Anticipation and Adventure: Welcoming USAPCS Class of 2026

Each January, on the first day of the school calendar year in Zimbabwe, the newest members of the USAP Community School gather for their inaugural meeting. At the Education Matters offices located in Harare, some students arrive accompanied by a parent, others by a sibling or family friends, many arrive alone, luggage in tow. Uncertainty hangs in the air– 50% of the students in the Class of 2026 have never gone to a boarding school. Because students hail from all 10 provinces of Zimbabwe, in many cases they have traveled overnight on multiple buses across the country to join their new peers on Education Matters’ sunny green lawn to wait for the bus to their new school. The atmosphere is marked by an unusual quietness; at first, despite being surrounded by other kids, the loudest sound is often silence.

Suddenly, someone breaks the ice. “I think USAP is weird,” one of the new students remarked as he joined others in the waiting area, eyes wide with a mix of excitement and nervousness–“weird is my alternative for unique.” This sentiment is echoed by many of the incoming USAPCS Class of 2026, as they arrived on Tuesday the 14th of January, 2024, ready to embark on a new chapter in their educational journey. Quickly, the atmosphere is charged with anticipation, nerves set aside for a moment or two. “I’m really excited for marimba and debate!” one student chips in, her enthusiasm infectious. The mention of extracurricular activities sparks a flurry of discussions about what everyone is looking forward to. Many students express eagerness to dive into various clubs and activities. “I want to see if everything I saw on the socials is true,” one student says, reflecting on the vibrant online community she had observed before arriving. The excitement is palpable as they share stories about what they hope to achieve during their time at USAP.

The excitement does not erode the anxiety that comes with diving into something totally new. Questions swirl in the air like leaves caught in a breeze: Will they fit in? Will they be able to keep up with the academic demands? 

“I have so many questions,” one student admits shyly. Quickly others tack on comments and doubts and worries–they’ve created that space where everyone is safe to voice their concerns too. The magic of the USAP community starts there, in that very moment, on that lawn. It’s the same sense of community that will carry students through the most academically and emotionally challenging times of their two years at USAPCS. And it starts with shared vulnerability. Soon it becomes clear that while each person becoming a member of USAPCS has had different experiences leading up to this moment, from now on they are united by a shared honesty and hope.

As the bus finally arrives to take students an hour-or-so away to Marondera, it marks not just a physical journey but also an emotional one—a transition from uncertainty into opportunity. Campus-bound, most students are enveloped in a contemplative silence that only few dare to break. Those who do speak communicate in hushed tones, as if they are sharing secrets about the new chapter that lies ahead. But the atmosphere shifts dramatically upon arrival at campus. Each student is immediately greeted by school-assigned big brothers and sisters— upper six mentors tasked with guiding them through this pivotal moment in their lives. Upper sixes arrive early on campus so that they can prepare the USAP home for their new peers and future friends. They play an essential role in helping the new class navigate their first day, and assist in carrying luggage to assigned rooms, where they have already prepared welcoming spaces by making beds for the new class.

The students gather with faculty in the Chobani Dining Hall and enjoy a wonderfully prepared dish of sadza and beans, offering a comforting conclusion to their first day, one that started in silence but ended in laughter.

Students’ first full day on campus begins with an extracurricular fair, an event designed to showcase the 17 different clubs and activities available at USAP, and to welcome lower sixes to the unique USAP culture. Since most of the new students will be coming from government schools where extracurriculars were not previously offered, this fair introduces them to a fundamental part of USAP. Extracurriculars at USAP are responsible for aiding the process of creating a well rounded individual who are not only strong academically but can develop and discover their unique talents. 

At the fair, the lively sounds of marimba, mbira, and USAPella (USAP acapella group) fill the air as members of the upper six clubs display their talents and passions. 64% of this new class has never played a musical instrument before, presenting an opportunity to find a new passion. In the annual debate club pitch, upper sixes discussed whether Precious—the school cat—should have her kittens officially adopted by USAPCS. Upper six members of the archery team lure in cautious newcomers, who step out of their comfort zones to try out bows and arrows for the first time. Others join the official media club, responsible for sharing all of the school’s latest news updates with USAP family and alumni worldwide.

These two days are the beginning of a lifelong connection to USAP–to its values, to its future, to a shared commitment to see potential in others. In two years, students will graduate with an incredible academic background, and Cambridge A-Level certificates. But, what is less easily measured, and even more important, is the personal growth, sense of responsibility, and friendship that this place offers. We look forward to witnessing the journeys of the lower sixes, and we are cheering them on.