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Maru-a-Pula School

Botswana, Gaborone

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees BWP 120,600 - 129,000
Ages 12 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 824
Type Co-educational, Co-educational (boarding)
Opened 1972
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels
Taught languages English, French
Typical class size 18
Strengths Performing Arts, Visual and Creative Arts, Service and Sustainability
Clubs Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language, Social and Hobbies
Stages Secondary School, Sixth Form
Introduction

Maru-a-Pula School is a co-educational independent day and boarding secondary school in Gaborone, Botswana, located in the central Maruapula neighbourhood. It serves students aged 12–18 and offers Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels and Cambridge A Levels. The Lower School (Forms 1–3) provides a broad foundation in English, Mathematics, Science, Geography, History, ICT and Physical Education, with Art, Drama and Music in Forms 1–2; from Form 3 students select two arts. French and Setswana are taught from Form 1, with a choice between the two from Form 2; PSHE and Global Awareness are taught early, and an Introductory Business Course is taken in Form 3. The Upper School offers AS/A2-Level subjects. Facilities include 21 classrooms, 10 science laboratories, air conditioning and multimedia equipment, plus the Maitisong 450-seat theatre for performances and the Maitisong Festival. A distinctive feature is the weekly community service requirement and extensive arts and music programs, alongside international exchanges and a marimba program that tours the United States.

Plot 4725, Maruapula Way, Gaborone, Botswana

The Essentials

Maru-a-Pula School has 824 pupils, typical class sizes of 18, instruction in English.

Location
Plot 4725 Maruapula Way, Gaborone, Botswana. The campus is located in the central Maruapula neighbourhood, about 10 minutes from the Main Mall and adjacent to the fairways of the Gaborone Golf Club.

Stages
Lower School (12–16 yrs); Upper School (16–19 yrs)

Type
co-educational, independent day and boarding secondary school

Pupil Nationality Mix
Two-thirds of students are Botswanan citizens; one-third are expatriates from more than 30 countries.

Country affiliation
Botswana

Religious affiliation
Secular; embraces all faiths and cultures

School day structure
The School Day for the A-Level programme starts at 7:00 am; tutorials are held in the afternoon; students are expected to spend at least two hours on independent study each day.
Diving Deeper

Boarding Arrangements
Boarding accommodation is available; indicate on the application form. A limited number of scholarships may be available to students with strong academic potential and significant financial need.

Uniform Requirement
The uniform consists of black trousers and white open-collared shirts; blazer and tie are not part of the standard (blazer and tie are considered impractical in the climate).

Food Options
Lunches and snacks are available for day students per term, at a per-term cost of P3,200; availability depends on payment before the term begins.

Governance and Ownership
Founded in 1972, MaP was established as a non-profit trust, built on 50 acres of land donated by the Botswana Government.
Fees

Annual tuition at Maru-a-Pula School ranges from BWP 120,600 to BWP 129,000 for 2026/27.

Application & entrance fees
- Registration fee: P500.
- Entrance fee: P605.
- Capital / Development Levy (single payment): Form 1–5: P42,500; Lower Sixth (L6): P21,250; Upper Sixth (U6): P21,250.

Tuition fees (per term)
- A‑Level: Upper Sixth (U6): P43,000 per term.
- A‑Level: Lower Sixth (L6): P43,000 per term.
- Forms 1–5: P40,200 per term.
- Annual tuition (three-term year): Upper/Lower Sixth P129,000; Forms 1–5 P120,600 (calculated as three terms per academic year).

Boarding fees
- All boarding students: P31,200 per term. Annual boarding (three terms): P93,600.
- External examination fees are charged separately and must be paid in addition to tuition/boarding.

Billing schedule and payment terms
- Payment timing: Half the fees are payable by the end of the preceding term and the balance is due by the start of the next term. Full payment of all fees must be made by the first day of each term.
- Examination entries: Examination fees should be paid at least six weeks prior to the examination to confirm entry.
- Advance-pay discount: A 5% discount is offered on tuition when a year's tuition is paid in advance; the discount must be settled before the close of the term prior to entry (the published 5% example for 2026 is P6,030 when paid by 31 January).
- Sibling discount: Eldest child pays in full; second and subsequent children receive a 5% discount on tuition only.
- Overdue balances: Late penalty of 2% per month (compounded) applies to overdue balances. The Principal may exclude students whose fees are unpaid at the beginning of term.

Other charges and routine costs
- External examination fees: charged separately (amounts depend on examining body and subject entries).
- Uniform / dress requirements: The school maintains a dress requirement (black trousers and white open‑collared shirts); no uniform price schedule is published.
- Textbooks, lunches or other day‑student catering: specific charges are not shown in the 2026 fee statement; where additional services are supplied they are invoiced separately.

Refunds and cancellations
- No explicit standard refund policy is specified in the published fee statement; refunds or adjustments are not described in the fee schedule.

Fee payment options and instructions
- Bank transfer details are provided for electronic payments (account name: Maru‑a‑Pula School; bank: First National Bank; branch: Main Branch; branch no. 281467; account no. 620 756 128 48; Swift code: FIRNBWGX). Proof of payment should be faxed or emailed as instructed to the Accounts office.
- For bank transfers, advise the Accounts office of payment details so a receipt can be issued. The published materials also reference standard banking/payment handling procedures.

Notes on discounts and penalties (summary)
- 5% discount for a year's tuition paid in advance (tuition only).
- 5% sibling discount on tuition for second and subsequent children.
- 2% per month compounded penalty on overdue balances.
- Returned-cheque or similar handling charges and cheque-payment instructions appear in the school's published finance notes; electronic transfer confirmations should be sent to the Accounts office as instructed.
Academics

Maru-a-Pula School teaches Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels for students aged 12 to 18.

Curriculum
Lower School Programme (Forms 1–3) provides a broad foundation with English, Mathematics, Science, Geography, History, ICT and Physical Education for all students. All students study Art, Drama and Music in Form 1 and Form 2; from Form 3 they select two of these arts. Both French and Setswana are taught in Form 1; from Form 2 students choose between Setswana or French, with Beginners' Setswana available; PSHE is taught in Forms 1–2 and Global Awareness is taught in Form 2. An Introductory Business Course is taken in Form 3. Project and research work are integral; internet access and ICT are used across the curriculum; afternoons feature a co-curricular program including community service and enrichment activities. The IGCSE Programme runs at the end of Form Five; Cambridge IGCSE is designed as a two-year programme with typically nine subjects drawn from Accounting, French, Drama, Physics, Economics, Setswana, English Language, Business Studies, Mathematics, Chemistry, Additional Maths, Geography, Art & Design, History, Biology, ICT, Literature in English, Music and Computer Science; IGCSE provides a foundation for AP, IB and GCE AS/A2-Levels. Upper School ( Forms 4–6 ) offers AS/A2-Level studies with the departments currently offering AS/A2-Level subjects including Accounting, English Language, English Literature, Geography, Computing, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Art & Design, History, Economics and Business Studies.

Student Teacher Ratio
MaP has over 800 students and around 65 teachers, giving an approximate student–teacher ratio of 12:1.

Exam Results
Our Cambridge IGCSE and A-Level examination results are strong. In 2018, 57.6% of MaP students earned either an A* or an A at A-Level. In 2019, 64% of all A-Level exams written earned A*s and As; 55 students, out of 120 candidates, earned 5 or more A*s and As at IGCSE; AS-Level results saw 37 students achieving 3 As. MaP reports 94 students currently study at universities among the world's top 100.

Higher Education Progression
Graduates study at universities around the world, including institutions in the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Australia, South Africa and Botswana. Notable destinations include Harvard University, Princeton University, University of Oxford, Imperial College London, University College London, London School of Economics, University of Toronto, University of California Los Angeles among others; 824 students were enrolled in MaP in 2019 and many graduates join world-class universities shortly after finishing MaP.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
Life Skills/PSHE is taught in Forms 1 and 2, and from Form 4 to 6 students have a discussion period addressing topics relevant to their lives. Weekly assemblies expose students to a range of ideas about the world and a life well lived. Pastoral care is provided by Form Teachers, Directors of Study and Year Heads, with a School Counsellor addressing emotional wellbeing through individual counselling and group sessions. The College and Career Counselling programme supports students' educational pathways, with regular visits from colleges and universities. The environment is welcoming and multicultural, promoting intercultural understanding.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
Maru-a-Pula does not provide specialized support for students with special education needs, as the admission policy accepts students who can cope with the limited support offered.

Mental Wellbeing
A School Counsellor attends to emotional wellbeing, providing individual counselling and group sessions. The campus includes a Health clinic with a School Nurse to address health needs, and the school hosts an annual Health Week. Life Skills/PSHE for Forms 1-2 and a discussion period for Forms 4-6 develop coping skills and relevant life topics. A supportive pastoral framework is reinforced by Year Heads and Form Teachers, and assemblies broaden students' understanding of wellbeing and global perspectives.

Safeguarding
Policies cover staff-student boundaries, discipline, bullying and cheating, and include guidelines on smoking, drugs and alcohol and academic integrity. The school has 24-hour in-house security staff, teachers on duty during the day, a School Nurse and a School Counsellor to address safety and wellbeing. Pastoral care roles are defined, with confidential handling of sensitive information and established channels for reporting concerns.
Parent Experience

History
MaP was founded in 1972 as a non-profit trust on 50 acres of land donated by the Botswana Government. The founding Headmaster was Deane Yates, who established the school with multiracial ideals and a commitment to community outreach. A School Council governs policy and financial management, and the Principal is a member who directs the day-to-day operations. The school began on the outskirts of Gaborone and has since grown into a diverse, international co-educational day and boarding secondary school rooted in Botswana's values.

Community
MaP's community is diverse, with over 800 students (two-thirds Botswanan) and around 65 teachers representing more than 35-40 nationalities. It is a co-educational, independent day and boarding school with a strong emphasis on community outreach. MaP runs exchanges with more than 20 partner schools in the USA, UK, China, Japan, France and Australia, and the marimba band has toured the USA, Canada, Portugal and Brazil. Maitisong theatre on campus, built by David Matthews, stands as a symbol of the school's outreach to the wider community.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
The Maru-a-Pula campus is in the centrally located neighbourhood of Maruapula, Gaborone, 10 minutes from the Main Mall and adjacent to the Gaborone Golf Club. The campus boasts a natural environment with a wide range of indigenous plants and trees that complement the buildings. There are 21 classrooms and 10 science laboratories (Biology – 3; Science – 3; Chemistry – 2; Physics – 2) on campus, grouped in blocks dedicated to teaching subjects. Classrooms have been upgraded with air conditioning and mounted projectors and screens in most rooms. Maitisong, a 450-seat purpose-built assembly hall and theatre, hosts student shows and the Maitisong Festival in April. MaP AV Centre supports multimedia learning.

Sports Facilities
Sports form an integral part of the MaP community and we cater for many sporting codes including swimming, basketball, football and netball, with 1 swimming pool, 3 basketball courts, 2 netball courts, 2 volleyball courts, 1 football pitch, 1 rugby pitch, 1 athletics track, 2 tennis courts, 1 cricket batting area and 1 dance studio.

Academic Facilities
There are 21 classrooms and 10 science laboratories (Biology 3; Science 3; Chemistry 2; Physics 2) on campus, grouped in blocks dedicated to teaching subjects. Classrooms have been upgraded with air conditioning and mounted projectors and screens. A French block is on campus, and MaP AV Centre supports multimedia teaching.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Theatre and performing arts are showcased in Maitisong, with Maitisong Festival in April. MaP Marimba is part of the arts program, and Co-Curricular (SPE) and Enrichment programs support student activities, complemented by the Library and other on-campus facilities.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
Maru-a-Pula offers the Cambridge IGCSE programme at the end of Form Five, a two-year curriculum leading to the IGCSE certificate. IGCSE curriculum provides a wide and balanced international qualification and serves as a foundation for AP, IB and GCE AS or A-Levels. For A-Levels, the school runs AS-Level and A2-Level studies with subject blocks including Accounting, English Language, English Literature, Geography, Computing, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Art & Design, History, Economics and Business Studies. Cambridge IGCSE and A-Level preparations are central to the school's academic program and its global university pathways.

Arts & Creative
MaitaIsong, the centre for performing arts on campus, hosts student performances and annual arts events. The Music Department offers IGCSE-level courses with ensembles and a renowned marimba program that tours the United States every two years, along with the Tutti & Soli concert. The Drama Department provides IGCSE and SPE opportunities, with school productions and collaborative theatre projects. The Art Department runs Forms 1–6 classes, exhibitions with neighboring schools and student-led visual art projects.

Cultural & Language
MaP has an international enrolment with exchanges at more than 20 partner schools in the USA, UK, China, Japan, France and Australia. Mandarin is offered as part of enrichment activities, and there is a Model United Nations club, alongside other language and cultural activities and international exchanges.

Social & Hobbies
Enrichment activities include a debating club, chess, Verbal Emancipation (poetry), Teen Investor Club, bridge club, film club, and a Model United Nations club. The school also supports various music, arts and hobby groups, including a card game club such as Magic: The Gathering, and individual tuition in musical instruments.

Community & Service
Service is a core component of MaP's identity; weekly service is required of all students and teaching staff as part of the school's ethos and partnerships with communities. The school emphasizes ongoing engagement with local and national communities through diverse projects and collaborations.

Leadership & Professional
Leadership training is offered to all students rather than reserved for a select few, and there are no prefects or Head Boy/Girl roles. Older students model leadership and service through their conduct and activities. MaP has global collaborations with institutions such as Harvard University, Juilliard and Princeton-in-Africa, reflecting opportunities for mentorship and exchange.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Physical education is required for Forms 1–3, with a PE curriculum that includes various sports, dances and fitness tests. Students participate in a range of activities including competitive sports and non-traditional options such as Zumba, yoga, dance, aqua aerobics, golf and cycling, supporting lifelong physical wellness.
Languages

Language Provision
All students undertake English, Mathematics, Science, Geography, History, ICT and Physical Education throughout the Lower School. All students pursue French and Setswana in Form 1, and they are streamed by language ability, with some learning Setswana as a Second Language and others as a First Language. From Form 2, students choose between Setswana or French; Beginners' Setswana is offered in Forms 1–3, and Setswana can only be selected at IGCSE Level by fluent speakers. The IGCSE Programme includes English Language, French and Setswana among its offered subjects.
Admissions

Admissions
1. Entrance testing for Form 1 takes place every March. Applications are welcome at any time, but applicants should submit by February 28 of the year preceding entry. Students are tested in Standard 6 and Standard 7 for admission into the following year or the year thereafter.

2. Click here to apply. Completed applications should include a birth certificate or comparable document, recent passport-sized photographs, proof of payment of the Registration Fee of P500, and copies of the student's latest reports. The school uses these documents to verify identity and assess eligibility.

3. Applicants will be notified of the date of the Entrance Test. The Entrance Test date is communicated after the application is received. The test helps determine whether the applicant meets the criteria for admission.

4. Once the student's applications and entrance test have been evaluated, the applicant will be notified of the result. The notification indicates whether admission is offered. If a place is not yet available, the waitlist policy may apply.

5. If places are filled, students will be placed on a waiting list. When space becomes available, the applicant will be notified and an offer of admission will be extended. The waiting list is used to fill vacancies as they occur.

Scholarships
The JC Top Achiever's Bursary is awarded to top-performing Batswana students who sit the Botswana Junior Certificate exam.

Waitlist
If places are filled, students will be placed on a waiting list. When space becomes available, the applicant will be notified and an offer of admission will be extended. The waiting list is used to fill vacancies as they occur.
School Events
The school has not added events
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