A home away from home in the Karatu highlands
Black Rhino Academy offers full boarding from primary through secondary, starting in Year 1 / Standard 1. Children live in small, family-style dorms with a full-time matron who lives alongside them, so there is always a caring adult close by, day and night.
Small dorms, built around family life
Boarding is available from primary through secondary. Dorms are separate for boys and girls, and bedrooms are arranged by age so children share with others at the same stage. Each dorm has two bedrooms and bathrooms, with eight children sharing a bedroom, plus a shared living space that opens straight onto the outdoors.
We currently have two boys' dorms and one girls' dorm, with plans to grow to ten dorms as the school grows.
Girls' boarding: very limited spaces remain. Please contact us early if you're considering boarding for your daughter.
- Full-time matron living in each dorm
- Shared living room with access to the outside
- Small kitchen for snack time
- Sick room with its own bathroom, next to the matron
- Bunk beds with mosquito nets
Looked after, every hour of the day
Your child's safety and happiness come first. Here's who looks after boarders and how.
Ms Juliana
Ms Juliana leads our boarding team and oversees the matrons in every dorm. She lives on campus full time, right next to the dorms, and is the first point of contact for parents with any question about boarding life.
A matron who lives in
Each dorm has a full-time matron who lives with the children and looks after them outside teaching hours.
Weekly doctor visits
A doctor from nearby FAME Hospital visits the school every week to check on boarders and look at any medical concerns.
Safe campus
24/7 security staff and CCTV, trained staff, and clear child-protection and emergency policies.
Parents kept informed
We contact parents straight away about any major concern. A sick room next to the matron gives extra care at night.
A day in the life of a boarder
- Wake up, get dressed and tidy rooms
- Breakfast together
- School day
- Clubs and activities (Tuesday–Friday)
- Free play
- Dinner
- Study time
- Lights out for younger children
- Reading and quiet time for older children
Weekends
Boarding includes a programme of weekend activities, so there's always something to look forward to.
Church on Sundays: at parents' request, we can take children to church on Sunday mornings.
Visits & days out: there are no scheduled home weekends. Parents are welcome to visit or take their children out at the weekend. Just let us know two days in advance.
You'll always know how they're doing
- Regular newsletters, emails and WhatsApp updates
- Parent–teacher meetings
- Weekend visits and days out welcome with two days' notice
- Parents are given their child's matron's phone number
- Speak to your child at weekends by calling through their matron
Before your child arrives
Boarding packing listDownload PDF School calendarTerm dates and holidaysWhat boarding costs
Boarding fees include all meals. Fees are per year, in Tanzanian Shillings.
| Year group | School fees | Boarding fees | Total per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Years 1–3 | TSh 13,000,000 | TSh 9,100,000 | TSh 22,100,000 |
| Primary Years 4–6 | TSh 13,520,000 | TSh 9,100,000 | TSh 22,620,000 |
| Secondary Years 7–9 | TSh 17,290,000 | TSh 9,880,000 | TSh 27,170,000 |
| Secondary Year 10 | TSh 18,720,000 | TSh 10,920,000 | TSh 29,640,000 |
Joining fees, sibling and early-payment discounts and payment plans are on our School Fees page. Fees subject to change.
Boarding FAQs
What if my child gets homesick?
Matrons pay extra close attention to new children while they settle in, and our Head of Boarding checks in with them daily. Teachers also let the boarding team know straight away if a child seems to be struggling emotionally.
In the first couple of weeks, parents can be in touch more often than weekly if needed. We do recommend keeping contact limited, so that the matron becomes the person your child turns to first.
What happens if my child is unwell?
The dorm matron looks after any child who is unwell, and each dorm has a sick room with its own bathroom next to the matron's room. A doctor from FAME Hospital visits the school every week to see boarders, and we contact parents immediately about any major concern.
Can you collect my child from the airport?
When several children arrive at the same airport at the same time, we can sometimes send school transport to collect them. If that isn't possible, we can recommend reliable private transport providers for parents to arrange directly.
Do boarders need pocket money?
Please send your child's pocket money to the school at the beginning of each term. The accounting office holds it and gives it to your child before any outing, so they have the chance to spend it.
Can my child have special dietary needs?
Yes, we can accommodate most dietary needs. Please include your child's dietary restrictions in the application so we can discuss them early in the process.
Can I visit or take my child out at weekends?
Yes. There are no scheduled home weekends, but parents are welcome to visit or take their children out at the weekend. Just let us know two days in advance.
Can my child go to church on Sundays?
Yes. At parents' request, we can take children to church on Sundays.
Come and see the dorms for yourself
The best way to picture your child here is to visit. Meet the matrons, see the rooms and ask us anything.
info@blackrhinoacademy.com · WhatsApp +255 768 448 187