Uniquely USAP
A groundbreaking two-year residential A‑Level program (Lower 6 & Upper 6) designed to bridge the literacy, research, critical thinking, and computer skills gaps identified in high-achieving Zimbabwean students
Honor Code and Quaker Values
Rooted in USAP’s Quaker identity, the campus upholds an Honor Code embodied through the values of integrity, equality, service, and curiosity. Every Sunday, the community gathers for a Quaker meeting for silent reflection—a moment to pause and connect deeply with personal purpose (“let your life speak”). Students are encouraged to live out these values in academics, peer relationships, and service to others
Integrity:
Cultivating honesty, moral courage, and the ability to act with ethical consistency across personal and academic life.
Equality:
Fostering mutual respect, listening, and shared decision-making in a diverse community.
Service:
Inspiring students to commit to uplifting their communities—evidenced by community-driven Capstones and active volunteerism.
Curiosity:
Encouraging wonder, questioning, and discovery through research, arts, athletics, and exploration.
Extracurricular Life
Our vibrant extracurricular program offers a wide array of clubs and sports, including Archery, Chess, Creatives, Cross Country, Drama, First Aid, Football, Marimba, Math Olympiad, Mbira, Media Club, Model UN, Robotics, Traditional Dance, USAPella, Volleyball, and Sustainability. These activities are student-led, with no hierarchical leadership, allowing students to take initiative and develop leadership skills in a collaborative environment.
Image Gallery
Explore the diverse range of projects and initiatives undertaken by our fellows, each designed to address critical challenges and drive sustainable change in their communities.
Community & Wellbeing
Our Honor Code is a cornerstone of our community, emphasizing the values of Integrity, Equality, Service, and Curiosity. These principles guide our students in their academic and personal endeavors, fostering a culture of trust and mutual respect.
- We organize our school into Advisory Groups, composed of 8-10 students, a TA, and a faculty member that meet weekly over lunch, giving our school community a family feel. Advisors keep close contact with their advisees to check on their academic progress, their health, and their mental and emotional well-being.
- Our Peer Support Program provides a first line of counseling, encouraging students to assist and learn from one another, enhancing the supportive environment.
We believe that to teach students the value of work and service in a community, we should live this ethos as a school community. Through our Campus Work Program, students and faculty do the work necessary to maintain our school community. Jobs range from maintaining the library to sweeping and mopping classrooms to overseeing all school tech, processing trash and recycling, and caring for the school dog.
Work Program
At USAP, all students participate in a work program that integrates practical, campus-based responsibilities such as maintaining gardens and facilities, managing dining operations, and supporting events like convocation. The work program encourages dignity in contribution, reinforces community values, and ensures students learn workplace skills and accountability. This is woven into daily life alongside academic and extracurricular commitments.
Centering Africa
To develop students who have pride in their cultures and identities, we center Africa both in and out of the classroom. Our curriculum allows students to engage with African literature and texts through our Humanities Class and school-wide seminal readings. Our performing arts department exposes students to learn an array of African music and dance traditions, while our Drama and Creatives clubs explore African plays and art forms. All students must be able to name all African countries on a blank map. USAP students emerge as proud future African leaders, keen to make a positive impact in Zimbabwe and more widely on the Continent.
Convocation and Intersessions
The academic year at USAP is punctuated by Convocation weeks—dedicated periods for enrichment outside the standard curriculum. During these weeks, students explore diverse themes through workshops, guest speakers, and team-based challenges.Intersessions take place between terms and offer immersive, experiential learning in areas such as career exposure, innovation, leadership, and community engagement. These programs equip students with broader perspectives and transferable life skills.
USAP Bridge
USAP Bridge is our unique bridging program during the eight-month gap in academic calendars between USAPCS graduation in November and university enrollment the following August. Through work experience and community engagement, this enrichment initiative prepares all of our graduates to develop as changemakers while preparing to thrive at university. The USAP Bridge program includes college prep, community service, work experience, leadership training, and personal development. Participants are involved in one of four options, serving as
- Interns at Education Matters
- Teaching Assistants at USAP Community School
- Capstone Fellow
- Zimpact Teaching Fellows in under-resourced Zimbabwean schools.
Additionally, an intensive College Readiness Weekend, held every July, prepares alumni to adjust to university life and life abroad, continuing Education Matters Africa’s mission of fostering ethical, driven changemakers ready to take advantage of their university life chapter.
