Academics

How our Learning System works

Preschool at Shanan:

At Shanan, our preschool sparks curiosity, joy, and a love for learning through the ‘Little Lights Curriculum’, a Christ-centered program that nurtures the whole child. We welcome little learners in:

Grade RRR (3 – 4 years)
Grade RR (4 – 5 years)

Children engage in faith-filled stories, creative play, early literacy and numeracy activities and social-emotional development in a warm, supportive environment. Our goal is to build confidence, a love for learning and a strong foundation of faith as they prepare for Grade R.

Why Little Lights?

At Shanan, our preschool program is designed to spark curiosity, joy and a love for learning in every child. We are excited to introduce the ‘Little Lights Curriculum’, a Christ-centered, developmentally appropriate program that nurtures the whole child – spiritually, socially, emotionally and academically.

Our Grades and Age Groups

Grade RRR (3 – 4 years): Focus on exploration, sensory play, and early social-emotional skills. Children begin to learn simple Bible stories, practice listening skills and engage in hands-on activities that develop fine and gross motor skills.
Grade RR (4 – 5 years): Builds on foundational skills with early literacy, numeracy and more structured learning. Children continue Bible lessons and memory verses while developing independence, cooperation and confidence in preparation for Grade R.

What Your Child Will Experience

Faith-filled learning: Age-appropriate Bible stories, memory verses and spiritual lessons woven into every day.
Hands-on exploration: Creative arts, sensory play and discovery-based activities that spark curiosity and problem-solving.
Early literacy and numeracy: Fun, interactive approaches to reading, writing, counting and number recognition.
Social and emotional growth: Opportunities for co-operation, empathy and building meaningful friendships.
Movement and play: Structured and free play for physical development, coordination and confidence.

Our Goal

We aim to prepare children for a confident transition into Grade R, instilling a love for learning, a growing faith and a sense of wonder about the world around them.

“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” (Proverbs 22:6)

A Nurturing Community

At Shanan Preschool, children are supported by caring teachers who guide each child’s growth individually, celebrating milestones and encouraging curiosity every step of the way. Our small classes ensure personalised attention and a strong sense of belonging.

Why ACE is Unique – Biblical & Mastery-Based:

At Shanan Christian School, learners from Grade R through to High School follow the Accelerated Christian Education (ACE) system. ACE is a Bible-centered curriculum in which Scripture and Biblical principles are woven into every subject and daily activity, nurturing Godly character and spiritual growth.

ACE utilizes a mastery-based approach that fosters academic excellence and personal responsibility. Each child progresses at their own pace, ensuring they fully understand concepts before moving on. This approach builds confidence, independence and helps every learner reach their full potential.

Daily Learning Experience:

Learners set daily goals and work independently in their own workspace, known as their Office within a Learning Centre (classroom).
They are guided by Supervisors (Academic Teachers) and supported by Monitors (Teacher Assistants) to ensure progress and understanding.
Their workbooks, called PACEs, cover core subjects including English, Maths, Science, Social Studies, Word Building and Biblical Studies.
Daily goals integrate reading, writing and problem-solving, helping learners develop both academic skills and critical thinking.
Learners complete weekly assessments, including Check-Ups and Self-Tests, to evaluate mastery.
Supervisors use these results to provide individualized support, ensuring each child is progressing and mastering the content.
Once a learner successfully passes the PACE Test, the PACE is considered complete, and they move confidently on to the next level.

Teachers’ Roles & Support:

In the ACE system, learners are guided by Supervisors, the academic teachers responsible for all teaching, tracking progress and providing one-on-one academic support. Supervisors also mentor learners in goal setting, self-discipline and developing independence in their learning. Monitors (Teacher Assistants) support the Supervisors by managing Learning Centre administrative tasks and helping maintain a structured, well-organized and supportive learning environment.

Enrichment Opportunities:

In addition to core subjects, learners develop computer skills from Grade R to Grade 11 through the FutureKids and SkillsPro programs. They complete the ACE IsiZulu PACEs from Gr 2 – 5 and begin Afrikaans from Gr 3 – 12. Entrepreneur Days, service projects through the His Servants program, and other extracurricular and cultural activities help learners grow into well-rounded individuals with confidence, initiative, creativity and a strong sense of responsibility.

Progression & Continuity:

From Grade R to High School, as learners progress from one Learning Centre to the next, the continuity of the ACE system continually builds on previous learning. This consistent learning experience creates a strong foundation of academic knowledge, discipline, independence and character ensuring that learners are well prepared for life beyond school.

Grade R & Grade 1: Foundation in Literacy and Numeracy

At Shanan, learners in Grade R and Grade 1 thrive in small, supportive classrooms where a strong foundation in literacy, numeracy, and character is developed. Through hands-on, interactive learning, children build reading confidence, phonetic skills, comprehension, early writing abilities and a solid grasp of mathematical concepts, while also growing socially, morally, and spiritually.

Grade R: Reading Readiness

At Shanan, we place a strong emphasis on early literacy, recognizing that a solid foundation in reading is critical for long-term academic success. Our approach combines the ACE system with hands-on, small-class learning and Christ-centered guidance to nurture confident, capable readers.

In Grade R, learners build on the foundational skills developed in Preschool. We use the 1-year ‘ACE Grade R: Reading Readiness’ Program, which provides a complete scope and sequence of skills needed to prepare learners to read.

Key features include:

Phonetic introduction: Learners are familiarized with the 35 letter sounds and blends (e.g., th, wh) using the ‘Animal Friends’ program, through stories, songs, movement and games.
Learning through play: Activities like puzzle building, playdough, cutting and movement exercises develop fine motor skills, eye-hand coordination and spatial awareness, preparing learners for proper letter formation in Grade 1.
Assessment: A Coordination Test is done three times during the year, and a Reading Readiness Test ensures learners meet readiness benchmarks (80% or above) before entering Grade 1.
Bible and character development: Learners continue to explore Biblical principles and Godly character integrated into daily activities.

Grade 1: Building Literacy and Numeracy Foundations

Grade 1 marks the beginning of formal schooling. Learners are introduced to the ACE Learning to Read Programme, ‘ABCs with Ace & Christi’, which:

Teaches phonetic reading with comprehension, enabling learners to read any format of writing.
Covers letter recognition, sounds, blends, sight words and early reading skills.

Learners are introduced to Mathematics fundamentals, including number formation and mental math, building a strong foundation for more advanced concepts.

Other Foundation Phase Subjects

In addition to English and Maths, Grade R and Grade 1 learners work in:

Word Building
Social Studies
Science
Animal Science
Bible Reading

Our Goal:

At Shanan, our goal in Grade R and Grade 1 is to give learners a strong foundation in literacy and numeracy. Our Phonetic reading programs build early reading confidence, while hands-on activities develop gross motor coordination and fine motor skills. Learners also grow spiritually, morally, and socially. By the end of Grade 1, they are prepared to progress into Grade 2 with the skills, confidence, and love of learning needed for the next stage.

Grade 2 – 12: Mastery Learning

From Grade 2 through to High School, learners grow through the ACE mastery-based system, setting daily goals and progressing with increasing independence. Building on strong foundations, they develop discipline, responsibility, and academic excellence while receiving individualized support from Supervisors. This consistent approach builds confidence, deepens knowledge and strengthens character and spiritual maturity.

From Grade 2 through to High School, learners continue to work through mastery-based PACEs in all core subjects, setting daily goals and tracking their progress independently. With strong foundations laid in the early years, learners are able to build on these and reach their full potential.

Key academic developments include:

Goal preparation: Learners are taught to set daily goals and plan ahead, maximizing learning efficiency and enabling them to receive timely support where needed. They enjoy a great sense of achievement when their goals are reached.
Increased independence: Learners take ownership of their work, scoring their daily work under supervision and developing integrity, honesty and diligence.
Individualized support: Supervisors provide one-on-one guidance to help learners overcome challenges, ensuring steady progress at each learner’s pace.
High standards: Academic excellence is reinforced through structured assessments, with pass marks reflecting mastery (90% in early primary and 80% in later grades). Learners are well equipped to achieve these results through consistent, diligent work.
Spiritual growth: Each PACE integrates Scripture and Biblical principles, encouraging learners to develop Godly character, values and a Christ-centered worldview alongside their academic progress.

Diverse and Enriching Subject Offering

At Shanan, learners benefit from a broad and unique range of subjects through the ACE system, creating a more individualized and enriching academic experience. Beyond core subjects, learners are exposed to languages, life skills, and specialised modules that help them discover their strengths and interests while developing a well-rounded foundation.

At Shanan, the flexibility of the ACE system provides access to a wide range of specialized subjects and electives, allowing for a more individualized and enriching learning experience than traditional schools. Beyond the core curriculum, learners are exposed to subjects that develop language, communication, life skills and deeper Biblical understanding, helping them discover their strengths and interests.

Examples of some specialized Core Modules include:

Computer Studies (Grade R – 12)
isiZulu (from Grade 2 – 5)
Afrikaans (from Grade 2 – 12)
Literature and Creative Writing (from Grade 3 – 8)
Technology (Grade 7)
EMS (Grade 7 – 9)
Etymology (Grade 9 – 10)
Speech (Grade 8)
Bible Studies: Old and New Testament Studies, New Testament Church and Basic Life of Christ (Grade 8 – 12)
Health (Grade 9)
Music-related modules (Grade 9)
Personal Finance (Grade 10)

ACE Electives:

Learners also have access to a selection interesting elective subjects, including:

Soul Winning
Missions
Successful Living
Spanish
Greek
English Composition

LCA Grade 12 Graduation Option

Shanan offers learners the opportunity to graduate in Grade 12 with an internationally recognised Lighthouse Christian Academy (LCA) Diploma, accredited by SAQA. This pathway allows learners to complete the ACE program through to Grade 12, maintaining the integrity of a Bible-centered education while preparing them for tertiary studies.

At Shanan, High School learners can graduate with the internationally recognised Lighthouse Christian Academy (LCA) Diploma, accredited by SAQA. Through dual enrolment in Grade 12, learners complete the ACE curriculum up to Grade 12 while earning a USA-registered qualification (Foreign Qualification NQF 4) equivalent to the South African National Senior Certificate.

LCA is a distance learning institution in the USA that uses the ACE program and provides an accredited diploma and transcript to learners who meet the graduation requirements. This pathway allows learners to maintain their Christ-centered education while preparing for tertiary studies in South Africa or abroad. Acceptance into a South African tertiary institution requires a Foreign Conditional Exemption letter from USAF.

Key Benefits:

Internationally recognised qualification: The LCA diploma prepares learners for tertiary studies in South Africa and abroad.
Aligned with ACE: Learners continue working through the ACE system, building on the mastery-based learning and independence cultivated from Grade R through to Grade 12.
Whole-person development: Alongside academics, learners continue to grow in faith, character and personal responsibility.

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