HISTORY
The Get Ahead Project (Queenstown) opened its doors to 26 Xhosa speaking pre-school learners in 1992. A group of parents founded the school because they believed English language development was necessary for these learners to enroll at former local state “Model C” schools, which offered a better education than the township and public schools in the area.
In 1993, the Queenstown campus registered with the Department of Education and enrolled 75 learners in the Grade R and Grade 1 classes. Each year saw another grade created, as learners progressed in school.
In 2002, Peter Oliver, a native South African living in Toronto, Canada, and founder of The Leacock Foundation, visited the school and was inspired by what he saw. The Leacock Foundation became a partner providing ongoing financial support, allowing the schools to expand significantly and more learners to enroll at Get Ahead. In 2003, the Canadian “Triangle of Hope” was formed between Get Ahead and Canadian schools to enrich learners’ educational experience through collaborative learning.
Today, through the generous support of numerous donors who share the same vision, Queenstown Get Ahead Project, Whittlesea Get Ahead Project and Get Ahead College accommodate over 1,400 learners.
