Academics
A model K–12 programme emphasising learner-centred pedagogy and high academic integrity — from a child's first letter sounds to the national examinations.
The curriculum
We teach the national curriculum — and then some.
Every pupil at KFI is taught the Liberia National Curriculum in full. On top of it we blend materials chosen because they work: Amplify CKLA for knowledge-rich English, Jolly Phonics for early reading, and Rod and Staff Science alongside our own hands-on laboratory programme.
Basic computer skills and an online learning platform are integrated throughout, so that pupils leaving KFI are not meeting a keyboard for the first time at university.
Why we blend rather than adopt
No single published scheme fits a Liberian classroom perfectly. Blending lets us keep national alignment while giving our teachers materials that are sequenced, resourced and actually teachable — and it is the same reason we publish our own copybooks and planning instruments.
What we blend
- Liberia National Curriculum The national framework, taught in full.
- Amplify CKLA Knowledge-rich English language arts.
- Jolly Phonics Synthetic phonics for early literacy.
- Rod and Staff Science Structured, sequential science content.
- Hands-On Science Practical laboratory and field work.
Our particular strengths
Jolly Phonics & early literacy
English language
Science
The school, stage by stage
Four divisions, one through-line
Each division has its own emphasis, but the sequence is deliberate: sounds before words, words before knowledge, knowledge before argument.
Division 1
Early Years
Nursery – Kindergarten
Where reading begins.
Our youngest learners meet letters through Jolly Phonics — a synthetic-phonics method that teaches the sounds of English before the names of letters. Handwriting copybooks, structured play and small groups build the confidence that everything later depends on.
- Jolly Phonics synthetic phonics
- K–3 handwriting copybooks
- Structured early-numeracy work
- Daily read-aloud
Division 2
Lower School
Grades 1 – 6
Fluency, curiosity, character.
Pupils move from learning to read to reading to learn. The Liberia National Curriculum is strengthened with Amplify CKLA for knowledge-rich English, and hands-on science makes abstract ideas physical. Pupils who need more support are referred to our Reading Clinic.
- Amplify CKLA knowledge-building
- Hands-on science lessons
- Reading Clinic referral
- Basic computer skills
Division 3
Middle School
Grades 7 – 9
Independence and rigour.
Subject teaching deepens and pupils take on real responsibility for their own work. Science moves into the Hands-On-Lab, written English becomes analytical, and the after-school STEM club opens to those who want to go further.
- Subject-specialist teaching
- “Hands-On-Lab” science
- Science report copybooks
- After-school STEM club
Division 4
Upper School
Grades 10 – 12
Prepared to leave, ready to lead.
The senior years prepare pupils for national examinations and for what follows. High academic integrity is not a slogan here — it is the condition of graduating. Since 2011 our alumni have gone on to university and to national programmes.
- WAEC / national exam preparation
- Online learning platform
- Leadership and service expectations
- University and career guidance
Non-negotiable
High academic integrity is a condition of graduating.
We say this plainly because it is unusual to enforce. Work is the pupil's own. Marks reflect what was learned. A KFI certificate is meant to be worth something to the person who receives it and to whoever reads it next.
- Learner-centred pedagogy Pupils do the thinking. Teachers plan for it, using our own instructional planning and record instruments.
- Intervention, not exclusion Pupils who fall behind in reading are referred to the Reading Clinic rather than left to fail quietly.
- Teachers who keep learning Our staff sit the same continuing professional development we run for other schools across Liberia.
- Recognition of achievement Individual achievement is recognised and celebrated, at every level of the school.
Materials
Instructional resources we publish
Produced for our own classrooms first, then shared with the schools we train.