Alma Mater International School

What Alma Mater International School does

Alma Mater International School is a private Cambridge International curriculum school located at 1 Coronation Road, Krugersdorp, Gauteng, South Africa, founded in 1998 and operated under corporate parent International School Development Organisation, PTY LTD (registration 2002/013971/07). The school serves approximately three cohorts of secondary-age students: Junior High (ages 12-14), Senior High (ages 15-16), and Sixth Form/A-Level (ages 17-18), with a separate Pre-Primary and Primary brand at almamaterprimaryschool.co.za extending coverage from 3 months to 12 years. It also offers boarding facilities and bus transportation services. The school also offers a linked Pre-Primary and Primary phase through a separate brand at almamaterprimaryschool.co.za, providing an end-to-end 3-months-to-18-years pathway.

The school's core product is the Cambridge Assessment International Education curriculum, delivered through a STEM-focused 'Borderless Learning' pedagogical philosophy that integrates interdisciplinary curriculum mapping, diagnostic testing for personalised growth, and research-driven learning. A distinctive offering is the 1-on-1 IPQ (International Project Qualification) mentorship programme, which connects Sixth Form students with faculty from Oxford, Cambridge, Harvard, MIT, Stanford, Columbia, Yale, and UPenn for individual research projects. Supporting programmes include the Elite Sports rugby partnership with UXI Sport and a UCAS registered centre for UK university applications. Technology integration consists of digital classroom resources, science laboratories, and a virtual campus tour platform at almavirtualcampus.co.za, but no proprietary technology platform or AI capabilities are documented.

The school's revenue model is primarily tuition-based with recurring annual fees across the three programme tiers, supplemented by recurring boarding fees, recurring bus fees, and one-time R 750 ZAR application/assessment fees (plus R 75 international banking charge). Go-to-market is sales-led through an admissions process requiring assessment prior to enrolment, with personalised on-site or online admissions appointments, virtual tours, downloadable brochures, and digital marketing via the school website, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter/X, and YouTube. The school is registered with the Gauteng Department of Education (Reg: 700400014), accredited by Cambridge Assessment International Education, and is a member of ACESA. It claims 100% university graduation rate, 88% postgraduate placements, 92% hard science degree placement, and a student body representing 22 nationalities.

Name

Alma Mater International School

Legal name

International School Development Organisation, PTY LTD

Website

https://almamaterinternationalschool.co.za

Company type

Private

Founded year

1998

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Alma Mater International School is a private Cambridge International curriculum school in Krugersdorp, South Africa, founded 1998, serving ages 12-18 with STEM-focused education, Oxbridge and Ivy League research mentorship, boarding, and UCAS-registered university placement support.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

International Secondary Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEDAJABAG

International/Global Curriculum Schools (IB, Cambridge, etc.)

Education/K–12 / Primary & Secondary Education/Private & Independent K–12 Schools

Keywords

• International education services
• Secondary schooling
• Cambridge curriculum
• Boarding school education
• STEM secondary education

Headquarters

HQ city

Krugersdorp

HQ country

South Africa

HQ region

Africa

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Tuition Fees: Annual tuition fees for students across Junior High, Senior High, and Sixth Form programmes. Fee structure varies by grade level and programme.
2. Boarding House Fees: Residential boarding fees for students requiring on-campus accommodation, charged on an annual or term basis.
3. Bus Fees: Transportation fees for students utilizing school bus services.
4. Application and Assessment Fees: One-time application fee of R 750 ZAR for initial assessment and placement testing. Additional R 75 international banking charge for overseas transfers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Alma Mater International School is a private international school in Krugersdorp, Johannesburg, delivering the Cambridge International curriculum to students aged 12 to 18 across Junior High (Lower Secondary), Senior High (IGCSE), and Sixth Form (A-Level) programmes. It supplements classroom academics with STEM-focused learning, an Elite Sports (rugby) programme, a 1-on-1 IPQ mentorship scheme staffed by Oxbridge and top US university faculty, on-campus boarding, and bus transportation services.

Product overview

Alma Mater International School operates as a single unified educational institution offering a Cambridge International curriculum from early childhood through A-Level secondary education. The core product consists of three academic programmes: Junior High School (ages 12-14), Senior High School (ages 15-16), and Sixth Form/A-Level (ages 17-18). Supporting modules include the Elite Sports Programme (rugby training partnership with UXI Sport), the 1-on-1 IPQ Mentorship Programme (connecting students with top university mentors), the Borderless Learning Philosophy (STEM-focused interdisciplinary approach), University Guidance Counselling, Boarding House facilities, and Virtual Campus Tours. The school is registered with Cambridge Assessment International Education, the South African Department of Education, and serves as a UCAS centre for UK university applications.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Junior High School Programme Secondary education programme for students aged 12 to 14, integrating the Cambridge Lower Secondary curriculum with STEM-focused learning and research projects.
• Senior High School Programme Secondary education programme for students aged 15 to 16, preparing them for Cambridge IGCSE examinations across 13 available courses.
• Sixth Form (A-Level) Programme Advanced level education programme for students aged 17 to 18, offering 12 Cambridge Advanced Level courses and university preparation pathways.
• Boarding House On-campus residential facilities for students, with associated boarding fees and comprehensive support services.
• Elite Sports Programme Structured rugby training programme developed with UXI Sport, enabling student-athletes to balance athletic development with academic excellence.
• School Bus Transportation Service Transportation service providing daily school bus routes for day students, with associated termly bus fees.
• University Guidance Counselling Comprehensive support including university visits, UCAS centre registration, assistance with worldwide applications, and career-oriented development.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% university graduation rate
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• UXI SportcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with UXI Sport and their affiliated rugby institutes for the Elite Sports Programme. Provides student-athletes with a structured pathway to excel in both academics and rugby, combining elite sport with education through personalised full-time rugby training programmes.
• Cambridge Assessment International EducationcoreOthersOfficial Cambridge International school providing Cambridge IGCSE and A-Level curriculum since 1998. Accredited by Cambridge to deliver their internationally recognised examination programmes.
• UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service)coreOthersRegistered UCAS centre for facilitating university applications, particularly for UK universities. School staff provide dedicated support with paperwork, essays, and interviews for university applications worldwide.
• South African Department of EducationcoreOthersRegistered with the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE Registration number: 700400014) as a recognized educational institution.
• ACESAminorOthersAssociation for the advancement of Cambridge schools in Southern Africa, providing network and support for Cambridge International schools.
• Oxbridge MentorscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFaculty members from Oxford and Cambridge universities provide 1-on-1 IPQ (Individual Project Qualification) mentorship to Sixth Form students, conducting research under expert guidance in academic areas of interest.
• Top US Universities (Harvard, MIT, Stanford, Columbia, Yale, UPenn)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFaculty from six top US universities (Harvard, MIT, Stanford, Columbia, Yale, and UPenn) provide mentorship for the 1-on-1 IPQ programme, enabling students to conduct research with experts from leading US institutions.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Michaelhouse: Prestigious independent boarding school in KZN offering Cambridge and IEB pathways with strong Oxbridge/overseas placement. Comparable premium boarding model and university outcomes focus.
• St Stithians College: Top-tier independent Methodist school in Johannesburg offering IEB and Cambridge pathways with boarding and elite sport programmes. Comparable premium positioning and university placement record.
• St Peter's College: Independent boys' school in Johannesburg offering IEB and Cambridge pathways with boarding and strong academic results. Comparable in target families and Cambridge/A-Level delivery.
• Harrow International School South Africa: Premium co-educational international boarding school in Johannesburg offering Cambridge/IGCSE/A-Level curricula with a global brand affiliation. Directly comparable in target market (affluent international-curriculum families) and fee tier.
• Jeppe High School for Boys: Historic independent boys' school in Johannesburg offering IEB and Cambridge pathways with strong academic outcomes. Comparable in Johannesburg catchment and university preparation focus.
• Reddam House: Multi-campus private school group offering Cambridge IGCSE/A-Level across Johannesburg and surrounding areas. Comparable in curriculum framework, mid-market to premium positioning, and STEM emphasis.
• Crawford Schools: Network of independent schools offering Cambridge and IEB curricula across Gauteng with strong academic outcomes. Comparable in curriculum mix, STEM emphasis, and parent demographic.
• Bishops (Diocesan College): Historic premium independent boys' school in Cape Town offering Cambridge and IEB with elite sport and strong international university placement. Comparable academic outcomes and premium tuition tier.

Broad incumbents

• Curro Holdings: Largest private school operator in South Africa with national footprint spanning Cambridge, IEB, and vocational curricula. Overlaps with Alma Mater in Cambridge-curriculum secondary segment but at far broader scale across many price tiers.
• ADvTECH Schools: Listed private education group operating multiple premium brands (Bishops, St Andrew's, etc.) across South Africa and Africa. Comparable in Cambridge delivery and university placement but operates a much wider portfolio.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/HighMater
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCurdG6o-ruPD6_Zk8RUvRkw
• Facebookfacebook.com/AlmaMaterInternationalSchool
• Instagraminstagram.com/AlmaMaterInternationalSchool
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/alma-mater-international-school

Compliance7 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Alma Mater International School