Kelly and Chris were introduced to a failing Pre-K to Grade 7 rural school in the Cape Town region of South Africa where teachers were not getting paid, learners were going hungry, and the existing principal was verbally and emotionally abusive to the children and staff.

The school (the children) deserved better. And we brought in the love, proper education, wholistic support, and financial stability that was missing in the school

Kelly both taught at this school, but also took over as Principal, and then Director of Education & Programming.

Chris became Business Manager and then Director of Operations; alongside being Chairperson.

We not only saved the education children but also the school, growing to 300+ students up to Grade 9. With it also becoming the first of many planned schools:

Since 2016, we have been helping manage this low-fee, private, Christian primary school. In “guiding hearts and minds”, we focus not only on the academics for the child, but also their mental and emotional wellbeing. Much of a person’s health and learning is directly related to their psycho-social state. This wholistic approach embraces the connections of Spirit, Heart, Soul, Mind, and Body to fulfill the potential of the individual in a social context.

With this, the child can excel in who they are without limitations to who they can be--as many suffer from sub-par government education, Learning Barriers, or detrimental home environmets (traumas).

But through this guidance, support, and love, we can develop a wholistic child that grows into a young adult ready to face the world around them. Taking with them the energy, passion, and strength to overcome anything they face through embracing the values and vision engrained in them at Crosspoint Academy.

VISION:

In “guiding hearts and minds”, The Crosspoint Foundation and Crosspoint Academy focus not only on the academics for the child, but also their mental and emotional wellbeing. Much of a person’s health and learning is directly related to their psycho-social state. This wholistic approach embraces the connections of Spirit, Heart, Soul, Mind, and Body to fulfil the potential of the individual in a social context. With this, the child can excel in who they are without limitations to who they can be.

MISSION:

To develop a wholistic child that grows into a young adult ready to face the world around them. Taking with them the energy, passion, and strength to overcome anything they face through embracing the values and vision engrained in them at Crosspoint Academy. This, with our Teaching Methodology, make our school unique.

Teaching Methodology: At Crosspoint Academy we use an International-style of teaching using “Active Learning”. The instruction given by teachers engage with students on their level allowing them to be active participants in their own learning process. Active learning is exciting and looks like everything from changing worksheet to a fun activity, pausing to reflect to role playing, small and large group discussions, hands-on tech, brainstorming, and case studies. Our teachers are always circulating the classroom to gauge student understanding of the topic. Formative assessment is our assessment of choice, using things like exit tickets, clip-board cruising, and classroom polls. However, we do follow the CAPS the curriculum and must take the formal assessments as required by the WCED. We feel our teaching methods prepare our students for these summative assessments more than any other type of teaching.

VALUES:

The compassionate Heart of God is at the core of The Crosspoint Foundation and Crosspoint Academy; encompassing honesty, accountability, humility, and an energetic/proactive approach to life—impacting the diverse lives of the children, parents, teachers, staff, and all who pass through our door. We are “guiding hearts and minds” into altruistic leaders of tomorrow.

• Heart of God / Compassion: We exist to grow both the heart and mind. We create children who care for one-another, their community, their culture, their country, and the world. We are moved by the needs of others to act in making a positive difference in their lives (even in the little ways).

• Energetic / Proactive: Every day is a new day to begin fresh, excited, and ready to participate in the environment around us. We place our energy into being proactively ready for the school day ahead; and then energetically giving it our all as the facilitators of learning our students need.

• Accountability: We hold ourselves accountable for our own actions, admit when we make mistakes, and strive to be our best selves for our fellow staff and our students.

• Honesty: It is vital that honesty be held in high regard in all communications with each other, students, and parents. Even when faced with the vulnerability of expressing the truth and asking for forgiveness, honesty shows our students that the RIGHT way to handle life situations is always in a truthful way.

• Humility: This allows for selflessness and dignity. We have and show humility by listening to and accepting others. Humility allows each one of us to be “great” in the hearts of others (a mentor). Humility creates an open mind and recognition of the strengths in ourselves and others.

Physical Address: 12 Pickle Street, Strand, Cape Town, South Africa