Individualized Learning:

At STA the teachers recognize that each student has unique strengths and needs. They use a range of ongoing testing throughout the year to assess each learner's ability level. Teachers use this knowledge to plan lessons and units to extend each student in the class. In doing so, they measure individual progress throughout the year and give parents a clear understanding of how their child is developing through progress reports and updates. They set rigorously high expectations for all students and encourage each student to achieve his or her best.

Highly Qualified Teachers:

STA’s teachers are the best in Tanzania, as we hire from all over the country to provide our students with a well-rounded curriculum that includes Science, Mathematics, English, the Arts, Vocational Skills and Physical Education and is tailored to each unique student. Meet the teachers.

Professional Development for Teachers:

At STA, teachers are provided with many opportunities to continue learning and developing their skills and teaching strategies. A wide range of materials and resources are available to teachers to help them plan quality lessons. Every week, teachers meet during Professional Development (PD) sessions to ensure they are receiving the support they need to support each student to achieve their best.

English Medium School:

In all Tanzanian government primary schools, each subject is taught in Swahili. However, Secondary Schools or High Schools are taught in English. Consequently, many students struggle to adapt to an all-English language curriculum, and unfortunately can be left behind and underachieve. Our point of difference is that students learn English from their first day of primary school to help them be well prepared for secondary school.

Small Class Sizes:

In order to provide students with the individual attention that they need, STA has a policy of no more than 25 students per class. Small class sizes allow the teachers to get to know each student and tailor their teaching approach to the students' strengths and needs.

Safe Learning Environment:

Corporal punishment is allowed in Tanzanian schools. However, STA teachers do not hit or harm the students in any way. Our teachers and staff use positive reinforcement and encourage students to take ownership of their own behavior, while still making sure the school rules are clear and fair for all students. Through this policy, students learn to make positive choices and to take responsibility for their actions.

Group Counseling:

Group counseling was initiated by STA teachers to support students' self-awareness. Boys and girls are split into lower and upper classes to exchange ideas, concerns and challenges in the privacy of a small group of peers and their trusted teacher. This sort of interaction allows for support, caring, and confrontation that would otherwise not be possible during teaching time.

Vocational Education:

Vocational education is important as it enables students to learn extracurricular activities that can be helpful in their everyday life. Students are taught sewing, cooking, bicycle riding and repair, business, scouts, theatre, computer knowledge, and agriculture.

Sports:

Physical Education and sport are important at STA as they contribute to teaching confidence, mental alertness, and self-esteem, in addition to other skills like leadership, patience, teamwork, and social skills. At STA, students are taught football/soccer, volleyball, netball, athletics, and martial arts to strengthen hand-eye coordination and teamwork.

Nutrition:

A hungry child finds it difficult to concentrate in class and has little energy for sport, playtime or learning. All students at STA receive morning uji (Tanzanian porridge made from corn, soy, rice, millet, and peanut) and a nutritious lunch with organic fruit and vegetables from our own farm. STA students are encouraged to develop and maintain healthy eating habits, in order to make positive life choices, post-school when it comes to diet and exercise.

School Materials:

At STA, students are provided with stationary and multiple resources to support their learning. STA students are able to access a wide range of books that help foster a love and passion for reading. Learning resources provide students with important opportunities to practice a new skill, explore a new idea, and solve problems.

Transport:

STA provides safe transport to those students who require it. The school arranges transport either via a school bus, private van, or private car. Thus, all students get to school on time and get home safely.

Family Contributions:

Families of all full and partially sponsored students are asked to provide service or trade each month to the school to foster responsibility for their child's education and to involve them in the day-to-day life of the school. STA parents are valued members of the school community and they contribute in many different ways from gardening to coaching soccer or helping out in the school kitchen. All our parents are valued members of our learning community.