International Leadership Academy of Ethiopia Programs
A full, college preparatory program of the highest quality
Our students will participate in a curriculum that draws on best practices from throughout the world that will prepare them to attend excellent colleges and universities throughout in Ethiopia and beyond. In addition, the curriculum will draw on ancient Ethiopian values and wisdom that have been discarded over time, including respect for nations, nationalities and peoples of Ethiopia; religious tolerance; respect for gender diversity; Ethiopian identity; community values; respect for elders; agricultural roots knowledge acquisitions. The major components of the curriculum will include: highest quality instruction; leadership through service; locally robust, globally connected; technology; sustainability.
Leadership through service
The best way to develop leadership in young people is to have them practice it through service. There are many opportunities for service in Ethiopia, from orphanages to hospitals, to name just a few. In addition, service will be practiced on campus, through programs that involve students in caring for the campus, and eventually, growing food. Eventually, we expect students to return to their places of origin and be able to lead their communities forward.
Global Education Partnership Network
ILAE is connected to The Northwest School, which itself is connected to partner schools around the world, including in China, El Salvador, France, Spain and Taiwan. The Northwest School, founded in 1980, is a highly ranked college preparatory school serving 480 students in grades 6-12 in Seattle, WA. It has a long history in global education. In addition to exchanges, we will be developing online learning communities in which students can study the same content and exchange diverse perspectives.
Recent Successes and Current Challenges
We have found a superb home on the campus of Hope University College in Addis Ababa. In April, we launched a
Preparatory Program which prepares talented 8th graders from local schools for entrance to the 9th grade. This program is modeled after the very successful Rainier Scholars program of Seattle and will employ teachers who have had experience in that program to ensure success. We have also developed a significant curriculum, funded by a grant from the E.E. Ford Foundation. It allowed us to hold retreats in both Seattle and Addis Ababa that were attended by education leaders from the U.S. and Ethiopia, including the first Head of Oprah's school, education ministers in Ethiopia, among others.
In Ethiopia, more than 50% of those over 15 cannot read or write and only 30% attend secondary school. In a country that must prioritize survival for its residents, there simply are not sufficient resources to support and encourage young people who have academic promise. The government has been able to establish elementary schools for virtually all children, but there is a scarcity of secondary schools. ILAE fills this need for high quality secondary school education. To ensure that we are able to reach the most underserved students, we need to raise $160,000 to support 10 of the scholarship students in the 9th grade.