12 exams are written online. We use online proctoring so you do not need an in-person invigilator. The final Grade 12 exams are written at a physical IEB-approved exam centre in South Africa.

Yes. Parents meet with Pod Teachers at scheduled bi-termly meetings, and additional meetings can be arranged as needed. We know how important open communication is, so our teachers are intentional about staying accessible and responsive.
Yes. We publish official school reports every term, four times a year. However, you won’t need to wait for months until you know how your child is progressing. Every student has their own live Dashboard, visible to them, their teachers and parents. These give a live daily snapshot of work progress, attendance, goals, subject marks, task submission, badges, and more! Teachers monitor these Dashboards every single day, and we encourage students and parents to do the same.
Yes. Students at Koa Academy can return to a traditional physical school if circumstances change. We’ll provide updated reports and confirmation of enrolment letters to support the transition.
Yes! You are welcome to have someone assisting your child in person. This could be a parent, a caregiver or someone you hire as an additional tutor. Let your Pod Teacher know because our Pod Teachers love to team together with external academic support people.

Your Role as a Parent

No. Koa is designed so that students are supported by their teachers and can work independently during the school day. Parents don’t need to sit beside them or supervise the learning.

For younger children, we do recommend that a parent, caregiver, or another trusted adult is at home during the day – but this is for general safety and wellbeing, not to oversee schoolwork. The teaching, guidance, and accountability come from Koa.

No – Koa is not homeschooling. Our teachers lead the learning, run live lessons, check in with students, and provide individual support. Parents aren’t expected to create lesson plans or deliver content. Instead, your role is more about encouragement at home, while our teachers handle the academics.

You’ll always have a clear window into your child’s learning. You can track your child’s progress daily by checking their dashboard, and you’ll receive regular reports as well as bi-termly parent–teacher meetings. If you’d like more updates, you can easily reach out to your child’s Pod Teacher. This means you stay informed without needing to “check up” constantly.

Koa is designed around structured flexibility. Each student has a timetable with regular Pod sessions and live lessons. At the same time, parts of the day (when they’re working on coursework) are flexible, allowing students to work at their own pace and in ways that fit your family’s rhythm.

Teachers get to know each student personally, set clear expectations, and check in regularly – so students are never left to manage on their own. Parents can also see how their child is progressing through a daily updated dashboard, giving you peace of mind and real visibility into their learning journey.

Parents have told us that after starting at Koa, they notice their children becoming more independent and accountable. These qualities aren’t just helpful for school – they’re key assets for university and the real world. Our model gives students the right balance of structure and freedom, helping them grow in responsibility while still feeling supported.

Families are never on their own at Koa. Pod Teachers are your consistent point of contact and are available for questions, updates, and meetings whenever needed. Parents also receive regular progress reports, and we host parent–teacher meetings each term. In addition, our edu-outings and socials give families a chance to connect with other Koa parents, building a wider support network. And if tech challenges come up, our dedicated IT team is on hand to help troubleshoot issues quickly, so learning stays on track without added stress for parents.

As a fully online school, most of the learning at Koa takes place on a screen. The difference is how that time is spent. Students don’t sit passively in long video calls. Instead, their day is broken into smaller blocks — interactive Pod sessions, live Masterclasses, independent study, teacher check-ins, and weekly online clubs — all designed to keep them engaged.

On top of this, our structured flexibility allows families to build in healthy breaks away from the screen. This balance helps students stay focused and motivated.

Koa’s Pods

We start by grouping students by age. At Koa Academy Kenya, students join dynamic Pods that include both Kenyan and South African classmates. Families have told us they see this mix as a real advantage — it broadens students’ perspectives, builds cross-cultural friendships, and strengthens the online learning experience, while still giving Kenyan students opportunities to connect face-to-face through local meet-ups and activities with peers in their Pod.
Meaningful relationships take time to form, so we do encourage families to stick to a Pod for a good length of time. However, when it is beneficial for the child, they can switch to a different Pod.
Yes! We are big fans of getting together face to face. So we encourage lots of ‘work dates’ where children from the same Pod – or even different Pods – work together in the same physical space. This is up to our parents to coordinate.

IT Requirements

Maintaining your child’s device and IT is essential to ensure that they are set up for online success. The minimum requirements are as follows:

  • A computer or laptop (NOT iPad, tablet or phone) for each child (not shared) which is up to date and reliable.
  • 4+ GB RAM and reliable processor with a speed of 1.5GHz or more.
  • 11.6 inch or larger screen size (14 inch or larger recommended).
  • 70GB of data per month per child (uncapped recommended).
  • 10+ mbps reliable Internet connection per person connected in the home. Test your actual Internet speed here: www.speedtest.net
  • Webcam and microphone for video conferencing (most devices have these built in).
  • Web browser (suggested: Google Chrome).

*Learners in grades 10-12 using a Chromebook will need to purchase a Chrome Education Upgrade licence in order for their textbook and exam applications to function. Our IT team will guide you through the purchase and implementation of the licence.

These items make a big difference in your child’s online experience:

Backup power supply for WiFi (such as a mini-UPS).
21”+ monitor as a second screen.
Headset or headphones.

About Faure

Faure is the Head of Merchandising, Promotions, & Catalogue at Takealot. He is responsible for onsite marketing, product merchandising, and promotional campaigns, ensuring customers have a seamless and engaging shopping experience. He has been at Takealot for over six years, helping bring e-commerce to millions of South Africans.

Before that, he worked at a tech start-up developing proof-of-concept grocery shopping and payment apps and began his career as an investment analyst, gaining a strong foundation in business understanding and financial modelling.

About Sandras

Sandras is the founder and CEO of Pranary. With his expertise in entrepreneurship, innovation, and tech education, he helps business leaders unlock new potential with AI. He is building a pan-African institute for practical tech and business education.

With global experience across 50+ countries, he has worked with entrepreneurs, led gender-lens investing initiatives, and lectured at top universities. Sandras has also shared stages with tech leaders, including Facebook and Asana co-founder Dustin Moskovitz and YouTube co-founder Steve Chen.

About Sasha

Sasha Knott, an EY winning woman, is the Global CEO of Crystal AI and the CEO of Job Crystal. A visionary in the recruitment space, she is revolutionising hiring by integrating AI and technology to make recruitment faster, smarter and more effective. She co-founded Job Crystal to help businesses find top talent efficiently and led the development of Crystal AI, an AI-driven recruiter transforming the hiring landscape.

About Majozi

Majozi, Koa’s Head of Arts and Culture, is an award-winning South African musician. He rose to prominence in 2013 when he released his first EP, ‘Marvelous Light’. The track went to number 9 on the South African iTunes chart and resulted in him being signed with Universal Music South Africa. He has worked with internationally acclaimed artists such as The Lumineers and Mango Groove.