Overview
The Aga Khan Academy, Hyderabad, established in 2011, is the second of a network of eighteen academies which His Highness Aga Khan plans to establish across Africa, South and Central Asia and the Middle East. Located on a 100 acre campus, the academy features a purpose-built campus with state-of-the-art-classrooms, resource areas and sports facilities. The Academy’s academic programmes have been developed according to the principles of the widely recognized International Baccalaureate Organisation (IBO), Geneva.
According to a school spokesperson, “Students of this academy pursue a well-balanced education combining intellectual inquiry, academic excellence, sporting and cultural activities and grounding in ethics and moral reasoning.”
Admission to the academy is based solely on merit, thereby reinforcing its philosophy of ensuring access for eligible students regardless of religious faith, socio-economic status or other limiting factors. Developing skills on critical thinking and analysis forms the core of the academy’s educational approach. The academy incorporates a Professional Development Centre (PDC) for teachers and educators which conduct programmes in various disciplines as well as specialized programmes focusing on skills and various ideas and concepts related to education.
Campus
Conceived by a renowned architect, the Aga Khan Academy Hyderabad features a state-of-the-art purpose built campus designed to provide an optical learning environment. Classrooms are spacious and well ventilated. Resource facilities include well-equipped laboratories for physics, biology, chemistry, home science and computer laboratories with internet access for both teachers and students. A well stocked library and resource centre has been provided for the senior school.
A religion and cultural room, art and music room, counseling facility, student and teacher lounges, a theatre, a cafeteria and dining area other facilities available within the campus. Sports facilities include swimming pool, fields for cricket, football, hockey and athletics. Indoor gymnasium has facilities for basket ball, badminton, squash and gymnastics.
The academy’s dining services offer well balanced and nutritious meals.
Accomodation
Residential facility is provided for both students and teachers and includes accommodation for 300 students aged 12-18, with dorm parents, maintaining a residential student-to-staff ratio of 8:1. The safe and secure environment of the hostels provides students of all background opportunity to thrive emotionally, intellectually and physically.
Academics
Aga Khan Academy’s educational programmes have been developed according to the principles of globally renowned International Baccalaureate Organisation (IBO), Geneva. Students at this academy study a wide range of subjects like history, general science, literature, philosophy, comparative religion, study of foreign cultures.
The academy offers three IB programmes at different stages of the education process:
Primary Years Programme (PYP) for students aged 6-11, focuses on the development of the child and giving students a strong foundation in all of the major areas of knowledge.
Middle Years Programme (MYP) for students aged 11-16, integrates the study of all major disciplines including languages, sciences, literature, math, art, technology and physical education.
The Diploma Programme (DP) for students aged 16-19, is a two-year course of study that prepares students for university.
Extracurricular: The academy claims to stimulate the joy of inquiry and learning in students both inside and outside the classroom. To this end, students are encouraged to participate in regular competitive sporting activities and other outdoor pursuits. Co-curricular and extracurricular activities include swimming, football, cricket, badminton, basket ball, netball, tennis, squash, water polo, athletics, gymnastics and dance, among others.
Admission
Admission to this academy is competitive and based on merit. Application forms can be downloaded from the school website. Applicants have to submit filled in application form to the academy office along with copies of last two grade reports, a copy of the birth certificate or passport, two photographs and for the junior school, evidence of vaccination.
For admission to junior school (PYP) students must be six years of age by December 31 of the year of entry. Admission to grade VII in Middle Years Programme (MYP) is in September every year. An entrance examination is held in mid-May and late-July for applicants from other schools, followed by an interview.
Admission to the I.B. Diploma Programme is also in September for which interviews are conducted in May and July after IGCSE results are announced. Applicants for the Diploma Programme (DP) must have demonstrated outstanding academic achievements as well as a record of active involvement in extracurricular and community service activities.
No new student will be considered for admission in an examination year (Diploma Programme year 2)
Achievements
According to a school spokesperson, “Students of this academy pursue a well-balanced education combining intellectual inquiry, academic excellence, sporting and cultural activities and grounding in ethics and moral reasoning.”