Newsletter

This academic year marks a very important milestone for High Gate International Academy with the opening of our very first Lower Secondary class: Grade 7. This new step reflects the steady growth of our school and our commitment to accompanying our learners throughout their academic journey. For the students enrolled in this pioneer class, it is a unique opportunity to grow with the school, to be part of a small and supportive learning community, and to benefit from close guidance as they transition into secondary education.

The Lower Secondary system at High Gate builds naturally on the strong foundations established in Primary, particularly our bilingual approach. Students continue to learn and develop in both French and English, allowing them to consolidate their language skills while gaining confidence in academic communication. At the same time, they are gradually introduced to the core subjects of the Cambridge Lower Secondary curriculum, helping them develop subject-specific skills, academic vocabulary, and independent learning habits that are essential at this level.

During this first term and first year of Lower Secondary, we are proud to welcome 17 students, both girls and boys, into Grade 7. This new chapter represents a major turning point for High Gate International Academy. It reflects our ongoing growth and our strong commitment to providing a learning environment where students are respected, encouraged to learn, and recognized for who they are as individuals. Through this new section, we reaffirm our vision of offering every learner a space where they can grow academically, personally, and confidently as they move toward the future.

During this first term, we were proud and honored to see High Gate International Academy selected as one of only six schools in Kigali to take part in the Horizon Bilingue Label project, under the supervision of the Embassy of France in Rwanda. This recognition is a strong acknowledgment of the work already done by our school and of our clear vision to build a solid and meaningful bilingual education system. Being part of this project places High Gate within a network of schools committed to high-quality bilingual education.

Through the Horizon Bilingue Label, our teachers will benefit from continuous support in the form of both online and in-person training sessions. These trainings are designed to strengthen their linguistic skills as well as their pedagogical practices in bilingual education. This professional development will directly benefit our students by ensuring more effective teaching, better language exposure, and a more coherent bilingual learning experience across all levels.

This partnership will also allow High Gate International Academy to receive a significant amount of didactic materials, including books and educational games. These resources will enrich classroom practices, support active learning, and further strengthen our bilingual environment. Most importantly, the Horizon Bilingue Label will guide and support our school in preparing for the application to the Label France Éducation, an internationally recognized mark of excellence for bilingual schools. Obtaining this label represents a major achievement, as it confirms the quality, credibility, and sustainability of a school’s bilingual system on a global scale. For High Gate, it is not only a recognition, but also a commitment to continue offering our learners an education that opens doors locally and internationally.

On September 12, 2025, High Gate International Academy hosted a very special Curriculum Evening, a pedagogical event designed to give parents a deeper understanding of our school’s educational philosophy. During this evening, parents had the opportunity to learn about the teaching approaches used across all levels, from Nursery to Lower Secondary, and to explore the details of our curriculum at each stage. It was a rich and engaging moment of dialogue, where parents could ask questions, share insights, and gain clarity on how their children are guided and supported in their learning.

This year, the event was particularly remarkable as the number of participants tripled compared to previous years. This increase reflects the strong commitment of our parents to understand our educational system and to take an active role in supporting their children’s learning journey. It is inspiring to see parents eager to engage with teachers, collaborate, and contribute as partners in education, helping to ensure that each child thrives academically, socially, and emotionally.

During this first term, students took part in CAT 1 and CAT 2, which are important moments in our continuous assessment process. These evaluations give learners the opportunity to work under supervision and within a limited time, helping them gradually adapt to more structured and formal assessment conditions. Rather than being isolated events, CATs are designed as learning tools that allow students to reflect on their progress, understand expectations, and develop confidence in their abilities.

This progressive approach to assessment is a key feature of international education. It focuses not only on results, but also on the development of essential skills such as time management, concentration, organization of ideas, and the ability to work independently under pressure. By experiencing regular assessments in a supportive environment, students learn to view evaluation as part of the learning journey, not as a source of fear.

As students become more familiar with this system, their growth becomes clearly visible. Between CAT 1 and CAT 2, many learners showed noticeable improvement in their performance, reflecting better preparation, stronger understanding of content, and increased self-confidence. These encouraging results confirm the effectiveness of this gradual assessment approach and highlight the steady academic progress of our students.

As promised to parents last year, High Gate International Academy is proud to have successfully introduced Coding and Robotics as a subject across all Primary and Lower Secondary classes. This new programme represents an important step in preparing our students for the world of tomorrow. Through age-appropriate activities, learners are introduced to logical thinking, problem-solving, creativity, and digital literacy. Coding and robotics encourage students to move beyond passive use of technology and become active creators, helping them understand how technology works and how it can be used to solve real-life problems.

To further strengthen hands-on practice, we also launched a Coding and Robotics Club, giving interested students additional time to explore, experiment, and collaborate on projects. The impact on students’ learning journeys has already been visible, with increased curiosity, engagement, and confidence, especially when working in teams and tackling challenges. To ensure the highest quality of instruction, we recruited Teacher Felix, one of the best Coding and Robotics educators in the country. His expertise, passion, and ability to inspire students have played a key role in the successful implementation of this programme, reinforcing our commitment to innovation and excellence in education.

Solidarity Festival Launch at High Gate International Academy 

As part of the end-of-year festivities and Christmas celebrations, High Gate International Academy launched a Solidarity Campaign on November 10, 2025. This initiative was designed to raise awareness among our students and parents about children who are unable to fully enjoy their rights due to difficult economic conditions. Through this campaign, we aimed to nurture values of empathy, sharing, and social responsibility within our school community.

Throughout the campaign, students actively contributed by donating money, food supplies, and school materials. Their enthusiasm and generosity reflected a strong sense of compassion and solidarity. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to all parents who supported this initiative and encouraged their children to take part. Their involvement played a key role in making this campaign meaningful and impactful.

On December 20, 2025, with the support and involvement of local authorities, we were able to identify children in need of assistance and warmly welcome them to our school. On this special day, they joined our students in various activities organized on campus, creating moments of joy, sharing, and connection. It was also an opportunity for our students to personally hand over the food items, school materials, and donations collected during the solidarity campaign. This experience left a lasting impression on everyone involved and strongly reflected High Gate’s commitment to education that goes beyond academics, shaping caring and responsible citizens.

Pajama Day brought a joyful and playful atmosphere to High Gate International Academy, as students from Nursery to Lower Secondary, along with their teachers, came to school dressed in their pajamas. This special day transformed the campus into a warm and relaxed learning space, where comfort, imagination, and creativity took center stage. It was a wonderful way to remind everyone that learning can also be fun, expressive, and full of smiles.

Under the theme “A Night in Dreamland,” students took part in a variety of mini-competitions and activities adapted to their levels. They wrote letters, invented imaginative stories, shared snacks with their classmates, and expressed their creativity through words and ideas. These activities encouraged language development, creativity, collaboration, and confidence, while strengthening the sense of community across different age groups.

The day concluded on a high note with the exciting moment of breaking the piñata, a highlight that brought laughter, excitement, and shared joy among students. Pajama Day was more than just a fun event—it was a meaningful opportunity to build connections, celebrate creativity, and create lasting memories within our school community.

The End of Term 1 examinations marked an important academic milestone for our students. These exams provided learners with the opportunity to demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and competencies developed throughout the term. Conducted in a structured and supportive environment, the assessments also helped students strengthen essential skills such as focus, time management, and independent work. For many, this period was a valuable learning experience that encouraged reflection on their progress and areas for improvement.

The results from these exams have been encouraging and reflect the consistent efforts of both students and teachers. Overall, we observed steady academic growth across levels, with noticeable improvement in student confidence and performance. These outcomes allow teachers to better adjust instructional strategies and provide targeted support where needed, ensuring that each learner continues to progress. Most importantly, the End of Term 1 results reinforce our shared commitment to academic excellence and continuous improvement at High Gate International Academy.

As we come to the end of this newsletter, we turn our attention toward Term Two, a period that promises continued growth, learning, and exciting opportunities for our school community. Building on the strong foundations laid during Term One, the second term will focus on deepening academic learning, strengthening bilingual practices, and expanding student engagement through projects, assessments, and co-curricular activities.

Term Two will also be a time to consolidate progress, support each learner according to their needs, and continue working closely with parents as key educational partners. With renewed energy and clear goals, we look forward to another meaningful term where students are encouraged to challenge themselves, explore their potential, and grow with confidence at High Gate International Academy.

Anaïs: A Bridge Between Rwanda and New York

We were honored to welcome Anaïs, a young Rwandan diaspora girl living and studying in New York, who visited High Gate International Academy in February 2025. Anaïs attends St. Raymond Elementary School, a school deeply committed to academic excellence, values, and community service. After returning to New York, Anaïs shared her meaningful experience at High Gate with her teachers and school leadership. Moved by her story, St. Raymond Elementary School generously donated over 200 books to support learning at High Gate International Academy. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Anaïs and the entire St. Raymond Elementary School community for this inspiring gesture that will enrich our learners and strengthen the bond between our two schools.