Our Programmes
Rising Sons Africa has two formal one-year school programmes: RSA Foundations for boys aged 13–15 and RSA Transition for boys aged 16–18.
RSA Foundations and RSA Transition
Rising Sons Africa has two formal one-year school programmes. RSA Foundations is for boys aged 13–15 and RSA Transition is for boys aged 16–18. Both develop boys through Identity, Responsibility, Relationships, Leadership and Purpose, with content and expectations adjusted for age and stage.
Each formal programme includes 27 school sessions: one 90-minute session per week for nine teaching weeks in each of three terms.
Shared Developmental Areas
Both programmes use the same five developmental areas. The depth, examples, tools and expectations change with age and stage.
Identity
Strengths, values, belonging, influences and who I am becoming.
Responsibility
Choices, habits, accountability, consequences and responsible independence.
Relationships
Communication, trust, boundaries, reciprocity, repair and asking for help.
Leadership
Contribution, reliability, teamwork, initiative and responsible influence.
Purpose
Interests, skills, future possibilities, study/work choices, contribution and practical next steps.
The Two Formal Programmes
Each programme is completed once. Foundations and Transition are distinct, age-specific programmes.
RSA Foundations
Foundations is a one-year programme completed once between ages 13 and 15. It is concrete, practical and guided. Boys work with situations they already recognise from home, school, friendships, sport, routines, devices and early independence.
- Identity: strengths, values, belonging, influences and who I am becoming.
- Responsibility: everyday choices, habits, peer and digital pressure, consequences and repair.
- Relationships: friendship, trust, listening, teasing, personal and digital boundaries and asking for help.
- Leadership: contribution, reliability, teamwork, small service and role ownership.
- Purpose: interests, skills, curiosity, contribution, future possibilities and a manageable 90-Day practice.
RSA Transition
Transition is a one-year programme completed once between ages 16 and 18. It is self-contained, so a boy can join Transition even if he has not completed Foundations. It expects greater reflection, independence and accountability.
- Identity: values under pressure, character versus reputation, expectations and independence.
- Responsibility: trade-offs, accountability, risk, money, reputation and responsible independence.
- Relationships: reciprocity, power, romantic and digital boundaries, consent, coercion, repair and support routes.
- Leadership: responsible influence, initiative, stakeholders, role ownership and accountability.
- Purpose: study and work pathways, skills, money and independence, contribution, career exposure and an accountable 90-Day Plan.
The Annual Programme Rhythm
Each programme includes 27 school sessions: one 90-minute session per week for nine teaching weeks in each of three terms. Holiday experiences reinforce school learning; they are not separate programmes.
Term 1
Identity + Responsibility — nine weekly 90-minute school sessions.
Holiday 1
Age-specific experiential reinforcement of Identity + Responsibility; an approved alternative is available.
Term 2
Relationships + Leadership — nine weekly 90-minute school sessions.
Holiday 2
Age-specific experiential reinforcement of Relationships + Leadership; an approved alternative is available.
Term 3
Purpose + Future Readiness + Integration — nine weekly 90-minute school sessions.
Year End
RSA Annual Gathering / Network — cross-school connection, recognition and approved opportunities.
Progression Through RSA
A boy completes Foundations once and may later enter Transition when eligible. A boy first joining RSA at ages 16–18 enters Transition directly. After Transition, the formal school-based curriculum is complete, with suitable RSA Network, service, career exposure, alumni or other opportunities available where approved.
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